USA > Massachusetts > Wearing the blue in the Twenty-fifth Mass. volunteer infantry, with Burnside's coast division, 18th army corps, and Army of the James > Part 2
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On the 21st of October, the country was again disheartened by the disaster at Ball's Bluff, a position opposite Harrison's Island, on the upper Potomac and near Leesburg, Virginia. In this action a splendid regiment of Massachusetts men [Fifteenth] under command of Colonel Charles Devens, Jr., suffered severely, and Colonel Baker, a senator of Oregon, commanding a California regiment, lost his life. The result of the battle of Ball's Bluff cast a gloom over the loyal States and was a terrible affliction to the people of Worcester county, whose sons fell dead or wounded upon that Potomac cliff, or found a grave in the waters of the flowing river.
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CHAPTER I.
TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS-CAMP LINCOLN --- FIELD, STAFF AND LINE OFFICERS -BAND - WARRANT
OFFICERS - MARCHING ALONG !
IT was the heart of Massachusetts, patriotic Wor- cester County, beating responsive to the " Music of the Union," that was to extend its benediction upon a regiment of men to be raised for a service of three years.
The County of Worcester was to move again-the same county whose sons participated in the stirring discussions that prepared the way for the American Revolution ; whose sturdy yeomanry seized their firelocks to join the patriots resisting the first march of British troops to Lexington and Concord: whose loyal women melted their clock-weights and moulded "them into bullets for the men who marched to join the Continental army at Cambridge -- Worcester County, that broke the back of Shay's rebellion ; that sent a regiment under Colonel Towne to hold the crest of Dorchester Height in the war of 1812 -- that was first and foremost in " spurning the bribe " of 1848, selecting that eloquent and indomitable citizen, Charles Allen, to echo her voice for freedom in the National Congress.
Worcester County had already responded by sending four companies into the national service for three months. These companies were the Worcester City Guards, commanded by Captain A. B. R. Sprague, with Lieutenants Josiah Pickett, George C. Joslin, (who afterwards went into the Fifteenth
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
Regiment), Orson Moulton and E. A. Harkness-the Emmet Guards, of Worcester, commanded by Captain Michael S. McConville, and having for Lieutenants, Michael O. Driscoll, M. J. McCafferty and Thomas O'Neill; Wm. Daly being First Sergeant -- these companies, with a company from Holden, commanded by Captain Joseph H. Gleason, and one company from Boston, commanded by Captain Albert Dodd, Lieutenant Cornelius G. Attwood being one of the subaltern officers, and James Tucker, First Sergeant, formed the Third Battalion of Rifles, under Major Charles Devens, Jr. Henry McConville, of the Emmet Guards, served as Hospital Steward of the battalion. The Worcester Light Infantry, under command of Captain Harrison W. Pratt, the Lieutenants being George W. Prouty and J. Waldo Denny, was the first organization to march to the field, being attached to the Sixth Regiment, M. V. M., under Colonel Edward F. Jones, himself originally a Worcester County man.
After the organizations were in the service, other demands were made and promptly answered. That noble regiment, under Colonel Charles Devens, Jr., known as the Fifteenth, had just been raised, was marched to Maryland, and there waited its first baptism of blood at Ball's Bluff.
Another regiment, the Twenty-first, with a splendid roll of men, and some most excellent officers, was in camp, its ranks nearly full, waiting orders to march.
Governor Andrew [ August 20th, 1861 ] issued proclamation to the citizen soldiers of Massachusetts, saying : ---
" Again, in a moment of public danger. your country calls you to the post where the heroic Soldier of April hastened with generous alacrity and sublime devotion. * Duty, honor, the dearest sentiments of patriotic love and devotion, call for your brave hearts and unconquerable arms!"
Up to this time the officers and enlisted men of the three Worcester companies, mustered-out early in August, had made
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WEARING THE BLUE. 9
no movement in anticipation of future service. Some of them at least, felt that their individual duty was performed, and had determined not again to leave their families for the dangers and privations of the field. To settle down to the dull routine of business, was, however, a thing impossible. The proclamation of Governor Andrew aroused the old fire in their hearts and proved the straw that broke the back of peaceful intentions.
The last days of July had seen the disaster of Bull Run. The want of an army was now felt more than ever, for the Confederates were fired to new life, and a large army was hanging menacingly upon the Virginia approaches to Wash- ington.
The men of Worcester who had seen service, began to feel impressed with an idea that their duty was performed only when they had accomplished all that could be done. They realized the fact, that actions, and not professions, stamp the character of the man, and thus feeling, they could not remain at home while others fought the national battles for them.
Among those taking a lively interest in public affairs, and recognizing the continuous duty resting upon the experienced soldier, was Captain A. B. R. Sprague, who presented the subject to a number of the representative soldiers of Worcester, by whom it was determined to raise a Worcester County regi- mont, with the understanding that it was designed for coast service, whatever that might be. Measures were taken for the enlistment of the companies, but at this point an obstacle was presented. It was found that Governor Andrew had deter- mined to go out of the State to find a colonel to command the regiment when formed ; that the tender of the coloneley had been made to Colonel Green of New York city, a graduate of West Point some twenty years before, and then engaged as civil engineer for the corporation of New York. Those who had been unofficially designated as commanders of companies in the new organization, and had made arrangements to com-
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
mence recruiting September 2nd, concluded to stay proceedings until the question, relating to the chief command, should be definitely settled.
The first formal meeting of the proposed officers of the Worcester County regiment, was held September 5th, at the counting-room of Messrs. Lee, Sprague & Co., on Park street, in Worcester. After consultation as to the manner of pro- . cedure, it was voted expedient to send a committee to New York, with instructions to visit Colonel Green and represent to him the views of the Worcester County men who were expecting to serve in the new regiment. Lieutenants Josiah Pickett and J. W. Denny were appointed the committee, and that evening left for New York upon the delicate mission assigned to them. The next morning the committee found Colonel Green at his office in City Hall, and were received very courteously. The committee represented the views of the proposed officers of the new regiment, stating frankly that no objection was made to him personally, and that there was none other than the most favorable opinion of his character and military qualifications ; that the objection was entirely upon the ground that the new regiment was a local organization and there was a personal pride in demanding that the governor should not go out of the Stato to find a commander. Colonel Green expressed his sympathy with the committee in the views entertained, and stated emphatically that he would not under any circumstances accept the coloneley of the proposed regiment, and thought it very probable he should not accept any military commission for the war. [Colonel Green did not accept service in the field during the rebellion.]
After leaving City Hall, the committee repaired to the Astor House and there learned that Governor Andrew was at Colonel Frank E. Howe's store, on Broadway. Through the kind intervention of Lieutenant Samuel Hathaway, formerly con- nected with the Worcester City Gaards, the junior member of the committee had an interview with the governor, who
COLONEL EDWIN UPTON.
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expressed his astonishment that the committee had come to New York "to interfere with his plans," as he was pleased to state it, and received in return some very strong reasons why he should respect the reasonable local pride of the men of Worcester County. The governor requested to know what appointments would be satisfactory, and was informed.
Immediately thereafter, Edwin Upton, of Fitchburg, was commissioned colonel, and Augustus B. R. Sprague, of Wor- cester, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, and these appoint- ments being satisfactory, the designated officers commenced [September 11th,] the recruitment of companies for the new regiment.
COLONEL EDWIN UPTON.
Edwin Upton, commissioned the first colonel of the Massa- chusetts Twenty-fifth Volunteers, was born in 1815, and was a resident of Fitchburg. By trade he was a mason, but for a number of years before the breaking out of the war, was largely engaged in the lumber trade, in which he accumulated some property. Under the administration of President Lincoln he received an appointment in the Boston Custom House, which he held and surrendered at the time of receiving the commission as colonel. For twenty-five years he had been actively con- nected with the Massachusetts Militia, receiving regular pro- motion from a private to the rank of colonel of the Old Ninth Regiment. He had held that commission with great credit to himself for a number of years, bringing the regiment to a high degree of military perfection, until it ranked as one of the best militia organizations in the State.
Ar the breaking out of the war he was captain of the " Washington Guards," of Fitchburg. As commander of that company, in response to "General Orders" from the com- mander-in-chief, he reported his command in condition to go into active service whenever required. The other military organization of Fitchburg, the " Fitchburg Fusiliers," Captain
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John W. Kimball, was also ready for any emergency. These companies were fully recruited, and on the 27th of April joined in a public parade. The people of Fitchburg were thoroughly patriotic and many of the military men of the place were " spoiling for a fight.". But the time had not come when their services were needed. Afterwards the " Fasiliers" were assigned to the Fifteenth regiment, and the " Washington Guards" with Captain Theodore S. Foster in command, united with the Twenty-first regiment. A new company of which the old "Washington Guards" formed the nucleus, was immedi- ately recruited by Charles II. Foss, an energetic and public spirited young man of Fitchburg, of which company he was appointed commander, and this new company, made up of splendid material-carnest, courageous, patriotic young men, marched under the escort of the " Old Guards," on the 1st of October, 1861,* to the railroad station in Fitchburg, and, under the benedictions of a patriotic people, left for Worcester, and joined its fortunes to those of the Twenty-fifth regiment, being known in line as Company I'.
Colonel Upton was an officer of sterling worth. He brought to the service not only a high character for integrity and honor, but a genuine patriotism and a zeal for the loyal cause which made him a 'fit leader of intelligent Massachusetts soldiers.
During all the time he was with the regiment, he was carnest for its welfare and the comfort of all the men. In return, to an extent not often experienced by commanding officers, he had the fullest confidence and love of the regiment.
Before leaving for Worcester to assume his command, Colonel Upton received a valuable testimonial from his townsmen, and was addressed by Hon. Amasa Norcross,
* We are indebted for much information concerning Fitchburg military affairs to the work " Fitchburg in the War of the Rebellion," compiled by Henry A. Willis.
Lieut. CHAS E. BUFFINGTON.
Ist Serg't P. C. H. BELCHER.
Capt. W.M. EMERY.
Corp'l W'M. BURKE,
HARRISON R. WOOD.
COMPANY B.
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who made the presentation. In the course of his address, Mr. Norcross said : --
" This expression comes from those who have for ty years observed your course in private as well as public life. and now on the eve of your departure to join the forces marshalled in defense of all on earth we most highly prize, they would give you assurance that you have not failed that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches, and that loving favor which is better than silver or gold."
After the somewhat brief service Colonel Upton was able to render, and after the recovery of his health, the loss of which compelled him to leave the field, he was again ap- pointed to the Boston Custom House, as storekeeper of the Appraisers' store. He resigned that position that he might accept appointment as keeper of the jail at Fitchburg. In the discharge of his duty, while superintending the blasting of rocks upon the jail grounds, a premature explosion occasioned such injury that he has since been totally deprived of sight. This terrible affliction, in which he has the warmest sympathy of all his former comrades in arms, is borne with heroie bravery and the uncomplaining patience of a true Christian gentleman.
Deprived himself of light, he is yet the light of a pleasant home, and the recipient of the love. and gratitude of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
CAMP LINCOLN.
The agricultural grounds in Worcester had been secured for the use of the new regiment, designated the Twenty-fifth Massa- chusetts Volunteers, and on the 26th day of September, some of the companies having recruited the full number of men, and others partially recruited, formed camp upon the agricultural grounds, which was designated Camp Lincoln in honor of ex- Governor Levi Lincoln, whose distinguished service to the Commonwealth and hearty sympathy for its citizen soldiery well merited the distinction.
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. Headquarters, Boston, September 25th, 1861.
Special Order, } No. 478.
Colonel Edwin Upton, authorized by Special Order No. 439, to raise a regiment of volunteers for the service of the United States, will direct the following named persons, reported by him as ready with recruits, to proceed forthwith to the Camp in Worcester, and report to the officer in command.
JOSIAH PICKETT, .
J. WAŁDO DENNY,
ORSON MOULTON, WILLARD CLARK,
THOMAS O'NEILL, ALBERT H. FOSTER,
CHARLES H. Foss. LOUIS WAGELY.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
WILLIAM SCHOULER, Adjutant-General.
Captain C. G. Attwood, commanding company "C," and Captain V. P. Parkhurst, commanding company "I," reported at Camp Lincoln a few days afterwards.
Headquarters Twenty-fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. Worcester, Mass., September 25th, 1801.
General Orders, { No. 1.
I. The camp of this regiment on the grounds of the Agricultural Society, will be designated as formerly, Camp Lincoln.
II. All companies or parts of companies enlisted for this regiment will report forthwith at this camp. All persons engaged in recruiting for this regiment are requested to exert themselves to secure the requisite number of good men, to fill it to its maximum strength at the earliest possible day.
Hours of daily duties will be as follows :--
Reveille. at 6.00 A. M. Company Drill 2.00 P. M.
Squad Drill
6.30
Recall ..
7.00
Breakfast. 7.15
Surgeon's Call. 8.00
Guard Mounting? 9.00
Company and Squad Drill,
10.00
Recall. 11.30
Dimmer 12 00 M.
Recall. 4.00
Retreat, at which time
there will be a Dress Parade 5 30
Supper 6.00
Tattoo 9.00
Tap: 9.30
When all lights must be extinguished except at headquarters and at the guard tents.
Lieutenant F. E. Goodwin is hereby detailed as recruiting officer of the Camp, and all persons wishing to enter for the purpose of enlisting will be sent by the officer of the guard to him, at headquarters.
By command of
Colonel EDWIN UPros.
E. A. HARKNESS. . Adjutant.
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Camp Lincoln presented a lively appearance to the day of the departure of the regiment. From all sections of Worcester County, as well as from Boston, where one company [C] was principally recruited, men flocked to the Twenty- fifth camp to subscribe their names upon the roll of honor, and the close of October found a full regiment ready for . service.
Camp Lincoln was laid out in an attractive manner, and its good order and cleanliness were subjects of general remark from the thousands who visited the grounds. The company streets were spacious, and guide boards at the entrances usually indicated the company occupying the premises. The City Guards [Company A] had a merry time on " Pickett avenue ;" Captain O'Neill's, Company E, dwelt upon "Jackson street ;" Captain Attwood's, Company C, erected its tents upon "Carver street," a name suggested from the fact that the Captain served as Lieutenant in what was known as "Dodd's Carvers," a Boston company attached to the Third Battalion of Rifles, in the three months' service; Captain Wagely's, Company G, indulged in lager on "Liberty street;" and the Milford company, [B] Captain Clark, named its street " Draper," in honor of a well known patriotic citizen of that town, whose son was a lieutenant in the company, and who came home from the war as a Lieutenant-Colonel.
The company streets faced west towards Agricultural street, the right being near Highland street, and the companies were disposed in the following order :-
5 In rank as follows, 1 6 3 C. G. 4 4 9 B. 3
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F.
K.
D. .H.
S
5
8 I. 10 9 10
THE REGIMENT ARMED.
The government armory at Springfield was celebrated for the perfection of the musket there manufactured. This armory however was unable to manufacture a supply equal to the extraordinary demand made upon it. The burning of the
1 A.
2 E.
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
armory at Harper's Ferry, cut off that source of supply, and the treachery of Mr. Floyd, Secretary of War under Mr. Buchanan, left the government at the outbreak of the war with a meagre supply of arms on hand. . Only a few weeks before the crash came, Mr. Floyd sent one hundred and fifteen · thousand small arms into the seceding States, so that, with the amount already on hand at the arsenals in Charleston, Augusta, Baton Rouge, etc., the Confederacy found itself much better supplied than the United States. Being very nearly destitute of small arms, our government, able to obtain only about twelve thousand annually from the Springfield Armory, was forced to go to the markets of Europe for a supply, the English and Belgian factories supplying arms necessary for the emergency. These arms proved to be much below the Springfield standard. Some of the old fashioned arms manufactured in the Germanic States, were also purchased to provide for immediate needs.
During the first year of the war, the army suffered very much from defective arms, and to this alone may be charged a large share of the ill Inck attending that year of contest with an enemy better armed than the Union army.
But the means of supplying the demand were constantly increasing by the addition of new machinery, so that, during the second year of the war, the Ordnance Department furnished the various armies in the field with two hundred thousand muskets manufactured at Springfield, and in 1803 the number manufactured at that armory was two hundred and fifty thousand. We manufactured sufficient for the demand, and of a quality superior to any obtained in Europe, having also the advantage of requiring smaller charges of powder and giving a greater precision of aim than the foreign arms.
On the 2nd of October, the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts was supplied with the Enfield [English] musket, rifled, and on the 3rd of October the battalion had. its first dress parade with arms.
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MUSTERED IN.
On the 7th of October, and thereafter daily, until the duty was performed, the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States by companies, the mastering officer being Captain John M. Goodhue, Eleventh United States Infantry, who, during a portion of the three months' service was Adju- tant of the Third Battalion of Rifles, under Major Derens.
October 9th, the Twenty-fifth Regiment had its first battalion drill, and on the 26th, the line officers received their com- missions, and on the succeeding day, were duly " qualified" according to law.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel Edwin Upton, Fitchburg.
Lieutenant-Colonel. Augustus B. R. Sprague, Worcester.
Major. Matthew J. MeCafferty, Worcester.
Adjutant Elijah A. Harkness, Worcester.
Quartermaster . William O. Brown, Fitchburg.
Surgeon J. Marcus Rice, M. D., Worcester.
Assistant Surgeon Theron Temple, M. D , Belchertown.
Chaplain. . Rev. Horace James, Worcester.
[For full roster of the regiment, see appendix.]
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Sergeant-Major. Charles H. Davis, Worcester.
Quartermaster Sergeant. . Edward A. Brown, Fitchburg.
Commissary-Sergeant. .. .. Elbridge G. Watkins, Worcester.
Hospital Steward. Samuel Flagg, Worcester.
LINE OFFICERS.
Company A. Captain . Josiah Pickett, Worcester.
First Lieutenant. .Frank E. Goodwin, Worcester. Second Lieutenant ... Merritt B. Besser, Worcester.
Company B. Captain Willard Clark, Milford.
First Lieutenant. William Emery, Milford.
William F. Draper, Milford. Second Lieutenant.
Company C. Captain .Cornelius G. Attwood, Boston.
First Lieutenant. .James Tucker, Boston.
Second Lieutenant. . Merrick F. Prouty. Spencer.
Company D. Captain Albert H. Foster, Worcester. First Lieutenant. ... . Goo. S. Campbell, Worcester. Second Lieutenant .. . Geo. H. Spanhling, Worcester. 3
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
Company E. Captain Thomas O'Neill, Worcester.
First Lieutenant .. . William Daly, Worcester. Second Lieutenant .. . Henry MeConville, Worcester.
Company F. Captain Charles H. Foss, Fitchburg.
First Lieutenant. . Levi Lawrence, Fitchburg.
Second Lientenant .. .J. Henry Richardson, Fitchburg.
Company G. Captain Louis Wagely, Worcester.
First Lieutenant. Henry M. Richter, Worcester.
Second Lieutenant. . Frederic A. Weigand, Worcester.
Company H. Captain Orson Moulton, Worcester.
First Lieutenant. . David M. Woodward, Worcester. Second Lieutenant .. . Nathaniel H. Foster, North Brookfield.
Company I. Captain . Varanus P. Parkhurst, Templeton. First Lieutenant. James B. Smith, Royalston. .
Second Lieutenant .. . Amos Buffum, Templeton.
Company K.
Captain
J. Waldo Denny, Worcester.
First Lieutenant .. . Samuel Harrington, Paxton. Second Lieutenant .. . James M. Drennan, Worcester.
REGIMENTAL BAND AND DRUM CORPS.
# William E. Gilmore, Pawtucket, R.I., Leader.
Jonathan H. Sampson, Worcester. Henry W. Crawford, Oakham.
Win. De F. Balcom, Douglas.
Cornelius Emmons, Douglas. .
* Abijah M. Bond, Pawtucket.
Daniel C. Gates, Worcester.
Alonzo P. Bosworth,
John W. Goubl, Worcester.
Alfred E. Dickinson,
Stephen C. Hastings, Ashburnham.
Henry Fish.
# Otis H. Knight, Worcester.
Carroll J. Pullen,
ITorace E. Lincoln, Attleboro!
Charles F. Tisdale,
Geo. M. Newhall, Worcester.
Albert C. White,
Amos Steere, Douglas.
Charles E. Boyles, Princeton.
i James Stewart, Worcester.
Eugene Cart, Sterling. Samuel W. Tyler, Worcester.
David Chase, Grafton. Daniel A. White, Clinton.
George II. Wilson, Worcester.
A drum corps, comprising a detail of two musicians from each company, was organized at Camp Lincoln, and was instructed by the well known veteran drummer of Worcester, Jubal H. Haven, who had enlisted in Company A. From early morning until late at night was heard the tapping of the
* Deceased since the war.
+ James Stewart died at New Berne, N. C., August 28th, 1562.
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J. W. GoULD.
D. A. WHITE.
1
W. E. GILMORE.
GEO. H. WILSON.
G. N. NE.WELL.
RECIMENTAL BAND.
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sticks, under the supervision of Drum-Major Haven, whose faithful instruction and patient , waiting for the progress of his pupils, was finally rewarded by a drum corps that could be excelled by none other in the service. Drum-Major Haven continued in charge of this corps until August 30th, 1862, when, for disability, he was compelled to ask for his discharge. Ira D. Bates, of Company B, succeeded Jubal H. Haven as principal musician, remaining in that capacity during the war. It is only justice to say, that, under the direction of principal musician Bates, the drum corps, which, after the discharge of the band, was the only music of the regiment, was brought to a surprising degree of perfection, very much to the credit of all the members of the corps, and particularly establishing the reputation of musician Bates as an instructor.
WARRANT OFFICERS.
Company A. Sergeants,-Geo. A. Johnson; George Burr; James M. Hervey ; James J. MeLane ; Welcome W. Sprague. Corporals,-Jaalam Gates; F. L. R. Coes; Calvin A. Wesson: John A. Thompson; Edwin R. Morse ; John A. Chenery ; Henry M. Ide ; Samuel H. Putnam.
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