RESPONDING TO THE PRESIDENT’S CALL
April, 1861, ended the suspense. Sumpter was fired upon April 12.
Lincoln’s first call for troops was issued April 15, supplemented by a
personal appeal from Senator Henry Wilson--“Send on 1,500 men at once.”
The militia mobilized with marvelous rapidity on April 16, and started
south under command of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler the following day, for
three months’ service.
Those were days of tense feeling. A shipmaster who displayed a southern
flag was in danger of losing both his life and his vessel; and ended by
issuing profuse apologies. Business firms made lavish gifts toward the
equipment of the regiments; indeed everyone seemed ready to give
whatever he had. All one needed to do was to appear in uniform in order
to be accounted a hero--much to the discomfort of many genuinely modest
men.
And thruout these opening days the 1st Regiment was subjected to the
very hardest test, in that nothing whatever happened to them. They could
not take comfort in the knowledge that the 3d Regiment, one of the very
earliest to go, would by and by become consolidated with them, and so
share the honors which they were earning. All that the members of the
1st could do was to hope, and growl, and wonder why the Governor should
select them for home-guard purposes while he allowed others to go to
war.
Then something actually did happen, which only served to aggravate.
Captain Sampson discovered a vacancy in the 6th Regiment, and with Col.
Cowdin’s approval promptly secured the transfer of his 7th Company, the
Washington Light Guard, one of the three strong artillery companies
which had come down from the very beginning of regimental history; so
that the 6th had a Co. K of which to be proud, and the 1st Regiment had
nothing. Co. K of the 6th, as was to be expected, covered itself with
glory during the street-fight in Baltimore on April 19. Capt. David K.
Wardwell, whose company had suffered disbandment a few months before,
profited by his consequent independence and organized a new company,
with Col. Cowdin presiding at the election of officers; and then took
the new organization off with the 5th Regiment as Co. F. “Wardwell’s
Tigers” shared in the laurels won by their regiment at Annapolis and
Washington, and three months later at Bull Run found themselves fighting
in the same army with the old 1st Regiment. Meanwhile their success in
getting into active service did not make it any easier for the 1st
Regiment to endure the masterly inactivity of those April days.
Finally on April 27, the 1st Regiment was ordered to prepare itself--as
if it had not been prepared “right up to the handle” for two weeks past.
But, alas, instructions came from the War Department that no more
three-months men were desired, and after fifteen days’ service by the
regiment, the order was, on May 7, revoked. Forty-two years later the
legislature passed a resolve according official recognition to the 1st
Regiment as having volunteered with the other “minute men;” but this was
no comfort whatever to the eager young soldiers of 1861, who were told
to lay down their weapons and go home. Col. Cowdin and his men were in
high favor at the Boston City Hall; but owing to their services at the
Burns riot, and for other political reasons, they were frowned on by
Gov. Andrew and the Senators.
On second thought Col. Cowdin decided that he and his men were going to
get into active service in spite of all difficulties. It had just become
known that the Government desired three-year regiments, and this opened
a door of possibility. The 1st would go to war for three years. To be
sure this was a plunge in the dark. Suppose the war should not last
three years--would the troops be kept in service anyway? Moreover, there
had never been any three-year volunteers in the United States, during
any previous war; and it requires courage to set a precedent. But Col.
Cowdin and his men made the necessary readjustments demanded by the
prospect of prolonged absence from home, and volunteered as a three-year
regiment. Owing to their promptness, they were able to win an honor
greater even than came to the “minute-men;” for they became the very
first long-term volunteer regiment to enter U. S. service anywhere in
the country, the first not only of the Civil War but of any war. Their
adventures, and the battles they fought, are “another story”; and will
be told in a later chapter.
One of the three old original artillery companies having been lost to
the 6th, another was destined to go with--no, the correct expression is,
to “become”--the 13th Regiment. Late in 1860 the 8th Company, the
“Boston Artillery,” became interested in organizing a “crack” battalion
or regiment for Boston. They were already members of the best regiment
in the Commonwealth, but they were not satisfied with that. Capt.
Baldwin did not share in this new ambition and declined to have anything
to do with it. In civil life he was a merchant and wholly practical in
his tastes; as a soldier he was a plain, blunt man, “full of strange
oaths,” “who loved his friends.” The new departure did not appeal to
him. So Capt. Baldwin transferred to the 4th Company, the Pulaski
Guards, and remained with his old regiment; while the Boston Artillery
chose Gen. Samuel H. Leonard, recently of Worcester, as their captain.
Under Capt. Leonard the Boston Artillery absorbed what survived of the
disbanded Columbian Greys or City Guards of the old 1st, and proceeded
to expand into the 4th Battalion of Rifles. It was on Dec. 15, 1860,
that the new battalion was formed. Before the enthusiastic officers and
men had time to do much toward developing their ideal of a “crack”
regiment, they found themselves upon the threshold of the great war. On
May 25, 1861, they volunteered to garrison Ft. Independence for one
month; and almost before the month had expired, the 4th Battalion of
Rifles had expanded once more and become the 13th Regiment, and on July
16 they were mustered in for three years’ service. Col. Cowdin’s men
felt that they could well afford to lose their grand old 8th Company,
when their loss resulted in the addition of an entire regiment to the
Union army. The 13th served as part of the first corps in the army of
Virginia, and later the army of the Potomac. Their regimental monument
stands on the field of their hardest fight, that of the first day at
Gettysburg, where they lost their gallant corps commander, Gen. John F.
Reynolds. And on the second day of that battle, toward evening, they
were sent to reinforce Sickles on the left, in whose corps was the 1st
Massachusetts. Once more the Boston Artillery and the Roxbury Artillery
were serving side by side.
On May 18, 1861, just one week before the 1st was mustered into Federal
service, it lost another company. Capt. Joseph H. Barnes had organized a
new 7th Company to fill the place made vacant by Capt. Sampson’s
withdrawal. But the example of his predecessor proved contagious; so
that presently the new company followed the old one. Capt. Barnes’
command joined the 4th Mass. Infantry at Fort Monroe, and so found
active work immediately. When, however, the 4th presently came home, its
new Co. K was left behind, and became incorporated in the 29th Regiment,
with which it served three years. In 1862 the 29th was with the army of
the Potomac, in 1863 in Mississippi and Tennessee, and again with the
army of the Potomac in 1864. Capt. Gardner Walker’s North End True Blues
eventually went with Col. Cowdin as the 7th Company.
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac S. Burrell was not able to accompany his
regiment in the three-years’ service. Remaining in Boston with a few
other members who were similarly situated, he maintained a skeleton
organization of the old militia regiment. And because the new number,
1st, was borne by Col. Cowdin, Col. Burrell had to hunt another
designation for his command. The fourteen officers and two hundred
sixteen men, in seven companies, who were engaged in this home-guard
duty were by no means satisfied with their position. Their hearts were
in Maryland and Virginia with their former comrades.
In the spring of 1862 Banks was driven from the Shenandoah valley and
the north began to fear for the safety of Washington. On May 26, in
response to requests from the Secretary of War, Massachusetts and other
northern states mobilized their militia, recruiting the regiments up as
nearly as possible to full strength. This alarm subsided presently. But
Pope’s defeat at second Bull Run, August 30, left the capital in genuine
peril, and caused a hasty call for 300,000 more troops, to serve nine
months. Grave disaster had overtaken the Union arms, and there was
immediate need for reinforcements. Col. Burrell was in militia camp at
Medford with his regiment when the call came; and at once volunteered.
Indeed this was just the chance for which they had been waiting--active
duty but for a period not so extended as three years.
Recruits were needed in order to bring the regiment up to war strength.
By some singular perversity, as soon as recruiting began, a situation
developed which threatened to destroy the regiment entirely. Col.
Burrell and Lt. Col. Thomas L. D. Perkins were both graduates of the 1st
Company, Perkins having succeeded Burrell as captain. A bitter jealousy
had grown up in Perkins’ mind which made him incapable of rendering
loyal support to his chief. Maj. George W. Beach shared Lt. Col.
Perkins’ feeling and co-operated in his insubordination. Needless to
say, Col. Burrell gave no real ground whatever for this feeling.
After the deadlock had continued for more than a month, during which the
regiment made little progress in filling its ranks, Col. Burrell secured
Gov. Andrew’s permission to take strenuous measures. Another command,
the 54th of Worcester county, was similarly in need of men. The men
already belonging to the 42d (as Burrell’s command became known,
possibly with some reference to the proud record made by the 42d or
Black Watch Highlanders in the British army) were consolidated into the
1st and 3d Companies; new 7th and 10th Companies were formed in Boston
and Dorchester; 2d and 9th Companies were drawn from the 54th, while
Boston, Medway and Weymouth provided units for the four vacancies. Capt.
George Sherive commanded the 1st Company, Capt. George P. Davis the 2d
(or Ware Company), Capt. Alfred N. Proctor (a photographer, and one of
the indistinguishable “Proctor twins”) the 3d, Capt. Charles A. Pratt
the 4th, Capt. David W. Bailey the 5th, Capt. Ira B. Cook the 6th (from
Medway), Capt. Orville W. Leonard (who had been a private in the 6th
Regiment during the ninety-days service) the 7th, Capt. Hiram S. Coburn
the 8th (from Weymouth), Capt. John D. Coggswell the 9th (of Leicester),
and Capt. Cyrus Savage the 10th or Dorchester Company. All the newer
elements proved to be congenial, the Worcester county men being
especially good soldiers, with the exception however of the 5th Company.
This unit was gathered in too much of a hurry, contained a “tough”
element, and was a constant cause of discord. No one could then foresee
that the regimental number, 54th, released by the consolidation of
companies in the 42d, would presently be immortalized by Col. Robert
Gould Shaw’s heroic black men.
In accordance with law, the company officers proceeded to elect
regimental officers, and bestowed the chief honor upon Col. Burrell.
Perkins and Beach tried hard to prevent this, but in vain; the electors
were seeking the best soldier, and cared nothing whatever for old
jealousies. They proceeded to select Joseph Stedman as Lt. Col. and
Frederick G. Stiles of Worcester as Major, thus retiring the disgruntled
former incumbents of those offices. A magnificent stand of colors was
presented to the command; and on Oct. 14, the 42d was finally mustered
in.
Nothing out of the ordinary marked the railroad journey to New York. But
progress thereafter, which was by boat, proved to be highly
uncomfortable. The transports were small, and not too seaworthy. And
worse yet for “landlubbers,” the sea was rough. It is said that the man
establishing his claim to possessing the strongest stomach was the man
whose digestive organ would throw the farthest. As however all things
have an end, the sufferers finally arrived at the mouth of the
Mississippi, and once more became habitants of _terra firma_.
From the streets of Boston and the hills of Worcester county to the
canebrakes and swamps of Mississippi and Louisiana is a violent
transition, which nothing less tough than the human system could endure.
Yet the 42d Regiment survived its journey to the department of the Gulf
and may almost be said to have flourished in its new environment. Of
course the heat was often prostrating, while malaria took its toll of
human life. The companies were separated, and were assigned to provost
and engineering duty at different stations. Hard-tack and salt beef and
pork are not luxurious fare, muddy coffee (which means usually coffee
made with muddy water) is far from being a dainty beverage, digging is a
most unromantic occupation, and even staying awake nights to watch while
others sleep does not arouse the finer emotions as much in fact as when
set forth by poets. Yet these are the staple elements of a soldier’s
life; and these the 42d enjoyed in abundant profusion. Sensational
details were lacking in this experience; but the service is not the less
a thing of which to be proud.
Col. Burrell with three of his Boston companies, the 1st, 3d, and 10th,
were detached to garrison the port of Galveston, Texas, and to
co-operate with the Navy there. Of all the 42d Regiment, these companies
alone chanced to find themselves “in the limelight.” The Galveston wharf
was to be kept available for Naval use; and in turn the Navy was to
shelter the garrison under the protection of its guns. Witnesses
disagree as to just how well the latter work was performed. On Jan. 1,
1863, the Confederates attacked in overwhelming numbers at a moment
when, for some reason, the warships had been withdrawn. Col. Burrell and
his men defended themselves heroically and took heavy toll from the
attackers. But with five thousand Confederates against three hundred
Union soldiers, the result was inevitable. After the Confederates had
brought thirty-one pieces of artillery into action, Col. Burrell and his
men surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Highly respected because
of their stubborn bravery, the men were soon exchanged; and upon
returning to the Union lines were accorded an ovation. The officers were
retained in captivity longer; and Col. Burrell finally secured release
just in season to assume command of his old regiment during its next
tour of duty, that of the one hundred days. Other companies of the 42d
were in action at Port Hudson, Lafourche Crossing, and Brashear City.
Disaster attended the return journey of the 42d. Going by boat thru Long
Island Sound, one of the transports, the “Commodore,” struck a rock off
Point Judith, and threatened to founder. The troops had to be taken off
in small boats at much discomfort and no little peril, and finished
their journey in another craft. On August 20, 1863, the men were finally
mustered out, their nine months having extended itself into almost a
full year.
Now, returning, the 42d kept its place in the line of the militia.
Meanwhile unattached companies began to exist, which in certain cases
aimed to act as reserve or “depot” companies for units of the 1st-42d.
This was notably true of the 2d, 3d, 5th, and 6th Companies. The 1st
Regiment was treading its bloody path of glory and approaching the time
when it would return to Massachusetts and home. It disbanded upon its
muster-out of the U. S. service, May 28, 1864; and many of its members
were glad to join these reserve companies and so keep up the cherished
associations.
Again the need became urgent for more troops. Gen. Grant, the new Lieut.
Gen. and Commander-in-chief, had assembled all available men for the
reinforcement of his mobile army in April, 1864, withdrawing so many of
the defenders of Washington as to leave the national capital exposed to
attack. In July such a raid was actually made under the vigorous
leadership of Gen. Jubal A. Early; and came uncomfortably near to
succeeding. So a call was issued for short-term volunteers who should
garrison fortified posts, and release the long-term men for active
service. All the “hurrah” spirit had gone out of the war by 1864--indeed
men were too weary to feel enthusiasm of any kind. There is therefore
something all the finer in the grim way in which the 42d and the
unattached companies responded to this call.
Remarkable as it may seem, eight of the companies which served during
the nine months’ tour had retained their organization sufficiently to
respond a second time. As one of those missing in 1864 was the “tough”
5th Company (N. B., of Boston, not Chelsea) the task of recruiting the
needed units was not altogether an unwelcome one. Samuel A. Waterman
commanded the 1st Company, Benjamin R. Wales the 2d, Alanson H. Ward
(later a captain in the 61st Inf.) the 3d, Augustus Ford (who had been
1st Sergeant and 1st Lt. during the previous year) the 4th, George M.
Stewart the new 5th Company, Benjamin C. Tinkham (sergeant during the
nine-months’ service) the 6th, Isaac B. White (1st Lt. the year
previous) the 7th, Warren French the new 8th, Samuel S. Eddy (a 2d Lt.
in the 51st during its nine months in North Carolina) the 9th, and James
T. Stevens (1st Lt. in the 4th Reg. during its three months in 1861) the
10th. The same field officers were in command. The happiest rivalry
existed between the Boston companies and those from Worcester county, in
their attempt each to bring the largest numbers and finest personnel
forward in response to the new call. The old regimental colors were
again borne at the head of the revived regiment. Entering Federal
service on July 20, the regiment was assigned to the defences of
Washington, and stationed at Alexandria, Virginia. Here they formed
part of the “outer picket” of the capital, and in addition furnished
train-guards to protect railroad transportation from Washington to the
Shenandoah Valley, the men detailed to service on the freight-cars being
the only members of the 42d coming under Confederate fire during the
present tour of duty. Col. Burrell came back from his southern prison
just in season to rejoin his command at Alexandria. While the regiment
had enlisted for one hundred days, its service continued thirteen days
over time, and the men were mustered out Nov. 11.
There seemed to be unlimited reserves of vitality in the 1st and 3d
Companies--indeed one is reminded of the way bees swarm from a hive as
one notes how these wonderful organizations made contribution after
contribution to the army and yet remained as vigorous as ever. All honor
to the old Roxbury Artillery and the Fusiliers. The Roxbury Artillery
had a full company in the three-year regiment, in the 42d on its first
tour, and again on its second service. The Fusiliers did even more.
Besides these three “bits,” they sent the 7th Unattached Company, on May
4, 1864, for ninety days’ duty on Gallop’s Island, Boston, under command
of Capt. Albert E. Proctor, who in civil life was well known as a
popular Boston clothier, and was the other indistinguishable “twin.”
Again on Aug. 18 of that year they made up Co. K of the 4th Mass. Heavy
Artillery for ten months’ service in Washington, D. C., under the same
Capt. Proctor. Meanwhile they maintained their “depot” company in a
state of efficiency. Certainly they justified the sentiment of their
ancient motto, _Aut vincere aut mori_, with all emphasis on the
“victory” and never a thought of “death.”
New companies which were presently to be added to the 1st Regiment also
did duty at this time. The “1st Unattached Company,” which garrisoned
Fort Independence, Boston, for ninety days from April 29, 1864,
afterward became the 4th Company in the regiment. And the “4th
Unattached Company” which garrisoned the fort later to be known as
“Rodman,” in New Bedford harbor for ninety days from May 3, later became
the 5th Company in the regiment. Likewise the “9th Unattached Company,”
which was to become the 6th Company in the regiment two years later, on
May 10, 1864, began a ninety days’ tour of garrison duty on Gallop’s
Island, Boston Harbor.
How the units of the regiment kept coming back to the artillery branch
thruout the war! The regiment had originally been artillery; and the
virus seemed to be in the regimental blood. The old cannon were not
returned to the state until 1861. The three-year command served as
artillery for three weeks of 1861 in Washington, and for two weeks of
1863 in New York. Co. K of the “4th Heavies” actually reintroduced the
“artillery” title into the regiment. The four unattached companies in
1864 all served as artillery. Col. Cowdin’s old command was certainly
destined to handle heavier ordnance than the infantry knew anything
about. No wonder they welcomed the restoration of artillery instruction
in 1882.
Well may the 1st-42d Regiment feel interest in Edward Simmons’ splendid
mural painting in the State House, the “Return of the Colors.” For on
the day of that ceremony, Dec. 22, 1865, color-bearers of both regiments
were present; and both are given place in the picture. The war was over.
These symbols of patriotism for which brave men had sacrificed life were
returning to the custody of the Commonwealth who gave them. Was ever
Forefathers’ day more sacred than that? The “land of the Pilgrim’s
pride” had now become the “land where” and for which “our fathers
died.”