Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 15 of those read), 1888 (part 2 of 2)

Captain Charles Manning, who had been enlisting men for the Fourth Battery of Light Artillery, had his rolls filled, and added to the military enthusiasm of the hour by a drill on Salem Common, on IMay 3d, and the same day the Fitzgerald Guards were paraded. This company went into camp on May 10th as part of Colonel Cass's Irish Regiment, afterwards the Ninth IMassachusetts Infantry. On Sunday, May 12th, Captain Coggswell's company, then styled the Andrew Light Guard, marched from their barracks on Winter Island to attend church in a body, and two days later they left the city for Camp Andrew, in Roxbury, where they were incorporated with the Second Massachusetts Volunteers. The company was presented with a color on its departure from the city.

Both of these companies were uniformed by the city and private subscriptions, supplemented by the personal work of the patriotic women of Salem.

And so the long patriotic excitement fed by these events continued. Perhaps never in the history of any country was there seen such an outburst of disinterested enthusiasm so well sustained as marked the first few months of the war in the entire North. And it was fully shared in Salem. Every one was desirous of doing something in aid of the cause. Men and women seemed for the time to lose sight of the petty aims and thoughts of every-day life, and were dignified by a common love of their country and a desire to serve it.

Every man who enlisted was in the eyes of his friends a hero. Nothing was too good for him. And this honest admiration and the enthusiastic ovations given to the departing soldiers, did indeed make heroes of the meanest among them, and they went to the front with a high courage that courted the opportunity to fully deserve the encomiums showered upon them.

At home the newspapers were crowded with war news, genuine and speculative. The published letters of absent soldiers to their friends were read with avidity, and their sage prognostications as to the plans of the enemy and the possibilities of the future were only less interesting than the views of a host of military strategists, who now arose and recommended movements, and criticized the officers in conmiand of the troops, as freely as if military science had been imbibed with their mothers' milk.

The great puzzle was as to the movements of the enemy. Where their position was not known, it was nevertheless stated with as much precision by the military newspaper corresjjondent as though he examined their lines daily. The masked battery and 13^ other military spectres were worked for all they were worth, and the people strained their understanding to the utmost to master the intricate details of positions, evolutions, strategy and logistique, not always realizing the ignorance of those who wrote so fluently on these subjects. On the street corners, in the old corner book-store and other centres of quasi-public consultation, the all-absorbing topics were of a military character, and that group was fortunate that included some tactical veteran of the light infantry or other militia organization, on whose words the others hung as they were those of an oracle.

Military notices and advertisements for recruits began to appear in the papers, while the announcement to the effect that " the ladies of such and such a church " would meet on such an afternoon to make clothing " for a certain company, or that such other ladies " would meet to make Havelocks," and other similar notices indicated that the feminine portion of the community were not only talking (which of course they needs must always do) but also vigorously working, as indeed they were. Although prevented by nature from shouldering muskets, the women of Salem were then and throughout the war, filled with a patriotic fervor that found practical expression in such liberality of means and effort as gave great aid and comfort to the Salem men in the field, and to the unfortunates who languished from time to time in hospital.

When the militia companies Avent out and the volunteers were enlisting in advance of the resources of the government for their equipment, the fair ones of Salem laid aside their embroidery and sewed for dear life on rough uniforms, being fully repaid for their toil when watching the gallant forms marching through the streets in garments with each stitch of which they were familiar.

In a newspaper of the time the mayor recommends the Havelock as a useful article for the soldier in a warm climate, and states that he has a pattern at his office for the use of those desiring to make them. So this remarkable i)roduct of this stage of the war cost the Salem ladies many hours of work ; and as the militia-man or recx'uit with this queer imitation of the serviceable article worn in the East Indian service on his head, passed proudly by on the sidewalk, tlie benevolent ladies who had cut and made it little realized how soon it would be thrown away or used as a dish-cloth in camp.

May 24th ten men went on to reinforce the Salem Light Infantry, and great excitement was caused in Salem by the advance of the national forces across the Potomac into Virginia, and the wild rumors of accompanying engagements that had no foundation.

General Andrews, ot fealem, was put in command of the forts of Boston harbor early in June. Later in the month the city was enthusiastic over the engagement at Philippi, AVest Virginia, where our troops gained a slight success, and General Lander, of Salem, led in his brigade. The families of the men in the field who required it, now regularly received the aid that was continued to all throughout the war. Drill clubs were formed in the city to familiarize men with the use of arms in view of future needs. In their ranks were many men who distinguished themselves later in the war. The Veteran Light Infantry also met often and drilled vigorously. As the full extent of the rebel strength transpired, and it appeared that all the Southern States were determined to join in the secession movement, authority was given to the States to raise more troops, and early in July recruiting offices were again opened in Salem by A. Parker Browne, J. C. Putnam and N. W. Osborne. Meanwhile the companies of Cogswell and Fitzgerald were fast learning their duties in camp.

July 16th considerable excitement was caused by the report of the rebel privateers "Sumter" and " Jeff Davis" being upon the coast. But the times had changed. The town no longer swarmed with seafaring men, and no recruiting party marched through the town, beating up a crew to go out and take them, as in the days of 1812. A few superannuated ship-masters, men of wealth and ease, were about all that remained to remind one that this had been a maritime town and a great centre of commerce.

During July it was daily expected that our army would advance, and as the enemy were now known to be in some force in its front, a decisive action was anticipated. The month wore on full of earnest work, and with an underlying feeling of suppressed excitement and strained expectation, until at length the day came - that day of sorrow and deep mortification. The first confused reports, contradictions and excuses soon crystalized, and the full extent of the disaster at Bull Run struck the people of Salem, as the entire North, like a blow. Stunned at first, they soon recovered and began to grasp the full meaning of this defeat. They saw that a great war was only just begun : That the efforts already put forth could be regarded as but an earnest of what must continue indefinitely, and that if the nation was to endure, faith and patriotism must be subjected to a steady strain, and men, money and effort given without stint.

The first stage of the war was over; the time of wild enthusiasm, of exaggerated sentiment and unthinking elation excited by the novelty of the situation, had passed. Men and women were sobered and realized the heavy burden of bloodshed, grief and loss that they must bear ; and they took it up without hesitation, here as elsewhere. Men began to arrange their affairs that they might join the army, and the drill clubs were assiduously attended, while the recruiting officers found little difficulty in filling their ranks.

resolution of most of their members to return to the army. Every engagement with the soldiers was rigidly kept, and there was an increased effort made in all directions to furnish all that the government should require of Salem. The patriotic work of the ladies was continued with unabated zeal, and as the war continued they never relaxed their energies. They organized or assisted in fairs in aid of the sanitary commission. Their Dorcas Societies incontinently threw over the poor whom they had always hitherto had with them, and picked lint for the wounded, or knit socks of the stoutest yarn and portentous dimensions for the soldier well or ailing. They gave freely of money, medicines and delicacies lor army necessities, hopefully kept up the cheerfulness of the men at home ; while during the long war there were few among them who did not have some one especially dear to them, who had gone with the army, and to whom, if living, they sent words of loving encouragement, or for whom, if dead, they shed many tears, while they still worked on for the living.

In this connection reference should be made to the Field Hospital Corps raised in Salem, in May of this year, by the Rev. D. G. Wildes, restor of Grace Church. This corps was composed of sixty volunteers from Salem and vicinity, and w.is said to be the first effort for a systematized ambulance department in the army.

On the day following the battle of Bull Run, the " Essex Cadets," a company recruited by Lieut. A. Parker Browne, marched under Capt. Seth A. Buxton from Salem to join the camp of instruction. It subsequently was incorporated with the Fortieth Regiment Massachusetts Infantry.

Early in September the first company of sharpshooters unattached, containing many Salem men, left the State for Washington, and on the 4th of the month, Capt. Ethan A. P. Brewster's Company "A," of the Twenty-Third Massachusetts Infantry, that had been recruiting in Salem, marched from town to the camp at Lynn field, followed on the 7th by Capt. John F. Devereux's Company, subsequently attached to the Eleventh Infantry.

A drill club that had been steadily keeping to their work for some months, voted about this time to enlist in a body for the war, and on the 18th of October, marched under Capt. Geo. M.Whipple, to Lynnfield, to join as its Company " F," the Twenty-Third Infantry, which was now completed. Containing two full Salem companies, this regiment, on the 31st of the month, marched into Salem and were reviewed on the Common, just before leaving for the seat of war, to the great pride and satisfaction of the people.

Meanwhile there had been constant recruiting for other companies. On the 8th of October a second company of sharpshooters, under Capt. E. Wentworth, left for the front as part of the Twenty-Second Infantry ; and Capt. Charles M. Devereux's Company " H," Nineteenth Regiment, were mustered into service in

November, and left the State December 13th, while early in December Capt. John Daland's and George F. Austin's Companies partly recruited in Salem and attached to the Twenty-Fourth Infantry, were ordered South with their regiment.

Capt. Manning's Fourth Battery of Light Artillery, entirely raised in Salem, had been mustered into service and embarked on transports for the department of the Gulf.

In the foregoing account of the various military organizations leaving for the front, it is by no means to be understood that they comprised all of the officers and men who had entered the service from Salem during the first nine months of the war. But those have been spoken of whose departure had some peculiar interest for the mass of the people by some circumstances of their organization or otherwise. For, during this time Salem men were joining other companies and regiments daily, and going to the front, as will be seen by the brief notices of the various regiments, a little further on. Salem was indeed doing her duty in this first year of war, and as the event proved, she had by no means exhausted her resources. To the end of the war she continued to furnish men and money liberally. Her quota was usually forthcoming.

Early in LS62, two military funerals in her streets, of officers of distinction, served to remind the people, had it been necessary, that war was not all pomp and glitter, but meant death and sorrow. Salem did honor to her illustrious dead, and the obsequies of General Lander, who died in West Virginia, and of Lieutenant- Colonel Henry Merritt, killed in action at Newberne, gallantly leading the Twenty-Third Regiment, occurring on the 8tli and 21st of March, were impressive, and attended by a large concourse of people.

Recruiting was resumed in 1862. The Federal armie-5 in the field were very large; but when the heavy work of the war fairly opened, and the long rolls of the killed and wounded on the Peninsula began to be read, it was clear that those armies must be replenished, from time to time, for years to come perhaps ; and so men were again flocking to the rendezvous and marching to the front.

Captain S. C. Oliver's Company of the Thirty-fifth Infantry, containing some Salem men, went forward with that regiment in August, 1862, and September 8th three companies under Captains D. H. Johnson, Richard Skinner and Henry Danforth, that had been partly recruited in Salem during the summer for the Fortieth Infantry, were forwarded with the regiment to Virginia. The last mentioned of these companies was the City Guard, with ranks filled up by fresh enlistments. The Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fortieth was Joseph A. Dalton of Salem.

November 19th Captain George Putnam's Company, " A," of the Fiftieth Militia Regiment, left the State for the Department of the Gulf for nine months' service. This company was the Salem Light Infantry

December 27tli Company E, recruited in Salem for the Forty-eighth Militia Regiment, by Captain George Wheatland, for nine months' service, embarked on transports for the Department of the Gulf.

July 10th of the following year (1863) the draft was ordered in the Northern States, and Captain D. H. Johnson, as Provost Marshal, completed the rolls here and began to draw the names. But few men, how. ever, were drafted in Salem, as the city made every effort to fill her quota by offering heavy bounties to volunteers, and in the main succeeded.

November 16th, 1863, the Twelfth Unattached Company of Heavy Artillery, raised in Salem under Captain J. W. Richardson, occupied the forts on Salem Neck. This company, then commanded by Captain Jos. M. Parsons, in June of the following year (1864) was ordered to Washington.

May 12, 1864, the Salem Light Infantry, Captain, R. W. Reeves, again left Salem for one hundred days' garrison duty, to relieve the regular volunteer troops from this service and enable them to be put in at the front.

In addition to the very large sums contributed by individuals, from time to time during the war, in aid of the soldiers, of their families and to pi'omote enlistments, the amount of which cannot be ascertained, the city appropriated and expended on account of the war one hundred and six thousand eight hundred and eighty-five dollars, exclusive of over two hundred thousand dollars. State aid to the families of the men in the field, which latter was ultimately refunded to her by the State. She responded to all calls upon her for men, about three thousand entering the army and navy during the war out of an entire population of a little over twenty-one thousand. In the partial account given of the departure of these men from Salem, no mention has been made of the character of their service or that of the regiments to which they belonged. It could not be expected that any extended history of these organizations can be here given, and only a glance at the careers of those containing more or less Salem men is permitted by the limitation of this article.

The militia regiments that first went out in the spring of 1861, had a valuable experience of the duties of the soldier in active service, learning the use of arms and camp and outpost duty ; but they were not engaged with the enemy except the Fifth regiment, in which were the Salem City Guard and Mechanics' Light Infantry Companies, that took some part in the battle of Bull Run though suffering but slight loss.

The first regiment to be raised for the service of the United States, in this State, was the 2d Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, that began to be formed before the Government had called for other than militia regiments. The Comiiany commanded by Captain Cogswell, containing many Salem men, was attached to it, and at the close of the war this officer returned in command of the regiment and with the brevet of a brigadier, while of the Salem enlisted men, five had earned commissions. The Second had a distinguished record. With Colonel Gordon and Lieutenant-Colonel George L. Andrews, (of a Salem family) both West Pointers, it was from the beginning a thoroughly instructed and efficient regiment. It served under General Patterson in 1861, and sul)sequently remained in the Shenandoah Valley under General Banks, distinguishing itself as a part of the rear guard in his retreat to the Potomac in May 1862. Closely engaged in the battle of Cedar Mountain under the same officer, it there lost nearly half of its officers and one-third of the men. It took part in the succeeding battles of Centreville and Antietam, and the following year lost heavily at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Forming part of the force sent to New York to suppress the draft riots, it was then sent to Alabama where the regiment was furloughed for re-enlistment and returned with recruited ranks in time to take part in General Sherman's severe Atlanta campaign, subsequently marching through Georgia and continuing northward through the Carolinas in the resistless march of that officer until its fighting days were ended at Raleigh by the news of Lee's surrender. At the muster out, July 14, 1865, there were but four officers and one hundred men remaining of the original full regiment that had marched from the State to the front. In the Ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry there were a large number of Salem men, particularly in company F, originally called the Fitzgerald Guard, already mentioned. Serving in front of Washington from its muster in June, 1861, when it became a part of the great Army of the Potomac, in whose fortunes it shared until its muster-out in June, 1864. In Morell's division of the fifth corps, it took part in all the battles of the ill-fated peninsula campaign, and in the determined stand made by Porter in command of this corps at Gaines' Mill, the Ninth lost twenty officers and three hundred and sixty men. Still, and always in the fifth corps under Porter, and afterwards under Warren, the regiment was engaged at Centreville, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and through the Wilderness to Spottsylvania, on all these historic fields acquitting itself with great gallantry and suftering heavy losses. The regiment was mustered out at the expiration of its term of service in June, 1864. Four of the enlisted men from Salem had received commissions in addition to the three officers originally marching from the city.

The Twenty-third Regiment Massachusetts Infantry had peculiar claims upon the city by reason of the large number of its citizens in the ranks, and the interest attaching to one of its companies that, in a sudden burst of patriotic feeling had resolved themselves, by a vote, from a drill-club of amateurs into a company of United States soldiers with plenty of hard service immediately before them. The regiment was sent to Annapolis, and a few months later joined General Burnside's expedition that took Roanoke Island and occupied Newberne. It suffered some losses in these operations, including Lieutenant- Colonel Merritt, already mentioned. Later, in the same department, under General Foster, it was engaged at Heckman's farm, Arrowfield Church and Drury's Bluff. In the later action it lost heavily, being exposed to a flank attack.

Under General Stannard, the Twenty-third joined the Army of the Potomac just before the battle of Cold Harbor in which it took part, subsequently doing duty in the trenches at Petersburg. Being returned to its old department, it was put in during the final operations in that quarter in 1865, being last engaged at Kingston. It was finally mustered out of service in June, 1865, a large number of the regiment having re-enlisted the previous year. Six of its enlisted men from Salem returned home with commissions, excepting one, Lieutenant Richard P. Wheeler, who had died of wounds received in action.

Captain Arthur F. Devereux, who had drilled the Salem Light Infantry Company just before the war to a wonderful point of excellence, upon the return of that company from its three months' service, aided in raising the Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry, going out as its lieutenant-colonel and returning in command as a brevet brigadier-general. He took with him as officers nine or ten of his old light infantrymen and near one hundred recruits from Salem, besides many from the vicinity. The Nineteenth was a regiment always noted for its drill and precision of movement and distinguished itself in many actions. It took five stand of colors, and was twice complimented in general orders.

Getting its initiation at Balls' Bluft', it took part in the Peninsular battles, Centreville, Bristoe Station, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg (there forming the advance that crossed the river in pontoons), fought at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and succeeding engagements, and after the rough winter's work in front of Petersburg, was in at the death at Appomatox, where one of its captains was killed by the last shot said to have been fired by the enemy. Capt. George W. Batchelder, of Salem, was killed at Antietam.

The 24th Volunteer Infantry contained several officers and a considerable number of men from Salem. It was a well instructed regiment, and always displayed good qualities in the face of the enemy. Accompanying the Burnside expedition it took part in the engagement prior and subsequent to the occupation of Newberne, and being sent to the siege of Charleston was in the attempt on Fort Wagner and other actions in that vicinity until ordered to St. Augustine, Fla., in the latter part of 1863. In the spring of 1864 it was transferred to the Tenth Corps, Army of the James, where, at the battle of Drury's Bluff, it suffered considerable loss. Later at Deep Bottom and in subsequent service in front of Petersburg, the regiment lost heavily. It continued to participate in the operations that resulted in Lee's surrender. Having largely re-enlisted at the expiration of its first three years of sei'vice, the regiment was not finally mustered out until January 20, 1866, remaining on duty as part of the garrison of Richmond, Va. Adjutant Charles G. Ward, of the Twenty-fourth, of Salem, was killed in action May 6, 1864.

In the Eleventh Infantry were a number of men recruited in and about Salem. Its list of engagements is that of those of the Army of the Potomac, in which it served from the first battle of Bull Run to the close of the war, and always with distinction. The Salem men who served in the Twelfth Infantry known as the Webster Regiment, after making the campaign with General Banks in the Shenandoah Valley and at Cedar Mountain, had a similar experience in the succeeding engagements of the Army of the Potomac through the battle of Cold Harbor, after which those that were left were mustered out at the expiration of their term of service.

In the Fortieth Infantry there were a considerable number of officers from Salem, and it was recruited partly here. The regiment entered the service in September, 1862, served in Virginia until in the division of General Gordon (the former colonel of the Second Infantry) it was sent to Suffolk to reinforce General Peck, who was facing Lnngstreet's army. From there sent to the South Atlantic coast, it was engaged at Seabrook farm, S. C, and subsequently forming a part of the Florida expedition, suffered severely at Olustee and the accompanying actions in that ill-advised campaign. The regiment was sent north in time to engage in the final operations of the Army of the Potomac, entering Richmond in April, 1865. Lieut. George C. Bancroft, from Salem, was killed at Old Church, Va., June 1, 1864.

The Seventeenth Infantry contained nearly seventy Salem men. Raised in 1861, after a few months' garrison duty at Baltimore, it reported at Newberne, N. C. It was engaged at Kinstou and Goldsborough. On the 16th of December, 1863, an attack was made on Newberne by a strong force of the enemy, and the Seventeenth lost heavily in repelling it. Later it was engaged at Washington, N. C. Subsequently, March 8, 1865, the regiment was heavily engaged at Wise Forks, N. C, in the advance made from the coast^to connect with General Sherman. Garrisoning Greensboro', N. C, until July 11, 1865, the regiment was then mustered out of service.

The single officer and sixteen or eighteen men of Salem who served with the Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, known as the Eastern Bay State Regiment, were, with it, engaged in the principal actions in the department of the Gulf during 1862 and 1863. Reenlisting, in 1864 it, upon return from furlough, was put into the Nineteenth Corps and transferred to Washington, and ultimately the Shenandoah Valley, where it was engaged in Sheridan's battles, specially distinguishing itself at Cedar Creek. The regiment remained in service in Georgia until 1866.

In the Thirty-Second Infantry were rather more men from this city. This regiment, going to the front early in 1862, after a short period of garrison duty, became a part of the Army of the Potomac, and remained with it to the end, being engaged in nearly every battle fought by that army, from the Peninsular campaign to the moment that the Army of Northern Virginia laid down its arms. Its only commissioned officer from Salem, Captain Charles A. Dearborn, was killed at Fredericksburg.

The Thirty-Fifth Infantry had three officers from Salem, although but few enlisted men. Its record is very similar to that of the regiment last mentioned, although it did not go into action until Antietam. Lieutenant Charles F. Williams, of this regiment, from Salem, died of wounds September 22, 1863.

The Twenty-Eighth and Twenty-Ninth regiments of infantry numbered but few men in their ranks from Salem. Mustered into service in 1861, the Twenty-Ninth took part in the engagements of the Army of the Potomac from Gaines' Mill to Fredericksburg, when it was ordered West, and bore a hand at Vicksburg and in other engagements in the cotton States, being ordered North, and taking part in the Cold Harbor battle and in the succeeding operations in front of Petersburg. The Twenty-Eighth, entering the service early in 1862, was put into the Army of the Potomac in season for the battle of Centreville and every stibsequent pitched battle of that army, ending at Ream's Station. Like all Massachusetts regiments these did their duty well. The Thirty- Ninth Infantry, commanded by Colonel Charles L. Pierson, of Salem, contained but few others from this town. It was a good regiment and saw its share of service.

Mention should be made of the two colored Massachusetts regiments, the Fifty-Fourth and Fifty-Fifth Infantry, both of whom had some officers (who were white) from Salem, and some recruits also. Both regiments were sent to Hilton Head, participated in the Olustee campaign in Florida, and took an active part in the operations against Charleston, S. C. They were in the assault on Fort Wagner, where the Fifty-Fourth lost heavily, and wherever engaged showed such courage and soldierly conduct as did much toremove the predjudice entertained at first for this class of troops. They remained in service in that department until their final muster-out. Lieutenant Edwin R. Hill, of the Fifty-Fifth, of Salem, was killed in action December 9, 1864.

Salem men in the Fifty-Sixth, Fifty- Seventh and Fifty- Eighth regiments, particularly in the latter, whose Lieutenant-Colonel, John Hodges, of Salem, was killed while leading the regiment, July 30, 1864. These regiments were raised late in the war (1863), but got into very heavy work when their turn came, and as is often the case with full regiments coming to the front from garrison duty, they were kept well in the advance, where they were very willing to go. They all lost severely in the Virginia campaign of 1864-65, and well-earned a good place in the roll of honor of their State.

In the First, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-second Regiments of Massachusetts Infantry, there was but an aggregate of four officers and about seventy enlisted men from Salem, exclusive of the first and second companies of sharpshooters hereafter mentioned. These regiments were all connected with the Army of the Potomac from the time of its first mobilization and bore a distinguished pari in its many sanguinary engagements. All were mustered out at the expiration of their three years' service at various dates in 1864, with the exception of the Twentieth that re-enlisted, but had the misfortune to be surrounded at Reams Station, August 23, 1864, where the entire regiment was killed or captured. Lieutenant Richard Derby, the only commissioned officer from Salem in the Fifteenth Regiment, was killed at Antietam.

The two companies of sharpshooters raised in this State took a number of keen rifle shots out of Salem, particularly the Second company that had nearly all its officers and about thirty men from this city. This company was attached to the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, and shared in the honors and fatigues of that gallant regiment in the Army of the Potomac from the beginning, doing valuable service in its particular line of duty on many fields. It was subsequently attached to the First and Twentieth Regiments of Infantry.

The first company though commanded by a Salem man, had few in its ranks from here. Serving unattached in General Lander's command until the death of that officer in West Virginia, it was subsequently attached to the Fifteenth, and later to the Nineteenth Infantry, taking the creditable part in the battles of the Army of the Potomac that was borne by those distinguished regiments. Its first captain, John Saunders, of Salem, was killed at Antietam.

Salem was well represented in other branches, in the three years' service. The First Regiment of Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, commanded by Col. Tannatt, of Salem, a West Point graduate, had more Salem men in its ranks than any regiment that left the State. Raised in 1862, it did duty in its proper sphere in charge of the heavy guns in different fortresses in the belt around Washington, at Maryland Heights and elsewhere. In General Pope's campaign in 1862 the regiment was ordered as infantry to the front and participated in the battle of Centreville. After another period of service in garrison, it again took the field in May 14, 1864, and in Tyler's powerful division of heavy artillery, lost heavily at Spottsylvania. It continued at the front in the third and second corps, taking a distinguished part in the succeeding work of the Army of the Potomac, until the surrender of Lee's army, and was finally mustered out at the expiration of its term of service.

The Second and Third Regiments of Heavy Artillery contained many officers and men from Salem. The former did garrison duty at various points in North Carolina and south-eastern Virginia during its term of service, as well as some active duty in the field. Two of its companies were captured in April, 1864, in an engagement at Plymouth, N. C. The Third, raised late in 1864, served in the fortifications in front of Washington.

The Fourth Massachusetts Light Battery that has already been alluded to, was raised, early in the war, entirely in Salem. It was embarked at Boston, accompanying General Butler's expedition for the reduction of New Orleans, and it remained in the extreme South during its entire service of nearly four years. It was first engaged at Baton Rouge, was at the siege of Port Hudson, and on the Bayou Teche campaign. In General Canby's force it entered Tennessee and was engaged at Morganzia, and on Grierson's raid, in 1864. Joining the land force sentagainst Mobile, it took part in the siege and capture of that place, where it remained until sent to Texas, serving there until its muster out in October, 1865. It was an excellent battery, well handled, and efficient in action.

The Fifth and Thirteenth Batteries of Light Artillery contained more or less Salem men, and the firstnamed was ultimately commanded by Captain Charles A. Phillips, of Salem. This battery left the State in December, 1861, and was always attached to the Army of the Potomac, doing excellent service and suffering severely. The Thirteenth Battery served in the Department of the Gulf, being present at the siege of Port Hudson, on the Bayou Teche campaign, and on duty in various parts of Louisiana. It was formed later than the Fifth, leaving for the South, January 20, 1863.

In the Third Massachusetts Cavalry, several officers and a considerable number of men from Salem-had a varied and arduous service. Originally recruited as the Forty-first Massachusetts Infantry, in 1862, it was sent to the Department of the Gulf, where, shortly after, to meet the need in that quarter of mounted troops, the regiment was for a time used as Mounted Infantry. This anomalous condition was presently changed, and they were organized as the Third Cavalry and equipped and instructed accordingly. Taking part in the siege operations at Port Hudson and in the Red River campaign, the regiment was in 1864, shipped North with General Emory's Nineteenth Corps, and joined the Army of the Shenandoah. Here it was remounted and put in the First Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, participating in General Sheridan's brilliant campaign. After the Rebellion had been quelled this regiment was sent upon the plains with other cavalry, to hold down certain restless Indian tribes. It was ultimately mustered out of service in the fall of 1865. Lieutenant Pickering D. Allen, of this regiment, from Salem, was killed at Brashear City, La., June 2, 1863.

A number of men were recruited in Salem for the Second Massachusetts Cavalry that went out in 1862. This regiment had the peculiarity of having five full companies from the State of California. It served in Virginia, and at one time enjoyed the equivocal distinction of being specially detached to hunt down the guerrilla. Colonel Mosby and his command, which was very much like the historical search for the Irishman's flea. Allowed later to fly at higher game, the' regiment did good fighting at Aldie, North Anna Bridge and elsewhere. Being ordered to the Valley, it participated in the campaign of 1864, and ultimately accomjianying Sheridan's column to Richmond, fought in the closing engagements at Five Forks and Sailors' Creek, and was present at the surrender at Appomatox.

In the First Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry a few Salem men enlisted in 1861. This was one of the first mounted regiments in the field and had an excellent name for a long and valuable service of four years, almost constantly in Virginia. A battalion, originally recruited to reinforce this regiment, was ultimately attached to the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, raised in 1864, and in which were some men from Salem, and saw considerable hard service in the closing work of the war.

Of the short-term regiments the Forty-eighth and Fiftieth regiinentsof Massachusetts Militia, that served nine months in 1862 and '63, contained each a large number of Salem men. These regiments were both sent to the Department of the Gulf where they took part in the siege of Port Hudson and the other active operations then going forward in Louisiana and Texas. Their service was arduous and well performed. The principal number of the Salem men in the Fiftieth-were in Company A, already alluded to as being the Salem Light Infantry.

lu the Fourth Heavy Artillery, the First Battalion of Frontier Cavalry, and the Sixty-first Infantry, all enlisted, late in the war, for one year's service, there was a considerable aggregate of Salem men. The first did garrison duty at Washington, and the second served on the Canada frontier a few months, while the Sixty-first reached the Army of the Potomac in time to do some hard work in the closing engagements of the war. The First Battalion of Artillery was somewhat recruited in Salem. It served during the war, but only in home garrisons. It is proper to observe that in all of the regiments raised late in the Avar, were many veterans who had already served with honor in older organizations.

Mention has already been made of the first three months' troops that went forward in 1861. Those that went later in the war for this term, were used to relieve the regular volunteer troops from garrison duty, that they might join the armies in the field in pressing emergencies.

This hasty review of a few facts in the career of tlie regiments in whicli the men from Salem served, is the only means possible to convey an idea of the services those men performed for the country. Any individual record of nearly three thousand men is of course out of the question, and it would be an invidious task to select especial cases for remark where all were good and faithful soldiers. The few names mentioned have necessarily appeared as essential parts of the narrative or to add here and there to its interest. If some regiments have appeared to receive more attention than others, it is in no sense to be taken as in derogation of the services of the latter, but must be attributed to the greater interest naturally attending those containing the largest number of Salem men, or, in .some cases, to the greater facilities of obtaining information concerning them.

We cannot follow the history of the vessels of our navy, in which many men from Salem served. These men were scattered through the various fleets, on so many ships of war, that it would be an impossibility to write of the work performed by those vessels within the limits of this article ; and their aggregate number, though large, was small in corai)arison with the number who served on land. The record of Salem on the sea, however, is good in this war, as in all others. Some fifty-seven officers and three hundred and twenty-five seamen, many of the latter being warrant and petty officers, entered the navy during the war, in addition to such others as might have been serving when it opened. This small proportional number of seamen indicates the fact that few vessels sailed from or obtained their crews in Salem at the outbreak of the war; while the large number of officers who were mainly drawn from the officers of merchant vessels, equally shows that the traditions of the old Salem families kept many men upon the sea as captains and mates of merchantmen sailing from other ports. It is doubtful whether any town in the country of equal size furnished as many volunteer officers for the navy during the war, as Salem ; and their proverbial excellence in the duties of their profession, made them of great value upon the quarter-decks of the men-of-war in which they served.

A number of these officers commanded vessels, among others Lieut. Com. Wm. G. Saltonstall who commanded the "Commodore Hull," the "Governor Buckingham," and the "Kensington;" Lieut. Lewis D. Voorhies the "Gemsbok;" Lieut. John Roberts a sloop of war; Lieut. William C. Rogers the gunboat "Anderson" and also the "Huntsville;" Lieut. Henry Pitman an armed schooner; Master Thos. W. Hutchinson who also commanded the "Huntsville;" Ma.ster Abraham A. Very, for a time, the " Cambridge," and Ensign Charles Boyer the " Yantic;" Ensign Robert H. Carey who also commanded the " Anderson " and Ensign Charles Wilkins a gunboat; Ensign James S. Williams commanded a vessel in one of the blockading squadrons and Ensign William M. Swasey a dispatch boat. Others no doubt may have held similar commands, many were executive officers and nearly all were given responsibilities in excess of the requirements of their nominal rank in the service.

The names of officers and seamen are found in the appended list of those who entered the two services during the Civil War, and the work they did appears in the wonderful record of the navy; in the blockading squadrons; attacking the strong works of the enemy on the coast and on the banks of our great rivers, and sweeping distant seas in pursuit of his nimble privateers.

A few officers and enlisted men from Salem also served with regiments not of this State, but it has not been possible to note any facts regarding such regiments. Their names appear in the appended list.

It is with reluctance that the imperfect record of this great war is finished. If it may seem monotonous, it is the monotony of numerous gallant deeds performed simultaneously by many men. Greater variety might imply less heroism ; and the history of men intent on one great purpose may well like that of succeeding events, repeat itself.

The military history of Salem must end with the events of 1865 ; for since that date there has been no war nor hardly rumor of war in the land, excepting where away in the western country the indomitable red man still occasionally stirreth up a little strife. In closing, it may only be added that volumes might be written of the valiant deeds performed for two centuries by her sons afloat and ashore. Perhaps enough has been here suggested, however, to indicate that this quiet city can, on occasion, hold her own with many an old fighting town, and that amid the arts of peace here cultivated so assiduously, the strong spirit of war slumbers but lightly in the breasts of her people, ready to be aroused at the first menace to the rights and liberties of the nation/

1 The writer of the foregoing article begs to acknowledge his indebtedness for many facts to Felt's "Annals of Salem," Coggeshall's "Privateers," many papers in the HistoricalCoUectionsoftlie Essex Institute and the files of the Salem Gazette, in addition to the usual fields of historical research.

An enlistment, August 15, 1777, to reinforce the American army till last of November, as one-sixth of the able-bodied militia of Salem, according to a resolve of General Court, August 8th.

Of Rebellion

Note. - The foregoing List of Soldiers of the Revolution is taken from Felt's Annals of Salem, with a little addition ; as also that of the Privateers of that War. The List of Privateers of the War of 1812 is the one made by Mr. Leavitt, found in the Historical Collections of the Esse.x In.stitute ; while the lists of those serving in the War of the Rebellion were carefully compiled for me from all sources by Mr. F. V. Wright, and are believed to be very nearly correct. It was desired to append a list of those from Salem who had attained rank and distinction in the regular army and navy throughout our history but in the accessible rosters their residences when appt inted are not given. C. A. B.