USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1892 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 14
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At Aillik, where there is an abandoned Hudson Bay Co.'s post, we measured a few more Eskimo, obtained a kyak, which a day or two later nearly became a coffin to one of our party, and tried a trout stream that proved the best we found in Lab- rador. In about an hour, three of our party caught over eighty magnificent trout, and, naturally, returned much elated.
The next day we poked the Julia's inquisitive nose into one or two so-called but misnamed harbors that afforded very little shelter, and had a threatening and deserted look which, although the characteristic of the Labrador shore in general, has never been noticeable in the harbors we have visited. Many of them are very small, and in some it is necessary to lay quite close to the rocks, but yet we have had no trouble from the extremely deep water that we were told we should have to anchor in, no: yet from getting into harbors so small that it was hard to get out of them.
As a matter of fact, experience has taught the fishermen to use " tickles," as narrow passages are called, for harbors, that there may always be a windward and a leeward entrance. In a few cases where the harbor is too small to beat out of, and bas no leeward entrance, we have found heavy ring bolts fastened into proper places in the cliffs, to which vessels can make their lines fast, and warp themselves into weatherly position from which a course can be laid out of the harbor.
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Meanwhile we are again approaching the Ragged ISmooi which we passed just as we were beginning that memoroli Sunday evening sail, about fifteen miles from the place west much dread, Webeck Harbor.
On them we found the only gravel bed we found in Labr.do .. and yet their name is due to the rough piled ba altie appears rock, that proved on close examination to be much weathemed sienite and granite. The harbor is an open place amido cluster of rocky islets, and 'we found it literally packed was fishing vessels. Here an afternoon was spent making pictur and examining the geology of these interesting islands, and here the adventure of the kyak, before referred to, took place.
Our fur trader thought he would take a paddle, but had r. gone three lengths before he found that he was more expert in dealing with Eskimo fers than in handling Eskimo boats. He rolled over, was soon pulled alongside, and clearing himsel. from the kyak climbed aboard just as our gallant mate, his r ... cuer. rolled out of his dory into the water and took a swim on his own account. All hands were nearly exploded with laugh's as he rolled himself neatly into the dory again and clinib .c aboard, remarking, " That's the way to climb into a dory without capsizing her," as he ruefully shook himself. We wanted to ask him if that was the only way to get out of a dory without turn ing her over, but we forebore.
The next morning as we got clear of the harbor, a trim look ing schooner of our size was sighted just off Cape Harrigan. about ten miles ahead. The breeze freshening we gradually overhauled her, and finally, while beating into Holton harbor. one of the most dangerous entrances on the coast, by the way. we passed her, and noticing her neat rig and appearance guessed. rightly we had beaten the representatives of the Newfoundland! law and the collector of her revenues from this coast.
Mr. Burgess, who combines in one unassuming personage the - tax and customs collector, the magistrate and the commissione" of poor relief for Labrador, afterward told us that the " Ross " had been on the coast for thirteen years and had been outsailed for the first time. The next morning we again beat her badly,
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in working up to Indian Harbor, and only then would be acknowl- edge himself fairly beaten.
Saturday, the 22d of August, having yet three days before we were due at Rigolette to meet our Grand River party, we made memorable in the annals of the puffins and auks of the Heron Islands by spending three or four hours there and taking aboard three hundred and seventy-eight of them. Many more of them were killed but dropped into inaccessible places or into the water and could not be saved.
The sound of the fusilade from over twenty gunners must have resembled a small battle, but it did not drive the birds away, and as we left they seemed thicker than ever. Not only was the air alive with them, but as one walked along the cliffs they would dart swiftly out of holes in the rocks, or crevices, so the earth, too, seemed full of them. It was great sport for a time, but soon seemed too much like slaughter, and we would let the awkward puffins, with their foolish eyes and Roman noses, come blundering along within a few feet of our muzzles. and chose rather the graceful, swift motioned auks and guillemots. whose rapid flight made them far more sportsmanlike game.
The next day, though Sunday, bad to be spent in taking care of the best specimens, and the game was not fully disposed of for several days. Our bill of fare was correspondingly improved for a few days.
Three days were consumed in beating up to Rigolette. At Indian Harbor we had heard rumors of the return of some party from Grand River on account of injuries received by one of the men, but the description applied best to the second party, and we decided it must refer to Bryant or Kenaston. Near Turner's Cove we found more rumors, but nothing definite enough to. satisfy our growing anxiety, and at last, unable to bear the sus- pense any longer, three of the party took a boat and started to « row the fifteen miles between us and Rigolette, while the vessel waited for a change of tide and a breeze.
Alternate hope and fear lent strength to our arms as we drove the light boat along, and soon we came in sight of the wharf. There we saw a ragged looking individual, smoking a very short
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and black clay pipe, with one arm in a sling, who seemed to recognize us, and waved his hat vigorously with his well arm. Soon we recognized Young and were pumping away at his well hand in our delight at finding his injuries no worse and that Cary and Cole were yet pushing on, determined to accomplish their object.
Young's hand had been in a critical state; the slight injury first received unconsciously, from exposure and lack of atten- tion had caused a swelling of his hand and arm that was both extremely painful and dangerous, and which, the doctor said, would have caused the loss of the thumb, or possibly of the whole hand, had it gone uncared for much longer. Of course it was impossible to leave a man in such a condition, or to send him back alone, so Smith very regretfully volunteered to turn back -- at a point where a few days more were expected to give a sight of the Falls, and when all thought the hardest work of the Grand River party had been accomplished - and accompany Young back to Rigolette.
It was a great sacrifice of Smith's personal desires, to be one of the re-discoverers of the falls, to the interests of the expedi- tion, and it involved a great deal of hard work, for, after paddling and rowing all day, he had to build and break camp every night and morning, as Young's hand grew steadily worse and was all he could attend to.
At the mouth of the river, which was reached in shorter time than was expected, and without accident, Young obtained some relief from applications of spruce gum to his hand by Jos Michelini, a trapper and hunter, famous for his skill in all Lab- rador. North West River was reached the following day, and after a few days of rest for Smith, during which time Young's injury began to mend also under the influences of rest and shelter, they hired a small schooner boat to take them to Rigo- lette. On the passage they were struck by a squall in the night, nearly swamped, and compelled to cut the Rushton boat adrift in order to save themselves. The next day they searched the leeward shore of the lake in vain, and had to go on without her, arriving at Rigolette without further accident, and had been there
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about a week when we arrived. The boat was picked up later, in a badly damaged condition, and given to the finder.
While Young outlined his experience we hunted up Smith, who had been making himself useful as a clerk to the factor at the post, Mr. Bell, and all went on board the Julia as soon as she arrived, to report and relieve in a measure the anxiety of the professor and the boys.
The day appointed for meeting the river party was the day on which we reached Rigolette, August 25th, and so a sharp lookout was kept for the two remaining members of the party. on whom, now, the failure or success of that part of the expe- dition rested. As they did not appear, we moved up to a cove near Eskimo Island, at the eastern end of Lake Melville, the following day, and there spent four days of anxious waiting. was Some dredging and geological work was done, and an attempt made to examine more carefully the remains of the Eskimo vil- lage before referred to on Eskimo Island, which some investi- gators had thought the remains of a Norse settlement. The turf was too tough to break through without a plow, and we had to give it up, doing just enough to satisfy ourselves that the remains were purely Eskimo.
All the work attempted was done in a half-hearted manner, for our thoughts were with Cary and Cole, and as the day's went by and they did not appear, but were more and more overdue, our suspense became almost unbearable. Added to this was the thought that we could wait but a few days more at the long- est, without running the danger of being imprisoned all winter, and for that we were poorly prepared.
The first day of September we moved back to Rigoletto to get supplies and make preparations for our voyage home, as it was positively unsafe to remain any longer. The Gulf of St. Lawrence is an ugly place to cross at any time in September, for in that month the chances are rather against a small vessel's getting across safely.
It was decided that the expedition must start home on Wed- nesday, the end, and that a relief party should be left for Cary and Cole. With heavy hearts the final preparations were made,
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and many were the looks cast at the narrows where they would be seen, were they to heave in sight.
At last, about 3.30 p. m. Tuesday, the lookout yelled, " sail ho! in the narrows," and we all jumped for the rigging. They had come, almost at the last hour of our waiting, and with a feeling of relief such as we shall seldom again experience we welcomed them aboard and heard their story.
JONATHAN P. CILLEY, JR.
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THE ASSEMBLY.
" Saddle up, lively, boys! Fall in ! From the Right, Count FOURS! Prepare to Mount! MousT! Fours Right! Column Forward ! MARCH ! "
The account of the recent glorious reunion in Houlton will be published in the July Call. This will complete the accounts of the reunions to the present time. In future we shall be compelled to publish the account of but one reunion a year, and thus will be at lib- erty to give the comrades a greater variety of reading. The present indications are that we shall have enough ma- terial to make each Call onc which the comrades will dearly love to read and to keep. We certainly shall if the comrades will stand by us in the future as they have done in the past. So be preparing your stories of the service, stories of com- rades since the war, genealog- ical sketches, your diaries dur- ing the war, - anything that will interest the comrades of
the grand old regiment, -- any- thing which the sons of the comrades will take pride in preserving. We want such sketches right away for the July Call, and the October Call, and lots of them for the Janu- ary Call.
In the January Call, which the comrades have now thor- oughly digested, was published a completeroll of the regiment, with the addresses of the sur- viving comrades so far as is known, and the time, place and manner of death of such as have come to our knowledge. This roll is now one of the nearest complete in existence, and alone tells the story of the regiment. But we are not sat- ished with this. We want to make it still nearer complete, and have to call upon the com-
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rades for assistance. As you read over the long, honorable roll, you find here and there the name of a comrade who has been finally mustered out, and there is no mention of this fact ; of a comrade with whose whereabouts you are acquaint- ed, but whose address is not on the roll. In all such cases sit down at once,-don't post- pone it till to-morrow, -- and write the fact to Gen. J. P. Cilley, Rockland, Me., and in the next January Call they will appear, and the roll will be so much the nearer com- plete. In this way it will not be long before the roll will be absolutely complete.
Commissary Bowman, in the sketch of his visit to Gettys- burg last summer, published in this Call, calls attention to the fact that our regimental monument on that famous field is unguarded, and that hogs are wallowing in the carth at the base of the monument to such an extent that there is danger of the monument being undermined. Hesuggests that the monument should be pro- tected by an iron fence, and the suggestion is a good one. It would be well for the com-
rades to go to the reunion at Washington, next September, prepared to take steps to have this improvement made, not only for the protection of the monument, but for its orna- mentation.
We commence, with this Call, the publication of the genealogical sketches of the comrades, as was promised in the previous Call. These sketches will be of much inter- est, as they give in brief, the history of the comrades since the muster-out, while those which contain touches of the old days will prove interesting in another direction. We should like similar sketches of every comrade, and will have it if each comrade will do his duty in the matter. Then will the FIRST MAINE BUGLE be the greatest regimental publi- cation in the world.
The July Call.
The Call for July will con- tain the fourth article from Major Henry C. Hall, in the series entitled " After Appo- mattox," and the comrades will all agree that this series of sketches grows more and more interesting.
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It will also present the con- tinuation of the "Bowdoin Boys in Labrador," who will take us up Grand River to the Grand Falls, will give the last outlook from the marked Bow- doin spruce in mid Labrador, and tell the story of the plucky return, after the loss of boat and most of their provisions, of two hardy explorers, who footed and floated over three hundred miles.
The Call for July will also contain an article entitled " Remarkable Story of the First Maine Cavalry," from the pen of George L. Kilmer, of the American Press Asso- ciation : a sketch entitled " A Night with Mosby," by C. W. Wiles, of the Tenth New York Cavalry ; and a sketch, " Be- guiled by Chance," by a com- rade of our regiment.
Capt. A. J. Burbank, of Co. G, was installed as Commander of George H. Thomas Post, No. 5, Department of Illinois, Grand Army of the Republic, in Chicago, on the evening of January 9th last, in presence of a large number of depart- ment officers and prominent comrades.
Whoever wishes to purchase a copy of the reports of the Adjutant General of Maine, 1861-1866, can procure a set, newly bound, by addressing Edward P. Tobie, Pawtucket, R. I.
We have received from com- rade William H. Luce, of Co. A, an account of his service in the famous Sixth Massachu- setts Infantry, before our reg- iment was organized, including the march through Baltimore, where occurred the riot in which two members of that regiment were killed. This sketch will be published in the July Call.
We have a promise of an article from Capt. Monroe Daggett, on his experience in the infantry: also one on western life and Indian fight- ing in 1866 and 1867. Com- rade Daggett is a bright and fascinating writer and we look forward to these contributions with pleasant anticipations.
Sons of the First of Maine.
It is hardly necessary to call the attention of the Sons of the First of Maine to the arti- cle in this Call by one of their
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number, entitled " Bowdoin Boys in Labrador," for they have become so much inter- ested in the previous articles that they are waiting impa- tiently for this one. But we believe the comrades them- selves will be quite as much interested as their sous.
The sons of the comrades who wish to be identified with the organization, " Sons of the First of Maine," are reminded that all that is necessary for that purpose is to send name and address, with the name and company of their fathers, to the secretary, Willis Tobic, No. 148 Broadway, Pawtucket, R. I., that the list may be made up. It is hoped that all will promptly comply with this re- quiretuent. that the young or- ganization may make a good showing at the next reunion.
Edward P. Tobie, Jr., of Pawtucket, R. L., President of the Sons of the First of Maine, has accepted a position as Pawtucket correspondent and agent of the Providence Even- ing News, and is doing excel- lent work.
Jonathan P. Cilley, Jr., Vice President of the Sons of the First of Maine, graduated at
Bowdoin College, 1891, rank- ing number four in his class, and is now at Harvard Law School.
Willis Tobie, of Pawtucket. R. I., Secretary of the Sons of the First of Maine, observed his eighteenth birthday, March 21st, by a gathering of his young friends at his father's residence, and a nice, quiet, pleasant evening was the re- sult. During the evening the young host was presented by his friends with a handsome ring, as a souvenir of the occa- sion and of the friends present.
Edward L. Dam, vice presi- dent of the Sons of the First of Maine for Co. F, passed a most successful examination before the commissioners of pharmacy in Maine, in New Hampshire and in Massachu- setts, and is now with George C. Fry, and has the reputation of being one of the most skill- ful prescription clerks in Port- land.
We shall be pleased to re- ceive personal items of all kinds concerning the sons of the comrades, for publication in this department of the BUGLE. Boys, make it inter- esting for yourselves.
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The sons of deceased com- rades may render us efficient service, and do honor to the memory of their gallant fathers, by sending to us the fact and time of their death to assist in completing the roll, and also sending a sketch of their lives, for the genealogical record.
The Army and Navy Four- nal says: " The members of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Loyal Legion, under the lead of Colonel John P. Nich- olson, are pushing vigorously their project for the crection of a war library and museum in the city of Philadelphia. We question whether such a project could succeed any- where else, but it does promise success in Philadelphia. The state of Pennsylvania has con- tributed $50.000 contingent upon the subscription of $100.000 additional, and half of this amount is already sub- scribed, and there seems to be no doubt as to the remainder." A First Maine Cavalry man, reading the above, remarked that if the First Maine Cavalry Association continue their publications each member of the old regiment will possess a war library and picture gal-
lery of his own, and will cach need an appropriation from the State for building to con- tain the same.
Relics from Camp Penobscot.
Sergt. Sidney W. Clark, of Co. A, residing at Masardis. has in his possession two invi- tations to promenade concerts and military balls given during the winter in Augusta. As these cannot fail to be of inter- est to the comrades, we reprint them here, only wishing the same old type and style of thirty years ago could be re- peated :
Grand promenade concert and mili- tary ball, to be given by the officers of the First Maine Cavalry. Sir: Your presence, with ladies, is respectfully so- licited at Meonian Hall, Monday ever- ing, Dec. 16th, 1861. Committee of arrangements: Major C. S. Doughty, Major D. P. Stowell, Capt. B. II. Put- namn, Capt. W. L. Whitney, Adj. B. F. Tucker, Lieut. C. Taylor. Lieut. j. (. Hill, Lieut. G. S. Kimball, Lieut. J. C. .Stevens. Music by the Cavalry Band. Dancing to commence at So'clock. The military expectel to appear in full uni- form. Tickets, including refreshments, $2.50; for sale at the Augusta House, Chisam & Cobli's, Patten & Austin's, and by members of the committee.
Grand Promenade Concert and Mili- tary Ball, to be given by the non-com- missioned officers of the First Maine Cavalry. Your presence is respectfully solicited at Meontan Hall, Friday even- ing, Dec. 20th, 1861. Committee of
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arrangements, Sergts. L. G. Estes, A. P. Russell, J. A. Fessenden, I. A. Coombs, Geo. Cowee, C. E. Smith, Chas. Bibber, L. B. Hill, C. A. Thoms. Music by Reg- imental and Quadrille Bands. Dancing to commence at & o'clock.
The Androscoggin Association.
The annual meeting and banquet of the First Maine Cavalry Association of An- droscoggin county was held at G. A. R. hall in Auburn, Sat- urday, Feb. 27th, 1892. There was a large attendance of com- rades and their ladies and the gathering was a happy event.
A fine banquet was provided and served by the ladies, after which there were speeches by Gen. Cilley, the brave and honored commander, President Milton F. Ricker and . Com- rades Besse, Moulton, Dresser. Coffin, Daston, Lowell and Little. The speeches had ref- erence to army experiences, and were of keen interest. Gen. Cilley's presence was a surprise, and he received a warm welcome.
At the business meeting, Milton F. Ricker of Auburn, was elected president ; W. G. Besse of Lewiston, vice presi- dent; Henry Little, Auburn, secretary and treasurer ; B. P. Lowell, Lewiston, chaplain.
The following resolutions on the death of Dr. W. S. Howe, an interested and honored member of the local associa- tion, were passed :
Whereas, It has pleased Divine Prov- idence to transfer from the ranks of his comrades here to join the ranks of those who have gone before, our beloved com- rade and president, Dr. W. S. Howe,
Resolved, That this association mourns the loss of a brave soldier, a good citizen ' and a much loved comrade.
Resolved, That we hereby tender to his afflicted family our profound sympa- thy and condolence in their great bereave- ment.
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the records of this associa- tion, and that a copy be sent to the fani- ily of our late comrade; also that they be published in the daily Journal.
M. F. KICKER, Committee C. E. MOULTON, { J. H. COFFIN, Resolutions. Gen. Cilley was a guest of Henry Little, at the Park House, Auburn, while in that city.
A Joyous Entertainment.
The First Maine Cavalry boys are as great a success when they start in for a social gathering as they were in put- ting the enemy to flight during the war. Friday evening, March 4th, the local members of the cavalry and their ladies . were entertained by Mrs. Ro- lan Foster, at her home, No. 52 School street, Auburn. Mrs.
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Foster was assisted in enter- taining by Mrs. Charles E. Moulton. The house was handsomely decorated with flags and flowers. Outside there were many Chinese lait- terns, and inside every room was illuminated. The decora- tion included eighty-three flags beside a liberal amount of bunt- ing. The cavalry color was dis- played in every possible place, even to a huge yellow tie. of ribbon on the dog's neck. The evening was passed so- cially. About forty comrades and their ladies were there .; Refreshments were served and games of various kinds were indulged in. Just before leav- ing for home the party sang " America." Piano solos were rendered during the evening by Miss Lena Thompson and Master Foster. Mrs. Foster's hospitality was greatly appre- ciated.
Annual Meeting Massachusetts Branch.
The annual reunion and ban- quet of the Massachusetts Branch of the First Maine Cavalry Association was held in the Crawford House, Boston, March 30th, and was one of the pleasantest in the history of
the organization. The first comrade to arrive was, natu- rally, the one who went the greatest distance, viz: Gen. J. P. Cilley ; but before he had found his way among the be- wildering corridors of the Crawford House to the room assigned for the meeting, he was overtaken by a comrade from the little State of Rhode Island. He was quickly fol- lowed by Major Henry C. Hail, of Woburn, now a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and they then had quite a little reunion all to themselves, for a while. But there was more business than story telling in their con- versation, and ere long the comrades began to gather, un- til the room was full. The business meeting was called to- gether by the president, Major Hall, and officers were elected for the ensuing year as fol- lows :
President -. Maj. Henry C. Hall.
Vice Presidents - Lieut. George F. Jewett, Joseph R. Curtis.
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