USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 24
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after a night of great suffering. A physician was summoned and repeated efforts made to notify his family ; but communication by telegraph had been cut off by the storm Saturday night. We understand that Mr. Fuller was conscious during the day and exceed- ingly anxious to see his family, that he expressed a wish that Joel Wilbur, his brother-in-law, take charge of his business. He died Sunday evening. The Portland papers report that he died of heart disease.
The special train that went for Mr. Fuller's remains on Tuesday afternoon was beautifully decorated by the ladies of Phillips. In the head-light of the engine was a Masonic emblem, em- bedded in roses, while the engine was draped its full length with black and white. A good number of the Masons of the Phillips Lodge, of which Mr. Fuller was a member, went to Farm- ington to bear home what was left of the departed brother. A very large number of citizens were waiting at the depot when the train returned to Phil- lips at a quarter before seven.
The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Livermore, at the Union Church, Thursday, at eleven o'clock. A select choir, led by Mr. N. P. Noble with Mrs. Joel Byron at the organ, furnished music both sweet and appropriate. The address of Mr. Johnson was tender and well timed, suited to the sad occasion.
The casket rested in front of the altar, completely shadowed by the growing oleander and other flowers placed around it. At 12 m. N. B. Beal, Esq., who conducted the funeral gave the public a chance to view the remains of their former neighbor.
The burial service of the Masons was conducted at the grave, and at half past one o'clock all that was mor- tal of W. F. Fuller was committed to
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OBITUARIES.
mother earth. He is mourned by a grief-stricken family and a large circle of friends. - Phillips Phonograph, July 25, 1884.
On Saturday, the third of July, 1886, this community was shocked at the painful intelligence that Dr. FRANK BODFISH was stricken with insanity. Day after day the people anxiously waited and hoped for the recovery of him who was one of our most beloved citizens. But the Doctor's vitality was not strong enough to rally from the severe attack upon his nervous ener- gies, his sickness being the result of long-continued ill-health, ending in nervous prostration. In the evening of Tuesday, the thirteenth, he sank into a stupor, from which he never aroused. His death occurred at II o'clock Friday night, July 16th. The funeral services were held at his late residence on Elm street, Sunday after- noon, Rev. John Kimball, pastor of the Universalist church, officiating. The Doctor was buried with Masonic honors by Northern Star Lodge of Freemasons, of which he was a mem- ber. Gen. Ord Post, G. A. R., of which he was also a member, acted as escort to the procession, composed of the relatives of the deceased, one hundred and twenty Masons, and a long line of carriages containing citizens of this and surrounding towns. A special train from Norridgewock brought many Masons and others from that town and Madison, while many came with teams from Madison, Embden, Solon and New Portland. There was a large concourse of people. Drs. Twaddle and Wing of Anson, Drs. Stevens and Bennett of New Portland, Dr. Hussey of Norridgewock, and Comrade George F. Moore of Anson, were the pall bearers. All the people
seemed eager to show their respect to one they liked so well.
Dr. Bodfish was born in Fairfield in 1841, but passed the most of his youth in Gardiner and Waterville. He graduated from Waterville College (now Colby University) in 1862. Im- mediately after his graduation he en- listed in the Twenty-first Regiment of Maine Volunteers, and was assigned to the position of hospital steward, it being his business to compound medi- cines. After a while he left the army to enter upon medical study, with a view of returning to the army. Accord- ingly, he graduated from the Maine Medical School at Brunswick, in 1864, having previously studied with Dr. Boutelle, of Waterville. After his graduation he re-enlisted, and was as- signed to duty as assistant surgeon in the Fifty-sixth Illinois Regiment of Volunteers, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Later he was assigned to the same position in the First Maine Cavalry, with which he served to the close of the war. After- ward he attended a course of medical lectures at Harvard and at the Jeffer- son Medical College in Philadelphia. In 1866 he came to this village to establish a drug store, and has built up, in the last twenty years, a large and lucrative business. The doctor leaves a widow, the daughter of Hon. Albert Moore, and one son.
On account of his feeble health and a natural shrinking from the responsi- bility and hardship attending the prac- tice of medicine as an exclusive busi- ness, the doctor preferred the quieter life of a druggist; but his thorough medical education, sound judgment, and great caution abundantly qualified him as a safe and able medical adviser. His extreme diffidence and lack of conceit forbade his exhibiting his knowledge, but those that have sought
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
it have always been benefited thereby, and many have from time to time urged him to abandon the drug busi- ness and enter upon the regular prac- tice of medicine and surgery.
As a friend he was true and con- stant; as a man, honorable in his deal- ings, free from gossip and slander, friendly to every one, and every one was friendly to him. Mild and pleas- ant and kind-hearted, it would have pained him to hurt another by his tongue or his acts. He led a quiet, unobtrusive life, content with enjoy- ment in his happy home and among his friends. He believed in God and a happy future, and died as peacefully as a child falls asleep on the bosoni of his mother; then his weary, troubled spirit felt once more the joy of return ing reason.
ANSON, 1886. S.
(See p. 459, History.)
The following list of the comrades of the First Maine Cavalry belonging to the Department of Maine, Grand Ariny of the Republic, who have died during the year, is taken from the report of the Department Chaplain, presented to the Encampment at the session in Portland, February 18th and 19th last : Post 2, Andrew S. Fisher, age 54 years, 7 months, Co. F, died Aug. 12, 1890. Post 7, Geo. W. Hussey, age 58 years, Co. E, died March 24, 1890.
Post 17, Abiezer Veazie, age 58 years, Co. B, died Aug. 14, 1890, at Malden, Mass.
Post 36, John H. Bickford, age 66 years, Co. K, died July 30, 1890.
Post 44, Geo. D. Palmer, age 68 years, Co. B, died Feb. 12, 1890.
Post 844, William H. Gray, age 70 years, Co. B, died Sept. 20, 1890.
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Entered at the Post Office, Rockland, Me , as Second-Class Matter.
CAMPAIGN II. JULY, 1891. CALL 5.
" The neighing troops, the flashing blade, The Bugle's stirring blast."
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY, JULY, OCTOBER, JANUARY AND APRIL, 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 INTER- EST TO ALL OF ITS MEMBERS.
PRICE ONE DOLLAR A YEAR, OR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS A CALL.
REUNION AT BANGOR,
October 4th, 1887.
SERVICES AT THE DEDICATION OF THE CAVALRY SHAFT AT GETTYSBURG.
EDITOR, EDWARD P. TOBIE, PAWTUCKET R. I.
Published by the First Maine Cavalry Association.
ADDRESS, J. P. CILLEY, Treasurer, ROCKLAND, MAINE.
ATTENTION !
THIS IS BREAKFAST CALL.
Fatty, Fatty, Fatty, Fatty, Not a mite of lean, Soupy; Soupy, Soupy, Soupy, Not a darned a bean.
Comrades, many of you have acted as if Reveille was a request for you to turn over and go to sleep on the other side.
Stable Call only induced you to snore the louder; while at Roll Call you were as dumb as the wooden horse left by the Greeks before the walls of Troy.
Call No. 4 found you among the "led horses," still asleep. My only recourse is now to sound "Breakfast Call" in hopes you will open your mouths even if your eyes remain closed in slumbers. I know from prac- tical observation, when it comes to a matter of eating, you are a brilliant success. It has been repeatedly demonstrated to those who have enter- tained us, that you can act well the part of the aforesaid wooden horse and cat as if you had a regiment of hungry men safely locked within, demanding full rations. You ate $1,000 worth of provender at the Revere House and almost bankrupted the City of Boston by your lunch at Deer Island the next day.
We have fed you during the past year with quarterly Bugles, full and juicy. Like Oliver Twist you call for "more," all of which is delightful and commendable, but why do you not, like a good chicken, walk up to the dough dish and settle your bill?
The last time I stood in imagination before you, I told you frankly just how I felt and how anxiously I waited for the returns from the adjutant's office. That date was Feb. 2d, 1891. It is now June 2d, 1891, and behold the returns received up to this date :
J. P. CILLEY, Treasurer, in account with the
FIRST MAINE BUGLE Dr. Cr.
To Cash from 127 Subscribers for the Year
127 00
" 67 " individual Calls . 16 75
By Cost of Printing Call Oue
154 05
" Two 95 00
" Three 175 37
66
" Four 98 60
Postage, Express and all Expenses except Ins. on Hist. 36 89
Balance Due
416 16
559 91 559 91
This apparent cloud of doubtful financial success is disheartening, but I tell you it has a silver lining, rich and promising. Comrade after comrade has contributed to send a Bugle to comrades earnestly desiring the same. but unable to spare the money to pay for it. Thus the heart of him who has given has been enlarged and the heart of him receiving has been made happy, and our regimental association has felt a glow of life akin to eternity.
No matter if these gifts have been few they are in the right direction and are bright with fresh fragrance.
I was led to propose the plan by receiving a letter from a comrade who served in another company and at a different time, and who had not a personal acquaintance with the comrade, saying, "I have read the letter of John F. Lord in the January issue and I desire you to send him a History and charge the same to me, but I do not want my name men- tioned."
The question came home to me, are there not other warm hearts in the regiment? Are not other comrades " flat on their backs"? Thus the ball started, and may it keep on rolling.
Tobie now gives you a larger Bugle as a promise of the coming year and the comrades are gradually rousing themselves to bring their tithes to this our storehouse, till its "right to left" shall extend through a portly volume. Besides incidents of army life, it is hoped that hereafter it will also give us a view of your own present life, with what you are doing and the names of your wife and children, what comrades live near you, and still better, your own picture. It will not be long before the portraits of our wives and children shall adorn the pages of our quarterly.
It is now proposed to run "Campaign Two" till we work up our past reunion proceedings at the rate of one in each Call. This will make ten Calls. Campaign Three will then commence and we shall be ready for any improvements that the Association in its personality may determine as most fitting and appropriate.
If you will only "fall in" and keep step to the Calls of the Bugle, we will add some literary triumphs of peace to a war record second to none.
I will now ask you to attack the Breakfast Call with a good appetite and just enjoy what you eat and pay for the same or write that you de- sire some one to pay for you.
Your friend and comrade,
J. P. CILLEY.
0
Leaves found in the Bottom of the Teakettle after the Tempest.
It is the same old story. Adam said it was Eve who asked him and Eve said it was the serpent who tempted her.
Mr. Red Tape in the P. O. Department blames the "unfamiliar clerk " and the "unfamiliar clerk" says the " Debil".
All of which is very clear and you reply that the serpent's head was bruised, but where is there any precedent or authority for putting the official heel of Mr. P. O. on the head of the First Maine Bugle?
This can only be explained by showing that the new revised edition of the book of Genesis on file at headquarters can be so read, that instead of the serpents head being bruised, the innocent apple was crushed and made into cider .---
"And we'll all feel gay When Johnny comes marching home again. Hurrah !"
.
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION
OF THE
FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
The sixteenth annual reunion was held at Bangor, Tuesday, October 4th, 1SS7, it having for some reason been deemed im- practicable to hold it at Hallowell in accordance with the vote at the previous reunion. Headquarters were at the Windsor Hotel, where the comrades began to gather Monday evening. Tuesday morning the number was largely augmented as the trains arrived, and before noon there was more than two hun- dred comrades present at the reunion,-a reunion which one of the local papers pronounced "one of the best and most success- ful reunions in the history of the Association." As usual many old acquaintances were renewed, sometimes in cases where the comrades had not met each other since they were mustered out of the service.
BUSINESS MEETING.
At two o'clock the Association held a business meeting in Grand Army Hall, which was closely filled by as fine a looking body of men as are often seen together.
The meeting was called to order by the President of the As- sociation, Colonel Samuel H. Allen, of Thomaston, and Lieu- tenant Edward P. Tobie, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, acted as Secretary.
The first business was the appointment of a committee to nominate officers and to present the names of three places for the meeting next year. The committee was as follows: Field and Staff, Major George M. Brown, Bangor; Co. A, Sergeant
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Milton C. Chapman; B, Captain Jacob B. Loring, Thomaston ; C, Sergeant William A. Winter; D, Corporal Simeon A. Holden, Tremont ; E, Sergeant Lorenzo B. Hill, Augusta; F, Sylvanus L. Hanscom, Bucksport; G, Sergeant Volney H. Foss, Bangor; H, Private Charles Smith; I, Private Albert McDonough ; K, Lieut. George F. Jewett, Boston; L, Private Augustus L. Ord- way, Boston; M, Lieut. Edward Jordan, Bangor.
The names of Bar Harbor, Houlton and Pittsfield were pre- sented and Bar Harbor was unanimously selected.
The committee presented the following names for officers of the Association, and they were unanimously elected :
President, EDWARD P. TOBIE, Pawtucket, R. I.
Vice-President, AUGUSTUS R. DEVEREAUX, Ellsworth.
Secretary, - CHARLES A. F. EMERY, Boston.
Corresponding Sed'y, - ORRIN S. HASKELL, Pittsfield.
Treasurer, GEN. J. P. CILLEY, Rockland.
The following committee was appointed to obtain designs and erect a monument on the Gettysburg battlefield to commemorate the position held by the First Maine Cavalry during the battle, with full power to act: Major Sidney W. Thaxter, Col. Sam- uel H. Allen, Lieut. Edward P. Tobie, Major Henry C. Hall, and Dr. John P. Sheahan.
Major S. W. Thaxter in speaking on the subject announced that General Charles H. Smith had given $ioo toward the cx- pense of the monument in addition to the amount given by the State, and stood ready to help make up deficiencies. The an- nouncement was greeted with applause.
A committee consisting of Comrades J. P. Cilley, Albion C. Drinkwater, George M. Brown, George F. Jewett, and William S. Howe was appointed to select and adopt a design for a badge for the association.
THE BANQUET.
At half-past six o'clock the comrades formed in line at the Windsor Hotel, and, to the music of the Bangor Band, marched down Harlow street, across Kenduskeag bridge, through Central street and Central bridge to Norembega Hall, making a fine ap- pearance and attracting much attention. When they entered the
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7
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION.
hall, whither they had been preceded by those of the comrades accompanied by ladies, seats were at once assigned at the tables. These were six in number, five extending lengthways of the hall and one across the hall in front of the stage, and the hall had been very prettily and appropriately decorated for the occa- sion. Three hundred and twenty-five plates were laid and they were speedily occupied. The galleries were soon crowded with Bangor people, friends of the comrades, who were admitted by ticket.
Col. S. H. Allen, the retiring President of the Association, occupied the head of the main table. On his right was seated Governor Bodwell, and on his left Major George M. Brown, who was to preside at the post-prandial exercises. The rest of the seats at the table were occupied as follows: Judge T. H. Haskell, Ex-Gov. Davis, Gen. Charles Hamlin, Hon. C. A. Boutelle, Gen. J. P. Cilley, Gen. Henry L. Mitchell, Col. Jasper Hutchings, Gen. J. S. Smith, Col. A. B. Farnham, Major W. L. Whitney and wife, Capt. B. H. Putnam, of Houlton, Capt. W. S. Howe, of Lewiston, Major Sidney W. Thaxter, John L. Crosby, Esq., Col. James Dunning, Charles S. Pearl, Esq., Mrs. Calvin S. Douty, wife of the late gallant colonel of the regiment, Dr. D. A. Robinson, Hon. E. C. Burleigh, of Au- gusta, Col. A. C. Hamlin, Col. J. B. Peaks, Mr. E. M. Blan- ding, Mr. J. Swett Rowe, of the Whig, and Mr. C. S. Lunt, of the Commercial. At seven o'clock Col .. Allen called the com- rades to order, and said :
"Comrades of the First Maine Cavalry : I congratulate you one and all most heartily upon the highly flattering circumstances under which you assemble this evening upon your sixteenth anniversary. And in accordance with your time honored cus- tom to open your reunion by returning thanks to a kind Provi- dence, and as our State and people have been bountifully blessed and prospered in the past year, let us earnestly supplicate con- tinned blessings. I now have the pleasure of calling upon com- rade and Professor Sewall, of Bangor, who will invoke the Divine blessing."
In his invocation Prof. Sewall referred to those of the regi- ment who are no more with us but who gave their lives in the defense of their country, and asked God's blessing and wisdom upon those remaining. After grace had been said Major Brown
8
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
said the comrades needed no instructions as to the next move- ment, and an assault was at once made, "company front," on the delicacies with which the table was loaded.
After an hour had been devoted to a discussion of the repast provided, which was served to the company by a bevy of bright-eyed young ladies, most of them daughters, if not of the regiment, of soldiers of the war, the company was again called to order by the President and the post-prandial exercises were begun.
-
Major George M. Brown, chairman of the local committee of arrangements, was introduced and in behalf of the comrades in that city extended a cordial welcome to their comrades. He referred to the pleasure afforded by the presence of their com- rades, and their wives and daughters. He also referred touch- ingly to names inscribed around the hall -- names of engage- ments in which the regiment took part during the war, names merely to outsiders, but fraught with terrible meaning to sur- viving comrades. Major Brown made a most touching allusion to two comrades of the regiment who lay side by side, one pierced with a sabre cut and the other by a gun shot wound, and who met again for the first time at this reunion.
Col. Allen responded to this address substantially as follows :
"Comrades, in justice to my own feelings and in confidence that I voice yours, I desire to thank Major Brown for his elo- quent address of welcome, so generous, hearty and bountifully extended to us;" and addressing Major Brown he said: "I assure you that when we veterans go to our homes we shall carry with us a vivid and grateful remembrance of your words of good cheer so gracefully bestowed on this occasion." Then addressing the assemblage, Col. Allen said : " Ladies, gentlemen and comrades: We have with us our distinguished comrade, scout and forager, who never got left, or left a chicken to en- courage the enemy. J have the pleasure of introducing Major Brown, who will preside as your toast master."
Major Brown in accepting the position, said there would be no toasts, but that short speeches and poems would be given and that though some expected were not present there would be enough to occupy all the time. In some felicitous remarks, and his manner of introducing the speakers throughout the even-
Q
9
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION.
ing was very happy, he introduced as the first speaker Col. and Dr. A. C. Hamlin.
Col. Hamlin responded in his characteristic manner, full of wit and sentiment, beginning by saying he never saw Major Brown in quite so high feather and with quite so much war paint on since the time when he captured the noted southern spy, Belle Boyd. The doctor made some apt remarks and told some apt stories of the war, and spoke with much feeling of the work of the First Maine in the Army of the Potomac. In that army were thousands of men from Maine and our good citizen, Gen. Hodsdon, stood god-father to them all. At this point Dr. Hamlin was interrupted by Major Brown who pro- posed three cheers for Gen. Hodsdon and they were given with a will. Dr. Hamlin eulogized in the most eloquent words the work of the Army of the Potomac.
Major Brown read a letter from Gen. Charles W. Roberts and a telegram from Judge Foster expressing regret at their necessary absence.
The Major then introduced Governor Bodwell, who was re- ceived with cheers. Governor Bodwell said it was very grati- fying to him to be present on such an occasion and he esteemed it a great privilege to be there. He thought it his duty to represent the State at such a time. "To these valiant comrades is due more gratitude than can ever be given and the Chief Mag- istrate of Maine should ever recognize their services by his presence at every reunion. I told a friend of mine in Washington, as I, with him, watched you march through that city to the front, that one of the best regiments that would be in the war was passing. In appearance you were one of the best, while the record of your battles show how you fought, and it is a matter of history that the First Maine Cavalry was one of the best in the field. But I do not care to take your time. I feel that there are many others whom you would care to hear from more than from me."
Comrade Francis E. Saunders, of Co. M, formerly of Dover, but now of Lowell, Mass., was next introduced, and made some earnest remarks: This was the first reunion of the Association which he had been able to attend, but he promised to be present with his wife at the future reunions. He closed by reading the following original poem, which was loudly applauded.
A
10
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Do YOU REMEMBER. COMRADES?
Do you remember, comrades, in the spring of sixty-one, How the sharp and fierce report of the first rebellion gun, When fired from old Fort Moultrie's wall by treason's bloody hand Across the quiet waters at Fort Sumter's little band, Went echoing and echoing, again and still again, O'er hill and dale, from east to west, and out across the plain, Until within the heaving breast of every loyal man There rose a strong desire to firmly by our country stand, And to be true as long as treason showed her ugly head And 'gainst our country and the flag confederate armies led ?
Do you remember, comrades, how we rallied to the flag ; And when we heard the call of country none of us did lag? It was not pleasant, certainly, to leave our homes and all, But, ah ! that silent monitor within said, " Heed the call ;" And so we signed the roll and then put on the army blue, And by that act we signified that ever we'd be true.
Do you remember, comrades, that first little fight? "Twas but a skirmish with the Johnny rebs at night, While the main forces gathering were in battle array, To open the carnage awful at the break of day; 'Twas a time to be remembered long, that first great fight, And many a heart was glad to see the shades of night That settled o'er the field so often lost and won. From early morn until the setting of the sun. So weary and so tired as we laid down to rest --- Alas! some one beside the comrade in whose breast The thrill of duty would be felt again no more, For his last fight was fought, his spirit had passed o'er, While his body was numbered with the silent dead Who in that first battle so gallantly fought and led. Do you remember, comrades, as days came and went, Of the many weary marches on which we were sent? Sometimes it was in full retreat o'er hill and plain, And then 'twould be " about face " and return again. And so we marched, now forth, now back, for four long years, --- Years which were full up to the brim of hopes and fears, For oft we heard the welcome news of victory won, And then of sore defeat would the sad story run.
Do you remember. comrades, as I repeat to-night The name of many a terrible and gallant fight? Shiloh, Antietam, Vicksburg and Gettysburg. too, Were places where our noble meu stood tried and true ; Nor yet must we ever forget the western plains, Where many and many a glorious battle was fought and gained. Nor forget Sherman's grand Atlanta to the sea. Nor Grant's onward to Richmond grand, which made us free.
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