USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > History of Concord, New Hampshire, from the original grant in seventeen hundred and twenty-five to the opening of the twentieth century, Volume II > Part 51
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With the rising emergency rose up men, likewise. The first in the city, and the state, also, who responded to the president's call of April 15, was Edward E. Sturtevant (familiarly known as "Captain Crane " to the juveniles of Concord). He was a printer by trade, but had long served as a policeman. At that time he was captain of our little guardian night force. He, along with Jesse A. Gove, had served as captain of the Granite Guards. Somewhat over medium height and weight, intensely dark complexion, with a slight cast in one eye, of proven strength and courage, he had long been an ideal hero in the mind of every Concord lad, and soon indubitably proved himself a real one. Aroused from his sleep and told the news, he at onee obtained the adjutant-general's acceptance of his services as a volunteer and recruiting officer. Before night had come, he had the nucleus of a company of three-months' men, ahead of formal orders. Before a week was over, more than a hundred and seventy men had been enlisted.
There is not unanimous agreement as to the first place of Sturte- vant's work. It is likely that pledges to go were signed on the 15th. It is probable that he used a small tent pitched in front of the state house, and there received informal but morally binding promises in writing, to be regularly completed when he should receive authority and proper papers for the purpose. This tent could not have stood there longer than a half day. It is generally conceded that none enlisted before Sturtevant himself, and it is of open record that he did this on the 17th. Then, for the first time, he could authorita- tively enlist others. On the 16th there was a heavy fall of snow and the two following days were raw and foggy. At noon on the 17th forinal enlistments were begun in the northwest, second-story room in Phenix block, long known as the Dr. Gallinger office, secured for that purpose by Mayor Humphrey. Here he was assisted by Ai B. Thompson, Leonard Drown, and others. When Sturtevant recruited his company for the Fifth regiment, he used a round tent pitched on the south side of the state house yard principal entrance, on Main street, close in front of the chain fence, and well to the south, near the corner entrance. It was then a grass patch, where now is con- erete. This tent was made of heavy linen and was captured in the War of 1812. It bore the royal crown and monogram and was brought to town by the Keene Light Infantry, under its famous commander, James Wilson, at the time of the Jackson celebration. The tent used so briefly for First regiment recruiting was an A tent.
The exhibition grounds of the Merrimack County Fair, now included in the property used for the purposes of the National Guard, were hurriedly adapted for use, under the name Camp Union. A space of
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about thirty acres was already enclosed by a high, close, board fence and fairly supplied with rough buildings. The field and staff were placed on the west side, and the guard-house on the left of the pres- ent principal gate, while considerably north of the middle were the main barracks, the former general display building, to whose capacity were soon added two lesser structures. These were fitted with high tiers of bunks. But such was the excess of demand that the over- plus was accommodated in the cattle-sheds on the south and part of the southwest of the enclosure. There were also some minor build- ings for office purposes. The cooking department was provided with fair accommodations near the main barracks. In this domain the experienced Joseph G. Wyatt reigned, and provided just such food as hearty men desire. Two ancient field-pieces were posted near the grand stand, where old flannel, whiting, and labor made them glorious objects. The mustering officer was Major Seth Eastinan, Fifth Infan- try, U. S. A., afterwards lieutenant-colonel of the First Infantry, a Concord native. Colonel Eastman served in this capacity, generally without a helper, in the mustering of every regiment, except four, which left Concord.
To view the situation clearly, consider that the enforced muster of all able-bodied men in a state militia had ceased long since. Some privately maintained and voluntary organizations, such as the Coluni- bian Artillery and Granite Guards, excepted, there had been no mil- itary bodies " armed and equipped as the law directs." And while raw material was abundant, who could teach the willing pupils ? The tactics known to most men of military spirit had been, for a decade and a half, superseded. Warren Clark, later judge of probate and postmaster, was pressed into service. He had studied at Norwich (Vt.) university, the school of Partridge and of Ransom, fertile in brave men on land and water, from its first opportunity to this hour. Heavy drafts were also made on the undergraduates of Norwich, at this time and later, for drill masters. And they did great service, especially in creating more and good drill-masters.
By dint of hard work this crude hero-stuff was soon in measurable military form, arrayed in caps and suits of red-trimmed gray (coats cut swallow-tail), armed with ponderous, Springfield smooth-bores (pattern of '47), made for "buck and ball," and, on May 25, was rushed to the scene of contest.
That date thus became a day of thick-clustering memories to many now old or middle-aged. A train of sixteen baggage-wagons and an ambulance made at Abbot's, with harnesses by Hill, had been sent ahead on a special freight, when the regiment was drawn up near the race course, and addressed by Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Bouton, who
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concluded with prayer. Considerably before 9 o'clock the command appeared on Main street. The escort was Company A of the Gov- ernor's Horse Guards, Captain Jolin H. George commanding, and Engine Company No. 2, Charles S. Wilson, foreman, with Abner C. Holt and Benjamin F. Roby as assistants. The Concord band (Gust. W. Ingalls, leader) furnished music for the escorting bodies. At the head of the volunteers was the massive form of Colonel Mason W. Tappan, all but technically a citizen of Concord, followed by Fife- Major " Saxie " (F. H.) Pike in the redundant attire of his office, handling his baton with a skill twice right-handed, accompanied by Drum-Major William Carr, a long-time teacher of his especially sono- rous branch in our city. These in the forefront, with the band, E. T. Baldwin, master. This band, all enlisted men, furnished its own instruments, uniform, and entire outfit. Later, among the most mili- tary figures, appeared Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas J. Whipple, a Mex- ican War veteran, with a worthy mount for such a superb rider, and Adjutant E. Q. Fellows, a West Point man. As each company came along in platoons, through the densely crowded streets, with side streets no less crowded, it was greeted by its friends with cheers which joined with the roar ahead, and behind as well, to make long-drawn acclaim, from swarming sidewalks, from wooden awnings, from packed windows, from roofs and every possible point of vantage. The most voiceful tribute was reserved for Captain Sturtevant and Company I, which had the colors, Henry C. Sturtevant proudly bearing the stars and stripes. And thus they passed between the decorated buildings, beneath the flags and streamers, with handkerchiefs and hats waving in ovation from men, women, and children, all more than half tear- fully enthusiastic.
But the scene of all was in Depot square. This ample space was jammed with the throng which had come by train on the day before and in the morning, with the emptying of towns near by, with the city people who had chosen this spot very early, and the tide of humanity which followed the passing of the soldiers. Each one of this eager, swaying mass was alive with acute personal concern. The triple color was worn in some form, or borne in hand, and not to show it was to incur comment. As the column of fours changed into single file to admit boarding the cars, a wild rush was made to get near the track. Here were transferred refreshments for the jour- ney and final tokens. Adieux were passed, tears shed, blessings given, last advice, serious and jocular, imparted, and brief prayers audibly offered.
The foregoing can be applied to the departure of any regiment from our city, without material variation. Of course excitement was
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at its highest and the occasion completely novel when the First left us, but none was sent away without tributes. The patriotic dis- missals of the Third and Fifth were wholly worthy. Up to the very last, neither weather nor hour could be so unfavorable but that the assembly was large and its frame of mind an offset to all conditions. The earliest forces were sent away excellently prepared, relatively speaking, ready with a few days' rations, and provided with means of transportation, a week sufficing Downing to make the baggage- wagons of the Third, and as little time for Hill to provide harnesses and all aecoutrements of leather.
The total of those offering themselves for three months' service was much more than double the quota asked. The larger number of these now enlisted for a period of three years, under the new call, overflowing from the First into the Second regiment. The most of these went into Company B, known as the Goodwin Rifles, a com- pany more famous than any other borne on our state's roster. This company was provided with Sharp's improved rifle, procured for it by popular subscription in the city. The captain chosen was Simon G. Griffin, who had studied law in the office of Flint & Bryant and been very recently admitted to the bar, taking the place of Mr. Bryant on his retirement, under the firm name of Flint & Griffin. After admirable service Captain Griffin was promoted into the Sixth regiment as lieutenant-colonel, came to its full command, and finally won the double stars of major-general by brevet, the only volunteer officer from this state who attained that high distinetion. Company B was drilled in the manual and evolutions in city hall and the yard behind, in which space skirmish drill was given particular attention, to be effectively put in practice, as it proved, at the opening of many an eventful hour.
At this time Miss Harriet P. Dame kept a boarding-house on the northeast corner of Main and Montgomery streets. Among her board- ers were a number of students from the Methodist Biblical institute. Some of these students enlisted here and some went to their Southern homes and became members of the Confederate army. Besides these there were Ai Baker Thompson, who had enlisted April 17, in the First, but who went into the Second as a lieutenant, and W. E. Bun- tin, who went out with the Fourteenth as captain. Thompson became a captain in the Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, and brevet major, as well as secretary of state from 1877 till his decease in the fall of 1890. Miss Dame had shown a most helpful spirit in sending delicaeies and articles of use for the men sick in camp, during the First regi- ment's time of making ready. She next received five soldiers siek with measles into her house, provision for such eases not having
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then been made at the new camp ground. There was also a soldier kinsman there with rheumatie fever. Indeed, the house was not free from such invalids until the time of Miss Dame's entrance on larger duties in the same direction. These eases had been eared for at the urgent request of Dr. Charles P. Gage. One day Thompson had come back from Portsmouth and was lying down, not feeling well. In her nurse's round Miss Dame eame to him. In the course of the talk Thompson said, referring to the general situation in the household, "Supposing we get siek or wounded, who will take eare of us?". Then upon the instant eame an inspiration and the answer, " I will!" This, resolutely followed out, made that slender woman a power indeed for relief, for comfort, for cheer, for the pouring in of oil, for the binding up of wounds, for the Christian commendation of the soul departing, for the tender preparation of the dead, and the gentle, loving service which woman's hand alone ean render. Among those of our people whom the Civil War made known, none is erowned with ampler benedietions ; no name surrounded with sweeter odors, and none to be mentioned more reverently.
Miss Dame was twiee taken prisoner. A twelve-pound shot went through her tent at Fair Oaks. In his inaugural message to the legislature of 1901 Governor Jordan suggested the fitness of having a portrait of her hung in some of the halls of the state's buildings, as a fitting tribute to her memory and a deserved compliment to the pure and self-sacrifieing womanhood of the state.
The funeral of Miss Dame at St. Paul's church, April 28, 1900, was an assembly of soldiers, wives of soldiers, children of soldiers, and friends of soldiers, such as the state never saw before. Full military honors were accorded. As the saered words of the church's service were begun at the cemetery, the lowering elouds broke away and light flooded the assembly. On the first volley of the firing squad a flight of white doves occurred, the birds circling round and round near by till all was over.
On April 19, 1861, the people came together in publie assembly in response to a call, as follows :
The citizens of Concord and vicinity, without distinction of party, who are in favor of sustaining the National Government against treasonable combinations to resist laws and destroy the Federal Union, are requested to assemble in the City Hall on this Friday evening, at 8 o'clock, to consider and give expression to such sentiments as the present perilous condition of the country may seem to demand.
This call was signed by Ira Perley, Thomas P. Treadwell, Henry A. Bellows, J. D. Sleeper, Asa McFarland, Nathaniel
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White, Josiah Stevens, Asa Fowler, David Davis, A. C. Pierce, Henry P. Rolfe, Richard Bradley, Ebenezer Symmes, Jonathan Kittredge, Anson S. Marshall, William Kent, Eleazer Jackson, George Hutchins, Joseph H. Mace, Samuel Coffin, William P. Foster, Joseph A. Gilmore, John V. Barron, A. B. Holt, George A. Pillsbury, Isaac Danforth, John P. Johnson, Charles Smart, Oliver L. Sanborn, J. T. Underhill, Jonathan E. Lang, E. G. Moore, True Osgood, Edward H. Rollins, Joseph French, Moses T. Willard, Charles P. Gage, Isaac A. Hill, A. H. Robinson, B. F. Gale, Calvin Howe, John Abbott, Josiah B. Sanborn, Thomas L. Tullock, B. F. Dunklee, Sylvester Dana, Charles S. Eastman, Moses Humphrey, John L. Tallant, D. E. Smith, H. E. Perkins, James Peverly, W. H. Allison, P. S. Smith, and others, being from both political parties.
The meeting was called to order by Judge Perley. T. P. Tread- well, a former Democratic secretary of state, was chosen president, with Francis N. Fiske, Josiah Stevens, and Lewis Downing as vice- presidents, and William E. Chandler, J. W. Robinson, and J. E. Lang as secretaries. After prayer by Rev. Dr. Bouton, Mr. Tread- well spoke, with these words as the soul of his address :
That Union is in danger. Who or what caused this danger is not now the question. How can the Union be preserved and per- petuated ? This is the all-absorbing question of the day. The only answer to this question is-it must and shall be preserved; peacea- bly, if we can ; forcibly, if we must.
Judge Perley offered the following resolution and briefly advo- cated its adoption :
Resolved, That in the present crisis we, as American citizens of the State of New Hampshire, acknowledge our fealty to our National and State Governments, to the Constitution of the United States and of the State of New Hampshire, and that we will support them in every required capacity.
The resolution was seconded by H. P. Rolfe, who was followed by Messrs. William L. Foster, John H. George, Anson S. Marshall, Ed- ward H. Rollins, Nathaniel S. Berry, Ai B. Thompson, Joseph B. Walker, W. H. Rixford, Reverends Henry E. Parker, C. W. Flan- ders, E. E. Cummings, and Dr. Bouton. After the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner " by George Wood, further speeches were made by Josiah Stevens, Rev. Dr. S. M. Vail, and R. R. Meredith, then a Methodist student here, since a clergyman of eminence.
While the speeches showed differences of opinion, and while op- position to "coercion " was asserted, notably on the part of Mr. George, all were intensely patriotic and stirred the depths immensely,
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giving a most powerful impulse to recruiting. Captain Sturtevant and his force were in attendance. The attack made on the Sixth Massachusetts on its way through Baltimore, and the death of one of its men, Luther C. Ladd, a native of Alexandria, which occurred on that day, were announced at the meeting and intensified its feeling.
The resolution of Judge Perley went through with a rush and also one offered by Joseph B. Walker, " to take measures in concert with the City Government, or otherwise, for rendering aid to the families of our patriotic citizens, during their absence, who have enlisted, or may enlist, in the military service of their country." On this latter subject the president appointed Joseph B. Walker, George Hutchins, Josiah Stevens, John L. Tallant, Daniel Holden, Nathaniel White, John V. Barron, and Woodbridge Odlin.
Ex-President Pierce was absent from the city on the day of the citizens' meeting. But he addressed a large assembly, by request, from the balcony of the Eagle hotel, on the following evening. Even at this time, by far the larger part of our people thought the threatenings from the South, grave as they indeed were, a burst of passion which would soon be over. The ad- dress of General Pierce, as he was Eagle Hotel during the Civil War. familiarly known, agreed with this impression, and he was hopeful that the collision imminent would be averted. The central sentence of his speech was this :
FEBE
SEE
WIR HUMPHREY & Co.
Should . . . a war of aggression be waged against the National Capital and the North, there is no way for us, as citizens of one of the old thirteen states, but to stand together, and uphold the flag to the last, with all the rights which pertain to it, and with the fidelity and endurance of brave men.
Among those present at this speech was George G. Fogg, editor of The Independent Democrat. In the next issue of his paper, Mr. Fogg said of this speech that it " had no heart in it," " deals in gen-
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eralities," "altogether too delicate, as well as evasive in its treat- ment of the subject." The same number also bitterly characterized the remarks of Mr. George at the citizens' meeting as the "speech of a traitor."
These comments were the cause of a warm street controversy between Mr. Fogg and Judge Perley, the latter taking the ground that such drastic criticism was injudicious. While the precise details of this episode must go unchronicled, there is no doubt that Judge Perley urged that this speech might be considered sufficient for the present, and that it was not the part of wisdom to attack, thus soon, the very head and front of a large class of citizens whose aid was needed and had been invited, under a broad summons.
It is wholly certain that Ira Perley, a man of intense feeling, of rooted and grounded conviction, and of no doubtful position on any debated point, was notably conservative in all speeches to the public, though not in private utterances, throughout our heated controver- sies. While it cannot be said that Judge Perley regarded Pierce as a friend, it is a most certain fact that Pierce highly valued the opinion of Perley as that of a man of sincerity, directness, and integrity, and repeatedly sent for and consulted him on public matters.
At about this time the banks came to the government's help with war's sinews, the Union bank providing twenty thousand dollars, and the State Capital thirty thousand dollars. The display of flags evinced the general feeling.
The relief committee named at the citizens' meeting, with other helpers, went to work and circulated subscriptions with substantial results. One of these lists was signed by thirty-seven persons. Of that total number, only Joseph B. Walker and Moses H. Bradley are living. Two concerts of patriotic and standard music, the talent of the city participating, were given before large audiences and added to these resources.
Sunday, April 21, 1861, was largely occupied by the theme which was in every mind. To use the Statesman's words, " In the churches the Union and its perils, its destiny, with the duty of all to labor in the strength of God for its rescue, were the themes of devout con- templation in every church, so far as we hear; made so by the pray- ers, or the discourse, or both." At the morning service at the South Congregational, Reverend Henry E. Parker, who became chaplain of the Second regiment, closed his sermon with an address to Sturtevant and his men, who were present as a body. The Independent Demo- crat's last number said : "Concord is full of the war spirit. The news from the South has completely raised the patriotism of our people." As the next issue of the Statesman put it, "The over-
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whelming sentiment of the Capital is that the Government must and shall be sustained." Indeed, it was so.
At this time began a movement which developed largely. As early as April 22, after notice in the various eongregations, a large number of ladies came together to prepare flannels and other neces- saries. This soon grew into a general state organization, ealled " The Soldiers' Aid Society," with Mrs. Nathaniel G. Upham as president ; Mrs. Onslow Stearns, vice-president; Miss Eliza Whipple, treasurer; Mrs. Moses H. Bradley, recording secretary, and Mrs. Ira Perley, corresponding secretary. A gentleman's committee was added as follows: Penacook, H. H. Brown ; East Concord, Cyrus Robinson; West Concord, Daniel Holden ; with Herbert A. Bellows, Onslow Stearns, James Peverly, John M. Hill, and Nathaniel White from the city proper. A generous sum was raised by this committee to be used in material for manufacture. This committee did long and earnest service. Mr. Hill was its main factor in money raising.
Out of this, under the favor of the governor, with Concord as a distributing center, grew a most helpful general organization, which provided socks, towels, lint, bandages, old linen, "comfort bags," wines, jellies, and every variety of tempting home delicacies for use in field and hospital. Its scope was enlarged from time to time, as experience suggested, to include visiting hospitals, returning lists of the wounded and their condition and the care and forwarding, as well as the recovery, of bodies for home interment. United States Senator Daniel Clark was president of the New Hampshire Sons at Washington, working in connection with these helpers, with Stephen S. Bean and John C. Wilson as secretaries. The state itself lent large authority and discretion to the work, and on several oceasions sent from among our citizens as commissioners, especially after great battles in which New Hampshire troops were engaged, A. B. Holt, George Hutchins, Reverend J. H. Gilmore, Parsons B. Cogswell, D. K. Foster, S. G. Sylvester, George W. Grover, John H. Blodgett, E. W. Abbott, and probably others, of whom no record is found.
The spirit of the times was such that a Home Guard was formed composed of those who were exempt, by reason of years, from liability to more active military service. But on the rolls were some who found themselves of such youthful strength that they declined to stay exempted. The officers of this foree were: Captain, Josiah Stevens ; lieutenants, Asa McFarland and J. B. Smart; ensign, R. G. Wyman ; surgeon, Timothy Haynes ; surgeon's mate, B. S. Warren ; chaplain, Nathaniel Bouton ; sergeants, Hamilton E. Perkins, James S. Norris, Ephraim Hutchins, G. C. Robinson ; corporals, J. L. Jack- son, M. B. Smith, R. Lake, S. Wallace, William Kent, Asa Fowler,
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J. S. Kittredge, and Isaac A. Hill; clerk, George H. H. Silsby ; drummers, William Carr and Luther Tracy ; fifers, N. W. Gove and R. P. Kimball. Penacook was by no means to be left behind, and her command was headed by Captain J. S. Durgin, supported by Lieutenant H. H. Amsden, Ensign J. A. Coburn, Surgeon S. M. Emery, Chaplain J. C. Emerson, with I. W. Drown, T. O. Wilson, L. B. Elliott, and H. D. White as sergeants, and N. Rolfe, C. Gage, H. II. Brown, and W. H. Allen as corporals. The only name recorded of the company at West Concord is that of Charles H. Clough, cap- tain. The Guards were armed with that most effective of close-range weapons, the smooth-bore Springfield. The uniform consisted of a dark coat and pants and a glazed cap. Their first high function was on election day, at the inauguration of Governor Berry. Amid alter- nate showers and sunshine they bore themselves with true martial mien, and may be said not to have been eclipsed in this respect even by the gorgeous Horse Guards.
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