USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 1
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.74 maf 0-91 p.2 5115
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00822 4153
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/firstmainebugle00tobi
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Entered at the Post Ofice, Rockland, Me., as Second Class Matter.
CAMPAIGN II. JULY, 1890. - 9/ CALL I.
"The neighing troops, the flashing blade, The Bugle's stirring blast."
PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR, AND WILL CONTAIN THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE YEARLY REUNIONS OF THE FIRST MAINE CAVALRY, MATTERS OF HISTORIC VALUE TO THE REGIMENT, AND ITEMS OF PERSONAL INTEREST TO ALL THE MEMBERS.
REUNION AT AUBURN,
September 12th, 1883.
EDITOR, EDWARD P. TOBIE, PAWTUCKET, R. I.
PUBLISHED BY THE FIRST MAINE CAVALRY ASSOCIATION.
ADDRESS J. P. CILLEY, Treasurer, ROCKLAND, MAINE.
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1755115
3
8349 3436
First Maine bugle. Campaign 2-3; July, 1890-Oct. 1593. Rockland, Me., First Maine cavalry association, 1890- 93.
Sv. illus., plates, ports. 233em. quarterly.
Contains the Proceedings of the yearly reunions of the First Maine cavalry. Organ of the Cavalry society of the armies of the United States, July 1892-()ct. 1893.
E. P. Tobie, editor.
Preceded by Maine cavalry. Ist regt., 1861-1865. Record of proceed- ings.
ONELF CASD Superseded by the Maine bugle.
1. Maine-Hist .- Civil war. 2. U. S .- Hist .--- Civil war -- Recimenta! histories-Me. cav .- 1st regt. J. Tobie, Edward Parsons, 1836- ed. 11. Maine cavalry. 1st regt., 1861-1865. II. Cavalry society of the armies of the United States.
206701-3 Library of Congress
2 -- 1-7
E.511.4.F53
TO THE COMRADES.
H OW well the pledge and purpose of the FIRST MAINE CAVALRY ASSO- CIATION to bring ont in appropriate form the history of our regiment by Lieut. Edward P. Tobie was executed, has been a surprise to other regiments and a delight to our members. Another pledge and purpose now lies before us, viz. :--- To print in appropriate form the proceedings of our reunions since 1882, and to continue the series. The plan is to issue these pamphlets some four times a year, in order to entitle them to postage at rates for periodicals. Every member of the regiment will be considered a subscriber, and a ledger account opened with each one. The pamphlets, as published, will be sent to every man whose name and address can be ascertained, trusting entirely in their honor and interest in the grand old regiment for pay for the copies sent. The size of the type and page will correspond with the history, and the pamphlets will, when bound, make companion volumes.
Portraits of the same style and kind as those in the history will appear in the pamphlets. The price for printing these will be the same as in the history. Every member is urged to put his picture in with the others. Any and all profit that may accrue from the sale of the pamphlets will be devoted to furnishing portraits of our deceased comrades, the selection or determination of such as shall appear being decided by the financial committee or by a vote of the Asso- ciation. It is the hope and ambition of the Association to print the pictures of every comrade who ever served in the ranks of the FIRST MAINE CAVALRY before the last "Bugle" shall give its final sound. This will be done if you cach will wake at the Bugle Call and send pay for the same as soon as each copy is received.
It is hoped that these Bugle Calls will arouse many memories of our years of service, and thus lead our comrades to toll their stories of individual experi- ence, or give extracts from their diaries or letters written at the time. There may be many things half told in the history, or that should be told in a different manner; if so, give your version or correction. Anything concerning our service will be interesting and of valne to some comrade. As far as these "Bugles" are concerned, any item concerning the members of the Association, relating to our meetings or our history, will be interesting and gladly welcomed.
The whole success of these pamphlets depends, comrades, on your aid and co-operation. If you will all respond promptly, the subsequent "Calls" will thrill and stir you as of oll, and page after page of the faces of comrades, seen long ago but never forgotten, shall stand in line before you and be with you. Will you stand in place and be counted as each Bugle sound shall reach you ?
The price of this Bugle is twenty-five cents. Please remit to
J. P. CILLEY, TREASURER, Rockland, Main !.
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TWELFTH ANNUAL REUNION
OF THE
FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
The twelfth annual reunion was held in the city of AUBURN, September 12th, 1883.
The Lewiston Journal gave the following report of the proceed- ings of the morning and afternoon : --
The yellow ribbon of the First Maine Cavalry was seen everywhere in Auburn, Wednesday, and multiplied rapidly as the day passed on. The stragglers of the advance guard reached Auburn Tuesday evening. General Cilley, the veteran colonel of the regiment, was the first officer of the regiment to arrive. He reached Auburn by the evening train Tuesday. Large numbers of veterans came by the morning trains from Portland and from Bangor. By ten o'clock there were seventy- one yellow ribbons on the spot, and the outposts were not heard from. Captains Virgin and Hall, of Cos. G and H, arrived in the forenoon. Capt. Virgin struck the pavement in front of Goff Block at ten o'clock. " Hello, you old son of a gun !" said some one affectionately. A crowd clustered around Gen. Cillev. " Don't you know me, General?" was a volley that was show- ered upon him. Every one expected to be recognized ; most of them were recognized. It was a lively scene this morning, that of the crowd clustered around the former colonel of the old reg- iment.
Among those whom the management gave over as of possibly being able to attend was Gen. Gregg, who led the division dur-
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
ing its early fighting until it fell to the command of Gen. Crook, the now famous Indian fighter. This morning President Little received the following communication from Gen. Gregg, express- ing regret : --
READING, PA., Sept. 10th, 1883. HENRY LITTLE, President First Maine Cavalry Association : --
MY DEAR SIR. - Have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of invitation to a reunion of the First Maine Calvary Association on the 12th.
I regret exceedingly that I will not be able to attend. What a pleasure it would be to me to be with you on this occasion ! I have seen the First Maine on many well contested fiells fight as but few regimeuts could. I doubt not but that if I could but see the survivors at one of these reunions, I would discover that they are now as accomplished in promoting social pleasures as in discom- fiting the enemy. Please convey to all of the regiment who will have the happi- ness to be with you, my most affectionate remembrance.
May I ask that you will call the attention of your Association to the effort being made to erect on a portion of the field at Gettysburg a simple granite shaft, with inscription giving the name of the regiments and batteries present in the cavalry battle, July 30, 1863. It is estimated that $2,500 will be required to com- plete the shaft and its enclosure, and to purchase the site and right of way to it. If the money can be raised by contributions from the survivors of the regiments and batteries, it is expected that a formal dedication of the monument will be held in September, 1881. Col. Chas. D. Treichel, of New York Custom House, is treasurer of the fund.
Yours sincerely, D. MOM. GREGG.
The following letters of regret were also received :
ELLSWORTH, Sept. 11th, 1883.
MY DEAR SIR, - Your kind invitation to attend the banquet of the First Maine Cavalry Association at Auburn was duly received, and I regret that may engagements prevent my acceptance. I should like to bear the testimony of my recognition of the great services rendered by the gallant and famous First Maine Cavalry in the war of the rebellion -- services which will never be forgotten.
Yours very truly. EUGENE HALE.
HENRY LITTLE, Pres. First Maine Cavalry Association.
STATE OF MAINE. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. AUGUSTA. Sept. 10th, 1883.
MY DEAR SIR. -- I have just returned home from an eastern trip to Eastport, Calais and Pembroke, and to-day start for Waldo County to meet previous Ukjugements, -to-morrow at Waldo, and Wednesday, the 12th, at Bucksport. If I can cancel my engagement at Bueksport, and can reach Lewiston, it will
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TWELFTHI ANNUAL REUNION.
afford me great pleasure to be present at the reunion of the First Maine Cavalry. I regret very much that I cannot accept your kind invitation, for it would afford me great pleasure to meet the members of your regiment. I will do the best J can, and if I cannot be present, convey my regrets.
Yours very truly,
FREDERICK ROBIE.
BRUNSWICK, Sept. 13th, 1883.
MY DEAR SIR, -I greatly regretted to suffer a double deprivation within the last few days -an ill turn, not pleasant in itself, which kept me shut up in the house, and the consequent necessity of missing your reunion of the First Cavalry. I always go, as you know. when it is possible, and always enjoy those gatherings in the name and spirit of a gallant regiment which has made a chap- ter in history.
Yours very sincerely, JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN. HENRY LITTLE. EsQ., President.
This is the twelfth anual reunion of the regiment. " Why we gather is because we are full of the fight of former days, I suppose." says a veteran this morning.
The regiment has a record to be proud of. Its history is as glorious as that of any regiment of the war. The regiment consisted originally of twelve companies, and was mustered in Oct. 31st, 1861. It was raised at large from all over the State. The regiment encamped at Augusta during the fall and win- ter of 1861. It was either waiting for an unaided glorious onset, or Providence was waiting the opportunity to place the heroic service of the regiment in its most needed places. In March, 1862, Cos. A, D, E and F went to the front, followed in a few days by Cos. B. I, II and M, under Col. Douty, three days later by C. G. K and L, and all assembled reunited in Washington. Its record in war was a grand one. It went into; war 1200 strong. It had incorporated into its organization nearly three times as many before the close of the war. Its list of battles is extraordinary. It has been a favorite toast of the First Maine Cavalry.
The battles of the First Maine Cavalry were more numerous than those of all other organizations of the Army of the Poto- mac, many of them less famous in history, but not excelled in dash and daring and in lavish expenditure of devoted lives. It
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
was remarked by a former governor of the State, at a former reunion of the regiment, that he had not known that so many battles had been fought by the Army of the Potomac until he looked around upon the banners in the hall. " Into the organ- ized life of this regiment," said Gen. Cilley, who figures on the muster-in roll as a captain, " three times its numbers have been incorporated -- a blood offering, a libation, to the god of war, whose bowl has thrice been filled to the brim, and thrice been emptied. Three times twelve hundred warm and throbbing hearts have stood within the ranks of this regiment." The his- tory of the regiment is too full of fighting to make any historical notice at all satisfactory.
Particularly of importance was the work of the regiment in the short, sharp campaign of Lee's surrender. The record of the regiment from the time when the first battalion marched up to Harper's Ferry under command of Major Douty, a lamented hero of the regiment. up to the campaign of Lee's surrender was highly valorous. The regiment fought hard during the winter of 1864-65. In the latter year Gen Gregg resigned, and the division fell to the command of Gen. Crook, the well- known Indian fighter of to-day. On March 29th the regiment stood in its place in the column of cavalry traveling towards Ream's Station. Friday, the 31st, found the regiment at Din- widdie Court House. The fight was the severest one ever encountered by the regiment. The severity is attested by the disabling of three rebel regimental commanders in front of the lines. In the First Maine one man in every four was either wounded or killed, and one officer in the same. The regiment lost 101 in the fight. Five Forks followed, and from that Appomattox and Lee's surrender.
The regiment has made a special feature of its reunions. His- torically they have been times of great jubilee, full to the brim of fraternal affection. The regiment has printed pamphlet reports of all its gatherings.
AT LAKE AUBURN.
Five car-loads of the veterans and their friends arrived at Lake Grove at 2.15 P. M.
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TWELFTHI ANNUAL REUNION.
One hundred and fifty members of the association were pres- ent The business meeting was called to order at 2.45 P. M. by Henry Little, of Auburn, President of the association.
The Treasurer, Gen. Cilley, made a statement of the financial condition of the association, showing that there was a small surplus in the treasury.
The following were appointed a committee to report to the association a place for the next reunion : Shehan, of Dennis- ville ; Virgin, of Canton ; Smith, of Portland ; Hill, of Augusta, and Jordan, of Bangor.
The following were appointed a committee to nominate offi- cers : Dr. Bodfish, of the Staff; Messrs. Hanscom, Co. A; Cook, Co. B; Thing, Co. C; Hill, Co. E; Chase, Co. F; Tobie, Co. G; Hall, Co. II; Daggett. Co. I; Lord, Co. K; Webster, Co. L; Jordan, Co. M.
Dr. Shehan, for the committee on place for the next reunion, reported strong invitations from Eastport, Canton and Bath. Dr. Shehan addressed the association strongly in favor of East- port. A telegram from Capt. North, of the Frontier Guards of Eastport, inviting the association to come there, was read. Lieut. Tobie read a jolly letter from Capt. A. H. Bibber, of Eastport, declaring "that all Eastport said 'Come; ' that all Eastport's front doors were open, and that the prettiest girls in the State would be there to wait on the boys and to dance with them." That settled it. The association voted ahost unani- mously to accept.
It was voted to leave the fixing of the time for the next re- union to the Eastport comrades.
The committee on nomination of officers reported as follows :
Prezident, CAPT. A. H. BIBBER, Eastport.
,
Vice-President, CAPT. I. G. VIRGIN, Canton.
Recording Secretary, . LIBUT. EDWARD JORDAN, Bangor. Corresponding Secretary, LIEUT. J. P. SHEHAN, Eastport. Treasurer, GEN. J. P. CILLEY, Rockland.
The report was accepted and adopted. The above were declared officers of the association for the ensuing year.
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
The business meeting was then adjourned. The veterans spent a short time in recreation at the grove and at the lake. They were highly pleased with the place, and were killing remi- niscential pigs, and laughing over the fun of long ago, as this edition went to press.
THE BANQUET.
Yes, it will be a long time before Auburn Hall will present a fairer scene than that of Wednesday evening, when the First Maine Cavalry Association feasted and toasted. The boards were elegantly laid. Six long tables with plates for 800 per- sous, all abloom with flowers. lavishly spread with viands, glit- tering with silver-ware, prettily decorated with vari-colored tissue napkins, first warmed the old soldiers' hearts and then warmed their stomachs. The hall was trimmed with flags, and the names of 107 engagements in which the regiment fought were conspicuous on the walls. Everybody exclaimed at the length of the list and the noble fighting record of the First Maine Cavalry. The City Band, F. G. Payne, conductor, sta- tioned in the gallery, performed in an excellent manner the following music during the evening :
Continental March.
Reeves.
Hungarian Dance, Olivette Wallzes. Audran.
Harselman.
A Day In Camp in '62,
Reeves.
Alpine Echoes (Fantasia),
El Clarinet Solo,
(F. PAYNE.)
Rowe.
Scene from Il Trovatore. .
Verdi.
Cornet Dulet. (PERKINS AND LOWELL.)
Rollinson.
Galop, "Stram."
All the seats were filled at seven o'clock, when President. Little called to order. The blessing of God was invoked by Rev. F. W. Bakeman, of Auburn, and then the coffee circulated and the good things began to disappear. Thirty hams, heaping plates of cold meats of other kinds, bread and butter, pickles, a very large assortment of delicious cake. ice-creams, grapes. watermelons, pears, peacher, etc., made 800 ladies and gentle-
€
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TWELFTH ANNUAL REUNION.
men happy during the next hour. Large vase bouquets diffused a perfume through the hall. At every plate was a pretty bou- tonniere. Auburn's best bibs and tuckers were on Auburn's fairest girls ; and it was half the banquet to have one of them bend over a fellow's shoulder and pour a mug of coffee. East- port may boast of what it proposes to do next year, but Eastport will have to work hard to muster in such a charming corps of waiters, so light of foot and so charming in person and dress, as the score of young misses who did the proud thing for the cav- alrymen Wednesday evening in Auburn Hall.
The local committee of arrangements voted to make the sup- per memorable. How hard they worked and how well they succeeded, all who partook of it know. They and their ladies deserve the gratitude of all the feasters. On the platform was a table at which sat the following prominent invited guests : Gen. J. P. Cilley, Rockland ; Col. A. C. Drinkwater, of Gov. Butler's Staff, Massachusetts; ex-Gov. Garcelon, Lewiston ; Wim. F. Goulding, Esq., Lewiston ; Rev. F. W. Bakeman, Rev. J. J. Hall, Rev. I. G. Sprague, Auburn ; Rev. B. F. Tefft, D.D., Poland; Rev. S. Boothby, Lewiston.
'THE TOASTS.
The rattling of knives and forks and dishes was silenced at 7.45 by the voice of the President of the Association, Capt. Henry Little, of Auburn.
Capt. Little introduced Lieut. Edw. P. Tobie, of Pawtucket, R. L .. a gallant soldier and a well-known journalist, as toast- master of the evening.
Lieut. Tobie served with his usual good address. He read the following letters of regret:
HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH INFANTRY, FORT CLARK, TEXAS, Sept. 7th, 1883. HENRY LITTLE, ESQ., MR. PRESIDENT. AND DEAR COMRADE : -
Please convey to the members of our association at their meeting on the 12th instant iny deep regrets at being deprived the pleasure of attending. I am very much engaged in my public duties, and it would be impossible for me to get away at this time even if the distance were far less than it is. My heart will be
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
with you all on that day, and may all be as happy and joyful as they deserve to be. I could hardly wish them more. With best wishes for yourself, I am,
Yours very sincerely,
C. II. SMITH.
PENFIELD, CLEARFIELD Co., P.A., Sept. 4th. 1883.
DEAR COMRADES OF THE OLD FIRST MMISE :
How the recollection of the dear old regiment sends the blood coursing through my veins. Woukl that I could be with you at your reunion on the 12th. The last I ever saw of the regiment was on the morning of the 11th of May, 180-4, when the Rebs pressed back our rear guard and. flanking our skirmish line, took me off from our extreme left and sent me on to Richmond, from there to Ander- sonville, Ga., thence to Mellen and Florence, and so on through the whole cata- logue of those cursed prison-pens, releasing me at last when they could no longer hold me, after nearly a year's imprisonment, with health gone and mind shat- tered-a wreck, in fact, which I shall remain. I suppose, till the last roll-call shall come at the resurrection day. Some of Co. A may still remember. me.
Yours in C., L. and F.
II. H. LOWELL.
DES MOINES, LL. Aug. 18th, 1883.
GEO. L. DUSTON, Corresponding Secretary First Maine Cavalry Association. Auburn, Maine :--
MY DEAR SIR AND COMBADE, - Your postal. notifying me of the twelfth reunion of our old regiment, is at hand. How it awakens memories of the past-the bugle call. in camp. the march, the battle, hunger, thirst, the dead and dying comrades, surrender of the rebels, the return to loved ones and peace. How I would love to be with you on the 12th of September. If God spares my life and there is opportunity. I will come and look upon your faces again not muany reunions in the future. Please remember me kindly to our comrades.
Truly yours. M. T. V. BOWMAN.
DEPARTMENT OF MAINE G. A. R. LISBON, ME., Sept. 10th, 1883. HENRY LITTLE, President First Maine Cavalry Association : ---
DEAR COMBADE. - Your letter of August 21st, inviting me to be present at the reunion of your association September 12th, has been received. I have delayed writing sooner hoping I might see the way open to comply with your kind request. Nothing, suly, would give me more pleasure. The memories of the past - of the pleasant friendship formed with the members of the First Maine Cavalry long years ago-of the hours of trial and danger through which we passed together- of those friend hips cemented in the days of peace, and inten- sified in later years- of reunions such as these which I have had the pleasure of attending --- all these prompt tar to accept the kind invitation you have given me to be present. Especially should I love to be there and drop with you all the
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TWELFTH ANNUAL REUNION.
tear of affection to the memory of our mutual friend, Major John D. Myrick, whose manly form will no more stand forth so prominently in your yearly gath- rings. I shall never forget him, and when in your assembly you mourn him most, remember me as one who mourns with you all his loss.
Fraternally and affectionately yours. E. M. SHAW. ZANESVILLE, Omo, Sept. 10th, 1883.
The Thirteenth Chlo Vol. Cavalry send greeting to the First Maine Cavalry.
Have just learned through the "National Tribune" that you "boys" are to hold a reunion Sept. 12th, 1883. May you meet many more years to recite your deeds of daring and of danger, and the 13th O. V. C. hopes to be always remem- bered, for were we not brothers in many a strife? and the rattle of your sixteen shooters was music to our ears. May God bless you all ! Our reunion was held in Columbus, Ohio, August 24th and 25th ; our next will be at Marion, Ohio, August 21st, 1884, to which you are all invited. Shake !
Fraternally, etc., 'THIRTEENTH O. V. C. ASSOCIATION, Per HOWARD ASTON, Adjutant, Zanesville, Ohio.
MIFFLINTOWN, PA., Sept. 10th, 1883.
COMRADES OF THE FIRST MAINE CAVALRY : -
Some of us of the old Second Brigade still live, and we send our heartiest greeting, and wish we were with you as you talk of the oldlen time, - of the days of Stoneman, Averill and Sheridan ; of Aldie, Shepherdstown, Culpepper, Get- tysburg and Five Forks. We have here the old flag carried by General Gregg at his headquarters, inseribed " From Fredericksburg to Lee's surrender," and those of us who belonged to the "Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry" never see it but we speak of the " First Moine Boys" with a glow of pride, and always close by saying. "They were gallant boys." When the monument to Gregg's Division is set up at Gettysburg some day in the future, we expect to have a regimental reunion at that place, and hope the Division will have one that we may warm our hearts together. Colonel Robinson, our oll commander, lives here, as does rost of Company F of the 16th, and they one and all send their fervent "God bless.you."
Yours in loyalty, F. D. GARMAN, Late Q. M. Sergt. 10th Pa. Cav.
Don't forget the "Pennsylvania Dutch."
President Little said :
" Boys, I move three ringing cheers for the 13th Ohio and the 16th Pennsylvania : will you give them?" Every hand went · into the air, and a cheer and a tiger went up loud enough for
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
the 16th Pennsylvania and the 13th Ohio to have heard had they been listening.
Lieut. Tobie said :
" We have but few toasts to-night, and I will not detain you by any preliminary remarks. We will give you, as our first toast :
". Our country; right or wrong, our country still.'
" The gentleman whom we expected to respond to this is not here, and I will simply say that every mother's son of you responded to this toast from '61 to 'Go.
" I give you next :
" The good old State of Maine. 'God bless the State that sent Our gallant regiment Into the field.'
"And, in absence of the governor, I have the pleasure of call- ing, to respond to this toast, upon the Hon. W. W. Bolster, of the Governor's Council."
Mr. Bolster said :
"Soldiers of the First Maine Cavalry, you have taken me by surprise; I was not aware that I was to be called upon to respond to any sentiment here this evening. But it takes but a little while to respond for the State of Maine. Her history is well known : it has been written upon every battlefield, and is known throughout the length and breadth of this nation. This cavalry, these soldiers that have gone forth from the State, have demonstrated that Maine will always be loyal and fore- most in the fight.
"A word now to the soldiers of the First Maine Cavalry. I believe I cannot more fittingly and properly address you than by the salutation, - Defenders of the integrity and the authority of the State and Nation. You, by your valor and courage, have accomplished that for the people of the United States which I believe will maintain and forever perpetuate the union and the authority of the United States of America. This honor con-
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