USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1893 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 19
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DANIEL J. MEEDS.
Daniel J. Meeds, ( Hist. p. 604), b. in Denmark, Me. April 20, 1825, res. Saco; occupation, carpenter; m. May 12th 1851, daughter of Samuel Maloon of Greene, Me. She died Oct. 21, 1882. Married second wife July 4th 1887, Mrs. Marcia Tarbox, daughter of William Redlon.
CHILDREN.
Lucretia, b. March 20, 1852, in Bid- deford, Me.
Etta, b. December 5, 1853 in Bidde- ford, Me.
Hattie, b. July 2, 1862 in Biddeford, Me.
Ilis great grandfather, Samuel Meeds was b. in Harvard, Mass., Feb. 22, 1732; d. Feb. 20, 1815 at Harvard. His grand- father Francis Meeds was b. in Harvard, Mass., Oct. 2S, 1765. d. April 21, 1847. Ilis father Artemus Meeds was b. in Harvard, Mass., Feb. 11, 1791; d. in Standish, Me., Jan. 26, 1844; mother, Dezier Johnson, who was b. in Living- ston, Me., Sept. 25, 1793; d. in Wiscon-
sin, Dec. 5, 1872. They had thirteen children, ten boys and three girls, six of the boys were in the war of the rebellion at one time. They are as follows :
Cephas Meeds, Newburg, N. Y., dead; en. in 3d, reg. N. Y. Vols. Sept. 16, 1862 dis. at Folly Island Nov. 3, 1863.
Stillman A. Meeds, Leominster, Mass., en. in Co. A. 36 Mass., Aug. 3, 1862, dis. June 8, '65.
Alden Meeds, Stillwater, Minn. Co. A. 9th, Wis. reg .; dead.
Alonzo D. Meeds, Stillwater, Minn. Co. A, 9th Wis. reg .; en. Aug. 14, 1862; d. Jan. 23, '63.
Charles H. Mecds, Biddeford, Me., Co. F. 27th Maine Vols.
Daniel J. Meeds, Co. I. Ist, Me. Cav. NATHANIEL L. OWEN.
Nathaniel L. Owen, b. Nov. 11, IS12, son of Nathaniel and Matilda Owen of Skowhegan; m. Bell P. Arnold, March 17, 1867.
CHILD.
Kittie, b. July 30, 1874; res. Boston, Mass .; oc. piano hammer maker.
HENRY L. PATCH ..
Henry L. Patch, (Hist. p. 639,) Zim- mer, Frontier Co., Neb,; farmer. His great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Patch, b. Aug. 23, 1698 and his wife was b. Feb. II, 1695, times of deaths unknown.
CHILDREN.
Lydia, Paul, John, b. Aug. 5, 1726, Benjamin, Lydia.
Children of John Patch : John Jr., b. 1746; Hannah, b. 1748; Sarah, b. 1751; Jonathan, b. 1753; Samuel, b. 1757; Paul, b. 1761; James, b. 1771.
James Patch, b. 1771, d. Dec. 23, IS49; m. Ist, Hannah Goodwin b. Jan. 29, 1767; m. 2nd, Hannah Nason, b. Jan. 25, 1775.
CHILDREN.
Hannah, Sarah, Martha, James and John (twins), Susan, Mary, Daniel Abigail.
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
James Patch, Jr., b. Mar. 24, 1797, d. Nov. 14, 1871; m. Betsy Emery; b. June 5, 1800, d. Oct. 16, 1861.
CHILDREN.
Lucia Ann, b. Sept. 16, 1$20; Mary Jane, b. May 21, 1824; Dominicus E., b. May 21, 1828, d. Nov. 10, 1882; Henry L., b. July 8, 1833; Gabriella E., b. May 23, 1839, d. Oct. 2, 1867.
Henry L. Patch, b. July 8, 1833; in. Ist, Mary J. C. Hull, b. Nov. 8, 1836, p. Nov. 17, 1864.
CHILDREN.
Mana E., b. Jan. JI, IS61. Alfred J., b. Sept. 21, 1862. Henrietta G., b. June 4, 1864. Second wife was divorced. Their
children :
.
Frank T., b. Dec. 13, 1867, d. same year.
Louise D. T., b. Dec. 1, 1868. Laura A., b. Dec. 19, 1870. Harry L. b. Apr. 21, 1873. Warner, b. Aug. 1, IS75, d. same year.
EDWARD E. PROCTOR.
Edward E. Proctor, (Hist. p. 476), b. July 10, 1845 at Lisbon, Me .; m. Abbie L. Putnam, Dec. 24. 1873.
CHILDREN.
Henry E., b. Nov. 11, IS75.
Herbert L., b. Aug. 5, 1877, d. Sept. 7, IS77.
Mattie L., b. Oct. 13, 1878, d. Aug. 29, 1879.
Charley E., b. Macch 14, 1880, d. July 29, ISSO.
Charley E., b. March 4, 1834, d. Sept. 30, ISS7.
Re :. Auburn, Me. Enlisted Feb. To, 1864 at Lewiston, Me., was wounded on the Wilson Raid and also at Reams Sta- tion, June 25, 1864. Was sent to Ports- mouth hos. from there to New York hos., Blackwood, Is .; from there to Augusta and was discharged Aug. 11, 1865. Oc.
card grinder, bat has not been able to work for some four years; a Republican ; Freewill Baptist.
ALBERT A. ROBINSON.
Albert A. Robinson, b. Sept. 3. 1845, at Sebec, Me .; en. in Co. G. Ist, D. C. Cav .; m. at Corinth, Me., Jan. 26, IN4: was taken sick with measles early in May 1864 while with the regiment in Wash- ington, was very sick for several days; rejoined the regiment at Bermuda Hun- dred the ist of June; was taken sick with typhus fever about the 20th, of the same month and conveyed to Hampton hos .; was dangerously ill, unconsci vis for many days. After eight weeks of hospital life, very distasteful to him, he was forwarded to a camp near City Point, where he was kept several weeks, by order of the surgeon in charge, as unfit- ted for field duty. However in Ost. he was sent to join the Ist, Me. Cav. in front of Petersburg and participated in the subsequent campaigns of the regi- ment until mustered out in August 1865; was promoted to corporal in Co. I early in April 1865 and to sergeant soon after; was married in Boston, Mass., March Io. IS67 to Rhoda H. Doone.
CHILD.
Emma Alberta, b. Dec. 27, 1867.
Resided in Boston from Oct. 1, 1865 until Oct. 9, 1883 and was engaged in mercantile pursuits; removed to Cali- fornia in Oct. 1SS3; was mill manager for several years but for the past two years has been engaged in no business; Republican; Congregationalist. He is preparing a sketch for the BUGLE, which we know will interest his comrades.
GARDINER A. SAVAGE.
Gardiner A. Savage, ( Hist. p. 649), 5. March 19. 1844, at Anson, Me .; en. Feb. S, 1864: receives a pension of four dollars: enlisted in the ist, D. C. Cav .: was on duty all of the time until about
al 1
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GENEALOGICAL.
the time we were transferred to the Ist, Me; was sick in Chestnut Hill, hos. for a few weeks; joined the regiment again in the spring of 1865 and came home with it; was in the famous raid at New- puit News: m. Olive Fletcher Nov. 10, 1867.
CHILDREN.
Gertrude, b. Nov. 5, 1869; d. Jan. 18, 1875.
Charles A., b. Dec. 4, 1871; d. Feb. 7, 1878.
Grace A., b. Feb. 28, 1So1.
Lived in No. Anson and Madison the the first three years after the war, and since has been in Faifield and has been in the grocery business; Republican; Methodist.
GARDINER STEWART.
Fardiner Stewart, ( Hist. p. 553), b. at Portmanteau, N. S., July 2, 1839. When he enlisted res. E. Boothbay; en. Jan. IS61; receives a pension at Sio; hurt by horse being shot under him; was treated in hospital at Phila. Pa .; m. Sept. 25, IS62, Angeline Boyd, b. Nov. 25, 1842.
CHILDREN.
Seth, b. Mar. 16, 1867. Lizzie M., b. Oct. 16, 1869. Braddie P .. b. Oct. 16, 1374. William II., b. Sept. 8, IS78.
Has resided part of the time at Castine, resides now at E. Boothbay; Republican; Methodist.
WM. A. VINAL.
Wm. A. Vina!, (Hist. P. 595), b. Aug. 25, 1835 at Orono, Me .; Caroline A. Barwise, dau. of Thomas and Mary F. (Southards) Barwise and was b. April 29, 1839 at Skowhegan, Me.
CHILDREN.
Mary A., b. June I, IS57 at Orono. Wm. A., Jr., b. Mar. 14, 1860 at Orono. Frank W., b. April 19, 1862 at Orono. George N., b. April 21, 1864 at Orono; d. West Upton, Mass., July IS, IS91.
C. II. A., b. June 5, 1868 at Grafton, Mass.
Minnie C., b. July 24, IS79 at Levant, Maine.
Res. West Upton, Mass .; laborer; his father Phineas Vinal, b. April 24, 1787 at Littleton, Mass .; res, Orono; m. Nov. 23, 1815, Abigail W. Marsh, who was b. Dec. S, 1797 at Orono.
EDMUND W. WHITNEY.
Edmund W. Whitney, ( Hist. p. 640), b. July 19, IS40, son of William W. Whitney, b. June ISIS at Farmington, Me., and Elizabeth A. Maxfield, b. Aug. IS32; m. Aug. 1839. M. Oct. 29, IS72, Mary B. Orr, dau. of Christopher and Margaret Orr: b. Mar. 17, 1850; oc. farmer; res. Farmington; died March 26, 1892. The Farmington Chronicle mentions our departed comrade. Vide page 97.
CHILDREN. Gracie May Whitney, b. April 2, 1876; d. March 1, 18SI.
Carroll E., b. Sept. 26, ISS4.
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
TAPS
"On Fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, And glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead."
General John W. Freese.
ST. HELENA, Cal., Sept. 19, 1892. LIEUT. COL. J. B. BROWN, Eureka Cal., Gen. Freese passed away last night. I shall arrive Thursday next with his body. MRS. J. W. FREESE.
This sad news was flashed over the wires yesterday, and it spread rapidly over the community, for Gen. Freese was known and respected of all men. Al- though the letters that came weekly from his bedside brought little encouragement there was still a hope that his life would be spared and that he would again take his place in the walks of life. John W. Freese was a native of Maine, aged 56 years. His early life was spent as a woodsman in the pine forests of Maine, where his father followed the occupation of a lumberman. At the breaking out of the war he changed his occupation for that of the soldier. At the close of the war he returned to his home and per- fected himself in dentistry, which occu- pation he followed until his health gave way, nearly two years ago. In 1872 he came with his wife to this city, where he has established a comfortable home, and surrounded himself with the pleasant things of life, making hosts of friends, who will miss him sadly in their social and business gatherings. He left no children. General Freese was an uncle of Miss Fanny Freese and C. W. Freese of this
city. He was a member of Humbolle Lodge, No. 79. F. and A. M .; Fortuna Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F., and Co !. Whipple Post., No. 49, G. A. R., of this city and was Brigadier-General com- manding the Sixth Brigade of the Na- tional Guard of California. The funeral will take place on Sunday, the 25th .- Humboldt Standard.
AT REST.
The funeral of Brigadier-General J. W. Freese, late commander of the Sixth Brigade, N. G. C., took place Sunday from the armory of Company .A in this city. The remains had lain in state there with a guard of honor from Company .1, Tenth Battalion, since their arrival on the Pomona, Thursday. During Satur- day afternoon and Sunday forenoon the casket was open to the view of the pub- lie and hundreds of friends of the deal general availed themselves of the oppor- tunity to take their last look upon his face. In the armory the casket, draped with the battalion colors, was placed on a bier in the center of the large hall, and at each corner of the carpeted walk about the four sides stood a uniformed sentry at parade rest. Placed about the bier and on the casket were numerous beau- tiful floral pieces from the friends of the dead soldier. Noticeable among these were those from the brigade staff and the Americus Club. The finest was a
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TAPS.
pillow representing an American flag, above which was an arch springing from two standards. In the arch was worked in floral letters the words " Brigade Staff," while surmounting all was a white dove with outstretched wings. The piece sent by the surviving members of the Ameri- cus Club, a social organization to which the dead general belonged during its existence, was worked on a similar frame but in different colors, the letters A. C., while the arch bore no inscription. It was also surmounted by a white dove. The obsequies were conducted with all the military honors due the rank of the dead, and the funeral cortege was one of the most imposing ever witnessed in Eureka. The pall bearers were repre- sentatives of the different organizations to which deceased had belonged, and consisted of Messrs. Wm. Carson, Hon. J. G. Murray, Josiah Bell. Collector C. F. Roberts, J. H. G. Weaver, Esq., Maj. C. W. Long, Thomas Culter and N. John- Son. California Commandery, No. 1, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, of which the general had been a member, was represented by Col. S. G. Whipple and A. W. Randall, the only members in the city, who rode in a carriage following those on foot. The solemn procession took up the line of march to Christ church in the follow- ing order : Tenth Battalion band, Tenth Infantry Battalion, Capt. J. L. Crichton commanding; carriages containing rela- tives of the deceased; the hearse; pall bearers in carriages; Sixth Brigade staff and Tenth Battalion staff in full uniform ; Col. Whipple Post No. 49, G. A. R .; Fortuna Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F., and a long line of carriages. Of those on foot, following the bearse, the place of honor was given to Charles Thurston and HI. HI. Keene, who marched in front of the staff officers. These two gentlemen are the only two men in the county who shared the hardships and privations of
campaigning with Gen. Freese, having been members of Lis troop of cavalry when a captain in the First Maine Cav- alry regiment during the war of the rebellion. At the church the column rested and the casket was taken inside, where the Rev. Win. Leacock conducted the Episcopalian services for the dead, assisted by the choir. At the conclusion of the services the line of march was again taken up and the cortege proceeded in the same order to the cemetery. Here the casket, upon which lay the dead gen- eral's sword, belt and chapeau, was placed on a bier in front of the Kimball vault. The command was then given and the battalion fired three volleys over the remains, when Bugler Huestis of the battalion staff stepped forward and sounded " taps." This was one of the most affecting parts of the impressive ceremonies, and brought the moisture to the eyes of many an old soldier present. In service this call is the last of all for the day, when the weary soldier extin- guishes his light and retires to his well- earned rest. So in this case it was the last of all -- the general and well beloved! comrade had retired to his last rest, in the sleep that Knows no waking .- Il:ex- boldt Times.
DEATH OF GENERAL J. W. FREESE.
The sad intelligence was brought to this city last Monday that General J. W. Freese was dead. Thursday's incoming steamer brought his remains to this city. To-morrow the last rites will be per- formed, and all that was mortal of the citizen-soldier and soldier-citizen will be laid at rest. John Wesley Freese was born at Orono, Maine, the sixth day of July, 1834. He lived on a firm until he was eighteen years old. and then went to Bangor and studied dentistry. He opened an office at Bangor and practiced his profession for some time. He then removed to Houlton, where he continued
.
96
FIRST MAINE BUGIE.
practice till the breaking out of the rebellion. Inspired with devotion to his country and its flag, the young dentist immediately gave up his promising busi- ness, and set himself to the work of raising a company of volunteers for the defense of the Union. He was commis- sioned captain and went to the front in command of Company \ of the Seventh Maine Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the early Virginia campaign, and was soon transferred to the First Regi- ment of District of Columbia Cavalry, and afterwards to Company A of the famous First Regiment of Maine Cavalry, which was engaged in more battles than any other regiment in the service. At the close of the war Captain Freese received the brevet rank of major. His service was distinguished by the fact that he was never absent from his command during an engagement, though he served four years and nine months (till the close of the war) and participated in thirty - eight battles, besides numerous skirmishes or minor engagements. He did not es- cape unscathed, however, but hore the. scars of two wounds till his dying day. At the close of the war he was married at Hallowell, and located at Augusta, where he practiced his profession. In the early seventies he came to California and was attracted to Humboldt no doubt by the presence here of his brother Jon- athan Freese, prominent in the lumber business and in the affairs of the country. He opened an office and resumed the practice of his profession. He became early identified with the development and progress of the county. Politically he identified himself with the Democratic party, of which he was a trusted leader, but never was bitter in his partizanship. He was selected as the candidate of his party for the assembly in this district two years ago, and though it was hopelessly Republican, General Freese, polled : flat- tering vote, and we are constrained to
add, conducted a gentlemanly campeggio and retained the respect and friendship of his political opponents throughout. The attachment for military life and the knowledge that the country needed sell drilled militia, had its influence with the veteran, and he became a member of the N. G. C. in 1879, in which he served for one year as captain, and when Governor Bartlett was elevated to the chair of state, he was appointed Brigadier Gener !! February S, ISS7, and was re-appointed by Governor Markham two years ags. General Freese began to decline in health some two years ago, and his close ac- quaintances noted a decline, and finaly remarked it to the General. He admit- ted that he was not feeling strong but re- fused to make complaint. Soon after he was attacked by sickness, and partially recovering he departed for his old home in Maine, accompanied by his devote l wife, in the summer of 1891. When he returned to this city, several months ago he appeared better, but soon had a re. lapse, and was accompanied by his wife to St. Helena where he died last Sunday. Mrs. Freese will not be the only mourner at the bier of her departed husband. The friends and I acquaintances of the decease.i General, among whom not one is there but appreciated in the fullest measure his unselfish patriotism and nobler qualities, will mourn the loss of one whom they knew to be a soldier while in war, a civilian in time of peace, and a gentleis true and noble at all times. Peace to his ashes-honor to his name. He was a soldier for the Union. Had be any faults, as mortals do have, let his record of good constitute a balm to dissolve the harshness of judgment .- Nerve.
THE DEAD GENERAL.
The remains of the late Brig. Gen. J. W. Freese, commander of the Sixth Briga le V. G. C., who died in St. Helena, Napa County, Sunday, Sept. ISth, arrived on the
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97
-
TAPS.
Pomona yesterday in charge of his grief- stricken wife. The body of the dead General Was met at the wharf by Maj. Chamberlain commanding the brigade, and his statt, all in full uniform, and also by comrades of Col. Whipple Post, G. A. R., members of Humboldt Lodge No. 79, F. and A. M .; Fortuna Lodge, No. 221,1. O. O. F.,and numerous friends. These escorted the hearse containing the remains to Co. A's armory where the body will lie until the day of the funeral, in charge of a guard of honor from Co. A. who will keep their sad vigil day and night until that time. The funeral will be a military one and all the honors due the rank of the dead will be accorded. For this purpose General Orders, No. 5 have been issued from Brigade headquarters ordering the entire batallion to parade for escort duty .- Humboldt Times.
Capt. Warren Mansur.
Warren Mansur, late manager of the United States Biscuit Company of Bos- ton, died at Santiago, Cal., at 2 A. M. Sat- urday, Jan. 28, 1893. He was born Sept. 15, 1839, in Houlion, Me., and came to Boston early in life to establish himself in business. On the breaking out of the civil war Mr. Mansur returned to Houlton and enlisted as a musician in the first Maine Cavalry, and served until military bands were abolished by Congress, when he again enlisted and was commissioned as first lieutenant in Company A, second Maine Cavalry, and was discharged hou- orably from the service Dec. 6, 1865. He received a commission as captain for gal- lant service in the field. After the war he engaged in business at Houlton, Me., for a short period and later at Utica, N. Y. In 1872 he connected himself with F. A. Kennedy & Co., at Cambridgeport, Mass., and started the cracker business with a Partner in ISSt at Charlestown, under the firm name of Mansur & Whiting. The Sim was afterward changed to the Hodges-
Mansur Company, and later in 1890 to the United States Biscuit Company, of which he was made manager. Failing health caused his resignation to be given last year, and in October he started for California for recuperation. Mr. Mansur was an active member of Abraham Lin- coln Post 11, G. A. R., of Charlestown, and also of all the Maine societies and clubs. He leaves a widow, son ant daughter.
Edmund W. Whitney.
Edmund W. Whitney, of Farinington, died at his home near Hannibal Hunter's last Saturday. He was taken with convul- sions in the morning and passed from one to another during the day till he suffered fifteen, each succeeding convulsion more severe than the preceding one, before death came to his relief. Everything possible to relieve him was done by Dr. Nichols and kind neighbors; but the disease,contracted in the army, culminat- ed at last in these violent spasms. The deceased was a good soldier, member of the noted Ist Maine Cavalry, Co. L., and was at the front three years, during which time he saw plenty of hard fighting. During what was known as the Dahlgren raid to Richmond, Mr. Whitney took a severe cold which resulted in his loss of speech and hearing. Subsequently his power of speech returned, but his hear- ing was gone forever. The trouble in bis head finally resulted as above, in his death. It is told of him that in one bat . tle his regiment was ordered to retreat, but Mr. Whitney kept on fighting till hia horse was shot from under him and fell, pinning Whitney to the ground. His comrade and schoolmate, Roscoe R. Bangs saw his perilous situation, pulled him from under the horse and both barely escaped capture by the Confederates. The deceased leaves a widow and one child to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father; and the community regrets the loss of a good citizen.
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
Entered at the Post Office, Rockland, Me., as Second- Class Matter.
CAMPAIGN III. JULY, 1893. CALL 3.
" The neighing troops, the flashing blade, The Bugle's stirring blast."
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY, JANUARY, APRIL, JULY AND OCTOBER, AND WILL CONTAIN THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE YEARLY REUNIONS OF THE FIRST MAINE CAVALRY, MATTERS OF HISTORIC VALUE TO THE REGI- MENT, AND ITEMS OF PERSONAL INTEREST TO ALL ITS MEMBERS. IT IS ALSO THE ORGAN OF THE CAVALRY SOCIETY OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES AND WILL CONTAIN THE YEARLY PROCEEDINGS OF THAT SOCIETY AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE MOUNTED REGIMENTS WHICH PARTICIPATED IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
PRICE ONE DOLLAR A YEAR, OR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS A CALL
TWENTY-FOURTH REUNION OF THE
CAVALRY SOCIETY OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES June 27 and 28, 1893. BOSTON, MASS.
EDITOR, EDWARD P. TOBIE, PAWTUCKET, R. I.
Published by the First Maine Cavalry Association.
ADDRESS, J. P. CILLEY. Treasurer, ROCKLAND, MAINE.
daildust
The First Cavalry Battle at Kelly's Ford, Va.
BY MAJOR FRANK W. HESS, U. S. ARMY AND THIRD PENN. CAVALRY.
The magnitude which the war of the rebellion was destined to assume was not appreciated by the military leaders at its commencement. The important part which mounted troops were destined to play in the great drama was equally unappre- ciated. It was long after hostilities commenced before the authorities began to accept the many regiments and companies of volunteer cavalry freely offered by the loyal States. Our professional soldiers who comprehended the necessities of the hour perceived that while infantry could be improvised to meet the pressing emergencies of the conflict, were fully aware that cavalry could not be prepared for service without long and patient effort, and were appalled, perhaps, at the Herculean task.
Not to grapple with the difficulty from the very first was an error. The mounted men offered carly in 1861 should have been accepted, and the very best instructors should have been selected, and persistent and constant drilling should have been commenced with it at once and continued until a large force was organized and ready for the field.
To anyone acquainted though but casually with the require- ments of this arm it is unnecessary to note the fact that it is much more difficult to make ordinary cavalry out of the aver- age citizen in a given time than it is to make good infantry. The Confederates did not make this mistake. Through the leadership of Stuart, Lee and others, who had been educated in the profession, the importance of cavalry was early appreci- ated by those in authority on that side.
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