History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911, Part 49

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Royalton > History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911 > Part 49

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT

The Vermonters who served in the regular army were chiefly in the 11th, 26th, 30th, and 31st infantry. In 1813 William Bingham was listed as 1st lieutenant in the 31st regiment. Huck- ens Storrs, son of Huckens Storrs who died in Royalton in 1786, who lived in Randolph, was lieutenant colonel of this 31st regi- ment in 1813, but was made colonel of the 34th the next year. Harry Bingham served as sergeant in the 2d company of the 3d regiment, while his brother William was captain of the same com- pany. Harry was pensioned April 4, 1846. He was granted for his service in the war of 1812 forty acres in N. E. quarter of the N. E. quarter of section 29, township 81, range two west, in the district of lands subject to sale in Iowa City, Iowa.

The local militia was to garrison the coast fortifications, and the other forces were to invade Canada. The army gath- ered at Plattsburgh, New York, about 8,000 in number. In 1813 the lake was not strongly guarded, and the British made some successful attacks, while the aggressive movements of the Ameri- cans along the Vermont frontier were mostly abortive. In March, 1814, Col. Isaac Clark of the 11th infantry had under him a de- tachment of 1,000 infantry, and one hundred mounted riflemen, all Green Mountain Boys, with which he marched to take posses- sion of the frontier from the lake east to the Connecticut river. On the 29th of March, the 30th, 31st, and a part of the 11th in- fantry participated as an advance guard in the attack on La Cole Mills, which was unsuccessful, owing to the inadequacy of the artillery employed in the action. The American loss was 104 killed and wounded, but so far as known no Royalton man suf- fered in the engagement.

In October, 1814, the Assistant Adjutant General of the Army of the United States wrote to the governor of Vermont, "It is the wish of the government, that two thousand of the mili- tia of your state should be drafted and organized for immediate service, subject to the call, when necessary, of the Commanding Officer in this quarter. There are arms at Montpelier from which such as may be without can be furnished." The governor raised the question for the Council to settle, whether the militia, when called into actual service, could be legally commanded by any officers, except such as were appointed by the state. The ques- tion was decided in the negative. Gov. Chittenden had already had a little tilt with the national government over the right of any officer to call the militia out of the state except the President. In the latter part of the year 1813 a portion of the Vermont militia had been called into New York, and the governor ordered them back into the state. The men themselves resented this order, and replied in a spirited manner. A lengthy communica- tion was sent, signed by eighteen of the officers, among them

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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT

Capt. Martin D. Follett. He with three sons as privates served in the Enosburgh company. One of these sons was Martin D. Follett, Jr., who moved to Royalton, and died here, the father of Norman and Ammi Follett. In the reply of the officers men- tioned these sentiments are found :

"If it is true, as your Excellency states, that we 'are out of the jurisdiction or control of the Executive of Vermont,' we would ask from whence your Excellency derives the right or presumes to exercise the power of ordering us to return from the service in which we are now engaged? If we were legally ordered into the service of the United States, your Excellency must be sensible that you have no authority to order us out of the service. If we were illegally ordered into the service, our continuance in it is either voluntary or compulsory. If voluntary, it gives no one a right to remonstrate or complain; if com- pulsory, we can appeal to the laws of our country for redress against those who illegally restrain us of our liberty. In either case we can- not conceive the right your Excellency has to interfere in the business."

The spirit of independence which defied New York in her aggressions was not slumbering in 1813. The governor acted ac- cording to his convictions, and the matter blew over without seri- ous trouble, although it was discussed in Congress, and vigorous action at first proposed.

Elias Stevens was a member of the Council from October, 1814, to October, 1815. On Oct. 31, 1814, he was placed on a committee to see what arms had been purchased, and also to see if the arms which had been received from the United States had been distributed according to legislative enactment. Royalton had received a quota, for it is found recorded that April 19, 1814, Capt. Skinner was allowed by the town his account of $3.00 for bringing from Woodstock the arms which the state fur- nished.

When Gen. Macomb in 1814 called for reinforcements for Plattsburgh, the response was hearty. There were three forts on the right bank of the Saranac river at Plattsburgh, and Lieut. Col. Huckens Storrs with detachments of Vermonters from the 30th and 31st regiments was in command of one of them, Fort Brown. Although the term of enlistment of the Vermont militia first called out had expired, many of the men were still serving. The Green Mountain Boys distinguished themselves in the bat- tle of Plattsburgh. It was in this battle that James Barnes, son of Elijah Barnes, laid down his life for his country. He had enlisted in the United States army, as stated by E. A. Maxham, a relative of his. Many volunteers who started late for the de- fence of Plattsburgh, with high hopes of sharing in a victory over the British, found with chagrin on reaching Burlington, that the battle was over, and McDonough's glorious victory had already begun to run its course in the annals of history. A few reached Plattsburgh, and other few saw the battle from a distance.

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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT

These volunteers who came in at the end of the race in many instances received no pay for the time spent in travel or expense incurred. This injustice was recognized, and as late as 1849 the legislature passed a resolution requiring the Secretary of State to ascertain the names of all the survivors of the Platts- burgh volunteers who had received no compensation for their services, the amount of such services, and the money expended. Such volunteers were requested to send this information to the Secretary of State previous to the first day of September, 1850. In response to this request, John Noble of Bethel made affidavit that his father, Nehemiah Noble (a resident of Royalton for a considerable time) then deceased, went as a volunteer to defend Plattsburgh in September, 1814, that he was captain of a com- pany going from Bethel, serving ten days, with an expense for himself and horse of $15.00. David and Samuel Woodbury were in his company, Daniel Lillie and Charles Green of Bethel, and Sergeant Nathan Kimball of Royalton. Sergt. Kimball served five days at an expense of $6.00, and the use of his horse was estimated at three dollars. Michael Flynn, a former resident of Royalton and Bethel, but in 1850 living in Boston, sent in his claim for eleven days' service, and an expense bill of seven dol- lars. Sidney F. Smith of Royalton wrote the Secretary of State, June 24, 1850, that his father, Col. Stafford Smith, said he joined Capt. Warren Ellis' company from Barre, and on July 2d, Bet- sey Smith of Royalton made a similar affidavit, regarding her late husband, Col. Stafford Smith, adding the new item that he found his brother Richard in this company.

The action of the legislature regarding the Plattsburgh vol- unteers woke up the survivors, and they began to get together and take account of themselves. Two wrote from Burlington on March 20, 1850, that they were to have a meeting the next Wednesday of the survivors of the Plattsburgh volunteers in Strong's Hall. J. K. Parish wrote from Randolph that he had a roll of the Randolph company, and the survivors were to meet in West Randolph. Lebbeus Edgerton was captain of the com- pany. Captain Edgerton was enrolled in the 31st regiment. Probably he was the same man who was honored with a special visit by Lafayette on his tour from Royalton to Montpelier. On reaching East Randolph, and learning that Lebbeus Edgerton was living at Randolph Center, Gen. Lafayette, at his request, was driven in a light carriage with swift horses to the home of Capt. Edgerton, and returned to East Randolph after his brief visit, to resume his journey with his suite. Capt. Edgerton was afterwards Lieutenant Governor of the state.

Other men serving in the War of 1812 were Samuel Cleve- land, who served three days in Capt. Bingham's company, and

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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT

also William Smith and John D. Waugh. On application to the Adjutant General of Vermont, a certified list of Capt. Bing- ham's company was sent which follows.

"I hereby certify That the following is a correct transcript from the records on file in this office, regarding soldiers who served in the War of 1812.

Extract:

The following list of names appear as having been enrolled and serving in a Company of Detached Militia commanded by Captain Bingham, in 1813 & 1814, in Colonel James Williams' Regiment.

Babcock, Augustus

Emery, James Noble, Periz

Banister, Simeon

Foster, Theodore

Palmer, Thomas

Bean, Levi

Bingham, Harry

Herrick, David

Sanford, Daniel

Blanchard, Geo. D.

How, Samuel

Smith, William

Brooks, Osmand

Huntington, Roswell

Stanley, Benjamin

Brown, Miram

Johnson, Edward

Stanley, Roswell B.

Buckland, Joseph M.

Kellogg, Thomas

Tucker, Oliver

Chamberlin, Freeman

Lada, Frederic

Waugh, John D.

Cleveland, Samuel

Lillie, Joseph, Jr.

Wentworth, Daniel

Colby, Hez'h

Miller, Etheny

White, Ashel

Davis, Nathan

Miller, Silas

Woodworth, Lyman

Eddy, Elam

Moody, David

Ellis, Daniel

Newton, Amon

Edward Baker, Assistant Adjutant General."

Cole, Daniel

Lilley, Samuel

Wentworth, Lemuel

Harrington, Nahum Putney, Bailey

CHAPTER XXVIII.

ROYALTON IN THE CIVIL WAR.

Royalton, like many other loyal Vermont towns, strained every nerve during the dark days of the Rebellion to furnish her quota of troops from time to time, in answer to the Presi- dent's call, and she also tenderly cared for her sick and wounded soldiers at the front. Though there was some opposition to the paying of large bounties in order that volunteers might be se- cured, there were generally eloquent tongues to plead for self- sacrifice on the part of stay-at-homes, that those who risked their lives for their country might be in some measure compensated, and that the reputation of the town for ready response to de- mands upon her patriotic citizens might not suffer diminution. It cannot be known how many of her sons participated in this great conflict, as they were scattered far and wide, and served in various regiments in different states. The town has kept no accurate list of those sent to the front, and the historian has had to depend upon the Vermont Rolls, which are probably nearly complete.

The common in Royalton village became now and then a camping ground, and sometimes companies were gathered in the vicinity of South Royalton. The awfulness of war was not realized so much when the drum and the fife sent the echoes fly- ing from the hills, and the young soldiers marched proudly away towards "Dixie Land," sad as were the partings, as when the news of some bloody engagement came flying over the wires, and hearts stood still, while an unuttered prayer went up for the safety of loved ones. Then came hours and days of anxious waiting, followed often, Oh, so often, by the low repeated mes- sage that the vacant chair of one or more of those who had gone so bravely forth would nevermore be filled, and the neighbors gathered to weep with those bereft.

It needed no urging to set eager hands to work for the re- lief of the sick and wounded. Through the courtesy of Miss Gertrude Denison the history of the Soldiers' Aid Society has been secured. Part I of the Constitution reads :

"Whereas, We Citizens and Ladies of Royalton, having been at various times engaged in efforts to relieve the sick and wounded Sol- diers of the Government, and wishing still more effectually to forward

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this work, and assist, as far as may be in our power in Crushing the Rebellion, and deeming a permanent organization a necessary means,

We do hereby form ourselves into a Society which shall be called, 'The Soldiers' Aid Society of Royalton, Vt.'

God save the Republic."

There were the usual officers, and committees for soliciting contributions of cloth, clothing, money, and other necessaries, for making purchases, etc. The disbursements were to be either "for our own state or general hospitals directly or through the organization known as the Christian Commission." Any person fifteen or over was admitted by paying twenty cents, and ten cents if under fifteen. Meetings were held monthly. The char- ter members numbered sixty-two, and during its existence 236 others joined. Of the original number over one-half were men. Hon. John S. Marcy was the first presiding officer. From Jan. 26, 1863, to Feb. 13, they raised $56.14, and had sent forty-two articles to the Brattleboro Hospital. Woman suffragists would have taken great encouragement from a motion of Judge Marcy to the effect that "Ladies are citizens and have all the rights as voters and members of the Society that any member has."

Their plan was to work in the afternoon, and enjoy a social hour in the evening. At the evening sessions addresses were made suited to the purpose of the organization, one subject dis- cussed by D. B. Dudley being "Woman and War." Money was raised by concerts as well as by solicitation, and two such concerts with scenic representations brought into the treasury the snug little sum of $86.96. White River Cornet Band aided in these concerts, charging only $10, and the Vermont Central R. R. carried the band free. They were very successful in their work, and naturally rejoiced in the result of their labors. The society continued its efforts until near the close of the war. Among a list of articles sent away as a product of the handiwork of the ladies, are found 19 bed-quilts, 51 sheets, 41 pillow cases, 58 shirts, 10 pair of slippers, 26 dressing gowns, and 88 bottles of preserves. At the time of one of the band concerts there were given scenes from the burning of Royalton, an account of which is given under that subject.

It was not necessary to offer bounties until Aug. 27, 1862. A special meeting was then called to see what course should be taken to raise the quota for the town under the President's call for 300,000 men. It voted to pay $50 each to all such men as had enlisted or should enlist and be mustered into service and accepted to fill its quota. If there should be an excess of volun- teers from the number already enlisted as nine months men from Royalton, and this excess was accepted and mustered into serv- ice, each man was to have $50 bounty. The selectmen were authorized to borrow money to pay the bounties, and a vote of

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thanks and pay for services was given Stillman F. Smith for his efforts in procuring the enlistment of the nine months men. At their March meeting, 1863, the selectmen were instructed to abate the taxes against the soldiers.

As the war continued, and its horrors were better under- stood, and tales of rebel prisons found their way to northern ears, it became more difficult to secure volunteers. Now and then an emaciated soldier, long held in rebel prison was ex- changed, and on his return home the people gathered to hear of the terrible sufferings of Libby and Andersonville. It fired the heart to a white heat of indignation, but it did not tend to in- crease the number of volunteers.

A special meeting was called for Aug. 3, 1863, to see if the town would pay a bounty to secure men instead of drafting them, or if it would pay to exempt men who had been or might be drafted. The town refused to take action in paying any boun- ties or in paying for exempting from service drafted men. On November 27th another meeting was held, and the town voted to pay the sum of $200 as a bounty to each man who would volunteer and should be mustered into the service of the United States under the last call of the President of the United States, until the quota for the town should be full. This bounty was also to be paid to any who had volunteered under the last call. Evidently the quota was not secured by December 17th, for an- other meeting held on that day resulted in a vote to pay an additional bounty of $100 to each man. They decided to raise the money on the list of 1863 to be collected by the lowest bid- der, and the selectmen were voted $1.00 a day for services in enlisting men.

A petition for a meeting to see "if the town will pay a bounty and if any how much to recruits, required from the town for the quota assessed for the deficiency of the draft," was signed by Stillman F. Smith, A. W. Kenney, J. P. Smith, Wil- liam Fay, Minot Wheeler, Stephen Freeman, and L. B. Dudley. When met, Feb. 9, 1864, it was voted 55 to 28 to pay no more bounties, but at an adjourned meeting it was voted 56 to 29 to pay a bounty of $300 to each man who had volunteered or should volunteer under the last call of the President for 500,000 men, but no provision was made for raising the money. On Mar. 23, it was voted to pay $300 to each veteran that had re-enlisted or might re-enlist to fill the quota of the town under the last call for 200,000 more men, and to pay the same to volunteers and to such men as had enlisted in the 17th regiment. At another meeting on August 1, it was voted to pay $300 to each volunteer for one year, and they immediately voted to pay $200 additional bounty for one year, these bounties not to be paid until mustered

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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT

into service. They also voted to raise fifty cents on a dollar to pay in part the expense of the bounties, and authorized the selectmen to deposit in the State Treasury for the purpose of procuring volunteers in the Southern States under general order No. 9 of the Governor of Vermont.

The selectmen were placed in a rather trying position. The tax raised by the town was not sufficient to pay the bounties, the town had to fill its quota of men, and they seem to have acted without special authority from the voters in some cases. At a meeting on Nov. 8, the town voted that the selectmen be authorized to draw orders for the amount that they had paid out over and above what they had been authorized to pay by vote of the town. The selectmen were given still greater latitude on December 31st of that year, when the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved that we authorize our Selectmen to use the credit of this town for the purpose of paying such bounties to men either in or out of town, as they in their judgment shall deem expedient for the purpose of raising sufficient number of Soldiers to fill our quota of the last call of the President for three ( ?) thousand men," but they raised no money by taxation. They soon began to see the necessity of heavier taxation, in view of the large debt which they were incurring, and at another special meeting, Feb. 13, 1865, they voted a tax of 400 cents on the dollar, the high water mark of taxation in the history of the town. In December the town voted 100 cents on a dollar.

Some account of the regiments in which Royalton men had a part follows.

Col. William F. Fox in his "Regimental Losses in the American Civil War" gives a list of eight famous brigades, famous for their fighting qualities and losses in action. In this list the First Vermont Brigade stands first.

Royalton had no part in the First Regiment of Volunteers. This was made up of militia companies by a selection of volun- teers, which companies had been designated by Adjt .- Gen. H. H. Baxter, in conference with Brig .- Gen. Jackman of the State militia, and with the field and line officers of the several regi- ments of militia of the state. Royalton had no men in these companies, and therefore she sent no men to the war until the Second Regiment was formed. This was organized at Burling- ton, and mustered into service June 20, 1861, the first three years' regiment raised in Vermont. Ten companies were selected from the sixty offering their services. After reaching Virginia the Second Regiment was formed into a brigade with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Maine. Under Major General Howard it took part in the battle of Bull Run. Later it was brigaded with the Third Vermont, Sixth Maine, and Thirty-second New York,

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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT

and in September the famous "Old Vermont Brigade" was formed by the addition of the Fourth and Fifth Vermont. The regiment has a list of twenty-eight engagements, including Bull Run, Va., July 21, 1861; Antietam, Md., Sep. 14, 1862; Gettys- burg, Pa., July 3, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5th to 10th, 1864, and Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865. In the battle of the Wilder- ness May 5th and 6th, its loss was the heaviest of any regiment engaged, losing 348 out of an effective force of 700 men.

The Third Regiment was mustered into service July 16, 1861. It was a three years' regiment, and as a part of the Old Vermont Brigade shares in the glory of that brigade, and has almost exactly the same engagements as the Second Regiment.

The Fourth Regiment was raised in August and early part of September, 1861, and mustered into service September 21, 1861. Stephen M. Pingree of Stockbridge, at one time a lawyer ir South Royalton, was Lieut .- Colonel. In the battle of the Wil- derness, May, 1864, the regiment lost by death 84 men, the larg- est loss suffered by any Vermont regiment in any one battle. As a part of the Old Vermont Brigade, its engagements were almost identical with those of the other regiments forming this brigade.

The Sixth Regiment was raised in less than two weeks, from nine counties, and mustered into service Oct. 15, 1861. This was the last regiment to join the Old Brigade. During the Wil- derness campaign it lost in killed and wounded nearly one-half the number that went into battle. It was one of the famous three hundred fighting regiments of the war.

The First Vermont Cavalry was the first full regiment of cavalry raised in New England. It had four different colonels in one year, but made a brilliant record for itself notwithstand- ing. It has a record of 76 engagements, Winchester, Bull Run, and Gettysburg among the number. It was mustered into serv- ice Nov. 19, 1861, and served three years.

The Eighth Regiment was raised for special service, as a part of General Butler's New England division. It was mus- tered into service Feb. 8, 1862, and has 13 engagements to its credit, chiefly in Louisiana. A granite boulder from Vermont at Cedar Creek, Va., has this inscription: "The Eighth Vermont Volunteers, Col. Stephen Thomas commanding the brigade, ad- vanced across this field on the morning of Oct. 19, 1864, engaged the enemy near and beyond this point, and before sunrise lost in killed and wounded one hundred and ten men, out of one hundred and forty-eight engaged, and thirteen out of sixteen commissioned officers. Whole number of men engaged, one hun- dred and sixty-four."

In May, 1862, Governor Holbrook was ordered by the War Department to raise at once another regiment of infantry, and

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by a dispatch he was later ordered to send to Washington the whole volunteer and militia force in the state. The regiment was mustered in July 9, 1862, and in a few days started to aid in the protection of Washington, now threatened by the rebel forces. Only five engagements are credited to the Ninth Regi- ment on its colors, but it participated in twelve other skirmishes and battles. It was a part of the force at Harper's Ferry, Va., which was surrendered to the rebels by the officer in command. Col. Stannard attempted to break away, but was overpowered by ten times his force. When Stonewall Jackson noticed how dis- heartened Stannard's men were, he said, "Don't feel bad, men, don't feel bad, God's will must be done," to which Col. Dudley K. Andross made reply, "Very well, General Jackson, but there will be a change in God's will in forty-eight hours," which proved true in the battle of Antietam.

The Eleventh Regiment was the First Artillery and the larg- est Vermont regiment. It was recruited as an infantry regi- ment, but was changed by order of the War Department. It did duty at Washington a year and eight months, then it was called to active service in the Army of the Potomac, and was a part of the Sixth Army Corps. It participated in twelve en- gagements, among them Cold Harbor, Cedar Creek, and the final surrender of Petersburg, Va.

The Twelfth Regiment was raised in response to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 militia for nine months. Many of the men had already been in service in the First Regiment. It is noted that in the list were two governors, a quartermaster-gen- eral, a railroad commissioner, a state librarian, a state historian, and a number of state senators. It was mustered into service Oct. 4, 1862. With the four other regiments raised it formed the Second Brigade. Out of its 1,005 members there were but four deserters. The only engagements in which the whole or part of the regiment engaged were Fairfax Court House and Gettys- burg.

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History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911, Part 49

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company
Number of Pages: 1280