History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 111

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 111
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 111

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The last of September Edwin Vaughan was ap- pointed recruiting officer, and enlisted several men, who were put into different regiments then being organized.

On the 17th of February, 1862, news was re- ceived by telegraph of the capture of Fort Donel- son. The bells of the village were rung and the joy of the people was manifested in other ways.

At the annual town-meeting in March, 1862, it was voted that the selectmen be authorized to bor- row a sum of money on the credit of the town, not to exceed five thousand dollars, as it may be needed, to aid the families of resident volunteers.

Edward L. Goddard, Aurelius Dickinson and Alexander Gardiner were appointed a committee to designate what families were entitled to aid, and Sumner Putnam was chosen agent to pay out the money without compensation.

On Sunday afternoon, June 22, 1862, a public meeting was held in the town hall as a demonstra- tion of respect for the brave Claremont men who had been killed at Fair Oaks and in other battles, or died in hospitals, and of condolence with their surviving relatives and friends. A committee of arrangements had been chosen, and other prepara-

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tions made, at a previous meeting of citizens of the town. Otis F. R. Waite, chairman of the committee, called the meeting to order, briefly stated its objects and presided throughout. Rt. Rev. Carleton Chase, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, read selections from the Scrip- tures ; Rev. Carlos Marston made the opening prayer ; Rev. H. H. Hartwell delivered an address which had been carefully prepared, giving some account of each of those soldiers who had been killed in battle or died in hospitals, together with circumstances connected with the death of each. Short addresses were made by Rev. Oliver Ayer, Rev. R. F. Lawrence and Rev. Mr. Marston, of Claremont, Rev. Mr. Piper, of Vermont, Rev. Mr. Greeley, a native of Claremont, then settled at Methuen, Mass., Rev. Paul S. Adams, of Newport, and others.

On motion of Bishop Chase, Otis F. R. Waite was chosen historiographer to keep a record of events in Claremont, which had or should transpire dur- ing the war, having connection with it, with a view to its being published in book form after the war had closed. During the meeting several ap- propriate pieces were sung by members of the dif- ferent church choirs in town. The relatives and friends of deceased soldiers were assigned front seats, and this was made a kind of funeral occa- sion. The town hall was packed, and, being on Sunday, and clergymen of the several churches taking leading parts, made this one of the largest and most impressive meetings held in town'during the war.

Early in July E. W. Woodell was appointed a recruiting officer to enlist volunteers for regiments then being formed. On the 14th, in the evening, a meeting was held for the purpose of encouraging enlistments. Walter Tufts was chosen chairman and Joseph Weber secretary. Spirited speeches were made by D. C. Colby, Rev. Messrs. Lawrence and Marston, E. W. Woodell, George R. Lathe and others.

Pursuant to a call by the selectmen, a meeting was held on the evening of the 19th of July. Jonas Livingston was chosen

chairman and C. C. Church secretary. E. W. Woode!I offered a series of resolutions reaffirm- ing confidence in the people, the Executive of the nation and in the army, and calling upon the people to aid in all practicable ways in raising men to fill the regiments in the field, and form new ones as they may be needed to meet the exi- gencies of the country. Patriotic speeches were made by Rev. Messrs. Marston and Lawrence, E. D. Baker, C. C. Church, E. W. Woodell and others.

On the 25th of the same month another meeting, with the same object in view, was held. C. H. Eastman presided. It was voted to hold a general county war meeting at the town hall in Clare- mont, on the afternoon of the 2d of August following, and a committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements.

On the 2d of August the town hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, and the village was full of citizens of the county. Henry Hubbard of Charlestown, son of the late Governor Henry Hubbard, presided, who, on taking the chair, made some patriotic and well-timed remarks in relation to the state of the country and the duty of loyal men. Nathaniel S. Berry, Governor of the State, James W. Patterson, member of Congress, James W. Nesmith, United States Senator from Oregon, A. H Cragin, United States Senator for New Hampshire, Peter Sanborn, State Treasurer, Cap- tain T. A. Barker, of the Second New Hampshire Regiment, Major H. B. Titus, of the Ninth New Hampshire Regiment, and other distinguished gentlemen from abroad, were present and made speeches. The hall was handsomely decorated with flags and other emblems appropriate for the occasion. This was one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings ever held in town.

At a legal town-meeting on the 7th of August, the following votes were unanimously passed :

" Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to bor- row a sum of money, not exceeding five thousand dol- lars, to pay a bounty to citizen volunteers-the sum of fifty dollars to each-to fill the quota of three hun- dred thousand, when mustered into the United States service.

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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

" Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum of money, not to exceed three thousand dollars, to pay a bounty of fifty dollars to each citizen volunteer who has or may enlist and be mustered into the United States service, to fill the last quota of three hundred thousand."

During the month preceding August 12, 1862, recruiting had been opened in town by Orville Smith, of Lempster, Sylvanus Clogston, of Washington, and E. W. Woodell, of Claremont. Up to that date they had enlisted-Mr. Smith, thirty-five men; Mr. Clogston, twenty-six men ; and Mr. Woodell, ten, a large share of whom were residents of the town. They were taken to Concord to fill old and help to form new regi- ments, as the men themselves might respectively elect.

About the middle of August William H. Chaffin was authorized to recruit men in this town for regiments then being raised in the State, and opened an office that purpose.

At a town-meeting on the 17th of September, 1862, it was " Voted to pay all resident citizens who have enlisted under the two last calls of the President, and previous to August 11, 1862, fifty dollars each when mustered into the United States service. Also all those who have enlisted since August 11, 1862, one hundred dollars each, when mustered into the United States service," and the selectmen were authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding eight thousand dollars to carry this vote into effect.

At the annual town-meeting in March, 1863, the selectmen were authorized by vote to borrow not exceeding five thousand dollars, to aid families of soldiers, the selectmen to designate who were entitled to aid, and Sumner Putnam was chosen to pay out the money without remuneration.

On Sunday, May 10th, a telegram was received in town announcing the capture of Richmond. It was read in the churches, bells were rung, cannon fired and other demonstrations of joy made. But it turned out that the telegram was not quite true.

The surrender of Vicksburg was celebrated in

Claremont, July 7, 1863. by the ringing of bells, firing of cannon, etc Edward F. Johnson, a son about twenty years old of Edwin Johnson, while assisting to fire the cannon, in Dexter Hill, was very severely injured by the premature discharge of the gun, losing the right hand and having the other badly mutilated, beside other injuries. Sub- sequently a considerable sum of money was con- tributed by citizens of the town for his benefit.

On the 5th of August what was left of Company G, Fifth Regiment, came home on furlough. Out of eighty-one men who left town under Captain Long, in September, 1861, less than two years before, only twelve came home. Twenty-four had been killed in battle or died of disease, and the balance had either been discharged or were left behind in hospitals An ovation was given these twelve men at the town hall ; addresses were made by several gentlemen, and a handsome supper was provided at the Tremont House, to which about fifty citizens sat down. After the eating had been finished spirited speeches were made, sentiments offered and the whole affair passed off very pleasantly.

On Thursday, the 6th of August, the President's thanksgiving for the success of our arms was observed. Business was generally suspended. Religious services were hold at the Baptist Church, the Congregationalists and Methodists uniting. All three of the clergymen took part and made addresses.

On the 27th of August, 1863, the first draft in this Congressional District took place at West Lebanon. Ninety-seven men were drafted for Claremont, only four of whom, are - William S. Sturtevant, Jotham S. Toothaker, Charles H. Parmalee, and his brother, Edward A. Parmalee- entered the army. All the others were either rejected by the examining surgeon as unfit for duty, paid commutation or furnished substitutes.

On the 21st of September, in town-meeting, it was voted to pay drafted men, or their substitutes, three hundred dollars each, and the selectmen were instructed to borrow the money therefor.

On the 7th of December the town offered a

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bounty to her citizens who should enlist of three hundred dollars in addition to other bounties. At a previous meeting it had been voted to pay to each volunteer six hundred dollars, the town taking an assignment of the State and government bounties.

At the annual town-meeting, in March, 1864, the selectmen were authorized to borrow a sum, not exceeding six thousand dollars, to aid the fam- ilies of volunteers and drafted men. Sumner Put- nam, as agent, had paid to families of soldiers the preceding year the sum of $5,558.39.

In May, 1865, there was another draft at the provost-marshal's office, West Lebanon, to make up all arrearages, and thirteen men were drafted for Claremont, all of whom were exempted by the examining surgeon or furnished substitutes. In June eight more men were drafted for this town, to make up deficiencies in her quota under all calls, none of whom entered the army.

At a town-meeting, on the 23d of June, it was voted to instruct the selectmen to " pay a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars to any person who has, or may hereafter, enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States, and counted on the quota of this town for the present or any future call." The selectmen were also instructed to bor- row a sum, not exceeding six thousand dollars, for this purpose, and to proceed forthwith to enlist men, as opportunity may offer, in anticipation of future calls.

In August, 1864, the selectmen offered, for men to enlist into the army, bounties as follows: Two hundred dollars for one, and three hundred dollars for three years, besides the bounties offered by the State and United States, amounting in all, for three years' men, to eleven hundred dollars.

At the annual town-meeting, in March, 1865, by vote, the town treasurer was authorized to bor- row a sum, not exceeding seven thousand dollars, to aid the families of volunteers and drafted men.

William E. Tutherly was appointed military agent to provide soldiers to fill all quotas of the town the ensuing year.

On the morning of the 14th of April, 1865, news of the taking of Richmond came by tele- 8

graph, followed on Monday morning, the 19th, by this telegram:

" Official. Lee and his whole army surrendered on Sunday afternoon. Gloria !"

This was soon followed by a telegram from Gov- ernor Gilmore to the selectmen, ordering them to fire one hundred guns, at the expense of the State, in honor of the overthrow of the Rebellion. Busi- ness was immediately suspended ; the stores closed ; men, women and children were upon the streets ; all the church, mill and school bells were rung; and the order of the Governor was executed em- phatically upon the common. Everybody rejoiced at the final overthrow of the greatest rebellion on record. A meeting was notified to be held at the town hall in the evening.

At the appointed time the town hall was filled as it had seldom been filled before. The multi- tude was called to order by Charles M. Bingham, and Moses R. Emerson was chosen chairman, who stated the objects of the meeting and made some pertinent remarks. Rev. Edward W. Clark, pas- tor of the Congregational Church, opened the meeting with prayer. The congregation then united in singing, in a most thrilling manner, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow," to the tune of "Old Hundred." The glee club, under the direction of Francis F. Haskell, next sang a patriotic piece. Spirited addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. J. M. Peck, Edward W. Clark and E. S. Foster, Hosea W. Parker, Edward D.

Baker, Ira Colby, Jr., and others. The audience arose and joined in singing "America," as it is sung only when its eloquence and beauty are fully felt by those who sing it. The meeting dissolved to witness a display of fireworks outside. Many of the public buildings and private residences were handsomely illuminated, and Jefferson Davis and John C. Breckinridge were burned in effiegy on the common.

On the morning of the 15th of April came a telegram announcing the assassination of Abra- ham Lincoln, President of the United States, the night before. This news turned the rejoicing of the loyal people of the North to sincere and deep

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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

mourning. On Wednesday, the 19th of April, in accordance with recommendation from Washing- ton, and special proclamation of the Governor of New Hampshire, the funeral obsequies of the President were observed. Business of every kind was entirely suspended; at twelve o'clock the church bells were tolled ; minute-guns were fired, and the people assembled at the town hall to pay their respects to the memory and worth of the murdered President, Abraham Lincoln. Never did the people of Claremont more sincerely mourn than on this occasion. Rev. Edward W. Clark read the Governor's proclamation and made the opening prayer. An appropriate piece was sung by the choir, under the direction of Francis F. Haskell. Rev. E. S. Foster read selections from Scripture ; Rev. F. W. Toole offered prayer ; ad- dresses were made by Rev. Messrs. S. G. Kellogg, Moses Kimball, of Ascutneyville, Vt., Foster and Towle, of Claremont, Albert Goss, of Auburn, N. Y., and Clark, of Claremont. The choir sang the hymn commencing " Why do we mourn de- parting friends ?" to the tune of "China," and Rev. Mr. Kimball pronounced the benediction in the most solemn manner.

SUMMARY.

Whole number of volunteers from Claremont ...... 370 Whole number of drafted men who entered army .. 5 Whole number of drafted men who furnished sub-

stitutes. 74

Whole number killed in battle. 33 Whole number who died of wounds. 14

Whole number who died of disease. 20 Whole number who served to the end of the war ... 85 Number of families who received aid from the town and State .. 173

Amount of town and State aid furnished to fami- lies $26,219.61"

This summary includes all the Claremont soldiers who were connected with New Hamp- shire and other regiments whose history is known. Many re-enlisted, while others served in more than one organization,-some in three or four,- which, with substitutes furnished and commutation paid by men who were drafted, make the whole

number four hundred and forty-nine, of soldiers put down to the town during the war.

' CLAREMONT'S QUOTA .- The enrollment in Claremont, in April, 1865, embracing all male citizens of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years, liable to do military duty, was four hundred and thirteen. The whole number who entered the army and navy, from April, 1861, to April, 1865, was four hundred and forty-nine. This includes all enlistments, some of the men having enlisted two or more times, the drafted men who furnished substitutes and those who entered the army. The quota required to be sent from each town in the State under all calls for troops, from July, 1863, was proportioned to the number of enrolled militia, as above. Clare- mont's quota was set at one hundred and seventy- seven, and she furnished two hundred and six recruits, being an excess of twenty-nine over what she was required to furnish.

LADIES' SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETIES. - Immedi- ately after the assault upon Fort Sumter and the call of the President for seventy-five thousand volunteers, the ladies of Claremont manifested their zeal in the cause of their country by meeting at the house of Mrs. Susan J. Adams, to prepare bandages and other articles needed in army hospitals.

In May, 1861, an urgent call came to the ladies for hospital stores and garments suitable for sick and wounded soldiers. A notice was published in the village papers inviting the ladies to meet in Fraternity Hall. At the appointed time a large number assembled. The meeting was called to order by Miss Elizabeth Sprague. Remarks were made urging the importance of organized and earnest effort to minister to the comfort of siek and wounded soldiers, and to give to our men articles of clothing not furnished them by the government.

A society called the Ladies' Union Sewing Cirele was organized by the choice of the follow- ing officers : Mrs. M. A. Metcalf, president ; Mrs. Edward L. Goddard, vice-president ; Miss Eliza- beth Sprague, secretary and treasurer ; Mrs. Obed

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D. Barnes, Mrs. Otis F. R. Waite, Mrs. Lewis Perry, Mrs. Charles H. Eastman, Mrs. Edward L. Goddard and Mrs. Mary Blanchard, committee to have special care and direction of the work.

This society met at Fraternity Hall daily. The work at first was upon flannel garments and other articles for the men enlisted by Captain William P. Austin, a large portion of whom belonged in Claremont. Each man was furnished by this society with a pair of woolen drawers, undershirt, towels, pocket-handkerchiefs, woolen socks, pin- flat and needle-book, well filled with useful articles. By special contribution they raised $75 for rubber blankets, $8.38 for havelocks, and $13.29 for extra pairs of woolen hose.

The ladies kept at work as well at home as at their stated meetings, throughout the summer, for soldiers and hospitals. In September Charles H. Long enlisted a company of one hundred men for the Fifth Regiment, all belonging in Claremont and vicinity, and each was furnished with bed- sack, towels, handkerchiefs and woolen hose.

AUXILIARY SANITARY COMMISSION .- Early in October, 1861, the United States Sanitary Com- mission sent an appeal to the ladies of Claremont to organize an Auxiliary Sanitary Commission, in order the better to systematize their labors and the manner of sending forward and appropriating to their proper uses the fruits of their liberality and labor. In response to a call, the citizens met at Fraternity Hall on the 11th of October for this purpose. Simeon Ide, Thomas J. Harris, Joseph Weber, Mrs. Edward L. Goddard, Mrs. M. A. Metcalf and Mrs. Charles H. Eastman were ap- pointed a committee to canvass the town and secure the co-operation of all loyal women in this movement.

An adjourned meeting was held on the 16th of October, when the committee submitted a plan of organization, making every lady in town, who would pay into the treasury one dollar, a member, and proposed the following list of officers, which plan and report were adopted : Simon Ide, presi- dent ; Mrs. Samuel P. Fiske and Mrs. Leonard P. Fisher, vice-presidents ; Thomas J. Harris, treas-

urer ; Cyrenus S. Parkhurst, secretary ; Edward L. Goddard, Frederick T. Kidder, Arthur Chase, Mrs. M. A. Metcalf, Mrs. G. W. Lewis, Mrs. Obed D. Barnes, Mrs. Edward L. Goddard, Mrs. Charles H. Eastman and Mrs. Jotham G. Allds, directors.

The directors appointed Mrs. Lewis Perry, Miss Marion Richards, Mrs. Francis Whitcomb, Miss Diantha Sargent, Miss Alice Jones, Mrs. James Goodwin, Mrs. James Brickett, Mrs. Otis F. R. Waite, Mrs. Stephen F. Rossiter, Mrs. David F. Tuterly, Miss Stella Wallingford, Miss E. M. Bond, Mrs. Albert O. Hammond, Mrs. Freeman S. Chel- lis, Mrs. Amos D. Johnson, Mrs. Robert R. Bun- nell, Mrs. Anson S. Barstow, Mrs. George W. Lewis and Miss Isabella D. Rice to solicit money, hospital stores-such as preserves, jellies, pickles, etc., or clothing-to fill a box which the society wished to send forward.

For a time this organization received the active co-operation of the gentlemen holding the princi- pal offices, after which they seemed occupied with other matters, and early in the winter of 1861 the ladies took the management and funds of the soci- ety, Mrs. Samuel P. Fiske acting as president and Mrs. Edward L. Goddard as secretary and treas- urer.

The Sewing Circle was a Union Sewing Circle in the fullest acceptation of the term. Love of country, love of the brave and noble soldiers who left their homes to fight our battles, to suffer and die in prison or hospital, helped these patriotic women to surmount every obstacle and forget all opposition and discouragement.

A few ladies of Unity sent valuable contribu- tions, which were forwarded in the first boxes sent to Washington.

The meetings were frequent, well attended, seemed to be pervaded by a solemn sense of the importance of the utmost diligence in the perforni- ance of the work in hand, and pleasant to all in- terested in their object. Many ladies, whose names do not appear as having any special charge, were among the most active and efficient workers.

Among the gentlemen in town most active and enthusiastic in aiding the ladies in their work, en-

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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

couraging enlistments and helping soldiers and their families, was Rt. Rev. Carlton Chase, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. He opened his house to the ladies, attended and addressed public meetings, and in other ways showed how much he had the cause of the country at heart.

The ladies engaged in this society enlisted for the war, nor did they cease their efforts until Richmond was taken and the rebel armies had surrendered. During the existence of this auxil- iary society they sent thirty-three large boxes to the United States Sanitary Commission rooms in Washington and Boston, containing the following articles : 153 pairs woolen drawers, 195 woolen shirts, 373 cotton shirts, 29 pairs cotton drawers, 1029 towels, 901 handkerchiefs, 84 needle-books, 624 pairs of woolen hose, 221 woolen blankets, 333 quilts, 169 sheets, 244 pairs mittens, 39 com fort bags, 45 vests, 59 pillow-sacks, 139 bed-sacks, 261 pillows, 241 pillow-cases, 198 pairs slippers, 189 dressing-gowns, 51 havelocks, 2 collars, 1 mil- itary overcoat, 1 military dress coat, 1 pair mili- tary pants, 1 blouse, 1 linen jacket, together with large quantities of dried and canned fruits, pick- les, bandages, lint, linen and cotton picces, 75 quarts of wines and 50 pounds of corn-starch, books and other reading matter, all of which was most generously given by the friends of the soldiers in every part of the town. They also sent to the Boston and Baltimore fairs, for the benefit of the soldiers, about one hundred and fifty dollars' worth of fancy articles, all of which were contrib- uted by the ladies of this society.

The society received of its members and other individuals about twelve hundred dollars, four hundred dollars of which was realized from exhi- bitions, festivals and concerts. When they closed their labors, in the spring of 1865, there remained in the treasury one hundred and sixty dollars, which was placed at interest, to be appropriated for the erection of a monument in commemoration of Claremont's brave soldiers, who gave their lives for the country when she needed such sacrifice.

At the commencement of the war the ladies of West Claremont formed themselves into a working

band for the soldiers, and met together occasionally for work, though much was done at their homes. Large numbers of articles were sent to their desti- tation during the first few months through the so- ciety at the village, after which they sent the articles of their industry and benevolence direct to Washington. As no officers were chosen, no record of the money expended was kept for any length of time. The money used and articles given were from residents at West Claremont, ex- cept fifty dollars from the Sanitary Commission in the village in the winter of 1864-65, placed in the hands of Mrs. Wyllys Redfield, and expended for materials which were made up by the ladies. During the war not less than eight or ten barrels and boxes, filled with quilts, shirts, dressing-gowns, socks, dried fruit, jellies, wines and many other articles, were sent by the ladies of West Clare- mont.

THANKSGIVING TO SOLDIERS' FAMILIES .- In November, 1864, Charles M. Bingham, Nathaniel Tolles, Otis F. R. Waite, Samuel G. Jarvis and Walter H. Smith were chosen a committee to col- lect contributions, and distribute to families of soldiers, and others in town who were considered needy, provisions for Thanksgiving. Citizens cheerfully contributed from their stores what was valued in money at $30.31, and, in money, $120.45, making a total of $150.76. The money received was carefully expended for provisions, which were distributed to one hundred and three families, ac- cording as the committee judged of their several needs. The articles carried to the different dwell- ings consisted of one hundred and fifty chickens, seventy-five roasts of beef, weighing from seven to fourteen pounds each, several pieces of fresh pork, a large quantity of butter, cheese, vegetables, groceries, etc.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 111

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200