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 3
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Company B. Sergeants, --- John J. MeCarter: Sylvester P. Krum: Chas. S. Watkins; Otis W. Holmes; Paran C. H. Belcher. Corperals, -Albert W. Cook; Henry C. Ellis; Chas. H. Spencer; David L. Day; Reuben T. Leonard; Horace C. Whiting ; Chas. E. Buffington : Henry C. Danton.
Company C. Sergeants,-Jeremiah P. Sanboru : Geo. M. Kettell ; Albion A. Messer; John W. Howe: Edward Dove. Corporals, -- Thomas A. Nor- cross; Edward A. Franklin : Marshall Lee; John P. Burke: Samuel Healey ; John B. Reed ; Lyman Hooker; Albert A. Marshall.
Company D. Servants, -- Henry Matthews : Chas. H. Stratton ; Orlando Hodg- kin ; Hiram N. Parkhurst ; Joseph B. Knox. Corporals .- Aaron Parker : Wm. H. Wood; Chas. R. Hill; Oscar Tourtellotte : Abial P. Williams ; Franklin H. Perry: Win. G. Grout ; Preston A. Champhey.
Company E. Sergeants,- Michael Mckeon ; Patrick Curran ; John B. McLane : James McHannon ; Napoleon Ward. Corporals,-James O'Neill: Patrick McHugh ; Thomas MeKeon : Dennis M. Shechan ; John Cotty ; Oliver P. Lafferty ; Jeremiah O'Conners : John Loyd.
Company F. Sergeants, - Artemas S. Farwell; Charles E. Upton: Oliver D. Wilder ; John Simonds; Chas. Hall. Corporals,- S. Augustus Rockwood ; James Graham; Geo B Proctor; Dwight W. Barnes: Geo. Lowe: Walter H. Sawtelle : John A. Spaulding : Thomas F. Petnai.
REV. HORACE JAMES, Chaplain.
Hellotype Printing Co. Bouton.
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
Company G. Sergeants, -- Rudolph A. Hacker; Henry F. Shultz; John M. Knapp: Gottfried Kreis. Corporals, -- Wolfgang Leopold ; Gottfried Speisser : Phillip Reicher; Wm, Mueller; Fred. Waisser.
Company H. Sergeants,-Arthur P. Forbes; Chas. H. Pelton ; Thomas Glea- son ; James A. Woodworth; Wm. J. Temple. Corporals, - Lawson D. Wood; Francis Bridges; Chas. H. Seagrave ; John D. Mirick ; Henry W. Fernald ; Randall Mann ; Willard Cheney, Jr. ; Edward W. Wellington. Company I. Sergeants .- John W. Davis; Thomas Saul; Jos. S. Moulton ; Timothy S. Heald; Jos. T. Nichols. Corporals, - Benj. W. Mayo; Lyman S. Wheeler;, Gro. Trask; Dwight M. Martin; David W. Day; Harlan P. Metcalf : Geo. W. Wilson ; George A. Jackson.
Company K. Sergeants,- Chas. F. Tew; Edward T. Raymond : Emerson Stone; George Burr; Samuel A. Clark. Corporals .-- James B. Horton ; Edward B. Buss; Luke T. Drury; Walter S. Clark; Win. N. Green, Jr .; Horatio B. Spooner ; Joseph Billings ; Robert T. Chapman.
During the latter days of October, Camp Lincoln was thronged by the people of Worcester and towns represented by companies and soldiers in the regiment. There were many notable instances of the highest cstem entertained towards members of the battalion by neighbors and friends, who, with the warmest, interest, were, watching the preparations for departure. The field and staff, commissioned . and warrant officers, together with many privates, received substantial tokens of regard. These instances of generous forethought were too numerous to be specially mentioned here, and it is, perhaps, sufficient to say that the many occasions of public presentations created wide spread interest, and gave many an orator an opportunity to record himself upon the side of the Constitution and the Union.
A large number of the Twenty-fifth Regiment were con- nected with the parish of which Rev. Merrill Richardson was pastor-the Salem Street Society in Worcester. No clergy- man of the city had been more earnest than he in arousing the people to the highest plane of duty in resisting the secession movement. Hfis winged words electrified, not alone his own congregation. but, echoing through the public press from week to week, resounded through the country, and touched the hearts
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WEARING THE BLUE.
of many true men all over the Commonwealth. Mr. Richard- son held service on several Sabbaths in Camp Lincoln, and discoursed to the soldiers upon the great duty before them.
It was this society, having such a pastor, that held a social gathering before the Twenty-fifth left Worcester, at which the officers and soldiers of the regiment, connected with the society, were entertained, and an informal farewell and " God bless you" extended.
The Worcester Spy of the following morning, itemizing the occasion, said :-
" A bountiful collation was prepared by the members of the society, which was freely offered by the fair ones in attendance. Unlike similar occasions in days of peace and tranquility, there was a solemnity mingled with greetings, anticipating future events in regard to the welfare of those brave and patriotic men who are about to leave their homes and loved ones for the field of battle and its untold results. Mr. Richardson offered a fervent prayer, which was listened to with profound attention by all present. Short speeches were made by Mr. Richardson, Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. R. Sprague, Captain J. Waldo Deuny and John D. Baldwin; all of which were clothed with words well suited to the times and occasion. The band of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts was present adding not a little to the entertainment by its excellent music."
CHAPLAIN JAMES.
Another Worcester clergyman had been an earnest defender of the Union cause and a co-laborer with Mr. Richardson in stirring up public thought to the necessities of the hour. The pulpit of the Old South Society, occupied by Rev. Horace James, had thundered its denunciations against the rebellion. Mr. James was an earnest worker, and his very nature made it impossible that his patriotism could be hypothetical. As a pulpit orator, his fame was co-extensive with his. denomination ; as a scholarly defender of his Christian faith, he was popular with his parish and church-as a genial gentleman, he was beloved by all who were honored with his friendship. It is not
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therefore surprising that the officers of the regiment early sought him for chaplain. Several days, however, elapsed after the unanimous invitation was extended to him to become the regimental chaplain, before he finally concluded to surrender his pastoral duties for those of the field. He immediately addressed the following letter to the Old South Society : --
" To the Assessors of the First Parish in Worcester :
" Gentlemen,- Our country still continues to call her sous to the field in defence of her institutions. In answer to her call, another regiment from Worcester County, in addition to the Fifteenth and Twenty-first, is nearly ready to march. It is composed of the flower of our youth, and takes not a few from our churches and congrega- tions. Through its constituted authorities it has elected your pastor as its chaplain, and strongly urges his acceptance of the post.
" I submit to you, therefore, the question : Are you willing to let me go? It seems to myself like the voice of the Lord. It so accords with the spirit of my public teachings, it is su fitting a sacrifice in the hour of our nation's danger and distress, and so manifestly indicated in divine providence, that, in the absence of any decisive considerations, on the other side of the question, it is, to me, plainly a duty to obey the summons. I therefore ask of you the favor that you will take immediate measures to open the way for my departure.
" And, that your action may be perfectly unembarrassed, I hereby tender to you my resignation of the pastorate of the First Church and Parish in Worcester, with a view to accept the chaplaincy of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.
" Wishing you, and the beloved people to whom I have ministered in the Lord for nearly nine years, all blessings from above,
" I am very faithfully, your pastor,
" HORACE JAMES.
" WORCESTER, October 9th, 1861."
Thereafter a large meeting of the society convened. when free and full expressions of feeling were given, warmly com- mendatory of Mr. James, and of sadness at parting with him,
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and the following was unanimously adopted, showing that the patriotic Old South Society was willing to make a great sacrifice upon the altar of duty : ---
" Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that it is the duty of our pastor to accept the appointment of chaplain of the Twenty- fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers."
Afterwards a legal meeting of the parish confirmed the action of the society or church, and the way thus being pre- pared, Mr. James accepted the chaplaincy and was commis- sioned October 28th, with rank of captain.
MARCHING ORDERS.
On the 29th October, Colonel Upton received orders to be in readiness to report with his regiment to Brigadier General A. E. Burnside, at Annapolis, Maryland.
The order was as follows :--
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Headquarters, Boston, October 23th, 1861. Special Orders, Į No. 537. Colonel Upton, commanding the Twenty-fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, is hereby ordered to proceed with his command, on Thursday next, to Annapolis, Maryland, and report for service to Brigadier . General A. E. Burnside, United States Volunteers.
Quartermaster General Reed will furnish transportation and will direct the route of the regiment.
By command of His Excellency Jony A. ANDREW, Governor and Commander-in-Chief. WILLIAM SCHOULER, Adjutant - General.
The 30th of October was made memorable by the visit to Camp Lincoln of Governor Andrew, accompanied by Colonels Ritchie and John W. Wetherell, of his staff. In the afternoon His Excellency reviewed the regiment in the presence of a great multitude of people. After the review, the Governor addressed the battalion, saying he had scen all the regiments which the State had sent to the field, but the Twenty-fifth was
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
the handsomest one he had ever set his eyes on, and was composed of the noblest looking body of men he had ever seen assembled in uniform. He spoke of the immortal Fifteenth Regiment, and its noble commander, Charles Devens, Jr., the fame of whose gallant action would last as long as the hills around him should endure. For every drop of Massachusetts blood that had been shed in that unequal contest at Ball's Bluff, he charged this regiment to take righteous vengeance, not with the spirit of barbarism, but for the purpose of over- throwing this most foul conspiracy against the Constitution and the Laws. He closed with the expression of his earnest hope, that the men before him, led by such gallant officers, would strike an effective blow at the rebellion, and be prepared for any fate --- and, God willing, return safely, after the achieve- mient of the great victory which ultimately awaits our arms.
The speech was received with loud cheering by the regiment, led by Colonel Upton.
EN ROUTE.
On the 31st of October, 1861, Camp Lincoln was the scene of unusual animation. The soldiers were surrounded by their friends from all parts of the Commonwealth, who came to say farewell-to many, the last farewell ! There were heart-aches that day at Camp Lincoln. Taking leave of friends is a terrible task at best, but for the soldier about to march to unknown fields of strife, the last farewell, the last shake of the hand, is like taking leave of the world ; it is like dying, and it is not death, but dying which is terrible.
Previous to the final " assembly call" at Camp Lincoln, the reziment repaired to the spacious hall in the Agricultural building, where a bountiful collation, provided by the ladies of Worcester, was enjoyed.
Battalion line was formed at three, P. M., and the serried column of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers passed beyond the lines of Camp Lincoln, marching through Highland
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SAM'L S. DRESSER,
REUBEN HEYWOOD.
Lieut. AUGUSTUS STONE.
CHARLES E. BENSON.
HENRY W. REED.
COMPANY A.
Lolitype Printing Co., Cost.n.
WEARING THE BLUE. 25
and Main streets to the common, where, at four o'clock, P. M., cars were taken, over the Norwich line, for New York.
The Worcester Spy, on the following morning, voiced the public feeling in the following tender editorial upon the Twenty-fifth Regiment.
"This regiment, in which our good City of Worcester has so large and so precious an investment of its sons, brothers and husbands, left us with colors flying, and
' Merry as a marriage bell,'
yesterday afternoon at four o'clock. It is of the same good stock, we need scarcely say, as the Fifteenth, of whose achievement we are all so justly proud; and we know it will be equally worthy to represent the valor and the love of liberty of this county of Worcester. It was too plain for concealment, and is no reflection upon any other regiment, that the heart of our city was more deeply touched by its departure, than by that of any previous onc. Our whole community watched its gathering and its organization with the deepest interest, and it was present in unprecedented numbers to cheer it off.
" But we do not forget there were other experiences yesterday : that there were afflictive separations, and groans, and tears. Nature will assert her claims ; and we long since learned a higher philosophy than to consider manliness and stoicism synonymous terms. No! let the heart find relief: and we will remember, while we weep, all the dangers and possibilities of the warfare that awaits them: we should rob these brave men of their chief glory, if we forgot that. It is because they have chosen it with a full knowledge of all its perils ; because they are willing to defend our . Starry Flag' with their lives. now. when, as we hope and believe, it represents more than ever before, so much that is dear to all our hearts, that we feel. and would speak of them, tenderly, thankfully and joyfully.
"We have good reason for believing, that there is not a man in the Twenty-fifth, who does not know how warmly his regiment is cherished here ; and we know there is not a class, or sect. or party. or nationality, which has not representatives in it. of which each can say, by . them we will be judged.'
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
" And, even to those so far removed as not to be under local and personal influences, the spectacle yesterday must have been inspiring. It was another and affecting illustration of the fact, that there are causes which are still held dearer than life; and that a patriotism so genuine and heroic, can do much to smooth the . wrinkled front of war,' while elevating our thoughts to a higher plane than we have known in the years of peace.
"As a living power in defence of a good cause, this regiment will be known widely hereafter. May the God of justice be its helper ! for with Him is victory, and out of victory must come peace, its blessed fruit."
The departure of the Twenty-fifth was also honored by the pen of the muse, in the following lines, written by that honored citizen of Worcester, now of Boston, the Honorable Henry S. Washburn ;
" Respectfully Dedicated to COLONEL EDWIN UPTON AND HIS COMMAND."
The hunter's moon is shining On our fields of ripened grain, And our garners wait the coming Of the reaper from the plain ; While in serried ranks we gather, With a purpose firm and high, Our country shall be rescued, Or the Worcester boys will die. We are Massachusetts soldiers, And won't give up the ship, Is the vow that quivers sternly On every brother's lip.
We love our old State dearly, But prize our Union more, With its mighty sweep of acres, Stretching from shore to shore ; And the record it is written, With a purpose firm and high,
Our country shall be rescued, Or the Worcester boys will die.
We are Massachusetts soldiers, etc.
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Then here's a song for Freedom, Whose mandates we obey, With our banner streaming o'er us, We march along our way ; And the Stars and Stripes shall never Be humbled to the foe, "Till our strong right arm is shattered, And our blood shall cease to flow. We are Massachusetts soldiers, etc. -
And here's a parting blessing, As we strike our tents to-day, For the loved who linger with us, And cheer us on our way ; For our hills and smiling valleys, For the cot where we were born, For the school-house standing near it, And the cattle on the lawn.
While in serried ranks we gather, With a purpose firm and high, Our country shall be rescued, L
Or the Worcester boys will die.
We are Massachusetts soldiers, And won't give up the ship, Is the vow that quivers sternly On every brother's lip.
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CHAPTER II.
EN ROUTE -REMARKS OF PARKE GODWIN - ASTOR HOUSE
US. PARK BARRACKS -- PHILADELPHIA COOPER SHOPS
AND UNION SALOONS - ANNAPOLIS - ARMY RATION - THANKSGIVING DAY-FIRST SUNDAY IN CAMP-BRIGADE FORMATIONS- BURNSIDE-FOSTER - REGIMENTAL COMMAN- DERS - EMBARKATION.
EACHING Allyn's Point at eight and one-half o'clock, on the evening of October 31st, the regiment embarked at about one, A. M., of the next morning, on board of the steamer Connecticut, for New York, where, at ten, A. M., it was received by the "Sons of Massachusetts" and the . enthusiastic cheers of the citizens. The field, staff and line officers were provided with a sumptuous breakfast at the Astor house, followed by patriotic remarks from distinguished citizens of that city. Among others who offered remarks, was Parke Godwin, Esq., who touched the key-chord of every heart. He said: --
"Though no son of Massachusetts. I have long sat at her footstool. I have learned eloquence from her Websters and Everetts; I have read the poems of a Bryant, a Longfellow, and a Whittier. From her art, her science, her religion, we all have derived animation. Finally we turn to her to be inspired by her patriotismn. As she was first in
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WEARING THE BLUE. 29
the revolution -first to spill her blood at Bunker Hill, and last at Yorktown -so in these times before us, in the events of these times, greater than our revolution, great as that was, we must go still to old Massachusetts for our best and purest inspirations. As she shed the first blood at Bunker Hill, so she shed the first blood in the streets of Baltimore, [applause] as she shed the last drop of the revolution, so she has now shed the last drop that has been shed in the contest with rebellion, at Ball's Bluff. [Cheers.] I had hoped New York would carry off the largest share of the dangers and honors of the struggle. We have been honored through our noble regiment, the Sixty-ninth, [cheers] but, glorious as the Sixty-ninth is, the Fifteenth Massa- chusetts deserves to stand with it, side by side. The men of the Fifteenth regiment deserve to stand side by side with the Greciau heroes of Thermopyla; they deserve to stand side by side with those who were engaged at that great charge of Balaklava, where some one had blundered. [Great applause.] The Fifteenth Massachusetts, pinned in between a crib of fire, yet were as solid as a mass of granite -- when they were as free to move as the winds which blew over them. [Applause. ] Many of them sleep in the dust. 'Alas! nor wives, nor children more shall they behold, nor friends, nor sacred home'; the cold rains of November will fall upon their Virginia graves, the winds of winter will sigh over the tombs where they lie buried. But bitterer rains and profounder sighs will come from the eyes and the hearts of the mothers, wives and sisters of New England. Being dead, they yet speak, they tell us in words more eloquent than tongue could speak, that it is through you their deaths will be avenged, [loud applause ] swear it by their bones - by your memory of Bunker Hill and Concord -by all that is noble in your own existence - that they shall be avenged. [Great cheering.]"
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This impassioned speech of Mr. Godwin excited the "Sons of Massachusetts" and their guests of the Twenty-fifth Regi- ment to the highest degree of enthusiasm. It was uttered with such winged words of fire as Homer applies so often to the Grecian heroes conducting the famed siege of Troy, under the inspiration of the immortal Gods. Its allusions to the heroism of the Fifteenth Massachusetts, men of the same
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
county, many of them from the same city, neighbors, brothers, friends all, were exceedingly appropriate, and received a most hearty response from the officers of the Twenty-fifth.
The rank and file of the regiment were provided with a breakfast at the Park barracks; Park barracks, however, was not the Astor house. It was soup at the barracks, and while the soldiers were too thoroughly schooled in good manners to look a gift horse in the mouth, they have always contended that the soup was thin.
About one o'clock in the morning of November 2nd, the regiment reached Philadelphia, and reaching that city at the midnight hour, it would not be unreasonable to expect to find people taking their rest, but the Twenty-fifth had entered patriotie Philadelphia, and was at once escorted to the "Cooper shop saloon" where a most bountiful hot dinner was ready to appease the appetites of a thousand hungry inen. The long tables were actually loaded down with smoking meats, vege- tables, bread, with delicious hot coffee and many delicacies of the season. Hundreds of ladies were there waiting upon the tables.
THE COOPER SHOP AND UNION SALOONS.
The idea of establishing the Cooper shop and Union saloons originated, as Lossing says, in this way: the soldiers to and from New England, New York and New Jersey, were constantly arriving and passing through Philadelphia, landing at the foot of Washington avenue, sore and hungry, seeking refreshments in the bakeries and groceries of the neighborhood. One morning, the wife of a mechanic living near, commiserating the situation of some soldiers who had just arrived, went out with her coffee- pot and cup and distributed its contents among them. That generous hint was the gerin of a wonderful system of relief for the passing soldier. From this simple act of the generous hearted mechanic's wife, grew up the Cooper shop and Union saloons, the volunteer organizations of which were formed on
Corp'l HENRY W. FERNALD.
FRANK W. WELLINGTON.
Lient. Enw. W. WELLINGTON.
CHARLES F. HOWARD.
HENRY H1. LEGG
COMPANY H.
Newtype Printing to, Boston
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WEARING THE BLUE.
the 27th and 28th of May, 1861. Let it be handed down in history to all future generations, that the noble citizens of Philadelphia furnished "the means by which nearly twelve hundred thousand Union soldiers were bountifully provided for during the four years of war, and provided with such generosity of diet, that no Union soldier was ever heard to find any fault with the tables.
In the hospitals connected with these saloons, the wounds and ills of over twenty thousand soldiers were tenderly cared for. Hundreds of fair women devoted themselves to this work. . When the Twenty-fifth reached Philadelphia, at near one o'clock in the night, and found the Cooper saloon cheer- fully lighted, the tables spread and the viands piping-hot, there was a surprise. How did they know we were coming ? This was the way of it-when a regiment or company was an- nounced as approaching the city, a signal-gun was fired, which brought to the saloons, day or night, hundreds of philanthropic ladies, who prepared for the reception of the soldiers, and with the greatest cheerfulness dispensed the generous bounty of their fellow citizens.
Every Union soldier has said-God bless the citizens and fair women of Philadelphia! Heaven's best benediction rest upon them!
PHILADELPHIA TO ANNAPOLIS.
About three o'clock in the morning, line was again formed, and the regiment marched two miles to the Baltimore station. The great city, as we moved from the Cooper shop saloon, was silent in slumber, but as we marched along to the music of the band, the men, happy as men could be after so good a supper, made the night air ccho with the Glory Hallelujah! ever and anon joining with the band in singing -
" Yes, we'll rally 'round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! We'll rally from the hill side, we'll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom!"
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TWENTY-FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS.
- Corporal Wilson, of Company G, in describing this night march through the Quaker city, in his diary, says :-
" We marched through the city to the cars, the band playing and the boys singing ' John Brown,' and other patriotic airs. Windows went up suddenly and night-capped heads appeared. Then a hand- kerchief would wave us on to the rescue of our country. Perhaps the fair owners of those waving handkerchiefs did not realize how much the simple act filled the soldiers' hearts with new life, and made them feel willing to brave any danger for their sakes and the dear ones tre leave behind us."
At one, P. M., the regiment reached Baltimore, in a drenching rain storm. The rank and file were furnished quarters in a large warehouse, while some of the officers quartered on the steamer that was to transport the battalion to Annapolis. This steamer [the Louisiana] having its live freight on board, left Baltimore on Sunday morning, November 3rd, and safely reached Annapolis in the afternoon. The Twenty-fifth was furnished temporary quarters in the Naval Academy buildings, by the side of the Massachusetts Twenty-first.
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