USA > Massachusetts > Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment [circular no. 13] > Part 7
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He was allowed to remain on the field six days that he might be useful in fetching water to the wounded who were unable to help themselves. This service of six days will likely be deducted from his thousand years. We hope for his sake it will be.
At first thought a thousand years seems a long time, and we thought our comrade was unduly prodigal in his offer. When one comes to think of the rapid flight of time, however, it appears altogether different. It is eight hundred years since Charlemagne flourished, yet it is only a few months ago we were reading about his exploits. It is more than nineteen hundred years since the great Cæsar died, yet it is only a few years ago we were reading of his death.
The creation of mankind is beyond our recollection, but the Deluge must have occurred a short time before we were born, as we recollect distinctly hearing people speak of Noah and his ark as though it was then a recent occurrence. Our Sunday-school teacher was always talking about Noah and his ark, as though Noah was a personal friend, and upon one occasion we ventured to ask where Noah lived.
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With some amazement he informed us that Noah was dead, and everybody we asked corroborated the statement. We recall how sorry we all were that the old man had passed away. This announcement of his death which occurred 'four thousand two hundred and fifty- three years ago still lingers in our minds - so four thousand years is no great length of time in the history of the world.
When one reads about the great battles that were fought during the Civil War, how insignificant they seem compared with the battles of the Israelites.
At the battle of the wood of Ephraim there were 20,000 slain. At the battle of Beth-she-mesh, where General Joshua was in command, there were fifty thousand three score and ten men slain. At the battle where Abijah overcame Jereboam the total number was 1,200,000 men. Abijah had 400,000 chosen men and Jereboam had 800,000 chosen men. Five hundred thousand men were slain at this battle -- more than were slain at San Juan.
When King Jehoshaphat's army was completed it was organized as follows :
Captain Adnah
300,000
Captain Jehohanan
280,000
Captain Amasiah
200,000
Captain Eliada .
200,000
Captain Jehozabad
180,000
Total
1,160,000
The Bible says all of these were fighting men prepared and ready for war, " and were in addition to those whom the King put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah."
During the reign of King Ahaz, Pekah, the son of Remaliah, slew in Judah in one day 120,000 valiant men.
The statements here recorded are facts taken from the Holy Writ. Alongside of these battles Gettysburg seems like a skirmish.
Of all the great events chronicled in the Bible, the building of the ark seems the most extraordinary. Prior to the Deluge, Noah had not acquired any particular reputation as a navigator, or even a shipbuilder. He was about six hundred years old when he turned his attention to building the ark and, considering it was five hundred and seventy-six feet long, with a breadth of beam nearly one hun-
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dred feet, and fifty-two feet high, divided into three stories, it seems a marvellous accomplishment. It would have made, in our time, a fine transport for troops, though, with only one door and one window, the ventilation might have seemed imperfect to our modern ideas. It is not as a navigator or shipbuilder that we are most impressed with the genius of Noah, though of all the navigators who have been recorded on the imperishable roll of historic names the most distin- guished is that of Noah. He was the first great navigator mentioned, and the ship he built has never been equalled in length until this year of the twentieth century.
" From Greenland's icy mountains, From India's coral strands. Where Afric's sunny fountains Roll down their golden sands; "
and Patagonia's dreary wastes, the grand procession of animals, rep- tiles and insects, - male and female, - might be seen hurrying along through pathless woods, over mountains, across seas and streams to get aboard the van that Noah's wisdom had provided for their comfort and safety during the impending flood.
Though the ark had a rudder, it was without sails, and the long voyage of ten months without accident of any kind to animals, rep- tiles or insects is testimony of Noah's remarkable ability as one of the great captains. His remark, " There are no flies on the ark," uttered in a moment of pardonable exhilaration, contains the only words that have come down to us from this remarkable man. " There are no flies on the ark," as a saying, was not strictly true, but in a large sense it deserves immortality. By reason of its con- ciseness and its comprehensiveness, it has acquired, in our time, a good deal of prominence, as when a person says, "There were no flies on Tom Reed." Therefore, we are indebted to Noah for giving to the world this apt and sententious phrase. Surely there were no flies on Noah.
Some persons have found fault with Noah because he showed no sorrow that all the people in the world were to be drowned, but whatever sorrow he may have felt, it was tempered with the knowl- edge that his creditors were among the number. That a man could persuade all the animals of the earth to voluntarily go into
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such a construction, and live peaceably for ten months, is amazing. The polar bear and the Patagonian reptiles, male and female, hustling to get aboard, after long journeys from their native heaths, seems a tremendous undertaking, but the coercive genius of Noah overcame all obstacles.
During our service in the army men used to swear because Noah saved flies, mosquitoes, wood-ticks, body-lice, etc., when there was so golden an opportunity of ridding the world of such pests. But Noah's mind was too much occupied in collecting his menagerie to give heed to small matters. He was busy keeping the lambs from getting up inside the lions, and the fleas from being stowed away inside the monkeys.
But all this is apart from the contract of our comrade who is now occupying some prison in the South. He will be out, unless pardoned before that time, in the year 2862, possibly deducting a few months for good behavior. He will be startled at the changes that have taken place during his incarceration. His old comrades will have disap- peared, being under no contract to live a thousand years ; all his other friends will have passed away and the mighty changes that will have taken place in that time will paralyze his enfeebled mind. His con- tract having been completed, taking his harp under his arm, he will seek the companionship of his old comrades in the land beyond, where he will receive a warm greeting as the man who made the longest contract known in history.
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[Circular No. 21.]
THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT.
BOSTON, Dec. 1, 1908.
To the Members of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Association :
The annual meeting and dinner of the Association will be held in Young's Hotel, Friday, December It, at five o'clock, the dinner at six o'clock p.M. The tickets for the dinner will be $1.50 each.
The enclosed postal card stating whether or not you will be present is to be returned to the secretary for his information and guidance in arranging for the dinner. Prompt attention to this matter will prevent delay in serving the dinner.
Our last gathering was held in Young's Hotel, Dec. 13, 1907, and the following Executive Committee was elected :
LYSANDER P. PARKER, President. THOMAS L. APPLETON, Vice-President. CHAS. E. DAVIS, JR., Secretary. CHAS. H. BINGHAM. AUSTIN C. STEARNS.
The following comrades were present :
Chas. Follen Adams.
J. W. Colcord. George M. Coolidge.
Thomas L. Appleton.
Samuel A. Coombs.
Harry W. Baker. James HI. Belser.
Wm. M. Coombs.
John Best. George P. Boyce.
Wm. L. Crowe.
Edwin H. Brigham. C. H. Brown.
James Dammers.
Walter C. Bryant.
Wm. Wallace Davis.
Thomas J. Buffum.
F. H. Duren.
A. E. Chamberlain.
Henry Epple.
John F. Childs. Walter A. Childs.
Seth K. Cushing.
Wm. O. Cutler.
Louis Epple. Dana Estes. (3)
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J. W. Fairbanks.
L. P. Parker.
P. L. Parker. Wm. A. Peabody. Elliot C. Pierce. W. K. Pratt.
Chas. R. Gardner.
J. F. Ramsay.
Zibron H. Gould.
A. T. Raymond. Geo. T. Raymond. W. H. H. Rideout.
Henry O. Hight.
F. B. Ripley.
Geo. H. Hill.
W. S. Ripley.
Geo. S. Hutchings.
L. W. Rounds.
Wm. P. Jackson.
Chas. H. Roundy.
Edwin R. Jenness.
Thomas Ryan.
Geo. E. Jepson.
Samuel W. Sargent.
Herbert L. Johonnot.
J. M. Sawtell,
F. A. Jones.
Wm. D. Serrat.
W. De Haven Jones.
John H. Shaw.
Henry Kellogg, Jr.
Jos. P. Silsby.
John F. Klenert.
Uriah HI. Smith.
Geo. L. Knight.
Austin C. Stearns.
S. A. Langley.
Austin E. Stearns.
A. C. H. Laws.
Warren B. Stetson.
Geo. H. Lehman.
Stephen F. Stone.
Fred. A. Libbey.
Wm. H. Stone.
C. S. Liscom.
Jeremiah Stuart.
Oliver C. Livermore.
Walter E. Swan.
S. W. Lufkin.
Geo. A. Tainter.
Chas. W. Manning.
M. W. Thompson.
Geo. H. Maynard.
Thomas F. Trow.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
H. N. Tucker.
Chas. F. Morse.
D. G. Walker.
Horace Obear.
M. H. Walker.
Edwin R. Olin.
R. M. Walker,
George O. Orrok.
Wm. R. Warner.
Geo. D. F. Paine.
Frank F. Webster.
George E. Parker.
E. A. Wood.
Elmer Parker.
and three others who omitted to write their names on cards.
Letters were received and read from the following comrades : Dr. L. L. Dorr, San Francisco ; M. G. Ayers, Philadelphia ; Wm. H. H. Pierce, Chicago ; E. H. Mosher, Hartford ; Lyman H. Low, New York; David Sloss, Chicago; Samuel D. Webster, St. Louis ; Lee Webster, Empire, Oregon ; James H. Lowell, Holton, Kansas.
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John S. Fay. J. W. Fiske. Eugene Foster. J. B. Fuller.
Jos. Halstrick. Wm. Haynes.
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President Jepson's introduction of General Miles was admirable, and the cheers that greeted him as he rose in response must have warmed the cockles of his heart. It was sincere and enthusiastic, and the boys were glad of the opportunity to show their admiration for him as a brave and accomplished soldier.
There was good speaking by comrades Jenness, D. G. Walker, Epple, Estes, Charley Morse and others perhaps, for having mis- laid my notes I am obliged to depend on my recollection. There is one, however, I have omitted from the list that deserves particu- lar mention. Comrade George Paine made an excellent speech well worth listening to and which added very much to the evening's entertainment. General Miles' address was eloquent, interesting, and informing. He spoke of the armies he had seen abroad and their characteristics, making such comparison as a trained soldier with his intelligence and experience would be likely to make.
There was also present comrade Chas. F. Adams (Yacob Strauss), whose poems have been read in every household, and often quoted in the newspapers. As a story-teller he has few equals, and all were delighted to listen to him.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Expended :
Printing circulars, postals and tickets
$81.50
Postage
8.00
Envelopes
2.50
Total
$92.00
Receipts :
On hand Dec. 1, 1907
$9.66
By annual assessment
58.50
68.16
Dec. 1, 1907, deficit
$23.84
Credit by rummage sale
23.84
The ugly word " deficit " should be removed from our circulars. The members of the regiment who have neglected paying anything or who have paid intermittingly, are reminded that Section IV. of the by-laws, annually published for the information of all, is well worth reading, though I assume that it is skipped by many as they read the annual circular for fear it might give them a nervous chill. To get beyond this by-law don't jump over it, but try wading through,
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and after drying your feet on the other side read the continuance of these remarks, and afterwards that which George Jepson has written about Grant and you will forget that eggs are sixty cents per dozen.
SECTION IV. The annual assessment shall be fifty cents, payable in advance. Should any member neglect for the period of six months to pay the assessment, it shall be considered he desires his name dropped from the roll of membership.
The money collected is devoted wholly to the publication of our annual circular, and so far we have managed to get along without dropping the names of delinquents, but the time is at hand when this must be done, otherwise the deficit must be met by voluntary contribution as was the case last year.
There are members of the regiment, though not attending meet- ings, who have a deep and abiding interest in the old regiment, and, if called upon, will, I know, cheerfully give as they have before any sum necessary for the perpetuation of its good name. So I have no fear that our annual circular will be discontinued so long as it is a creditable publication. If all members who receive the circular would annually pay the sum of fifty cents - those who cannot afford that sum excepted - we should have an income ample to cover the expense. It has been published in its present form for twenty years and has been widely distributed among libraries where the contents are carefully catalogued for future reference. Your secretary is told by so good an authority as Dr. Samuel A. Green that in fifty years our circulars will be read more than regimental histories.
The following is a characteristic letter from our " Medicine Man " :
140 CRARY AVE., MT. VERNON, N.Y., March 8, 190S.
MY DEAR CHARLES : I found yours of " Dec. 14th, '07," in an old coat, and that must be the reason for my not receiving the menu of the last dinner of the old boys. If you have the programme of the celebration kindly send one to me, for I know that there must be some of the boys who retain their proclivities for witty sayings, and those who do not just delight in hearing them front others who can still set the tables in a roar. - I could once, but since " Old Father Tiene " has had me in his embrace he has squeezed about all the funny biz out of me.
You can't get me on the absent "Treatment," for I am still good to give
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a present treatment in the most approved style, and though I'm most seventy-three still able to be up and doing in nearly all my pristine vigor. How are folks? Well, my lad, iny arm is getting along as well as can be expected, and I am the most patient old cuss you ever saw under the existing circumstances, for it is over six months since I got my hoist and I don't want another like it.
How is General Miles looking? I knew him when he was in business corner School and Washington streets " befo' de war." That ain't long ago, is it? only forty-seven years.
Remember me kindly to all the old boys. Whether I shall ever get on to Boston again, time will tell. It is my birthplace and where I lived for nine-tenths of my years, and
Tho' lost to sight for the present To memory dear, 'till I quit This mundane sphere, for realms aloft.
Say, is that poetry or what do you call it? Dam-fi-know.
Send circular if there is any left, please. Mrs. W. is all OK and can get around faster and better than I can. Give my kindest regards to all. I felt the loss of " Billy " Kimball very much, for he and [ for the last five or six winters were together every pleasant day and took our constitutional around the city of New Haven. May he rest in peace.
Write when the spirit moves. I'll close and hit the old pipe that I carried from '61 to '66. It has been my boon companion daily in all my travels through thirty-five States, five territories, California from the northern line, down into Mexico, and over some of the old battlefields, and at Culpeper, where I had my headquarters in '63 and '64. From all I saw it is a damn big country. With kindest regards, as ever -
Your old comrade,
JOHN H. WHITE.
A reunion of members of the Thirteenth took place on the twenty- ninth of July last, at Fort Independence, by invitation of our com- rade Billy Coombs (who paid all the bills), to celebrate the forty-seventh anniversary of our departure for the seat of war. The gathering was a great success, due wholly to the liberality of com- rade Coombs aided by the advice and assistance of Charley Morse. Cars were provided to take the party to City Point, where comrade Coombs' yacht awaited to take the party to the fort. On arrival at City Point it was thought a march across the bridge to the fort would be more exhilarating and a reminder of old times, so " Billy " ordered his yacht to meet us at the fort. A committee appointed by the Park Commission received the company, which was escorted into
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the fort, in and about the quarters formerly occupied by Compan- ies A, B, C, and D), and then on to the ramparts. Refreshments were provided and ample seating room for those that were fatigued by the march to and about the fort. When the company was comfortably seated, Charley Morse was called upon to deliver his address on the " Misuse of water." It was very interesting, though somewhat startling, as he related how thousands of persons were dying every year who had acquired the habit of drinking water, which once contracted could not be overcome. His eloquent and force- ful plea in behalf of confirmed water-drinkers met with a hearty response. Upon completion of his address the company was escorted to the wharf where Billy Coombs' beautiful steam yacht awaited us. We were taken for a sail about the bay and then to City Point, where cars had been provided for our transportation to Young's Hotel, and there a banquet was provided for those who were not obliged to leave for home. It was a very enjoyable gathering. Billy Coombs assures us that it is his intention to repeat his invitation on the twenty-ninth of July next, and all those who wish to visit the fort will find his yacht awaiting them. Hereafter there will be no formalities, and members of the regiment are invited to bring their wives, their eldest sons and the eldest sons' eldest sons to enjoy the freedom of his yacht for a cruise about the harbor and a visit to the fort. He says he is determined to spend a liberal portion of his surplus income in entertaining his old comrades and their el lest sons. He was assured by those present that his munificent hospi- tality will be long remembered with gratitude, and without doubt a large number will be present on the twenty-ninth of July, 1909, to show their appreciation of his thoughtful kindness. He inforins me that so many persons have bothered him that he now excludes all persons but members of the Thirteenth. To prevent outsiders from going aboard, he has adopted the countersign, " Oh, Tom, cold tea !" for use by our regiment only.
-
" Billy" Coombs used to scoff at the groans of rich men com- plaining of their troubles in the care and disposal of wealth, but since coming into his old age pension he has joined the chorus of moneyed men who go round singing about the delights of por- erty. He needn't borrow trouble on that account for the road to the poor-house is down grade, with an occasional " thank-you-
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marm " to enliven the sport. Don't be worried, " Billy," for we can relieve you of all anxiety on that score. With a steam yacht, an automobile, and annual picnics for the regiment we can easily see your finish.
WESTBORO, Oct. 31, 1908.
CHAS. E. DAVIS, JR. :
MY DEAR SIR : You will perhaps be interested to know that the flag of the old Thirteenth, for many years in the possession of Colonel Leonard, which you gave to Warner, Stearns and myself, has been properly cased and placed in the new Library Building in Historic Hall where it can be seen by all interested. Also the Hovey Memorial Tablet is placed there . in connection with the flag, together making a suitable memorial of the Thirteenth and of Company K as a part of it, to remain objects of interest and inspiration to coming generations of children and youth of the patriotic old town that did its full part in the strenuous days when we were young.
M. H. WALKER.
The following notice is from the " National Tribune " :
DEATH OF GENERAL COULTER.
THE PASSING OF A GRAND OLD SOLDIER AND CITIZEN.
The Pennsylvania papers have, as they should, warmly eulogistic edito- rials upon Gen. Richard Coulter, whose death occurred at Greensburg, Pa., October 14. General Coulter, the " Fighting Dick" of the Civil War, was a man of whom Pennsylvania could be well proud, not only as a soldier but as a citizen. He was born in Greensburg Oct. 1, 1822, and was consequently eighty-six at the time of his death. His father was a well-known business man, and his mother a daughter of Col. John Alexander, of Carlisle, an officer in the Revolutionary Army. General Coulter, after leaving college, became a law student in the office of his uncle, Richard Coulter, but left this in December, 1846, to enlist in the 2d Pennsylvania for the Mexican War. He served through the war and was engaged in all the principal battles fought by General Scott's column advancing upon the city of Mexico. At the conclusion of the war he reentered the practice of the law and became distinguished in it. At the outbreak of the Civil War he took his company into the 11th Pennsyl- vania and became lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. At the conclusion of the three months' service he reorganized the 11th Pennsylvania for three years and commanded it until promoted to brigadier-general. He dis- tinguished himself in every battle in which he was engaged ; was brevetted a brigadier-general for gallantry in the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House, and major-general for Five Forks and an assault from the
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enemy on the Ford road. He was wounded at Fredericksburg, Gettys- burg, and Spottsylvania. At the second Bull Run his horse was shot under him, and in the Wilderness he lost two horses in succession. Returning home he devoted himself to business and law and was eminently success- ful. For twenty-seven years he was President of the First National Bank at Greensburg, and was a pioneer in the development of the coal business of Westminster County. He was a Mason for fifty-five years, and with all his wealth was a plain, modest, unobtrusive citizen, a friend as true as steel and one of the fiercest enemies imaginable. It is said of him that he never flinched from any public duty nor failed in a private obligation. The pallbearers at the funeral were survivors of the old rith Pennsylvania.
On reading this notice of " Dick " Coulter the members of the Thirteenth will be reminded of one of the most picturesque charac- ters they had the pleasure of meeting during the war. When we first saw him at the head of the rith Pennsylvania he did not impress us as a man of culture and refinement. His exuberant and impetuous nature certainly violated many of the canons of taste and refinement that were commonly accepted in New England at that time. We have learned a good many things since and our knowl- edge of the world was considerably accelerated by service in the army. He was a very brave soldier, tender-hearted, a highly intelli- gent officer, prominent in his profession and much respected in Pennsylvania, where he was highly honored. In the establishment of National Soldiers' Homes he was appointed, with the Chief Justice of the United States and others, one of the trustees. On his visits north we had the pleasure of meeting him many times. Though we could still see him on horseback clothed in a linen duster, a con- spicuous figure in battle, shouting his orders and urging men for- ward, he seemed to have undergone some transformation. " Dick " Coulter seemed to have disappeared and we found ourselves in the presence of a highly cultured and attractive gentleman.
While in the service he was always to be found in the thickest of a fight. As soon as his wounds were dressed he was back again urging his men forward and directing their fire. On one of these occasions he was remonstrated with and begged to retire. " To H -1 with retiring ! I've a surgeon to save my body and a chap- lain to save my soul ; let them 'tend to their business and I'll attend to mine." We always had a sincere affection for Dick Coulter, who was a man well worth knowing.
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The following deaths have been reported :
Calvin H. Carter, Co. F, Hudson, Mass. May 10, 1907
Frank Jones, Co. F, Hudson, Maşs. Aug. 4, 1907
George H. Bailey, Co. F, Los Angeles, Cal. July, 1907
Leonard T. Williams, Co. G. 1907
William T. E. Ewell, Co. C, Shrewsbury, Mass. 1907
Chas. S. Pratt, Co. G, Wakefield
1907
William H. Edmands, Co. K, Togus, Me. Nov. 24, 1907
James Slattery, Co. K, Westboro
Dec., 1907
John G. Hovey, Co. B, Philadelphia Dec. 23, 1907
Samuel K. Whittemore, Co. D, Quincy, Ill. Dec., 1907
Seth G. Haskell, Co. F, Marlboro
Dec. 29, 1907
James A. Shedd, Co. K, Boston Jan. 1, 1908
Jan. 22, 1908
William B. Kimball, Co. K, Enfield, Mass. John H. Johnson, Co. K, Grafton, Mass.
Feb. 9, 1908
William E. Shedd, Co. K, Newton, Mass.
Feb. 9, 1908
James H. Everett, Co. D, Chelsea, Mass .*
March 8, 1908
Warren E. Shepard, Co. A, Chelsea, Mass .*
April 10, 1908
Joseph M. Sawtell, Co. F, West Brookfield, Mass
April 27, 1908
David A. Whitman, Co. A, East Auburn, Me.
May 5, 1908
Chas. A. Howe, Co. F, Chelsea, Mass .*
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