USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 20
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money and a leg of bacon. He joined the army, went through the Revolutionary War, and returned to Malden to live, and where he embraced every opportunity on ' Muster Days' to don his old uni-
form, with his military badge pin- ned upon his breast, and parade the streets, shouting 'Cambric,' mean- ing Cambridge. He died at the almshouse at an advanced age.
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MILITARY HISTORY.
1861.
The first gun that spat its iron insult at Fort Sumter,
Smote every loyal American in the face .- Oliver Wendell Holmes.
On the twelfth of April, 1861, the bloody hand of Treason was lifted against our Nationality, by the bombardment of Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina. The Stars and Stripes, which had hitherto waved aloft so gloriously, and so triumphantly, were now lowered at the impious behests of Slavery, and were trailing in the dust. Great was the sur- prise, intense the interest, and mighty the indignation which the telegraphic announcement of the fact created throughout the length and breadth of our land. By this infamous act every loyal heart was insulted; and, at the reception of the news, every such heart was thrilled and stirred to its inmost recesses.
By the insolent assertion of Jefferson Davis, on the 18th of February, 1861-when the Confederate Government was in- stituted at Montgomery, Ala., two weeks previous to the inauguration of President Lincoln7 -by the firing upon the "Star of the West," when on its errand of mercy, three months before the assault on Fort Sumter-by the boast of the Con- federate Secretary of War, L. P. Walker, on the day of the bombardment,8 by the treasonable and rebellious utterances of the Southern press9 -by the seizure of arsenals, forts and other public property, to the amount of many millions of dollars -by all these acts it became painfully evident that slavery had determined to break up this government, or commence a devastating civil war.
By the attack upon the heroic band of patriots under Major Anderson, at Fort Sumter, all hope of a peaceful settlement
7 "The day of compromise is past, and those who now resist us shall smell Southern gunpowder and feel Southern steel."
8 " No man can tell when the war this day commenced will end; but I will prophecy that the flag which now flaunts the breeze here, will float over the dome of the old capi- tol at Washington before the first of May. Let them try Southern chivalry and test the extent of
Southern resources, and it may float eventually over Fanenil Hall in Boston."
9 The Richmond Whig, with others, reiterated the threats of the Secession leaders, saying, "From the mountain tops and valleys to the shore of the sea, there is one wild shout of firm resolve to cap- ture Washington City at all and every human effort.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
of the issue was extinguished; and, by its fall the mighty energy of the North was aroused.
" Like some old organ peal, Solemn and grand, The anthem of Freedom Sweeps through the land."
One purpose seemed to spring into existence instantly, and animate every heart - a determination to maintain our national existence at any and all sacrifices. "Heart throbbed to heart, lip spoke to lip, with a oneness of feeling that seemed like a Divine inspiration." On the instant we saw a "noble and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man from sleep, and shaking her invincible locks." And, when on the 15th of April, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, issued his Proclamation, convening an extra session of Congress, and calling upon the States for seventy-five thousand (75,000) troops to defend the capital and public property, the response was truly wonderful and glorious.
The plough, the loom, the counting-house, the bar, the pulpit, all the avocations of ordinary life were abandoned; men of all conditions and circumstances flew to arms in response to the call of the nation's chief magistrate.10
Thanks to the foresight, thoughtfulness and energy of Governor Andrew, Massachusetts was ready at once to send her regiments to defend the flag at Washington.
The first call upon Massachusetts for troops was by a telegram from Senator Wilson, April 15th, requesting twenty companies of militia to be sent immediately to Washington, and there mustered into service. Official requisition from the Secretary of War came later in the day. Governor Andrew at once issued his orders to the commanders of the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Regiments. On the 17th the Sixth Regiment was on its way, and on and before nine o'clock of the next Sunday, the 21st - six days only after the call was made -the Governor was enabled to say that " the whole number of regiments demanded from Massachusetts were already in Washington, or in Fortress Monroe, or on their way to the defence of the capital." And Edward Everett, speaking
10 History of the Old Sixth Regi- in three Campaigns, by Chaplain ment of Massachusetts Volunteers John W. Hanson.
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MILITARY HISTORY.
at Roxbury a few days later, said: " Wide as the summons has gone forth, it has been obeyed with an alacrity and unanimity that knew no parallel in our history ; and the volunteers of Massachusetts have been the first in the field."
History records very many pathetic and interesting facts and incidents connected with the assembling and going forth of these regiments, showing with what willing and cheerful obedience lucrative positions and professional pursuits were given up, that the country's honor might be saved.
Like all the cities and towns throughout the loyal North, Melrose realized the excitement and felt the danger as thor- oughly as any of them; but being then a small town, and having no military organizations, there was no immediate stir in our streets -no sound of fife and drum -nor the hurry and bustle consequent upon the gathering of military companies, that was experienced in larger communities; yet its citizens were aroused, and we had several patriotic young men that at once buckled on the armor and moved to the scene of conflict. Four men enlisted in Co. B, Fifth Massachusetts Regiment, and one in Co. F, of the Fourth Regiment. Their names and those of all subsequent enlistments are in the alphabetical list at the end of this chapter.
On the 3d of May, 1861, President Lincoln issued his second call for troops, which was for volunteers to serve for a period of three years, unless sooner discharged; and on the same day our Selectmen issued a warrant, calling a Town Meeting, to take place at Concert Hall, on the evening of May 6th. A very large and enthusiastic meeting was accordingly held, at which Charles F. Esty was chosen Moderator, and the follow- ing votes were passed unanimously:
That the Town of Melrose appropriate the sum of Three Thousand dollars ($3000) for the relief of the families of the citizens of Melrose, now absent in the service of the United States, or who may hereafter volunteer into the service of the United States, or the State of Massa- chusetts. Also to aid volunteers of the town in their equipment, and to give such relief in the premises as the exigencies and necessities of each may require.
Also that above all other appropriations the sum of Fifteen Dollars per month be paid to those persons having families and the sum of Ten Dollars per month to those who are single men, during their time of service in the war now pending.
It was also voted:
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
That the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow such sums of money as might be wanted from time to time to cover the appropria- tions then made; and that the Selectmen - Colonel John H. Clark, and Messrs. William B. Burgess and George M. Fletcher -constitute a committee to superintend the disbursements of the money thus appropriated.
A stirring and patriotic speech was made by Napoleon B. Bryant, ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives of New Hampshire, then a resident of Melrose.
As Melrose raised no whole company for any regiment, our men, as they enlisted, selected the regiment or battery in which they preferred to serve; consequently they were much scattered, and entered many different organizations before the war was ended.
Our earliest enlistments were in the Second, Twelfth and Thirteenth Regiments of Infantry, mostly in the latter regi- ment. The nucleus of the Thirteenth Regiment was the Fourth Battalion of Rifles, into which our men enlisted when the Presi- dent issued his call for seventy-five thousand (75,000) troops, or immediately after the assault upon the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore, April 19th, and which was ordered to Fort Inde- pendence. As no more troops for a short term were wanted, the Batallion was recruited to a three years' regiment. On a Sunday evening, just before the regiment left for Washington, the soldiers belonging to Melrose met in the Baptist Church, when the pastor, Rev. James Cooper, presented to each one a Testament, accompanied by an address and prayer. On a fly- leaf of each Testament was written, besides the name, the words "God and our Country."
Another call for volunteers to serve for three years, or during the war, was made by the President in July, and our citizens continued to enlist during that and the succeeding months of that year in the various infantry and cavalry regi- ments then forming and recruiting.
Melrose was represented in the following organizations: the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-sec- ond, Twenty-third, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-sixth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-second Massachusetts Regiments, and the Ninety- ninth New York Regiment; also the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Batteries; also the First Cavalry Regiment.
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MILITARY HISTORY.
1862.
On the first day of July, 1862, President Lincoln issued his third Proclamation, calling for troops, the Governors of eigh- teen loyal states having joined in an address to him, suggest- ing the necessity of so doing. This call was for three hundred thousand (300,000) volunteers, to serve for three years, or until the end of the war These were to form new regiments and batteries, and fill up the depleted ranks of those then in the service.
The nation had passed through a year of successes and reverses, and this new call came just at the time of the dis- heartening result of the campaign before Richmond, when Gen. McClellan and his army were falling back to Harrison's Landing, on the James River.
The proportion of the three hundred thousand (300,000) men assigned to Massachusetts was fifteen thousand ( 15.000). The quota of Melrose was thirty-seven (37) men. On the evening of July 14th, immediately after the promulgation of this order, a war meeting was held in Lyceum Hall, at which Col. John H. Clark was chosen Moderator, and Thomas Shelton, Secretary. Patriotic speeches were made and it was determined to raise the quota of Melrose at once.
A proposition was submitted to the meeting by Rufus Smith, of the following tenor, viz: - That enough of the citizens of the town to fill the quota, then and there pledge themselves either to enlist, or furnish substitutes.
The following gentlemen gave their names, agreeing to abide by the proposition. The first four proposed to furnish two substitutes each, the rest one:
Rufus Smith,
Theodore L. Knowles,
George W. Heath, George Emerson, 2d,
David Fairbanks,
Moses Parker, M. D.,
Frank A. Messenger,
R. Watson Emerson,
Napoleon B. Bryant,
Elbridge H. Goss,
George A. Bacon, Thomas C. Evans,
Charles H. Isburgh, Anthony Crosby,
John W. Fairbanks, George W. Emerson,
Isaac Emerson, Jr.,
Daniel Russell.
Sums ranging from twenty to fifty dollars cach were paid for these substitutes, in addition to the bounty of one hundred
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dollars voted to be paid by the town, at a meeting held two weeks later, July 28th, as follows:
Voted: That the sum of thirty-seven hundred dollars ($3,700) be raised to pay thirty-seven (37) able-bodied men who shall voluntarily enlist in the service of the United States under the recent call of the President of the United States for three hundred thousand (300,000) men; and that the Selectmen be authorized to disburse one hundred dollars ($100) to each man who shall enlist, as soon as he shall have been accepted by the military authorities of this State, and mustered into said service.
It was also
Voted: That the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) be raised to aid the cause of enlistment, to be disbursed by a committee chosen at this meeting, in such manner as said committee deem best.
This committee consisted of Col. John H. Clark, William B. Burgess and George M. Fletcher, Selectmen, and Elbridge Gardner, Isaac Emerson, Jr., and John W. Fairbanks.
Encouraging and patriotic speeches were made by several of our citizens. In order to encourage and obtain enlistments, Henry A. Norris offered to pay the sum of fifty dollars ($50) to the first five men who should enlist at this time.
Daniel W. Wilcox offered to pay the sum of ten dollars (SIO) each to the next ten men that should enlist from our town; and Napoleon B. Bryant agreed to pay the sum of ten dollars ($10) each to all others who should sign the enlist- ment roll on that evening.
With these extra inducements a number of our young men enlisted at this time, the first one to sign his name to the roll being William Francis Barry.
Another meeting was held August 2d, when other patriotic addresses were made, and sufficient enlistments were then made to more than fill our required quota. Those who enlisted during this call went into the Eleventh, Thirty-third, Thirty- eighth and Thirty-ninth Regiments, the First Heavy Artillery, Ninth and Thirteenth Batteries, and the Second and Third Cavalry Regiments.
The following vote pertaining to the welfare of our soldiers, was passed in the carlier part of this year. March 31, 1862, the town voted :
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To raise the sum of Twenty-Five Hundred Dollars for the aid of the families of Volunteers as provided in Chapter 222, of the Acts of 1861.
On the 4th of August, 1862, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for three hundred thousand (300,000) more troops, to serve for nine months; a draft to be made if the quotas were not filled by volunteers by the 15th of August.
The proportion assigned by the War Department to Massa- chusetts was nineteen thousand and eighty (19,080) men. The quota of Melrose was seventy-nine (79) men. Several spirited war meetings were held, when addresses were made by citizens and others, and in a short time this quota was also filled.
A Town Meeting was held August 21, when the following action was taken. It was voted:
That the Town raise an amount of money equal or equivalent to the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150) per man, for every man who is, or who may be required from this Town to answer to the recent call of the President of the United States for additional troops for nine months' service, to serve in the army of the United States; and that the Treasurer is authorized and required, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow that amount of money and pay the same to such parties who may volunteer, and are properly and legally accepted by the proper and legal authorities for such service.
It was also voted:
That a Rallying Committee of twenty-five men be appointed by the chairman of this meeting, with full powers to call meetings and per- form such other duties as they may deem necessary; and that an appropriation of three hundred dollars ($300) for incidental expenses be made by the Town, to be expended under the direction of said committee.
The following citizens were appointed to serve on that com- mittee:
Rufus Smith, Nelson Cochran,
Michael A. McCafferty, Moses Parker, M. D., Samuel O. Dearborn, Henry A. Norris,
Henry B. Newhall, Fernando C. Taylor, John S. Sewall,
R. Watson Emerson, Frank A. Messenger, Napoleon B. Bryant, Isaac Emerson, Jr.,
Joel Snow, George W. Emerson,
Philip B. Holmes,
Levi S. Gould, Walter Babb,
-
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Daniel Norton, Jr., Allen C. Goss, Josiah P. Mendum, Addison W. Banfield,
George A. Bacon, Isaiah A. Young,
Stephen W. Shelton.
The Selectmen were afterwards joined to this committee. Owing to the measures taken at these various meetings the fol- lowing document-whereby the signers agreed to pay their just proportion of all taxes, and to indemnify all town officers for any action taken in carrying out the wishes of the town- was circulated for signatures:
AGREEMENT.
Be it remembered, that whereas the Town of Melrose, at several meetings called for that purpose, have, with great unanimity, passed sundry votes providing for the payment of bounty to our volunteers, and for the support of their families, and other incidental war pur- poses, which votes may, upon nice and technical grounds, be regarded as invalid in law, - Now, therefore, we the undersigned, Tax-payers in the Town of Melrose, hereby waive all objections to the form, sub- stance, or validity of said proceedings; and agree to pay all taxes assessed against us respectively arising from said votes.
And we severally hereby release any present or future officer of said Town from all actions, or causes of action, on account of the assess- ment or collection of the aforesaid tax; all of which we feel in duty bound to do, as true and loyal citizens, resolved to make any sacrifice necessary for the most vigorous prosecution of the war, and for the honor and dignity of our glorious flag.
The nine months' volunteers, most of whom were our own citizens, enlisted in the Fifth, Forty-second, Forty-third, Forty fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-eighth and Fiftieth Regiments.
The total quota of Melrose to this date, of three years and nine months' men, was one hundred and eighty-four (184) and the town had furnished two hundred and ten (210) men for those periods of service.
On the 22d of September of this year-1862-was issued the great Proclamation by President Lincoln, declaring that the slaves of all persons in states which, on the first day of Janu- ary, 1863, should be in rebellion, "shall be henceforth and forever frec."
1863.
At a Town Meeting held March 30, 1863, it was voted:
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MILITARY HISTORY.
That the Poll-Tax of all the Soldiers in the field from this town during the ensuing year be abated, and all who from wounds or dis- ability have been discharged from the service of the United States.
June 9, it was voted:
That the Selectmen be authorized to set apart a portion of the new Cemetery [Wyoming] for the use of those soldiers engaged in the present war, and the families of such soldiers as may choose to use the same.
An Enrollment or Conscription Act having been passed by Congress, March 3, 1863, for the purpose of recruiting the force in the field, and making up deficiences on the calls previously made, a new enrollment of the men liable to do military duty was ordered, and a draft of such enrolled men to be made in - July, 1863.
These Enrolled men were divided into two classes. The first class comprised all persons subject to do military duty between the ages of twenty and thirty-five years, and all un- married persons subject to do military duty between thirty- five and forty-five years. The second class comprised the married men who were subject to do military duty and were more than thirty-five, but under forty-five years of age. This draft was to be made from the enrolled of the first class. The quota of Massachusetts on this last call, was found to be fifteen thousand one hundred and twenty-six (15,126) men; and that of Melrose to be twenty-four (24) men.
On the 25th of May, Provost-Marshal Herrick appointed Stephen Shelton "Enrolling Officer for Sub-District No. 9, Town of Melrose." By this enrollment it was ascertained that there were in our town, at this time, exclusive of those then in the service, one hundred and sixty-two ( 162) persons of the first class, and one hundred and twenty-one (121) of the sec- ond class.
Under this law, and by direction of Provost-Marshal General James B. Fry, four drafts were made throughout the loyal States during the Rebellion. The first commenced about the first of July, 1863, and was for one-fifth of the persons enrolled in the first class. The second commenced about the 15th of April, 1864, and was for deficiencies under calls for seven hundred thousand (700,000) volunteers. The third com- menced about the 19th of September, 1864, for deficiencies under call of July 18, 1864, for five hundred thousand (500,000)
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
volunteers. The fourth commenced about the 20th of Febru- ary, 1865, for deficiencies under call of December 19, 1864, for three hundred thousand (300,000) volunteers.
Captain H. G. Herrick, of Saugus, was appointed Provost- Marshal for this district, and his headquarters were at Law- rence; and on the days of drafting, busy and interesting scenes were presented at his office, there being a great desire manifested during the progress of the draft, to witness the operation, and to ascertain who were the unlucky ones whose names should be taken from the wheel of -not fortune, but, to them, of-misfortune.
The first draft in this district commenced July 9th, and Melrose-Sub-District No. 9-was reached July 13th. Forty- nine (49) names were drawn from the wheel. The provisions of the act were such that any person drafted, if found accept- able, could be exempted from service by furnishing a substi- tute, or paying three hundred dollars ($300) commutation.
The following persons were drafted:
Furnished substitutes:
Jonathan C. Howes, Henry W. Barrett,
George W. Emerson. Paid commutation :
William F. Gordon, Joseph A. Fairbanks,
Osgood W. Upham, Charles Robbins.
The rest were exempted for various causes:
Nathaniel J. Bartlett, William Donalavy,
Richard H. Shelton,
Stephen W. Shelton,
William H. Stone,
James Astle,
Charles E. Keith,
Joseph Goodwin,
Curtis S. Gordon,
Daniel L. Chase,
Frederick W. A. Rankin, Jr.,
William Cook,
Jonathan Barrett,
James W. Dodge,
Elbridge H. Goss,
Lucius L. D. Porter,
William F. Morse,
Charles A. Waite,
Moses S. Page,
Lewis HI. Richardson,
Albert F. Shelton,
Andrew P. Trott,
Oren Brown,
Leander T. Freeman,
Theodore L. Knowles,
Walter Babb,
Charles H. Blaisdell,
Edmund W. Davis,
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MILITARY HISTORY.
John H. B. Henderson,
William A. Fuller,
Oren H. Peck,
William Morse,
Joseph S. Emerson,
John L. Allen,
John Thompson,
Joshua Emery, Jr.,
John H. Crocker,
Bradford Edmands,
Augustus L. Cheever,
George W. Grover, Jr.,
Edward Finnegan,
George Hammond.
The enlisted men that entered the service at this time, went into the Fifteenth, Fifty-fourth, Fifty-sixth and Fifty-ninth Regiments, and the Third and Fourth Heavy Artillery Regi- ments. The citizens of Melrose were determined that another draft should be avoided if possible; and, although others did take place later, they were of no avail, as, owing to strenuous efforts put forth our quotas were kept full.
At a Town Meeting held November 3, 1863, it was voted:
That the Selectmen be instructed to call a meeting at an early day (as can be) to see if the Town will borrow the sum of-dollars to be used as the Selectmen, with a Committee of four added to their number, may deem expedient in aiding the recruiting of twenty-four men, the quota of Melrose under the late call of the President for three hundred thousand (300,000) Volunteers, and also to authorize the Treasurer to borrow the same.
November 14, Stephen W. Shelton, Isaac Emerson, Jr., Rufus Smith and Charles H. Isburgh were appointed on that committee, and three thousand dollars ($3,000) appropriated for their use. At this same meeting it was voted:
To open a subscription list to raise a fund to provide all families of Volunteers from Melrose, now in service, with means to provide for them such a Thanksgiving Dinner as they are most deservedly en- titled to.
It was also voted :
That the Committee chosen at this meeting be a permanent Com- mittee to look after the interests of families of Volunteers who are now or may be hereafter in the service of the United States and see that they are properly provided for.
1864-5.
At the annual Town Meeting in March 1864, it was voted "to continue State Aid to families of Soldiers as provided by the Laws of the Commonwealth;" also to excuse Isaac Emerson, Jr., from serving longer on the Recruiting Committee, and
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
William E. Fuller was elected Selectman in place of George M. Fletcher; and the Recruiting Committee now consisted of the following gentlemen: Col. John H. Clark, chairman, and Recruiting Agent-by appointment of Provost-Marshal Her- rick-William B. Burgess, William E. Fuller, Stephen W. Shelton, Rufus Smith and Charles H. Isburgh. At a subse- quent meeting held April II, it was voted that this same Re- cruiting Committee continue its labors, and four thousand dollars ($4,000) were appropriated for its use. This commit- tee acted throughout the continuance of the war; and by its spirited and strenuous exertions-and of the committee as pre- viously constituted-no other draft was ever needed in order to fill our several quotas under the calls of the President, issued in October, 1863, and February, March, July and Decem- ber, 1864, in which calls a million and a half of men were asked for. A second draft was made, of the enrolled men, in April, 1864, but none of the drafted were required to report, as the quotas were then filled.
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