USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 38
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The Sons of the First of Maine.
The sons of the comrades of the regiment did not gather at Houlton in so large numbers as would have been pleasant, but there was a sufficient number present to form an organization, under the name, " The Sons of the First of Maine." Officers
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
for the ensuing year were elected as follows :
President, Edward P. Tobie, Jr., Pawtucket, R. I.
Vice-Presidents, Field and staff, J. P. Cilley, Jr., Rockland; Co A, Louis O. Haskell, Pittsfield: Co. B, Clarence H. Sparrow, Portland; Co. C, Horatio A. Libby, Melrose, Mass .: Co. D), Stephen R. Wilder, Calais; Co. E. John L. Putnam, Houlton ; Co. F, Ed. L. Dam, Portland; Co. G, Herbert C. Foss, Bangor; Co. K, J. Melvin Preble, Bangor; Co. L, Geo. B. Colesworthy, New Gloucester; Co. M, Frank J. Savage, Fairfield.
Secretary, Willis Tobie, Pawtucket, R. 1.
Executive Committee, Samuel A. Fuller, Charles Smith, Horace R. Drinkwater.
It was voted to elect a commit- tee of three to draw up by- laws and to present them at the next meeting. The three chosen were Messrs. J. P. Cilley, Jr., of Rockland, Me., Edward P. Tobie, Jr., of Pawtucket, R. I., John L. Putnam, of Houlton, Me. Ed- ward P. Tobie, Jr., was elected to ascertain the names of the sons of the veterans of the First Maine Cavalry, and extend them an in- vitation to be present at the next meeting. Secretary Willis Tobie moved that a committee of three beappointed to select badges, not to be costly but appropriate. to des- ignate the membersand to be pres- ent with them at the next meeting. The committee consisted of Messrs. Louis Haskell, of Pitts- field, Me., Willis. Tobie, Paw-
tucket, R. I., and John L. Put- nam, Houlton, Me.
Mr. Haskell moved that we, as sons of veterans of the First Maine Cavalry, extend our hearty thanks to the people of Houlton for their hospitality in this, the first meet- ing of our organization. This motion was carried, and the meet- ing adjourned to meet again next year with the First Maine Cav- alry.
All the sons of the comrades of the First Maine Cavalry may be- come members of this organiza- tion by sending their names and address, and the name and com- pany of their father, to the Secre- tary, Willis Tobie, Pawtucket, R.I.
The next call of the BUGLE, January, 1892, will be the Roll Call, and in addition to the Roll Call of IS91, will contain the date. place and manner of death of all the comrades who were killed or died in the service, and those who have died since so far as we can ascertain them. Every comrade can assist in making the Roll Call complete by forwarding to Gen. Cilley, or to the editor, at once. notice of the time and place of the death of any comrade who has died since he left the regiment. through all these years, There is no way in which this can be done except by the assistance of every living comrade, or by the friends of the deceased comrades. Comrades, honor the memory of those who have been finally mus- tered-out, by seeing that their muster-out has been properly placed on record.
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BUGLE ECHOES.
BUGLE ECHOES. Hark ! I hear the Bugle sounding.
,LETTERS FROM THE COMRADES,
BANGOR, ME., Sept. 4th, ISss.
GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
My Dear Sir .- I very much regret that important business that cannot be postponed will prevent me from meet- ing you and other survivors of the First Regiment Maine Cavalry. who will assemble at Bar Harbor to-morrow. Although I shall be deprived of the great pleasure of meeting comrades this year, I shall think of you, wish to be with you and look into those honest faces once more. I shall never forget that each of you was once a part of that great army of brave, loyal men of the North, who left home and all 'that was dear to man and at your country's call faced the enemies of the U'uion, of the best government on the face of the whole earth. on the field of battle, and held aloft the flag of the nation. through that terrible storm of shot and shell that was aimed at the life of the nation from 1861 to 1865. until you carried that flag to victory. The gov- ernment and the people of this nation are indebted to the men who fought in the field from 1861 to 1565 for the government that we now have, and for all we enjoy under the protection of that government. The United States ot America owes you a debt that it can never repay. for it owes its very existente to you. But for those who bravely met the enemy in the field during thos: trying times, there would not be a United States of America today. We are indebted to those brave men who fought in the field for the blessings
that we enjoy under the protection of our nation's flag, that to-day proudly floats in the breeze from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, over sixty millions of free. happy, united and prosperous people. enjoying peace and plenty. It cost about one million precious lives to found the principles and government that our flag represents, and the stars and stripes are cemented thereon with the life blood of more than a million of as brave men as ever lived. Why should it not be dear to every loyal American? No wonder that it is dear to you. It is a fact that should fill each citizen with just pride to know that the First Maine Cavalry was always found at its post of duty, no matter what danger it had to face. As evidence that it did its duty, is the fact that it stands at the head of the two hun- dred and sixty cavalry regiments that were in the Northern Army during the war, in its loss in killed and wounded in battle. In other words. this regi- ment lost cleven more men, in killed and wounded, than any other of the two hundred and sixty cavalry regi- ments that served in the United States Army during the war. To be able to say, "I was a member of the First Regiment of Maine Cavalry." is an houor that any man may well be proud of. I wish you. each of you, much happiness and enjoyment at this re- tion, and I sincerely hope that all taly fret again next year.
Very respectfully. HENRY L. MITCHELL. (Sex p. 4)3. picture p. 225, History.]
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
SOLDIERS' HOME,
LOS ANGELES Co., CAL., June 20th, 1891.
GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Sir,-I received the second, third, and fourth numbers of the FIRST MAINE BUGLE, for which you have my thanks, and I enclose one dollar as subscription for ensuing year. It is like a message from the past to see so inany familiar names in print, and read of incidents, many of which had slipped my memory, and more that are as fresh there as if they had occurred but yesterday. I am the only First Maine man in the Home, and in the throng of six or seven hundred that are here I feel alone. It is not like being with the boys with whom I marched, boot to boot, with whom I fought and frolicked, feasted and fasted, from IS61 to. 1865. I still have hopes of buffeting with the adversities of life outside of this, as I am not far advanced on the shady side of life, but three gun-shot wounds and an injury caused by being thrown from my horse have made almost a wreck of me.
You wish reminiscences and per- sonal experiences. I am not a writer, cannot delineate, but my personal ex- perience is blended with that of the regiment from first to last. and there are many others who know my record and career as well as I do, who could write more interesting articles. This Home is all that can be expected. but not pleasant to one of my age, how- ever well the treatment. A something besides a simple round of animal func- tions is desired.
Respectfully yours. CHAS. II. BELL.
P. S .- There is one item probably worth stating. I was in every engage- ment except one (St. Mary's Church), that the regiment was, and with Gen-
eral Sturges as orderly, at Antietam South Mountain, and Fredericksburg.
C. H. B.
[See p. 515, and picture pp. 513. 491, Hist.]
YARMOUTH, MASS., July 25th, 1891. DEAR GENERAL:
I enclose a little sketch of one of our boys. I wait impatiently for the time to come when we shall all round up at Houlton. I hope to be there with my wife and children. Please give me credit on BUGLE account for one dollar, the balance, four dollars, you may place to credit of some of Co. D. on account of BUGLE.
Edward F. Morrill joined us in the fall of 1862. Our long experience in the army suggested the name of "Johnny Raw " for him ; this was done more to emphasize our ripeness as soldiers than any reflection upon him. He was in no sense a dude, neither was he a city rough: in fact, he was more redolent of the haystack than of the saloon. He hailed from the town of Jay. I am not well grounded in the history and geography of Jay, but I can say that if Edward F. Morrill was a fair specimen of its inhabitants it must be a good place to live in. Al- though he was not of a large stature. his strength was enormous. The whole company would often stand in wonder at the immense oak butts that Morrill would bring in on his shoulder with which to replenish his fire. His good nature was as remarkable as his strength. Morrill was nowhere more peculiar than in a fight. His ideas of war had been drawn from florid pic- tures of carnage and battle such as were never seen in reality, so he was sadly disappointed at the tameness of our engagements. His first encounter with the enemy was in what we con- sidered a smart brush. but Morrill
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BUGLE ECHOES.
said, " That ain't nothing : I want to see a fight where I can smell powder." We always asked him after every fight if he smelt any powder, but he always acknowledged his disappointment. I remember the last fight in which I saw him. It was a duel between a part of our regiment and a battery of artillery at carbine range. Morrill's horse, like some soldiers, seemed to think there was something very desirable in the direction opposite to the enemy. He expostulated with him in this way: his arms widely extended. a rein in each hand, he shouted to him, " Haow there! stand up here and face the music!" The battery was soon glad to change its position, a result to which Morrill contributed his full share. He was killed at Dinwiddie Court House, March 31st, 1865. I often think of that hearthstone in the good town of Jay, how it must be saddened by the re- membrance of the strong young man who went out from it never to return ; but if they knew him as we knew him their grief would be softened by the thought of the noble offering they had laid upon their country's altar, "a sol- dier without fear and without re- proach."
Very truly and respectfully.
THOMAS B. PULSIFER, Co. D.
[Sce pp. 513, 521, and picture p. 273, Ilistory.]
CARMEL, June 23rd, I891. DEAR GENERAL AND COMRADE:
1 have received three copies of the BUGLE; which I. esteem very highly. The BUGLE reminds me of the past and of the brave boys who fought so nobly and bravely in defense of their country and Hag. I hope and trust when the last BUGLE shall sound at the last grand reunion, that every boy in blue shall fall in. Not long ago I visited the well-marked spot where our brave Col. Calvin S. Douty rests, and
as I stood and looked upon his last resting place, my heart swelled with grief as I thought of that noble com- mander, so brave and so true. Blood never flowed from a more noble man than he, and many others of our noble boys who sleep in Southern soil. We are falling out, one by one. Soon the sound of the BUGLE will be heard no more, but while I live I shall continue to enjoy the pages of our most noble History, and the faces of our fallen and surviving comrades contained therein. I expect to be at our next reunion at Houlton, and trust to see many of our old comrades whoin I have not seen since the close of the war. Lieut. Col. Boothby, Captain Phillips and Lieu- tenant Harris of my company gave their lives in the time of the war. I often think of them. It seems only a short time, but they fell more than twenty-five years ago. I will not tres- pass on your patience longer.
I remain yours, ORRIN L. GARRETT, Saddler Co. F, Ist. Me. Cav. [See p. 546, History.]
SKOWHEGAN, ME., July 26th, 1891. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade, -- I received the BUGLE yesterday; it makes the fifth one I have received, and I am ashamed to think I have not paid a cent for them yet. Now, the fact of the matter is, if a fellow cannot do better than that he ought to be damned. I like the BUGLE very much, and hope I shall always receive them. I enclose one dollar.
Very respectfully, CONVERSE L. WEBB, Co. H. [See p. 5St. History.]
٢٠١٧ بوريس الأمة.
.
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
NORTHAMPTON, MASS.,
July 27th, 1891.
GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir,-Enclosed find two dollars to pay one year's subscription to the BUGLE to be sent to some comrade selected by you, and for one year's to be sent to myself.
Yours truly,
J. P. THOMPSON, Co. M. [See p. 655, History.]
WINTHROP, ME., July 28th, 1891. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir and Comrade .-- Enclosed find $4.62 in payment for First Maine Cavalry badge, postage on same, last year's BUGLE and next year's BUGLE. I take pleasure in reading the BUGLE when it comes. Although I was in the regiment but a short time, I feel proud that I was at all. I was a pri- vate in Co. D, Twenty-first Maine In- fantry, and served my time and came home: but I wanted to try the cavalry so I thought I would go into Company C, as I had a brother, Wm. B. Shaw. who died in November. 1862. while I was in service the first time. So I went, and to-day I feel proud of the old regi- ment. Should like to meet you at. Houlton, Me., but cannot for I am poor in health and money, too. But I am in hopes to meet you sometime if I live. I joined the regiment in the spring of 1864, and I saw some service as you know. Yours in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty,
C. W. SHAW.
[See p. 509, History.]
EAST BOSTON, MASS., July soth. 1891.
GEN. CILLEY :
Dear Sir, -- You may think it strange to get a letter from a lady in regard to the BUGLE, but my husband is away,
and I see it is time to send for the BUGLE for next year, so you will find money to pay for it. I can never write words to express what joy it gives me to read the BUGLE and all the com rades' letters, and the noble deeds done by the First Maine Cavalry -- we are all proud of their record. I attended the reunion last year; it was the first one I ever attended, and I enjoyed myself so much, for every one seemed happy and cheerful: but there were some moments when I felt sad to see the tears fill their eyes; some had not Sten each other since the war. Well do I remember the war. I was very young, but my dear father went to war. It was sad for us to have him go, and we saw many a sad and lonely hour while he was away. He left mother with five children .to go and fight for his country, but at last the war was ended and father came home. He never got hurt, and was in a great many battles. He came home sick, not the same fresh-looking man he was when he went away. He died five years after the war with a.sickness he had while in service never being a well man afterwards: but I feel proud that I can tell my friends that my father was in the war over four years. I was pleased to read your talk of having your reunion of 1893 in Chicago, for that is my native place. I lived there in war time. Little did I think that an unknown man was in the war fighting for his country then, who happened in after years to be my com- panion through life. I am proud that he was in the war, for I do think that of all men, the men who left home and loved ones and went to save their country ought to be loved by every- body. Whether an officer or privat .. they were all there for the same cause. Last year I met comrades of my hus- band -some he had never seen since
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BUGLE ECHOES.
the war. I joined the Ladies' Auxil- iary last year, and got the First Maine Cavalry badge. Captain Merrill has one of them. We have the History of the First Maine; I have not had a chance to keep it in the house we lend it so much to friends. I should like to attend the next reunion in Maine; do not think we can. for my health is not good; have not left my room for six weeks, and while sitting here reading the BUGLE, it has cheered me to read of the noble deeds done in the war. God bless the boys who were so brave. Captain Merrill is a sea-going man, not home much of the time. so I took the liberty to do this for him. I wish 1 could shake hands with many of the noble men.
A COMRADE'S WIFE.
[See p. 588, History.]
IV. SULLIVAN, ME., Aug. 2nd, 1891. GEN. CILLEY and COMRADE:
There is nothing I prize more highly than the History of the old First Maine Cavalry, and the BUGLE, and none would be more ready to respond to the call of the BUGLE than I if finances would admit. If the time ever comes when I can remit, none will be more willing than your old comrade. I am many times obliged to some comrade for the BUGLE to date, hoping the time will come when I can repay. You may think it strange I should be so low in financial affairs. My health has been poor for a long time and my wife and daughters have been under the doctor's care for over five months, and nothing to do with but my hands and the small pension I draw.
Yours truly with F. C. & 1 ... LORENZO C. HOOPER, CO. M.
[See p. 652, History.]
ELLSWORTH FALLS, ME., Aug. 6th, 1891.
MR. CILLEY :
Dear Sir,- My husband wishes me to write and let you know that he re- ceived the BUGLE in due season. and was so very much pleased to receive it. He enjoys reading them much. Every time he thinks he will be able to send you a little toward it, and I hope in the near future he can pay for his and help another that will be as pleased to re- ceive it as he is. But now, as the old saying is. it is a "rub and a go" with us, for Mr. Varnuin has been sick to be under the doctor's treatment over three years, and so we feel poor. as he cannot work at all; though for six weeks he does seem to gain very little. But our doctor does not tell me he can ever expect to be well again. Even for that we would be very thankful if he could be comfortable, which he is not : for days he will be distressed dread- fully, and then perhaps he will be quite comfortable for as many; that is the way he is all the time.
Very respectfully, MRS. JOSEPH G. VARNUM.
[Sec p. 522, History.] -
SURRY, ME., Aug. 23rd, IS91. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade, -- I will try and answer to Roll Call for the first time, and will say that the First Maine BUGLE is the best thing I ever saw or read in my life, and I want it as long as I live. I will send you a dollar next month. I am poor, have a large family of eleven - nine boys, no girl. I was pleased to see in the BUGLE a letter from W. A. Vinal. He was.a sergeant of my company, I, and I think I never saw a better soldier than he was. You must not think I have lost the grip of that grand First Maine Cavalry. I feel proud of the name
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
As soon as I can I will send for the badge. I get a large pension of $4 a month. When our regiment charged into Farmville, April 7th, 1865. I had my horse shot and I was wounded in the right hand. I served two years in the Second Maine Infantry, and nearly one year in Company E, First District Columbia Cavalry, and the remainder of my time in the First Maine Cavalry. I was not a hospital bummer. I was wounded in the left foot in the Second Maine Infantry, and in the right hand in the First Maine Cavalry.
Yours truly,
JAMES H. CARD.
[See p. 597, History.]
CHICAGO, Aug. 26th, 1891.
GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear General, -- I have received the last two copies of the BUGLE, but have been almost too busy to read them, and think it about time to answer to "roll call." I have faint hopes of being with you at the next reunion; will do so if possible. Enclosed find my check for Sto, which credit what I owe on the BUGLE, and put the rest "where it will do the most good."
Yours truly,
PERLEY LOWE, Co. H. [See p. 557, History.]
[In compliance with the above letter $2 was credited to Comrade Lowe for two years' subscription. and the re- maining $S was used to send the BUGLES to the following comrades : Thompson M. Brown, E. Hampton : Jas. P. Carr, Brunswick. Me. ; Wm. R. Locke, Etna Corner. Me. ; Mrs. Green- leaf D. Greeley, Roslindale, Mass .: David M. Haley, Sebago, Me .: Robert A. Heal, Lincolnville Centre, Me .; Chas. S. Lowell, Dexter, Me. : Horatio B. Soule, Yarmouth, Me.]
. WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 28th, 1891.
MY DEAR COMRADE :
Thanks for the First Maine BUGLE. I shall at once subscribe. I want to read every word printed about the old First Maine Cavalry. Was with it - in the charge way up the hill at Brandy Station, June 9th, 1863, and at Aldie, where Colonel Douty was killed. God bless the survivors of the First Maine.
Yours sincerely,
E. W. WHITAKER,
Late A. D. C. of Gen. Kilpatrick.
PITTSFIELD, Me., Sept. 6th, 1891. GEN. CILLEY :
Please find enclosed a check for $2 for the First Maine BUGLE. I have got Calls 2, 3, 4 and 5, but have not got the ist. That pays for eight num- bers. I see by your reports that I am among the missing, but I am among the living yet, so you had better change that report. I was in Company G, First District Columbia Cavalry, trans- ferred to Company L, First Maine Cavalry. Cromwell Carter of my company died at Andersonville, and it is in the History, "discharged by order, 1865." Sergt. B. F. Carter dicd at Braidentown, Fla., where he lived about five years ago. Capt. W. S. Howe was brought here from Lewis- ton, and buried last week, so we have lost one good soldier and Grand Army of the Republic man.
Yours, in F. C. & L., ALBERT L. SYLVESTER.
[See p. 643, History.]
MELVERN, KAN., Sept. 8th, 1891. GEN. J. P. CILLEY ;
Dear Comrade,-I will surrender as I cannot withstand such persistency. I perceive you still have the same "grit" always displayed during the war by Maine boys, to never surrender. I en-
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BUGLE ECHOES.
close Se for the BUGLE. past, present and future. Please send me last April number if you have it. I wish to second Comrade Daggett's suggestion that our regiment hold its reunion in '93 at Chicago. Yours and all the comrades in love.
CYRUS CASE. [See p. 501, picture p. 524, History.]
Personal Recollections of Boydton Plank Road.
The twenty-seventh of October, as all old veterans of the First Maine Cavalry know. when there was any ob- struction in our way in the shape of rebels with guns. it was First Maine to the front. Well, I commenced work at daylight when we charged their picket line. When we formed in line at the foot of that hill, the second fight of that day, waiting for artillery to get in position, I think I was the first man next to the road on the left. We were firing some, but every time I would rise to fire, whiz ! a ball would go past my head, until Private Henry I .. Far- rington, who was next to me on the left, got one plum through the face. Oh, no! I did not get up to fire again until the order to charge, and when we got half way to the woods I met an old
comrade from a regiment we were in before. What do you suppose we did? We shook and sat right down, pulled our pipes and lighted them-of course we were talking all the time -- and then double-quicked to catch up. Of course you all know the day's work we had in the Bull Pen, down in the pines; I came near getting left. There was only one man on my right and he fell : it was Gustavus K. Estes (His. p. 567), I started for him to get the sixteen- shooter, but the Johnnies got there first, so I retreated in good order. When I turned, our boys were some ways off, and I was between the two lines, but I skulked around amongst the trees and got back with them --- recollect that this was at dark. The. only way we knew where the rebs were was by the flash of the guns. We got through after a while, and of course it rained as usual, but I got two rails and laid down, probably slept one or two hours, with the bridle wound around my leg.
This is only a short sketch of this racket, but let some of the other boys come up and say something and I will try again.
FRANK C. NEEDHAM, Co. G, First Me. Cav .. Bethel, Me.
[See p. 571, History.]
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
TAPS.
Oh, under the blossoming clover, When the march and the conflict are over, Your sleep will be sweet after Taps.
The Martyr of Freedom.
Suggested by the death of Horace Sylvester of Augusta, Maine, who died in South Boston, Mass., March rst. 1867. Aged 27 years. 7 mos.
BY MRS. P. A. HANAFORD.
So young to die, and life so fair to him !--- How hard to say " farewell" ! Only thy hand -- oh, Father! can sus- tain
When billows round us swell, And the wild waters of affliction's tide Forbid the thought that earthly joys abide.
He joined the army of the true and brave,
When Freedom called her sons,
And for the Right he bravely risked his life,
With all her noble ones,
But he was spared to reach his home again,
Though with a heritage, there won, of pain.
Now hath his soul ascended, and though he
Fell not in Freedom's fray.
Yet we must feel a patriot is at rest, Who died for Liberty ;
God bless each loved one of the mourning band.
Till they shall meet him in the bet- ter land !
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