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REMINISCENCES OF THE
Thirty-Fourth Regiment,
MASS. VOL. INFANTRY.
_By WILLIAM H. CLARK_,
[PRIVATE, CO. E.]
PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR.
HOLLISTON:
J. C. Clark & Co.
1871.
TO GEN. WM. S. LINCOLN, OF WORCESTER,
SO LONG AND HONORABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE REGIMENT,
THESE SKETCHES ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR.
NOTE.
The Reader will please bear in mind that this little work does not claim
in any sense to be a _history_ of the Regiment; but simply the
recollections of the writer up to May 15th, 1864, when he received the
wound which disabled him from further military service.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. THE FAREWELL, 9
CHAPTER II. FUN IN CAMP, 11
CHAPTER III. HARPER'S FERRY, 14
CHAPTER IV. THE SKIRMISH, 18
CHAPTER V. NEWMARKET, 22
CHAPTER VI. INCIDENTS, 26
CHAPTER VII. IN MEMORIAM, 29
CHAPTER I.
THE FAREWELL.
It is the afternoon of a summer day, with but little breeze more than
enough to gently sway the folds of a new and handsome National Flag, which
is in full view of the multitude who encompass it. We have taken the
reader, in thought, to the spacious and beautiful Common in Worcester, on
the 15th of August, 1862.
A few words concerning this great gathering; the close attention of all
being drawn to the speaker's stand in its centre. Citizens of all classes
are here, gazing and listening, representing the population of the city
and suburbs. Its inner circles are clothed in the uniform of their
country's service, and stand in military order. To them, as a Regiment,
through their commander, who is conspicuous on the stand by his uncovered
head and noble bearing, the Flag is being presented: a touching farewell
act of the ladies of Worcester.
It is delivered with fitting words, and now not only the soldier, but the
orator speaks. Never, while memory lasts, will the picture be erased from
the mind of one, at least; the central figure, the devoted Wells: so soon,
comparatively, to be the lamented.
The throng breaks, and the Regiment gradually prepares to leave the city
for fields of duty, not to shrink from fields of danger. Hark! as they
slowly recede from sight, and the clangor of martial music is hushed, can
you not almost distinguish, stealing through yonder casement where a
lonely heart is thinking of the absent ones, the plaintive words:
"Thinking no less of them,
But loving our country the more;
We've sent them forth to fight for the flag,
That our fathers before them bore.
Brave boys are they,
Gone at their country's call;
And yet, and yet, we cannot forget
That many brave boys must fall."