USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > Historical sketches of Peterborough, New Hampshire : portraying events and data contributing to the history of the town > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
There was an interesting circum- stance connected with the elections during the war. Partisanship never ran higher than during those four years. Men when they met on the street corners, in the stores and offices, and even in the church on a Sunday noon, engaged in heated debates over the conduct of the war, violations of the constitution and of statute law, and of the general policy of the party in power. At the ballot box they voted religiously for their own party candidates re-
264
Peterborough Historical Society Collections.
gardless of what they were supposed to represent. And yet at all town meetings called to vote men and money for the struggle there was no division of opinion, and the members of both political parties supported the measures to fill quotas and pay for men with equal unanimity. There may sometimes have been differences of opinion as to methods, but none as to the results to be obtained. The ladies, not much behind their hus- bands and brothers in partisanship, laboured with equal devotion and loyalty for the soldiers, and the boys of one party as freely enlisted and as bravely fought as members of the other.
Social life centered largely in the Ladies' Aid Society. While the men were disputing on political and con- stitutional questions in street and office and voting their straight party tickets on election days; and at special town meetings voting men and money without stint to carry on the war, the ladies, as is always the case, were active in measures of per- sonal relief from the hardships and sufferings brought on by the conflict. They worked all through the summer of 1861 for the men who had gone to the army, but in October a meeting was called in the Baptist vestry for organization. It was duly perfected at the meeting, but alas! soon there was a falling out. A minority be- lieved that the society should work exclusively for the sanitary commis- sion, but the majority held that their contributions should go first for the Peterborough men in the different regiments, and the surplus sent to the sanitary commission. A small point of difference it would seem for a quarrel in such a crisis. Never- theless a good deal of controversy ensued, and much hard feeling. The sanitary commission ladies withdrew from the society and formed a sep-
arate body. It was much the smaller of the two, but it was active, and its members very zealous. I have those of its records which remain, kept on the back of envelopes and stray bits of paper, mostly without date. But two of its reports exist, and by them it appears that from April, 1862 to April 1864 it made up and sent to the sanitary commission ten boxes con- taining more than two thousand articles besides upwards of one thous- and rolls of bandages and a large amount of lint. This does not in- clude what the society had done before April, 1862 and after April, 1864, which would swell the figures given. Besides these contributions it had also sent large quantities of reading matter, consisting of papers, books, pamphlets and magazines. Of course the latter were religiously limited to the Atlantic Monthly, but they did compromise with their con- sciences by also enclosing bundles of the New York Ledger, the popular story paper of that day.
The records of the larger society have not been, but should be, if possible, found. From a report made near the close of the war the secre- tary says the society had made and sent either to Peterborough men or to the sanitary commission four thousand four hundred and fifty- eight different articles. The TRAN- SCRIPT mentions the sending of twen- ty-three boxes, but I think the number must have been greater. They had also enclosed a large amount of read- ing matter, bandages and lint. The articles forwarded by both societies were such as were in a general way contributed in the recent war, suit- able for hospital supplies or for the personal comfort of Peterborough men. Besides these contributions the immediate families of the soldiers made up and sent to their own repre- sentatives at the front many boxes
265
Life in Peterborough During the Civil War.
containing not only good things to wear, but also good things to eat, and, it being before the enactment of the 18th Amendment, good things to drink also. Many of these boxes were forwarded about Thanksgiving or Christmas time, and so some of. the boys in camp enjoyed a good Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner right from their own home table!
Of the officers and members of these two bodies there is no record. They met every week, at least during the last two years of the war. Some- times in private houses but more generally in the vestries of the Bap- tist or the Unitarian Church. Whether there were any social features at- tached to the meeting by way of music or readings is not now known. Their funds were raised in many ways. A small part came through member- ship dues. There were many dona- tions of money and merchandise, and often systematic solicitations were made for the same. Contri- butions were also made of many articles that could be made over or into suitable hospital supplies. Often lectures were given before the meet- ings or in halls opened to the public tor the benefits of one or the other of the two societies. In the summer of 1863 the smaller of the two bodies procured Charles Carleton Coffin, then at the height of his fame as a newspaper correspondent, who lec- tured in the Town Hall for its bene- fit on the campaign that opened the Mississippi River. There were also many lectures by men of the town, the various clergymen and other prominent citizens, at which admis- sion was sometimes charged, and the net proceeds turned over to one or the other of the two societies. But the chief source of funds was through fairs or levees held in the Town Hall. Such were held in April 1863, Febru- ary '64 and in March '65. Where
the societies united in holding these levees the proceeds were divided between the two bodies. They usually netted from one to two hundred dol- lars each. There were also dramatic entertainments. The programs of these fairs were such as were usually incident to such gatherings. There were tables for the sale of useful and fancy articles, a supper
table, and confectionery stands, lot-
teries in a mild form, guess chances, etc. The stage entertainments con- sisted chiefly of tableaus, and often of a short farce. There was always music and many of the popular war songs of the day were sung. These gatherings were largely attended and people spent their money freely, though their purses were shorter than they are to-day. The lady members contributed out of their own house- hold stores everything that could be used for the purpose, and many an attic bureau drawer and old trunk were emptied of their contents, which were poured into the common treas- ury. "Oh, dear," said a most zealous member, who by the way, was the sister of the beloved minister, Ephraim Peabody, and an aunt of Ex-President Elliott of Harvard College, "I think we have used about everything in the house." This was after the ladies had been making hospital slippers out of old felt hats. The two societies united in the summer of 1864 and worked together harmoniously to the end.
The larger of the two societies established in 1863 a paper called "The Soldier's Friend," and voted to send copies of it to certain of the Peterborough men in the army. How long this was continued is not now known, and no copies of it are known to exist. If one could be found it should be deposited in the archives of this society.
266
Peterborough Historical Society Collections.
In addition to all this, the Ladies benevolent organizations connected with the different churches, after relieving the poor of their parishes, gave the balance of their time and labors to the soldiers, turning over the surplus to one or the other of the two Aid Societies, or in the last year of the war to either the Sanitary or Christian Commissions. They sent all literature, much of it of a religious character. In fact, after supplying the necessities of daily living, people's energies as well as thoughts, were wholly given to the demands of the war.
Nor was this all. When news came that a great battle was joined the ladies were hastily called together at the house of some member, and spent the afternoon in rolling bandages and making lint to send immediately to the hospitals. Some of the citizens required their children to devote so many hours every day to scraping and making lint for the hospitals, a practice enforced daily during the last three years of the conflict. In such ways the ladies laboured through the four years of civil war. Their service was not so spectacular, and did not receive the public eulogies that were showered on them during the World War. They did not act as chauffeurs on the battle line, organize and maintain relief stations at the front, or render first aid to the wounded, and did not even hand out doughnuts to the boys under fire; but while none of the Peterborough women went as nurses, they were unwearied in their labors for the men at the front. They kept the home fires burning and exerted a powerful in- fluence for the Union cause, braced the sometimes flagging courage . of their husbands and brothers, and sent thousands of messages of sympathy and good cheer to the men in the field. They did a woman's work in a
woman's way for the great struggle. All honour to the loyal women of Peterborough for what they did in those memorable days.
Otherwise life went on much as before. The farmers continued in the cultivation of their land, opera- tives and business men attended to their work as formerly. No merchant or other individual was forced into bankruptcy or made an assignment for the benefit of creditors, during the period. The schools went on as usual. The Academy held its spring and fall sessions. In the autumn of 1861 it was taught by S. B. Partridge, whose family lived on the old John Scott farm, now the MacDowell estab- lishment. "Sunbeam Partridge" the scholars called him. One afternoon in the eighth week of the term he was called to the door and a telegram was handed him. He read it while his face changed color. The next morn- ing when the school was in order he quietly said that he had just received notice that he had been given a com- mission in a New York Regiment and was under orders to report immedi- ately, and then added, "You are excused from further attendance for the term," and the students saw him no more. There were few war meet- ings to stimulate enlistments. In October, 1861 General James Wilson of Keene made an address on the issues of the day. The Town Hall was not large enough to hold the people who flocked to hear him, and an adjournment was had to the Uni- tarian Church. General Wilson was a son of the town, and in former days had been considered the best stump orator in the country. If a chaplain of some regiment chanced to preach of a Sunday he was usually invited to address the people in the evening. One of the most noted of these was given by the Rev. William G. Scan- lon, Chaplain of the Mass. 15th. It
267
Life in Peterborough During the Civil War.
was just after the battle of Fredericks- burg, and people were much discour- aged by that disaster. His address aimed to revive their drooping cour- age, and it made a strong impression upon the minds of his hearers. During the last year it officers from the front chanced to be in the vicinity they were usually asked to speak in the Town Hall, not so much to encourage enlistments as to tell the people what the men on the firing line were think- ing about, and how closely they fol- lowed public sentiment over the war at their homes. They usually had large audiences. From time to time the clergy of the town and some of its prominent citizens gave lectures, often before the Aid Societies on topics connected with the military situation. They also gave lectures on general subjects. The churches observed the Thanksgiving and Christmas tes- tivities as formerly, but in many homes there were vacant seats at the table, some of which alas! were never more to be occupied. Two of them also held one or more church fairs during the war to replenish their society treasuries. During the winters of '61 and '62, and '62 and '63 there were scarcely any social gatherings or activities disconnected with the Aid Societies. People had no heart for them. In the winter of 1863-64 there were more. The peak of the rebellion had been passed, and men and women were beginning to have confidence in the final outcome. But in the winter of 1864 and '65 it was almost gay. A Lyceum for essays and debates held monthly meetings. Clergymen organized courses of lec- tures given by themselves and leading citizens before the Aid Societies and the general public. In these activities the clergy were the leaders, and they ยท were actuated quite as much to divert people's minds from the conflict and recall their thoughts to the ordinary
duties of social life, as to keep up their courage. There was during this winter a singing school, and a dancing school, many donation parties and reception or house parties. One good woman wrote to her sons in the army that she was quite burdened by these activities, and could not attend them all. During the war there were very few dancing parties or enter- tainments. There were no card parties, afternoon or evening. Bridge was an unknown game, and the ladies were too much absorbed in war work to give attention to euchre and whist. The young people had occa- sional house parties, but owing to the absence of young men they were infrequent and tame; still the girls registered no formal protest at this absence of escorts and bravely tried to make the best of it. The with- drawal of so many young men for the army seriously crippled industry and deprived social activities and amusements of much of their life and pleasure.
When news came that a battle was on or had just been fought people hurried to the news room for the latest intelligence and anxiously scanned the lists of killed and wound- ed for the names they feared to find. At such times the Telegraph office was full of nervous inquirers, es- pecially in the evening. When the battle of Chancellorsville was on the room was crowded with distressed faces. Dispatch after dispatch came, each one more and more gloomy in character. The last one said that President Lincoln had ordered 20,000 men to march and reinforce General Hooker. "Thank God for that," exclaimed a well-known citizen as he turned away from the operator and wiped the perspiration from his anxious face. It was the thought of all present.
268
Peterborough Historical Society Collections.
But the great struggle overshad- owed everything else, tempering and coloring people's thoughts during that long four years. One gets a glimpse of how completely it absorbed and filled their minds by consulting the files of the local paper. Excepting the traditional story on the first page, and the verses in the poet's corner on the fourth, the entire paper, be- sides the advertisements and a few notices, was taken up with reading matter relating to military events. Frequently in its pages there were long letters from the Second, Sixth or Thirteenth Regiments, giving scenes and incidents of camp life and the writer's experience in a campaign. Almost weekly there were lists of men who had enlisted. There was hardly an issue but which contained the names of men who were ill and in the hospital, and often notices and sketches of men who had died in service. Long lists of men enlisting to fill the different quotas called for, or of men who had furnished sub- stitutes or representative recruits crowded its columns, besides articles relating to the war as a whole. All this contributed to keep the conflict constantly in the public mind. In- deed, people could hardly think of anything else, and only personal necessities, the force of business and the immediate demands of social duty called their thoughts and ac- tivities away from events transpiring in the field. It was a long and terrible strain, and we can well imagine the relief which came with the final tri- umph. I was at home during the most of 1863 and the early part of 1864 and saw it all during that period.
One other incident deserved place in this narrative, and that relates to the death of Lincoln. The news came Saturday morning, April 15th, and as everywhere else, struck the people with grief and horror. On
the following day the clergy of the several churches alluded to it at greater or less length in fitting terms. Rev. Mr. Ferry preached a regular funeral sermon. The pulpit of the Unitarian Church was draped in mourning by Mrs. P. C. Cheney and Mrs. Augustus Fuller, and in the afternoon a memorial service was held in the church which was filled to the doors. Rev. Mr. Ferry, Albert S. Scott and Rev. A. M. Pendleton made eloquent and powerful ad- dresses, summing up the character and transcendent services of that wonderful man to the nation, and to the cause of liberty and justice throughout the world. The solemni- ty of the occasion, and the sense of deep personal loss all felt that they had sustained was upon every face. It was the most impressive service I ever attended.
"'Tis sixty years since" these events took place. The actors in the scene have long since passed away. The boys and girls then in their teens or early twenties, are now gray- haired men and women, past their three score years and ten. They are widely scattered. The few accessi- ble memories of that exciting period are dim or are entirely forgotten, and much of the most valuable history of those years is forever lost. The story should have been told fifty years ago, but it was not, and the annalist is largely left to public records and the newspapers for his material. Happily enough remains to show how the people of Peter- borough met the great crisis, and how they bore the burdens and sor- rows of the war. It is indeed a noble record and reflects the highest honor upon the town and upon the men and women who bore the burden and heat of the day. Let their memories be . forever cherished for what they did, and this dramatic chapter in the
269
Life in Peterborough During the Civil War.
town's history be kept on record for its future sons and daughters to read.
Proud memories of a patriotic town, for it performed to the utmost all its obligations to the giant strug- gle! Glorious memories of its men and women, whose loyalty, courage and fortitude through that long four years never faltered or failed! Tender memories of its forty-five sons and
daughters, who laid their lives on their country's altar that the Union might be preserved, and that liberty and law might reign throughout the land. May their example be held in lasting remembrance, and may the voice of their blood, which cries to us from the ground, inspire us with fidelity to those great principles for which they fought and died!
[From page 255 to here was published in the Peterborough TRANSCRIPT, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 1923.]
PETERBOROUGH HISTORICAL BUILDING
At the Historical Building last Wednesday October 3, Mrs. Clara F. Bass executed and delivered to five trustees-who must always be residents of Peterborough-a deed of conveyance (published elsewhere in this issue) of the beautiful recently constructed Historical Building and lot on Grove Street, adjoining the Town House, the trust to be ad- ministered (to use the language em- ployed in the deed), "primarily for the use and benefit of the Peter- borough Historical Society and his- torical interests and activities; and, in connection with such primary purpose, the trust property may be employed for the use and benefit of other civic, community, educational and charitable organizations and ac- tivities." Thus very comprehensive powers are given the trustees in the conduct of this fine property for the use and benefit of the people of our town in all educational, charitable and other worthy endeavors.
The full meaning and educational value to our people of this magnifi- cent gift becomes apparent only when one visits the ornate and beautiful structure with its modern assembly hall and gallery with its carved and panel walls and fireplace, or in striking contrast see in the basement the faithful reproduction of the large old New England kitchen and sitting-room with its stone flagged floor, its hewed timbers, its furnish- ings with old time furniture and im- plements and a fireplace of ample size to burn four foot logs, or go to the other two large and well lighted rooms arranged for the display of old books, documents, papers, maps and pictures, etc., of historical inter- est, containing a large vault to safely hold articles of especial value, and,
following this by a visit to the north wing containing the Woman's Club Room, where is seen on the four walls from right to left an allegorical paint- ing of the Progress of Civilization, and go to the south wing where is to be found the comfortable Men's Club Room, or the part which is fitted up into a most convenient and up to date tenement for the janitor, and the basement with its ample heating boilers, the ground floor of the north wing fitted up and rented to the New England Telephone Co. with the latest telephone equipment, and the fine large room opposite on the ground floor of the south wing, which is to let. One has to see this new centrally located building and its complete furnishings and equipment, all in prim new condition, to fully appreciate its adaptability and value for all time in the educational ad- vancement of our people.
This gift will perpetuate the name and generosity of Clara F. Bass in the esteem of our people; a civic building which every town of our size should have but which few possess. No city or town in the state has anything at all approaching its equal for a building of this char- acter.
Deed of Conveyance.
The importance of the following (1) deed of conveyance of the fine new Historical Building and lot, and (2) the letter of the donor, Mrs. Clara F. Bass, which accompanied the same, is thought to be of sufficient importance to the people of our town to warrant the following publica- tion of both:
272
Peterborough Historical Society Collections.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that I, Clara F. Bass, of Peterborough in the County of Hills- borough and State of New Hampshire, in consideration of the sum of one dollar and for the purpose of estab- lishing the trust hereinafter provided for, have remised, released and forever quitclaimed and by these presents do remise, release and forever quitclaim unto Robert P. Bass, Eben W. Jones, (Mrs.) Margaret A. Clement, (Mrs.) Jennie H. Field, and James F. Brennan of said Peterborough, and their successors and assigns forever, as trustees for the uses hereinafter expressed, the following described real estate situated on Grove Street in said Peterborough, bounded and de- scribed as follows:
Beginning at the southeast corner of the premises; thence westerly one hundred and fifty-seven feet, on a line parallel with and twenty-five feet south of the south side of the "Historical Building" on these prem- ises; thence northerly about two hundred and ten feet, on a line parallel with said Grove Street and bounding on land of the School District of the town of Peterborough; thence easterly one hundred and fifty-seven feet, bounding on land of said District to said Grove Street; thence southerly on said street about two hundred and six feet to the place of beginning.
Said premises are conveyed sub- ject to a right of way twenty feet wide as conveyed by me to the Old Phoenix Mill Associates, their suc- cessors and assigns, the center line of which is a line drawn from a point on the west side of Grove Street, midway between the new Town Hall building and the new Historical Building, to a point on "Phoenix Mill" midway between the two towers. Said right of way is not to be used for mercantile and industrial
cartage purposes by said Associates, its successors or assigns.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances to the same be- longing, unto the said Trustees and their successors in trust jointly upon the following trusts and conditions, namely:
Said premises (including all build- ings and improvements thereon and additions thereto hereinafter referred to as the trust property) shall be employed primarily for the use and benefit of the Peterborough Historical Society and historical interests and activities in the town of Peterborough associated with said Society or suc- ceeding to its affairs through reorgani- zation or otherwise; and in connection with such primary purpose the trust property may be employed for the use and benefit of other civic, com- munity, educational and charitable organizations and activities in said town. In accomplishing such objects the Trustees shall have and exercise the following powers and duties, namely:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.