The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, Part 22

Author: Goss, Elbridge Henry, 1830-1908
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Melrose : Published by the city of Melrose
Number of Pages: 548


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 22


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).


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Heton, John Hollis, Henry P.


2 Cav.


H


3 yrs


Private


Howard, Avery B.


3 Bat.


3 yrs


Corporal


Howard, James R.


38


K


3 yrs Private


Disability


Howe, Francis E. Hyde, George S.


42


G


9 mnos Private


Ingalls, Samuel


5 Cav. 42


G


9 mos Private


With Regiment


Prisoner, Texas. Prisoner, Texas.


Ireson, David A.


42


G 9 mos Musician


Jackson, Jacob F.


16


F 3 yrs |Private


With Regiment Disability


Wounded at Kinston, N. C.


Died at Baltimore, Oct. 6, 1861. First death of Melrose inan.


Killed, Bethesda Church, Va., June 3, '64. Killed, Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, '62. Re-enlisted.


HISTORY OF MELROSE.


Died at Melrose, Aug. 16, 1864.


2 Bat.


3 yrs Sergeant


With Regiment Resigned


Prisoner, Texas. Served in Hospitals, 1862-64.


Ireson, Alonzo D.


Asst. Surgeon


Expiration of Service Expiration of Service Disability


Prisoner, Texas.


42


3 yrs Private


With Regiment With Regiment Expiration of Service Expiration of Service Re-enlisted.


Seamalı


Expiration of Service


Hare, Andrew


C


3 yrs |Private


.


Jackson, William H. Jackson, William P.


39


G


3 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs


Private Private Private


Jones, Charles S. Jones, Henry HI.


G


A


3 yrs Corporal


Jones, J. Wesley


12 U. S. Inf. 42


I) A


3 yrs Bvt. 1 Lieut.


Kilby, Theophilus


13


A


3 yrs 3 yrs


Private Private


Krantz, Frederick W.


55


C


3 yrs


Private


Krantz. William F.


33


C 3 yrs


Private


Leeds, Samuel


16


C


3 yrs Sergeant


Leighton, William F.


45


D


9 mos Private


Lever, Richard


59


A


3 yrs | Private


Littlefield, Cushing W.


24


B


3 yrs |Private


Lyall, David S.


8


E


100 dys Private 9 mos Private


With Regiment


Lynde, Amos W.


7 Un. Co.


I K


90 dys Corporal " yrs Private


Lynde, Benjamin


38


Lynde, Charles B.


42


G 9 inos Private


With Regiment


Lynde, George W.


17


A 3 yrs Bvt. 2 Lieut.


Expiration of Service Expiration of Service


Lynde, Sherman


1 Cav.


G


3 yrs


Corporal


Macey, James


17


A


3 yrs


Private


Macey, Jolin S.


Navy


1 yr


Seaman


Expiration of Service


Macey, William H.


3 Maine


3 yrs Private


Marshall, james


45


HAOOM C K


1 yr


Corporal


Martin, George T !


4 H. Art.


1 yr


1 Lieut.


Martin, Jeremiah, Jr.


Navy


1 yr


Pavmaster's Clerk


Expiration of Service


Martin. William H.


38


K " yrs |Sergeant


Disability Disability


Expiration of Service In Veteran Reserve Corps. Expiration of Service Prisoner, Belle Isle


Prisoner, Texas.


Junkins, Edwin W.


45


9 mos Private


With Regiment With Regiment Expiration of Service Disability


Expiration of Service Expiration of Service Re-enlisted


Veteran Reserve Corps.


Expiration of Service Transferred to 11 Batallion.


Killed, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. Wounded, Little Washington, N. C.


Disability


With Regiment


Lyman, Henry H.


50


F


42


G


9 mos Private


With Regiment


Prisoner, Texas.


Died, Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 18, 1863. Prisoner, Texas.


13


3 yrs


Private


Expiration of Service Disability


Expiration of Service Douglas, Me. quota.


Marshall, Samuel


42


9 mos Private


With Regiment With Regiment


Martin, Charles II.


4 II. Art.


38


3 yrs


1 Lient.


Disability


Prisoner, Texas. Franklin quota. Re-enlisted, Died at Boston, March 13, 1865.


241


Expiration of Service


King, George L.


13


3 yrs


1 Lieut.


Judkins, Roland C.


G 9 mos Wagoner


Kendall, Edward W.


17


13


A


MILITARY HISTORY.


Re-enlisted.


9 mos Private


With Regiment


With Regiment


242


ALPHABETICAL ROLL OF MELROSE CITIZEN SOLDIERS. - Continued.


NAMES.


Regiment.


Co.


Enlisted for


Rank.


Discharged.


Remarks.


McAllister, Daniel W.


22


G


3 yrs Private


Disability


McAllister, George H.


50


E


9 mos Private


With Regiment


McDonald, Angus


5


B


3 mos Private


With Regiment


Re-enlisted.


Mckay, Gurdon


22


G


3 yrs |2 Lieut.


Dismissed


Mclaughlin, Frank M.


Navy


I


9 mnos Private


With Regiment


Mclaughlin, Hiram, Jr.


6


A


100 dys Private


With Regiment


McMahan, Philip


17


1


3 yrs Private


Expiration of Service Re-enlisted.


Mitchell, George


Navy


G


3 yrs


Private


Morrison. Charles H.


38


I


3 yrs


Sergeant


Morrison, Seth


4


F


3 mos Private


With Regiment Disability


Re-enlisted.


Morse, George J.


59


G


3 yrs


l Lieut.


Morse, Sydney B., 2d


13


3 yrs


Corporal


Munn, Thomas J.


13


A


3 yrs Private


42


G


9 mos Sergeant


Nichols, George G.


7 U. Co. Inf. 4 H. Art.


K


1 yr


1 Lieut.


Nichols. Smith W., Jr.


Navy 38 6


F


100 dys


Private


Page, Moses S.


C


3 yrs


Private


Peabody, Francis


--


17


K 3 yrs Orderly


Peabody, Torrey


22


G


3 yrs


Private


Peabody, Torrey, Jr.


17


K


3 yrs


Private Private


Pemberton, Lewis E.


61


F 1 yr


3 yrs |Act. Ensign


Perkins, John, Jr.


45


9 mos Private


Expiration of Service


Pike, Jacob F.


39


D G 3 yrs Private


Disability Expiration of Service Expiration of Service Expiration of Service Disability


Perkins, James F.


Navy


Wounded, Kingston, N. C., Dec. 14, 1862.


HISTORY OF MELROSE.


On Col. King's Staff. U. S. Navy.


Noyes, George O.


K


3 yrs


Corporal


Expiration of Service With Regiment


As Acting Lieut., Co. E.


90 dys 1 Lieut.


With Regiment With Regiment


Re-enlisted. Deserter.


13


A


3 yrs


Private


2 U. S. C. T.


3 yrs


2 Lieut.


Disability


Killed, Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. Died, Washington, D. C., Sept. 16, 1862.


3 yrs


Seaman


Expiration of Service Disability


22


3 yrs Yeoman


Expiration of Service


Mclaughlin, George W.


45


3 yrs Private


Disability


20


A


Lieut.


Expiration of Service Wounded, Port Hudson, June 14, 1863. With Regiment Disability


Re-enlisted. Died at Newberne, N. C., Oct. 3, 1864.


22


Pilling, James L. Pratt, Daniel S. Pratt. Henry W. Prentice, Charles Prescott, Horace Prince, Albert G. Quinn, John E. Quinn, John H. Quinn, Patrick Richardson, George E.


60


1 Cav.


G G E E


¡100 dys |Private 3 yrs Private 100 dys |Private 9 mos Private


E A


32


99 N. Y 8


B


3 yrs Private Private


Richards. n, John P.


Richardson, William II. Roberts, Charles H.


44


E


9 mos|Private


Rowell, Stephen P.


50


13


A


3 yrs Private


Seavey, Leonard C.


2 Bat. 23


K


3 yrs


Private


Shelton, Albert F.


13


A


3 yrs


Private


Shelton, Charles W.


13


A


3 yrs


3 yrs


Private


Shelton, Thomas


8


E


100 dys


Private


Simonds, Joseph F.


3 Cav.


D


3 yrs


Captain


Simonds, Joseph R.


17


K


3 yrs


Captain


With Regiment


Re-enlisted.


Simonds, Joseph W.


S


E


100 dys Private


With Regiment


Skinner, Charles E.


5 Bat. 30


E


3 yrs


Private


Expiration of Service Re-enlisted.


Slocomb, Henry W. Small, Edward A.


Navy 5


B


3 mnos Private


Expiration of Service With Regiment


Re-enlisted.


Smith, Thomas


4 Bat.


3 yrs Private


Expiration of Service


Smith, Wayland R. Spaulding, Henry II. Sprague, Samuel, Jr.


6


A


100 dys Private


A


3 yrs


Corporal


With Regiment Expiration of Service With Regiment With Regiment Expiration of Service Disability Disability


Expiration of Service On Boston's quota. With Regiment


Died, Salisbury, N. C., prison, Nov. 3, [1864.


MILITARY HISTORY.


Wounded, Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. Wounded, Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, Killed, Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.


Shelton, John P.


13


A


50


E


9 111os Private


With Regiment With Regiment


13


A


3 yrs


Private


Disability


Expiration of Service


Expiration of Service Wounded three times.


44


D


9 mos Private


3 yrs


Private


Disability


3 yrs


Act. Master


A 9 mnos Private


With Regiment


With Regiment Disability


Wounded, Antietanı, Sept. 17, 1862.


243


12


17 3 H. Art.


18


H


3 yrs |Private


D 9 11os Sergeant


With Regiment


Sassard, Augustus


3 yrs


Private


Expiration of Service


Shannon, Martin


Disability


Disability


Sergeant For General Service


E K 3 yrs |Private K 3 yrs Private C 3 yrs Private


100 dys


3 yrs Private 3 yrs Private 3 yrs Private


38


Expiration of Service Expiration of Service Disability


Disability


Disability


Re-enlisted.


43


8 50 9 Bat. 18


ALPHABETICAL ROLL OF MELROSE CITIZEN SOLDIERS. - Continued.


NAMES.


Regiment.


Co.


| Enlisted for


Rank.


Discharged.


Remarks.


Stantial, Thomas B.


5 Bat.


3 yrs


Artificer


Abolishiment of Office


Stebbins, Thadeus S.


39


G


3 yrs


Private


Expiration of Service


Stevens, Charles H.


1 Cav.


G


3 yrs


2 Lieut.


Expiration of Service Wounded.


Died at Boston, March 26, 1863.


Stevens. Thomas H.


16


A


3 yrs


Private


Expiration of Service Died at Melrose, June 25, 186 ..


Stilphen, John E.


2 Bat.


3 yrs


Private


Wounded, Prisoner, Libby.


Stone. Henry


59


G


3 yrs Sergeant


With Regiment


Sumner, Stephen


5


II


9 mos Private


With Regiment


Sweetser, Thomas T.


12


G


9 mos Private


With Regiment


Tainter, George A.


13


A


3 yrs Private


Disability


Thompson, John


Navy


1 yr


Seaman


Tower Benjamin


38


K


3 yrs


Corporal


Tucker, William L.


9 Bat.


yrs


Corporal 100 dys Sergt. Major


With Regiment


Tyler, William N.


8


9 mos | Private


With Regiment


Upham, Charles II.


60


G


100 dys Private


With Regiment


Upham, Henry W.


42


G


9 mos Private


With Regiment


Vinton, Edwin A. ‹


E


100 dys Private


With Regiment


E


100 dys Private


With Regiment


Waitt, John R.


A


100 dys Private


With Regiment


Wells, Charles A.


11


I


3 yrs Private


1 H. Art.


E


3 yrs |Private


Whitney, Edward H.


13


D


3 yrs Sergeant


Expiration of Service


Wilde, Benjamin F.


12


H


9 mos Private


6


A


100 dys Private


With Regiment


6


A


100 dys Private 3 inos Private


Wyman, William -


24


C


3 yrs |Private


York, Benjamin F.


56


B


3 yrs Drummer


42


G


9 mos Private


York, Josiah R.


7 Un. Co.


I


90 dys Private


With Regiment


42


G 9 mnos Private


With Regiment


York, William B.


7 U11 Co.


I 90 dys |Private


With Regiment


244


HISTORY OF MELROSE.


Deserter.


Wyman, George W. Wyman, Weston


With Regiment


5


B


With Regiment


Re-enlisted.


Expiration of Service Expiration of Service With Regiment


Prisoner, Texas, Re-enlisted.


Prisoner, Texas, Re-enlisted.


39


G


3 yrs


Corporal


Disability


Wounded, Prisoner, Texas.


Wounded, Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. Boston quota. Wounded, Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864.


With Regiment With Battery


Prisoner, Texas.


Prisoner, Texas, Re-enlisted.


Vinton, Gray


S 6 988


Expiration of Service Wounded, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.


Expiration of Service Wounded, Warrenton Junction.


White, Charles L.


12


245


MILITARY HISTORY.


THE MINUTE MEN OF 1861. The Legislature of 1902 passed a "Resolve to provide for Medals for the Massachusetts Minute Men of 1861," appropriating $3,000 to be expended under the direction of the Adjutant General for medals to be given to all those officers and men, who responded to the first call for troops, by President Lincoln, April 15, 1861. The organizations into which these men went were the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Regiments, the Third Battal- ion and the First Battery of Light Artillery. In case of death the medal is to be presented to some heir or representative of the deceased.


Melrose had five such respondents: George W. Batchelder, Gurdon Mckay, Thomas Smith and William Wyman in the Fifth Regiment, and Seth Morrison in the Fourth.


OBVERSE.


REVERSE.


The medal bears this inscription, the name of the recipient being engraved on its edge:


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the Members of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia who were mustered into the United States Service in response to President Lincoln's First call for Troops, April 15, 1861.


On the bar:


Massachusetts Minute Men, 1861.


246


HISTORY OF MELROSE.


BATTERY C. During the autumn of 1873, Battery C, Sec- ond Battalion Light Artillery, then commanded by the late Col. Clark B. Baldwin, was removed from Malden to Melrose. After occupying temporary quarters for a while, Henry A. Leonard erected a large and commodious armory building for its accommodation on Dell Avenue, into which the Battery moved in the fall of 1874, and for which the State paid an annual rental of $600.


For a number of years the organization was well supported and was a credit to the Town and State; but in time, owing to a lack of interest in military matters, and sufficient support, in this community, the organization was disbanded by Governor Robinson in 1886, and the guns and equipments were removed to Lawrence. During the last few years of its existence here, Captain Charles O. Boyd was in command, owing to the illness of Colonel Baldwin, who died Nov. 10, 1890.


THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. Resolutions declaring war with Spain, and recognizing the independence of Cuba, were introduced in both branches of Congress, March 29, 1898.


April 22, the President, William McKinley, called for 125,000 volunteers. April 25, Congress declared that war with Spain had existed since April 21. The President made another call May 25, for 75,000 more volunteers.


The apportionment to Massachusetts as her quota was:


On the first call, 4,554


On the second call, . 2,834


Making a total of, 7,388


As in the " Great Rebellion," so was it in this war. Melrose having no military company of its own, the young men en- listed in such service as they preferred- naval or military; consequently they were scattered in many regiments and war vessels.


For this war there were forty-one men belonging to Melrose who served in the various organizations. A large proportion of them, more than half, were in the Fifth and Sixth Regi- ments, Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V .; largely in the Malden Company of the Fifth and the Wakefield Company of the Sixth. Others were in the Second and Eighth Regiments. A few in regiments of other states. The rest were in the navy.


The following were in the Fifth Regiment, which was mus-


r


247


MILITARY HISTORY.


tered into the United States service July 1, 1898, performed guard and camp duties in various localities, and was mustered out March 31, 1899:


Barnes, Ara E., Co. L.


Lyons, Thomas, Co. L.


Blades, John W., Co. L.


Murphy, Ralph H., Co. L.


Brackett, George S., Co. L. Riley, Edward B., Co. L.


Fiske, Harvey P., Co. E. Smith, Carl W., Co. L.


Loring, Fred M., Co. L.


Smith, Herbert S., Co. L.


The following were in the Sixth Regiment, which was mus- tered into the service May 13, 1898, performed various duties, went through the Porto Rico campaign, and was mustered out January 21, 1899.


Blades, James W., Co. A.


Bridge, Charles, Sergeant, Co. A.


Brown, Lewis W., Co. A.


Camerlin, Henry G., Co. H.


Cass, A. H., Co. H.


Hathaway, Joseph, Co. A.


McDonald, Thomas, Co. A.


Ogilvie, Walter, Co. H.


Rich, George, Corporal, Co. A.


Shaw, Edward, Co. H. Tabbut, George H., Co. A.


Twitchell, James H., Co. H. Warren, Myris, H., Co. A. Wentzell, E. E., Co. H.


Myris H. Warren, one of the first men to enlist, served throughout the war with courage and devotion, but returned home with disease contracted in the army, was taken to the Melrose Hospital, where he died November 25, 1898, the first Melrose soldier to lose his life in the service of his country in this war.


James H. Twitchell, returned with his regiment, but again re-enlisted, is still in the service, and has had thus far a varied experience in the Philippines and China.


In the Second Regiment, which was mustered in May 10, 1898, was in the battles of El Caney, San Juan Hill and Santiago, and was mustered out November 3, 1898, Melrose had but one representative:


Wooldridge, Edwin D., Co. C.


In the Eighth Regiment, which was mustered in May II,


245


HISTORY OF MELROSE.


1808. performed various guard and camp duties, and was mustered out April 2S. 1899, Melrose had two;


Gorman, James, Co. K. Harris, Allen J., Co. K. In the Seventh Regiment. U. S. Infantry, two;


Reynolds, Philip. West, Freeman A.


In the Ninth Regiment, U. S. Infantry, one: Hawley, James, Co. C.


The Ninth was in the battle of San Juan Hill, and the first regiment to enter Santiago. Hawley reculisted and has been in the China and Philippine campaigns.


In the Twelfth Regiment. U. S. Infantry, one:


Heisev. Mark L.


First Lieutenant Quartermaster under General Chaffee. before Santiago, Later was with General Shafter's Division at Porto Rico, Has been in the Philippine and China cam paigus. Before entering the service he was Military Instructor at Harvard College.


In First Heavy Artillery. U. S. V., one:


Underwood, Marshall


Before the way he was Second Lieutenant in Battery B. Đương the war the Battery was stationed first at Fort Warren. then ut lum Bland and Fort Constitution, and then at New Castle, N. H. He is now First Lieutenant of that Battery.


In First New York Regiment, one: Linde, Frank (. Co. 1).


In First New Hampshire Regiment, one. Ramsay. Ale.


Non Rear Admiral Dyer is the hero of the wars. Ile was born in Provincetown, February to, 1830 For the Civil Wat, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and went to the front in July, 1801. He served in that regiment only until the following April, when he received an appointment as Master's Mate in the navy. First assigned to the U.S. S. R. R. Ciler to serve in the Gulf Squadron, under Admiral Rutagut Promoted to Acting Ensign, May 15, 180g, for " gallant and meritorious conduct," having on the previous night burned and destroyed the blockade runner "Isabel," from under the guns of Fort Morgan, in Mobile Bay; daring and brilliant achievement, characterized by Captain Jouets as "one of the boldest of the war, and was conducted


249


MILITARY HISTORY.


with matchless coolness from beginning to end."1 Promoted to Acting Master, January 12, 1864; Acting Volunteer Lieuten- ant, April 22, 1865. Meanwhile .he had been in command of various vessels in the Gulf Squadron, taken part in the Battle of Mobile Bay, and in the passage of Farragut's fleet up the Mississippi River by New Orleans, and in various other duties


NEHEMIAH MAYO DYER.


until the close of the war; after which he served two years in the Bureau of Navigation at Washington.


Commissioned Lieutenant in the regular navy, March 12, 1868, and ordered to duty in the South Pacific Squadron. Commissioned Lieutenant Commander, December 18, 1868. From September 1869, to March 1870, was in command of the " Cyane," in a cruise to Sitka, Alaska. In July, 1870, while on the "Ossipee," cruising to the Lower California and Mexican coasts, a hurricane was encountered,


1 For Ensign Dyer's account of this transaction, see Melrose Memo- rial pp. 228-31.


250


HISTORY OF MELROSE.


which left the sea in a troubled state, and in the morning whilst making sail a man fell overboard from main topsail-yard, the halyards carrying away while hoisting top-sails. Striking in main-chains he was knocked senseless, and was drifting astern. Dyer was taking an observation on the poop-deck, and, immediately turning a bowline in the end of a boat fall, jumped into the sea and saved the man from sharks or drowning. For this he was publicly thanked by Commodore W. R. Taylor, Commander-in-Chief, was commended by the Secre- tary of the Navy, and received a medal from the Massachusetts Humane Society.2


Promoted Commander in April, 1883; commissioned Captain July 13, 1897. Ordered to the Asiatic Squadron in command first of the "Philadelphia," and then to the " Baltimore," in which he took the memorable part, under Admiral Dewey, in the decisive Battle of Manila, May I, 1898. Left the "Baltimore," in ill health March, 1899, and was, after recovery, as- ·signed to duty at the Boston Navy Yard, February 1, 1900. A little more than a year later, February 19, 1901, being then at the age limit, he was pensioned as Rear-Admiral, on half-pay.3


DYER SWORD.


On account of the eminent services rendered by Admiral Dyer in the many different positions filled by him, various testimonials have been given him. One, a beautiful watch, duly inscribed, by the Melrose Club, of which he had long been an honored member. Another, a mag- nificent sword given him at a public banquet, by the City of Baltimore in recognition of his services as commander of the noble vessel which was named in honor of that city.


When the war was declared, Melrose had five men in the Massachusetts Naval Brigade: Buttrick, Charles H. Abercrombie, John J. Colby, William J. Jones, Lieut. Gardner I.


Eastman, Harry M.


8 For further details as to the various duties and commands of


2 Melrose : Town and City, p. 84. Admiral Dyer, from the close of the Civil War to the Manila fight, see Melrose: Town and City, pp. 83-85.


251


MILITARY HISTORY.


Mr. Eastman was the first to enlist, April 5, but Mr. Buttrick was first to enter the actual service, which he did April 10, being then ordered to Philadelphia, when he was appointed "Equipment Yeoman" on the U. S. S. Lehigh, afterwards transferred to the U. S. S. Wabash. Mr. Abercrombie also served with him on the same vessel. Discharged September 1, 1898. Another young man who served first on the Wabash was Charles F. Henderson, who enlisted when he was sixteen years of age ; was on different vessels, and was promoted to a second class apprenticeship, assigned to the U. S. S. Indiana, and took part in the destruction of Admiral Cervera's fleet, July 3, 1898.


Mr. Eastman was called into the service April 23, entering the regular navy April 28, when he was assigned to the U. S. S. Prairie, being appointed "Chief Ship's Yeoman." The Prairie was the flagship of the blockading squadron off Havana.


With Eastman was William J. Colby, who entered the ser- vice May 3, served through the war, and was discharged at the same time as was Eastman.


Lieutenant Gardner I. Jones served on the monitors "Le- high " and " Jason," being in command of the latter. Concern- ing him, Lieutenant William H. Stayton, who had charge of the patrol work off Montauk Point, reported to his command- ing officer as follows: "Lieutenant Jones was indefatigable in his efforts to relieve the sick and was very successful. I trust you will commend him for his zeal, faithfulness and humanity." He served during the war. Another Melrose boy, John Henry Higgins, was not in the Spanish-American War, but has seen severe service in China and the Philippines. He enlisted in Boston, July 17, 1899, was soon after sent to the Philippines, and in Co. A, Ist Marine Batallion, served in China during 1900. He helped take Tientsin, was one of the first to enter Pekin, and is still in service in the Philippines.


The Spanish-American War was of short duration; and upon the return of the Melrose soldiers and sailors, a " Public Re- ception " was given them in the Town Hall, Tuesday evening, November 22, 1898, which proved to be an occasion of very great and general interest. The hall was appropriately decorated for the event, the stars and stripes largely predomi- nating. Addresses of welcome were made by Charles H. Adams and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore. War reminiscences


:252


HISTORY OF MELROSE.


were given by Edwin D. Wooldridge and Major Edward J. Gihon, of the Sixth Regiment, to which many of our Melrose men belonged. A letter from Captain N. Mayo Dyer, then at Manila, was read. Resolutions recognizing the services of these brave young men, were presented by Arthur M. Willis. · Music was furnished by the Moorhouse Orchestra. The pre- siding officer was Charles M. Cox, chairman of the reception committee, of which Charles C. Barry was treasurer.


THE ARMY CHRISTIAN COMMISSION was early organized for the moral and spiritual benefit of the 116,000 young men that had then enlisted in the service for the Spanish-American War. It was instrumental in equipping tents at the front and in state camps, with reading tables, correspondence facilities, games and amusements, organ, singing books, and other privileges- thus furnishing places of social resort and religious meetings under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. In this manner a very positive and spiritual uplift was given to the brave boys who had taken their lives in their hands and gone forth to fight the battles of the United States.


The Melrose Y. M. C. A. Army Christian Commission was organized largely by the efforts of Franklin P. Shumway; associated with him on the committee was William H. Fland- ers, and a mass meeting was held in the City Hall, June 5, 1898, for the purpose of raising money for this object. There were musical exercises, and addresses by Rev. Edwin C. Bolles, D. D., Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, and the Rev. Thomas Sims, D. D. The amount raised was $300, which was paid into the treasury and acknowledged as follows:


BOSTON, June 7th, 1898.


Mr. F. P. Shumway.


MY DEAR SIR :- I am in receipt of the proceeds of the mass meet- ing in the town hall, Melrose, last Sunday evening, for the use of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Army Commission. I want, through you, to thank the citizens of Melrose for their interest as shown by this very generous contribution, and to assure them that it is more than appreciated. This liberal and prompt response will make itself felt in other communities, and I know of no work that will mean so much for the moral uplifting of our boys at the front or fraught with such results as this.


Truly yours, (). H. DURRELL, Chairman.


Meanwhile the Melrose Woman's Auxiliary of the Volunteer


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253


MILITARY HISTORY.


Aid Association had been organized, and during the succeed- ing months many meetings were held by the women of Melrose; some at the Highlands, and some in the parlors of the Young Men's Christian Association, where a large variety of articles were made and forwarded to the front; among them two hundred and six hospital shirts, one hundred pajamas, seventy-two abdominal bands, fifty mosquito canopies, sheets,. comfort bags, bandages, handkerchiefs, towels and packages of old linen and other articles. Mrs. Elizabeth H. Deering acted as treasurer, and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, secretary, who received the following letter from the secretary of the association.


Dear Mrs. Livermore :


Many thanks for your kind letter and enclosure. Thanks to the early organization of the work on clothing, we have ample supplies in the storehouse for any demand likely to be made. All the reports from the surgeon general and from the surgeons in charge of the hospitals are that delicacies are needed for the sick. Men recovering from climatic troubles and fevers cannot use the army rations, and they ask for delicacies. So I hope you will ask your people to direct their attention to gathering such supplies. The enclosed is a copy of the list of supplies needed, received this morning from the surgeon general. It is not a long one: jellies, clam juice, cocoa, sardines, condensed milk, extract of beef, corn starch, concentrated consomme- (France American Co.), saltine crackers, water thin crackers.




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