CAPTAIN WILLIAM D. CHAMBERLAIN’S COMPANY, “UNION GUARD.”
[“I” OF THE FOURTH REGIMENT, “I” OF THE MASSACHUSETTS
BATTALION, AND “I” OF THE TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT.]
On the 17th of April, 1861, William D. Chamberlain of Lynn received
authority from the Governor to raise a company of militia, to form a
part of the Eighth Regiment of Militia, then under orders to proceed to
Washington.
The day following (April 18), a room having been procured in Hill’s
Building, in that city, a roll was opened, and, in the space of a few
hours, was signed by one hundred men.
On the 19th, a meeting of the company was held at the armory of the
Lynn Light Infantry, presided over by the mayor of the city, the
Hon. Hiram N. Breed, and the following officers chosen: William D.
Chamberlain, Captain; Abram A. Oliver, First Lieutenant; John E. Smith,
Second Lieutenant; Moses B. Tuffts, Third Lieutenant; and John Alley,
Fourth Lieutenant. (The last two officers were never mustered.) At this
meeting, the company adopted the name, “Union Guard.”
The news of the firing upon the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, on
its passage through Baltimore, hastened the departure of the Eighth
Regiment from Boston, on the morning of the 20th.
Captain Chamberlain’s company was not in readiness to leave for the
field at this time, and hence lost its chance to accompany that
regiment.
The company improved the additional time furnished by this accidental
relief from active service, by holding frequent meetings for purposes
of drill. These meetings were held nearly every evening, and were
continued till May 3, at which time the President issued his
proclamation calling for a force of three years’ volunteers.
The uniform consisted of gray frock coats, the gift of the “Empire Fire
Company” of Lynn, Kossuth hats, looped at one side, and light blue
trousers. The hats and trousers were furnished by the State.
May 5, Captain Chamberlain marched with his company to Boston, and
presenting his command to the Governor, offered its services.
An interesting scene took place at the State House on this occasion.
Hannibal Hamlin, Vice-President of the United States, His Excellency
Governor Andrew, Adjutant-General Schouler, and several other
distinguished gentlemen, were present, and the Vice-President and
Governor addressed the men. The Governor thanked the commander and his
soldiers for the love of country which had led them to offer their
services to the Government in the darkest hour of its existence, and
assured them that as soon as an opportunity offered, they would be
accepted.
The march of the company to Boston was one continued ovation. At
Chelsea it was entertained by the militia of that city, and in
Charlestown and Boston the citizens vied with each other in showering
upon the volunteers numberless favors and courtesies. The company
returned to Lynn on the same day, by the Eastern Railroad, and, upon
arrival, every man engaged to serve for three years.
May 9, the company was ordered to report at the State House, on the
following morning, at nine o’clock.
Promptly at the hour named, the command presented itself to the
Adjutant-General, at the State House, here received Springfield rifles
and other equipments, and were ordered to report on board the steamer
“Pembroke,” together with Captain Tyler’s company, sailing on this
day (May 10) for Fortress Monroe. Before embarking, a committee of
the citizens of Lynn presented the company with nearly three hundred
dollars in money. The same committee had previously given the officers
a complete outfit.
The facts concerning the sealed orders and the voyage to Fortress
Monroe have already been given in Chapter IV.
Upon arriving at Fortress Monroe, the company was assigned to the Third
Regiment, in which it was designated as Company I, served with that
regiment till July 16, and then composed a part of the Massachusetts
Battalion, and, in December, 1861, a part of the Twenty-ninth Regiment.
Captain Chamberlain’s commission, as also those of Lieutenants Oliver
and Smith, bear date of April 19, 1861; and the members of this
company, together with those of Captain Tyler’s command, were the first
volunteers in New England who enlisted for a period of three years.