USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 2 > Part 9
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
2 I St. In September, 37 men were mustered, and in October 16, 49 of whom became members of the 27th regiment, two of the 20th, one of the 28th and one of the ist cavalry. In December, three Amherst men were mustered into the 31st regiment. In October, occurred the battle of Ball's Bluff, in which Francis H. Dickinson of the 15th regiment was killed, the first man on Amherst's quota to give up his life for his country. Sept. 20, the members of Co. D, 27th regiment, recruited in Amherst and neigh- boring towns, assembled at noon in Agricultural hall. Forming in line they marched to the Amherst house, where dinner was served. From the Amherst house they were escorted to the New London Northern depot by the Amherst College class of '63. An immense crowd was in waiting to see them depart. Addresses were delivered by Hon. Edward Dickinson and Rev. C. L., Woodworth and prayer was offered by President Stearns. During the month of September, the ladies of the South and West parishes sent a large quantity of clothing and supplies to the Sanitary Commission at Washington, D. C., the first of many generous contributions which were continued all through the period of the war.
The 31st regiment, which contained four Amherst men. was recruited at Pittsfield and started for the front Feb. 21, 1862. It was one of two regiments recruited for special service by Gen. B. F. Butler, under orders of the war department, and was known at first as the Western Bay State regiment. In the spring of 1862, the Massachusetts regiments containing Amherst men were stationed as follows : The 2d regiment with the Army of Virginia, at the headwaters of the Potomac; the 9th, 10th, 1 1th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 22d regiments, with the Army of the Potomac ; the 21st and 27th regiments, with General Burnside's army in North Carolina ; the 3 Ist regiment, in the Department of the Gulf in Louisiana : the 28th reg- iment and the ist cavalry, in the Army of the South in South Carolina : the Ist artillery, in forts near Washington. July 4, 1862, President Lincoln issued a call for 300,000 men to serve for three years or during the war. The quota allotted to Massachusetts was 15,000 men, to form new regi- ments and fill the ranks of those already in the field. In accordance with this demand, ten new regiments were promptly raised and forwarded to the front, numbered consecutively from 32 to 41, inclusive. Amherst men were enlisted in the 32d, 34th, 36th and 37th regiments. The 32d regiment was recruited at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor and was known at first as the Fort Warren battalion ; it left the state May 26. The 34th regiment, recruited at Worcester, left for Washington Aug. 15. The 36th regiment left the state Aug. 31. The 37th regiment was recruited at "Camp Briggs" in Pittsfield, and started for the front Sept. 7. Aug. 4. a call was issued by President Lincoln for 300,000 men to serve nine months, Massachusetts' quota being fixed at 19,090. These men were to be raised
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DEATH OF FRAZER A. STEARNS.
by draft. Massachusetts furnished her contingent by voluntary enlistment within a reasonable time and the draft was avoided. The new regiments recruited and sent into the field under the call for nine-months' men were numbered from 42 to 53 inclusive, while the 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th regiments of three-months men were recruited to the full number and enlisted for nine months service. Amherst had men enlisted in the 42d, 46th, 52d and 53d regiments. The 42d regiment was recruited at Read- ville and left the state Nov. 19, being assigned to the Department of the Gulf. The 46th regiment was recruited at "Camp Banks " near Spring- field and sailed from Boston Oct. 24 for New Berne, N. C. The 52d regiment was recruited at " Camp Miller," Greenfield, leaving that town Nov. 20 for New York, where it embarked Nov. 25 and went to join the Department of the Gulf. The 53d regiment was recruited at Groton, and left Boston Nov. 18 by boat, under orders to report to Gen. Banks at New Orleans. A part of the 42d regiment reached Galveston, being the first detachment of the loyal army to land in Texas during the war.
During the year 1862, the battles of Roanoke Island, New Berne, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Chantilly, 2d Manassas, South Mountain, Antie- tam and Fredericksburg were fought, as well as many lesser engagements, in all of which Amherst troops took part. When in February, news was received of the capture of Fort Donelson, the first great Union victory of the war, the church bells were rung and there was general celebration of the event. The battle of Roanoke Island was fought Feb. S, and that of New Berne March 14, the Amherst troops in the 2 1st and 27th regiments doing gallant service in both actions. At the battle of Roanoke Island, one Amherst man was wounded ; at the battle of New Berne, one Amherst man was killed, and seven wounded, two mortally. It was at the battle of New Berne that Lieut. Frazar A. Stearns, serving as adjutant. was killed while rallying his men to charge. Lieut. Stearns was son of President Stearns of Amherst College, and was a student at the college in the class of '63, when the war broke out. He enlisted in the 21st Mass. regiment, was wounded at the battle of Roanoke Island, and his death at the battle of New Berne was deeply lamented by his comrades in the service and by all who knew him. The historian of the 2 1st speaks of Adjutant Stearns as " the ideal soldier of the regiment, handsome in face and person, true in his friendship, and enthusiastic in his devoted courage." Gen. Jesse L. Reno, in whose division he served, refers to him as "one of the most accomplished and gallant officers in the army." His remains were sent to Amherst in care of Lieut. Fred. Sanderson. Funeral services for Adju- tant Stearns were held at the Village Congregational church March 22, the church being filled to overflowing. The students of Amherst College formed in procession and marched to the church, the members of the
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
junior class wearing badges of mourning. The pall-bearers were members of the class of '61. An eloquent funeral discourse was delivered by Prof. W. S. Tyler. March 25, occurred the public presentation of a sword and belt to Lieut. Sanderson. Gen. Burnside, commanding the Department of North Carolina, issued under date of March 16 a special order, directing " that the six-pounder brass gun, taken in the battery where Adjutant Stearns, of the 21st Massachusetts Volunteers, met his death while gal- lantly fighting at the battle of New Berne, be presented to his regiment as a monument to the memory of a brave man." The regiment voted to present the gun to Amherst College, for safe keeping and having been appropriately inscribed the gun was forwarded to the college, the presenta- tion ceremonies taking place April 14, in front of the college chapel, in presence of a large audience. Hon. Edward Dickinson presided at the meeting. Capt. J. D. Frazier of Co. H made the speech of presentation in behalf of the regiment, and the gun was accepted by Rev. Joseph Vaill. D. D., on behalf of the college trustees. Prof. Julius H. Seelye spoke a few words on behalf of the college faculty. . This gun is now in Williston Hall.
In the battle of New Berne, Austin Barton of the 21st regiment and Charles K. Baker of the 27th were mortally wounded. Others wounded, but not mortally, were George W. Newell of the 21st and Charles H. Barton, James Bowman, John E. Cushman and Solomon H. Williams of the 27th. In April, at a skirmish at Wise Forks, N. C. Edmund Boltwood and Charles B. Spaulding of the 27th were wounded. In the battle of Kinston, John Shoals of the 27th regiment was wounded. In the battle of Fair Oaks, in May, George L. Putnam of the roth regiment was killed and Ebenezer M. Johnson of the same regiment wounded. At the battle of Chantilly in September, George W. Scott was killed and Henry F. Douglass wounded, both members of the 2 1 st. At the battle of Fredericks- burg in December, Josiah Thayer of the roth regiment was mortally wounded, while Nelson O. Ball of the roth, Alonzo W. Latham of the 18th and Lewis R. Haskell of the 21st were wounded, but not mortally.
April 16, the parishioners and friends of Rev. C. L. Woodworth, who had accepted an appointment as chaplain of the 27th regiment, paid him a surprise visit and presented him a revolver and a sum of money to pay for his outfit. June 27, a strawberry . festival was held for the benefit of wounded soldiers. July 12. a mass meeting of citizens was held at Agri- cultural hall to consider what could he done to promote enlistments. On motion of W. A. Dickinson, it was voted the sense of the meeting that the town should pay each volunteer Sigo bounty, in addition to the United States and state bounties, and that the selectmen be requested to call a town-meeting at an early day to take action on the matter. Several prom-
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inent citizens guaranteed that the $100 bounty should be paid, in case the town did not make the appropriation. William F. Stearns, son of President Stearns, offered to give $25 to each soldier who should enlist from Amherst, the number not to exceed 36. At a special meeting held July 21, the town voted to give the $100 bounty.
When in August came the call for 300,000 men to serve for nine months, with instructions that the same be raised by draft, there was great excitement in Massachusetts. A new enrollment of persons liable for mil- itary duty was ordered throughout the state. The roll in Amherst showed 403 men subject to the call. A mass-meeting was held in Agricultural hall, Aug. 20, to see if citizens would anticipate action by the town, and guarantee specific sums as bounties for men enlisting to serve for nine months. The attendance was very large. Hon. Edward Dickinson served as chairman of the meeting and H. A. Marsh as secretary. On motion, it was voted as the sense of the meeting that the town should offer a bounty of Sioo to each man who should volunteer, to avoid a draft upon the citi- zens under the call. A guarantee fund was raised for use until the town should assume the payment of bounties. At a special meeting held Aug. 25, the town voted to pay a bounty of $roo to each man who should enlist until the town's quota was filled. The quota of Amherst was 48 men ; as over 50 men enlisted in two days the draft was avoided. Sept. 5, the Express printed an interesting obituary notice of Col. William S. Clark, who was, wrongfully, reported killed at the battle of 2d Manassas. Sept. 30. the men enlisted for service in the 52d regiment left Amherst for Greenfield. Oct. 7 and 8, an " old folks concert," given for the benefit of wounded soldiers, met with great success. Dec. 3, a meeting was held in Amherst of delegates from several towns in the vicinity, to devise plans for the relief of soldiers in the Union armies. Dec. 12, Rev. George Cooke left Amherst for Washington, with several boxes of clothing for the 37th regiment. During the year some of the Amherst soldiers returned home on furloughs and were warmly welcomed. Letters from men who were serving in the armies were given a prominent place in the columns of the Express. In the fall of 1862 and spring of 1863, Amherst narrowly escaped a draft, owing to the fact that men serving for the town had not all been credited on its quota, at state headquarters. In February, 1863, Col. Conkey went to Boston and saw that the town was given its proper credits.
During the year 1862, 102 Amherst men were enlisted in the Union armies. In February, eight men were enlisted, six to serve in the Ist regiment of heavy artillery, one in the 15th regiment and one in the 3 1st. In March, two men were enlisted, one to serve in the Ist heavy artillery, and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
one in the 27th regiment. In June, there were three enlistments, two in the 27th regiment and one in the 34th. In July, six men enlisted. all to serve in the 27th. In August, there were 63 enlistments, three in the 27th regiment, 23 in the 37th, 34 in the 52d and three in the ist cavalry. There were 13 enlistments in September, one in the 27th, two in the 37th, nine in the 52d and one in the 46th. In October there were seven enlistments, one each in the 42d and 52d regiments, three in the 46th and two in the 53d. During the year William F. Stearns, Esq. paid bounties of $25 each to 35 men who enlisted from Amherst, amounting to $875.
CHAPTER LV.
HARD TIMES IN 1863 .- THE CONSCRIPTION ACT .- AMHERST'S ENROLL- MENT .- THE DRAFT AT GREENFIELD .- SUBSTITUTES AND COM- MUTATION .- BATTLES IN 1863 .- MEASURES TO AVOID THE DRAFT .- RETURN OF THE 27TH .- AMHERST MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED IN 1864 .- THE ROLL OF HONOR .- LOSSES IN BAT- TLE .- SERVICE BY REGIMENTS .- MUSTER BY MONTHS .- WAR EXPENSES OF THE TOWN.
The year 1863 was a hard and trying one to the patriotic citizens of Amherst, as to those in all loyal communities throughout the Union. The excitement and enthusiasm incident to the outbreak of the war and the first call to arms had abated. A large percentage of the young and able- bodied men had enlisted and were fighting in the Union armies. The Army of the Potomac, containing the greater number of Amherst volunteers, had met with repeated reverses, each battle bringing with it a long list of killed and wounded and missing. There were no signs of an ending to the terrible struggle, little but faith to warrant a belief that the Union arms would gain ultimate success. But the year brought with it increasing demands upon the blood and treasute of the people. The depleted ranks of the armies in the field called for constant reinforcements, and a threat- ened invasion of the North by rebel armies necessitated the raising of new armies of defence. The limit of volunteering had been reached, and even the payment of generous bounties failed to secure the men needed for the service. Under these circumstances there was need of heroic
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AMHERST'S ENROLLMENT.
measures, and early in the year Congress passed the so-called " conscrip- tion bill."
This measure provided for the enrollment of all able-bodied citizens of the United States, between the ages of 22 and 45, including persons of foreign birth who had declared their intention of becoming citizens. Certain classes were declared exempt, including those physically disabled and those having others solely dependent on them for support. Persons subject to the draft were divided in two classes ; the first class embraced all unmarried men between the ages of 20 and 45 and married men between the ages of 20 and 35, the second class all married men between the ages of 35 and 45. Each congressional district was constituted an enrollment district. . All enrolled persons were to remain for two years subject to a call into military service and when so called to continue in the service for three years or during the war. The president of the United States was authorized to assign the number of men to be drafted from each district. In fixing the quota, the number of volunteers already furnished by each district was to be considered. Drafted men might furnish substitutes, or, in lieu of per- forming military service, might pay $300. Persons failing to report to the military authorities after due notice were to be treated as deserters. The president was given full power under the act to call out the national forces at any time until the rebellion had been suppressed.
Under the provisions of this act Henry A. Marsh, editor of the Express, was appointed in June, 1863, enrolling officer for Amherst. He completed his enrollment lists June 26. He found the whole number of males in Amherst between the ages of 20 and 45 to be 567 ; of these, 392 were in the first class and 175 in the second. Of those in the first class, 4S were of foreign birth and eight were colored. Of the second class, 18 were of foreign birth and five colored. Of the first class, 143 were already in the United States service, of the second class 13. But 191 of the first class were subject to draft. Early in July, President Lincoln issued a call for 600,000 men, to be raised by draft. Amherst's quota under the call was 88 men, including 50 per cent. extra for probable exemptions. July 14, the draft for the Ninth congressional district, of which Amherst formed a part, began at Greenfield. The drawing was held at the provost marshal's office in Armory hall, in presence of three commissioners who were seated on the platform. The names of the men of the first class were placed in a wheel, from which they were drawn by a man blindfolded. Amherst was the first town drawn, and the first Amherst man drafted was Amariah L. Brown, keeper of a billiard-saloon. Many prominent men of the town were drawn, including four professors at Amherst College and leading business men. While the draft was going on there was considerable dis- turbance in Greenfield by rebel sympathizers.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Aug. 1, the men drafted from Amherst appeared at Greenfield and took the prescribed physical examination. Several did not take the exan- ination but furnished substitutes. Of the 68 examined, 30 were accepted. Greenfield correspondence of the Express stated under date of Aug. II that of the number accepted from Amherst not one had entered the service in person ; all had furnished substitutes or paid $300 each to obtain them. The same correspondent wrote to the Express under date of Aug. 14, that it was surprising to learn the amount of sickness and debility existing among men between the ages of 20 and 45. The draft was based on the supposition that 50 per cent. would cover the exemption, but the result showed a great mistake in calculation. Only about 20 per cent. of the per- sons examined were accepted. From Amherst, a little more than half the required number was accepted out of the first quota. From some towns fully 95 per cent. of the men drafted had been exempted. At first, substi- tutes had commanded from $325 to $350, but the price had fallen to $3co and there was no difficulty in obtaining them at that figure. Up to Aug. II, 197 substitutes had been accepted, clothed and sent to the rendezvous on Long Island. Many of the substitutes were deserters, if not from the service from other stations. Another large class consisted of thieves, pickpockets and rioters from New York city. They were brought to Greenfield by agents and intended to desert as soon as they had secured their pay. Several made the attempt but few succeeded, as they were kept at the station but one day and during that time were strictly guarded. The previous week an attempt had been made by substitutes to fire the barracks and thus effect an escape.
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Under date of Aug. 26, the Greenfield correspondent wrote that the drafted men were beginning to come in. The first to appear from Amherst was Spencer Church, Jr., " who has concluded that he can afford to do his own fighting, without the aid of a substitute." About 33 per cent. of the men drafted had been accepted. Another draft would probably be neces- sary to fill the quota. Under date of Sept. 2, the correspondent wrote that the board of examiners had begun their labors July 23, continuing them to date. The whole number examined was 3,035. Of these. 788 men had been accepted and 331 substitutes had been furnished. Only 41 drafted men had responded in person. Many persons drafted were not to be found ; some had been drafted from two places while others were non- residents. The whole number obtained by the draft would not exceed $50, leaving a deficiency to be supplied by supplementary draft. Of the num- ber drafted from Amherst, 20 had furnished substitutes, seven paid com- mutation, one had two members of his family already engaged in military service, two enlisted before the draft, nine were aliens, two non-residents,
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CASUALTIES IN 1863.
two over 35 and married, one under 20, one supposed to be dead, one non-resident, 38 excused for physical disability ; total exemptions, 84.
Aug. 3, the Amherst members of the 52d regiment of nine-months men having completed their term of service returned to their homes in Amherst. They were warmly welcomed but there was no public reception. The Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg in July caused Presi- dent Lincoln to appoint Aug. 6 as a day of public thanksgiving. The day was recognized in Amherst by a general suspension of business. A union service of the churches was held at the First Congregational church, a sermon being delivered by Rev. H. L. Hubbell. In October, a call was issued for 300,000 volunteers. Amherst's quota under the call was 44 men. Henry A. Marsh was appointed recruiting agent to see that the quota was secured. Dec. 28, a meeting was held by citizens interested in filling the town's quota. Addresses were made by Samuel C. Carter and Hon. Edward Dickinson. A committee was appointed, consisting of one member from each school district, to canvass and assist in securing volun- teers. By strenuous exertions on the part of the citizens the town's quota was filled Jan. 4, 1864. The event was celebrated Jan. 6, by a supper at the Amherst house, at which the volunteers from the town were invited guests.
During the year 1863 occurred the battles of Chancellorsville, Marye's Heights, Salem Church, Rappahannock Station, Gettysburg and Port Hud- son, and many minor engagements in which Amherst troops took part. At the battle of Gettysburg, Henry C. Ball of the 15th regiment was killed, Edward W. Prouty of the 15th mortally wounded and Marcus T. C. Miles of the 20th wounded, but not mortally. At the assault on Port Hudson, Martin S. Johnson of the 53d regiment was killed and George P. Spear of the 52d wounded. In the fight at Irish Bend, La., John White of the 52d was wounded. In the fighting in the Shenandoah Valley, Charles V. Smith of the 28th regiment was wounded. In the battle of Chickamaugua, George B. Cooley, a native of Amherst, of the 44th Ill. was wounded. During the year there were 24 enlistments from Amherst, not including re-enlistments or the men who went as substitutes for others who had been drafted. In January, one man enlisted in the 27th regiment. In March there were four enlistments, all in the 54th regiment, the first regiment of colored men raised in Massachusetts. There were six enlistments in July, one in the 9th regiment, two in the soth, one in the 32d, two in the 54th. In August there were four enlistments, one each in the 9th, 15th, 19th and 22d regiments. Four men enlisted in November, two in the ist heavy artillery, one each in the 37th and 54th regiments. In December there were five enlistments, one in the 21st and four in the 27th regiment. The
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
military record of the town, compiled by the town clerk, Samuel C. Carter, shows in but few instances the regiments in which the substitutes served.
At the beginning of the year 1894, the Massachusetts regiments in which Amherst men were serving were distributed as follows : The 9th, roth, 11th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 22d. 28th, 32d and 37th regiments of infantry and the Ist cavalry in the Army of the Potomac; the 2d, 21 st, and 36th regiments in the Department of the Ohio; the 27th infantry and the 2d heavy artillery in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina ; the 54th regiment in the Department of the South, the 31st regiment in the Department of the Gulf ; the 34th infantry, 2d cavalry and Ist heavy artillery in the Department of Washington. Early in the year, the third battalion of the ist cavalry was permanently detached from that regiment, and a new battalion was recruited in the state, attached to it and made the 4th regiment of cavalry. The 5th (colored) cavalry regiment was organized in the spring of 1864 and left for Washington in May. The 3d heavy artillery regiment was organized in the spring and went to the front in May. In March, 1864, President Lincoln issued a call for 200,000 men ; Amherst's quota was 23. The draft began at Greenfield, May 13. A club was formed at North Amherst for mutual protection against the draft. When one of its members was drafted, the members subscribed a sufficient amount each to make up the sum of $300. Under date of April 15, the Express printed the following paragraph :
" Rev. George Cooke, agent of the America Life Insurance, presents to our people a novel way of avoiding the draft. He insures their lives for Siooo, and guarantees $300 in case of their being drafted, upon payment of $1oo, in addition to the usual fee for insurance."
During the summer the enrolled militia of the town raised money among the members by subscription, and appointed an agent to act for them in connection with the selectmen in procuring volunteers to be cred- ited to the town in anticipation of another call for troops. July 4, the women of the town held a very successful fair in Agricultural hall, in aid of the Christian Commission. Early in July came another call for 500,000 men. Amherst's quota was 50. C. E. Hutchinson was appointed recruit- ing agent and the list was made up without a draft. The personal exer- tions of the selectmen were largely instrumental in effecting this result. Without a dollar in the treasury, they became individually responsible for over $3,000, and also obtained $12,000, by loans on short time, from between 50 and 60 individuals. Between June 1 and Sept. 16, the town enlisted 51 men, paying $10,300 for the services of 34 men for three years, $963 for the services of four men for two years, $1,341 for the services of 13 men for one year.
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