USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 31
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Send along your camp stories and your reminiscences. See how this Call is fairly bristling with them, until, as you read them. you are living the old days over again, and if you were to sit down this very minute to write out some in- cident just now called to mind, you would surprise yourself to find how easily and how well you can do it. and wouldl interest many a comrade and perhaps spur him up to fol- low your good example.
We have in readiness for the next Call of the BUGLE, some inci- dents of the fight at Middleburg, from the pen of Lieut. Horatio S. Libby, which all the comrades will enjoy reading.
69
THE ASSEMBLY.
First Maine Cavalry Association of Androscoggin County.
The comrades of Androscoggin County, and vicinity, met about two years ago and organized under the name given above. Comrade Charles E. Moulton was the first President. The officers the sec- ond year, up to the present month are :
President, DR. WILLIAM S. HOWE. Vice-Pres., CHARLES H. ADDITON. Sed'y and Treas., HENRY LITTLE .: Chaplain, REV. PERRY CHANDLER. This association has had three meetings (probably four by the time this reaches our readers) and numbers sixty-five members. The comrades bring their wives and children and tell " what they did and what they intend to do when too old to do anything else." The last meeting was held at Custer Post Hall, Lewiston, on February 28th, last, on which occasion Gen. Cilley was present, as were also Mrs. Lane, of Lewiston, and Mrs. Stanford, of New York, sisters of Lt. Col. Boothby. The two last named were much pleased to meet the comrades and their fami- lies. Comrade Menander Dennett !ead " Nothing but Flags," to the delight of the gathering. The comrades are enthusiastic over their young association, as many of them cannot attend the regimen- tal reunions and now they have reunions of their own.
The annual meeting for this year is to be held the present month at Lake Grove.
A Local Association at Skowhegan.
An invitation was extended to the comrades of the regiment re- siding in Skowhegan and vicinity, to meet at Hotel Heselton on the evening of Monday, April 6th, at the conclusion of the exercises in recognition of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic, for the purpose of forming an association. The Som- erset Reporter of April 9th gives the following account of the meet- ing :
Immediately after the anniversary exercises of Russell Post, Monday even- ing, several veterans of the First Maine Cavalry met at Hotel Heselton for the purpose of effecting a local organization of those members of that regiment who live in Skowhegan and vicinity. Many of the survivors of that famous regi- ment live in Somerset County, and while there are other local organiza- tions of the 'regiment, it was thought wise on account of the number living in this neighborhood to form a branch association here. By invitation of the veterans several citizens of the town were present, all of whom after the or- ganization was perfected were made honorary members of the same. Geo. B. Safford was elected temporary chairman, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year :
President, Dr. Sumner A. Patten ; Vice-President, Llewellyn Goodwin; Secretary, Sewell W. Smith ; Treasurer, Zenas Vaughan.
It was voted to hold an annual re- union of the local veterans of the First Maine and that the time and place of such meeting be left to the officers ; and it was further decided that at the next reunion such steps should be taken
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
to strengthen the organization as the officers should recommend. The meet- then ajourned, subject to the call of the officers.
Meanwhile Landlord Heselton had prepared an elegant banquet and for two hours the old veterans and new- made cavalrymen fought over the bat- tles of the war. Such bravery was displayed by some of the new members that they were rapidly promoted with due form and ceremony through all the grades of office, and one of the hon- orary members was so rapidly elevated that, starting in as a corporal he came out a general, and when the feast was over he commanded the whole army.
The following gentlemen sat down to the banquet :
S. A. Patten, Zenas Vaughan, A. F. Bickford, Geo. E. Goodwin, Sewell W. Smith, Henry J. Varney, Converse L. Webb, Dennis Murphy, F. R. Buck. Lewis Anderson, W. H. Emery, Simcon Sawyer, Chas. Richards, Geo. H. Pishon, B. F. Eaton, Geo. B. Safford and E. F. Goodwin.
Quite a number of the members of Fred A. Norwood Relief Corps spent the evening with Mrs. J. Q. A. Libby, on Union street Tuesday. Mrs. Libby has been a member of the Corps since
its organization but for some time t. been unable to attend their meeti: on account of poor health, A n. treat was served to the visitors and a very pleasant evening was the genera. verdict .- Camden Herald, May :: h 1891.
Mr. Libby was a member (' Company C, of our regiment [Sec History p. 507]. Frederick A. Norwood, for whom the Corp- was named was also a member of Company C [See History, p. 508, picture p. 504.]
In the October Call we shall publish the first of a series of fou. articles by Major Henry C. Hall. entitled " After Appomatox," giv- ing a vivid and succint account of the state of affairs when the war had closed, in Chesterfield county. where Major Hall's battalion for more than two months performed the duty for the county afterwards taken in charge by the Freedman's Bureau. The name of Major Hall is sufficient to ensure inter- esting articles, well written.
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BUGLE ECHOES.
BUGLE ECHOES.
" Blow, Bugle, blow, Set the wild echoes flying."
LETTERS FROM THE COMRADES.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 11th, 1887. EDWARD P. TOBIE:
Dear Sir,-I am writing a history of all the cavalry that ever served with the Army of the Potomac, and have read with much interest your History of the First Maine, some of whose offi- cers it was my pleasure to know per- sonally. I write just now to learn, if possible. the fate of a person named Smith, who wasin 1863 about thirteen or fourteen years old, who said he came out with Col. Douty. June 17th, after Col. Douty had fallen, he wanted to stay with me. I presented him to Gen. Kilpatrick, who said: "Yes: I want him on my staff." He went into one charge, and cried because kept out of another. At Hanover-June 30th-the first battle of the war on free soil-he was in the hottest of the fight with the Eighteenth Pennsylvania and Fifth New York. He killed the horse of a rebel colonel, the rider pitching head foremost into a tan vat and would have drowned but for this boy. His horse was shot in the fight, and, com- ing to me for a remount, he cried, fear- ing that he would be blamed for the loss of the horse. In the charge of Custer's body guard at Williamsport he brought in an overgrown, frowzy headed Georgian, much to the amuse- ment of everybody. How, when or where this boy left us I cannot find out. I feel a personal interest in his fate. I should like to know what you know about him.
You may possibly remember me as a correspondent of the New York
Daily Times, and as a volunteer aid of the Third Division Staff-first under Kilpatrick and then Custer-to the end, April 9th, 1865. I was on the Stone- man raid ; with Buford at Beverly, June 9th; (crossed with Davis, Eighth New York.) and on the raid to release prisoners in Richmond. At Aldie, June 17th, 1863, I was sent to order your regiment from left to right when Rosser was after Randol's two guns. I mention these facts to locate myself in your mind, if possible.
I think your history the most inter- esting of any work of the kind I have yet read, and I have read a great many histories pertaining to the war. Hop- ing to have a line from you soon I remain, Yours truly,
E. A. PAUL, Mt. Pleasant, D. C.
PORTLAND. March 29th, 1891. Dear Gen.,-The Bugle of January, 1891, is received ; also was the one be- fore. Enclosed please find money or- der for Si for same. I am very glad you did not forget me. Although I am very sorry to say that I have never been present at any reunion of the regiment, please consider me as in it. It was not that I did not want to be there, but because I could not get there. Ever since I came home with the reginent my business has kept me away from home, until within two years, and I have been away most of the time since. In 18So I arrived at Bar Harbor the day after the reunion. I tried to get there in time, but was
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
just too late. In iSgo I managed to get one day off, and went to Boston with G. A. R. Post No. 2, of which I am a member. I was obliged to come back the same night. I do not get any time off, and have not had a va- cation for years. I have a history of the regiment. I would not part with it for anything. I got it of Comrade Dam as soon as they were published. Every member should have one .. also have a badge ; got that from Com- rade Dam last summer. I prize it very highly. Meant to have my picture in the history, but neglected it until too late. I have wished since it was there. I often gaze at our old battle flag in Bosworth Post Hall. It starts a thrill and brings back bygones. If it is pos- sible for me to be at the next reunion I shall be there. I have always been able to stand up and do my work; have not seen much sickness, but have had lots of it in my family. Have only two children left out of seven. My wife has been through a hard siege. Her life was despaired of, but she is still with me, although she will never get over the disease that gave her a long. doubtful sickness. 'She is up and about, but is not herself as she used to be. I would give considerable if my picture were in the history, but it is too late now; could have had it there as well as not ; my own fault and neglect. Being a steamboat man and on the water all the time, I did not think of anything ashore except my wife. If I am indebted to the Associa- tion in any way please inform me and I will remit, for I wish to be a member in good standing. Yours very respect- fully,
JAMES H. MERRITT,
130 Spring Street. Portland, Me. [See page 536, History.]
HORATIO S. LIBBY, LIEUT. COMPANY C, FIRST MAINE CAVALRY :
My Dear Comrade, - I am the mem- ber of regimental band of which you speak in the Bugle of January, 1891. I recollect the episode of which you speak very well, for when that first shot or shell struck the ground so near that both Adjutant Tucker and myself were covered with dirt-in fact nearly blind- ed with dirt - the impression made upon my mind was forcible. I rode a tall, rangy white horse, the same that appears with my picture in the history. Adjutant Tucker rode a black horse that day, and as we rode out of camp at Warrenton Junction there was some friendly banter as to which was the better horse. On our return to camp however it was allowed that both horses were at least speedy. We went back the next day, however, with a Dutch battery from New York, and knocked the stuffing out of them. If you were Orderly Sergeant of Company C at that time you may recall the fact that I rode by your side at the head of the company after we reformed, back to camp, as I now recollect eight or ten miles. I am by occupation a farmer, but for the past two years have been a member of the United States Cus- toms force on this border under Hon. Albert A. Burleigh, who was a Dis- trict of Columbia man and later a First Maine Cavalry man, and was dis- charged on account of wounds re- ceived in battle. Sometimes while riding the lines at night on the lookout for smugglers I am in my mind carried back to the days when with my old comrades I followed the guidon in the ranks of the old First Maine Cavalry. In fraternity, charity, and loyalty, yours, &c.
AUGUSTUS W. INGERSOLL. [See pp. 463, 583, picture pp. SS, 44, History.]
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BUGLE ECHOES.
SOUTH NORRIDGEWOCK, April Ist, IS91. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir, -- I was most pleased to re- ceive another copy of the First Maine Cavalry Bugle, and I hereby remit the Și to pay for the same. I hope they will continue to come as long as I live. It is very interesting to me to get them. I attended the camp fire of our Post last night, and as different mem- bers of the Post were called upon for remarks, each seemed to infer that his own particular regiment was the regi- ment that did the hardest fighting, and that he had a very prominent po- sition in the regiment. But we of the First Maine Cavalry think we know that we belonged to the best regiment in the service, and we that remained continually with the regiment know from experience that the reason of the suceess that usually followed our fight- ing was on account of the confidence the rank and file had in their officers and in one another. I do not claim to be anything extra myself. I was a District of Columbia man, Company M, and I know there were lots of good soldiers in that regiment. Capt. Sargent, captain of Company M, killed at Reams Station. told us in Washing- ton that he would never ask a man to go where he would not go himself, and he never did. I assisted in removing his body to City Point, where it was embalmed, and Sergt. Gerry went with the body to Athens, Me., his honte. As you see by the history. I served in the Fifth Maine battery from the start to the Battle of Second Bull Run, where I received an injury to my side by the recoil of a gun, having a num- ber of ribs broken and being otherwise injured. Very truly yours,
PLUMMER H. BUTLER,
Co. II, First Maine Cavalry. [See page 5$3, history.]
ROME, N. Y., April Ist, 1891. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade, -First Maine Bugle Call 3 has arrived. It found me in very poor health, and it acted as a tonic for I felt good and strong as I perused its precious contents and marked the names of the comrades that had served with me at division headquarters. I received a letter from John A. Hutch- ins a few years ago. He was then in Brookins, Dakota. He was one of the couriers at division headquarters, and he is the only one I have ever heard from since the trouble ceased. I see that you have II. H. Hard starred. Joe Tatten was from Nova Scotia. It is a wonder that so many are alive. I will enclose postal note for Calls Three and Four. I hope to receive many more of your Bugle Calls, but the chances are now that I will hear Gabriel's bugle call before long. Hope I will be prepared to respond to the call when it sounds. I am troubled with Jocomoter allaxia, and have been for a number of years. It continues to grow worse, and now I am hardly able to walk. I will now close hoping this will find you in excellent health, with long life before you yet. Yours in fraternity, charity and loyalty.
W. W. WILLIAMS. P. S. Those comrades I mentioned were at division headquarters.
[ Sec pp, 586, 522, History.]
WEST UPTON, MASS., April 2d, IS91. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade, -- Yours received last night, and in reply will say that I have never received a copy of the Bugle until last night I received Call 3. I was much pleased with it and next week will send you a year's subscrip- tion. Would send it to-day if I had it, but, like many an old soldier, I am poor. My wife has been sick all win- ter, but I think she will recover. She
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
is helpless now and I have not been able to do a day's work, but I have not lost my grip on the First Maine Cavalry, and never shall. As soon as I have the money I want a history. I got my badge last fall in Boston, and it is something that I feel proud of. Yours in haste,
W. A. VINAL. [See page 596, History.]
NEWPORT, ME., April 3d, IS91. Dear Comrade,-On this, the third day of April 1891, I will answer to roll call as per advice in Bugle. Twenty- six years ago to-day I left the company and went to dismounted camp, Lieut. Fuller being wounded and sent to the hospital. How often my mind runs back to those times, and the remem- brance of them will always be kept green. I have been thinking of writ- ·ing for some time, but kept neglecting. To-night I made up my mind to write. so here it is. Enclosed please find money order, one dollar. for Bugle one year. As soon as I get the money to spare I shall send for one of those badges; wish I had it now, but I hope sometime to get so that I can. I like the Bugle first rate; it seemed almost like the old times to read of the scrapes the boys used to get into. Long may the Bugle Calls be heard; but the time is coming when the last call will be heard and we shall all have passed over the silent river. May we all stand shoulder to shoulder as in days gone by and help to bear each others bur- dens and sorrows and smooth the pathway as best we may for those who need our care, and when the last call shall be made, may we all be able to answer, "All present, or accounted for," is the wish of your comrade,
O. M. HAARRINGTON. [See page 4yi History.]
NATIONAL MILITARY HOME,
LEAVENWORTH, Ks., April 4th, IS91.
My Dear General,-As I was sitting by my bed this morning, reading the Home Bulletin, a spicy little sheet printed at the Hampton Home and de- voted to the veterans, our ward mas- ter, for I am a patient in the hospital at present, came in with the morning mail, and gave me the Bugle Call 3, and I assure you that all other busi- ness was suspended and full attention given to the Bugle. I am more than pleased with it, and think it ought to be in the hands of all the boys of the First Maine Cavalry. If health per- mit I will be at the next reunion of the regiment. Enclosed please find order to pay for Bugle Call 3. I am. dear general, yours in fraternity, charity and loyalty.
W. S. SYLVESTER,
Co. F, First Maine Cavalry. [See p. 553, History.]
WINFIELD, Kans., April 3d, IS.I. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade,-Enclosed please find one dollar for First Maine Bugle. The roll call, especially, is a very valuable document, as it enables us to locate many of our comrades of whom we had lost all traces. Melvin W. Eveleth. whose address you seem not to have, is postmaster at Colorado Springs, Col. Yours truly, S. C. SMITH.
[See pp. 594, 543, History.]
April 12th, ISOL. Dear General, -I notice in Gen. Smith's remarks that he saw one of the sergeants at the battle of Brandy Sta- tion away in front of the regiment with his regimental flag, but did not know his company or his name. I had the honor of carrying the colors that day and came near losing them as my horse got the start of me and carried me a
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BUGLE ECHOES.
long ways ahead of our boys. I. got him under control at last, and turned to ride back. Meeting Lieut. Hunton and some three or four of the boys, we charged back through a rebel battery or a part of one stationed near the house. We were so dusty and looked so much alike they did not know the difference until we were pretty nearly past them. When they realized who we were, they gave us some shots from their revolvers and a good deal of swearing from their lips. We turned to the right and rode into the yard of the house, jumped our horses down two or three embankments into the garden, and came to a stand before a board fence. We could not jump the fence, and just at that time a rebel offi- cer and some men came up on the other side, and firing at us ordered us to surrender. Hunton began firing with some of the boys, while others inade a break in the fence. We dashed through and captured the rebel officer, but the others got out of the way. We arrived back at the regiment all right, and Gen. Kilpatrick took the rebel's horse to ride himself. The whole thing happened in a very short time. It seemed like a dream. I cannot re- member the names of those with me except Licut. Hunton. Perhaps he would remember. I remember seeing Kilpatrick, when our regiment charged by him, waving his hat. I think he was saying some harsh words, as his horse was down and he was standing by him. I do not know what makes me feel so intensely when thinking of those old times, but there is a kind of something comes to me that makes me want to see all my old comrades and shake them all by the hand.
NELSON S. FORSYTHE,
25 Bow St., Somerville, Mass. [See pp. 560, 583, picture p. 152, History.]
ROME, N. Y., May, 5th, IS91.
J. P. CILLEY, EsQ.
Dear Comrade .- Bugle Call No 4 just received -- the best one yet. I think it, as they say about new wine, im- proves with age. I know nothing about it (the wine) only what I have heard said. I only wish it was the same with me, but I find it quite the reverse. Yours very truly,
W. W. WILLIAMS.
HERMON, ME., May 12th, ISO1. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir,-I have received two or three copies of the First Maine Bugle. I think well of it, but am not able to take part in anything. I was only a private in the regiment, and our gov- ernment officials do not as a general thing give them any more attention than they are obliged to. I have found but one man among them that would give a private soldier or a poor man his attention. I do not know but there may be more, but I do not know who they are. That man most likely the world will fail to recognize until he shall have passed away, then they may look back and see what he tried to do. . I did wrong in one respect, that I did not ask for help when I first came home, but I was young, and as they would call a man that received help from government a pauper, I did not like the sound of it, and for that rea- son I had to suffer it. I asked them for help about three years ago, and I have furnished all the evidence they have called for and more too, and still they have not helped me as yet. I suppose they help you, but I think you will not get any more than you ought. If lots who get help had passed through what you have, I should think more of them, and think they deserved it more than they do now. If you were a little fellow you showed that your courage was good, and I respect
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
you for it. I well remember the fight near Dinwiddie the last of March, 1865, when you stepped to the front, dis- mounted and bareheaded, revolver in hand, and said: " Form right in here, boys; " and I think they obeyed orders as men naturally would if the colonel were at the front. Do not ask me to take any part in anything, for I am not able to, I have never been able to meet with my regiment but once since I came home ; should have been glad to if I could. That once was at Pittsfield.
Respectfully yours,
D. W. PALMER. [See p. 475. History.]
BOSTON, Mass., May 21st, 1891. Dear General, -- I wrote D. W. Palin- er as you requested, encouraging him as well as I was able, and assuring him that I would keep him supplied with Bugles so long as my circumstances would permit. I hope the feeling he expresses is not shared generally by the comrades, though no doubt many of them have a hard struggle for exist- ence, and deserve government help. I hope you may receive many and prompt responses to your inquiries, and that an impetus may be given to the enterprise with the commence- ment of the new year. Yours,
GEO. F. JEWETT. [See p. 661; picture p. 375. History.]
HOLLISTON, Mass .. May 15th, ISgt. Dear General,-Enclosed I send you one dollar to pay for the First Maine Bugle. Should like to have pictures taken, but have no money to get them. I should like to write a little about myself at Aldie. Our regiment had hardly gotten into line with Company H in front, when Gen. Kilpatrick rode up and said : ". What regiment is this?" " First Maine" some one said. " Fours from the right. charge!" said he, but by some means the second set of fours
got the start of the first ; I was nuni- ber three in the second, so it brought me in front. When we got most up to the rebs my horse made some terri- ble leaps, closed ap the space a little in advance of the company [he being hard to manage] and brought me ahead. The first thing I knew, a pistol was aimed at my head, and a flash so near that it burnt my face, I got a slight wound on my forehead, but Mr. Reb did not have a chance to try it again for I sent him going to kingdom come. My horse was shot then. I went down and lay with the Johnny that had a sore head, the effect of my sabre, till the regiment went over me, then I got off the field with some frac- tured ribs. I think I can safely say that I was the first to get wounded, the first to send a reb from his horse, and the first that had his horse shot in the charge of the First Maine Cavalry that day of June 17th, 1863. Very respect- fully,
LEWIS ANDREWS. [ITis. pp. 382, 159-165]
.
PORTLAND, Me., May 15th. IS91.
Dear Comrade,-The Bugle received. Enclosed please find Și for the same. I have a badge and history, so shall take but a small part of the "damn " to myself, but think I can stand up and say, " Present," and you may re- ply, "accounted for." Don't know how much I owe for annual dues. If you will inform me, I will try and stand square on the books. . Frater- nally, &c.,
R. L. DODGE.
[His. p. 548; picture p. 424.]
APPLETON, Wis., May 16th, 1891.
Dear Sir and Comrade, -- Please find enclosed one dollar in payment for First Maine Bugle. I am greatly pleased with it and its contents relating to members and the very active part
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