USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Longmeadow > Proceedings at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Longmeadow, October 17th, 1883 > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
FROM THE JOURNAL OF CORPORAL ISAAC COOMES.
COMPANY I, THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. YELLOW TAVERN, NEAR FORT WARREN, IN CAMP ABOUT THREE MILES SOUTH OF PETERSBURG, ON THE WELDON RAILROAD.
Sunday morning about 3 o'clock, April 2, 1865, the last week of the war, my regi- ment was put in position with a part of the Sixth Army Corps behind the breast- works of the Vermont brigade's picket-line at Petersburg, to charge the rebel works. Our picket-line kept firing to prevent the rebels from hearing the noise we made in being massed. The rebel picket-line vigorously returned the fire, killing and wounding several of our men. As we lay behind the breastworks the pickets stopped firing. The stillness became oppressive, when suddenly a Vermont picket
286
sang out, " Johnny ! anybody hurt over there ?" Answer from a rebel picket : " No- body hurt," and at the same time crying out "Yank, Yank, any one hurt over there ?" " No," was the reply, " your bullets all went over us." The Thirty-seventh was in the front line. I was the left man of the regiment. I asked my captain, Edward Gray, where we were going in. He said, "between the two forts." There were some thirty-six miles of forts about a quarter of a mile apart in our front. It was very dark as the order came down the line to advance. I went over our breast- work with the rest at double-quick. The rebels heard us, and as far as I could see to the right and to the left, long streams of fire were flashed from their guns. We had orders not to fire. I had got ahead of my company. Coming back in the dark to find them, I got mixed up with another regiment. The men were in broken ranks and not advancing. I turned and ran towards the rebel works, hoping to join my regiment, which I supposed was in front. Many soldiers were hurrying the same way, but not in line. The rebel pickets fell back. Both forts to the right and the left were firing shells at us. I reached the rebel abattis, and stopping, found myself alone. The forts had ceased firing. What to make of it I did not know. Turning back, on a run, I found Union soldiers lying down in battle line. I had not heard the order to lie down ; still thought myself left behind by the Thirty-seventh, and turned again for the rebel works. After running a few rods, a blaze of fire burst from a long battle-line. "The Thirty-Seventh must be going in here," thought I. " This is why they fire so fast." So I ran the faster. The bullets flew like liailstones. I was alone and directly in the range of the fire. " If I get killed here no one will know where I fell," thought I. I felt afraid, although I had been in twenty battles before and not afraid. But somehow the fear left me, for it seemed as if I was sur- rounded and borne along by unseen spirits. I felt a strange sense of safety and deliverance, almost exhilaration. I flew along across the fleld of death till I came within ten feet of a battle-line before I knew it. The flash of the guns showed them to be the enemy. My bayonet was fixed and my seven-shooter Spencer rifle ready to fire. The thought that came into my mind was "If they don't touch me I will let them alone." They had just delivered their fire and brought their guns to the ground. Standing in long double line they were drawing the rammers to load. I darted through their ranks. The men to the right and left turned their faces toward nie in a kind of dazed way, but I went through so quick that they did not have time to gather up their senses to stop me. Running a few rods directly for their works in the rear, I thought : "Now, if I fire my gun pointing towards the rebel works, our Inen will see the flash and will hurry up." So I fired six bullets in quick succession. Then throwing the last one into my gun I dropped upon the ground to load. As I pushed the magazine over six more bullets I heard some one running behind me. I turned and it was a man in blue. " Where did you come from ?" said I. " I came through them," said he. We were near the rebel abattis. As we looked up through the dim light to the rebel breastworks, he shouted, " There goes a battle-flag ; if we can only capture it !" But the man who carried the flag quickly disappeared. I took a path through the abattis, closely followed by my companion, who was a ser- geant of the Fifth Wisconsin regiment of niy brigade. We ran up and over the main breastworks and, strange to say, not a soldier, Confederate or Union, was in sight. I took one of the company streets and went through the Confederate camp. At the end of this street there was an officer seated on the ground and wrapped in a military cloak. " What ails you ? " said I, and as I spoke, -flash ! flash !- and a dozen bullets came whizzing by my head. I raised my gun and fired four bullets
287
back, saying to the sergeant, " We had better get out of this." We turned for the breastworks and as we neared them were cheered by the appearance of Union sol- diers scrambling over. They had no officers. It seemed to be a free rush, but I never in my life felt so happy, for I knew then that their main line must be broken and the war must soon be ended. I said to the first one I met, a tall, strong soldier from the Fifth Wisconsin, "There goes a reb into that log-house." Rushing to the door he kicked it in, at the same time shouting, " Where is he ? Where is he ?" The soldier came out and surrendered. At the end of the street we found the same officer crouched on the ground, who then said he was wounded, and we lifted him up. The force that had fired at nie at this place had fallen back. As daylight broke in the east the Union regiments came pouring over the main breastworks in battle-line. The first regiment to the right was from New York. They rushed ahead with the Stars and Stripes flying in their front, when an officer shouted " Halt! you will get flanked!" but it was a false alarm. About fifty rods in advance of this regiment led out a good road down which a Confederate supply train was making its best time. The drivers were running their teams as fast as they could. I exchanged a number of shots with their guards and helped capture a part of the train. When at last I found my company I learned that the Thirty-seventh had captured the fort at our right with its cannon and battle-flag. We then moved on towards Petersburg. My company was detailed as skirmishers to go in advance of the regiment. After mov- ing in the rear of the rebel works for about two miles we haited. The rebels were firing shells from one of their forts in the rear upon our backs. But the Union troops soon took this fort. A good-looking house stood about twenty rods in ad- vance of us. Captain Gray said : "Ike, can't you get up there and see what's in it ?" I went alone, but found nothing but the furniture in it. Guns were lying on the ground, which its occupants had left in their haste to get away. A large barn stood on the opposite side of the road These buildings bordered on a ravine where the first brouk to the south of Petersburg crosses the main highway. To the north of this ravine and not twenty rods away stood two rebel forts well manned with can- non and men. I shouted to my captain, "Here is a good place for cover." He quickly ordered our men up, and here we stayed till the next morning. The rebel sharpshooters tried their best to pick us off, but the building protected us. For more than an hour we held the place alone. Then other skirmishers were connected with us to the right and to the left. A number of these unprotected men were killed. The land in front was all cleared, except a little piece of timber about one hundred rods ahead. Suddenly out of this piece of woods deployed into the open field a long line of rebel troops. An officer riding a white horse began to form them in battle- line about fifty rods in advance of us. With others of my comrades I fired at him time after time as he rode so bravely up and down forming his battle-line. But he seemed to bear a charmed life. His men lay down and then the horse and rider dis- appeared. Some Ohio sharpshooters came into the barn to help us. After that it was not safe for the rebels in the forts to show themselves. I went into the house and found beans and flour that the Johnnies had left. Live coals still glowed in the fireplace, on which I soon had the beans cooking, and up stairs I found a good feather-bed, which made me think of home. I was so tired, not having slept for two nights, that I tried for a few minutes to sleep on that bed ; but it was too soft for a soldier. Meanwhile, too many guns were cracking for a good sleep. That night the firing stopped. Next morning we moved on through Petersburg to the final battle of the war at Sailor's Creek.
38
288
T .- CIVIL LIST.
This list includes those who have represented the Precinct and Town as Clerks, Representatives, Senators, Members of Constitutional Con- ventions, and Selectmen.
TOWN CLERKS.
1716. Jonathan Ely.
1812-20. Chester Woolworth.
1717. Samuel Stebbins.
1820-51. William White.
1718-51. Jonathan Ely.
1851-53. David Booth.
1751-75.
Jonathan Stebbins.
1853. Dimond Chandler.
1775-83. Jonathan Hale, Jr.
IS54-56. Henry J. Crooks.
1783-91.
Jonathan Hale, Jr.
1856. James L. Pratt.
1791-93.
Daniel Stebbins.
I857. Oliver Wolcott.
1793-1813.
Jabez Colton.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1784. Nathaniel Ely.
1837.
Elijah Colton.
1785-86. Gideon Burt.
1838. Calvin Burt.
1787. Elihu Colton.
1839-40. Gad O. Bliss.
1788-89. William Stebbins.
1841-42. Ethan Taylor.
1791-92.
Jabez Colton.
1843.
Calvin Burt.
1794-95.
Gideon Burt.
IS44. Jacob Colton, Jr.
1800.
Hezekiah Hale.
1845-46.
Lorin Burt.
1801.
Gideon Burt.
1847-48. Alford Cooley.
1802-03.
Nathaniel Ely.
1849-50.
Burgess Salsbury.
1804. Hezekiah Hale.
1851-52.
Dimond Colton.
1805-13.
Ethan Ely.
1853.
Oliver Dwight.
1813-14.
Calvin Burt.
1854.
Rial Strickland.
1815-16.
Alexander Field.
1855-56.
Stephen T. Colton.
1818-19.
Joseph W. Cooley.
1860.
Roderick H. Burnham.
1821.
Oliver Bliss.
1862
Luther Markham.
1826.
Elijah Colton.
1864.
D. Erskine Burbank.
1827-30.
Seth Taylor.
1866.
Abel H. Calkins.
1830. Elisha Burnham.
1869.
Larone Hills.
1831.
Seth Taylor.
1875. Thomas F. Cordis.
1832-33. Seth Taylor.
1878.
Eleazer S. Beebe.
1834. Oliver Bliss.
1882.
Charles S. Newell.
1835-37.
Burgess Salsbury.
SENATORS.
1856. Gad O. Bliss.
1863.
Thomas L. Chapman.
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
1820. Calvin Burt. IS 53. Gad O. Bliss.
Elisha Burnham.
1872.
Oliver Wolcott.
289
SELECTMEN.
CALLED COMMITTEE OF THE PRECINCT DOWN TO 1783.
1714. Col. Pynchon, Capt. Colton, Joseph Cooley, Nathaniel Burt, George Colton.
1715. Col. Pynchon, Capt. Colton, Nathaniel Burt, Jr., Samuel Keep, George Colton.
1716. Col. Pynchon, Sergt. Cooley, Corp. Burt, Samuel Keep, Thomas Bliss, 2d. 1717. Col. Pynchon, Thomas Colton, Nathaniel Bliss, Ephraim Colton, Joseph Cooley.
. 1718-19. Ephraim Colton, Joseph Cooley, Thomas Bliss, 2d.
1720. Joseph Cooley, Samuel Keep, Samuel Stebbins.
1721. Ephraim Colton, Thomas Hale, Samuel Stebbins.
1722. Lieut. Colton, Ensign Keep, Samuel Stebbins.
1723. Thomas Bliss, 2d, Samuel Stebbins, Samuel Cooley.
1724. Samuel Keep, Samuel Stebbins, Thomas Bliss, 3d.
1725. Nathaniel Bliss, Jr., Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Ely.
1726. Eliakim Ely, Nathaniel Bliss, Jr., Thomas Hale.
1727-28. Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Nash, George Colton.
1729. Thomas Colton, Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Ely.
1730.
Nathaniel Bliss, Jr., William Stebbins, Samuel Cooley.
1731.
Thomas Bliss, 2d, Thomas Bliss, 3d, Ebenezer Colton.
1732.
Samuel Cooley, Thomas Bliss, 3d, Timothy Nash.
1733. Thomas Bliss, 2d, Nathaniel Bliss, Jr., Thomas Colton.
1734. Samuel Colton, Samuel Cooley, Timothy Nash.
1735. Ebenezer Bliss, Ist, John Colton, John Cooley.
1736. Ephraim Colton, Thomas Colton, Ensign Stebbins.
1737. Timothy Nash, Samuel Cooley, John Burt, 2d.
1738. Thomas Field, Thomas Colton, Simon Colton.
1739. John Cooley, Thomas Bliss, David Burt, 2d.
1740. Jonathan Stebbins, Ephraim Colton, John Colton.
1741. Isaac Colton, Nathaniel Bliss, John Cooley.
1742. Henry Wolcott, Nathan Burt, Jr., John Colton.
1743. Samuel Cooley, Joshua Field, Isaac Colton.
1744. William Stebbins, Ephraim Colton, Jr., Samuel Keep, Jr.
1745. Ephraim Colton, John Colton, Jonathan Stebbins.
1746. Nathaniel Burt, Jr., Simon Colton, David Burt, 2d.
1747-49. Simon Colton, David Burt, 2d, Nathaniel Burt, Jr.
1750. Simon Colton, David Burt. 2d, Nathaniel Ely.
1751. Nathaniel Burt, Simon Colton, Nathaniel Ely.
1752. Nathaniel Ely, 2d, Josiah Cooley, David Burt, 2d.
1753. Nathaniel Ely, 2d, Josiah Cooley, David Burt, 2d.
1754. Josiah Cooley, Nathaniel Ely, 2d, Aaron Colton.
1755. Moses Field, Nathaniel Ely, Aaron Colton.
1756. George Colton, Simon Colton, David Burt.
1757. Josiah Cooley, Jonathan Hale, David Burt.
1758. Moses Field, Matthew Keep, Josiah Cooley.
1759. Richard Woolworth, Eleazer Smith, Nathaniel Ely.
290
1760. Josiah Cooley, Jonathan Hale, Eleazer Smith.
1761. Nehemiah Stebbins, David Burt, Noah Hale.
1762. Ebenezer Bliss, 3d, Josiah Cooley, Abner Bliss.
1763. Aaron Colton, Jonathan Hale, Moses Field.
1764. Nehemiah Stebbins, Simon Colton, Eleazer Smith.
1765. Moses Field, Ebenezer Bliss, 2d, David Burt, 3d.
1766.
1767. Samuel Williams, Eleazer Smith, Nehemiah Stebbins.
Simeon Colton, Nathaniel Ely, Moses Field.
1768. Nehemiah Stebbins, Aaron Colton, David Burt, 3d.
1769. Ebenezer Bliss, 3d, David Burt, 3d, Nehemiah Stebbins.
1770. Samuel Williams, Ebenezer Bliss, 3d, Jonathan Hale, Jr.
1771. Samuel Williams, Ebenezer Bliss, 3d, Jonathan Hale, Jr.
1772. Samuel Williams, Aaron Colton, Nathaniel Burt.
1773. Jonathan Hale, Jr., Samuel Williams, David Burt, 3d.
1774. Richard Woolworth, Samuel Colton, Aaron Colton.
1775. Jonathan Hale, Jr., Ebenezer Bliss, 3d, Aaron Bliss.
1776. Nathaniel Burt, Caleb Cooley, Elijah Burt, Silas Hale, Stephen Keep.
1777. Samuel Colton, Nathaniel Burt, Richard Woolworth, Ephraim Brown, Jonathan Burt, 2d.
1778. Nathaniel Burt, David Burt, Elijah Burt.
1779. Samuel Williams, Henry Colton, Silas Hale, Nathaniel Ely, Ebenezer Colton.
1780. Samuel Keep, Nathaniel Burt, Nathaniel Ely, Jr., Jonathan Burt, 2d, Josiah Cooley.
1781.
Nathaniel Burt, Elijah Burt, Israel Colton, Josiah Cooley, Jonathan Hale, Jr.
1782. Jonathan Hale, Jr., Josiah Cooley, Silas Hale, Azariah Woolworth, Abner Colton.
1783. Festus Colton, Josiah Cooley, Samuel Keep, Elijah Burt, Abner Hale.
1783-84. David Burt, Moses Field, Jonathan Burt.
1785-86. Moses Field, Jonathan Burt, Samuel Keep.
1787-SS.
Moses Field, William Stebbins, Jonathan Hale, Jr.
1789. Jonathan Burt, Jabez Colton, Jonathan Hale, Jr.
1790. Jabez Colton, Jonathan Burt, Nathaniel Ely, Jr.
1791-93. Hezekiah Hale, Jonathan Burt, Nathaniel Ely, 2d.
1794-96. Jonathan Burt, 2d, Hezekiah Hale, Gideon Burt, vice Jonathan Burt, deceased.
1797-99. Hezekiah Hale, Elijah Burt. Nathaniel Ely, Jr.
ISO0-01. Hezekiah Hale, Joseph W. Cooley, Gideon Burt.
IS02-03. Hezekiah Hale, Joseph W. Cooley, Nathaniel Elv.
1804-06. Joseph W. Cooley, Calvin Burt, Ethan Ely.
1807-12.
Alexander Field, Ethan Ely, Stephen Taylor.
1813-14. Alexander Field, Ethan Ely, Stephen Taylor.
1815. Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Joseph W. Cooley.
IS16.
Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Seth Taylor.
IS17. Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Joseph W. Cooley.
ISIS. Joseph W. Cooley, Ethan Ely, David Booth.
IS 19. Joseph W. Cooley, Oliver Dwight, Ethan Ely.
291
1820. Ethan Ely, Oliver Dwight, Elijah Colton.
1821. Oliver Dwight, Oliver Bliss, Elijah Colton.
1822-23. Oliver Dwight, Oliver Bliss, Alexander Field.
1824. Seth Taylor, Elijah Colton, Joseph W. Cooley.
1825. Seth Taylor, Elijah Colton, William White.
1826-29. Herman Newell, Burgess Salsbury, Joseph Ashley.
1830. Elijah Colton, Ethan Taylor, Stephen Ashley.
1831. Stephen Ashley, Burgess Salsbury, Elijah Colton.
1832. Elijah Colton, Burgess Salsbury, William White.
1833-34. 1835-36.
Burgess Salsbury, Gad O. Bliss, Oliver Dwight.
Burgess Salsbury, Gad O. Bliss, Lorin Burt.
Burgess Salsbury, Gad O. Bliss, Elijah Colton.
1837. 1838. Gad O. Bliss, Elijah Colton, Ethan Taylor. 1839. Oliver Dwight, Gad O. Bliss, Willis Phelps.
1840. Gad O. Bliss, Simeon Newell, Stephen Ashley.
1841. Gad O. Bliss, Simeon Newell, Willis Phelps.
1842.
Simeon Newell, Willis Phelps, Joseph McGregory.
1843.
Lorin Burt, Dimond Colton, Joseph McGregory.
1844. Lorin Burt, Joseph McGregory, Simeon Newell.
845-46. 1847-48.
Simeon Newell, Lorin Burt, Daniel Burbank.
1849-50.
Alford Cooley, Warren Billings, Oliver Dwight.
1851. Alford Cooley, Elias Coomes, Randolph Stebbins.
1852-53.
Alford Cooley, Stephen T. Colton, Randolph Stebbins.
1854.
Randolph Stebbins, Stephen T. Colton, William Higley.
1855.
Stephen T. Colton, Alfred Taylor, Sumner W. Gates.
1856-57. Stephen T. Colton, Alfred Taylor, Lucius C. Burt.
1858-59. Stephen T. Colton, William Burt, Lucius C. Burt.
1860-62. Stephen T. Colton, David Lathrop, Abel H. Calkins.
1863-65. Stephen T. Colton, David Lathrop, Horace Hills.
1866. Stephen T. Colton, Charles S. Newell, George W. Gould.
1867. Stephen T. Colton, Charles S. Newell, Randolph Stebbins.
1868. George W. Gould, Charles S. Newell, Abel H. Calkins.
1869-70.
Charles S. Newell, George W. Gould, Ralph P. Markham.
1871-73. Charles S. Newell, John C. Porter, Edwin Endicott.
1874. Charles S. Newell, Edwin Endicott, Abel H. Calkins.
1875.
Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins.
1876.
Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Edwin Endicott.
1877.
Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins.
1878.
Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, David Lathrop.
1879.
Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, David Lathrop.
1880. Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins.
1881. Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins.
1882. Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins.
1 883. John C. Porter, J. A. Mckinstry, Henry Hall.
1884. J. A. Mckinstry, 3 years ; H. Hall, 2 years; J. C. Porter, I year.
Alford Cooley, Warren Billings, Simeon Newell.
292
U .- MISCELLANIES.
The few following unclassified papers are taken from a portfolio still rich in similar memoranda, which must be reluctantly omitted :
The Sacramental meditations and prayers scattered all through the diary of Dr. Williams are very touching in their simplicity and humility, as well as striking in their variety and fitness. The following, from the Revolu- tionary period (see p. 209), is inserted in this connection :
July 6, 1776. The times are to me very dark and I know not what to do. And I fear that there is a great ftupidity among people in general, from not feeing and re- garding the hand of God gone out againft us. I would bewail my own ftupidity and infenfibility, and pray to God to awaken and aroufe me, and caufe me to humble myfelf before God for my fins, my defects, my leannefs. I would upon this occa- fion call to mind God's great goodnefs to me, in that I was born in a land of light, that my parents feared God and were concerned for my welfare, taught me, coun- felled me and inftructed me in the good knowledge of the Lord. I was awakened by the Spirit of the Lord when I was young, (even before I was taken captive), and was put upon the practice of fecret prayer. I was remarkably preferved when a captive, and reftored to my native country, and I have been remarkably preferved when abroad; I may fay that God has borne me from my birth, nurfed, protected and upheld me, and has brought me to old age, and I need, under the decays and infirmities of age, His help as much as I needed it in infancy. Bleffed be God (who is the fame to-day, yefterday and forever), that he encourages me to look to Him by prayer and fupplication ; I pray that He would fupport and comfort me-even in my old age, when I am unfit for bufinefs under fenfible decays and infirmities. Oh Lord, when my flefh and my heart fhall fail do thou be pleafed to be the ftrength of my heart and my portion forever. Oh, make me meet for the enjoyment of thyfelf. And O Lord, be pleafed to blefs my confort, her and my children and defcendants ; this flock, and town; this land, and the Englifh nation. Forgive our fins, reftrain and help us, and prevent the deftruction we are threatened with. Oh that God would give me fome token for good at this table, and prepare me for my great and laft change which is near. Oh for the manifeftations of God's love to my poor foul ; that His rod and ftaff might comfort me when I pafs through the valley of the fhadow of death. Oh for a fight of the glory of God in the face of Jefus Chrift. The Lord be pleafed to blefs Zion, and grant peace to the Ifrac of God. Prepare us in this land for what is before us. Oh Lord don't leave 10, I befeech thee, but heal our backflidings and love us freely for Chrift's fake. Amen.
[After Sabbath and Sacrament] : I have been ftrengthened to the fervices of the day, and though I don't pretend to any rapturous difcoveries, yet I hope I have fome fenfe of the goodnefs and majefty of God, of His holinefs and of the obligations I am laid under to Him; that His vows are upon me ; the Lord help me to fulfill my vows. We had a quiet Sabbath, no fright, nor flight thereon; for this I praife God, and I beg of God to pour out upon us, of this family and of this place, a fpirit of repentance, that we may be kept from dishonoring God. The Lord grant that the ways of the Lord may not be evil fpoken of, by reafon of unjuft converfation, and loofe and carelefs lives and behaviour. The Lord be pleafed to help me to remem- ber and bear upon my mind where I have been and what I have been doing this day.
293
The following CHAPLAIN'S PRAYER OF PASTOR STORRS is introduced here as illustrating the statements made respecting him upon page 48 :
It is with fentiments of pleafure, Gentlemen, Officers and Fellow Soldiers, that I once more meet you on the peaceful parade. Whilft thoufands and ten thoufands of our fellow men are compelled to hearken to the clarions of war, and to witnefs garments rolled in blood, we are permitted to enjoy all the felicities of domeftic life and are compelled to meet with none but friends. With propriety we are invited this morning to addrefs our united acknowledgements of gratitude to Him who gov- erns among the nations for thefe diftingufhing bleffings, and with fincere hearts implore his fmiles upon us in the interefting tranfactions of this day.
ALMIGHTY AND INFINITE GOD-We adore thee as the only God-the Creator of all worlds-the Director of all events, and the difpofer of all creatures. Thou doft according to thy will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. Thou who meeteft out the bounds of the nations haft appointed unto us a pleafant place, and given us a goodly heritage. This land our Fathers gained not by their own fword or bow, but in thy name they fet up their banners. Thou didft fight their battles for them and they were bleft with Victory, Freedom, and Independence.
Glory and Honor, Dominion and Praife to the Lord God of our Fathers for this profperity which we their children witnefs as the reward of their valor and piety, and which we enjoy as the precious fruit of thofe civil, military and religious inftitu- tions, which their wifdom led them to adopt, and their patriotifm prompted them to defend.
Thanks be unto Him who on all this glory has created a defence, by infpiring our citizens at large with a fpirit of heroifm and independence, and leading them to devife and eftablith fuch niilitary arrangements as are calculated to render both offi- cers and foldiers the vigilant guardians and refolute defenders of our country's rights.
Actuated by principles of sincereft patriotifm and by ardent withes for national fecurity and peace, may the Officers and Soldiers of this honorable Regiment addrefs themfelves to the faithful and affiduous difcharge of the fervices devolved upon them. May they prove themfelves to be experts in the exercife of arms and in the art of war, and whenever the welfare of their country fhall be put in hazard by invading foes, may they quit themfelves like men and be ftrong, wax valiant in fight, and put to flight the armies of their enemies.
Smile upon the exercifes and maneuverings of this day, and may thefe thy fervants exhibit on this occafion an example which their brethren in arms ihall be emulous to imitate. May their conduct be fuch as fhall do honor to themfelves and reflect glory upon their country.
O thou Preferver of Men, may their health, their limbs, and their lives be pre- cious in thy fight. Eminently expofed as they are to mifchief and harm, guard them againft every difaftrous accident, and preferve them from wounding their precious fouls by finning againft their God.
May this, and every department of our foldiery, be found ready to unite with their fellow citizens at large in repelling everything which threatens to difturb the tran- quility, tarnih the glory, and impair the happinefs of our highly favored nation.
May Officers and Soldiers, Spectators, and all prefent on this interefting occafion, imbibe the Spirit of genuine freedom, exprefs the fentiments of real Patriotifm, and enjoy the pleafures of pure and undefiled religion. And when in our feveral con-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.