USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Claremont > History of the town of Claremont, New Hampshire, for a period of one hundred and thirty years from 1764 to 1894 > Part 21
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In his dispatch to the Secretary of War, relative to the attack upon and surrender of the fort, Major Anderson says : - " Having defended Fort Sumter until our quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects of heat, and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, I accepted the terms of evacua- tion offered by General Beauregard - being the same offered by him on the eleventh inst., prior to the commencement of hostili- · ties - and marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, fourteenth inst., with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away my com- pany and our private property, and saluting the flag with five guns."
On the fifteenth of April President Lincoln issued a proclama- tion, stating that an insurrection against the government of the United States had broken out in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, and declared the ports of those states in a state of blockade. On the same day the President issued a call for seventy-five thousand three months volunteers, to aid in suppressing the rebellion against the government, and called upon New Hampshire for a regiment of militia.
In response to this call of the President, on April 17, Ichabod Goodwin, then governor of New Hampshire, issued an order to Joseph C. Abbott, adjutant-general, to make proclamation, calling
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for volunteers from the enrolled militia of the state for one regi- ment of ten companies, each company to consist of three commis- sioned officers, four sergeants, four corporals, and sixty-four pri- vates, with the requisite number of field and staff officers, to be uniformed, armed, and equipped at the expense of the state, and to be held in readiness until called for by the United States gov- ernment.
MEETINGS OF CITIZENS.
Claremont was all on fire to do her share toward putting down the Rebellion. Governor Goodwin appointed Maj. Otis F. R. Waite general recruiting agent for the western part of the state, who was furnished with all requisite papers and authority to estab- lish recruiting stations at convenient points and appoint recruiting officers. On the eighteenth of April, William P. Austin, who had been one of the selectmen of the town for several years, offered his services as a soldier, took the oaths prescribed, and was duly enrolled by Major Waite. He was the first man in Sullivan county to enlist under the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thou- sand volunteers for three months. The same day Mr. Austin was appointed recruiting officer for the town of Claremont and vicinity. He at once opened an office in the hall of the Tremont House, and entered upon his duties. Young men flocked in faster than they could be examined and sworn.
Notice was issued for a meeting of citizens at the town hall on Friday evening, the nineteenth. At the hour appointed the build- ing was filled to overflowing, ladies occupying the galleries. It was such a meeting of the citizens of Claremont, without distinc- tion of party or sex, as had seldom been held. The meeting was called to order by the venerable Gen. Erastus Glidden, and Jonas Livingston was chosen president; Ambrose Cossit, Erastus Glidden, Walter Tufts, Thomas J. Harris, A. F. Snow, Josiah Richards, and Albro Blodgett, vice-presidents ; Edward L. God- dard and John M. Whipple, secretaries. On taking the chair Mr. Livingston made an enthusiastic and patriotic speech. Patriotic speeches were also made by H. W. Parker, Ira Colby, Jr., A. F. 17 '
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Snow, Benjamin P. Walker, and Samuel G. Jarvis. The latter gentleman deposited one hundred dollars as the nucleus of a fund for the families of those who should enlist. Rev. Messrs. R. F. Lawrence and R. S. Stubbs, William P. Austin, and Henry G. Webber, of Charlestown, made stirring speeches. A. F. Snow, Otis F. R. Waite, John S. Walker, Joseph Weber, Simeon Ide, and George W. Blodgett were chosen a committee to prepare and report resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the town in re- gard to the Rebellion. The meeting was adjourned to the next evening.
On Saturday evening the town hall was again crowded, and the excitement was on the increase. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Right Rev. Carlton Chase, D. D., bishop of the dio- cese of New Hampshire. The young men just enlisted by William P. Austin were marched into the hall, where front seats had been reserved for them, and they met with an enthusiastic reception. As they entered, the audience rose to their feet and gave three hearty cheers. The president, Mr. Livingston, led the speaking, and was followed by Otis F. R. Waite, from the committee on resolutions, who reported the following, which were unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That all other considerations and issues are now absorbed in the one vital question, " Shall our government be sustained ?" - a question of na- tional life and independence, or of ignominious submission to the reign of bar- barism and anarchy, or of unmitigated despotism.
Resolved, That the issues forced upon us by the South, and the only one presented, is the existence of any government, -and more directly of that government under which the American people have lived and prospered for a period of eighty years.
Resolved, That for the maintenance and perpetuity of the priceless boon of civil and religious liberty, bequeathed by our forefathers in the constitution of this Union, and the free institutions it guarantees, we would imitate their example in unitedly and unreservedly tendering to the government, if need be, “ our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors."
Resolved, That in this first call to defend the constitution and the laws at the point of the bayonet, we view with patriotic pride the ready response of the noble sons of New Hampshire and of New England, and the Middle and Western states.
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Resolved, That while our neighbors are called to defend our flag abroad, we will fill their baskets and their stores, and protect their hearthstones at home.
Spirited and patriotic addresses were made by Charles H. East- man, Thomas J. Harris, Arthur Chase, Simeon Ide, Thomas Kirk, Otis F. R. Waite, Rev. Carlos Marston, Heman H. Cummings, Oscar J. Brown, and Edward D. Baker, when, after three rousing cheers for the "Stars and Stripes," and three more for the brave young recruits who were present, on motion of Ambrose Cossit, a committee, consisting of Ambrose Cossit, Simeon Ide, and Thomas J. Harris, was appointed to petition the selectmen to call a town meeting for the purpose of making an appropriation of two thou- sand dollars, or more, "for the support of the families of those of our fellow-citizens who have enlisted or who may enlist in defense of the country." The meeting then adjourned to the following Tuesday evening.
On Tuesday evening, the twenty-third of April, the people again assembled at the town hall, which was densely crowded, and many were unable to gain admittance. This seemed to be the culmi- nating point of the excitement. General Erastus Glidden, in the absence of the president, occupied the chair. Patriotic songs were sung, and fervent speeches were made by John S. Walker, . Chase Noyes, George W. Blodgett, William P. Austin, Henry Fitch, and Rev. R. F. Lawrence. Frank S. Fiske, of Keene, special aid to the adjutant general in the recruiting service, was present, and being called upon, made an eloquent and stirring speech. Mr. Austin was present with fifty recruits.
Immediately after the call of the president for troops, the ladies of the town bought large quantities of flannel and yarn, and went to work vigorously, making shirts and drawers and knitting socks for the soldiers. Forty or more met daily for this purpose at Fraternity hall.
George N. Farwell and Edward L. Goddard authorized William Clark, chairman of the board of selectmen, to furnish the families of volunteers with such provisions as they might need, in his dis- cretion, and they would hold themselves personally responsible
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for the same. Under these instructions families were helped to the amount of $222.27, which was afterward assumed by the town.
On the twenty-ninth Major Waite received the following tele- gram from the adjutant general : "Close up the stations and come on with the recruits tomorrow, as proposed. Telegraph me that you will do so. Cars will be for you at Nashua." The recruits from other stations having been sent forward, Major Waite started from Claremont on the morning of the thirtieth with eighty-five men enlisted by William P. Austin. They left the village at six o'clock, and marched to the Sullivan railroad station, followed by large numbers of relatives and friends of the recruits, and other citizens. At seven o'clock, after a most touching leave-taking, which will not soon be forgotten by those who participated in or witnessed it, the company went on board the cars, which moved off amid the cheers of the three or four hundred people who had assembled to see their friends and fellow-citizens depart for the war. They went by way of Bellows Falls, Keene, Fitchburg, Groton Junction [now Ayer], Nashua, and Manchester, arriving at Concord about three o'clock in the afternoon. At every con- siderable railway station multitudes of people were assembled, who gave the men their blessing and cheered them on their way. Before leaving Claremont our citizens had provided the recruits. with a full day's rations of cold meats, bread, pickles, etc.
VOLUNTEERS.
It was understood that the men enlisted at Claremont would go in a company by themselves, and would have the privilege of choosing their own officers from their own number. Accordingly, when the company was full, they elected William P. Austin, cap- tain; John W. Lawrence, first lieutenant; John Dean, second lieutenant; Ziba L. Davies, third lieutenant; Homer M. Crafts, Baron S. Noyes, George H. Weber, Selden S. Chandler, sergeants ; Edward E. Story, Charles H. Parmalee, Chester F. Tibbills, and Joseph Richardson, corporals. The privates of this company from Claremont were
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Oscar C. Allen,
Charles H. Sprague,
Lyman F. Parrish,
George P. Tenney,
Alfred Talham,
Henry W. Patrick,
Everett W. Nelson,
Joseph Peno,
Edwin M. Gowdey,
William H. Nichols,
Ralph N. Brown,
Ebenezer E. Cummings,
Joseph Levoy.
Andrew J. Straw,
Charles W. Wetherbee,
William E. Parrish,
John W. Davis, John F. Wheeler, John Straw,
Julius E. Heywood,
Wyman R. Clement,
Alanson F. Wolcott,
George W. Straw,
William H. Blanchard,
Alba D. Abbott,
Anson M. Sperry,
Charles M. Judd,
Warren W. Howard,
Heman Allen,
Dennis Taylor,
Henry S. Morse,
Lewis W. Laducer,
Albert F. Russell,
Albert E. Parmelee,
Charles E. Putnam,
Matthew T. Towne,
Charles F. Colston,
J. Parker Read,
Edward Hall,
Napoleon B. Osgood,
Jerome B. Douglass, James Delmage,
Sylvester E. H. Wakefield.
The other members of this company were from Acworth, Charlestown, Cornish, and Unity.
· A finer company of men than those enlisted by Captain Austin did not enter the army as volunteers. They enlisted from a sense of duty, the pay of privates being then but eleven dollars per month, and there was no offer of bounty from the town, state, or United States.
Before leaving town, citizens presented the different recruits with dirk knives, revolvers, etc. At a large meeting at the town hall, on the evening of the twenty-ninth, Lietenant John W. Lawrence was presented with a sword by Sherman Livingston. The presen- tation speech was made by H. W. Parker, and responded to in behalf of Lieutenant Lawrence by Ira Colby, Jr. George G. Ide, in behalf of the Claremont Manufacturing Company, presented each member of the company with a handsomely bound pocket Testament. The ladies gave to each two pairs of flannel drawers,
Henry F. Roys, William H. Pendleton,
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
two flannel shirts, woolen socks, towels, pocket handkerchiefs, and needle-book well filled with useful articles.
On arrival at Concord the company was sent to Camp Union ; but, being more than men enough already there for one regiment, they were sent to Camp Constitution, Portsmouth, where the Sec- ond regiment was being organized. Under the call of the Presi- dent for one regiment from New Hampshire, in ten days men enough had been enlisted and sent to rendezvous at Concord and Portsmouth for more than two.
On the third of May the President issued a call for twenty thousand volunteers for three years, and New Hampshire was immediately ordered to take no more volunteers for three months, but to enlist, uniform, arm, and hold, subject to orders from the war department, a regiment of three years men. In consequence of this order the alternative was presented to the recruits then at Camp Constitution to re-enlist for three years, or be discharged. Before this alternative was offered, however, the recruits were all re-examined by a surgeon, and those found physically disqual- ified for service were discharged. Among these were Edwin M. Gowdey, Charles F. Colston, and Joseph F. Garfield from Clare- mont.
During the organization of the Second regiment a misunder- standing arose between Captain Austin and one or two of the other officers and some of the men, and the company was broken up. None of the officers chosen before the company left Claremont were commissioned. Captain Austin and Lieutenant Lawrence re- turned home, and Lieutenants Dean and Davis re-enlisted for three years as privates. Before the company to which Mr. Dean was at- tached was mustered he was taken down with rheumatic fever, re- ceived an honorable discharge, and came home. Having recovered he re-enlisted on the seventeenth of September, 1861, and was mustered into Company H of the same regiment. Forty-three of the men also re-enlisted for three years, and were put into differ- ent companies, while the remainder were either discharged or sent to Fort Constitution, Portsmouth harbor, to serve out the term of their enlistment.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
On the eighth of May, agreeably to warrant, a town meeting was held, at which a vote was unanimously passed to appropriate a sum not to exceed twenty-five hundred dollars, to be paid to sol- diers' families wherever and whenever it may be needed, and Albro Blodgett was chosen, with discretionary power, to carry out the vote. Up to March, 1862, he paid out for this purpose two thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven dollars and twenty-three cents.
In most of the churches in town sermons were preached against the Rebellion, and prayers offered for the success of our arms in putting it down. There was an almost unanimous expression of condemnation of the South, and political party lines seemed for a time to be almost wholly obliterated. Every man of influence en- couraged enlistments, and favored all reasonable measures for ren- dering aid to the families of such as had gone or might go to the war. Among the most zealous in the work of raising recruits and aiding families were many who, as Democrats, opposed the elec- tion of Abraham Lincoln for president.
The ladies kept at work making articles needed by soldiers in hospitals and in the field; frequent meetings were held during the summer, and a most patriotic spirit was manifested among the people.
HOME GUARD.
In July a company, called the Home Guard, was organized, con- sisting of over a hundred men, many of them past middle age, and among the most prominent citizens of the town, all desirous to do something for the cause of the country. The company chose the following officers : Arthur Chase, captain ; Edwin Vaughan, first lieutenant ; John M. Whipple, second lieutenant ; Ira Colby, Jr., Francis F. Haskell, Henry S. Parmelee, William D. Rice, ser- geants ; Joseph Weber, John S. M. Ide, D. C. Colby, and John Geer, corporals. The company had frequent meetings for drill, and made quite an imposing appearance.
In June, 1861, the legislature passed an act authorizing towns to raise money by vote to aid families of volunteers.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
About the twentieth of July Governor Berry issued an order for enlisting, arming, and equipping the Third Infantry regiment for three years, or during the war, and Dr. E. C. Marsh was appointed recruiting officer for Claremont and vicinity. He soon enlisted thirty-two men, twenty-two of whom belonged in Claremont. These men left Claremont for the rendezvous at Concord on the nineteenth of August. They attended the Methodist church on Sunday afternoon, the eighteenth, and the Rev. R. S. Stubbs preached a sermon from the text,-" Stand fast in the faith; quit you like men; be strong." On other occasions Mr. Stubbs had, through his sermons, and in other ways, shown his unconditional loyalty and entire devotion to the country; but, on this occasion, when addressing men who were about to take their lives in their hands and go forth to do battle for the Union, he was particularly eloquent and impressive.
On the twentieth of August the governor issued an order to raise the Fourth and Fifth regiments. Dr. Eli C. Marsh was or- dered to recruit for the Fourth, and Charles H. Loug was ordered to raise a company for the Fifth regiment, the men, when enlisted, to choose their own company officers. All the men accepted and mustered into the service under this call were to receive from the state a bounty of ten dollars. The men enlisted by Mr. Long, making nearly a full company before leaving Claremont, made choice of the following officers : Charles H. Long, captain ; Jacob W. Keller, first lieutenant; Charles O. Ballou, second lieutenant, who were subsequently commissioned by the governor.
The last of September Edwin Vaughan was appointed recruiting officer, and enlisted several men, who were put into different regi- ments then being organized.
On the seventh of February, 1862, news was received by tele- graph of the capture of Fort Donelson. 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 borrow 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.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
Edward L. Goddard, Aurelius Dickinson, and Alexander Gardi- ner 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.
MEETING OF CONDOLENCE.
On Sunday afternoon, June 22, 1862, a public meeting was held in the town hall as a demonstration of respect for the brave Clare- mont men who had been killed at Fair Oaks on the first day of that month, and in other battles, or died in hospitals, and of con- dolence with their surviving relatives and friends. A committee of arrangements had been chosen, and other preparations 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 selec- tions from the Scriptures ; 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 the 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 Claremout, 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 histori- ographer to keep a record of events in Claremont, which had tran- spired or should transpire during 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 appropriate pieces were sung by members of the different church choirs in town. The relatives and friends of deceased soldiers were assigned front seats, and this was made a kind of funeral occasion. 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.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
Early in July E. W. Wooddell was appointed a recruiting officer to enlist volunteers for regiments then being formed. On the four- teenth, in the evening, a meeting was held for the purpose of en- couraging 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. Wooddell, George R. Lathe, and others.
Pursuant to a call by the selectmen, a meeting was held on the evening of the nineteenth of July. Jonas Livingston was chosen chairman and C. C. Church, secretary. E. W. Wooddell offered a series of resolutions reaffirming confidence in the people, the ex- ecutive 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 exigencies of the country. Patriotic speeches were made by Rev. Messrs. Marston and Lawrence, E. D. Baker, C. C. Church, E. W. Wooddell, and others.
On the twenty-fifth 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 Claremont, on the afternoon of the second of August follow- ing, and a committee was appointed to make the necessary ar- rangements.
COUNTY WAR MEETING.
On the second of August the town hall was crowded to its ut- most 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, Capt. T. A. Barker, of the Second New Hampshire regiment, H. B. Titus, ma- jor of the Ninth New Hampshire regiment, and other distinguished
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gentlemen from abroad, were present and made speeches. The hall was handsomely decorated with flags and other emblems ap- propriate for the occasion. This was one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings ever held in town.
At a legal town meeting on the seventh of August, the following votes were unanimously passed :
Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum of money, not exceeding five thousand dollars, to pay a bounty to citizen volunteers -the sum of fifty dollars to each-to fill the quota of three hundred thousand, when mustered into the United States service.
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 offices had been opened in town by Orville Smith, of Lempster, Syl- vanus Clogston, of Washington, and E. W. Wooddell, of Clare- mont. Up to that date they had enlisted - Mr. Smith, thirty-five men; Mr. Clogston, twenty-six men; and Mr. Wooddell, ten, a large share of whom were residents of the town. They were taken to Concord to fill old and help to form new regiments, as the men themselves might respectively elect.
About the middle of August William H. Chaffin was author- ized to recruit men in this town for regiments then being raised in the state, and opened an office for that purpose.
At a town meeting on the seventeenth 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
5
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
entitled to aid, and Sumner Putnam was chosen to pay out the money, without remuneration.
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