USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 12
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" Hereafter, when the people of this Queen City, which sits beautiful as a bride, on the banks of the Penobscot and the Ken- duskeag, and of the Empire county of the East, shall look over the record of their choicest possessions, they will discover none of .which they will be more proud, than the fame of General Jameson and of the officers and the soldiers of the Second Maine Regiment."
"The Star Spangled Banner," was then rendered by the Bangor Cornet Band.
Vice-President Hamlin was called for, and received with enthu- siasm.
As we have shown in an earlier chapter. Mr. Hamlin, at the time of the Second's departure from Bangor, for the field of war, delivered an eloquent address of farewell to the regiment, then made up of fresh, strong, able men, and one may easily guess the mingled feelings that leaped to his breast, on reviewing that rem- nant of a once large and active regiment. Instead of 800 earnest, loyal men, going out to do battle for their country, there were left but a fragment, with decimated ranks.
Mr. Hamlin said:
" Ile wished the Mayor had excused him. At such a time all hearts were beating, and the blood coursing so rapidly, there was no language adequate to the occasion. But in deep sympathy with the vast concourse of our people who had come to greet them, he was rejoiced to meet the returning veterans, officers and men of the gallant Second Regiment, who had returned with laurels won upon many a hard contested battle field. They had gone forth to battle for the integrity of our country, with a confidence in all true mnen, that they would do their whole duty bravely and gallantly, and well had that confidence been sustained. In all the duties of . camp life, on picket duty, and in the stern strife of battle, there had come to those at home. whose care and prayers were for them,
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a uniform and uninterrupted account of their patriotic and soldier- ly bearing. But the tattered and stained ensigns that they bore with them spoke a language more eloquent than words. That once beautiful flag, donated by the ladies from Maine in California, and which was entrusted to me to designate the regiment to which it was to be presented, told the story of their valor and heroism. It tells us in its rents and stains, its own true story. No words could add to it. None but noble and gallant hearts could have borne it where it has been. All honor and praise to the brave Second Maine. To say that you have won our respect and praise is not enough. You have the homage of every true and loyal man, woman and child. But amid this greeting and rejoicing, this warm and heartfelt welcome, there will come the feeling of sadness at your decimated ranks. How many who went forth with gay and gallant tread to battle for an imperilled country, are slumber- ing in earth, and returned to their common mother? While we greet the living, we must pause to remember and do justice to the dead." .
"How sleep the brave who sink to rest," "With all a country's honor blest."
." Another shade of sadness, too, intermingles with the occasion. It is because there are too many in our community, who have no friendly greeting, or sympathy in your heroic acts. Their faces are a perfect barometer of their feelings. They have mourn- ed over your victories, and rejoiced at your defeats. But let them pass. Thank God, you have returned to your homes, your friends and all you hold dear, to rejoice with us at the glad tidings, that come from the heroic Grant in the West. Your acts shall be remembered in all time, by the true and the good, but upon all traitors shall be stamped, the undying seal of infamy, never to be effaced."
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Lieut .- Col. and Brev .- Col. A. B. Farnham.
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"Men of the Second Maine, we respect you as citizens, and we honor you for your heroic deeds, and your devotion to your country."
"Hail Columbia" was then played by the band.
David Barker, of Exeter, was called for and responded by recit- ing a beautiful poem, he had written for the occasion, with marked effect. He was followed by his brother, Hon. Lewis Barker, Esq., who, in a short speech, welcomed home the gallant regiment.
Hon. F. A. Pike, of Calais, was then called upon, and in glow- ing terms complimented the regiment on their bravery and valor. He was followed by the Rev. Dr .- Harris.
Col. Roberts, formerly of the Second, was called for, and was loudly cheered by the soldiers.
Col. Roberts said, "He was unable to express his feelings on this memorable occasion. They had returned from their long, weary, tedious, but, thank God, faithful services. When he looked over their decimated ranks, a feeling of sadness stole over him, for those brave and gallant comrades, who had laid down their lives at the alter of their country. History would do justice to their memory. A marble shaft has been erected. upon which will be inscribed their names and deeds, which will be read and re-read in after years by their friends and relatives. He could only say, peace to their ashes-God bless them all. He had mingled with them in the camp and in the field, shared with them their sorrows and their pleasures, and time could never obliterate or efface those recollec- tions. He now proposed three cheers for a man and patriot, one whose victorious troops had loved him, and who loved his troops, the brave and gallant Gen. Geo. B. Mcclellan."
The entire Second Maine gave rousing cheers.
The services closed with cheers for the Union and the Second Maine.
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On the platform at the hall, were two field pieces, covered with flags and wreaths. and near them stood the old flags, the pride of the regiment, and the glory of the citizens. One was pre- sented by the ladies of Bangor, the morning the regiment left the city. Another was presented by Maine citizens in New York, and still another, which was presented by the Maine ladies in California, and the last was a secesh flag, captured by the Second from an Alabama Regiment, at the hard fought battle of Gaine's Mill, and which will be treasured by our city. as an evidence of the prowess and yalor of the regiment at that fearful struggle.
At the 'close of the services the boys were allowed the freedom of the city, and many went to their homes, while others who had no homes in the city, went to their quarters at City Hall, and at the Gymnasium.
The Second Regiment saw an amount of service, in their two years of war, that might put to blush many an old veter- an. They were in eleven bloody conflicts, besides many skirmishes. During all their trials, tedious marches, and desperate battles. they never fainted or faltered, but steadily and steadfastly upheld the old flag, and were ready always to lay down their lives, that the glorious institutions of our free Republican Government might live.
The " Whig" in speaking of their return said :
" Bangor may justly feel proud of the heroic deeds of this gal- lant and noble regiment. Penobscot County may feel proud of them-yea, the whole State may look back at their regimental career, with pride and satisfaction, and future generations will rise to bless the living and revere the memory of the noble dead."
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CHAPTER XIX.
The Draft-How It Was Avoided In '62-Patriotic Appeals And Odd Adver- tisements-Elijah Low Is Appointed Provost Marshal-What IIe Did-He Has A Row With The Maine Central-And Is Ordered To Take Possession And Run It At Government Expense-The Travel To Canada Becomes Large -A Patten Rebel Defies Uncle Sam-And Comes To Grief -- Capt. Low Exposes A Defaulter -- The Draft In Houlton-Bells Tolling For Lincoln And Clanging For Victory Over Lee-The Hunt In Maine For The Assassin Booth.
The first allusion made to the draft was in the Whig, when an Augusta correspondent predicted the State authorities would not be obliged to resort to a "compulsory draft." This was in 1862, and the article was called forth on account of the slowness with which men answered the President's call. To quicken them it was determined that Vice-President Hamlin should go through the State and address the people, urging them to their duty, and also that Gen. Howard attend meetings, having the same object in view.
The following address will serve to show how matters stood July 12th :
To THE CITIZENS OF BANGOR.
"The President of the United States calls for 300,000 men. Bangor's proportion is about two hundred men. Why should not this city emulate sister towns in old Massachusetts, in their patri- otie efforts in furnishing volunteers, instead of allowing a detail under the law? Citizens of Bangor who are not liable to do mili- tary duty, and others, should at once come forward and raise a fund sufficient to give a liberal bounty, in addition to that allowed by the Government, and it should be so liberal as to at once bring
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into the service our two hundred men; and when this is done, ask the Governor to so modify his order as to allow the volunteers so raised to be attached to the gallant Maine Second, under the com- mand of Col. Roberts."
"It is due to ourselves. and it is due to Col. Roberts and his fearless men, that his regiment be filled up. This two hundred men so raised and added to that brave Second Regiment, will be almost as effective under their brave young colonel as a new regi- ment that has seen no service. The writer will do his part.
BANGOR, JULY 11th.
Another communication speaks for itself ;
MESSRS. WHEELER & LYNDE.
Gentlemen-" My age and health forbids my entering the ser- vice of my country, and I have no son old enough. You will please say in your paper, that I will pay to the first able- bodied man belonging in Bangor, who will volunteer and enlist in the service of our country, twenty-five dollars as a gratuity."
HOOPER CHASE.
The patriotism of the people seemed to grow more and more in- Sense, as the English across the water and the secessionists in the North sought, by every way possible to prolong the war. The . following call for a meeting at Norombega Hall is worthy of close inspection.
GRAND PATRIOTIC RALLY ! OF THE MEN OF PENOBSCOT '
FOR THE COUNTRY!
"The President of the United States has called upon the Nation for Troops to defend the Flag. From every part of this great nation the voice of the loyal heart is heard; The Union! The
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Nation must be preserved! and the glorious Stars and Stripes shall never trail in the dust !"
"The despots of the old world and the traitors at home are trembling at the response of the people."
FREEMEN OF PENOBSCOT !
"Shall we refuse to listen to the call of duty and patriotism ? Shall we be behind our Sister States in coming up to the great work of redemption of our country, and the preservation of our free government ?
" All the people of Penobscot are invited to assemble at
NOROMBEGA HALL, THURSDAY, JULY 17th, at 7 o'clock."
We have elsewhere given an account of this meeting. The results of it, combined with the liberal action of the City Council, induced great numbers to enlist. Those who did so, could not have been induced by the prospect of money alone, for it was now well understood that the greatest rebellion, yes, one of the great- est wars known to either ancient or modern times; was inaugurat- ed at Sumpter, and that the struggle was to be a long and bloody one. Men came in freely, however, and quarters were assigned them at the old race course on Union street. The camp was known as "Camp John Pope." Here was formed the Eighteenth, and other bodies of men, and the scenes familiar to those of the old Essex street camp were re-enacted.
About this time long advertisements appeared in the papers of the day, announcing the quota of each city, town and plantation, and men were eagerly sought for to fill this demand, and thus avoid a draft. Men in good circumstances contributed from their private purses, money to be added to the several bounties offered. Agents were now sent over the line, to induce " Blue Noses "
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to come over and enlist, while others looked after men who were residents of Bangor, and who had entered the army or navy from other States, and whenever they could do so had them credited to their native place.
On Tuesday, July 29th, there appeared in the Whig the follow- ing, and it speaks volumes for the fighting qualities of the Second Maine. Although it was made up of "home boys," yet recruits were offered more money to enter this regiment than any other :
INCREASE BANGOR BOUNTY.
At a special session of the City Council a resolve was passed offering a city bounty of one hundred dollars to volunteers in any new regiment, one hundred and twenty dollars to volunteers in any old regiment except the Second, and one hundred and forty dollars to volunteers for the Second."
Early in August the Government determined upon a Draft, the men to serve nine months. Up to this time the North had sent as volunteers, over one million of men, a spectacle never before seen, and which caused the monarchs of the old world to look on with wonder and surprise, but more men were needed, and the Draft was the quickest and cheapest way to get them.
Here is a warning put out by Capt. Garnsey, now a popular purser on the Boston and Bangor steamship line :
" We Are Coming Father Abraham, 300,0000 More." " Fill up tlie Gallant Second Maine.
Last Chance! A Draft is Coming! Rally boys, and volunteer and receive the Bounties. No drafted men receive bounties.
FRANK A. GARNSEY,
Capt. Company II, Second Maine.
Early in May, 1863, the mail brought to one of Bangor's most patriotic and capable citizens, Elijah Low, the following :
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, APRIL 30th, 1863. .
Sir :
You are hereby informed that the President of the United States has appointed you Provost Marshal, for the Fourth Congressional District of the State of Maine, with the rank of Captain of Caval- ry in the service of the United States, to rank as such from the Thirtieth day of April, 1863.
Immediately on receipt hereof, please to 'communicate to the Department, through the Provost Marshal General of the United States, your acceptance, or non-acceptance; and with your letter of acceptance, return the oath herein enclosed, properly filled up, subscribed and attested, and report your age, birthplace and the State of which you are a permanent resident. You will immedi- ately report by letter to the Provost Marshal General. and will proceed without delay to establish your headquarters at Bangor. Maine, and enter upon your duties in accordance with such special instructions as you may receive from the Provost Marshal General.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
With this came special instructions, and. after looking them over, Mr. Low accepted, and at once entered upon the duties of the office. It will be seen that his was an important posi- tion ; that Capt. Low was an official in the regular army, and transacted business independent of State authorities. He had charge of Aroostook. Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, and his word was almost law. The Maine Central Railroad, and Matta- wamkeag Stage Company did not realize this at first. but as will be seen, their eyes were opened and their seuses quickened.
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The first move was to appoint enrolling officers, and divide the territory into sub-districts. then every man, between the ages of twenty and forty-five was enrolled. This included the lame, blind and halt, and a man with one eye or one leg was, at first, lia- ble to a draft. Again, a man, when drafted, was from that moment a soldier in service of the United States, and failing to report, was a deserter, subject to all the penalties. This fact was not gen- erally understood, and men who committed crimes against the Government, got free at time of trial, through ignorance, in one case'at least, as will be seen, of the U. S. Attorney.
All male citizens being enrolled, next came the apportioning, that is: finding out just what each town, city, or plantation should furnish as their quota. The office . where this work was done was over the office of D. M. Howard, Esq., but later, when the draft came, quarters were secured in Granite Block, where men were clothed, fed and lodged. As Capt. Low was obliged to assume the duties of Commissary and Quartermaster, it will be seen that he had a great deal to do, and this may account for his not becoming a president, board of directors and superintendent of the Maine Central, as he at one time was requested to by the Government. The story as related by Mr. Low is as follows:
" When men began to come in, their numbers would be reported to headquarters, and at short intervals requisitions would be made on me for a certain number, these orders coming by mail or telegraph at night. In the morning I would march them to the station, and the officials there. thinking I ought to have ordered cars in advance, growled at the inconvenience to which I subjected them, and which I could not prevent. One day there arrived seventy-five thousand dollars worth of supplies, and when I sent for them, I was informed the freight bill must be paid in advance. As I was not a disbursing officer I at once wired the authorities at Washington."
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" Maine Central refuse delivery supplies until freight bills are paid."
Soon the answer came :
"Take posession Maine Central Railroad, and run it at Govern- ment expense."
" Of course," said Mr. Low, "I didn't want to do that, so I wired the superintendant at Waterville, and when he answered, I got my supplies quick, and after that I had no trouble about cars." .
Soon came orders for a draft, which were carried out. The next step was to inform such as had drawn "a ticket," of that fact, and order them to Bangor for an examination.
" How did they respond to this, Mr. Low?"
"From towns along the line," was the answer, "they skeedaddled awfully, but from the other places nearly all came in."
Then examinations were held, and many thrown out, and went home rejoicing. Those who were taken had two chances; pay three hundred dollars down, which exempted them for two years, or provide a substitute. Many who had the cash paid it out, but there were those who could not do this and who, not wishing to enter the army, searched about for some one to represent them at the front. Thus it was that substitute brokers became important factors, and many of them reaped bountiful harvests while engaged in their traffic in human flesh.
Those who had made up their minds to go, as well as the substi- tutes and bounty jumpers who had been hired, were provided with clothing, etc., and then drafted men were given a few days leave of absence, in order that they might go home and close up their affairs, take leave of friends, etc .: but the hired ones were not given such privilege, and, in order to keep them until turned over to the Government, their money and advance pay was retained by Capt. Low. When a squad of these men went forward their money
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was sent along also, being turned over with the men. It is related that on one occasion an officer in Portland embezzled $300,000 of such money, and he was tried by a court martial. At the trial Capt. Low, who took receipts always, showed that he had turned $150,000 over to the accused, and on this testimony he was con- victed.
Reference has been made to the flight across " The Line." In the town of Patten resided a man named Leslie, well known as "Jim" Leslie. He was a rank ." secesh," had often cursed the Government and Lincoln, and had defied the officers to come to Patten, and take him through the town of Benedicta. The Government required of the provost marshals that they should send, from time to time, copies of all disloyal sheets, which was done. Some of these contained utterances of Leslie, and at last Capt. Low was ordered to arrest the man on the first proof of any disloyal act. Soon it was discovered that Leslie was helping men over "The Line," and two officers were sent to Patten after him, arriving there about dark. Going to the house of Leslie, they called him out and at once handcuffed him, bringing him the next day to Bangor. Here Capt. Low was met by a delegation of Leslie's friends, in sympathy with him in his utterances and acts, and offered bail to any amount. Capt. Low said "No," and the gentleman from Patten was sent to Portland. His crime was aiding deserters; drafted men, as I have said, being really in the service, and could become free only upon being rejected by the surgeons, and given discharge papers. Of the fact this U. S. Attorney was in ignorance and Leslie got clear, but did not again conspire to defeat the law's intent.
The working force of the Provost Marshal's office consisted of, Elijah Low, Provost Marshal ; Dr. S. A. Porter, of Monson, Sur-
CAPT. ELIJAH LOW, LATE PROVOST-MARSHAL 4TH DIST. ME.
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geon ; Col. C. H. Chandler, late Lieut. Col. Sixth Maine, Commis- sioner. They being styled the board of enrollment.
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Wm. Arnold, Deputy Marshal ; Geo. R. Smith, clerk of the board ; Eben Woodbury. Deputy Marshal for Houlton ; Dr. S. D. Morrison, Asst. Surgeon ; Dr. E. H. Thompson, of Dover, Asst. Surgeon : Dr. E. N. Mayo, of Orono, Asst. Surgeon for Holton ; J. S. Patten, G. W. Stevens, Horatio N. Hatch, I. E. Leighton and Wilder H. Taylor, Special Agents. John C. Flint, First Clerk : Wm. H. S. Lawrence. Second clerk ; and Chas. Lowell, C. P. Wig- gin and Frank Averill, Clerks.
Early in May, '63, the office was opened, and for over two years was run " day and night."
Col. Chandler was obliged to resign early in the season, by rea- son of ill health, and John E. Godfrey was appointed in his place.
When a man was drafted, a notice was sent to the enrolling officer of his town, who served the paper on the man, if he could find him, and if not, left it at the last known place of residence.
At one time so much money belonging to soldiers, had accum- ulated at the office in this city, that fears were entertained for its safety, and as rumors had been afloat to the end that the Copper- heads had planned an attack on the office, measures were taken to protect it by a guard, and the money was turned over to Aaron A. Wing, Collector of Internal Revenue, for safe keeping.
At this time there was upwards of three hundred thousand dollars of money belonging to soldiers, in the keeping of the Provost Marshal.
As may be supposed many ludicrous, and many sad scenes were witnessed. In fact the same may be said of all enlist- ments. Sometimes a careless, ignorant lout would come along, enlist, get a suit from Uncle Sam, together with a good sup- ply of money-often more than he had ever seen before-
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and then start out to see the sights, treat everybody who would drink, patronize the photographer, and have a good time generally, until the provost guard gathered him in, and sent him South on more serious business. Then would come along a poor man, who, perchance, had started a home for his wife and little ones in some back clearing. Anxiously the fond wife awaited the decision of the surgeons, and tears of anguish would roll down her cheek, as she learned that her husband had been accepted and must go to the war. All about the city at this time were recruit- ing offices, many being on the Custom House approach, and the shrill tones of the fife, the rattling of the drums and the shouts of the runners for the various booths-all calling the at- tention of the would-be-soldiers-served to keep well before the people the fact that war, grim war, with all its horrors and bloody scenes was then, and was likely, for some time to come, to be the fate of the nation.
THE DRAFT IN AROOSTOOK.
When the Civil War broke out, the good people of Aroostook knew little about scenes of death and carnage. They, like our early settlers, had gone into a wilderness, and were rapidly con- verting it into a garden. and the peaceful scenes of "seed time and harvest," of flocks and herds, of peace and plenty, of prosperity and good will, had been their lot. It is true there had been a so-called " Aroostook War," but it had not been prolific of deeds of daring, and days and nights of slaughter. Armed men were upon Aroostook soil-armed men from Bangor too-but it does not appear that they went there with harmful intent, because on the approach of the enemy they fled towards the Penobscot, and one poet records the fact in song, that that flight was one of marvelous swiftness.
Save this bloodless invasion, Aroostook knew nothing of war,
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but she was not one inch behind her sister counties, and early and often her stalwart sons came in and joined the swelling ranks that were marching to the tune of the Union in 1861. The women too, were filled with patriotism, and by their steady work and zeal did much to help along the cause. As the boys went away, the scenes so novel and sad, yet so common then all over the country, were daily enacted. Mothers said "Good Bye" to hus- bands and sons, sisters to brothers, fathers, and sweethearts, while the younger lads, not quite old enough to take an active part, looked on with jealous eyes, which gave out at the same time admiring glauces, as their brothers and fathers looking so gay in their new uniforms, marched away.
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