USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > The history of Pittsfield (Berkshire County), Massachusetts, from the year 1800 to the year 1876 > Part 59
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The meeting thus called was attended by an unusually large proportion of the voters of the town, nearly all of whom agreed that something must be done in the proposed direction. Hon. E. A. Newton, one of those who, although approving the object, had declined to head the petition, opened the discussion by saying :
I am overwhelmed with surprise, Mr. Chairman, to see before me such a gathering of the citizens of this town, to consider the establish-
ment of a cemetery, for the lasting repose of our dead.
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When my friend Stevens requested me to sign a petition for the call- ing of this meeting, I thought that anything of the kind would be pre-
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mature. But this assemblage, and the feeling expressed here, satisfies me that now is the time to act. I thank my friend Stevens for origi- nating this project, and his perseverance in it. I hope he will go on with the assurance, as far as it lies in my power, of my most hearty co-operation.
Mr. Newton's remarks were received with applause, and every- thing, thenceforward, went smoothly for the project. The only practical action of the meeting, however, was the appointment of Thomas B. Strong, Thomas A. Gold, Samuel A. Churchill, En- sign H. Kellogg, and Joel Stevens, as a committee to take into consideration the whole subject of the present and future accom- modation of the town, for the burial of its dead, and report a plan for that purpose, looking to the permanent security of their remains. Of course the removal of the dead from the old ground was suspended. At the meeting of this committee, Mr. Stevens proposed the purchase of grounds containing from one hundred to one hundred and fifty acres, and the proposition was finally agreed to. They also visited a number of spots suggested as suitable for a cemetery, and became fully satisfied that the farm of George W. Campbell, on the west side of Waliconah street, and three-quarters of a mile north of the park, was the best adapted to that purpose, and very nearly all that could be desired. They reported this opinion to the town, in September, 1849, and, at their own request, were discharged; Solomon L. Russell, Thomas F. Plunkett, and Oliver S. Root, being appointed to con- tinue the inquiry as to a proper location.
In April, 1850, the last-named committee reported, sustaining the recommendations of its predecessor, as to the necessity of a cemetery, and the advantages of Mr. Campbell's farm as a loca- tion. This farm, they said, contained one hundred and thirty- one acres of land, of which one hundred would make good burial- ground. It was at a convenient distance from the village, and its general features were favorable for making it meet the require- ments of taste ; the land being rolling, having two or three small groves, and facilities for two or three fountains.
The town accepted the report, and passed the following resolu- tions :
Resolved, That the town purchase the farm of George W. Campbell at the price reported by the committee, viz .: five thousand five hun-
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dred and fifty dollars, payable, with its annual interest, in five or ten years, as the committee may determine.
Resolved, That a committee of ten be chosen, to make a contract with a cemetery-corporation, provided such a corporation should be duly organized under the laws of the state; by which said corporation shall be under obligations to furnish for the use of the town, out of the land so purchased, ample provision for free burial for all who may not be disposed to become owners of lots in said cemetery; and that the treas- urer of the town is hereby authorized and directed to execute a deed, and convey said farm to said corporation, when organized, under such conditions and restrictions, giving them such privileges and powers as said committee may direct, to be inserted in the deed, and which shall secure the town ample and free sites.
The committee appointed under these resolutions consisted of Calvin Martin, Solomon L. Russell, James D. Colt, 2d, Thomas G. Atwood, Moses H. Baldwin, James Francis, Edward A. New- ton, Abel West, Olcott Osborne, and George W. Campbell.
A cemetery-corporation was organized, under the general law for that purpose, on the 8th of April, 1850; and, at meetings held on the twenty-second and twenty-third, by-laws were adopted, and the following officers elected : president, Calvin Martin; direc- tors, Solomon L. Russell, M. H. Baldwin, O. S. Root, Thomas F. Plunkett, George W. Campbell, N. S. Dodge, Henry Clark, Rob- ert Colt, David Campbell ; treasurer, James H. Dunham ; secre- tary, Elias Merwin.
The grounds conveyed to this corporation by the town are hap- pily described in the pamphlet-account of the dedication of the cemetery, as of rare fitness for the purposes for which they were set apart. " Alternate woods and lawns vary the scene. The irregularity of its surface, now breaking away into gentle inclina- tions and rounded knolls, adds greatly to its attractions. * Fine trees dot the landscape. Rural sights meet the eye wher- ever it is turned. Hidden within the deep shade of the woods, the wanderer is shut out from the world ; but as he emerges upon the uplands, the spires of the village, the quiet homesteads of the valley, and the distant mountains, break upon him with a beauty almost enrapturing."
The corporation accepted these grounds upon the prescribed terms, and in its turn, intrusted the whole matter of transform- ing them into such a rural cemetery as was desired, to the hands of its directors.
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Most of this board were men of liberal and cultivated tastes, well aware of the difficult and delicate nature of the task imposed upon them ; but they entered upon it with hopefulness and zeal ; having, moreover, the hearty sympathy and co-operation of the many of the same class in the town. "Feeling," they say in their final report, "the responsibility attached to their doings ; aware that the alternative for Pittsfield, between a cemetery of rural beauty, and the repulsive hillocked grave-yard, rested upon their deliberations; fully informed of the conflicting opinions that agitated the public mind in relation to the spot selected ; they yet resolutely and earnestly, with entire confidence in the ultimate taste, judgment, and public spirit of the people, set about their task."
The corporation had no funds, and the directors had only the sale of lots in the future to look to for the reimbursement of any outlays which they might make. Relying upon this, however, one gentleman of the board advanced five hundred dollars, and pledged three hundred more when it should be wanted. Other members, as the work went on, furnished funds for its completion upon the same guarantee.
Dr. Horatio Stone, of New York, an artist who had already achieved a reputation by his skill and taste in laying out and embellishing other cemeteries, was engaged, first to prepare the designs for that contemplated on the Campbell farm, and then to carry them into execution. To his fine taste and peculiar genius, it is primarily due that the great capabilities of the location for park-like effects were as fully developed as the means at the com- mand of the corporation would permit.
In the meantime, the board was busily and faithfully devoted to its work. Meetings were held weekly. Committees of design, of farming, of finance, and of inspection were active in their duties. Visits were made to the cemeteries of Albany, Springfield, New York, Providence and New Haven; and correspondence seeking advice was carried on with the trustees of other similar institu- tions. In short, all the multitudinous work which was required of such a board was performed with enthusiastic faithfulness.
At the close of the summer of 1850, although Doctor Stone's plans had been but incompletely carried out, it was determined to consecrate the cemetery, and to open it for use, in accordance with an earnest desire of the people who reluctantly continued to inter
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the dead in the old burial-grounds. But, although much remained to be done, much also had been accomplished. Without trench- ing upon their wild-wood character, the groves had been rounded into grace, and freed from the unsightliness of decay and of care- less destruction. Man had restored to nature something of the symmetry of which his rude and hasty greed had robbed her. The waters of Onota brook had been trained in a winding stream to a beautiful lawn, where they spread into a small lake, reflect- ing its fringe of trees in mirror-like perfection. Miles of roads and paths wound in gentle curves through every part of the grounds ; while along its western border, one broad straight avenue was prepared to receive its long vista of trees. Every- where the beautiful present prophesied a more beautiful future.
Monday, the 9th of September, was assigned for the dedication of this lovely spot to its solemn uses, by appropriate ceremonies, and by the best consecration which eloquence and poetry could give it. All classes of citizens had, from the first inception of the work in town-meeting, given it their cordial aid and sympathy, and it was determined that all should take part in hallowing the ground, where each might expect to find his last resting-place.
The appointed day dawned, bright and beautiful ; and, at an early hour, the people began to gather in the cemetery. At half- past ten o'clock in the forenoon, the procession, escorted by the Housatonic and Pontoosuc engine-companies, and consisting of the officers of the corporation, the clergy and other invited guests, citizens and strangers, in carriages and on foot, formed at the park, under the direction of Col. George S. Willis, as chief mar- shal, and moved to the grounds. Here, after marching through the avenue around the lake, named in honor of St. John, the beloved apostle, the assembly grouped itself about the speaker's stand on the northern slope of Chapel hill.
Calvin Martin, Esq., president of the association, opened the exercises by a brief sketch of the burial-places of the town. There were religious exercises, in which Rev. Mr. Miner of the Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Chapman of the Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. Todd of the First Church, and Rev. Dr. Humphrey took part. Original odes by John C. Hoadley, Mrs. Emily P. Dodge and Mrs. J. R. Morewood, were sung by a choir under the direction of Col. Asa Barr.
The dedicatory address was delivered by Rev. Henry Neill of
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Lenox, and consisted chiefly of reasons why living men should institute memorials for the dead ; the argument being illustrated by exquisitely-told instances from history. We quote the open- ing passage :
"Have we been persuaded-an assembly of the living-to look . upon the very ground where we may sleep? Impelled by a desire to do honor to the dead, have we come within the precincts of a spot where every shadow seems now to deepen, and where the mountains point so significantly to the skies?
The sense of an unpaid tribute has summoned us from our homes. Affection, in its reverence, and depths of tenderness has longed to give itself expression in some outward, significant and permanent form, until it can no longer be denied. Out of the hearts of a large community the declaration at length has come ; that the remains of departed worth shall hereafter find a safe retreat, and pledges of remembrance foretokening their recom- pense of a higher reward."
The dedicatory poem, one of the choicest productions of its class, was delivered by Dr. O. W. Holmes, and is published in his works.
A quarter of a century has elapsed since that day of consecra- tion, during which the cemetery has constantly increased in beauty. The earth that was then untenanted has become the resting-place of the dead of all the town's past. It is hallowed by the commin- gling dust of the patriots who fought in all the nation's wars ; of the divines who have preached the word of God to all the generations since the town first had a settled pastor; of the statesmen whose fame has been that of Pittsfield, and the men of business, who have built up her fortunes. To those who have read these vol- umes, the names which are inscribed on the monuments which dot these grounds, will indeed be eloquent.
A few incidents in the history of the corporation since the ded- ication of the cemetery, remain to be noted. Calvin Martin con- tinued to be president until his death, in 1868, when he was suc- ceeded by George W. Campbell, who still holds the office. John Lane became clerk and treasurer in 1852, and was succeeded in 1854, by Dr. Oliver S. Root, who continued in office until his death in 1870. George P. Briggs, Esq., has held the office from that date.
The bounds of the cemetery have been slightly altered and
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enlarged, by an exchange of lands with John Weller, and by a bequest of ten acres from Elisha Tracy, which helped to rectify its south boundary.
Among the earlier projects in connection with the cemetery, was a building on the summit of Chapel hill, in which funeral-serv- ices might be held, and in which busts, statues, and other sepul- chral monuments, too delicate for exposure to the weather, might be preserved. And in connection with it was to be a receiving- tomb. The plan for a chapel fell gradually into neglect; but a receiving-tomb grew more and more a matter of necessity, as that in the First-street burial-ground became more and more unfit for the temporary deposit of the dead in winter. In 1858, a com- mittee was appointed by the directors, to report plans before they took any definite action, and the subject was a matter of contin- ued deliberation, committees being annually appointed to consider it, until 1866. There was much difference of opinion as to the class of stone and the general character of the tomb, as well as its location; but the delay in building it was mainly due to the lack of funds. And in the year named, the directors, finding the con- dition of the treasury such as to warrant the expenditure of two thousand dollars for the purpose, the proposal of C. A. Werden, to build the tomb for that sum, was accepted; and Rev. Henry Clark, Mr. William G. Backus, and Dr. O. S. Root, were appointed to superintend the work. The location selected was on the south side of Chapel hill, and the tomb is a Gothic structure of gray marble finished with oak.
In 1871, a plan by which proprietors of lots might provide for their perpetual care, was submitted by a committee consisting of Messrs. James D. Colt, and George P. Briggs, and adopted by the corporation.
Under this plan, the corporation receive on trust from the pro- prietors of any lot, a sum of money, not less than one hundred dollars, which they deposit in some savings-bank of the state, and apply the income, whenever it may be necessary, to keep in suit- able repair and preservation, the lot designated. The directors, twice every year, cause an inspection of these lots, in order that the trust may be duly executed. Should any surplus of the income from this fund remain, it is applied to the ornamenting and preserving of the cemetery-grounds, or to some other purpose for which the funds of the corporation may lawfully be used
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The fund for the perpetual care of lots now amounts to one thousand dollars, and is deposited in the Berkshire County Sav- ings Bank.
The original projectors of the cemetery anticipated that it would be the burial-place of all the dead of the town, whatever their religious belief. The Catholic population, however, desired a ground consecrated by their peculiar rites, and set apart for their exclusive use, and it was found impossible to appropriate such a portion of the cemetery as would be satisfactory to them, for that purpose.
In May, 1853, therefore, Rev. Patrick Cuddihy, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, purchased ten acres of land upon a beautiful elevation, some hundred rods north of the Pittsfield cemetery, and on the opposite side of Onota brook. This was properly graded, planted, and intersected with walks, making it a very beautiful and tasteful spot; after which it was duly consecrated under the name of St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Being largely used for the interment of persons dying in neigh- boring towns, as well as in Pittsfield, it soon became apparent, however, that its extent was altogether too limited, and in 1873, Rev. Edward H. Purcell purchased twenty acres adjoining, so that additional space might be added, as it was required. And in the summer of 1875, ten acres of this tract were added to St, Joseph's Cemetery, and properly laid out and planted,
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE CIVIL WAR-THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE PARK.
[1861-1872.]
Pittsfield soldiers of 1775, and 1861, compared - Pittsfield Guard - Allen Guard-First soldiers for the war-Henry S. Briggs-Pollock Guard and Tenth regiment-William Pollock-Twentieth and Twenty-first regiments -Lieutenant-Colonel Richardson-Western Bay State or Thirty-first reg- iment-Thirty-fourth regiment-Camp Briggs-Thirty-seventh regiment- Forty-ninth regiment-General W. F. Bartlett-Eighth regiment-Other regiments-Bounties-Recruiting and patriotic speeches-S. W. Bower- man-Labors of the selectmen-Ladies aid-societies-Death of a patriotic young lady-Mrs. C. T. Fenn-Mrs. J. R. Morewood-Soldiers' monument -Improvement of the park-Dedication of the monument-Speeches of General Bartlett and Hon. Thomas Colt-Oration of George William Curtis.
I N the history of Pittsfield, the years 1860 and 1861 presented a remarkable parallel to the revolutionary epoch of 1774 and 1775. That the people of the town in the later crisis of the nation's fate, manifested the same spirit which their forefathers exhibited in the earlier, and that the measures which they adopted had a general similarity, was by no means peculiar. The same was almost universally true of old New England towns. That which we think remarkable in the Pittsfield story, was the almost . exact repetition of military measures in their details. Happily, there was no occasion for the reorganizing and regulating action which distracted the town at the opening of the revolution. The government and the people were in full accord; and, instead of the rich and powerful tory-faction, which the fathers found it necessary to repress with a strong hand, those who opposed patri- otic action in the war against the rebellion of 1861 were altogether of insignificant influence. The problem was simply to organize and make effective an almost unanimous public sentiment.
Many years previous to 1860, the spirit of reform had, in Massa-
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chusetts, swept away the old militia-system, with its annual musters, its gorgeous generals and colonels, its spirited and trim volunteer companies, its Falstaffian "flood-wood," and its many vexations and abuses. In the new law, provision was made for a few well-trained volunteer corps in the cities and large towns; and these proved what the theory of the law con- templated, the nurseries of military spirit and skill. But, from the disbanding of the Berkshire Grays, about the year 1836, there was no military company in Pittsfield until 1853, when the Pittsfield Guards were organized. This corps, for several years, maintained an excellent reputation, under the command succes- sively of Captains George R. Groot, Henry S. Briggs, John Van Vechten, Robert W. Adam, Lemuel Wild, and Charles M. Whelden. But, in the summer of 1860, when Governor Banks, with wise forethought, was striving to revive the military spirit of the commonwealth, the company was in a hopelessly languish- ing condition ; and, in the excitement of the pending presidential election, every attempt to re-organize it on a better footing failed.
In this dilemma; Mr. D. J. Dodge appealed for aid to Hon. Thomas Allen, who promptly responded by a gift of fifteen hun- dred dollars. This fund was increased from other sources to two thousand dollars. The company was reorganized under the name of the Allen Guard, and Henry S. Briggs, resigning the position of major, was chosen captain. The company was already sup- plied with a full complement of the most approved arms and equipage ; and in November it was in an effective condition.
On the 16th of January, 1861, Governor Andrew issued his order directing commanding officers of volunteer companies to discharge all men who, from any cause, would be unable or unwil- ling to respond at once to any call of the president of the United States, and to fill their places with others ready for any exigency which might arise. This order was considered by the company on the 31st, and the following resolutions, prepared by Captain Briggs, adopted ; all the members except one assenting :
Whereas, the commander-in-chief has, by general order declared that recent and passing events require that Massachusetts should be ready to furnish her quota of troops upon any requisition of the president of the United States, to aid in the maintenance of the laws and peace of the Union ; and has, by the same order, notified the volunteer-militia to be in readiness to respond at once to the call of the president of the
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United States; at the same time advising the immediate discharge of such as may be indisposed or unable so to respond,
Resolved, That the members of Company A, 1st Battalion of Infantry, having recently enlisted and been enrolled under the laws of the com- monwealth, take this occasion to re-affirm the declaration deliberately made in the adoption of the company by-laws, wherein we avow that one, and a prominent, object of our association is to prepare ourselves to preserve those rights and privileges that have been transmitted to us from our patriotic forefathers, in the happy and admirable government we now enjoy.
Resolved, That, while none more than we regret the " recent events " that have called forth the order of the commander-in-chief, and none would more than we deplore the realization of the apprehensions which have made it the wise precaution of the executive authorities of the state and nation to prepare for the protection of the government against the assaults of its enemies ; yet, with a full recognition and just appreciation of the responsibilities which we have assumed or incurred by our enlistment, we have no disposition to repudiate those obliga- tions, nor will we seek to avoid any sacrifices which may be demanded of us as citizen-soldiers in the sacred cause of the Union, the constitu- tion and the laws.
The Allen Guard, by this act, became what would in 1774 and 1775, have been called minute-men.
The winter of 1860-61 passed very much as that of 1774-5 passed. The minds of the people were gradually familiarized with the idea of a conflict which, although all knew it to be immi- nent, few realized as an almost present fact. The clergy, the press, and patriotic leaders gave voice and pen to rouse and sus- tain the spirit of devotion to the Union; but passing events, now as in the opening of the revolution, proved more eloquent than words. The bombardment of Fort Sumter, like the " Regulating Acts " of 1774, made broad the line between those who would defend and those who would surrender what Massa- chusetts believed to be legitimate government. But, not as in the revolution, now, no traitorous voice, sufficient to be hecded, was raised in opposition to the most strenuous measures in defense of freedom.
In the meantime the Allen Guard maintained a system of semi- weekly drills, and were cheered by the encouragement of citizens ; and, what the young soldiers most prized, of the ladies, who once a month witnessed the evolutions at their armory. It was
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well understood that the call to arms might be received at any moment; but when it came, like most long-expected events, it startled the community.
Early in April, Governor Andrew received from President Lincoln a request for fifteen hundred men, and the number was almost immediately increased to a force of four regiments. The circumstances did not admit of delay, and at first he did not intend to draw any troops from the western counties, but to take those nearest Boston. The Eighth regiment, however, lacked two companies, and Captain Briggs1 who chanced to be in Boston, representing that his company was prepared for immediate serv- ice, it was attached to that corps; and Pittsfield thus obtained the distinction of being the only town in western Massachusetts which contributed a company to the first contingent of troops which the commonwealth sent to the defense of the Union.
On the evening of April 17th, Captain Briggs transmitted, by telegraph to Lieutenant H. H. Richardson, the order for the company to report the next evening at Springfield, where it would join the regiment on its way to Washington. The night of the 17th, and the following day, was an interval of excitement, ani- mation and preparation, such as had not been known in Pittsfield since the revolution. The members of the guard and their fami- lies were of course busy in making their personal arrangements. And as soon as the order calling for the company became public, a large number of the wealthier citizens met and guaranteed the sum of five thousand dollars, to provide for the comfort of its members and the aid of such of their families as might need assistance during their absence. At noon on the 18th, the ringing of the bells, for the first time during the war, summoned the citizens to the town- hall, where the venerable H. H. Childs presiding, addresses were made by the chairman, Messrs. James D. Colt, Ensign H. Kellogg, Walter Laflin and others. A vote was passed, thanking the guard
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