USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The Melrose memorial : the annals of Melrose, county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, in the great rebellion of 1861-'65 > Part 9
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Hon. Samuel E. Sewall
$75 00
Hon. Daniel W. Gooch
50 00
Andrew J. Morse
50 00
George W. Heath
50 00
John S. Higgins 30 00
Philip B. Holmes
25 00
William F. Poole
25 00
Lewis G. Coburn
25 00
Charles Kastner .
10 00
$340 00
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THE MELROSE. MEMORIAL.
This amount was disbursed, mostly in aid of the fami- lies of volunteers, by the Treasurer of the fund, Mr. An- drew J. Morse.
Guiding Star Lodge, No. 28, Independent Order of Good Templars, sent to the seat of war, on two different occa- sions during the years 1861 and 1862, a box and barrel of general hospital stores, blankets, drawers, reading matter, etc. The first lot was sent to the encampment of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, to the care of John H. Crocker, of Co. A, and the latter to the hospitals in Washington.
At the annual Town Meeting in March, 1863, it was voted that the poll-tax of all the soldiers in the field, belonging to Melrose, and all who should go during the year ensuing, should be abated ; and also that the poll-tax of all who from wounds or disability had been discharged from the service of the United States, should be abated.
At the Town Meeting held June 8, 1863, it was voted to set off and appropriate a portion of "Wyoming Ceme- tery " as a free burial-place for all soldiers engaged in the war, and for the families of such soldiers as might choose to use the same.
For the two or three days immediately following the " Battle of Gettysburg," July 1-3, 1863, - and very great was the excitement in our town and throughout the North at this time, as we all remember, - the studies in our schools were suspended, and teachers and scholars spent the school hours in preparing lint for hospital use. In this manner a large quantity was gathered and sent to the hospitals on and around the battle-field."
At a meeting held Nov. 14, 1863, it was voted that the Recruiting Committee, - which consisted of the Select- men, Colonel John H. Clark, William B. Burgess and
133
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CHURCHES.
George M. Fletcher, and Messrs. Stephen W. Shelton, Isaac Emerson, Jr., Rufus Smith and Charles H. Isburgh, - should " look after the interests of the families of vol- unteers who are now, or may be hereafter, in the service of the United States, and see that they are properly pro- vided for." A subscription fund was also raised at this time to "give all the families of volunteers belonging to Melrose, then in service, means to provide for them such a Thanksgiving dinner as they are most deservedly enti- tied to."
At the fall election of this year, - 1863, - Mr. Isaac Emerson, Jr., was chosen, for the second time, Represen- tative to the Massachusetts Legislature. Instead of giv- ing a reception to his constituents and friends at his resi- dence, as he did the previous year, he donated the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) to the "Christian Commis- sion." Consequently the " guard at the front " received the benefit, rather than the members of the " home guard."
At different times during the war, a number of contri- butions were taken up in our various churches in aid of those wonderful monuments of the free-will offerings of the loyal North, the " Christian " and " Sanitary Commis- sions." 1
The contributions of the "Orthodox Congregational Church" for the "Christian Commission," during the years 1863, 4, 5, amounted to three hundred and thirty dollars and six cents ($330.06), besides eighty-five dollars
1 The total value of cash, stores and publications distributed by the " Christian Commission " during the war, was $5,478, 280. 31 ; $2.524,512.56 of which was donated in cash. Total amount received and distributed by the " Sanitary Commission " was $4,924,043 09.
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THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
and twenty cents ($85.20) contributed for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals at Washington, which amount was sent to and distributed by Mrs. Gooch, -wife of Hon. Daniel W. Gooch, then our Representative in Congress from this District, - whose visits and kind- nesses will long be remembered by many a soldier.
The "Universalist Church " contributed fifty dollars ($50) to the "Sanitary Commission," besides sending sev- eral boxes of articles suitable for the sick and disabled soldiers in Washington. These were sent to and distrib- uted by Mrs. Emma Nichols Marden.
The "Methodist Episcopal Church " and the "Baptist Church " also contributed to the same object, but no rec- ord was made of the amount, therefore the sums cannot be given here.
A vocal and instrumental concert was given May 30, 1864, at Lyceum Hall, under the auspices of Mr. John H. B. Henderson, the proceeds of which were for the benefit of our sick and wounded soldiers. The sum of eighty- seven dollars ($87) was paid into the treasury of the " Christian Commission."
During the first year of the war, many of our ladies met in Lyceum Hall, a number of days in succession, for the purpose of making and collecting garments and arti- cles of all kinds suitable for the sick and wounded soldiers in our hospitals. A large collection of comforts and lux- uries was thus made and collected.
Barrels, boxes and bundles of such necessary articles, including garments, hospital stores, reading matter, etc., were also collected at later times in the war by some of our public-spirited and patriotic ladies, and forwarded to either the "Christian " or " Sanitary Commissions." That these various collections were ever welcomed by, and were
135
A SOLDIER'S GRATITUDE.
the source of great comfort to our brave boys, suffering from wounds received on the battle-field, or from diseases contracted in the service, is made evident by the following letter from Lieutenant O. D. Robinson, of the Ninth New Hampshire Regiment, written to a lady in our town, soon after the reception of one of these boxes :
MT. PLEASANT HOSPITAL, - WASHINGTON, D. C., June 24, 1864. S
Mrs * * *
Dear Madam :- Last week a large box arrived at this Hos- pital filled with minor boxes and bags, each of which contained numerous comforts and luxuries for " sick and wounded sol- diers," and I can assure you that the valuable gifts found plenty of eager recipients. To me was given a bag containing a nice pair of woollen socks, a linen handkerchief, pocket Testament, etc., etc. In the Testament was a brief note bearing the signa- ture to which I am addressing this humble missive.
I trust, Dear Madam, the gifts you have so freely donated have not been given in vain, and I hope not unworthily be- stowed. Many who that day received presents from friends unknown before, will soon return to their native homes to rest from the toiis and hardships of war, having been disabled by wounds received in the recent battles. Others from the same cause may live but a few days to enjoy their gifts ; while others still, like myself, will soon return to engage anew in the bloody contest. I have not been wounded, but having participated in the bloody fights of Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River and Cool Arbor, having endured in common with others . the hardships and exposures attendant upon such a campaign, and then suffering from a fresh attack of intermittent fever, contracted last summer in the swamps of Louisiana and Mis- sissippi, I was compelled to leave the field for a few days to obtain rest and medical treatment. I arrived in Washington on the 10th inst., and shall return in the course of three or four
136
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
days. Of socks I was nearly destitute, and had lost my pocket Testament, which is always my constant companion, Accept my thanks for these same articles received through your benev- olence. I prize them the more, because, receiving them as I do from those I have never seen or known even by reputation, I feel that thousands of hearts are in sympathy with us in this unprecedented struggle, and that the Matrons and Daughters throughout New England are the Mothers and Sisters of those who are fighting for our Nation's honor and institutions.
But I am intruding too largely upon your time and more upon your patience. It was my intention to write but a note. I shall go back to my comrades refreshed after my short respite, and encouraged to faithfully perform my duty, by the kindness I have received from friends present and absent.
I am, Dear Madam, a true friend to all lovers of our Country . and our Country's Flag.
LIEUTENANT O. D. ROBINSON, Co. E, 9th N. H. V.I
Our fellow-citizen, Rev. John C. Ingalls, spent the win- ters of 1861, 2, 3 in Washington, D. C .; and on one occasion, during this time, he raised the sum of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Portland, for the benefit of the sick and · wounded soldiers at the Emory Hospital in Washington. He also acted as Chaplain of this hospital for a number of weeks, without pay, during the sickness of its regular Chaplain. Besides which, he raised the money for build- ing a chapel for the use of this same hospital.
1 Lieutenant Robinson was afterwards promoted Captain of his company, and remained in the service until the close of the war.
XIII.
OUR "ROLL OF HONOR.'
" High on the world's heroic list, Shall every name be seen, - And time among the cherished dead Shall keep their memories green.
" The patriot's heart shall warmer glow, When standing by their grave ; And dearer still shall be the flag They welcomed death to save."
" How bright are the honors which await those who, with sacred fortitude and patriotic patience have endured all things that they might save their native land from division and from the power of corruption. The honored dead ! They that die for a good cause are redeemed from death. Their names are gathered and garnered. Their memory is precious."
All generations shall commemorate their valor and their patriotism. No ties of kindred can impose limitations upon the grief and gratitude in which they shall be held and treas- ured. The country shall be their monument.1
Of the two hundred and three (203) Melrose citizens that served in the ranks of our armies during the Rebel- lion, "who helped open the Mississippi, who were present
1 Governor Alexander H. Bullock, at the funeral of Lieutenant-Colonel George E. Marshall, of the Fortieth Massachusetts Regiment, at Fitchburg April 19, 1866.
18
1
138
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
at Vicksburg, Port Hudson, New Orleans and Mobile, who saw the starry flag as it ascended Missionary Ridge, and witnessed the flight of Bragg and his host; who marched from Atlanta to the sea, and who were among those who so long struggled between Washington and Richmond, and who at last saw the rebel flag go down upon the Appomattox," twenty-three (23) of them, or about one in nine, were either killed on the battle-field or died in consequence of services rendered in the great contest. Six (6) were killed by the bullet on the field, and the rest died in camp, in hospital, or after returning to their homes.
Two (2) commissioned officers and twenty-one (21) en- listed men constitute the oblation made by Melrose to Treason.
Our "Roll of Honor" -containing the names of all of our citizens that we have been able to learn, whether they served on our quotas or not, but who gave their lives for their country - is as follows ; name, regiment, com- pany, cause and date of death :
THE " UNRETURNING BRAVE."
OFFICERS.
LIEUT. GEORGE J. MORSE.
Private Co. A, Thirteenth Regiment; 2d Lieutenant in 2d U. S. Col. Troops ; Ist Lieutenant Co. G, Fifty-Ninth Regiment ; killed at the " Battle of Spottsylvania," May 12, 1864.
LIEUT. GEORGE T. MARTIN,
Ist Lieutenant Co. K, Thirty-Eighth Regment ; Senior Ist Lieutenant Co. G, Fourth Heavy Artillery ; died at Mas- sachusetts General Hospital, March 13, 1865, of pyœmia.
139
THE " UNRETURNING BRAVE."
PRIVATES. HENRY F. FULLER.
Co. A, Seventeenth Regiment ; died at Baltimore, Md., Oct. 6, 1861, of typhoid fever.
MARTIN GREENE.
Co. G, Second Regiment ; died of wounds received at " Battle of Cedar Mountain," Aug. 9, 1862.
WILLIAM H. MACEY.
Co. F, Third Maine Regiment ; died at Alexandria, Va., Aug. 30, 1862, of typhoid fever.
SIDNEY B. MORSE, 2D.
Co. D, Thirteenth Regiment ; died at Finley Hospital, Washington, D. C., Sept. 16, 1862, of typhoid fever.
WILLIAM F. BARRY.
Co. A, Thirteenth Regiment ; killed at " Battle of An- tietam," Sept. 17, 1862.
JOHN P. SHELTON.
Co. A, Thirteenth Regiment ; killed at " Battle of An- tietam," Sept. 17, 1862.
THOMAS H. STEVENS.
Co. A, Sixteenth Regiment ; died at Boston, March 26, 1863, of chronic diarrhoea.
JONAS G. BROWN.
Co. E, Fiftieth Regiment ; died at Baton Rouge, La., June 18, 1863, of malarial fever.
140
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
BENJAMIN LYNDE.
Co. K, Thirty-Eighth Regiment ; died at Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 18, 1863, of chronic diarrhœa. NATHAN H. BRAND.
Ninth Battery ; died at Emory Hospital, Washington, D. C., March 6, 1864, of cholera morbus.
RICHARD LEVER.
Co. A, Fifty-Ninth Regiment ; killed at " Battle of Spott- sylvania," May 12, 1864.
AUGUSTUS GREEN.
Co. G, Twenty-Second Regiment ; killed at " Battle of Bethesda Church," June 3, 1864.
EDMUND W. DAVIS.
Co. G, Twenty-Second Regiment ; died at Melrose, July 22, 1864, of consumption and heart disease.
ALBERT W. CROCKETT.
Co. K, Seventeenth Regiment ; died in “Andersonville Prison," Aug. 1, 1864.
JAMES R. HOWARD.
Co. K, Thirty-Eighth Regiment ; died at Melrose, Aug. 16, 1864, of chronic diarrhœa.
FRANCIS PEABODY.
Co. K, Seventeenth Regiment ; died at New Berne, N. C., Oct. 3, 1864, of yellow fever.
GEORGE E. RICHARDSON.
Co. K, Thirty-Eighth Regiment; died in "Salisbury Pris- on," Nov. 3, 1864.
141
THE "UNRETURNING BRAVE."
BENJAMIN F. WILDE.
Co. H, Forty-Second Regiment ; re-enlisted in Regular Infantry ; afterward in Eleventh New York Cavalry ; accidentally shot in fall of 1864.
JOHN E. STILPHEN.
Second Battery ; died at Melrose, June 25, 1865, of hemor- rhoids.
GEORGE W. LYNDE.
Co. A, Seventeenth Regiment ; died at Melrose, Jan. 30, 1866, of consumption.
WILLIAM F. KRANTZ.
Co. C, Thirty-Third Regiment ; Veteran Reserve Corps ; died at Melrose, June 13, 1866, of dropsy and heart disease.
We cannot speak individually of all the "fallen brave" whose names are here given, although all deserve equal mention. They have rendered up their lives in behalf of what to us was a mighty and vital question, and we would hold their memory in veneration, remembering that
" They never fail Who die in a great cause."
And with the scholarly and lamented Everett, standing on the blood-stained field of Gettysburg, at the consecra- tion of its National Cemetery, we would feel as never before how justly "from the dawn of history to the pres- ent time, men have paid the homage of their gratitude and admiration to the memory of those who nobly sacrifice
142
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THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
their lives, that their fellow-men may live in safety and in honor."
" The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo ; No more on life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few. On Fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread, And glory guards with solemn round The bivouac of the dead."
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6
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143
OUR "ROLL OF HONOR."
HENRY FRANKLIN FULLER.
Private in Co. A, Seventeenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers ; died at Baltimore, Md., Oct. 6, 1861, of disease contracted in the service.
Henry Franklin Fuller, the youngest son of William E. and Mary (Boardman) Fuller, was born in Melrose, March 5, 1844.
The old family names of Melrose, or what was the northern part of Malden, were well represented in the great struggle between Right and Wrong ; and in the list of dead we find the names of Brown, Fuller, Howard and Lynde.
Fuller was one of our youngest soldiers, and was the first one, belonging to Melrose, that laid down his life in the service of his country.
The disaster of the first " Bull Run Battle" had been realized, when young Fuller, like so many more of our noble and brave, felt called upon to offer himself to go forth to battle; and on the 6th of August, he went to "Camp Schouler," at Lynnfield, and enlisted in Co. A, Seventeenth Massachusetts Regiment. For some two months previous to this time, the duty of thus offer- ing himself to the cause of liberty had been revolving itself in his mind, but he did not enlist until the above date.
The Seventeenth Regiment left the State on the 23d of August, and proceeded to "Camp Andrew," at Baltimore, Md., where Fuller underwent the hardships incident to the uncomfortable state of the camping-ground, which, accord- ing to the following extract from a letter, written by Cap-
144
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
tain Joseph R. Simonds to the Selectmen of Malden,1 was anything but agreeable or conducive to good health.
How would the soldier at home like lying upon the bare earth every night for six weeks, with nothing but a thin rubber blanket under him, and a thinner woollen one over him, and a knapsack for a pillow ?
Up to the time of Fuller's death, the regiment had been engaged in no battle or expeditions ; but whatever duties were incumbent upon him, he performed faithfully and well, until the Ist of October, when he was taken sick with the typhoid fever, which terminated his life October 6, 1861.
His body was brought home and buried in the Melrose Cemetery.
" He, the young and strong, who cherished Noble longings for the strife, By the roadside fell and perished, Weary, with the march of life."
' Captain Simonds, of our town, was in command of Co. K, Seventeenth Regiment, known as the Malden company, and in which Melrose had sev- eral men.
A
145
OUR "ROLL OF HONOR."
SIDNEY BRADFORD MORSE, 2D.
Private in Co. D, Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment ; Color Corporal, July 5, 1862 ; died at the Finley Hos- pital, Washington, D. C., Sept. 16, 1862, of disease con- tracted in the service.
" There is a history in almost every home of Massachusetts, which will never be written ; but the memory of kindred has it embalmed forever. The representatives of the pride and hope of uncounted households, departing, will return no more."
Sidney Bradford Morse, 2d, was the second son of George H. and Sarah (Bird) Morse, and was born Dec. 28, 1844, in Charlestown, Mass. He was one of the youngest of our soldier boys ; but he was old enough to fully comprehend the danger which threatened our coun- try, and was at once aroused at the dark clouds gathering over it. At the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion he was employed in his father's agricultural warehouse, in Boston ; and upon the day our Massachusetts men were shot down in the streets of Baltimore, -the 19th of April, 1861, -young Sidney hurried home, saying to his mother that he had a request to make of her, which was that he, -together with his older brother George, - might be permitted to enlist, in response to the Presi- dent's call, and help uphold our dear old flag, and put down their country's enemies. Of course the mother hesitated, - what mother would not? - before she could yield to his importunities, and say :
Go, save our country ! she is first - Stand guard until you fall ; Or till the danger overcome Shall respite the alarum-drum - I will delay recall. 19
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146
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
Go, where along the lurid front The Union vanguards tramp ! Do your whole duty, danger spurn, When Freedom 's laurelled, then return - These arms shall be your camp !
Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Sidney embraced his mother, and ardently thanked her, saying that however much he may have deemed it his duty to go, he never should have gone with the sin of disobedience to her rest- ing upon him ; saying also: "I have neither houses nor land to give, but I am willing to give my life for my coun- try !" And truly did his actions verify the assertion.
He enlisted at once, - as did also his brother George, - in the Fourth Battalion of Rifles, which was soon after- wards sent to Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, where it was recruited to a full regiment, - the Thirteenth, - under the command of Colonel Samuel H. Leonard.
He left Boston with his regiment, July 30, 1861, and performed a soldier's duties with earnestness and devotion through the various hard marches, severe skirmishes and daily fatigues of the fall and winter campaign under Gen- cral Banks, on the Upper Potomac, and thence down through Virginia to the still severer marchings and fight- ings of General Pope's campaign, ending with "Grove- ton," "Second Bull Run," and "Chantilly," in August, 1862; being constantly exposed to hardship, day and night ; yet passing through all thus far uninjured, but very much worn and fatigued ; so much so, that he was repeatedly urged to go into the camp hospital and recruit ; but he would not leave his post, and on the night before the "Second Bull Run Battle," he was found on the picket line, entirely exhausted, and taken to the rear. He was placed on an open car, with other sick and wounded
147
SIDNEY BRADFORD MORSE, 2D.
soldiers, and started for Washington; but, owing to the great confusion of those days of battle, he was two nights and one day on the way, entirely uncared for ; no food, not even a drink of water; and when he arrived at the " Finley Hospital," a typhoid fever was raging fearfully. From that time, the fever had taken so firm a hold of him, he grew worse and worse until the day of his death, - Sept. 16, -about a fortnight after reaching Washington.
The Hospital Chaplain, Rev. W. W. Winchester, for several days previous to Sidney's death, repeated passages of Scripture to him, and talked with him concerning that other and " better land"; and during his last moments, - his father having arrived and being present, - he read the beautiful Twenty-Third Psalm ; Sidney, then, as always before, greatly enjoying the consolations of Holy Writ ; after which his spirit took its flight to the soldier's home with perfect calmness and serenity.1
Although but a lad of seventeen and a half years of age, young Morse was a brave and a thorough soldier. It is the universal testimony of officers and comrades, that, young though he was, he made one of the best and tru- est ; never shrinking from any post, however dangerous ; and he bore the hardships incident to camp life, and the fatigues of the long and wearisome marches of the Regi- ment through various parts of Virginia, with perfect cheerfulness and heroic fortitude. He was sick long before he was found exhausted, and should have left the
1 Mr. Winchester says, in a letter of condolence to Sidney's parents :
" May God bless and comfort the mothers who give their sons! I stand amazed at the fortitude which they sometimes exhibit, when they speak of the sacrifices which they make. God sees how they give those dearer to them than their heart's blood, and God will reward with blessings richer and purer than any this earth can afford."
148
THE MELROSE MEMORIAL.
field ; but he was too earnest and ardent in his work to allow himself to do so, and would not leave, so long as he had strength. At the time he left his regiment he held the position of Right General Guide, with rank of Cor- poral.
The letters of young Morse were full of love and con- fidence, fearlessness of death, and words of kindness and sympathy for his parents in case he should fall in battle, or die in the hospital ; often saying, that if he should lay down his life it would be in a just and holy cause. His remains were embalmed and brought to Melrose, and buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery ; the funeral ceremo- nies being held September 27, at the Universalist Church, a large and sympathizing congregation being present.
Patriotism ! bravery! duty ! all are embraced in the action and career of the young and noble soldier, Sidney Bradford Morse.
" With us his name shall live, Through long succeeding years, Embalmed with all our hearts can give - Our praises and our tears."
149
OUR "ROLL OF HONOR."
WILLIAM FRANCIS BARRY. Private in Co. A, Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment ; killed at the " Battle of Antietam," Sept. 17, 1862.
Who dies in vain Upon his country's war-fields, and within The shadow of her altars ?
William Francis Barry, another of our youngest sol- diers, was the second son of Royal P. and Elizabeth (Ser- rat) Barry, and was born in Boston on the 13th of Decem- ber, 1843. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was a clerk in the house of E. W. Wheelock & Co., Boston, dealers in tailors' trimmings. One year later, after the reverses to the Union army under General Mcclellan, before the gates of Richmond, and at the time when the President was calling for still further re-enforcements, young Barry felt it his duty to go forth and battle for his country. In conversation upon the subject at this time, he said :
"I don't wish to leave home, but rather stay, - but just such young men as I am are called for ; I am well and strong ; and it is my duty to go."
When reminded that by so doing he might lose his life, his noble answer was :
" What is life without a country ?"
It was not an easy task for the widowed mother to part with her beloved boy ; but, with thousands of other mothers, she realized the country's necessities, and, lis-
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