USA > Maine > Eastern Maine and the rebellion: being an account of the principal local events in eastern Maine during the war.. > Part 19
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Says the history of the First Maine Cavalry :
" The last charge brought them to a point, in the valley between two hills, west of the battery, and directly under its guns. At this critical moment, it was discovered that they were com- pletely surrounded, and cut off from all support, whilst the rebels were literally swarming on every side. The gunners on the hill were waiting to pour death through their devoted ranks."
"Lieutenant Colonel Smith, was now in command, as Douty and some of the officers had been separated from the regiment, during the hand to hand fight at the battery, and he saw only ore avenue of escape. The men were formed and moved directly towards the battery, as if inviting attack. For a moment tley dashed on, and when it was seen that the guns had been sighted, and were about to be discharged, the order was given to swing to the right. In an instant after came the cannon's roar, but not a man or horse fell. The grape and canister tore along the left flank, plowing the ground, vacated but an instant before." Just here bayonets were seen glistening along the woods, and, to an orderly hunying across the field, the question was put :
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" What troops are those along the woods ?"
"'Tis the Sixth Maine," was the answer.
For an instant all was quiet, and then rang out a glad shout. They were safe! They knew the Sixth; probably the grandest regiment of infantry that ever carried the colors of the Union. Indeed, there stood there too, perhaps, the best regiment of cavalry that entered the Union army, and if any State ever had reason to be proud of her representatives, Maine had a right to be proud of. her sons who stood together after the fierce conflict at Brandy Station.
On the 17th of June, Colonel Douty fell, while leading his men in another charge. This was in the action at Aldie. Again he turned the enemy, and greatly contributed to the success of the day. Isaac H. Bailey, of New York, in the Northern Monthly says :
" But the shouts of triumph, which heralded the substantial success at Aldie, were soon hushed, as in the presence of a great sorrow, for the intrepid Colonel had fallen dead in the extreme front. He had covered himself with glory, but, alas ! he had sealed his devotion to his country with his blood, he had exchanged the laurel for the cypress. The praises which echoed through the ranks of his comrades, as they saw him dash with impetuous bravery against the foe, were lost to him.
He had won his star, but it was not destined to glitter on his shoulder. Yet the radiance of his fame will endure when the insignia of rank shall have faded away. The witnesses of his valor, will remember him as one of the truest and bravest patriots who ever unsheathed a sword in defense of his country's honor. It was a noble life, crowned by a glorious death."
Before this battle, Douty and some of his officers, were talk- ing of the rapid promotions in some New York regiments, made
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on account of resignations. Turning around, Douty said : " If you gentlemen get promoted, it will be by fighting. If I am killed and you survive, you'll have a chance.".
Saturday, June 28th, 1863, the remains of Col. Calvin S. Douty were laid away in the churchyard, in Dover. Soon after dinner, on that day, all the roads leading to the village were throng- ed with teams, loaded with people, all anxious to testify their respect to his memory. Hundreds of teams were in the streets, . and about four thousand people were in the town. The services at the house consisted of singing. reading a passage of the scrip- ture, by Rev. Mr. Darling, of the Congregational church, and a prayer by Rev. Mr. Herring, of the Baptist church.
The procession previously formed. then received the remains, marching to the cemetery in the following order :
Colonel Geo. Varney, Second Maine, Marshal. Captain Jefferds and Lieutenant Kittredge, Assistants. Hale's Brass Band. Company C, State Guards, Capt. Harlow.
Mosaic Lodge, F. and A. M. Joined by members of neighboring Lodges, to the number of one hundred.
Pall Bearers. Hearse drawn by two black horses, led by grooms. Pall Bearers. Family and relatives in carriages. Returned officers and soldiers. Clergymen and speakers.
Committee of Arrangements, Messrs. A. G. Lebrook, R. Dearborn, C. E. Kim- ball, S. P. Brown, G. W. Sawyer, Colonel Silas Paul and C. Chamberlin. Muncipal officers of Dover and Foxcroft. Dover and Foxcroft Union Leagues. Citizens and Strangers.
The services at the grave were singing, followed by a prayer by Rev. Mr. Abbott, and an address by Hon. John Rice, after which David Barker, Esq., recited an original poem written for
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the occasion. Remarks were then made by Mr. Hayden and Mr. George Pickering, of Bangor.
Masonic ceremonies were then performed, after which, benedic- tion by Rev. Mr. Godfry, of the Methodist church, and a dirge by the band closed the services at the grave. They were solemn and impressive, and made a lasting impression on all in attendance.
CHAPTER XXIX.
War Matters In Dexter-A Strong Union Sentiment-And A Large "Secesh" Element-Local Matters-The Great Peace Conventions-Fifteen Thousand .People Gather-"Seven Barrels Of Doughnuts"-A Monster Procession-Sen- timents Hostile To The Union-The Dexter Band "Play It" On The Denio- crats-Interviews With Men Who Participated-Scenes At Barton's Grove- Treasonable Talk -- The Dinner Cooked On The Vice-President's Stove.
Dexter, the largest town in Penobscot County, was the home of some strong Union men, when the war broke out in 1861, and she had, also, within her borders, some whose whole sympathy was with those who were trying to destroy the Union of the States, and, under the plea of being " States Rights Men." and " Peace Men," said, and did all in their power, to block the wheels of the Federal Government. The Union men early responded to their country's call, and freely enlisted at the office, which had been opened by Mr. N. Dustin. Indeed, eighty men, a full com- pany. enrolled themselves there, but owing to orders, which are mentioned in the history of the local events of Bangor, were
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disbanded, but later on were re-enlisted and entered the army, going to the front as a portion of the Sixth Regiment.
As in other places, war meetings were held, and the people gathered, were addressed by such men as the Hon. Lewis Barker, and others. From time to time the required quotas were filled, the town always showing a spirit of liberality, although opposed at every step by the opposition, many of whom were large tax pay- ers. At one time the town had a standing offer of one hundred dollars bounty, in addition to all other bounties, for any man who would enlist and be credited to Dexter. When the proposition was first made to pay this sum, the "secesh " element raised the point that the town could not legally give it, that it would require some change in the then existing laws, -- but, not disturbed by this, Mr. Dustin raised the necessary funds on his own notes, having full faith that his townsmen at the right time, and in the right place, would make the amount good to him, which they did.
When the Draft came there was the same anxiety, and the same scenes enacted as in other towns, although it would seem that there was not the same spirit of patriotism abroad there as was seen else- where. Out of thirty-five men drafted at one time, no less than thirteen fled the county, and in some cases the country too.
The "secesh" element began operations early, forming what they were pleased to term a " Democratie Club," which was com- posed of the men who dared to place themselves on record as against the Government. Although using a party name, this club was not a democratic gathering, doing great dishonor to the loyal men who enrolled themselves under the banner of Jameson. The democratic party was for war, and it was the opposition to this sentiment that gathered and adopted a motto of "Peace among Brethren." Early in 1863. this party began to "talk up" the matter of having a grand open air meeting, it being suggested that
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Independence day would be the proper time to declare their senti- ments, and to discourage what Emery termed an " Unholy War." Finally an executive committee was chosen, letters and circulars freely sent out among the faithful, many of whom lived in the adjoining towns, and particularly in Charleston ; advertisements were inserted in such papers as would advertise their gathering, and finally they made Mr. A. L. Barton chairman, with full power to "proceed with the proceedings," as one of the members put the motion.
Mr. Barton lived then as now, on the Garland Road, about three miles from town. In the rear of his house stood a twenty acre wood lot, or grove, of hard wood, containing only two soft wood trees. It is a beautiful spot, and a fit place for a much better gathering than the one which proposed to meet there. At first Mr. Barton was instructed to give an estimate on the probable cost of a first class dinner, but. later on was told to "go ahead" and get. up.just the biggest kind of a "feed" he could. He now raised a flag across the road in front of his house, and by the middle of June was hard at work, perfecting the arrangements for the "Con- vention." In speaking to the author about it, Mr. Barton said :
" The first thing I did was to buy a cow, to be roasted whole, and she weighed nigh onto twenty-two hundred, and I paid one hundred and seventy five dollars for her. Then I went to Bangor to buy other supplies. I bought a barrel of corned-beef, six barrels of flour, and two barrels of sugar, of R. S. Morrison.
Then I bought seven barrels of tumblers, and a big lot of knives and forks, the folks agreeing that I could return what was left. I went to see my friend, Henry A. Wood, who, though he did not agree with me in polities, yet was always a good friend. I wanted to hire a stove suitable to cook on, with all the fixings, and he took me up stairs and showed me a nice, big stove,
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and asked me if it would do. I told him I thought it would, and he then told me it was a stove that belonged to Hannibal Hamlin, but that it was stored there, and that he had the letting of it. I asked him if Mr. Hamlin would allow it to be used by me, to cook a peace dinner on, and he told me that it would be "all right." I took it home, and on that stove all the food was . cooked. We cooked piles of stuff, and my wife did all of it, except what the neighbor's girls helped. Amongst other food, she cooked up seven barrels of fried-cakes, or what you call doughnuts. In the grove we had eight tables, each nearly one hundred feet long. and they were full of people twice. I got fifty cents for each dinner, and took in all, nearly eight hundred dollars, though some didn't pay. When I got all fixed up, all the help paid, and their receipts taken, I found there was eighty-four dollars left over. That I gave to the Club, but they voted to give it to me for my trouble. I think we had ten thousand people on the grounds that day, and the procession reached from my house to Dexter, nigh onto three miles. I tell you it was a big time."
Undoubtedly there were fifteen thousand people, in and about Dexter that day, and it is said to be a fact, as Mr. Barton states, that the procession reached from the town to the grove. As the head of it marched away, escorting the distinguished guests and speakers, the loyal men secured the Dexter Band, which, on being stationed near by the line, struck up the tune "John Brown's Body," while others held out hats and boxes for contributions. The marching " Peace Men " and their families, thinking it a part of the regular show, " chipped in." quite liberal- ly, and applauded the tune, which was the only one the band would play. Quite a sum was realized, and quite a time was enjoyed with it. by the Union youngsters, and as may be sup- posed, the deluded people were mad when they learned of the neat trick, which had been played upon them.
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At the grove. the multitude was addressed by the Hon. Moses McDonald. of Portland : Abraham Sanborn, Esq., of Bangor; Hon. Adams Treat. of Frankfort, and Henry Hudson, Esq., of Guilford. For music they employed the Guilford and Corinth Bands. One of these bands had forgotten some of its earlier expressions, as they once voted " confusion to all rebels," and also volunteered to " play free at any Union flag raising this side of New Orleans."
. In 1864, there was held another of these " Peace Meetings," at the same grove, and from " The Democrat," which had been re- established, we take the following account, printed July 12th, 1864. A perusal of the utterances will at once show that the speakers were either the most deluded of men, or were villains of the deepest dye, bent on misrepresenting existing facts, and striving in every way to injure the Government.
THE GREAT PEACE MEETING.
"The Great Peace Meeting of the Democracy of Eastern Maine, at Barton's Grove, in Dexter, on the Fourth of July, was the grandest political demonstration that has ever taken place in this State. The day was most auspicious. The fine rain of Saturday afternoon and night had satisfied the thirsty earth and completely laid the dust, and the air was clear, cool and fragrant. The sun had hardly risen before the people began to assemble. They came in long lines from the valleys of the Penobscot, the Piscataquis, and the Kennebec, and from Union river, and even far off Aroos- took was represented there. As the morning hours rolled on, the roads from every quarter centering at the grove became black with carriages as far as the eye could reach. By ten o'clock the great grove was densely thronged with thousands of men, women and children, and yet the great procession had not appeared. At length the inspirings strains of music were heard, and the head of the pro-
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cession was seen coming over the hill towards Dexter Village, escorted by the East Corinth Band, and under the chief marshal- ship of Jesse Nutting, Esq., of Parkman. Far away towards the rear, in the midst of the long line was also the Hartland Band. It was half-past eleven o'clock before the procession had wound its long length through the grove. The meeting was immediately called to order by Stephen D. Jennings, Esq., of Garland, and or- ganized by the choice of officers. The immense audience was then entertained by excellent music from the two bands in attendance. The meeting was opened by. a fervent and ardent prayer for the country and the restoration of Peace, by the chaplin of the day, the Rev. Mr. Lyford, of Dexter. After prayer, the Declaration of Independence was recited in a earnest and effective manner, by . Master J. Wesley Jones, of Dexter, and the President then in happy language introduced the orator of the day, the Hon. C. Chauncy Burr, of New York. As Mr. Burr stepped forward the immense throng arose to their feet. and received him with loud and prolonged cheers. The speech of Mr. Burr will be found on the outside of the paper to-day. It is a masterly piece of eloquence and power; but to have been appreciated it should have been heard as it fell from his lips. No language of ours can give any idea of its effect upon the audience. The seed has been soun ; may it bear its fruit!"
After Mr. Burr's speech, the throng made its way to the dinner park, which had been enclosed in a delightful part of the grove, where the Committee of Arrangements had spread eight tables, each one of which was nearly two hundred feet long. They were covered with clean, white cotton cloth, through the munificence of S. S. Drew, Esq., of this city. In an inconceivable short space of time, these tables were filled with twenty-five hundred people, of both sexes : and yet, again and again, were they spread and re- spread, and filled and re-filled, during the afternoon.
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On the assembling of the multitude, after dinner, the President introduced S. S. Drew, Esq., of Bangor. Mr. Drew made a brief and happy speech. He paid a glowing tribute to the great speech of Mr. Burr. and to the thousands of ladies in attendance. He said that Judge Kent, at the late inauguration of the Soldier's Monument, in Bangor, had declared that the ladies would not permit this war to end, even if the men were inclined to close it. He said that the vast audience of ladies before him, who had, with true womanly sympathy. so unmistakably expressed their approbation of the Peace sentiments, so eloquently uttered by the orator of the day, gave the lie to Judge Kent's slander and libel on the character of the women of Maine. Mr. Drew dwelt with great force upon the importance of adhering to the great doctrine of the Sovereignty of the States, as the sheet anchor of our liberties. His remarks were received with great favor and applause.
The President next introduced Marcellus Emery, of Bangor. Mr. Emery said: That he had hoped to be excused from speaking to- day, but that he dared not disobey the commands of the President. who was then a man in authority, having, on that day, an immense Democratic army at his back, and he had but to say to this man, go, and he goeth, and to this man come, and he cometh.' He had, however, no heart to address them on this occasion. The same pall of darkness, that settled down upon their souls, oppressed his own. He would not deceive them if he could, he could not if he would. They were standing to-day amidst the wreck and ruins of the most glorious Republic that ever adorned the earth, and over the graves of buried liberties. . The gentle summer breeze, which was sighing so mournfully through that grand old forest, seemed to him to be playing a requiem of the Union, buried beyond the hope of resurrection.
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Four years ago, he had seen the very flag that floated from yonder liberty pole, unfurled for the first time in the city of Ban- gor. There was then upon it, in the language of Governor Sey- mour, 'a star for every State, and a State for every star.' As he looked upon that banner now, he felt that the cluster of stars only remained there now a mocking emblem of a glory, and a joy which once existed, but are now gone forever. Hle almost felt that he could reach forth his hand, and pluck from that mocking constellation, the bright star, that glitters in the name of Maine, but he would leave the stripes behind, as a fitting emblem of her present degradation. He came before them to repeat his old story. He came to exhort them to put an end to the unholy strife. Sixteen months ago he addressed them in their town hall, at the village. He then told them of the impossibility of conquering the South. He had foretold there, how army after army would be called for and swept away, if the war should be continued. There were some, on that occasion, who regarded his words, but in the rear of the hall, there were many young men, who seemed to mock at his warnings. Where are those young men to-day ? How many of them may not be sleeping their last sleep, on the bloody fields that stretch from the Rapidan, away beyond the banks of the James.
He would not appeal to Democrats to exert their power and in- fluence to end the war. Their hearts were already in the work ; but he would appeal to Republicans, to all who had hitherto given their support to the war in the vain hope that it would be produc- tive of fruit meet for the sacrifice made, to lay aside all passion, all party associations, and in the awful presence of the appalling events of the past sixty days, to unite with all good men and put an end to this accursed war. There were men, however, that we could nt hope to reach or move by any appeal. He meant the President. his Cabinet, and his Congress.
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There is a poetical legend that when the midnight storm rages, and the wild waves of the ocean lash the rock bound shores of St. Helena, as they did on the eventful night when the spirit of the great Napoleon took its departure from earth, the shades of a drummer-boy appears upon the island and beats the roll-call upon his spectral drum. The shades of the soldiers of the great chief- tain throughout Europe and Egypt respond to that call, and over the ocean they come from the fields of Austerlitz, Lutzen, Boro- dino and from the base of the pyramids, all arrayed in spectral armor. The ghostly line is formed-long interminable lines-and then Napoleon himself appears upon his spectral charger, and re- views that ghostly army until the morning light scatters the mists and myths away.
"The speaker would have such a legend for this unhappy country too. . He would have the President, his Cabinet and his Congress gathered on the dome of the Capitol; he would have the shade of of some drummer boy appear upon the scene, and beat his ghostly roll call. Then let the shades of the myriads who have fallen in this ungodly strife come forth from their graves. Let the ghostly columns come from Gettysburg, from Shiloh, from Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and from those hundreds of other battle fields that stain the land from the Potomac to the Rio Grande ; let them wind through and fill the streets of Washington; let them cover the hills and valleys around ; then let that President, that Cabinet, and that Congress look upon the work of their hands. What fam- ily, what man, what woman in this vast audience, would not find a representative of their homes in that innumerable throng of shades ? If such a sight would not move our rulers to Peace, 'twere vain to hope for peace from them. In concluding, Mr. Em- ery said there was an arm contending against us stronger than any arm of flesh-it was the omnipotent arm of the God of Liberty."
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In the forenoon Chauncey Burr said : "Looking over the plain of my country what do I see? A battlefield and a graveyard. I see at one end of this plain a people fighting for their liberties ; and at the other end, a people trying to throw them down faster than a mountebank tyrant can pick them up. I see. every fourth woman in mourning, and every little child an orphan.
Where there were fruitful fields, I see a gulf of blood. I see brutal butcher's shambles in the church where stood the altars of religion.
I see judges. forgetful of their oath of office, yielding to the scandalous delusion of the hour, allow the courts of sovereign and independent States to be made null by act of Congress.
I see generals and provost marshals sitting in the seats of judges, and military commissions. in the place of jurors. I see virtuous and unoffending citizens dragged to the Bastiles, not only without law, but in violation of both the organic and statute laws of the land.
I see a debt amounting to more than one half the value of the property of the North.
I see a corpse in every family, and want scowling at every man's door.
I see the rich madly crowding along on the road to poverty, and the poor approaching the brink of beggary.
And I see the Goddess of Liberty. like Caesar, writhing in the midst of our Senate, covering herself with her mantle as she re- ceives thrice times three and twenty wounds, and breathing out her last with an et tu quoque mi fili."
There were of course some local disturbances in Dexter, on ac- count of this "secesh" element. One Southern sympathizer was given a ride, "straddle-bug fashion," on a razor-like rail, and the older inhabitants tell with much glee of the discomfiture which
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came to a party of young bloods, who undertook to punish one of the women who denounced, on every occasion, the Union boys, and always seemingly rejoiced at the news of Union defeats. At last-so the story goes-it was concluded to punish her, and the occasion of the news of the death of Lincoln, was thought to be one on which she would utter some treasonable sentiment. A large hayrack was procured in which to bring her to town, and quite a party started for her home. Arriving at a hollow near her residence, a halt, was made, while two men proceeded to the door of her house, just over the hill, to relate the news of the assassina- tion, when it was expected she would rejoice and commit herself. Now the old lady happened to be in her buttery, saw the party as they approached. and "smelt a mice," as the saying is. She kept cool however, and, when a few moments later a knock came on her door, appeared with her sleeves rolled up and arms covered with flour. as was also her apron.
"Good morning " said the spokesman.
" Good day, gentlemen!" was the answer.
" We have come up, Aunt -, to tell you some bad news."
"For the Lord's sake, you don't tell ! What on arth is the mat- ter?"
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