USA > Massachusetts > The old First Massachusetts coast artillery in war and peace > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
Col. Robert I. Burbank, formerly of the 3d Battalion, was the last commander of the old Ist Regiment, serving from March 25, 1856, until March 2, 1859. The regiment had several strong companies and might have been the leading military body in Boston; but it suffered from an excess of company loyalty and an utter absence of regimental spirit. Moreover there was a tendency to elect men of political prominence to the chief command, with slight regard for their military talents. Colonels were changed too frequently. The 2d Regiment under Cols. Bullock and Cowdin presented a striking contrast to the Ist in these particulars. The mili- tary authorities, since they recognized the inevitable ten- dency of the times, disbanded the Ist Regiment, and trans- ferred four of the seven companies to the 2d, on March I, 1859. The companies to enter the 2d Regiment were: C,
102
The Old First
the Pulaski Guards; D, the Washington Light Guard; F, the Fusiliers; and H, the Mechanic Rifles; these became the 4th, 2d, 3d, and 5th Companies in Col. Cowdin's regi- ment. The three companies remaining of the old Ist-the Tigers, the New England Guards, and the City Guards- were reorganized as the 2d Battalion of Infantry, under command of Maj. Charles O. Rogers, former captain of the Tigers. The latter command were highly prosperous at this time; in 1858 we find them giving the first grand ball ever held in the Music Hall, and a year later enlarging the scope of their social activities by moving the function into the Boston Theater, the first such event ever held in that cele- brated amusement center.
Sentiment assumed striking forms in the military life of Boston during the years preceding the Civil War. Two visiting military bodies, the New York 7th in 1857 and the Ellsworth Zouaves from Chicago in July, 1860, presented such examples of military efficiency that a desire grew up- was encouraged by the Adjutant General-for the formation of a "crack" regiment in Boston. At the same time, the designation, "4th Battalion," came to be coveted and sought after. The reason for the latter sentiment is obscure ; there never had been a 4th Battalion in Boston, never any of prominence in Massachusetts. But the old sub-legion of Lt. Infantry in the 3d Brigade, standing as it did beside three infantry sub-legions, and brilliantly outclassing them, had been a "4th battalion" of which all Boston was proud. From 1859 on, many organizations were attempting to secure the designation, "4th Battalion."
The 2d Battalion, organized March 1, 1859, under Maj. Rogers, included three strong companies, and might have been the nucleus of the desired "crack" organization ; how- ever the units did not cohere, and the battalion speedily flew
103
The Old "Tiger" First
to pieces. Maj. Harrison Ritchie of the New England Gds. became commander July 21, 1860.
Gen. Samuel H. Leonard had removed from Worcester to Boston for business reasons, and had thereby lost his brigade in the former county. Becoming associated with Boston military men who were ambitious for a new and highly efficient regiment, he placed himself at the head of the movement. Ex-Gen. Leonard presently succeeded Capt. Clark B. Baldwin in command of the Boston Artillery, and proceeded to transfer that company from Col. Cowdin's 2d Regiment to a new battalion. The City Guards had dis- banded Dec. 26, 1859, and most of the members went into the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company ; now former members of the City Guards were reenlisted and consolidated with the Boston Artillery. Indeed these City Guardsmen were the instigators of the movement. Capt. Augustine Harlow (a printer in civil life), formerly in command of the National Guards, the 9th Company of the 2d Reg., joined in the movement and organized a new company. On Dec. 15, 1860, Capt. Leonard's as Co. A, Capt. Harlow's as Co. D, and two new companies designated B and C were associated as the 4th Battalion. At length the much desired numeral was in use,-and by men of large military ability and soaring ambition. Since "rifles" took precedence over other branches, the new battalion became "Rifles"; and wore gray Zouave or chasseur uniforms. We have seen else- where how this movement became deflected by the call for volunteers, and ultimately issued in the splendid 13th Mass. Inf. If the 4th Battalion of Rifles did not become a "crack" regiment-it achieved a nobler destiny.
On March 11, 1861, the New England Guards became in- dependent of Maj. Ritchie's 2d Battalion; and expanded their organization into a two-company battalion, for which
/
104
The Old First
they claimed the coveted numeral, becoming the 4th Bat- talion of Infantry; Capt. Thomas G. Stevenson of the New Englanders became Major, and was in fact the leader of the movement. The ensuing month brought war and put an end to the militia dreams. On April 25 Maj. Stevenson's battalion entered upon a one-month tour of volunteer gar- rison duty at Ft. Independence, the men serving without pay. It was at this time that they achieved the distinction of "bringing out" the most famous band-leader of the gen- eration, Patrick S. Gilmore. Gilmore's music and the fine marching of the New England Guards battalion immediately brought Maj. Stevenson's command a high degree of popularity.
More three-year regiments were needed in the autumn of 1861, and members of the New England Guards battalion decided to enlist. Upon further thought it seemed wiser to use their proved skill in military matters in a higher capacity -they would organize a new regiment of recruits, and themselves go as officers. With the approval of the War Department, accordingly, the 24th Mass. Reg. came into existence, having Thomas G. Stevenson as Colonel and Gil- more as band-leader. No prophet then foresaw the future ; but a bronze bas-relief in the State House (erected in 1905) today reminds us of the record of heroic service in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida; the transfer to Vir- ginia May 1, 1864, and participation with the Army of the James in the operations around Petersburg and Richmond. Their commander, now Gen. Stevenson, was killed in battle at Spotsylvania. Gilmore continued with his regiment as long as the Government permitted regimental bands-during the entire first year of the service.
Members of the New England Guards who were unable, for business or family reasons, to go for three years, were
105
The Old "Tiger" First
quick to respond, in the autumn of 1862, to the call for nine- months men. Part of the 4th Battalion had organized and officered the 24th Regiment (there was already a 4th Reg.) -clinging to the coveted numeral others now raised the 44th Reg. and followed their comrades-to the coast of North Carolina. So very few New England Guardsmen were left at home in Boston that the battalion passed out of existence -died of patriotism.
Maj. Ralph W. Newton, former captain of the Tigers, succeeded Maj. Ritchie in command of the 2d Battalion on Apr. 17, 1861, and continued in office until May 22, 1862. Nothing remained of the old Ist Reg., or of the 2d Bat., except the Tiger company. In order to retain the battalion organization, the Tigers sub-divided into three companies. From this point on it will be literally correct to designate the battalion organization, the sole surviving remnant of the old Ist, as the Tigers.
On April 29, twelve days after assuming command, Maj. Newton moved his Tiger battalion to Fort Warren, and re- mained there a full month rendering unpaid volunteer ser- vice. Owing to the extreme shortage of trained soldiers, the Government was glad to have the services of the bat- talion at Boston's most important fort. Old Andrew Fletcher has claimed that the song-writer of a nation is more influential even than the law-maker. So far as this is true, the 2d Company, the Tigers, have exerted a huge national influence. For while at Warren, it fell to the lot of their glee-club to originate one of America's greatest war-songs, one which until "Marching thru Georgia" was composed, stood supreme, the song, "John Brown's Body." Both words and tune trace back to the 2d Company. The tune is an adaptation of a southern revival hymn familiar before the war; but is so complete a revision as to be practically
106
The Old First
an original composition. The words were written as a joke on Private John Brown of the Tigers, who always seemed a shining mark for the wit of his comrades, and whose name of course suggested the hero of Osawatomie and Harper's Ferry. Fletcher Webster's regiment, the 12th, was in process of recruiting at Fort Warren that month. This song, at first intended humorously, was taken up in serious earnest by Webster's men, was sung a little later by them as they marched to Bull Run; and within a year hun- dreds of thousands in blue were firing their enthusiasm for battle with the great refrain, "His soul is marching on."
Ex-Col. Charles L. Holbrook proved his loyalty to his old command by accepting the lower office of Major on June 23, 1862. This responsibility he did not lay down until Oct. 13, 1862, when he led the 43d Reg. to war.
To the Tigers, as to others of Boston's best citizens, the call for nine-months men came as a personal summons to service. Maj. Holbrook's 2d Battalion at once began enlist- ing recruits, until it had expanded to a complete ten-com- pany regiment. Practically all the officers were chosen from the Tiger battalion; and the new regiment, the 43d, was known as the "Tiger Regiment." The ancient title, "Boston Light Infantry," had remained attached to Co. A of the 2d Battalion ;- now the "Lt. Inf." Co. transferred itself bod- ily to the new regiment, and became Co. A of the 43d. Com- pany commanders were : A, Henry J. Hallgreen ; B, Edward G. Quincy ; C, William B. Fowle, Jr .; D, Thomas G. Whytal (Capt. Whytal later became a Lt. Col. of U. S. Vols.) ; E, Henry Doane (of Orleans) ; F, Charles W. Soule; G, Everett Lane (of Abington, who was elected Major Oct. 20, 1862) ; H, George B. Hanover (of Chelsea) ; I, George O. Tyler (of Cambridge) ; K, J. Emery Round. Maj. Hol- brook, as we have already seen, became colonel. John C.
107
The Old "Tiger" First
Whiton, who later was Colonel of the 58th Mass., was Lt. Col., and Everett Lane, Major. Co. D was from Dedham, E from Orleans, G from Abington, H from Chelsea and I from Cambridge. The other companies were recruited at large-that is, from Boston. The regiment was mustered in Sept. 20, 1862.
Co. H of the 43d had an origin prophetic of the regimental consolidation which was to give us the present Coast Ar- tillery. Springing as it did from the membership, and com- manded as it was by the Ist Lieutenant of the Chelsea Rifles, and they in turn being the "depot" or reserve company of the Chelsea Volunteers (the 5th Co. in the three-year Ist Regiment), Co. H was in direct relationship with both of these commands. After the war, veterans of all three com- panies joined forces, transformed the Rifles into the "Chel- sea Veterans," and thus created our present 5th Company, M. C. A. For three years it was actually made up exclusively of veterans.
Tiger veterans and friends joined in giving the 43d a notable "send-off." Once more the motto was "Death or an honorable life." The historic banquet of Oct. 18, 1798, was repeated on Nov. 5, 1862, and the famous toast was again drunk, "The United States of America; as they have drawn the sword of justice with reason, may they never sheathe it with disgrace." Hon. R. C. Winthrop, standing on Boston Common, presented the regiment a handsome stand of colors, a gift from the Boston Light Infantry.
A few weeks later the 43d found themselves under Gen. John T. Foster in North Carolina, far indeed from Boston and their friends, but side by side with the 3d and 44th Regs., which also enter into our history. The old Tiger spirit had accompanied them. In Dec., 1862, came their great march thru the swamps and sand barrens, when they were face to
108
The Old First
face with the enemy during eleven continuous days. They were able to claim as their list of battles, Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro.
The loss of the North Carolina coast was a great blow to the Confederacy, opening as it did the way for Sherman's march northward. Foster's army was really an outpost of the greater force threatening Richmond.
In July, 1863, their service was completed and they were homeward bound once more. Travelling by boat to Balti- more, stopping for a visit at Fort Monroe, thence by train to New York, and having a square meal en route at Phila- delphia, by boat to New Haven and train to Boston, they were given a hearty welcome home at old Boylston Hall, the Tiger armory, on July 21. The Boston Light Infantry at once became the 24th Unattached Company, M. V. M.
A few months of quiescence succeeded the Tigers' nine months of duty in the 43d. Not until Aug., 1864, is there record of further activity. The war was drawing to a close, the nine-months regiments had been mustered out and the three-year commands were returning. Once more the ambi- tion to have a "crack" regiment was stirring in Boston. Veteran and exempt members of the Tigers had formed the "Boston Lt. Inf. Assn.," Nov. 1, 1862, during the absence of the active company. On this August date in 1864 the Light Infantry reorganized themselves as the "7th Infantry." Maj. Charles O. Rogers, first commander of the 2d Bat- talion, was offered the colonelcy but declined; Daniel G. Handy was then elected, and received his commission on Nov. 6, 1865. (Col. Handy had been Maj. of the 12th Mass. in 1861 and 1862-indeed had been with the recruits in Ft. Warren when "John Brown's Body" originated.) A vigor- ous attempt was made to form new companies and maintain the 7th at regimental standard.
109
The Old "Tiger" First
The 7th Mass. Inf., a Taunton command, had made a noble name for itself during three years of hard service; and had been mustered out just before the Tiger 7th came into existence. The traditions connected with the number were certain to prove stimulating. But the choice of a num- ber had further significance; it was a deliberate attempt to reproduce the New York 7th. Gilmore became band-leader, and it was hoped that his famous musicians would lend brilliancy to the new regiment. It was in his capacity as leader of the 7th Regiment band that Gilmore arranged and conducted his first "Peace Jubilee Festival" in 1869, with ten thousand singers and eight hundred instrumental- ists in a "coliseum" seating fifty thousand, and not exceeded in size even by Billy Sunday's tabernacle of 1916. Music by wholesale, this, and very different from the original clas- sical "Peace Jubilee" in King's Chapel, Feb. 22, 1815, from which Gilmore obtained the suggestion. New England liked it; and derived benefit from the popularization of good music. And the 7th received no little advertising.
Nine new companies came into existence within two years, mostly by the process of subdividing older commands, while the Tigers continued their organization as Co. A. Charles F. Harrington, former Captain of the Tigers, became colonel in 1869. Distinguished soldiers were willing to serve as company commanders in the 7th. B had for a Captain, Walter Scott Sampson, who had led the 7th Co. of Col. Cowdin's regiment, the Washington Light Guard, into the 6th, and had commanded it (Co. K of the 6th) during its famous march thru Baltimore. Capt. Sampson had meanwhile been in command of a company in the 22d Mass. He was, in civil life, a successful Boston builder. E was commanded by no less a personage than Henry J. Hallgreen, war. Captain of A or the Tiger Company in the 43d. A
IIO
The Old First
had for its Captain, David W. Wardrop, war Colonel of the 3d Reg. The entire regiment was quartered in a single armory, at Pine and Washington Sts. Co. B had developed by fission from Co. A in 1864 and was first called the Handy Guard or 32d Unattached Co. In 1869 so many veterans of the old Washington Light Guard joined Co. B that the Handy Guard became known as the Washington Light Guard. In 1873 the company transferred its headquarters from Boston to Cambridge, and, as part of the process, the name was again changed, becoming the Massachusetts Guards. Claim has been made that Co. B perpetuates the old original Washington Light Guard, and it also claims to be the Tigers, as truly as the 2d Company ;- it exists today as the 6th Company, Mass. C. A. Gen. W. E. Lombard holds its older record books. The 7th Company, Mass. C. A., the Pierce Light Guard, came into existence as Co. E of the 7th; Henry L. Pierce after whom it was named donated $1,000 to the company treasury.
Young men, however, are more successful than veterans in maintaining the interest of an active regiment; and apathy concerning miltary matters characterized the public thinking during the years immediately following the war. By 1870 the 7th had only four live companies remaining ; on July 20 of that year the regiment was reduced to a bat- talion. The Tigers now recovered their old regimental num- ber-they became the "Ist" Battalion, and Maj. Douglass Frazer commanded. The Ist Battalion was on duty in 1872 at the great Boston fire, and protected the most important section of all, the financial district along State Street.
Austin C. Wellington, formerly Ist Lieutenant in the 38th Mass., became captain of the Tiger Co. A in 1870, and with his advent began the era of prosperity and efficiency for which the Tigers had long been wishing. In 1873 Welling-
III
The Old "Tiger" First
ton became Major of the battalion, and on March 25, 1874, came a change in designation, bringing, after failure to get back their war number, 2d, the long-coveted numeral, "4th." As an indication of how this ambition had persisted from ante-bellum days, we find the organization, in 1875, un- officially describing itself as the 4th Battalion "of Rifles." In 1872 the "Maverick Rifles" had been organized as Co. D of this battalion ; today they are the IIth Co., Mass. C. A.
It was the privilege of the Tigers, in 1875, to receive and entertain the Old Guard of New York City and the Wash- ington Lt. Infantry of Charleston, South Carolina, the latter being the first southern military body to visit the north after the war. The following year the Tigers and Old Guard returned this courtesy, visiting Charleston and assisting in the celebration of the centennial of the battle of Fort Moultrie on June 28.
It was at once appreciated that Boston had a "crack" battalion and Maj. Wellington's command was in great de- mand for parades and reviews. Its drill became a standard for other infantry bodies, while its striking quasi-Zouave uniform made such an impression upon the authorities that the costume was, in 1884, adopted as the State uniform. Such was the 4th Battalion which, on Dec. 3, 1878, by a process of consolidation, became part of the Ist Regiment.
CHAPTER VIII
"THE CAPE"
During the train-band days, the troops of Plymouth and Bristol counties, with the Cape and Islands, constituted the 5th Division, while Boston militia made up the Ist. When the volunteer militia was set apart as the principal defence of the state, both sections found themselves in the same divi- sion. Now the Cape was the 2d Brigade while Boston was the Ist. By the consolidation of 1878 the two were finally brought together into the same regiment, so that the Coast Artillery not only perpetuates the old Legionary Brigade, but also the old 2d Brigade, M. V. M., and the older 5th Division.
There were four regiments of infantry in the Ist Brigade, 5th Division, of the train-band. The Halifax Light Infan- try, organized in 1792, attached to the Ist of these, was the first company in the entire district to rise from the condition of militia to that of volunteers; and presently became the senior member of the Light Infantry Regiment. During its long career from 1792 until 1876, the Halifax Light In- fantry was always one of the foremost military bodies in Plymouth County, and indeed in the entire state. Capt. Asa Thompson, who commanded in 1814, and who led his men into the Ist Division territory for the purpose of assisting to build and garrison Boston forts, was a giant (a "Saul" in the Scriptural language of the day), six feet, seven inches in stature. The towering head-dress of the times brought his height up to eight feet. As he led his men across South Boston bridge on the way to the forts and duty, every one
I13
"The Cape"
stopped to look and admire,-and wonder whether the bridge could stand up beneath the load. Alas! Captain Thompson presently fell into disgrace, and was dismissed by court- martial.
Oct. 21, 1818, patriotic citizens of Plymouth met and or- ganized a light infantry company, to which they gave the name, Standish Guards, in compliment to the great "Cap- tain of Plymouth." Coomer Weston was elected Captain, James H. Holmes, Lieutenant, and William Randall, Ensign. Under the drill regulations of the period, the captain marched at the head of the column, the lieutenant at the rear, and the ensign in the center, carrying the flag. The most notable early parade of the Guards occurred on Dec. 22, 1820, when they escorted the Pilgrim Society, and Daniel Webster as orator of the day, in commemoration of the bi-centenary of the Fathers' landing. To be sure, the date is now known to be one day too late; but no error of detail could prevent the occasion from being one long worth remembering.
As regards personnel, the Cape companies did not differ from those in Boston ; prosperous merchants and tradesmen and mechanics made up the bulk of their membership; moreover a certain percentage of farmers were enrolled. There was less opportunity for social interchange and less of the stimulus arising from competition, owing to the rela- tive smallness of the cities and towns. But in general the constituent organizations of the 3d Regiment passed thru the same experiences as did their sister companies to the north- ward. It will therefore not be necessary to repeat the details of events as outlined in previous chapters ; we need only speak of those matters which were distinctive of the Cape.
By 1834 the train-band was in a very bad way indeed, and was rapidly approaching the moment of its. extinction.
114
The Old First
Ambitious companies were transferring to the light infantry, in order to distinguish themselves from their older and in- efficient companions. Marshfield and Scituate had rifle com- panies and Scituate and Pembroke light infantry companies in connection with the 2d train-band Regiment; Abington had rifles, grenadiers and light infantry, and West Bridge- water light infantry in the 3d Regiment; and Middleboro had grenadiers in the 4th Regiment. In September of that year an order was issued separating the volunteer companies from the train-band regiments, and establishing them as a "Regiment of Light Infantry, Ist Brigade, 5th Division." The nine companies mentioned, with the Halifax Lt. Inf. and the Standish Guards, constituted this new regiment. The organization is interesting because it ultimately became the 3d Regiment, and finally was consolidated in the Coast Artillery. The Samoset Rifles or Guards were organized in 1835 and were presently added to the regiment.
On April 24, 1840, the command became the 3d Regiment of Light Infantry, 2d Brigade, Ist Division. When on April 25, 1842, the companies received distinguishing let- ters, the following units existed with vitality sufficient to survive the transition : A, Halifax Light Infantry ; B, Plym- outh, Standish Guards ; C, Hanson Rifles (a new company) ; D, Abington Light Infantry ; E, Middleboro Grenadiers ; F, Wareham Grenadiers (a new company) ; and G, Abington Rifles. At that date the New Bedford and Fall River com- panies were in the 2d Battalion of Light Infantry, as was also the company of Taunton Rifles. Taunton subsequently fell within the district of the 4th Regiment, a command which was by its location mainly an overflow from the 3d, and which a quarter century later merged in the 3d.
Col. Gideon W. Young of Scituate, who had commanded the 2d Regiment in the train-band brigade, was chosen first
115
"The Cape"
commander of the Light Infantry regiment. Col. John Cushing, Jr., of Abington, succeeded Col. Young and served from May 20, 1837, until May 13, 1839. Col. Nahum Reyn- olds of North Bridgewater came next, receiving his commis- sion Aug. 31, 1839. Col. Henry Dunham of Abington fol- lowed on March 25, 1841, being first to receive commission as Colonel of the "3d" Regiment. Presently Col. Dunham was chosen Brigadier General. During the administration of Col. Albert Whitmarsh of Abington, Aug. 1, 1842, to May 1, 1844, new companies were organized in Middle- boro and Abington, while the Wareham Grenadiers disap- peared from the records. The original New Bedford City Guards were organized in 1842, with Capt. George A. Bourne in command; and in 1846 they became Co. K of the 3d Regiment. During their first year, the Guards paid a visit to the Rifle Rangers of Boston. The occasion inspired someone to compose the "Whaleman's Quickstep." While we are not today interested in this as music, still it finds place in all our bibliographies because, on the front cover, it bears a picture of the two companies mustered on Boston Common. The Rifle Rangers stand in line as the New Bedford Guards march past, straight in the direction of the large refreshment tent which bounds the vista. New Bedford's company paraded in four platoons of eight files- a fact indicative of a large membership. The City Guards were disbanded in 1849.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.