USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1892 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 17
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Yours very cordially, ALBERT N. SEIP.
GRANITE HILL, Pa., Feb. 25th, IS92. GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir and Comrade,-Your circular and copy of FIRST MAINE BUGLE re- ceived, for which I am very much indebted to you indeed. You can scarcely imagine the amount of good it did me to have an opportunity to read up that grand old regiment, the First Maine Cavalry --- the banner cavalry regiment of the war - a fact that was well known to me years ago, and I would certainly have secured
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your history before this time but for a. financial reverse that has left me in my old age with such a load of debt that to be able to retain my old home which has been in the family since 1787 and which my grandfather, a Revolutionary soklier, bought when he settled down after the war, I have to use the strictest economy to make both ends meet, and, sorry as I am, do not feel justified in making the investment. Your circulars relating to publishing proceedings of reunions ) will Iny before our next meeting, which will not take place until next October. Jwasa much pleased to know that General Smith i still alive and well, and if you should meet him give him my kindest regards. Yours truly,
ROBERT BELI, Late Major 21st Pa. Cav. DOVER, Me., Feb. 25th, :892.
COMRADE CILLEY: - Another BUGLE Call has sounded and I think it is about time for ine to " fall in" and answer to my name by sending a remittance to the tune of about $2; therefore you will find that amount enclosed. I have been thanking for a long time of making my five children each a present of a copy of our history, but have never felt able to do so. I have come to the conclusion, however, that I must do it now or never, so send them by express as they will be all gone and I shall be left in the rear, which you know was not at all safe in '61-765. I know of no better present a First Maine veteran can make to his children.
Yours truly in F., C. & L., A. M. WARREN, Reg. of Deeds, Sorg't Co. M. [Hist. p. 640, 42, 168. !
PORTLAND, Me., Feb. 29th, 1892. MY DEAR COL. : - Herewith please And two dollars to pay for the Boot.r. I wouldn't take a " farm down cast" for Yours very truly, LEROY HT. TOBIE. it.
[Hist. p. 573; pict. p. 501.]
CUSTER CITY, Pa., Mar. Ist, 1892. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade, -- I received the BUGLE and it is very neat and handsome. A year ago I met the Sixteenth Pennsylva- nia boys and Colonel Robinson was with them and he asked after you and a num- ber of the First Maine boys. They were having a reunion at Franklin, Pa., and I happened to be there and made myself known as a First Mainte man, and Col. Robinson said it was the one thing he wanted to do, to shake the hand of a. First Maine inan before he died. They treated me so well that I thought " I was a bigger man than Gen, Grant." You would have thought to hear them talk that the First Maine and the Sixteenth Pennsylvania put down the Rebellion.
Yours truly, ROBERT LOCKHART.
[ Ilist. p. 507.]
WINN, Me., March Ist, IS92.
DEAR GENERAL CILLEY: - You must excuse me for not writing and sending my thanks and money for the BUGLE. but I had strong hopes I should get my increase and back pension and I could then send for the history of my regiment and pay for the BUGLE. I can only send1 my best wishes from the bottom of my heart and my hopes that I may be able to send the money to you, not only enough to pay for the BroLE but enough to pay for more than one, so that all comrades of the regiment can have them. I know that I love the BrouE and all the comrades of the First Maine Cavalry, and I will state a few words in this to let the comrades know that I was there in the battle of the clouds. We were in our tents near where we had the fight, and a brighter sun never shone than on that day. We had just drawn some potatoes and vegetables, were frying the same and eating, and our horses were eating their grain, when it began to
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lighten, with' flashes so vivid and far ex- tended that our horses left their grain and stood looking heavenward with all the men, to see the battle above and between the clouds. Many of the men involuntarily put on their belts and placed their hands on their sabre hilts as though expecting the order " Forward." Every First Mainc Cavalry man will always remember this battle in the skies. ORRIN F. LESVOS.
[Hist. p. 5.0.1
MALAGA, Cal., Mar. 2d, 1992.
My dear old comrade and commander, Gen. Cilley, -- I received the last BUGLE and was more than glad, I was delighted to receive it. I am always so glad when the quarter comes round to receive it -. it seems like getting so many letters from the boys. I was much interested in the first article in reference to our dear old commander, General Charles II. Smith's retirement and the handsome present he received from the non-commissione I off- cers and privates of the Nineteenth United States Infantry. Bless his dear heart, how I should like to see Lim once more before we cross the river at the foot of the mountain that we are all so rapidly marching down. Yes, comrade, we are getting old and very soon will the last one of the dear old regiment cross over. I shall probably go to Washington next year to the Grand Encampment, but I fear I shall not meet many of the boys there, fo. it will cost so much that bot many of them will be able to go. I was pleased to read the letter from my old friend and comrade, W. S. Sylvester, of Co. F. Inclosed find three dollars; two dollars to pay my subscription up to April, IS93. For the other dollar you can send the Buone to some one who is not able to pay; one of Co. F, if there is anyone.
Yours truly, Jos. T. DA LING, Co. F.
[ flist. p. 548.]
NEW MARKET, Tenn., Mar. 3, 1892. COMRADE J. P. CH.LEY :
My Dear Sir, -. Yours of the 12th ult. at hand to-day, it evidently baving bet .. delayed somewhere. I beg to say in reply that it would aford me much plan- ure to own and read a copy of the history of your regiment, especially that part of it relating to its services while it was brigaded with my regiment, Second New York, and I hope at some thine in the future to be able to spare from iny meagre income the sum necessary to purchase it. I reckon no " critter-back " man who served with the Army of the Potomac will hesitate to bear witness to the gallantry of your regiment and to the splendid material which composed it. One wonkl be lacking in that quality-that esprit du corps, or pride, which characterizes the true soldier, it he did not consider his own regiment the best, or as good as the best, and that pride still animnotes the survivors who followed the colors of the Harris Light Cavalry in the many engage- ments in which it took part; and yet I ani free to say that if there was any. reg- iment in the service we would be willing to salute as equals or superiors in sol- dierly qualities it would certainly be your own gallant, always-to-be-relied-on First Maine. I know this was the feeling in our command while the war was in preg- ress, and if the history of our regiment should ever be written the historian will doubtless make such acknowledgment. Owing to the fact that the Second New York was composed of companies or squadrons from several different States, (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut and Indiana, ) and that our contrades are widely scattered, we have never held a reunion, and it has only been within the past two or three months that we have organized a regi mental association. But we are to have a reaction at Washington next September, during the National Encampment, where
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uplifted sabre, was yhoferously yelling, " Who vill che mit me! Who vill die mit me!" It was an appeal that went right to the heart, and when my hatchet- faced comrade said, (sotto voce,) " Se- that! a Dutchinan willing to die for this republic," he turned to Harhous and ex- claimed, " By God, Colonel, I'll die with you! " and fifty men, right then and there fell into line and would have died in their tracks, if necessary, in an effort to hold back the pursuing and exultant enemy. As the rebels came up they met with a fusilade of pistol and carbine bul- lets that made them retreat in disorder. and they were easily held back until complete order had been brought out of the somewhat chaotic condition our brig- alle had got into. Then resuming the retreat in good order, crossing a bridge which was immediately burned, we marched all night and got into our lines next morning, a weary, sleepy, hungry lot of mortals. As the memory of this episode was recalled on meeting the First Maine man referred to, and has never been in print, I have written it for your publication.
Very truly yours in F., C. &. L., HANKI C. WHITAKER, Co. MI, 2d N. V. Cav.
READING, Pa., March 4th, 1892. GEN. J. P. CIL.L.BY :
My Dear General, - Inclosed please find post office order for $3. This sum you will credit to subscription account with the MAINE BUGLE. Anything that pertains to the First Maine Cavalry is of such interest to me, that I always wel- come the appearance of the BUGLE.
Yours sincerely, D. M. GREGG, (Late Comd'g 2d Div. C. C.)
MARQU KITE, Mich., Mar. 5th, 1892. MY DEAR GENERAL. :-- Finclose $5 to apply to my account with the BUGLE.
w : hope to arrange for the publication of a regimental history, I hope modeled after that of the First Maine, containing pictures of the survivors, as well as those of the dead, and giving the humorous as well as the pathetic and heroic phases and incidents of its services. I met one of your regimental comrides at the De- troit Encampment lost summer, though I cannot recall his name. He was wounded and captured on the Wilson raid, this side of Petersburg, in June, 1864. He said he escaped from prison and came up into East Tennessee, where he served for a time with (I think he said) Col. Kirk's command. Perhaps you will know the comrade I refer to. He tolddrie that he was in one of the ambulances that were abandoned on that raid, when the First Connecticut and Second New York were thrown into confusion, and he said if we had known how small the rebel force was that was following us we would not have shown our backs to them as we dil. But we of the Second did not know. We knew that the First Connecticut when attacked in force gave way and came rushing into our regiment when we were leisurely retreating in column of fours and threw us into confusion, which was increased when we passed the abandoned artillery and ambulances and heard that we were surrounded by the enemy's in- fautry and cavalry. General Mcintosh, who commanded our brigade, felt much humiliated over the sudden disorder we were thrown into, and as he rode along- side of me he exclaimed, " Boys, it is a shamne to let those rebel vagabonds drive us in this manner; ? to which a little hatchet-faced comradle of Co. I replied, " General, it seems to me that we are the vagabonds and those fellows who are driving us are the soldiers." We were then going at a full gallop, and about half a mile further on we came up to our colonel, ( Hatheus ) who, astride of his horse in the middle of the road, and with
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Its quarterly calls are more stimulating than quinine in Virginia.
Yours truly, GEORGL J. NORTHRUP. | Hist. p. 459; piet. p. 273.]
[Dr. Northrup is chief surgeon of the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Rail- way Co., and is fighting for the good health of the people of Marquette as successfully as he did with us, from Stony Creek to Apponatox, while in our regiment.]
Toous, Me., March 7th, 1892.
GEN. CHILEY: - I received the Ist Maine Brown with joy though unable to pay for it and the pleasure of reading it on account of failing sight. I am an an inmate of the National Home at Togus, Me., on account of being paral- yzed on the right side inclu ling my arm and have been so afflicted for the last seven years. I should very much en- joy the reunion of the regiment and meeting the "boys" of long ago, but circumstances prevent. I hope that some future time may bring me a chance of meeting with some of them.
Yours respectfully, THOMAS B. MOORE. [Hist. p. 586, piet. p. 424.]
(Friend Moore requests me to state the fact that I acted as his amanuensis. -. CHARLES C. GRISWOLD, Co. K. 2nd Ohio Vet. Cav.)
NEW YORK, March 15th, 1892. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Comrade, -. Have just returned from: Peansylvania. I thal yours of the 5th inst. waiting me. Enclosed is check for stoo in payment of the BooLE as sent me. Wish I couldl ail you in the matter of personal reminiscences, but as I was a ji / cavalryman and not a horse cavalryman it would be wholly out of my line of march to mount at this late
date. Although an infantryman 1 10 2 the BeatE of very much interest indest. and I look forward to its future perus"! with much pleasure. Send it along as usual, and believe me
Yours fraternally, E. W. SCHUTT.
GEN. CILIEY :
Dear Sir, -I was not at Wyatt's Farm in September, '04, but was at Boydto .... Plank Road Oct. 27. I remember I was not a very able sollier on that occasion. Was able to sit in the saddle byr a. friend used to help me on to my horse. I was too thin to make a very good target, besides I had a horse that dil not like the battle. We got pretty near a battery one time and at every fire he would make for the rear. Tine we got back into line the boys had a good laugh at my expense. I remember, however, a little event that turned the laugh on the most of them. It occorre ! while we were drawn up in the fell and just before we began to retreat. . \ shell came over the hill and went liss- ing diagonally across, apparently just high enough to cut the legs of our horses. Nevertheless, the way the boys ducked their heads afforded me the only occasion I had to laugh for two long days. I never shall forget our return. What torrents of rain! We stopped! just long enough after dark to make coffee. Then followed that long and cautious march back in a narrow, woody way. The darkness was intense. Not a sound was heard all the night but the falling rain and careful tromp of horses' feet. What a tortu ous, tedious process. At daylight we were in the camp we left twenty-four hours before. That was the last time I was with the regi- ment until I joing! it after Lee's sur- ren ler at Petersbrug. I was detailed and sent out as a safeguard at a Mr. Gill's, ten miles from Petersburg. I
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Amember that you rode out that way une day looking for some cannon that was reported as hidden in that vicinity. You called at Mr. Gill's and conversed with his mother, a venerable lady who seemed to have been very favorably im- pressed with your appearance. For a short time after she sent by my hand a basket of choice cherries to you in camp at Petersburg. I remained a month at Mr. Gill's, then was called on and mustered out with the first squad of dismounted men.
Yours very truly, WARREN F. BICKFORD. (liet. p. 458, piet. p. 298.]
BRADLEY, March 12th, 1892. GENERAL CILLEY :
Dear Sir,- As my husband does not write, the cause being the loss of his right hand, I will answer this BUGLE CALL, which makes six we have received. I have thought of writing before, but waited to see if I could not pay for them, but we are no better prepared to pay for them now than we were when we re- ceived the first. We have a large family, and the oldest being gids can not help us much. Mr. Cram's health is very poor. We receive four dollars a month from the State, and that with my hulp has to take care of the family of five. Judge for yourself, if we are ever able to pay for the BUGLES we shall with the greatest of pleasure. Mr. Cram would like to meet with the regiment. I hope he will be able to at its next meeting. I will say before closing that we enjoy the BUGLE very much.
Respectfully yours, MRS. RICHARD CRAM.
Richard J. Cram, [HEEst. p. 636,] was in Co. G, First District Columbia and Co. L. First Maine Cavalry. What comrade will supply them with the Bronx ?-. ED.
NEW MARKET, Temb., Mar. 25th, MA02. GEs. J. P. CILLKY :
Dear Sir and Compade, -- Please send the BUGLE, commencing with the April number. I was much interested in real- ing the two numbers you were kind enough to send; especially the one con- taining a letter from Gen. Mumfor! i: relation to the death of Col. Douty and the fight at Allie. Four or five year ago, (or perhaps six or seven,) during the month of June, the Vational Tri- une published some of my recollections of that engagement, written from the standpoint of a private sollier, in which it was stated that the Rebs were coni- pelled to fall back from "the fine posi- tion " Gen. Mumford said he occupied, and if memory is not at fault, they con- tinued to fall back to a gap in the Line Ridge. I vividly remember when my regiment was formed in columns of pla- toons in the road ot the foot of the mountain, prepared to charge the gap. The other regiments in the division were formed in close columns of squall- rons a considerable distance on our left and rear, with flags thrown to the breeze and a band playing Yankee Doodle. We knew that the gap was a bad place to charge and some of us 1 know right then made peace with our Maker. Our colonel (Harhous) sent word back to Kilpatrick that the rebel position was impregnable, that boil: cavalry and infantry were defending it. but if the general said go he weall lead the regiment forwarl. Meantime the rebs commenced to shell or send solid shot at us, but in a few moments the courier returned with an order from " Kil" to fall back. And when Har- hous (who was a Prussian) gave the command, " By platoons, r-right about wheel, march,' the movement Was ch- ecuted with as much precision as if we had been on dress parade. Bat Lopt. it was a relief to get out of that shelling
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and away from the gap. My squadron suffered severely at Aldie in a charge made against a force that occupied a hill on which were two straw stacks, about three hundred yards north of the Middleburg road and immediately west of the town. Capt. Dan. Whitaker of the Second New York was killed there within six feet of me, and the reb (an officer) who killed him, fell dead within eight feet of the inurile of my carbine. We were in a pretty hot place, and the bullets seemed to come at us from the four points of the compass. Had it not been for a squadron of the Sixth Ohio which came to our relief, it seemed to me that our small squadron would have been annihilated. As it was we got out with four killed and five wounded in my company (M) which went into the charge with only eighteen men. I brought a captain and a private out as prisoners, but did not know what regi- ment they belonged to. They, however, expressed themselves as mighty glad to get out of the racket and hoped to keep out of it. Next to meeting an old regi- mental or brigade comrade I think the average soldier likes to meet a man who stood opposite to him in battle. Ile likes to compare notes and to tell when we came down on their right or when they got in on our left; he likes to exchange oll memories without making offensive remarks about the cause each fought for. I was glad to read that Gen, Mumford showed a saldiedly follow feeling in his letter which contained the only allusion to the Aldie fight that I have read from his side. Even reports from our side that I have read have been very meagre.
Very truly yours in F. C. & L., HENRY C. WHITAKER.
FLINIVILLE, Brown Co., Mich., April 17th, 18 2. GEN. CILLEY :- Inclosed find one dol- lar for which,please give me credit on
BUGLE. Please ,excuse me for not r .- mitting sooner. I have received them all so far and hope I shall be able to get them while I live. A. I have not been able to attend any of the reunions The BUGLE is a great comfort to my I am in hopes the reunion of 1 893 will be held in Chicago, and if I am abl .. to get out of the house I will be there.
Yours in F., C. & L., ALVIN HUNTER, CO. F. [flist. p. $50.]
NORTHAMPTON, Mass., March 17th, IS92 GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir and Comrade, -Please find enclosed one dollar for one year's sul :- 'scription to the BCGEr. Although J never saw the First Maine Cavalry in the field I feel proud of receiving muy discharge from that famous regiment. I was a member of Co. E, First District Columbia Cavalry. I was taken prisoner at Sycamore church, was six months in prison and discharged shortly after being paroled. I have the history of the reg- iment and will subscribe for the BUALE aslong as I am able to pay for it, an l I want it as long as I live. I was in.rs than pleased to see a letter in the l. : October number of the BUGLE front James II. Card in which he says he is poor and has a large family of nine boys. Ishoul! consider myself risk if I bad one-third as many; I have ione. I honestly think James was the best soldier in our company. I well remneh- ber him and the little long-haired horse he used to ride.
Yours in F. C. & L., JOHN B. PERRY. (Erroneously Parry in the history.)
[Hist. p. 602, piet. Bugle call 2.] WEST UPION, Mass., Apr. roth, rSys. GEN. CILLLY :
Dear Sir, -- Inclosed please And two dollars to pay for two years' subscription for FIRST MAINE BUGLE, I suppose you
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have been impatient before this time, but poor health and an invalid wife many of us old vets have to care for. Still I want you to send the BUGLE as long as I live. All hail the BUGLE! I hope you will blow it as long as there is a note in it.
Yours truly, W. A. VINAL, Late Sergt. Co. I. [ Hist. p. 596.]
AMESBURY, Mass .. March 28, 1892. DEAR GENERAL :-- Enclosed one dol- lar for BuGht. Poor health prevents me from doing more in the BUGLE cause. As supplementary to the history it
must be highly appreciated by all com- rades who have heard its calls.
Yours with great respect, D. W. DAVIS. [Hlet. p. 600.]
25 Fairmount Ave., JAMESTOWN, N. Y. March 29th, 1892.
GEN. J. P. CILLEY :
Dear Sir,-I enclose one dollar in currency which please apply on mny in- debtedness to your association on ac- count of the First Maine BUGLE. MIAny of your war reminiscences are highly in- teresting, especially so to one formally brigaded with your gallant command.
W. M. DAVIS, Late 6th Ohio Cav.
P. S. I have the history of your regt.
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GENEALOGICAL.
ABBREVIATIONS .- b., boru; d., died : dau., danghter; disch., discharged; en., enlisted; Hist, History ; m., married : p., page; res., resid.d.
JOHN AMES.
John Ames, (Hist. p. 487); b. in Searsport, Sept. 9, IS42; m. Armedia W. Brock, April 26, 1863. She was a sister of Freeman Brock of Co. B, who died at Frederick City Hospital, Aug., 1862, (Hist., p. 489).
CHILDREN. Charles W., b. March 10, 1864. Fred Eugene, b. March 6, 1869.
Farmer from disch. until April 15, 1871; since that time worked at black- smithing; res. in Scarsport until June 8, IS72, then moved to Belfast and res. un- til Nov. 29, ISSI; now res. at Searsport village; Republican; attends the Con- gregational church.
GIDEON ANDREWS, JR.
Gideon Andrews, Jr., (Hist. p. 4SS) ; b. in Solon, March 10, IS42; m. Ella E. Lord, Dec. 25, 1867.
CHILDREN. Nellie Maud, b. Nov. 1, 1868. Lula C., b. July 20, IS71. Ethel M., b. Dec. 15, 1$ 73. Mamie E., b. Nov. 2. 1876. Anson II., b. Oct. 5, ISSI. Res. Hermon; farmer and small fruit grower; Republican; no particular re- ligious preference.
WILLIAM W. BARLOW.
William W. Bailow, (Hist. p. 485); b. at Appleton, Dec. 25, 1341; res when en., Appleton: since disch., Thomaston; m. Miss M. HI. Sprague, of Camden, Oct.
7, 1867; d. Sept. 14, IS90; one son, Joseph E., b. Feb. 2, 1869; Baptist; m. Eliza J. Vollier, Oct. 12, 1891.
WARREN F. BICKFORD.
Warren F. Bickford, (Hist. p. 4SS) ; b. in Newburgh, Jan. 31, 1$42; m. Sarah Wilder, Aug. 15, 1872. CHILDREN. Mary P., b. Feb. 21, IS79.
Taught school, studied six years, grad- uated at Bowdoin College and Bangor Theological Seminary; pastor at Win- throp, IS76-1880; since that time pastor at Breckenridge, Col., and Berkley, Cal .; Republican; Congregationalist; has a very full journal which he kept during the war.
WILLIAM BRADFORD.
William Bradford, ( Hist. p. 4SS) ; b. in Friendship, July 16, IS31; m. Emily Barrows, of Friendship, Nov. IS, ISDI. She was a sister of Jerome W. and Sam- uel Burrows (see below).
CHILDREN. Mary E., b. May 29, 1862, d. April 8, 1873.
Charles C., b. Dec. 8, 1864. Jerome B., b. May 2, 1867, d. April 6, IS72.
William A., b. Aug. 6, IS72. Res. Friendship; farmer; Republican; liberal to all religibas denominations.
JEROME W. BURROWS.
Jerome W. Barrows, (Hist. p. 41); b. in Camden, March 29, IS35; m. Sahra Carroll, of Camden, April 28, 1855.
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CHILDREN.
Emma, b. May 3, 1856. Ada, b. April 29, 1858.
Calvin I., b. May 23, 1S60; m. Lula, daughter of Benjamin Burton, of Union.
After the war went south and had charge of a cotton plantation in Wash- ington county, Georgia, for two years and a half ; returned and kept a hotel and stable in West Camden from 1867 until IS72; went to Boston and was employed by Draper & Hall in buying and selling horses for nine years; returned to Maine on account of health, and kept a board- ing and sale stable at Union Common; Republican generally, but acted inde- pendently of all parties; died at Union, May 19, ISSS.
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