USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 32
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BUGLE ECHOES.
that the gallant old regiment took in subduing the rebellion. I have a copy of the history and it . would be wonderful if there were not omissions and errors. As in my case, there is one. I have an honorable discharge, dated "' Before Petersburg, Va., Dec. 5th, 1864." I served with the regi- ment in its many duties and active
campaigns up to Dec. 5th, 1864. I have a diary that I kept from the time the regiment left the State in March, 1862, up to Dec. 5th. 1864. By this I can give in detail the many different places the regiment passed through and the dates, how long encamped in certain places, also the dates. This I prize very much for I know it could not be replaced. Hope to meet you in Detroit at the next Encampment in August. I am yours in fraternity, charity and loyalty.
ALBERT M. COLE. (See p. 600, History.)
ST. MARIES, KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho, May ISth, I891. GEN. J. P. CILLEY,
Dear Comrade .-- I beg pardon for not remitting for the Bugles you sent me. I have received the numbers for June, October an I January but not for April. I enclose si for four and $2.62 for First Maine Cavalry badge. As you are well aware there are many of us living west of Chicago, and the great distance to travel and heavy ex- pense prevent us from attending the regimental reunions. Now I want to suggest the propriety of holding the reunion of 1893 at Chicago, as the Na- tional Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic will surely be held there that year. The reunion of :803 will be the largest that will ever be held. if it be held in Chicago, as every member wants to go to the Columbian Exposition and the National Encamp-
of the Grand Army of the Republic. I would further suggest going into camp out of the main part of the city on the line of a cable road. Expenses will be much less, besides camping would be much preferable to hotel fare at that time. All who go will want to see all that there is to be seen, which at least will take a month, and the month of September. would be the most pleasant. Will you please sub- mit these propositions for me at your next reunion. I have corresponded with several of the old boys on this coast on this subject and as far as heard from all agree to the proposi- tions. With most affectionate regards to all the comrades.
MONROE DAGGETT. [See p. 533, picture p. 41 History.]
PAW PAW, III., May 24th, 1891.
J. P. CILLEY,
Dear Sir and Comrade :--- Please find enclosed Și to pay for the First Maine Bugle, which is highly prized by me. I hope it will be printed as long as a remnant of the grand old regiment remains to read it. Please do not fail to mail me a copy as long as it is is- sued, for I don't wish to miss one, as it contains nothing that I am not inter- ested in. Respectfully yours,
L. W. WHEELER.
(See p. 574. picture p. 67, History.)
SAGINAW, EAST SIDE. Michigan, June 4th, 1891.
J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade, --- That last "damn" was worth a dollar and here it is, but you can if you choose send the Bugte to my address for another year. Yours fraternally,
RILEY L. JONES. (See p. 569. picture p. 67, History .- "Jones of G." -- See Call I.)
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
YORK, May, ISth. IS91.
Dear General, -- I thought it was about time that I should write to you. Enclosed you will find one dollar to pay for the Bugle for the year 1890. I am very much pleased with it. Please send it right along. William H. Wood- ward, Company H, died May eleventh, 1890. He belonged to Post Parker, No. 99, Grand Army of the Republic, Kit tery. I have not much to write but well do I remember the morning of May roth, at Beaver Dam Station, when the noble Lieut. Col. Boothby was shot, and what he said as he was going to the rear as Company K, was going up, "Good God, what a place." Well do I remember at Camp Harlow when we made the charge through those woods and over that rail fence and up that hill, and what happened when we got on top of that hill. I know we made a short stop there. We fell back under the hill, took that fence and made breastworks of it. Well do I remember seeing Chaplain Bart- lett fall from his horse ; and at Todd's Tavern when they made charge in those woods and how the bullets came into those woods; also the fight'at St. Mary's Church. I could put you in mind of a number of such places but I must draw to a close. Your truly,
ALBERT MOULTON. Co. HI, First Maine Cavalry.
28 SCHOOL ST. BOSTON, Mass. May 2ist, IS91. GEN. J. P. CILLEY,
Dear Comrade. -- You will find herewith enclosed one dollar, the same being for one year's subscription for our Bugle, from Comrade Wm. Mo- rang, of Company M. Comrade Mo- rang is blind but is very fond of the Bugle. He is unable to read but has a mother who reads it to him. Also find
the notice handed me by Morang of the death of Comrade Greeley also of Company M. Yours in fraternity, charity and loyalty,
G. N. HARRIS.
Greenleaf D. Greeley, carpenter, died in Roslindale, Mass. Dec. 26, 1890 ; heart failure. Dropped dead in a horse car ; was apparently as well as usual when he left home in the morning; leaves a wife and two children.
(See pp. 652, 653, History.)
LOWELL, Mass., June 7th, 1891 GEN. j. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir and Comrade,-The two weeks have passed since I wrote to you, and I will now try and fulfill my prom- ise, and enclosed you will find $2, one for payment of the Bugle sent me and one to pay for Comrade Kelley, and this is about the best I can do at present ; but if in the future I can help any distressed comrade I will be only too glad to do so. Hoping that this small contribution will be received with that same spirit of fraternity, chari- ty and loyalty to the the First Maine Cavalry Association that it was given, I remain, Respectfully yours,
A. A. MELVIN, 17 Appleton Corp., Lowell, Mass. (See p. 475 History.)
EAST NORTHPORT, Me., May 17th, 1891. (See History p. 625.)
COMRADE CILLEY :
Dear Sir,-Bugle received. It is not selfishness that I do not attend the re- unions. I am not able, I would like to attend as well as the next one. I lost my wife a year ago. She was sick three years. I am in debt; am sixty-six years of age, and am not able to do much myself; only get $2 a month pension,-a little help to maintain my- self and daughter. Yours in fraternity. GEORGE M. KELLEY. (See p. 569, History.)
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BUGLE ECHOES.
BOSTON, Mass., June 16th, 1891. EDWARD P. TOBIE,
Dear Comrade, -- I have read your highly interesting article, " Personal Recollections of Gen. Sheridan." I have always said that the last cam- paign which led to the surrender at " Appomatox " was emphatically Sheridan's. I am of the opinion that but for his fiery energy the war would not have ended then and there. Com- rades of the regiment and others would be much interested in reading it. I sincely hope to read it in some future number of the Bugle. - Yours in fraternity. charity, and loyalty.
HORATIO S. LIBRY, 43 Franklin St.
RUMFORD, Maine, May 16th, 1891. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Sir,-Enclosed please find twenty- five cents for the last Bugle. There is one error I want corrected. That is on page 48. The Joseph E. Colby Post in my town was named for J. E. Colby that was lieutenant in Com- pany B Thirty-Second Maine Infantry. He never was in the First Maine Cav- alry. He was in the Thirty-Second only a very few months. Truly Yours, WM. H. FARNUM.
P. S. Send Bugle every quarter. I will pay for same when received.
(See p. 563, History.)
[This letter, written in the privacy of friend- ship, shows such unconscious pathos and courage that I send it to the Bugle, knowing all the members of his company and regiment are his brothers and esteem him as highly as he regards the regiment. It may have been the wound received at Dinwiddie March 31st, 1865, that was the actual cause of the tumor of his stomach and bowels, and that during all these subsequent years the fair proportions and uncomplaining endurance of Capt. Howe have concealed much of pain and depression.
j. P. CILLEY.]
LEWISTON, Maine, June 14th, 1891. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade,-Please find a check
for my picture in last First Maine Bu- gle, ($10). Dear General, all the best physicians and surgeons in the State say I must soon leave my old comrades here, and join those gone before; they say in a few months. I have been breaking down for a year, and I knew six months ago that it was only a mat- ter of time. Three months ago I was compelled to give up all business, so I am confined to the house and no in- come. I should have sent it before, but money comes hard, and collections are slow, and I have been to a good deal of expense. I had gotten so that I could stand in the first ranks of my chosen profession. Have by hard study and toil made myself felt. Was in my fifty-eighth year; just ready to live. And now my dear Commander will say : "Advance to a higher plane." I am sorry to leave so many comrades on this side, but if I am true to my Jesus, the great Commander, I will stand up in line with the many who have gone before, and answer to my name at the last great roll call, "Here." My trouble is a malignant tumor of the stomach and bowels, and no help. My flesh has been going for a year. In three months I have lost fifty-three pounds. I am so weak that I cannot walk any. I ride out some, but I can eat but little. I have seen the best physicians in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. Dear General, I have been trying to act my part in life the best I could, and if I must leave so soon, I do feel thankful that I was a Union soldier and a member of the First Maine Cavalry. Tell Gen. Smith that after a command in Company D), First District of Columbia Cavalry, then put in command of his old Com- pany, D, First Maine Cavalry, I had such a deep and loving pride to keep his company up to its standard, and so be honored to stand with such men as led us on to victory. Give him my
1
80
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
best love and wishes, and lots to your- self and all the rest of my comrades. Yourdear son I wish to be remembered to. We enjoyed his visit at our house so much. I could not have written so
much to any one but my old general. I am respectfully yours.
WM. S. HOWE.
(Ilistory, pp. 321, 326, 342-351, 396-402, 513. Picture, p. 273, and in Call 4 of Bugle p. 16.)
REUNION AT HOULTON, ME. SEPTEMBER 10, 1891.
At this date the expense of reaching that place cannot be given. It is pre- sumed that reductions will be made and the various ticket agents on the Maine Central and other railroads in Maine will have due notice.
Make inquiries of them, and also from them procure time tables, giving the information as to the time Houlton can be reached, &c.
The comrades in Houlton and the citizens of that place have made arrange- ments to make our visit and reunion enjoyable.
It may be well for the Massachusetts Branch Association, to make their own arrangements to reach Houlton, as it may be deemed best to go by steamer to Bangor.
The prospects are for a large gathering of the comrades. Many have expressed their desire and intention to visit " The Garden of Maine," and unite that pleasure with the joy of meeting old comrades.
J. P. CILLEY.
A SPECIAL MEETING of the Massachusetts Branch Association will be called to make arrangements to attend the reunion at Houlton. We have one hundred members on our roll. Let every comrade make arrangements now, so that this Branch will be represented by a larger number, than ever before. Due notice of the meeting will be given.
C. A. F. EMERY, Secy.
Address, 3S Central Street, Boston.
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Entered at the Post Office, Rockland, Me., as Second-Class Matter.
CAMPAIGN II. OCTOBER, 1891. CALL 6.
" The neighing troops, the flashing bladc, 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 BAR HARBOR,
September 5th, 1888.
EDITOR, EDWARD P. TOBIE, PAWTUCKET R. I.
Published by the First Maine Cavalry Association.
ADDRESS, J. P. CILLEY, Treasurer, ROCKLAND, MAINE.
THIS CALL IS " BOOTS AND SADDLES."
Comrade Monroe Daggett suggested in our last number that this call "would bring every man into line, armed and equipped, and ready for action." The need was a financial mounting. At that time the only financial horse I could see was a metaphorical saw-horse like those used for sawing wood for our Sibley stoves in our Sibley tents at Augusta, in the winter of IS61 and 1862, where our robust Col. Goddard supplied us with wooden laths for sabre practice. Now, " Boots and Saddles" is blown with the assurance that our financial backing is near by, even at the picket line.
The Grand Old Regiment in the grand old way has repeated what she euracted on many a battle-field of the South, and, " instead of doubt and 'con- fusion, certainty stands exultant."
The financial success of the BUGLE is rendered certain by a road accidently opened to us by the generous act of Comrade Hill of Augusta. In that road Comrade Perley Lowe, of Chicago has advanced with a gift of eight dollars to send BUGLES to our members not so successful as the eminent lumber dealer of that city. Dr. Pulsifer, of Yarmouth, Mass., sent four dollars for com- rades of his old Company D. Other comrades have moved out on this road. Only one thing is needed to make this flank movement a glorious success, viz :- that our comrades receive these gifts as gladly as they are given, and write the donors or the treasurer a letter of simple thanks. Receive it as a gift from a comrade to a comrade.'
If you want to square the account or should fortune favor you, select some deserving comrade and make him a similar present. Let all these remem- brances have something of the family flavor about them, so that the giving and receiving shall be equally enjoyable.
At Houlton, before the glad faces of comrades gathered from far and near, I spoke, just as I felt and would now look each of you in face and say : Will you answer to your name at roll-call? Will you stand up and be counted as each call of the BUGLE " sets the wild echoes flying?" No regiment in all the land is so happy in its memories as our own. To let these memories pass out of the affections and lives of our comrades is solemn death. Are you going to halt and surrender because it costs something to be alive? Compare the cost of membership in the First Maine Cavalry Association with that of other asso- ciations. To join the Society of Cincinnati, in Massachusetts costs seven hundred dollars. To join the Sons of Revolution costs one dollar and one dollar each year. You all know the fees and dues in the Grand Army of the
Republic. The Society of the Army of the Potomac costs two dollars a year, and seven dollars for the banquet yearly. The Cavalry Society costs one dollar a year and is not worth a snap. The Loyal Legion costs twenty-five dollars to join; all the way from five dollars to twenty-five dollars a year thereafter. Now, in our association, it costs nothing to join; the anunal dues are discretionary ; the only obligation is to take the BUGLE, enjoy it and pay for it. If it is not worth over a dollar a year in the pleasure and com- fort it gives you every three months, just sit down and write out some of your own experience and send it to Tobie, the editor.
I have in my mind now an article soon to appear, in which the hand-writ- ing, spelling and grammar were utterly bad, but with these corrected you have a picture with no foreground or background, a narrative from which the element of time is squeezed out. You do not perceive, because the writer himself was not aware of the fact, that the charge or gallop he made covered over a mile of distance, but you see just exactly what the soldier saw; it looks nieagre, and as though no one else was on the field, but it is just the fight the fighter sees. Such stories are never old and never die. History asks no better material. Now look at the pictures of comrades which appear in the BUGLE .. Are they not worth the price to look at, to store away for lasting keepnig, to show your friends and children? Again, as each comrade an- swers the final tattoo and roams
" On the slopes of the mountain That only by angels are trod,"
is it not worth the price of the BUGLE to have his obituary appear on its pages? It adds yet another bond to your affections. Should you, from sickness, family cares, misfortune or any cause, find it inconvenient or a hardship to pay for it cash down, don't close your heart to aid and sym- pathy; write frankly to the treasurer and tell him your desire to have the BUGLE, and some comrade will send it to you. Again, should fortune favor you, or your heart be large, find some comrade to send the BUGLE to, or remit to the treasurer and ask him to find some one. The good book says : " The greatest of these is charity, it blessse both him that receives and him that gives."
O, voices, winter clear awake In all the wild familiar shrines, In thunder on the great shores break, Call from the deathless mountain pines The notes that close the bivouac rest. The bugle call to heart and brain Wake echoes down each cliff and crest, For these, our boys, the First of Maine.
Your comrade and friend
J. P. CILLEY
1
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION
OF THE
FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
The seventeenth annual reunion was held at Bar Harbor, Wednes- day, Sept. 5th, ISSS. The Bar Harbor Record, in speaking of the reunion, said :-
Wednesday, the fifth inst, was a great day at Bar Harbor. It was the occasion of the annual reunion of that gallant regiment, the First Maine Cav- alry. For days previous the local committee had been busy making prepar_ ations for the suitable reception and accommodation of the comrades and their friends. Mr. S. A. Holden, of Bass Harbor, chief of the committee, was especially zealous in the work, and the imposing form of comrade A. R. Devereaux, of Ellsworth, was a familiar figure on our streets. Mr. Holden was actuated in his efforts by a twofold consideration -he was of course anxious that his comrades should be well entertained, and he gratified a per- fectly justifiable local pride in making the beautiful island, of which he is an inhabitant. a prominent feature of the day. With this end in view he planned numerous little pleasure excursions for the guests, personally pointed out to them the natural beauties of the place, and sent the visitors home ( especially those who had never before visited Bar Harbor ) well pleased with their ram- bles and thoroughly satisfied that of all the beautiful places on God's footstool. our island was the Eden par excellence. So well did some of them enjoy themselves that they extended their stay to Saturday, taking every opportu- nity to improve their acquaintance with the place and its inhabitants. The weather on Wednesday was all that could be desired for the occasion, and the first train brought a number of the veterans with their families. The Rodick House was the headquarters of the organization, and the wide ve- randas were the scene of many affectionate and interesting meetings as each train and boat brought in its load of arrivals. Hearty and warm were the greetings of comrades, some of whom had not met for years. Old army sobriquets were resurrected, and the familiar names which had furnished amusement around many a camp fire were bandied about on the piazza as their owners met. Friendships which had been formed during the stirring years of hardship and danger were renewed amid scenes of peace and pleas ure, and those who had fought and bled together clasped hands with a warmth
FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
intensified by old associations in more troublous times. The streets looked gayer than they had been for some time, and the village put on a holiday appearance. The piazzas and large hall of the Rodick were thronged with the veterans and their families, and local members of the Grand Army of the Republic and other military organizations who had met to welcome them. Everywhere you would meet with the yellow ribbon badge of the First Maine Cavalry, and a number of the ladies of the Ladies' Auxiliary lent their gentle influence to the occasion."
BUSINESS MEETING.
The business meeting was held in the music room of the Rodick at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Lieut. Edward P. Tobie, the presi- dent, in the chair. In the absence of the secretary, Hemy R. Cowan of Co. I was chosen secretary pro tem.
The following were appointed a committee to report three places at which to hold the next reunion : Field and staff, Major H. C. Hall; Co. A, Albert Edgecomb; Co. B, Capt. Jacob B. Loring; Co. C, Lient. Horatio S. Libby; Co. D, Sergt. Gilbert N. Harris ; Co. E, Capt. Black Hawk Putnam; Co. F, Corydon O. Stone ; Co. G. George L. Duston; Co. H, Sergt. Goodwin; Co. I, Lieut. Smith; Co. K, Corp. Blake; Co. L, Comrade Snell ; Co. M, Sergt. Alanson M. Warren. This committee reported the names of Boston, Newport and Houlton. A number of the com- rades favored the selection of Boston, and Boston was unanimously chosen. The same committee was appointed to nominate officers for the ensuing year, and reported the following list, which was adopted and the officers elected :
President -- ALBION C. DRINKWATER, Braintree, Mass. Vice President --- Lieut. HORATIO S. LIBBY, Boston. Treasurer-Gen. J. P. CILLEY, Rockland. Recording Secretary-CHARLES A. F. EMERY, Boston. Corresponding Secretary-Lieut. ORRIN S. HASKELL, Pittsfick.
Gen. J. P. Cilley, treasurer, presented his report (which will be found in Call 1), and made a partial report of matters connected with the History, which reports were accepted.
An invitation from the local Post, Grand Army of the Republic, to make a short parade at the close of the meeting was accepted, as was also the tender of the Post as escort.
A vote of thanks was tendered the citizens of Bar Harbor for their courtesies, and thirty tickets to the banquet were tendered to the com-
سبيط
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SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REUNION.
mittee of arrangements for the use of citizens. A vote of thanks was also tendered the Grand Army Post, a comrade of the Sixteenth Maine, and others.
The committee on badges were, at their request, given a year's further time in which to make their report.
The meeting then adjourned for
THE PARADE.
The line was formed in front of the Rodick House, under the direction of the president, Lieut. Edward P. Tobie, assisted by Henry R. Cowan, of Co. I, as adjutant. Escorted by the Grand Army Post and the Bar Harbor Cornet Band, one hundred and ten of the veterans of the First Maine made a parade through the . principal streets, showing conclusively that they had not forgot- ten how to march in all these years since their service was over.
THE BANQUET.
In speaking of the banquet, the Record said :---
The crowning feature of the day's entertainment was the banquet in the evening. The large music hall of the Rodick was selected as the scene of the festivity, and three rows of tables were set up lengthwise of the room and illuminated with candles stuck into bottles and embellished with colored tis sue paper. These were suggestive of camp life, and the viands also hinted of that, for the principal dish was baked beans and brown bread. Supple- mentary to these were cold meats, cake, coffee and ice cream. On either side of the hall the names of the 'battlefields in which the regiment had lost some of its men, were displayed. These were one hundred and thirty-six in number-seven more battles than any other regiment in the service partici- pated in. At the back of the stage, pinned on the United States ensign, were the names of the commissioned officers who fell in battle. The stage was occupied by the Bar Harbor Band, who played several selections during supper in a manner which elicited great applause. The bugle calls, in a se. lection of national airs, seemed especially to appeal to the audience, and great was the enthusiasm which each familiar note aroused. There were at supper two hundred and thirty guests, and a happier and more jovial party was never entertained at the Rodick House. A goodly number of the citizens of Bar Harbor partook of the hospitality of the regiment, and we know that we voice the sentiments of those of our people who were present when we take this opportunity of publicly thanking our entertainers for the kindness and cordiality displayed toward us on that occasion. In glancing around the room we could not help thinking that the fair ladies of Maine were as patriotic as the sterner sex. for it was noticeable that many of the fairest had re- warded the gallant defenders of their country in the most acceptables manner - with their hand and heart. The younger generation also seemed
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
to inherit the beauty and gallant bearing of their parents, and doubtless would not be behind hand in similarly rewarding bravery ; but may a similar occasion never present itself ..
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