USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 91
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The military display of the muster day was not all of its attractions; side shows, freak exhibi-
To Jonathan Dauerte Captain of the the Company in this OF Regement A Milicia in the State of News Hanno police: you are required, with your Subal. Termo, o bow fairy to afabricar on Me Parade ground near Auchent Meeting House on Wednesday, the 14th October next precisely ar got lock a. M for the purpose of Inspection & Review and there to wait the order of your Superior of ficertas your are also alquived at the farmer time to make return of your how funny, greeable to the known form in such case provided , & prevent the face to the Tu. Theater at the time of Inspection. bach man to be Recorded with twelve blank tachtig ?? By Brow of Jonah Elgood.
Colonel y
Davablech adjutant. C C
Vittember 28 1807
tions and amusements of every kind established themselves upon the grounds and were crowded through- out the day with a mass of people. Tents and shanties of every conceiv- able size and description made the miniature "white city" of those days and the "Midway Plaisance" prob- ably here had its inception. Ped- dlers with their wares-Yankee no- tions and fancy goods of all kinds- with a babel of voices mingled with the music of brass bands, fifes and drums. It was here that Jack Adams commenced his career and laid the foundation of his fortune, first as a vender of small wares from his ped- dler's cart, later as the skillful chiro- podist. The razor-strop man, the scissors grinder, the quoit pitchers and ring-toss man were there. The ginger-bread stand and candy coun- ter and fakes innumerable. The sharper with the roulette table, props, and dice made hay while the sun shone, roping in the countryman and relieving him of his surplus cash. New England rum upon tap was the favorite beverage and everybody, with rare exceptions, considered it a necessity to the complete happiness of the day.
The forenoon of the day the duty of the military was given to inspec- tion and drill. In the afternoon was the great event of the muster, a grand sham fight. A muster without a sham fight would have been like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. The roar of the cannon, the rattle of the flint-lock muskets, the grand charge of the infantry upon the artillery and, of course, capturing the guns was the supreme and culminating event, the smoke and smell of powder filling the air until night closed the scene.
Among the colonels commanding the old Fifth regiment who were residents of Nashua, were Col. Joseph Greeley, and later, Col. Joseph Greeley, Jr., Col. John Eayrs, Col. Israel Hunt, Jr. (see biography), who was in command from 1836 to 1839, and became major-general in command of the Third division. General Hunt held all ranks in the military service from sergeant to that of major- general. He was a familiar form upon the streets of Nashua for many years after he closed his
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
military services. He always bought largely of real estate and became quite wealthy. He was a man of strong convictions, and ready to express his sentiments. He was a Democrat of the radical school, active in public affairs up to the time of his death in 1875.
Col. Thomas G. Banks was appointed colonel of the Fifth regiment, January 1, 1856. Colonel Banks was an able officer, with the true military instinct; and had he not been at an advanced age at the opening of the War of the Rebellion, would, without doubt, have won distinction upon the battle field. He was at the head of military affairs of Nashua for many years; a good executive officer, a genial man, a worthy and loyal citizen. He held the position of city marshal during the war.
An incident showing his characteristics is worthy of record. Copperheadism in those days was rampant in Nashua as in other places. Frequent altercations took place upon the streets between loyal citizens and those allies of the rebels of the South. It was upon the receipt of news, reporting State of Newhampshire of To James Comasone Hillsborough Is 2 of the forforces of the fiets Company in the fifth Higument of Militia the defeat of the Union army the first day of the battle of Gettysburg. A well known Nashua Copperhead was exulting over the defeat ; when Oliver M. Sawyer, familiarly known as "Salty Sawyer," made issue tell- Greeting. ing him he should by rights have his head knocked from his shoulders, and his loyal blood rising to the boiling point he added, "I believe I will do it," and suiting the action to the word, with his strong right fist laid Copperhead in the dust with a broken nose and bleeding face. City Marshal Banks was appealed to to arrest Sawyer for assault. Colonel Banks listened to the complainant's story and patting him upon the shoulder he said, "My friend, your complaint is entered at the wrong place. You should go South with your trouble where you evidently belong."
In the name of land thule you are herebyregun forthworth tonotify and woorden all the training Soldiers, on the grant road an Salmon Brooks and the Mati Cine ' D'unstatute Au ment at the theing house in DeTestare one Wednesday The twentyown way of funeinst at one oclock in The afternoon Equa ted with arms and accouchements according To Luro fon Military duty and there wait for further orders, and make clue return to mu oni on before Per Day Giorno under my hand sect this first Wary of fame, Itor Dunstable. Jan Bancroft Tas Captain
5. 16 Notify M. B. Alot to Brumm
In the list of lieutenant-colonels of the regiment Nashua was well represented by Moses Hunt, brother of Gen. Israel Hunt, having been promoted from captain of the Eighth company. George Tuttle was lieu- tenant-colonel in 1839. Colonel Tut- tle was brother of Nelson Tuttle.
Franklin Fletcher succeeded Colonel Tuttle. It appears from the records that Isaac J. Fox served as lieutenant-colonel from December, 1848 to 1856. Daniel M. Fiske was appointed lieutenant-colonel, January 4, 1856. Colonel Fiske, more familiarly known as Captain Fiske, was a well-known military character in Nashua for many years. His life and money were spent in cultivating his tastes in this direction. He was a fine horseman and always owned a fine horse for military parades. Captain Fiske served in the Eighth N. H. regiment during the war.
John H. Gage was major of the Fifth regiment in 1856, and 1858 was commissioned as colonel. He was for many years one of Nashua's leading business men, being senior member of the firm of Gage, Warner & Whitney, manufacturers of machinery on Hollis street near the Worcester railroad passenger station. Colonel Gage was killed by the accidental discharge of a sporting rifle. about 1863.
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HISTORY OF NASIIUA, N. H.
Charles H. Nutt (see biography) was quarter-master of the regiment from 1841 to 1845. The records also show that he was adjutant of the regiment in 1841.
Samuel Tuck was adjutant of the regiment in 1856. Adjutant Tuck was for many years in the millinery business in Noyes block.
Among the surgeons of the regiment we find Dr. Ebenezer Dearborn (see biography), who was appointed April 15, 1824. Doctor Dearborn lived at the head of Park street, corner of Olive, where his old homestead now stands.
Dr. Josiah G. Graves (see biography) was appointed surgeon in 1838. Doctor Graves became one of Nashua's eminent physicians.
Dr. Edward Spalding (see biography) was surgeon of the regiment from 1841 to 1845. Doctor Spalding in later years became the recognized leading citizen of Nashua, accumulating a large property, dispensing it with a liberal hand in any worthy charity. He died in 1895.
Dr. L. F. Locke (see biography) was appointed surgeon September 9, 1830. Doctor Locke subsequently turned his attention to dentistry and became one of the leading dentists of Nashua, having an office in Fishers' building, Main street,
Dr. E. B. Hammond (see biography), Dr. E. A. Colburn (see biography) are of record as surgeons' mates, and became prominent physicians of Nashua in after years.
The onerous position of paymaster was held by Alfred Greeley in 1816. Alfred Greeley was the original owner of the Greeley farm on Concord street, bequeathed by his son J. Thornton Greeley to the city of Nashua.
Alfred Greeley was succeeded as paymaster by Samuel Greeley in 1823, and Jackson Greeley in 1840. Evidently the Greeley family were in high favor at court.
The old artillery company organized in 1818 maintained its organization in varying condition until about the year 1835, when it had become run down and almost extinct. It was at this period that Perley Foster, father of Maj .- Gen. John G. Foster (see biography), and Solomon Spalding (see biography) gave it new life by a complete re-organization. It was their purpose to make the organization the best artillery company in New England, and that they succeeded is well attested by the flattering reports upon their every appearance for many years. The principal event of their service seems to have been their march to Boston, and the part taken in the anniversary celebration of the battle of Bunker Hill, 1842.
Early on the morning of June 15 the company left the village of Nashua for Boston; the com- pany consisting of seventy men uniformed in blue, with gilt trimmings, each man armed with a sword of the old Roman pattern; two six-pound brass field pieces, known as the Napoleon gun, which had been made expressly for their company at the Alger Foundry company in South Boston, together with two caissons, each piece and each caisson drawn by two horses gaily decorated, all making a brilliant and imposing display.
The march to Boston via Old Concord was a series of ovations through the villages en route. Captain Spalding in narrating this event incidentally remarks, that the march was more of a ride, eighty horses being required to transport the battery, men, guns, caissons, and necessary commissary stores. The commissary, wet and dry, being no small part of the outfit. As the column approached a village, by a well drilled manœuvre, the entire company were, in an incredible short time, dis- mounted from the comfortable seats in their carriages and were in line of march, which was well maintained until the company was well out of the village. This manœuvre, it is said, was executed even upon the approach to country schoolhouses, that Young America should get no false impressions of real soldiers upon line of march.
Arriving at Old Concord the company went into camp on the old battle ground of 1776. Here they were entertained right royally by the good people of Concord. From Concord the company marched into Boston, dispensing with their private carriages. In Boston the company attracted marked attention, by the complete equipment of the battery, the remarkably brilliant uniforms and general soldierly bearing of the men.
Upon Bunker Hill this seventeenth day of June, New Hampshire carried off the honors of the day, as did New Hampshire at the battle which the children of their worthy sires were this day celebrating.
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
If New Hampshire can justly claim the honors of Bunker Hill, in having more than one-half of the men engaged on the American side, Nashua can take to herself the distinction of succeeding Old Dunstable in the honor of having more men in the battle than any other town in the state. After long years of delay and many vicissitudes, the monument was now complete, except the crowning cap stone. In the celebration of the day New Hampshire was given an important part, and the old Nashua artillery were the worthy representatives of their state. One of the guns of their battery being dismounted, was taken to the top of the monument, and there belched forth a national salute, proclaiming to the world in no uncertain sound, the great truth that the monument here reared and completed would for all time mark the spot where liberty for the world had its birth. The exercises being ended, the company again took up its march for New Hampshire. This was the crowning glory of the old artillery company. It maintained a successful organization for ten years after this date, attending many musters and many parades.
Among the officers of the artillery company were Phineas Adams, commissioned lieutenant August 15, 1837, promoted to captain Jan. 31, 1839. Captain Adams became a prominent and wealthy citizen; for many years he was landlord of the old Central house on Railroad square, upon the present site of the Laton house. He died about the year 1855. He was the father of Mrs. E. B. Hammond and of Phineas Adams, Jr., a prominent citizen of Manchester well known to Nashua citizens.
Ignatius Bagley was first lieutenant of the company in 1839, and again commissioned to the same rank in 1841. He was with his company in their trip to Boston. Lieutenant Bagley was in the meat business on Railroad square. The gun house of this company was near the Shattuck ledge on Summer street.
The first record of the second company dated from 1815. Alexander Eayrs was commissioned captain Dec. 19, 1815; Joseph Swallow, Dec. 16, 1816; Samuel Foster, April 20, 1819; Stephen Bates, Dec. 13, 1822; Israel Hunt, Jr., June 14, 1824.
This company appears to have been the military cradle of quite a number of Nashua's militia heroes. Israel Hunt, Jr., was first commissioned as ensign in this company in 1822 from the rank of sergeant. His military ambition won for him rapid promotion. This company also was the primary military school of Col. George Bowers (see biography), the hero of two wars, whose record will be found upon other pages of this history, and of Col. Thomas G. Banks, Capt. Daniel M. Fiske, Jacob Hall, Capt. C. P. Danforth (see biography), Jesse Bowers (see biography), Stephen Kendrick, Jeremiah P. Davis, all becoming prominent citizens of Nashua. This company was disbanded in 1831 and reorganized in 1834 under Thomas G. Banks, captain, and Daniel M. Fiske, ensign. The last record we find of the second company is in 1840, when it may be presumed the company ceased to exist.
The eighth company, Fifth regiment, also had a conspicuous place in the military establishment from the year 1818 and to the year 1841. It was in this organization that Moses Hunt commenced his military life, holding the position of captain from 1820 to 1832, being promoted to major of the regiment June 1, 1832, and to lieutenant-colonel Jan. 16, 1836. Moses Hunt was a brother of Gen. Israel Hunt. Franklin Foster was commissioned captain of the company June 1, 1832. He lived on Fletcher street for many years and carried on the business of wheelwright in the building on the corner of Main and Fletcher streets on the present site of Dunlap block. Solomon Spalding, Jr., was in command of the eighth company from April 3, 1833, to April 27, 1835, when Isaac P. Morgan became captain. Morgan was the brother of Sumner Morgan, living on North Elm street. Daniel M. Fiske was also a captain from April 21, 1836, to Sept. 15, 1837, when Samuel Merrill was com- missioned captain. Samuel I. Mackins succeeded Merrill and James Roby became captain March 4, 1841. Roby was the brother of David Roby who, until his recent death, occupied the old family homestead on Amherst road. The lieutenants were Benjamin Farley, 1818; Noah Jewett, 1824 ; Benjamin Pool, Jr., 1824; Noah P. Goodhue, 1826; Richard Dole, Jr., 1833; Ebenezer Converse, 1837; Samuel Matthews, 1841.
The first company of the Fifth regiment was organized about the year 1823 and commanded successively by John Epis, Jr., Noah Lund, Pascal Fletcher, brother of the venerable Mrs. Bowers, who at the present writing, at the age of over ninety years, is often seen upon our streets riding with her daughter, Mrs. F. A. McKean. Captain Fletcher was one of Nashua's early lumber merchants.
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
HIe was succeeded in the command of the first company by Josephus Baldwin, March 18, 1830. Josephus Baldwin became the first mayor of the city of Nashua. He was one of the foremost of the energetic men of Nashua for more than thirty years, and did very much for his town in many ways. He established and built up to large proportions a bobbin and shuttle business on Water street. His homestead stood upon the present site of Ayers block on Main street until the year 1891. A more extended sketch of his life will be found in this volume. Edward Baldwin succeeded his brother Josephus to the command of this company in 1832, and he in the same year by William Adams. Captain Adams was a well-known landlord of the Pearl street hotel, the name of the house being subsequently changed to Tremont house. The lieutenants of this company were Samuel Roby, brother of Luther Roby; Sherabiah Hunt, brother of Gen. Israel Hunt. Joseph Knowlton was commissioned to the command of this company in 1833 and after two years' service retired from the pomp and glory of the military to his cobbler shop on South Central street. Hiram Wilkins suc- ceeded Knowlton. Mr. Wilkins was a stable keeper on Railroad square. Amos Wheeler, Jr., was the last lieutenant of the company of record, being commissioned March 9, 1841. Of the achieve- ments of the first company, history and tradition tell us not, and the oldest of its members have long since gone to their reward.
The Grenadiers, organized in 1824, became one of the crack organizations of the regiment. That it was one of the pets of the town is evident from the following extract from the Nashua Weekly Telegraph of June 28, 1828 :
"The ladies of Nashua Village will, on the 4th of July, 1828, at II o'clock A. M., present to the Nashua Grenadiers a military standard. Those ladies who have subscribed for that object are respectfully invited to assemble at the house of Capt. Asa Buntin at 10 o'clock. Citizens are invited to participate in the exercises of the day. A dinner will be provided for the occasion. Tickets may be had at the Bar of Mr. Joel Fisher's Inn and at the stores of Messrs. D. & E. S. Goodnow and L. W. Noyes.
ROBERT ANDERSON, Committee of
B. L. MACK,
L. W. NOYES, Arrangements.
"July 4, 1828, the following will be the order of the day at this village :
"The Dunstable Cadets and Nashua Grenadiers will parade at II o'clock on the common in front of Messrs. D. & E. S. Goodnow's store. The ladies will meet at Capt. Asa Buntin's house at IO O'clock. At II they will be conducted to the common when a standard will be presented.
"Immediately after the ceremony the procession will form in the following order to hear the performances at the meeting-house of the Rev. Mr. Nott.
Military Escort. Music. Marshal of the Day.
Marshal. Rev. Clergy, &c. ?
Com. of Arrangements.
Marshal.
Marshal.
Ladies. Marshal.
Marshal. Citizens and Strangers. Marshal.
Captain Mack, Grand Marshal.
Independent companies of Dunstable Cadets, commanded by Captain.
Nashua Grenadiers, commanded by Captain Banks."
The captains of the Grenadiers were successively Alpha Richardson, Jonathan R. Wiggin, Thomas G. Banks, Charles Cummings, William Adams, Jonathan R. Wiggin, Frederick Dyke and Peleg S. Tompkins.
The uniform of the company was blue coat, duck pants, dark plume in soft hat. The company was disbanded in 1832.
The military organizations of Nashua under command of Colonel Banks had the honor of acting as escort to President Jackson upon his visit to the old town of Dunstable in 1833.
The short time allowed, after ascertaining that the distinguished visitor would stop for an hour or two, did not give time for elaborate plans for show, but all were glad to be favored by a visit from
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
the chief magistrate, and all, without distinction of party, were ready to do him honor. The leading citizens of the town at that time were Jesse Bowers, Daniel Abbot, Charles G. Atherton, Moody D. Lovewell, William Boardman, Jesse Esty, Benjamin F. French, Israel and John M. Hunt, Moses Tyler, Stephen Kendrick, Silas Butterfield, Christopher Paige, Franklin Foster, John Flagg, Frank- lin Munroe, William Lund, Isaac Spalding, Leonard W. Noyes, Hugh Jameson, Perley Foster, Joseph, Ezekiel and Alfred Greeley and many others not named.
The plan for the reception which was carried out was for the military, with a cavalcade of some forty citizens, to meet the president and party at the state line about five miles below Nashua Village. The presidential party consisted of President Jackson, Martin Van Buren, then secretay of state, and the members of the cabinet.
The escort left the village about eight o'clock in the morning and returned about ten with their guests, stopping at the Washington house, on the present site of Noyes block, which was then the best adapted to the purpose, and from its convenient portico our visitors were seen.
The female operatives in the mills of both our corporations were invited to take part in the festivities, and all the young ladies of our village were included, and a special request made that all who could conveniently do so should dress in white with blue sashes. The number in white and blue was between two and three hundred, they being given the foremost rank after the military, and were followed by a large number of ladies and gentlemen, together with representatives of the different trades and industries of the thriving village.
The operatives in the mills were then the Yankee girls of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. There were no foreigners in the town. The place of gathering of the military and other participants for their organization and march was Abbot square. The influx of people from adjoining towns made a large crowd, which was organized ready for its march when the expected visitors reached the Washington house, and was in readiness for the procession to pass in review.
Upon the approach of the column, the party was welcomed with the booming of cannon from the time they appeared at the top of the hill north of the harbor till they reached the Washington house and long after.
After due arrangements were made for the visitors on the portico of the Washington house, the Abbot square procession started, passing in review of the chief magistrate, and countermarching back in front of the Washington house, and there forming in line.
The time fixed for the departure was twelve o'clock. The people, seeking the best positions to see the president as he left the town, made for the north side of the bridge as that seemed to be the favorable spot to arrange themselves for the best view as they went up the hill on the way to the capi- tal of the state. The hill was then steep and sandy, the bridge at that time being some twenty-five feet lower than now, which made the hill much steeper on both sides of the river, and the military company and men representing our various industries, with handsaws, shovels, banners, etc., were in the line, and a large crowd extended far up the hill, eager to see the guests as they departed.
A barouche, with six white horses driven by one of our best "ribbon holders," Joel Concay, was soon in sight with the distinguished party on board. No man ever waved a salute more gracefully than General Jackson, but the speed of the horses which took them out of town gave him but little opportunity to wave his graceful good-bye. The runaway speed was caused by the hurrahing, the waving of flags, swinging of handsaws and other demonstrations, as the horses reached the north end of the bridge. The driver lost control of his horses any further than to try and keep them headed up the hill in the direction of Concord, the place they wanted to reach. The hill and rising ground be- yond served to take the wind of his horses, so he got them under control, but not till after they were through and beyond the crowd, which reached from the bridge to Abbot square.
The first rifle company, organized Jan. 14, 1825, comprised some of the first men of the town. Charles Richardson was the first commander, holding the captaincy until 1828, when he was suc- ceeded by Charles G. Atherton, a prominent lawyer of the village and who became United States senator. A sketch of his life will be found among the biographies in this volume. Among the cap- tains commanding the company were Alexander H. Converse, George W. Fletcher, Sewal G. Mack. Luther Towns, Levi Curtis and Elbridge G. Hardy. Charles P. Danforth, one of the best known citizens of Nashua for more than sixty years, was lieutenant of the company from 1832 to 1834. The company was disbanded about the year 1840.
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
The Nashua Guards, a company famous in its day throughout the state for its excellence, was organized Sept. 10, 1834. Capt. Thomas G. Banks was its first commander. Captain Banks was succeeded by George Bowers in 1840, Mark Putnam in 1843, Charles T. Gill in 1846; Capt. Thomas G. Banks, Jr., now of Waltham, Mass., commanded the company in 1847, Noah J. Harris in 1849, and Joel Colburn in 1851. Mr. Colburn followed the business of a painter, living on the banks of the Nashua river on Pearson's avenue on the present site of the old card shop. Among the lieutenants in this company were Oliver Phillips and Caleb I. Emery. Oliver Phillips was for many years a well- known citizen of Nashua, at one time owner of an oyster saloon in one of the small ten-foot buildings on the corner of Main and Park streets, where about 1860 he built a three-story frame building, occu- pying the larger part for his saloon and a billiard room in the second story. This building was burned in 1868 in the extensive fire which swept down the east side of Main street to the bridge and then as far as Goodrich block on the west side. On the site of his old building he built the pres- ent post office building which is still owned by his widow and son, who at the present writing reside at the old homestead on Park street. Caleb I. Emery was the son of Caleb J. Emery, who was a suc- cessful dealer in wet groceries on the corner of Pearl and Elm streets. Lieutenant Emery subse- quently became paymaster in the United States navy, holding his position through the War of the Rebellion and for fifteen or twenty years after. He was a man of strong character, vigorous in the use of the English language, but kind of heart and companionable. He died about the year 1885. The other lieutenants of the company succeeding were Noah J. Harris, Charles Crowley, Henry J. Shattuck, James R. Campbell and L. C. Farwell. L. C. Farwell became a prominent merchant and manufacturer of Nashua. James H. Blake, the well-known dry goods man, Mark Putnam, of the Nashua Manufacturing company, James Cochran and Luke Putnam held the office of ensign at dif- ferent periods from 1840 to 1851. The uniform of the Guards was a blue coat with buff trimmings, brass buttons, and red cap with white feather plumes. The company ceased to exist in 1852.
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