USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 45
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In the War with Spain in 1898-99, and in the late World War, North Andover was of the type that brightens the military pages of Essex county. While she did her full share in this last war, in purchas- ing war bonds, doing Red Cross work, etc., and in filling up her quota for men when called for, she was indeed fortunate in having a loss of only one man-Albert Thompson, who was killed overseas.
Saugus in Various Wars .- From an article written a few years after the Civil War, by Wilbur F. Newhall, the following facts have been taken as authentic and are here reproduced, in substance:
In the late war of the Rebellion, our town nobly showed its patriotism by an early and prompt response to the country's call for volunteers. One hundred and sixty-three men enlisted, and of these eight served in the navy. The larger num- ber of these were in the Seventeenth and Fortieth Massachusetts regiments. Among these soldiers, serving as they did in a great many regiments, and in almost every arm of the service, strange as it may seem, yet we cannot name any who were
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killed in battle, although many were seriously wounded, some to die from the wounds received, and some from exposure and disease in the service.
The veterans of Saugus, in June, 1869, organized as the 'General E. W. Hinks Post 95, Grand Army of the Republic,' with Charles A. Newhall as their com- mander.
In every war, this town has given of men and means to the full ex- tent of her quota. In the last great World War, it went "over the top" as the act of over-paying and raising more men than was required was called. The work of Red Cross Chapter, sale of Liberty Bonds, and other measures intended to further on the cause of the war, were strictly attended to in Saugus between April, 1917, and 1919. Of the hundreds of brave men who went forth into this war, and whose names are in- scribed on a well-constructed tablet at the Town Building, were the following soldiers, who were either reported deceased or wounded, at the time the tablet was constructed, about the close of the war. A star in blue and gold on the tablet represents the men who gave up life or limb in the war above named, sometime between 1917 and 1919: Walter O. Bennett, James P. Bentley, Olin O. Bentley, Arthur C. Booth, An- tonio Chiofolo, William Olaf Cooper, Abraham G. W. Fiske, Samuel Goodman, Harold B. Gray, Alfred H. Hanson, Alton C. Hobbs, Frank Hobbs, Harold R. Hobbs, William Sloan Hodgson, William F. Johnson, Frank Lakin, Archie C. Lord, Raymond E. Morrison, Sextus E. Norden, Henry I. Pilcher, Clarence E. Pyoh, Walter C. Rice, James H. Smith, Alexander J. Stewart, Willard F. Swan, Gerald L. Townsend, Herbert M. Wentworth, Edward P. Wing.
Beverly .- In 1765, troublesome times were approaching, and the records of the day show that the people of Beverly were alive to every fateful prognostication from over the ocean. A powder-house was erect- ed on the south side of the commons in 1767, to contain the town ammu- nition, which had previously been stored in the basement of the meeting- house. In 1775, bearing date February 27, among articles in the call for a public meeting of the town, the records show this: "To see if the town will have a watch kept for the preservation of the town, and come into such measures relative thereto as may then be thought best; and there was a warrant issued out to the several constables to warn the same as follows: viz; to Samuel Woodberry 3d, to warn Farms and Bald Hill districts; to Joseph Woodberry to warn Royal Side and Bass River districts, and to William Elliott to warn the Ferry district."
It was later decided to have a watch, consisting of nine persons, posted at different places; and that "if the watch discover that any hos- tilities are likely to be made on the town or any of its inhabitants there- of, they are to make an alarm by the firing of three guns and the ringing of the church bell." It was also voted that the town raise forty-four minute-men, including the officers. Thus it was that when that noted day arrived-April 19, 1775-these people were prepared for the "Lex-
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ington Alarm," as now called in history. When the messenger came, telling of the British march on to Concord, the business of the day was at once abandoned; every man took his trusty gun and was ready for any emergency. The captains of the local militia, Joseph Rea and Caleb Dodge, and others, mounted their horses and posted to the Farms and other districts, arousing the people. By three o'clock that afternoon every able-bodied man in Beverly was ready for what might come. They were a long distance away, but were on hand at the skirmishes follow- ing the battle of Lexington. One of their number was killed, Reuben Kennison, and three were wounded-Nathaniel Cleavrs, William Dodge (3rd), and Samuel Woodbury.
Between March and November, 1781, fifty-two vessels, carrying 746 guns, with crews of almost four thousand men, were fitted out, most- ly from Salem and Beverly. Beverly sent out the first commissioned privateer of the Revolution, the "Hannah," the papers of which were issued September 3, 1775, and signed by General Washington. Beverly was the first to commence operations against Great Britain's mercantile marine and maintained her privateers throughout the war.
During the second war with England, Beverly bore her part man- fully and well. There were three companies of militia in the time of this war, in which were enrolled about three hundred and fifty men. The North Beverly company was commanded by Abraham Lord, with Israel Trask as second lieutenant; the Cove and Farms company was com- manded by Aaron Foster and lieutenant Jona Foster. In the center of the town was a company comprising about one-half of all the town's soldiers; this was commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Lamson, with John Davis as lieutenant. The Beverly soldiers were accounted among the best trained of any in Massachusetts at that date. At the termination of the war, a great peace celebration was held in Beverly on February :22, 1815. The newspapers at the time had this to say concerning this event: "The assembled people flew to the gun-house, dragged the heavy artillery to the highest hilltop, and from amidst the peals of bells, fired salutes which proclaimed the pleasures they felt. In the evening, the destruction, by fire, of the dwellinghouse of an unfortunate citizen sus- pended for a while the natural joy, which had begun to flow from the domestic circle."
The war with Mexico was more unpopular in Beverly than the War of 1812, and as a result there were few enlistments. The most of these joined the U. S. regular army. Among the men from Beverly who went to that war are found the names of Charles F. Dodge, Joseph Bradshaw and Thomas J. Pousland. Through the acquisition of Texas, New Mex- ico and California, a vast territory was thrown open for settlement. Gold was soon discovered, and Beverly sent forth many of her hardy .sons in quest of the shining metal.
The military spirit shown in previous wars was again alert when
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President Lincoln called for his first 75,000 men to put down the Re- bellion in April, 1861. Here in Beverly, one always could count on find- ing a well-trained militia company, the militia spirit commencing away back before Revolutionary days, in 1662. At one time there were three full military companies in Beverly ; but strange to say, in the spring of 1861, only one company existed. This was known as Company E, Bever- ly Light Infantry. Company E, was the first in Massachusetts to report for duty; Captain Porter received his orders at 5 p. m., April 15th; he at once notified his men in person. This was the second company to arrive in Boston. Military companies were formed throughout the town, over one hundred members during the first week.
The Eighth Regiment left in time to arrive in Boston on the 16th; left that city on the 18th, was greeted all along the way to Philadelphia. Gen B. F. Butler accompanied it as its commander, it being in his brig- ade. The regiment reached New York, April 19-that noted historic day in American history-when the Sixth regiment was attacked by a mob in the city of Baltimore. This was the second Massachusetts regi- ment that had marched through Broadway, New York, amid congratu- lations by a vast multitude. The regiment arrived in Washington, D. C., on the 26th. The "National Intelligencer" the following morning said editorially: "We doubt whether any single regiment in the country could furnish such a ready contingent to reconstruct a steam engine, lay a railroad track and bend the rails of a man-of-war." One of the Beverly company wrote back from Washington that President Lincoln appeared on their arrival in Washington, and said: "Three cheers for the Eighth Regiment of Massachusetts, who can build a locomotive, lay railroad tracks and re-take the Constitution."
It appears that upon the arrival of the Eighth Regiment at Annap- olis, Gen Butler found the railroad engine-house locked up. He broke it open, and discovered the engine all in pieces. "Who knows anything about an engine?" was the question. One man stepped out of the ranks, and said: "I do, General, I made that locomotive, and can repair her in two hours,"-and he did. This man was none other than Charles S. Homans, of the Beverly Light Infantry, who found his mark on the dis- abled locomotive at Annapolis, and superintended its construction. The man who served as his fireman on the re-built engine was he who left the depot at Beverly with the soldiers, but had not enlisted at that hour ; he caught the inspiration and later became a soldier in fact.
The whole number of men furnished to the Union cause from Bev- erly in the Civil War under various calls was as follows: April 16, 1861, three months men, 75; June 17, 1861, three years men, 172; July 4, 1862, three years men, 140; August 4, 1862, nine months men, 101; March, July and December, 1864, three years men, 127; three years men who received no bounty, 118; ninety day men, 86; one hundred days men, 77. This made a total of 896 men, and a total paid in boun-
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ties of $61,120, of which the State of Massachusetts refunded $18,000. At least one hundred others served from other places, but who really belonged to Beverly ; and nearly as many more served in the navy, hence were not counted in the above list. The whole number of men who died in the army and navy was about ninety, or ten per cent. of the whole number enlisted.
A recapitulation may be made as follows: Number of enlistments from Beverly during the Rebellion was 608; in the navy, 74; total, 682. The whole number of enlistments, counting re-enlistments for nine months, one hundred days and three years, was 988. The several calls of the government for men were promptly met, and at the end of the war with a surplus of ninety men, sufficient to meet her quota to a call of another 300,000. Beverly furnished thirty-two commissioned officers for the army, most of whom were promoted from the ranks. Also in the navy a large number received commissions as volunteer officers. The town was represented by three military organizations-Company E, of the Eighth regiment; G of the Twenty-third regiment; and K of the Fortieth regiment, and the muster rolls from almost every part of the State showed names from Beverly. While most of the "boys in blue" have passed to their eternal reward, there still remain a few old veterans honored by all who know them.
In close proximity to the City Hall in Beverly may be seen four metal tablets on a wood background, and on these tablets are inscribed the names of the soldiers of the late World War, who were either killed in action or died while in the service of the United States in that terrible struggle. These names are as follows: Ames, Oliver; Baker, Arthur E .; Brockamonts, John C .; Brown, Ray F .; Burchastead, Ed. O .; Codi- gan, M. J .; Cressey, Nelson; Creesy, Andrew E .; Deantonio, Stephano ; Fowler, Alfred F .; Gorman, James H .; Hill, Ralph S .; Halligan, John E .; Harwood, Leroy A .; Kelleher, Frank J .; Lyons, Percy F .; Lee, Charles A .; Levanture, Louis H .; Knowlton, Charles A .; Millsbad, Ar- thur; Penna, Francesco; Perrigo, Harold K .; Pulliston, Lorenzo; Ro- manin, Luigi; Sutherland, Clark E .; Simpkins, Nathaniel, Jr .; Cooney, Robert J .; Waldie, Peter M .; Wardell, Earl; Whittaker, Percy E .; Sel- len, Harrold; Dorsett, W. Austin; Martin, Lifa; McEvoy, Frank. The total enrollment of soldiers from Beverly in this war was 1,428, from which number thirty-one gave up life in defense of the principles of their native or adopted country, over which waves the "stars and stripes."
The draft board for Beverly was composed of the following gentle- men: Thomas D. Connolly, Dr. James A. Shatswell, Oliver T. Roberts and Herbert W. Porter. Also the Mayor, Hon. James McPherson; chief clerk-Miss Winifred L. King; clerk-Miss Lucy Baker. The legal ad- visers were Dennis W. Quill (chairman), August P. Loring, and Albert W. Boyden.
Peabody's Military Record-The Stamp Act imposed upon the
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Colonies by English rule started the war-pot to boiling, and as the years passed on, the hotter became the fire in the hearts and breasts of the Colonists, including those at Peabody. November 12, 1774, this town voted to adhere to all the resolves of the Provincial Congress, thereby repudiating the government of England. January 9, 1775, it was de- cided to arm every able-bodied man in the town. Danvers sent two hundred men in all to the Lexington Alarm call. The record shows, however, that the number of men from Danvers in the entire Revolu- tionary War was 197, serving in the regular Continental army, out of a population of 1,800. The South parish furnished about one-half the number sent. The "Lexington Monument" dedicated to the memory of those from Danvers who were killed in the Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, gives the deceased in battle as follows: Samuel Cook, aged 33; Benjamin Daland, 25; George Southwick, 25; Jotham Webb, 22; Henry Jacobs, 22; Eben Goldthwait, 22; Perley Putnam, 21.
Much interest was taken in military affairs in the War of 1812. There were three companies in Danvers. The Danvers Light Artil- lery continued as an organization until 1850.
No sooner had the echo from Charleston (S. C.) harbor died away on the morning of April 12th, 1861, and the telegraph click stated that the South had opened up a civil war, then the citizens of this town were aroused to their old-time military activities. Lincoln called for 75,000 men for three months, and forty-two of the citizens here at once responded to the call. Nine members of the Salem Zouaves, under Cap- tain Devereux, starting on the morning of the 18th to join the Eighth Regiment, and ten men in the Mechanics Light Infantry, Captain Pier- son, and twenty-one in the City Guards, Captain Danforth, followed Sat- urday to join the Fifth Regiment under Colonel Lawrence. One Dan- vers man enlisted in the New York Zouaves, and one in an Iowa regi- ment. This was but the start; for four long years the town read its calls for "more men"-100,000, then came the calls for "300,000 strong," and these were repeated till the North had conquered the South. Large amounts were raised to pay soldiers' bounties and to provide for the families of soldiers at home. War meetings were the common order of the day during those history-making years. Finally the war ended, and then came the building of monuments in honor of the fallen heroes. The Peabody Town Hall is graced with marble tablets containing the names of the seventy-one men who gave up life for the freedom of men. The total number serving in the war from here was seven hundred and eighty-one.
The following is believed to be a complete list of those who made the supreme sacrifice as soldiers from Peabody in the recent World War: Fedor Borivik, aged 22; Michael J. Burke, 21; Eugene F. Connelly, 39; Daniel A. Driscold, 27; Franklin J. Farnsworth, 22; John Hourihan, 28; Charles J. Howley, 28; Charles S. Hutchinson, 26; Daniel F. Keefe, 27;
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Peter Kosronis, 27; Louis W. Love, 23; Frank F. Mortinak, 18; Leroy E. Nelson, 29. These names appear on a tablet made of wood (tempor- arily), now placed in front of the city building.
Military of Manchester-From various sources the following is gleaned concerning the wars in which Manchester has participated: May 18, 1774, a letter was received from the Committee of Correspon- dence at Boston, on the subject of the separation of colonies. A town meeting was called and a committee was chosen to report thereon. The resolutions passed at Ipswich were of unmistakable import:
First-If any danger arises from this meeting, the town will be liable for the same.
Second-To send delegates to the county Congress and they be paid eight shil- lings per day.
Third-John Lee, Andrew Marsters, and Andrew Woodbury are elected dele- gates to the county Congress to meet at Ipswich, to consider the critical state of our national affairs.
On the 16th of September, "Andrew Woodbury was elected to the General Court, and in the event of its dissolution he was to attend at the Provincial Congress at Cambridge." In December of the same year, the town voted that "the money in the hand of the constable should not be paid to the treasurer of the Province, but to Henry Gardner, of Stowe"; "thus the sinews of war" were diverted from the customary channel to the popular cause. And that importation might be reduced, it was voted "that we give no scarfs or gloves at funerals and wear no mourning for deceased friends, except a small piece of crepe."
Minute-men were appointed, ammunition was purchased, and the militia organized by the election of Andrew Marsters, captain; Samuel Forster, first lieutenant, and Elazer Crafts, second lieutenant; and the company was more frequently drilled on the Common. The town also ordered "a subscription for the poor of Boston."
The order from the Provincial Congress, for supplying clothing for the army was cheerfully complied with; and fifty bushels of corn were bought for the poor of the town. Watch-houses were built along the coast that the movements of the enemy might be observed. In April the news of the battle of Lexington reached the town, and the militia, un- der Captain Marsters, started immediately for the scene of action. They went as far as Medford, where they had orders to return. Twenty-one of his company enlisted in the Continental army.
Coming down through the Civil War and the Spanish-American strife to the late World War, the town has ever been thoughtful and loyal. There was no exception in the last war, when all the various activities of both men and women were seen in the extreme. Bonds put out by the government sold readily, even to those who had but little money laid up. In Red Cross work and in that of various societies, each sought out its own peculiar duty and performed it well. In send-
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ing out soldiers Manchester went "over the top" in every case. The death roll was as follows: Frank B. Amiral, Michael Coughlin, Joseph McNeary, Edward Goldthwait. Also, Ammi Wright Lancashire, Ph.B., 1911, who was born June 28, 1887, in Saginaw, Michigan, died of influ- enza complications in the Philadelphia Navy Yard Hospital, September 27, 1918. He was buried in his native State. Having attended Phil- lips Academy at Andover, he left the sum of $20,000 to that academy. While not really a soldier from Manchester, he having enlisted else- where, yet his people reside there, and his education was obtained in Essex county, hence this mention of a worthy man, cut down in the prime of his young manhood.
Military History of Lawrence-What is known as Lawrence was not in existence when the early wars were waged in New England; but when the Civil War came on, it had its full share of sacrifice to make. The Sixth Massachusetts Regiment-so famous in its deeds en route to the National capital, and all through the four-year conflict-contained two companies from Lawrence, which at this time (April, 1861), was commanded by Col. Edward F. Jones. The lieutenant-colonel was Wal- ter G. Shattuck; and major, Benjamin F. Watson of Lawrence. During the riot, while passing through the city of Baltimore, on their way to Washington, four of the Lawrence men were killed and thirty-six wounded. Statistics show that Lawrence was ever ready at every call for men or money. She furnished 2,617 volunteers and drafted men, a surplus of 224 above all calls made upon her. This was less than one- seventh of the population. Of this quota 255 men were killed in battle or died of wounds. The city government was prompt in appropriating money with which to carry on the activities of the war. More than $315,000 was raised during the war period, a portion of which was paid back by the State, later on. Through the agency of the Grand Army of the Republic, in 1881, a splendid monument was erected in Lawrence to the faithful defenders of the Union in those dark days.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, the sons of Lawrence were among the first to enlist. Most of the soldiers from this city were from out the National Guard companies-Company F, of the Ninth Regiment, and Company L of the Eighth Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry. Both companies were mustered into the United States service May 10th, 1898, and were duly ordered South. Company L was sent to Chickamauga, Georgia, and Company F to Camp Alger, Virginia. It hardly landed in Cuba before it was ordered into battle, and had its full share of real warfare, from first to last. The company served six months and lost four men. Company L spent part of the time in camp at Chickamauga, and in January, 1899, it was or- dered to Cuba, on provost duty. It was mustered out of service and arrived in Lawrence after a year's service.
When trouble arose between this country and the border-land of
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Mexico, in the spring of 1916, Lawrence militia units responded to the call, but soon they were destined for greater service as soldiers.
In the World War, Lawrence achieved a good record among the other cities and towns within Essex county. In men, money and labor the city contributed generously. Several months before the war ended, a published list of deceased soldiers from Lawrence showed a footing of thirty-two killed or died from effect of wounds on the firing line. The first soldier belonging in Lawrence to be killed in action was "Kap- lan, Samuel, Company F, 101st Infantry." The first soldier from Law- rence with the United States forces to die in service (victim of appen- dicitis, at Fort Slocum, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1919) was "Ravich, Joseph, United States Regular Army."
Under orders of the President, Lawrence conducted her selective draft registration on June 5, 1917, without expense to the Federal gov- ernment. While the drafts were going on, four local units of the Na- tional Guard were sent to training camps, where they were merged into new regiments, and later sent to France to take their place on the firing line of the western battle-front. These units were Battery C, 1st Field Artillery; Company L, 8th Massachusetts Infantry; Company F, 9th Massachusetts Infantry, and Headquarters Company, Field Artillery. They arrived at the front line trenches early in February, 1918. Bat- tery C fired its first shell into the German lines on February 8th. At the end of the first year after the United States got into this war, Law- rence had sent 3,500 men to the army and navy. Of this number 3,000 volunteered. Also, Lawrence furnished 610 soldiers who joined the British colors.
On account of the lack of records, the complete amounts given for bonds and other war calls in Lawrence cannot be given here, but the earlier calls showed the following totals: First Liberty Loan, under Fred H. Eaton, bonds were sold to the amount of $3,387,000; second Lib- erty Loan, under Albert I. Couch, $6,368,000; third Liberty Loan, under George Fred Russell, $4,600,000. The second American Red Cross fund was $138,867; Y. M. C. A., $104,792; Knights of Columbus, $46,000. During the main drive for Red Cross memberships 21,353 signed as members. George Fred Russell was chairman of the committee on this branch of work. The Draft Exemption Boards comprised : Division 1, H. Christopher Chubb, chairman; Fred E. Twiss, Dr. Granville S. Allen. Division 2, Wilbur E. Rowell, chairman; Clinton O. Andrews, Dr. George W. Dow. Division 3, John Hendry, chairman; Nathaniel E. Rankin, Dr. John J. O'Sullivan. On the District Board of Appeals Lawrence was represented by Matthew A. Cregg.
In honor of the men in the service, the city erected a handsome tablet on the common, on which wooden structure were printed the names of all soldiers who were credited to Lawrence up to that date. This memorial tablet was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on
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