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 22
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On Sunday, May 10, 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 on Dexter hill, was very severely injured by the premature discharge of the gun, losing the right hand, and having the other badly mutilated, besides other injuries. Subse- quently a considerable sum of money was contributed by citizens of the town for his benefit.
On the fifth of August what was left of company G, Fifth regi- ment, 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 dis- charged, 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 sixth of August, the President's thanksgiving for the success of our arms was observed. Business was generally suspended. Religious services were held at the Baptist church, the Congregationalists and Methodists uniting. All three of the cler- gymen took part and made addresses.
THE DRAFT.
On the twenty-seventh 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 - William S. Sturtevant, Jotham S. Toothaker, and Charles H. Parmelee, -
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entered the army. All the others were either rejected by the ex- amining surgeon as unfit for duty, paid commutation, or furnished substitutes.
On the twenty-first 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 seventh of December the town offered a 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 families of volunteers and drafted men. Sumner Putnam, 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 twenty-third 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 mus- tered into the service of the United States, and counted on the quota of this town for the present or any future call." The select- men were also instructed 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 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 borrow a sum, not exceeding
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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 fourteenth of April, 1865, news of the taking of Richmond came by telegraph, followed on Monday morn- ing, the nineteenth, by this telegram :
Official. Lee and his whole army surrendered on Sunday afternoon. Gloria!
This was soon followed by a telegram from Governor 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. Business 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 emphatically 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 multitude 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, pastor 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 pat- riotic 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 effigy on the common.
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ASSASSINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
On the morning of the fifteenth of April came a telegram an- nouncing the assassination of Abraham 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 mourning. On Wednesday, the nineteenth of April, in accordance with rec- ommendation from Washington, and special proclamation of the governor of New Hampshire, the 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 sin-
cerely 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. Towle offered prayer; addresses 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 com- mencing, "Why do we mourn departing 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 the army 5
Whole number of drafted men who furnished substitutes 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 families $26,219.61
This summary includes all the Claremont soldiers who were connected with New Hampshire and other regiments whose his-
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tory 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 credit of the town during the war.
CLAREMONT'S QUOTA OF SOLDIERS.
The enrollment in Claremont in April, 1865, embracing all male citizens of the age of eighteen years, and under 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 the calls for troops, from July, 1863, was proportioned to the number of enrolled militia, as above. Claremont'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.
Immediately after the assault upon Fort Sumter and the call of the president for seventy-five thousand volunteers, for three months, 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 organ- ized and earnest effort to minister to the comfort of the sick and wounded soldiers, and to give to our men articles of cloth- ing not furnished them by the government.
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A society called the Ladies' Union Sewing Circle was organ- ized by the choice of the following officers: Mrs. M. A. Met- calf, president; Mrs. Edward L. Goddard, vice-president; Miss Elizabeth Sprague, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Obed D. Barnes, Mrs. Otis F. R. Waite, Mrs. Lewis Perry, Mrs. Charles H. East- man, Mrs. Edward L. Goddard, and Mrs. Mary Blanchard, com- mittee 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 en- listed by Capt. William P. Austin, a large portion of whom be- longed in Claremont. Each man was furnished by this society with a pair of woolen drawers, undershirt, towels, pocket hand- kerchiefs, woolen socks, pin-flat, and needlebook, well filled with useful articles. By special contribution they raised seventy- five dollars for rubber blankets, eight dollars and thirty-eight cents for havelocks, and thirteen dollars and twenty-nine cents 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 hun- dred men for the Fifth regiment, all belonging in Claremont and vicinity, and each was furnished with bed sack, towels, hand- kerchiefs, and woolen hose.
AUXILIARY SANITARY COMMISSION.
Early in October, 1861, the United States Sanitary Commis- sion sent an appeal to the ladies of Claremont to organize an Auxiliary Sanitary Commission, in order the better to systema- tize their labors and the manner of sending forward and appro- priating to their proper uses the fruits of their liberality and labor. In response to a call, the citizens met at Fraternity hall on the eleventh 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 appointed a com- mittee to canvass the town and secure the co-operation of all loyal women in this movement. 18
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An adjourned meeting was held on the sixteenth of October, when the committee submitted a plan of organization, making every lady in town, who would pay into the treasury one dol- lar, a member, and proposed the following list of officers, which plan and report were adopted: Simeon Ide, president; Mrs. Samuel P. Fiske and Mrs. Leonard P. Fisher, vice-presidents ; Thomas J. Harris, treasurer; 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 Rich- ards, 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. Tutherly, Miss Stella Wallingford, Miss E. M. Bond, Mrs. Albert O. Ham- mond, Mrs. Freeman S. Chellis, Mrs. Amos D. Johnson, Mrs. Robert R. Bunnell, 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 principal 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 society, Mrs. Samuel P. Fiske acting as president, and Mrs. Edward L. Goddard as secretary and treasurer.
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 discour- agement.
A few ladies of Unity sent valuable contributions, which were forwarded in the first boxes sent to Washington from Claremont.
The meetings were frequent, well attended, seemed to be per-
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vaded by a solemn sense of the importance of the utmost dili- gence in the performance of the work in hand, and pleasant to all interested in their object. Many ladies, whose names do not appear as having any special charge, were among the most ac- tive and efficient workers.
Among the gentlemen in town most active and enthusiastic in aiding the ladies in their work, encouraging 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 aux- iliary 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, 1,029 towels, 901 handkerchiefs, 84 needlebooks, 624 pairs of woolen hose, 221 woolen blankets, 333 quilts, 169 sheets, 244 pairs mit- tens, 39 comfort 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 military overcoat, 1 military dress coat, 1 pair military pants, 1 blouse, 1 linen jacket, to- gether with large quantities of dried and canned fruits, pickles, bandages, lint, linen and cotton pieces, 75 quarts of wines, and 50 pounds of cornstarch, 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 Balti- more 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 real- ized from exhibitions, festivals, and concerts. When they closed
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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 destination during the first few months through the society 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 Red- field, 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 fruits, jellies, wines, and other articles, were sent by the ladies of West Claremont.
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 collect contributions, and distribute to families of soldiers, and others in town who were considered needy, provisions for Thanksgiving. Citizens freely contributed from their stores what was valued in money at thirty dollars and thirty-one cents, and, in money, one hundred and twenty dollars and forty-five cents, making a total of one hundred and fifty dollars and seventy- six cents. The money received was carefully expended for provis- ions, which were distributed to one hundred and three families, according as the committee judged of their several needs. The articles carried to the different dwellings consisted of one hundred and fifty chickens, seventy-five roasts of beef, weighing from seven
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to fourteen pounds each, several pieces of fresh pork, a large quan- tity of butter, cheese, vegetables, groceries, etc.
To the credit of the citizens of Claremont it should be recorded here that during the four years of that cruel war no soldier's family had just cause for complaint that the means of comfort were not abundantly and cheerfully provided them; and sympathy and aid extended to such as were called to mourn the loss of husband, father, son, brother, or friend, by the casualties of the Rebellion.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
At the annual town meeting in March, 1867, it was voted to ap- propriate one thousand dollars for the erection of a monument to those Claremont men who had been killed in battle or died in the army during the War of the Rebellion, on condition that five hun- dred dollars should be raised by subscription, or otherwise, for the same purpose. The Ladies' Sanitary Commission appropriated the funds -about one hundred and sixty dollars, which they had on hand at the close of the war-to this object; and the committee of arrangements for the Fourth of July celebration in 1865 also appropriated about fifty dollars, which they had after paying ex- penses. In addition to this, the ladies obtained in subscriptions not exceeding one dollar each - heads of families generally paid one dollar, and children of all ages twenty-five cents each - a suffi- cient amount to secure the town appropriation; and these several sums, except the thousand dollars appropriated by the town, were placed at interest. At the annual town meeting in March, 1868, the further sum of two thousand dollars was voted for this object, provided that one thousand dollars should be raised by contribu- tion or otherwise.
At the same meeting Samuel P. Fiske, Benjamin P. Gilman, Edward L. Goddard, Charles H. Long, and John L. Farwell were chosen a committee to have the whole matter of the monument in charge. Early in August, 1868, Frederick A. Briggs, Oliver A. Bond, Hosea W. Parker, A. George Boothe, Wm. P. Far- well, James A. Cowles, Austin C. Chase, and some other gen- tlemen, assisted by several young ladies, gave two very credit- able dramatic entertainments in aid of the Soldiers' Monument
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Fund. A string band extemporized for the occasion, and under the joint leadership of Messrs. George W. Wait, of this town, and Henry A. Christie, of Christie & Wedger's band, Boston, who had his summer home in Claremont, furnished some excel- lent music and contributed very much to the entertainment. The receipts from this source were about one hundred and fifty dollars. Subscription papers were circulated, without limiting the amount that each might pay, and other means used to obtain a sufficient sum to secure the last two thousand dollars voted by the town - making up the whole sum of forty-five hundred dol- lars. Many gentlemen subscribed very liberally, while others gave according to their means, and the required amount was secured.
The committee decided to place the monument in the park, south of the town house, and made a very favorable contract with Martin Milmore, of Boston, for a bronze monumental statue of an infantry soldier, at rest. When the monument and grounds were so nearly completed that a day could be fixed for the dedi- cation, the committee called a meeting of the citizens of the town, at the town hall, on the evening of July 17, 1869, to take measures for the arranging and carrying out of proper exercises. At this meeting Edward L. Goddard was chosen chairman, and Hosea W. Parker secretary. The following gentlemen were chosen a committee to have the whole subject of dedicating the monu- ment in charge : Samuel P. Fiske, Benjamin P. Gilman, Edward L. Goddard, Charles H. Long, John L. Farwell, Oscar J. Brown, John S. Walker, John F. Cossit, Nathaniel Tolles, Hosea W. Parker, J. W. Pierce, Sherman Cooper, Henry Patten, Charles H. Eastman, and William H. Nichols.
At a meeting of the committee of arrangements, it was voted to dedicate the monument on the anniversary of the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, when Gen. Phil. H. Sheridan, by his timely arrival on the field, changed a defeat of our arms into a glorious victory, taking fifty guns from the enemy. It was also voted to invite Dr. J. Baxter Upham, of Boston, a na- tive of the town, and a son of the late George B. Upham, to
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pronounce an oration. The committee appointed the following officers for the day of dedication : President, John S. Walker; vice-presidents, Edward L. Goddard, George N. Farwell, Samuel G. Jarvis, Albro Blodgett, Daniel W. Johnson, James P. Upham, Arnold Briggs, Daniel S. Bowker, Edward Ainsworth, Charles M. Bingham, William E. Tutherly, Sylvanus S. Redfield, William Ellis, Fred P. Smith, Hiram Webb ; secretaries, Joseph Weber, Arthur Chase; chaplain, Edward W. Clark ; marshal, Nathaniel Tolles, who appointed for assistants, Edwin W. Tolles, Edward J. Tenney, Sherman Cooper, and George H. Stowell. He also appointed Otis F. R. Waite, Hosea W. Parker, William H. H. Allen, and Francis F. Haskell to receive and attend to the com- fort of the invited guests.
Invitations were extended by circulars to many prominent gen- tlemen, and by posters to the people generally, to be present and join in the ceremonies. The day was ushered in by a salute of thirty-seven guns and the ringing of bells at sunrise. A large concourse of people, variously estimated at from five to ten thou- sand, among them many distinguished ladies and gentlemen from towns in this vicinity and the eastern and middle portions of the state, assembled to do honor to the occasion.
At half-past nine o'clock A. M., the invited guests were met at the station of the Sullivan railroad and conveyed in carriages to the village. At ten o'clock a procession, consisting of invited guests and officers of the day in carriages, fire companies, posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, and citizens, was formed on the common under direction of the marshal, and escorted by the Stearns Guards of Claremont, headed by the Claremont Cornet band, marched through Broad, North, Maple, Elm, Union, Sulli- van, Pleasant, Summer, and Broad streets to the speaker's stand, at the east side of the common, and facing the monumental statue to be dedicated. There was also a stand for the band and choir erected against the south wall of the Universalist church.
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