USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Records of the 26th Mass. Regiment Association, 1874 > Part 10
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Vated that the comrades assemble at 12:20 o'clock and march to the american Itouse when dinner was to be served,
Voted to adjourn, it the how oppunited the Comrades asseur- fled of the Grand army Hall and marched to the american Itale, and, partook of the Bounties prepared by the proprietor, during the exercices following the dinner the follow my deaths wen imported of cannades who have died during the year.
Singh Joseph Field bo."a" Did May 1"1894 zi, Watts E. Davis "A" 11 De feb. 12
July
Lieut . C. Staynes "1"E Phù. 11 11
Cornelius Dayle
11
Feb. 20.
date not known
.
246
Private Steams L. Rifle wit" Defet 20 1894 1ª Sergh Manzo Butter
'K' aug. 29" "
Matthewat. Olivier
leolaned Ander cook & O. Dean
Av. 9" 1893 „а“ Дес!“
also, the deaths of our old Commander in the Gulf Dexer. Seul. A.T. Bank who died 1/894
From the Lowell Mail Oct. 19"1895. History of the Regiment.
The 25th Rogiment was the outromo of the old aud famous Sixth Regiment which marebed through Balthuore. When the 26th was formed it was desired by many to retain the old uame (Sixth) but this was not al- lowed by the state and the uew name was assigued the regiment. In September and August of 1861, the 26th Regiment was re- cruited, there beiug teu companies of 100 men each which included many who had been in the glorious old Sixth. Col. Jones who had been iu command of the old Sixth was placed in command of the 26th when it was mustered in Oct. 18, 1861. A. B. Farr of Lowell was lieutenant colonel, and Major Sawtelle of Lowell was next lu commaud. Camp Chase which stood where a portion of Lowell Fair Grounds now stands was the starting poiut aud the start was indeed a glorious one.
The regiment was assigned to duty under General Butler and took a prominent part in the engagequeuts at Ship Island near the Gulf of Mexico.
A Distinguished Member.
"Who is that grand old man?" asked the MAIL representative of the chairman, point- ing to a mau whose pleasant face and loug white locks gave him the appearance of a man amour men.
"That is Comrade Luke Smith of Acton, whose age is 82 years," was the reply. "He was a member of Company E of the 26th and made a graud record in the numerous engagements In which he took part. Eveu before he weut off' with the 26th he had re- turned from a field of brilliaut achievemeuts with the old and famous Sixth Regiment. Not only is he a promi- neut veteran but he has the honor ot being the son of a man who fought valiantly at Concord bridge."
A Young Appearing Man.
Auother man who attracted considerable attention was Comrade Edward F. Cushing of Lowell. It appeared strauge that such au apparently young mau as he could have served ju tbe war of over 30 years ago. Such was the case, however, and Mr. Cn-Liug told a MAIL representative that he enlisted when ouly 13 years of age and carried a musket through the four years. When asked how it was that he was allowed toi carry a musket at such a tender age, Mr. Cushing said he was so tall and ungainly that anyone would think him several years older than he was.
The Banquet.
Promptly at 12.30 the comrades sat down to the excellent dinner after Divine bless- Ing had been invoked by Rev. Dr. Sevmour. After the dinuer, buttons were passed to each member bearing this inscription : "Twenty-sixth Massachusetts Regiment Ay- soriation, Lowell, Ma-s." These were the gift of Lieut. C. H. Richard-on, agent of the Appleton Mills. They were mueh appre- ciated as was shown by the three rousing curers and a tiger Mr. Richardson received. Secretary Upbam then ealled to order and read letters from absent members, all of whoin bad good excuses to offer for not be- iug present.
Chalrman Blodgett then made a brief ad-
dress In which he expressed bope that all should enjoy many more such occasions. He then announced as the first number on the programme a cornet solo by Miss Gertrude Pratt which was received with a perfect ovation of applausc. After a telegram had been read from George A. Reade of Saxon- ville,
Sauce 5, Upham Secretary
Dr. R. G. Seymour
was introduced. He said he would call the men comrades, for in his soldier days. his dutles lay in the same direction as the 26th Massarbosetts Regiment. The speaker dild uot know as be could say anything new but he could say something about old events that would perbaps be just as Interesting. The purpose of these reunions, he thought, was to revive old memories. Reference was bere made to old Fort Sumpter, General Andersor and the old Appomatox court house, which the speaker understood bad been removed to another place. IIe did not like that Very much, as be bad rather see the old building iu its old place. I like these reunions, said he, and I get around with the boys quite often. I like them because they seem to be rather typical of what I am to do in the heavenly world. I am not so sure as some meu of getting there, but I want to go there aud when I do go there I want to be able to see all of my comrades there. [Ap- plause.] I am so sensible concerning that great historical event which swept the eouu- try, that it makes me really happy to be bere. Of course there Is much to be thought of betweeu
Fort Sumpter and Apomatox,
but there is not time for me to recall it and another thing is that you ali know
more about that than I you were do. Wheu I fouud that at Ship Istand, I felt sorry for you [laughter] for I kuew on that narrow strip how many had been contined. We cauuot belp think- dug in all of these reunions of that glorious mau, whom all of us would be willing to follow. That man Is Abraham Lincoln. [applause] I know, said the speaker, several stories concerning Abe Lincoln, but I do uot want to weary you with them [cries of tell them, tell them].
Well I will tell them, sald Dr. Seymour, and he told several anecdotes coucerniug "Old Abe." Each anecdote was received with the heartiest applause. We waut that spirit of Shermau, cf Grant, and of Lincolu, that when we are in tight places. you if alive, will do your best to help us out. We have seeu what great Garfield's character was aud what was the character of oid Joe Hooker. the man who wou the victory among the clouds [applause] . Wheu Lincoln was as- sassinated, the speaker was In New Orleaus aud there heard
The Classic Oration
delivered on Liucola's life by General Banks iu the presence of Union soldiers aud rebels.
Reference was here nade to General Butler aud "the Dutch Canal" and the speaker said the general's name is never thought of un- less the "spoons" are also recalled. [Laugh- ter.]
Other generals were meutioncd and each name was received with tremendous ap- plause. An allusion was also made to our national flag which proclaims today liberty to all and which now is a poteut factor from Que eud of the world to the other. Its red stripes recall to us the sacrifices that were made during those trying hours and the white stripes denote the purity of our coun- try from end to end.
I saw physicians leave thelr patieuts, law- yers leave their clients and students leave their books, aud these are all examples of sacrifice. When I look at you who bave lost an arm. a leg or have been Injured iu any way, I cannot help thinking of the sacrifices you have made. But it is all over uow and my wish is that you Ilve long to enjoy the results of the saeritices that you and others bave made. May you live on until the great commander of all nations, the captain of all salvation, will say to you, "Well doue- enter thou into the gates." [Prolonged ap- plau.e.]
The assemblage was then favored with reading oy Miss Flora McMaster, entitled "Keenau's Charge," which struck the right chord, as was showu by ibe applause with which it was received.
247
Chmurade Charles II. Richardson
was The next speaker and referred to hls recent southern irlp where he saw a large plautation which was a complele ruin. A man there asked him about a certain regi- ment which he described as "hound -. " The man had bens and calves without number, and one of these "hound-" robbed the plantation of everything. Well, the man told me. said Mr. Richardson, that he after- wards found out something about iho one man who had been responsible for the thefts. After the war he went home and became a minister. [Laughter and ap- plansc.] Dr. Seymour's name wus men- tioned but Mr. Richardson spoke up for Dr. Seymour and said he was not the man. [More laughter.]
Reference was made to the storm of shot and shell at Ship Island and the heroic stand taken by Farragut and his men, in wooden ships hut with hearts of steel. After that glorlons slgbt came the days of torture in the swamps. Here events were reviewed from the Potomac to The hurried march across the country to fight under General Sheridan. Just 33 years ago today we were mistered in, but i presume many of our number feel just young as before they became grandfathers. [Laughter.] But for all that, the speaker was glad to see so many of the men relaining the fire and vigor of youthfulness and in closing ex- pressed the wish that this would continue for years to come.
The assemblage was here favored with an- other cornet solo hy Miss Pratt.
Then came the roll call of the members who have died during the year by Secretary Uptions. han
Then came the "taps" on the cornet hy Miss Pratt.
"The Shenandoah Valley Campaign" was next trealed in a very valuable paper by Comrade D. H. Hall. The descrip- tlou was very graphic and every detail was treated in a thorough manner.
The remainder of The programme was as follows: Cornet solo, Miss Morse; essay, "The ration of beef," Comrade Bassett of Lowell; poems by Comrades B. D. Hall of West Acton and Fulton of Lowell; remarks by Comrade Packard of Millbury and others.
Comrade N. E Storey
of Charlestown was induced to tell his ad- venture with the first rehel flag ever seen in New England. Just after the regiment bad heen muslered in and was camping at Camp Chase a rebel flag was noticed one sunny morning flying from the topmost branch of an old oak tree on Fort Hill. Colonel Jones ordered Comrade Storey who was Then act- ing drum major.
to gret that and give to
lıim.
it The flag
was placed
there by friends of the secessionists and bad in some manner come from the South as it was the regulation flag. Comrade Storey made baste to get it, but the man who put it up saw him coming and cut it down to save it. He then ran with It bot it took Storey only a short time to overlake him. Then there was a hand to hand en- counter, but as in the war itself right con- quered. though both men were badly used up. The blood from Storey's nose spattered all over the flag and the marks of it are dls- cernible today. Storey delivered the flag lo Colonel Jones, who kept it until a few years ago when he gave it back to the man who so courageously took it. Now there is nothing that Comrade Storey prizes higher than that flag.
Shortly after 4 o'clock the festivities ceased and all gave three cheers for one of the most successful reunions ever held by the 26th Regiment.
On departing it was voted that each mem- her De a committee of one to work for the success of the reunion next year, which will be in charge of Comrade Ilogan as cbair- man, assisted by the other members living in Lawrence.
Battle of Cedar Creek.
The following is the poem read by Com- rade Fulton on the battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864 :
Comrades and friends of sixty-one, Year after year has come and gone, Till thirty. hree their course have run. Since the first blood at Baltimore.
Comrades, I am not here to tell What you already know so we.1, How Needham, Ladd and Whitney fell, Our earliest gift for Liberty.
I came to speak of days that sped Long after those three ma. tyrs hled, Of fields strewn o'er with patriots dead, Who died for home and country,
Of days of carnage, toil and pain, Of weary march through sun and rain, To Cedar Creek's dark bloody plain, Of sad but glorious memory.
By that quiet stream day after day, Its peacetul murmurings charmed our stay, Tho ars y of the valley lay, Resting in false sceurity.
The foe ou Flsher's IIIII Is seen, Where he sa lately whipped had been, What now hls game we could not plan Though we were watchlug carefully.
At Opequam one month before Where North and North their blood did pour, And rebel hopes re e.ved a score That shook the sham confederacy.
Now thus we were not long to stay, For soon came that historie day, When many a patriot soudller lay In death, In bleeding agony.
'Twas'an October's misty morn, Just as the light of day was born, From left to right the knell was borne, By a loud roll of muyketry .
To armsito arms! Then rolled the drum, "Tentiou Brigade, the foe they rome, Aud louder yet thele vollles hum As we stood there Impatiently.
Now hark! that crazy Rebel yell, As If the fiends, broke loose frem Ilell, Were shrleking l'o th a wild farewell To human hope eternally.
We are surprised. The foe has turned Our left . ud flinketus. flow we burned With rage and shame. We sadly mourned And left our works despondently.
Again we faced that storm of death, Entombed in flery sulphurous breath. But all in vain our hope, our faith Droout 'mid the awful revelry.
Yet nearer, louder, eame that cry Which rent the air from earth to sky, To stand that storm, to do or die, was hopeless imbecillty.
Before that ruthless horde we're driven And droopt our flag, now torn and riven, While round our path like fire from heaven, The shot and shell pour fatally.
To rally our boys some colonels tried. 'Twas vain; their orders were defied. Each comrade loott to each and sighed, Where, Where, Ohl Where is Sheridan?
That brave young leader was away, (Full well old Larly knew that way) When he returns what will he say To this deieat inglorious?
A straggling mass we now are pressed, Harraseed, dejected and oppressed, Weary and faint from wounds undressed, We plod our way most hopelessly.
Hark] The wild cheers that cleave the air, What mean they ? Who is coming here? A foaming coal black steed is there- Hurrah! Hurrah! . Tis Sheridan!
What means all this? ourhero cried. This when I'm gone-Come, strm this tide. Where is that prowess lately tried At Fisher's Hill and Winchester?
Come, face the other way, my men, We'll fight them now and lick them; then We are going hack to camp again, If you will only follow me.
As if hy wizard's magic wand That weary crowd came to a stand. Each grasped his musket firm in hand And faced the exultant enemy.
Now o'er the plain line forms on line With solid irout. An army fine Moves out in splendid hattle line And stopt the Johnnies suddenly.
Now fight like men, ye treacherous crew, Prepare for death, your deeds review, You slaughtered our brave Boys in Blue While they were sleeping peacefully.
Then raged the carnage. Firm they stood, Closed up their ranks as fast they could For many a foe lay bathed in blood By our death dealing musketry.
Peal after peal, war's music rolled, O'er wood and plain with woe untold, To many a home, to u.any a fold, In this sweet land of liberty,
And shook the mountain and the glen With cannon's roar and tramp of men, And rush of horse through wood and fen. Ou, on to death or victory.
The day is ours, on comrades, on. They waver. See their line is gone. Now forward aud the battle's won. Hurrah! for Little Sheridan.
That heap falls back. They turned and ran And then a bloody scene hegan. Twas awful thusto slaughter man In this the nineteenth century.
The old camp is gaineu, yet on we go, To harass still the flying foc, Till darkness wraps tais vale of woe In silent deathly solitude.
The morning saw that rebel host Iu flush of triumph, taunt and boast, And when the suu set all was lost In ruin dire disastrous.
A triumph, comrades for the cause Of freedom. Union ard th Ir la w4. Let earth rejoice with land applause, America and Liheriy.
Now comrades dear, our hair is gray, Our ranks grow less each eizh eenin day, But while we live let's mect this day To tell this wondrous history.
Our greatest leaders all have gone, The rank and file are following ou, With faltering steps we move along To the eternal camping ground.
We ask, not for the mead of praise For duty done in those dark days, Our pato was clear to sav. and raisc Our country from dismemberment.
Then wave old glory, freedom's light, Thy stripes and stars with lustre bright, Proclaim o'er land and sea thy might And Columbia's aseendency.
248
249
Raport of the 22 1 Hunnat REamon of the 31 Those Wegowant Tosociation, held Laurence, Chase, Oct. 18, 1815
The MEating for business was hold in HEEnthan Half of Beef 39 & a. K. Millet Cork who was Elected President at 1us. last Kaumen having diact during Her Year, pet. Vice President Januar K. Hallen. forseidad, calling this wasting to order at 11. 20 actuate.
The report of the SEC. what isad and accepted. The Treasures nothing freeEat Ti maker has report, the Chair called for this hat of those who had died during this of san The Secretary schortEd the filtering Ecerrado Pred. Gillaht Cork (1. 23. Lold HER. 16, 13 Ulva Richardson C. B. Find Hat 92,1/1 lamsett. Battritt 1894 101893 R. C. Banking
There 13/495 TimothyP. Barnes JI at 1895 Phillip Burk Mc1.2,875 1. B. Cambell . 15.
18 /1 2 × 13
., H Oct. 1 1/893 The next business in order
bring the Election of officers, it was totEd that a committee of our from Each Company leahhointEd, that they REtirE and bring in the nameEr of officers to bE batAted for
Noted that the committee to shouted by the Chair, who appointed The following contrades.
Co a. S. States Co. E a B. Hassler 13 C. C. Masser C. E. S. Petersen G. A. Starkweather 2
J. J. Cloud H. E I Cushing.
250
Co. l. LV Clough C.o. J. J. M. Balcon Voted to take a sacred during the absence of THE commuter. On their return the meeting was called to order, the com- mitTEE raportEd ter nature of the following ConradEr to serve as officers for the Ensuring year. For President, James R Fulton Ist. Vice Pres. Martin & Bassatt 2 nd V. P. (mos y Jones Secretary Edwow & Cushing Free. S. H Hall. Voted to accept this Eapart of the comm- multEs and that the Secretary call a Lalot containing the nature as reported. The Pres. then declared them as ElectEd.
Votad that the same comrades who served as ExecutivE CommettE last year, sive for this Evening yEur, and that the SEE. cast a balot containing their names. The President declared there was Elected. The Place forthe REamon for 1896 bring the next heures in order, a motion was made by ConradE MEAsEr; and secondEd, that it be held at Boston. after a short die cussion the nation was first, and last. matin was then made and secondEd that it to hold at ). Framingham. Comrade Hoyan mord an umandment that it to hold it Fall River, which was defeated. The original motion then burg put it was voted hat it be hold at South framingham. Fotad that a committee of therss (3) be appointed bytter chair to arrange for this next REaccion The Committee appointed
f. H. Balcon IF Upham H. M Balcone y a. REEd.
251
The Treasurer, I. H. Hall having arrived, made the report showing at $1.20. The Rett trine called dis filter my Generadas suspended. Holdt Staff 1 JEv. E. Davis
Co. 11.4 Ce. E. Continuade & Smith
O. H. Richardson 1. 4. States Martin & Bassatt
Patrick Halfin Char. T. Kaut Daniel KEating E. G.
CE B-Y Char. @ thereEr
O. C. Capella. a. B. Braun 1. I Lavie Loria Hastay W. Hunt
C. C. 5 Yrc. H. Richards C. E. Porcharan
I. E. Story
E. J. PELErin E. T. MENton (1-2-1
1.
D. H. Hall 0 4. Brooks Roft. Elatelier James A. Hister
leddesen 13. Wester Co. H. 2. 7 Tray Elmeine Dans U. R. Hilson 1. H. G itas
U. H. Dimmick L & PELE. Co. 9 .- 4
Cuft. Lance Brady a StarkerE allier Hurnhlorry Sullivany Patrick J. Hogan Cc. H. 1. 1. J. Alexander. J. R. Fulton W. M. F. ltv. H. Huletme E li sullivan (v. )-5 Chas. J. Herdture C. H. Greenwood I / Clough. 2. E. Northbay E. Sullivan.
252
Cc. K. - 4 H. T. Estafr ke C. H. Dama
Total 5/ 1
for reading to report of the last SEcenion Lytter Secretary, hE rEad affer Cedar Creek Confused and read by Sergh) R Hultouthe President Elect of the association, ou motion by laurade. HatchiEr a rate of thankza max ExtEnded him for de ExEllENCE, and this paing has had taken in forsharing this dans Vitaditrat arole of thanks to Headed to Havetering secretary for his Derviche for the past.
tolad that the tracks of the association be Extended to Post By Y.U.k. for the wes officer Hall for a turned meeting ,
tated to adjourn TheE Conrad Ex fall on tiver sioafter Her ring wasting adjourned and marchEd tetteE EssEx Houver, where an Excellent driver was served, which was followed Ly sprachEd to CongrEsse man Ruox, REV. file. Wharlan, Her. Burke, Luft of the Schools. Ihr. Funny, Principal of the Grammar School, There Eaton, Conrada Richardson, and othere. forse t. Atrain, horstary.
253
254
255
Report of the 23rd annual reunion of the 26th Mass Regiment association held at South Framingham mass Oct 17. 1896
The meeting for business was held
· the Hall of ben I. D. Foster Post #163 G. A. R.
meeting Called to Order by President Dames R. Fulton at 10.30 a.m. The records of the last meeting was read by the Secretary and on motion being made they were allowed. The treasurers rehart Showed a deficit 3.81 . The President then Called for the deaths of the year
The Secretary related as follows
Issue Peabody to A. Died not 1895
. A. Wardell
and 1895
John A. Riley
Pan 5 1896 Seo W. Farinaton I Udine 1 1896 Lorina Hosten B Umch 17 1896
Leo M. Kimball Ser T. Pourles LL
17
1882
Left 22 189%
The next business was the Calling of the roll. The following Com- - rades responding
Lo A. 4 It James 7. Uhham Martin L. Bassett Lt. Chas Av. Emerson Fred &. Ahoraque
Can't R.C. Houghton tom sagt minon Going Sint C. C. Casheile
Pork Owville W. 12with 1 William G.A. Litchfield A. B. Brown M. E. Story 1. newton. & A. Parker 0 1. Peterson
256
iseo Mr. Graves 1
Co E 13 It S. P. Blodgett Ser A. Reed com Sagt DA Hall link Seo B. Gram Raft Fletcher James W. Fiske Serge Handler roalds James Monroe les W. Sawyer Same Whitney Addison BB. Wheeler Mason Wheeler 3 Thomas D. Parrish Alonzo Bouman John Turner Co y 4 Cant Lame Brady It A. Starkweather Sagt Chas P. Hour Andrew Garen
Po 7 6 Sergt John 7. Alexander James 12. Fulton John Brooks u Edwin Fe Pushing Walter m. Fulton G. A. Sullivan Co I 6 It Chas M. Auxin Senat Bene D. Willard Madison Real L.N. Plough MA. Lathroh DE, Worthlen Cv K 3' Frank M. Balcom Freek Coston um K hidraham 0 Total 51
The next business in Order Was the election of officer for the ensuing /
Meer
V On motion a Committee of 5 Was abhointed by the Chair to retire and in a list of Candidates to be ballotted for officers for the Insuring year
The Chair athointed as follows Caht James Bradley (6 9) Lit Ugames 7 schhamm Uten US. thouses
It A. Starkweather
257
Serat C . C. Cattell. Po B 0 whon' return of the Committee this Chairman Can't Brader reported as follows For President James 2 Fulton Martin L. Bassett in A 11 Secretary Treasurer Edwin Fe Cushing Co H D. H. Hall On motion being made and Carried the Secretary was instructed to Cast One ballot bearing the above names er officer for the ensuing year, the Secretary Cast che ballot. the President declared them elected. The next business in order was the next place of meeting
Conrade uhham moved that we meet in Lawell, Mass, On the motion being but it was unamiusly Noted . That We meet in Lawell mass Oct 18, 1897 Comnade sehham moved that a Committee of 3 be alhointed by the Chair to arrange for the next reunion, Carried
The Chair alhointed as follows Martin, L. Bassett
7. Slater w. A. L Chas the Richardson
On motion of Connade Enverson it was Noted that a date thanks be extended to Sen I. G. Faster Past 163 . A. R. for the trivelig of using this rooms.
as thier was a deficit of 381 on motion being made by Conrade Fiske it was Noted that a Collection be taken the result of Collection #1225, Conrade Bassett having entered the tall the President Called on him to dive an account of himself he responded bu telling one of his look house Low, much to the ammusent of all.
258
Connade Chham Called the attention of The Comrades to a Corn Stalk Cane That Was Sent to him a year ago from Caht Loth Bonney nous resideina at Elkridge Landing md. With a request that it be quien to the Redest member. It was vated. That Connade Luke Smith Co E. 84 years of are should have the Cane, as Comrade Smith was absent on account of sickness it was noted that Comrade dames w Fiske of Ce E. convey the lance to him. On mition Tomade Walter M. Fulton it was Noted that the Sector Send Cast Bonney a letter of thanks for his remiantis Connade Walter m Fulton then
dave an interesting Story of hours we used to float logs down from the whher end of Ship Island Miss
Comrade Reed of Co E was Captured and brought in and made a few remonts that were received with much äthéäuse. at 12 m the business meeting Came to a Close, The Comrades to meet at 12.15 for the annual dinner at 12.15 the Conadles fell in humpily and took oh the line of March for the banget hall.
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