USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 17
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Although the people were patriotic, as a whole, there were in every community men who, to use an old quotation, " kept an eye open for the main chance," and many of them accumulated dollars faster than honest ways and honest intentions would permit. Those having local influence. who remained at home, were con- stantly scheming to get money from the Government, either through fat contracts for furnishing supplies, or selling men, who deserted at the first opportunity, only to re-enlist and " divide up" again with the sharpers. There was also a constant attack upon the officials in power. urging upon them the necessity of fortifying the coast of Maine, to the end that resistance might be successfully made against supposed enemies, lurking over the
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border. In this way they finally secured the privilege of erecting alleged batteries along the coast, for which large sums were paid. Old soldiers know that better ones have been erected in a night, by a single regiment, and old sailors know that they would have been powerless, had a second or third rate war vessel chosen to enter the ports where they were erected. However they were built. Belfast Bay having two, though it does not appear that they were ever used, save for the purpose of firing an occasional salute. and as channels leading from the greenback printing-rooms. through which the dollars flowed to the pockets of the projectors.
In Belfast, as elsewhere, merchandise rose rapidly in value after the second year of the war. keeping pace with gold. and the prices in the Bangor markets which appear under the head of ". Gold and Merchandise," will recall to many'a good house-wife the time when "keeping house " was expensive. Down south things were even worse, as the following. taken from a Richmond paper, will show ;
RICHMOND MARKETS.
APRIL 1Sth. 1864.
"There is considerable activity in the markets, though supplies . are not coming in as largely as they were some days ago. Tran- sactions are now slightly in favor of the new issue, but owing to the scarcity of that medium, five dollar notes are more generally in use. We give quotations in the new issue.
Flour-Demand still brisk. Superfine $240; extra superfine 8255. a $260 .; family 8275. Supply of all grades light.
Wheat-None offering.
Tobacco-No change in the market. Lugs, common. $16.00 a 820.00 : good lugs 820.00 a 828.00; bright and suitable for smok- ing, $30.00 a $40.00; common leaf. $50.00 a 880.00; extra fine, 890.00 a $110. Manufactured holds about the same as at last re-
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port, but with a better feeling in the market. Fine brights, lbs. old, may be quoted at $350. a 8450 .; medium do $175. a $275.
Apples-8150. a $200. per barrel.
Bacon-86.50 a $7.00 per pound.
Butter-Firm at SS.00 a $10.00 per pound. Beef-Fresh beef. $3.00 a 84.00 per pound ; wholesale.
Beeswax-85.00 a 85.50 per pound.
Beans-$35.00 a 845.00 per bushel for white.
Candles-$5.25 a 85.50 per pound.
Cheese-Imported 88.00 a $10.00 per pound; country $4.00 a $6.00.
Coffee-$12.50 per pound.
Corn-837.50 per bushel, and scarce.
Corn Meal-840.00 a 845.00 per bushel.
Hay-Scarce. $20.00 a $25.00 per cwt.
Onions-830.00 a 835.00 per bushel.
Peas-$25.00 a $40.00 per bushel, all kinds.
Potatoes-Irish, 812.00 a $20.00 per bushel, latter very fine.
Leather-Little on the market. Sole $10.00 a $11.00; last sales of upper $12.00.
Lime-820.00 a 825.00 per barrel.
Lard -- $7.50 a $8.00 per pound.
Liquors-Whiskey, $60.00 a $80.00 per gallon; apple brandy, 850.00 a 75.00; peach brandy, 880.00 a $90.00; rum, $80.00 a 890. Molasses-$50.00 a 800.00 per gallon ; Sorghum, $35.00 a $40.00. Nails-8110. a $130. per keg; factory price $85.00; but orders cannot be filled, owing to the scarcity of iron.
Sugar-Brown, 87.25 a 88.00 per pound; Crushed, 89.00 a $11.00 per pound.
Pork-$4.00 a 85.00 per pound.
Pepper-812.00 a $15.00 per pound.
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Rice-$1.00 a $1.25 per pound. 1
Salt-40 cents per pound last sales, Soap-$3.00 a $3.50.
Tar-$40.00 per barrel.
Turnips-85.00 a 87.00 per bushel.
Venison-Dry 84.00 a 84.50 per pound.
Vinegar -- 85.00 a 86.00 per gallon.
FINANCIAL.
Gold 821.00 a 821.25 for 81.00. Silver 819.00 a 19.50. Virginia Treasury notes $1.28; coupons of 15 million. fifty cents premium. Sterling 820.25 ; Virginia bank notes $3.00 for $1.00."
On one occasion the Belfast folks got an idea that there was to be a "boom." as we say now-a-days, and every one who could do so, began to lay in a good supply of the necessary articles. Mrs. H. N. Lancaster, on one occasion bought two thousand dollars' worth of tea, sugar etc., and it was considered that she had, as the " Age " puts it, "done a handsome thing."
Editor Simpson, of the " Rebublican Journal " seems to have printed a sheet, in which appeared sentiments. that the loyal men and women could not brook. and accordingly, on complaint, he was arrested, an indictment being found against him, in the U. S. Court at Bangor, for using treasonable language, tending to discouraging enlistments, and inciting resistance to the draft.
For a while the paper was suspended, but later re-appeared, and has since been one of the regular publications of the place. The time of suspension was in December, 1864.
In October, of this same year, Mr. David W. Edwards, a Waldo County deputy, lost his life, while in the performance of his duties. as a special agent of the Provost Marshal's office. Previous to this a draft had been held in Belfast, for a portion of Washington County, and the names of the men so drafted, had been given to a
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Mr. Perry, a deputy of Washington County, with instructions to serve the usual notices. Arriving at Wesley, he called at the house of one Day, a hard character, having several brothers, and . was about to proceed to business, when such threats and suspicious actions were advanced, as to cause him to withdraw without having fulfilled his mission. In fact pistols were drawn at the time, and only a quick retreat saved Perry. On the follow- ing Wednesday, officers Edwards and Burrows were sent with Perry, to arrest Day, the ringleader. Arriving at the house. the following day. just after twelve, they found it locked. Day was inside, however, and, raising the window, blandly inquired what was wanted. On learning the nature of the errand, he gave a whoop, evidently a pre-arranged signal, which was answered from various directions ; from behind stumps, trees and from the woods beyond, and a shot was fired, the slug grazing an officer, and bury- ing itself in the woodwork of the house. This was returned. Thereupon a volley from the thicket was fired, a slug entering the forehead of Edwards, killing him. The defeated and saddened officers returned without Day, bringing the body of their late com- rade, which was interred at Liberty. At this time, or soon after, Capt. Bean was removed from his position, for not taking prompt action looking to the arrest of Day, and was succeeded by Capt. Sanford.
There was enacted, also, another tragedy, which grew out of the war, and which caused great excitement in Belfast, and all through Waldo County. Charles Knowles, a member of the Seventh, and Isaac Grant, of Palmyra, a member of a Massachu- setts regiment, deserted, and came down into the vicinity of their homes, Knowles being a native of Troy. They first stole a horse and wagon, of Eben Whitcomb, of Waldo, the wagon being after- wards discovered at the home of Knowles' father, in Troy. Later
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they stole a horse and wagon, from one Bearce, in Dover, which they brought to Belfast, where they sold the horse, leaving the wagon and harness with John Mahoney, who resided in the lower part of the city. They remained about some days, finally selling the wagon to Mr. Mahoney. Later, the true owner came and identified his property, whereupon Mahoney got out a warrant. putting the same into the hands of the plucky Chief of Police, Charles O. MeKenney, who with Mahoney for a companion, start- ed in pursuit. This was Saturday. On Sunday evening, the good people who were in attendance at the usual prayer meeting, at the Methodist church, were startled by the hasty entrance of a messenger, who inquired for Sheriff Tucker. He brought the information that McKenney had been shot, and probably could not live. It was soon learned that the unfortunate man, together with Mahoney, had gone up river from Belfast, and soon got track of the deserters. They learned that Grant and Knowles, after their departure, had stolen two other horses, one owned by the Rev. N. W. Miller, of North Searsport, and the other by John Neally, of South Monroe. The officers searched in vain along the Bangor road, and, while returning, heard of the men having been at a house in Monroe the day before, and, also, that they had been detained there awhile, and then allowed to depart. About this time Constable Prescott, of Troy, appeared and joined in the pursuit, the party being in two wagons, Prescott and Mahoney ahead, with MeKenney and a young man following. About five o'clock Sunday afternoon, the forward party overtook Knowles and Grant, they walking along the road, separating, to allow the wagon to pass as it drove up. Prescott and Mahoney jumped as they arrived opposite the men, Prescott giving Knowles a blow over the head, which stunned him, and Mahoney throwing Grant. but Grant succeeded in turning him, and getting the pistol which
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Mahoney held. At this moment MeKenney drove up, jumping from his wagon while it was in motion, and being turned part way round by the momentum, and partly bent down. At this instant Grant fired at him with too true aim, the ball entering the back of McKenney, passing upward along the spine, and out through the shoulder on the right, disabling the cords of the arm on that side. Shifting his pistol to his left hand, with uncertain aim McKenney fired at Grant, the proximity of Mahoney making it dangerous for him to do so however:" Three shots were exchang- ed, when another ball entered the forearm of McKenney, and at this time he fell. Taking the pistol of McKenney, Grant ordered the release of Knowles. and both started for the woods. After going a few rods, Grant, who seemed crazy with rage, again turned on MeKenney, exclaming : "G-d d-n you, I'll finish you before I go." and fired three times, one ball passing through the clothing, just above the hip, and another grazing the head and breaking the skin of the hapless MeKenney. In company with Knowles he then disappeared in the woods.
As might be supposed this news caused great excitement in Bel- fast, and volunteers freely offered to go with Sheriff Tucker, who took ten men well armed, and started for the scene of the fight. Word was also sent to Troy, the home of Knowles, and many who had been his school mates turned out with guns and searched the woods in the vicinity of his house. Sheriff Tucker and his men tracked them along the bloody trail into the woods where all trace was lost. The search was continued however until the party be- came exhausted, and, meeting three men, Jenkins, Myrick and Hurd, he engaged them to keep up the search for the trail while his men slept. MeKenney was in the meantime removed to Belfast.
The new posse entered upon their work with vigor, searching along the muddy low lands of the Sebasticook for foot prints, when
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suddenly Grant and Knowles rose from the reeds directly in front of them and opened fire. Jenkins and his companions carried cocked guns, and responded instantly. A ball from Jenkins' rifle passed through the lobe of one ear of Grant-through the head also-cutting off the lobe of the other ear, yet, strange to say, touching no vital part. At the same instant a ball from Grant's pistol was plowing its way through the breast and heart of Jenkins, who fell dead. Myrick got a ball in the leg from the pistol of Knowles; while the latter got two balls-one from each of his op- ponents rifles-in his body. Hurd was the only man of the five who had not been hit, and he, clubing his gun, rained blow after blow upon Knowles, crushing his skull and beating him to the ground. Myrick, wounded as he was, had crawled to the dazed . Grant and secured him with a rope, but later on, Grant promising to refrain from violence, and. reminding his captors that they had been friends as boys, and that he was near death's door, secured his release. Instantly on being set free, he clubed his pistol and set upon Myrick, but Hurd coming to the rescue, Grant was club- ed until he was dead. Knowles died the next day. His body was taken to Troy, and buried there. The guns were afterwards brought to Belfast. They were all broken at the breech, the bar- rels bent and covered with hair and blood. McKenney lay for some time in a critical condition, and, although he lived for years, never fully regained his health.
NEWS OF LEE'S SURRENDER.
In common with the other patriots, nearly all the citizens of Bel- fast rejoiced greatly at the news of the surrender of Lee.
Exhilaration began early, and the people hardly knew what to do. They thronged the streets, while many joined a procession carrying a long rope and dragging a pair of wheels. They repair- ed to the lower part of the town, and, securing an old building,
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hauled it to Custom House Square where preparations were made for a bonfire. In the meantime the bells were clanging wildly; not rung in the usual way by rope, but by men and boys in the belfries, whose whole ambition seemed to be to "turn them over boys," until they flew from their bearings. The guns of the bat- teries, as well as those of the U. S. Steamer "Rhode Island," then laying in the harbor, belched forth congratulations and were answered from Searsport, where the good citizens were making merry over the joyful event. Searsport in turn could hear the gun- from up river, while flags were flying from every staff. The Bel- fast citizens also got out their field pieces, and while working these a sad accident occurred. John S. and Lewellyn Maddocks, two brothers, were blown from the mouth of one cannon by a prema- ture discharge. Other citizens had business out of town that day, but they were not of the Union sort, but constituted the class who holding party fealty above their country's salvation, had labored hard to block the wheels of progress, which, under Lincoln and his party, were sweeping away the fanaticism and bigotry of the South, and planting upon her soil the ensign of freedom and right.
A week later came the sad news of the Assassination of Lincoln. and joy gave way to sorrow. Some citizens who had thought it well to take a fishing trip on the receipt of the news of Lee's sur- render, had returned, and gave expressions of satisfaction at the sorrowful news. This aroused the indignation of the patriots, and quick flight only saved the disloyal ones. By some misappre- hension of facts, the crowd became convinced that one disloyal man who had uttered obnoxious sentiments, was secreted on board a certain schooner at one of the wharves, and, procuring a rope made their way there. A man was found on board, takeu ashore and preparations made to hang him, when he succeeded in getting the attention of some of the excited trong, and convinced them
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he was not the man they wanted. As a merchant afterwards put it: " It was a narrow squeak for the sailor chap."
Belfast was truly glad when the war was over, having during all the struggle bravely borne her part, and ever evinced her loyalty to the Union. For some years after, her vessels sailed to all quarters of the world, many came to her markets, and prosperity was on her right hand and on her left. In an evil hour she caught the railroad fever, and, after giving her money freely, was betray- ed and given over to her enemies. Later she met with another misfortune, when she was handed over to that great monoply-the Me. Central Railroad-which, winding its serpentine trail through our state, crushes everything and everybody not in full accord with its own selfish interests. The iron horse has been her ruin, and to-day her ship building is a thing of the past ; her customers, or most of them, have sought other markets, her wharves are tumb- ling and decaying, and compared with Belfast of twenty years ago, she seems like a city stricken with palsy.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
The First Cavalry-They Were Never "Rattled"-The Organization-The Offi- cers From Eastern Maine-" Dashing " Spurling-Why Col. Goddard Resign- ed-How The Band Got Even-Leaving For The Front-Scenes Of Inactivi- ty-Douty Gains Command-Raiding And Skirmishing-They Save The Army Of Banks-The Gallant Fight At Brandy Station-Another At Aldie-The Fall Of Douty-The History Of The Regiment To The Close Of The War-Com- ing Home.
The First Maine Cavalry was raised from all sections of the State, and it is no discredit to other regiments, to say that, as a body, it took high rank, both in intelligence and fighting qualities. It is a remarkable fact that this regiment, although like the others originally made up of raw recruits, was never "rat- tled " or put to wild, dis-organized retreat, as was the case with many new regiments. Its record shows that its men and offi- cers had confidence in each other, had a mutual high regard, and through thick and thin, in camp life, hospital life, and on the field of strife, stood shoulder to shoulder, always ready to aid each other in every way; and their record, like that of the Second, Sixth, First Heavy, and other regiments, is something of which the State of Maine may well be proud. Eastern Maine was well represented, nineteen of the fifty-one officers being from that section.
The regiment was mustered in at Augusta, the thirty-first of October, 1861, under the following organization :
JOHN GODDARD, Colonel, Cape Elizabeth.
THOMAS HIGHT, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army.
SAMUEL H. ALLEN, Major, Thomaston.
DAVID P. STOWELL. Major, Canton.
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CALVIN S. DOUTY, Major, Dover.
BENJ. F. TUCKER. Adjutant. U. S. Army.
EDWARD M. PATTEN, Quartermaster. Portland. GEORGE W. COLBY, Surgeon, Richmond.
GEO. W. HALEY, Assistant Surgeon, Eastport.
BENJ. F. TEFT, Chaplain, Bangor.
A. P. RUSSELL, Sergeant Major, Houlton.
E. C. BIGELOW, Quartermaster Sergeant, Portland.
CHARLES S. CROSBY. Commissary, Bangor.
SAMUEL C. LOVEJOY, Hospital Steward, Rockland. A. D. BICKFORD, Principal Musician, Houlton.
Of Eastern Maine men, Company A had Sidney W. Thaxter, First Lieutenant; Company B, J. P. Cilley, Thomaston, Captain ; Wm. P. Coleman, of Lincolnville, and Frank L. Cutter, Union, Lieutenants ; Company D, Chas. II. Smith, Eastport, Captain, with Andrew B. Spurling and Wm. Montgomery of Orland, Lieu- tenants ; Company E, Black Hawk Putman, Houlton, Captain, and O. A. Ellis, of Lincoln, Second Lieutenant; Company K. George Cary, Houlton, First Lieutenant ; Company, M, Geo. M. Brown, Bangor, Captain, with John C. C. Bowen, Bangor, and Evans S. Pillsbury, Guilford, Lieutenants.
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Spurling was a dashing officer, and the following story is told regarding his enlistment. Early in the war, Gen. Chas. Ham- lin occupied an office in Orland, and one day Spurling entered it and said : " I don't suppose, Mr. Hamlin, that the Abolition par- ty would take me. would they ?"
Mr. Hamlin informed him that he knew of no reason why Spur- ling could not enlist, and told him so, whereupon Spurling unfold- ed his plan. There was to be a regiment of sharp-shooters raised, and he, (Spurling), had a number of men ready to enlist, pro- vided Gov. Washburn would commission him to raise a company.
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Mr. Hamlin immediately went to Augusta, saw the Governor, got the required papers, and brought them home, and Spurling at once set about raising the men. Matters progressed well for awhile, when Spurling again made his appearance at Mr. Hamlin's office.
"Say," ejaculated he. "my men don't care about this sharp shooting business. The cavalry is the thing that hits us! Can't you get this commission changed ?""
Later Mr. Hamlin got it "changed " to suit; the company was made up, entered the branch of service "that hits us," and made a grand record. Spurling won his way up, and was finally promoted to the regular army.
The regiment remained at Augusta during the winter. Early in March Col. Goddard resigned. He was an arbitrary, haughty man, ruling his officers and men as he had been accustomed to rule his back-woodsmen and river drivers. When the time came for the regiment to go to the front, about forty of the officers waited on the Governor, and informed him that they could stand no more of the Goddard rule, and should resign. Of course this was not to be thought of, and the Colonel was asked to hand in his resignation which he did. One incident will serve to show how the men re- garded him. For some slight breach of military decorum, he at one time placed the entire band in the guard house. They determined on revenge. The next Sunday the regiment was ordered out for church. On these occasions Goddard made a great spread. He had secured a hall in the city, and every Sabbath day, Dr. Teft held services. The men had fine overcoats, new uniforms with top boots, having accross the front the words "First Maine Cav- alry;" gloves, etc. It was the order of Goddard that the band play while marching by the State House, and again when approaching the hall. On this occasion the first part of the order was carried out, and then the band allowed their brass instruments to freeze up.
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When the time came to play again no sound was heard, at which Goddard became wroth, and sent an orderly forward to learn the cause of the silence. The band orderly informed the messen- ger that the band was frozen up, and the same was reported to God- dard. He swore as only troopers are supposed to swear, and when the hall was reached and the soldiers and the large audience seated, he ordered the band to go to the stove, thaw out their instruments and "play that tune," which they did, while Dr. Teft, with sober face, and the audience with many countenances. looked on in silence. Later, during the war, Goddard visited the regiment, and the band tendered him a serenade, playing two tunes, after which the former colonel addressed them, saying among other pleasant things, that in his opinion, "the climate hereabouts is evidently much better for your business than that of Augusta, as I observe you can play two tunes without freezing up." The boys gave three cheers at this, while the band answered with the new tune : "Right you are old man !"
Maj. Allen was promoted to the position vacated by Goddard and a few days later the regiment embarked for the front. Com- panies A, D, E and F, under Col. Allen, March 14th, '62; arriving in Washington the 19th. when thirty men under Capt. Smith, were sent to Upton's Hill. Va .. to guard property.
On the 20th, Companies B, I, II and M, left Augusta, under Major Douty, arriving in Washington on the 24th, and were four days later joined by Companies C, G, K and L, under Major Stow- ell.
On the 30th, Companies A, B, E. IL and M, under command of Major Douty. marched to' Harper's Ferry, where they joined Mill's brigade. Here they remained guarding railroads, etc., until May 11th, when they joined Gen. Banks, and were attached to Gen. Hatch's Cavalry Brigade. Just before this, Major Douty
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was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. vice Lieutenant Colonel Hight, resigned. In the meantime, the seven companies, under Major Stowell, on April 5th, joined Gen. Abercrombie's brigade at Warrenton Junction. On the 12th, six companies, under Major Stowell, went towards Culpepper C. H., and discovered about one hundred rebels, drove them, and captured eight prisoners. This was done by Lieutenant Taylor, and a squad of only fifteen men. On the 20th, Lieutenant Colonel Douty, with three companies had a skirmish with the enemy at Woodstock, and captured the place. On the 23d, Col. Douty made a charge with his command. against two thousand rebel infantry and six guns. It was a terrible and daring charge, one that caused great loss to the regiment, and was the result of an unauthorized order to "charge." The loss of horse was one hundred and seventy-six. After the engage- ment, Col. Douty and his command covered the retreat of Gen. Banks to Williamsport.
On the 28th the regiment, under Col. Allen, joined Gen. McDowell at Manassas Junction. Two companies under Col. Douty, were selected for the very dangerous work of opening com- munication between MeDowell, at Fort Royal, and Banks, at Williamsburg, and on the afternoon of July 2d, under Maj. Whit- ney, they started. This perilous trip was successfully carried out, and the return made July 5th.
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