Essex County, Massachusetts - Chapter 40, 1888

The Civil War

At twenty minutes past four o'clock on the morning of April 12, 1861, a shell from Sullivan's Island aimed at Fort Sumter announced the open defiance of rebellion. The loyal cities and towns of the North were alert for such tidings. About a week previously two of the selectmen of Danvers, William Dodge, Jr., and Charles Chaplin, had issued their warrant for a town meeting " to hear an act on the petition of A. A. Putnam and others to see if the town will raise or appropriate any money in aid of the families of such citizens of the town as may enlist to serve in the Volunteer Militia of the Commonwealth or take any action thereon." This is the first intimation on the town records of preparations for probable war. But the news from Sumter brought the citizens together sooner than the day appointed for town meeting. The first "war meeting" was held in the town hall, April 16th, and was crowded with earnest and enthusiastic men. Arthur A. Putnam, Esq., presided. In some recently written reminiscences he says, " the meeting, though stormy in applause and verbally bellicose, was very aimless and likely to end in talk alone until a modest and unfamiliar voice in the town hall reminded the assemblage that the meeting was not for eloquence, but enlistment." The voice was that of Nehemiah P. Fuller, who stepped forward to sign the company roll which Nathaniel A. Pope had received permission from the State Department to recruit. At least one other name preceded Fuller's, that of Ruel B. Pray, who has the distinction of being the first recruit in a Danvers company ; others followed that night, and in six days the roll was full and ready for organization. As the company was soon given the name of the Danvers Light Infantry, it will bespoken of by that name. Election of officers resulted as follows : Captain, Nehemiah P. Fuller; First Lieutenant, William W. Smith ; Second Lieutenant, Ruel B. Pray; Third Lieutenant, William W. Gould ; Fourth Lieutenant, D. W. Hyde. Captain Fuller, who was promoted during the war to major of the Second Heavy Artillery, was a son of Putnam Fuller, of this town, and a descendant of Lieutenant David, brother of General Israel Putnam, being a grandson of Major Ezra Putnam, one of the founders of Ohio. He had seen service in the Mexican War, and was just the man to command a company of willing but raw recruits. After the war he removed to Missouri, but returned here in broken health in the fall of 1880, and died February 3, 1881.

Immediately after the meeting of April 16th, some young men at the Plains took steps to organize another company. In the course of a week the number, fifty, were recruited, and met in the unfinished rooms of the Maple Street School-house, where the first lessons in drill were given by Benjamin E. Newhall. Organization was effected in due form, April 30th, in the Bank Hall, where the following officers were elected : Captain, Arthur A. Putnam ; Lieutenants, Benjamin E. Newhall, Charles H. Adams, Jr., William J. Roome, George W. Kenney. Mr. Newhall not qualifying, the other lieutenants were each promoted one degree, and Elbridge W. Guilford was added.

Captain Putnam, then a lawyer here, now of Ux-. bridge, Mass., was a native of Danvers, a son of Hon. Ellas Putnam. This year, 1887, he delivered the Memorial Day Address before an audience which included many survivors of his old comrades, and later published in the Danvers Mirror a full and interesting account of the history of his company up to th,e time of leaving for the front. Mr. R. B. Pray had previously printed a short sketch of Capt. Fuller's Company. A newspaper clipping says of Capt. Putnam that he had no previous military training, " but possessing that energy and spirit noted in the Puritan blood, will soon make himself a proficient commander."

No sooner had the two companies organized than the ladies of the town devoted their energies to the making of uniforms and other necessary clothing. Gothic Hall was the busy scene of their labors. The men who enlisted expected active service at once, and were eager for it. But the time which ensued between organization and final acceptance by the State authorities and assignment to a State camp extended from days to long weeks, and made it serious business keeping the men together. Many of them had families to support, and while patriotism did not flag, the bread and butter question at home was quite as vital as the question of slavery a thousand miles away. There were no bounties at this time ; it was only by constant and generous contributions of money and provisions that the men were encouraged to hold out. But by dint of much patient forbearance both companies were kept intact, and maintained thorough drill. Long practice marches were taken through neighboring towns, and charges were occasionally made at double-quick to dislodge an imaginary enemy on the top of Folly Hill. For some time the Light Infantry went into camp by themselves, at East Gloucester, such a move being deemed expedient. Captain Putnam's company used Berry's pasture, now the Trotting Park, for a training-field. The local newspapers of the day contain such items as these :

" On Sunday morning, May 19th, the two Danveis cornpanieB marched with drum and fife to the Maple Street Church, and in the afternoon they attended the Universalist Church.

"Tuesday, May 28th. The Putnam Guards, a well ordered company of 79 men, of un average age of 27 years, passed through our place this afternoon, on their way to Salem. Their motion was nimble, their action strong and their eye quick and piercing. They have been accustomed to toil and moderate fare without luxuries, and will do the State good service when summoned to the field."

"Of visitors at Gothic Hall while the ladies, as before mentioned, were immersed In the manufacture of the uniforms, there came one day Mrs. Julia A. Philbrick, of Boston, who, warmed at the sight of the scene, went away carrying it as an fmpressive picture in miud. A few days later she addressed an appreciative letter to one of the chief workers, Miss Anne L. Page, and in it embraced a proffer in those pleasant words : -

" ' I have used my pen in your behalf, and to-day have the pleasure of informing you that, if your Company is called the Puttiam Guards,' they shall have a Banner worthy the name they bear. There is living in Peterborough, N. H., a most noble and patriotic lady, who bears that honored name, whose father^was born in Danvers, yes, beneath the very roof with the old General (that dear old home, the home of my childhood) - to this lady, Miss Catherine Putnam, you are indebted for this proffered benefaction.'

"The proposition for the name was duly submitted to the Company, unanimously adopted and the Flag at once became a matter of joyous aniicipation."

The presentation of the flag, May 22, 1861, was an event of great interest. A stand draped with the national colors was reared in front of the Bank Building, and during the exercises the Square and all the surrounding buildings were densely crowded with spectators. Mr. Nathaniel Hills, principal of the High School presided, and Hon. John D. Philbrick, then superintendent of schools in Boston, to whom this honor had been assigned by the donor of the flag, made the presentation speech. On the same occasion Kev. A. P. Putnam, then of Roxbury, a brother of the commander, presented each member of the company with a Bible, accompanying the act with an impressive address. The flag was of heavy silk, and a silver plate upon its oaken staff" was thus inscribed:

Putnam Guards Danvees, Mass

It is now, and has been for many years, in the custody of John G. Weeden, one of the original members of the Guards. The Danvers Light Infantry were also given a reception before their departure for the State camp, on which occasion Rev. J. W. Putnam presented them with a silk banner in behalf of the citizens, and Allen Putnam, of Roxbury, in behalf of Miss Putnam, presented an elegant sash and sword to Captain Fuller. Side-arms were also presented to the officers by certain citizens.

It was nearly two months after the organization of the companies that they were finally called for by the State authorities. On June 11th, 1861, the Danvers Light Infantry were ordered to report at Camp Schouler, Lynnfield, and on June 24th the Putnam Guards reported at Fort Warren. The Light Infantry were assigned to the Seventeenth Volunteer Infantry, three years' men, as Company C, were mustered into the service of the United States July 22, 1861, and left for the front August 22d.

The Putnam Guards became Company I of the Fourteenth Volunteer Infantry, were mustered into service of the United States July 5, 1861, and left for the seat of war August 7th. The regiment was changed, January 1, 1862, to the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. It saw hard service and participated in engagements at Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Poplar Spring Church, Boydton Road, Hatcher's Run, Vaughn Road. The original members of both these Danvers companies may be determined by inspection of the list of soldiers which follow later on.

The first military funeral of the war, in Danvers, was that of Thomas A. Musgrave, of Captain Fuller's company, who died August 9, 1861, at the Lynnfield camp hospital. The whole regiment marched to the Universalist Church, where the services were held. Private William F. Guilford, a member of the Salem City Guards, was buried under arms a few weeks later from Dr. Braman's Church.

At the town meeting of May 25, 1861, which had been already called when news came of the attack on Fort Sumter, A. A. Putnam presided and Dr. Ebenezer Hunt presented a series of resolutions, which were adopted, one hundred and eighteen to three, in the following form, - the clergymen of the

" Whereas, War has been forced upon us without justifiable cause by traitors whose avowed object is the subversion of the Government and the dissolution of the Union by armed resistance to Law, and whereas our Patriotic fellow-citizens have been barbarously slain while hastening to the defence of the Cajdtol at the call of the Chief Magistrate in pursuance of his solemn Oath of office, and whereas our flag has been insulted, and our existence aa a nation put in peril, therefore,

" Besoh'ed, By the citizens of Danvers, in town-meeting assembled, that we will co-operate, to the fullest extent in our power, with all the good citizens throughout the whole country, in prosecuting the war with 8uch vigor as to bring it to a speedy close.

" Besolved, That animated by the glorious memories of the past, our duty to posterity, our love for the Union, our reliance upon a just God, in a righteous cause, we will devote our whole energies in the accomplishment of the object, regardless of its cost in treasure or in blood.

" Resolved, That in this Contest there can be no neutrality ; whoever isnot/orusis against us; and that all bearing arms and not ranged beneath the flag of the Union, wherever found, shall be dealt with as traitors.

"Besolved, That the Treasurer of the town be authorized to borrow a Bum, not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars, for the uses of the town for the above purposes, which shall be designated as a War Fund. In order to carry out the above Besolutions it is further

" Besolved, That a committee consisting of the Selectmen of Danvers, together with Daniel Richards, John R. Langley, C. P. Preston, E. Hunt, S. P. Fowler (a committee appointed by the citizens to disbui'se the fund raised by Voluntary Contribution), and five other gentlemen be appointed to take into consideration all applications for aid consequent upon our citizens being called upon to enlist in the service of our Country, either during the time of Drilling in anticipation of being enrolled, or while in actual service, and the said Committee are hereby authorized and empowered to render such aid to the families of any such citizens as in their judgment is needful, by a draft on the Treasury of the Town, on the War Fund, signed by such a sub-committee as said Committee shall select ; that said Committee shall hold stated and regular meetings as ofteu as once in two weeks, of which due notice shall be given, and they may hold meetings at such other times as they may deem necessary and may make all such rules and regulations in reference to the disbursing of the money appropriated as a War Fund as may from time to time be deemed expedient.

" They recommend to fill the blank in the committee, by selecting the following gentlemen, who together with those above named will distribute the Committee in the various parts of the town, viz.:

Seven months after the first town meeting, another was called for December 19, 1861, to provide for aid to the families of soldiers agreeable to an act of the special session of the Legislature. Information was first desired as to the disbursement of the ten thousand dollars raised in May, and the committee were prepared with a report containing these items :

" There has been paid out for drilling 81901.37. There has also been paid to one hundred and seveaty-three families as aid in various sums of from one dollar to five dollars and a half per week, making in the gross amount 88016.36. There is now due to families and undrawn one hundred and thirty-nine dollars, making the amount drawn from tlie Treasury 89917 73. Of this sum your Committee estimate that the sum -of five thousand-eight hundred dollars will be received from the Commonwealth."

" The Committee wil! also say that the number of families assisted at the present time is one hundred and forty-three, the ajnount now paid each family is from one to four dollars per week. Your Committee would further say, although the amount of money expended is a large ( :8um in the aggregate, yet, when we consider the condition of many of the families of the Volunteers owing to thestagnation of business and the want of employment for several months previous to their enlistment, we think the wonder is that so little has answered for the purpose. If by -even a greater sacrifice of propertjr the Government uf the Country is rescued from the unscnipulous attacks of a widespread atid atrocious rebellion, which threatens our very existence as a Nation, we ought to be exceedingly thankful : - at any rate, the tax -payers of the Town will have reason to feel that the old Town of Danvers, by encouragement of the enlistment of her patriotic sons, has not fallen from the reputation acquired in the times of the Revolution.

At an adjournment of this meeting $5000 was appropriated for soldiers' aid, in accordance with the act of May, 1861, and $500 additional to be expended under the authority of the committee appointed May 3d.

At the annual meeting, 1862, the finance committee recommendted the adoption of annexed votes proposed by the chairman of the relief committee, which were, first, that a relief committee, like that of last year, be chosen for the ensuing year to aid in the distribution of the War Fund ; second, that the sum of $15,000 be raised and appropriated for aid to soldiers' families, under the statutes ; and, third, that $500 be placed at the disposal of the relief commii tee. These measures were all passed and the committee reelected. $1000 was at the same time added to the appropriation for the town's poor.

At a meeting held in midsummer, July 25, 1862, the Governor's call for one hundred and four volunteers was considered, and, agreeable to the expressed desire of a mass-meeting of citizens held ten days before, the matter of bounty was the chief object of action. The first offer of bounty here made by the town was on the adoption of J. D. Black's motion, 96 to 1, to pay $125 "to whatever person may report himself to the selectmen of Danvers, upon his being or having been accepted into the United States service, as furnishing a part of our quota."

On August 4, 1862, the first draft was ordered, for 300,000 nine months men. Early in that month a town-meeting was held, at which it was first voted to continue the payment of bounty until our quota of volunteers was full, and to include also drafted men ; but this action was reconsidered, and Henry Fowler, Wm. E. Putnam and the Selectmen were appointed " to wait upon the Governor and to ascertain if our quota can be reduced, to get further information in regard to the draft, and to report at the next townmeeting."

On the heels of this meeting came Lincoln's call for 300,000 more men. Immediately another warrant was posted, calling upon the citizens of Danvers to meet on Monday, August 25th, to consider the call. A motion that the selectmen open a recruiting ofiice and pay $100 bounty to each recruit volunteering and making one of the quota under the call, was successfully amended to $125.

The committee appointed August 12th, to attempt to secure a reduction of the quota, presented a letter to the Adjutant-General in the following forcible and direct terms :

"The Town has paid to Volunteers under General Order No. 26 Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($8750). By the Adjutant- General's Report to the Leg. of 1862 the town of Danvers had furnished for the war Eight officers and Two hundred and fifty-six privates, giving one Volunteer to fifteen inhabitants of the town, under the State census of 1855.

" This proportion exceeds that of the towns of Beverly, Gloucester, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lynn, Marblehead, Newburyport, Salem and South Danvers, from 9 to 57 per cent.

" The ninety-nine Volunteers received and put into the service of the United States since last December makes the same disproportion between the town of Danvers and the towns above referred to, hold good.

" The assessor* of 1861, in Danvers, mistaking the law on this matter, returned aliens on the Militia Roll, which materially increased our number liable to do military duty.

" The town of Danvers does not shrink from any duty imposed on her in this great crisis of our Country, neither will she fail to do her part in furnishing men to crush out this rebellion, but knowing from the above facts tliat the town has furnished more men in proportion to her Inhabitants than the other large towns in the County, and feeling that the payment of the bounty to the thirty-four Volunteers required to fill the quota for Danvers of 104 men, will be burdensome beyond what strict equality would require of us, we ask, therefore, that the town, by furnishing seventy men under General Order No. 26, may be considered as having filled her quota."

In seventeen days, another meeting to act on propositions for more bounties, for three-years' men and drafted men, principals or substitutes. A motion made by Samuel Moore in the afternoon failed of passing, because but fifty-four voted for it, less than the by-laws required - it was hard work to get the requisite number together, so many were away during the war - but in the evening it passed, eighty to twelve, namely to pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each person, resident in town, who had enlisted for three years of the war, and was not already in receipt of a bounty, " provided said person has served nine months, or has been earlier discharged on account of injuries received in service ; said bounty to be payable at the end of said volunteer's service." It was immediately voted to extend the bounty to drafted men.

Busy times, these, for selectmen and voters. While this meeting of the 11th was in session a warrant for still another meeting had already been two days posted, the special object being the consideration of a matter, which was disposed of by the unanimous adoption, eighty-six voting, of these resolutions presented by W. L. Weston :

" Whereas, at a legal meeting of the town on the 25th day of August last, it was voted ' to pay a bounty of 8125 to each recruit volunteering in the service of the United States, and making one of the town's quota under the call of the President for 300,000 military for nine months service,' and

" Whereas, acting under the belief that the town might be called upon for a considerable number of recruits to fill this requisition, a successful effort has been made to raise a Company under Capt. A. G. Allen - said Company having made arrangements by which it is to form a part of the 8th Regt. now being recruited under Col. Coffin, and have already placed themselves in Camp, and

"Whereas, it now appears to be uncertain whether the men so raised will be required as part of the town's quota, thus rendering said vote inoperative,

"Therefore, in view of the patriotic action of the young men composing said Company, and that the faith of th» town has been pledged to them and also in view of the fact that other calls for men may be made upon the town, it is hereby

"Voted, that the town will pay a bounty of 125 dollars to each resident of Danvers who has volunteered, or may volunteer as a member of Capt. A. G. Allen's Company, upon his having been accepted and sworn into the United States service.

" Voted, that the town Treasurer be and is hereby authorized to hire a sum of money sufficient to pay the bounties mentioned in the above vote."

The names of the company here referred to. Company K, Eighth Regiment, nine months' men, mustered in October 1, 1862, and discharged August 7, 1863, will be found further on. The regiment sailed from Boston November 7, 1862, under Colonel Coffin, of Newburyport, for Newbern, N. C, and in June, 1863, was transferred to Baltimore, thence to Maryland Heights and experienced hard service in the pursuit of Lee after the battle of Gettysburg.

The adoption of the resolutions in regard to Captain Allen's company was the only business this meeting could in strictness consider. But there was a man present with something in his pocket to read, the man who in the first war town-meeting had voiced the determination of his fellow- citizens to stand by the government, who, long years before, had stood up to strike the first blow for temperance, and had been foremost in every reform and the uncompromising foe of wrong in whatever guise, and who, with the courage of his convictions, entered active service in the war despite his advancing years - Doctor Ebenezer Hunt. There is a ring to his words not unlike certain resolutions already quoted which came from the ancestors of these very men, citizens of Danvers in town-meeting assembled, in those other days which tried men's souls :

"Whereas - The town of Danvers has already furnished more than her full quota of men, and is ready and willing to send more if necessary, and to expend her last dollar in defence of the Common Country, Therefore -

" Resolved, that the citizens have a right to ask and do ask the Government for a vigorous prosecution of the war and that nothing shall be permitted to stand in the way of the progress of our armies in crushing out the rebellion and restoring to our country a speedy and permanent peace.

-' Resolved - That had there been no slavery, there would have been no rebellion, and as the rebellion will continue so long as slavery exists, we, the citizens of Danvers, in town meeting assembled, ask, that the war forced upon us by the rebels in defence of slavery, shall be so prosecuted as to leave no vestige ot that accursed institution."

election, 1862, John A. Andrew received four hundred and twenty-six votes to one hundred and fifty for Charles Devens, Jr. February 9, 1863, five thousand dollars was appropriated for military aid.

At the annual meeting of 1863 the relief committee which had been at work during the previous year, reported that they had assisted two hundred and fiftyone families. "At the present time," they say, " the number is reduced to one hundred and ninety families receiving aid in various ways from one dollar per week to twelve dollars per month." A relief committee for the ensuing year were chosen, - Drs. Hunt and Chase, William Dodge, Jr., Nathan Tapley, John A. Sears, C. H. Gould, Josiah Gray, C. P. Preston, S. P. Fowler and Philemon Putnam!

At this time S. D. Shattuck and others petitioned for the purchase by the town of a lot in Walnut Grove Cemetery for the burial of deceased soldiers, and the selectmen were instructed to purchase the lot which has been used for this purpose.

The vote of September 11, 1862, as to bounty for three years' men was prospective ; no appropriation was then made. It became necessary to think about a large appropriation. If at any time after nine months' service the war should end, these bounties would be at once payable. So in midsummer, 1863, a special meeting was called toseeif the town would raise money to defray the expenditure contemplated by the vote of September 11th. This meeting, held first July 3d, afterseveral adjournments unanimously voted to appropriate fifty thousand dollars for the purpose, a sum solarge that Mr. Howard underlined the words when he entered the vote on the permanent records of the town. This amount was never paid nor raised, for the reason that certain citizens petitioned for an injunction, on the ground that such an appropriation was illegal, prohibiting the borrowing or payment of money under said vote. The case came before the Supreme Court in January, 1864, and is reported in Massachusetts Reports, 8 Allen 80, under the title "Samuel P. Fowler and others vs. Selectmen and Treasurer of Danvers." The decision turned on the interpretation of the statute of 1863, ch. 38, entitled "An act to legalize the doings of towns in aid of the war," and the court held that the statute while covering appropriations for bounties to induce enlistment, did not legalize a vote to pay money to persons who had already enlisted in the service of the United States.

There was a light vote for Governor in the fall of 1863, - Andrew receiving two hundred and seventy, Henry W. Paine forty-seven. At the March meeting of 1864, Dr. Hunt was again on hand with a report from his relief committee ; two hundred and fortyfive families, he said, had received State aid.

"Your committee propose to make no prediction in relation to a speedy peace. This subject is still a question of time. We can only say the omens are auspicious, and that if the people of the Loyal States shall do their duty in sustaining the Government in a vigorous prosecution of the war, and In following the leadings of Providence in the path of Justice and Humanity, and if the heads of the Departments and other Politicians at the Capitol interest themselves as heartily in crushing out the Rebellion, as in making a new President, our honored flag will at length wave in triumph over a regenerated and glorious Union, inhabited only by Freemen."

At this same March meeting of 1864, fifteen thousand dollars were appropriated " for families of volunteers who have enlisted or may enlist during the present war." Once only in the summer of 1864 was there a special meeting, occasioned by the President's call for five hundred thousand more men, and at this time an appropriation of eleven thousand two hundred and fifty dollars was made for the purpose of filling our quota under this call.

At the presidential election in the fall of 1864, the Lincoln electors received five hundred and ninety-two Danvers votes against one hundred and twenty-five for the McClellan electors; John G. Whittier, of Amesbury, whom Danvers is now so j^roud to claim among its residents, was chosen elector from the Essex District over S. Endicott Peabody, of Salem. For Governor, John A. Andrew received five hundred and ninety-six votes; H. W. Paine, one hundred and twenty-five.

December 19, 1864, another call. "We're coming. Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more ! " On the day after Christmas men read a warrant, summoning them to meet on the fourth day of the new year to face a demand for still more money. Voters were slow of coming forward, and, as on some other occasions during the war, adjournments and rallyingcommittee tactics were necessary ; but finally, by a large vote, it was decided to pay another bounty of $125 to each volunteer going to fill the town's quota under the new call.

Before November the men whom the majority of Massachusetts citizens had kept at the head of the State Government in these years of trial, had done with life. At the election of 1865 Danvers helped to elect his successor, Alexander H. Bullock, of Worcester, by a vote of 588, to 64 for Darius N. Couch, of Taunton.

In the warrant for the annual meeting of 1868 appeared this article : " To see what action the town will take on the petition of S. P. Cummings and others to appropriate a suna of money for the purpose of erecting a suitable monument or tablets whereon shall be inscribed the names, age and date of death, of all Danvers soldiers and sailors who fell in the late war for the union." The matter, when reached, was referred to a committee, one from each school district: No. 1, William Dodge, Jr.; No. 2, E. T. Waldron ; No. 3, J. F. Bly ; No. 4, William R. Putnam; No. 5, Dean Kimball ; No. 6, George Andrews; No. 7, Timothy Hawkes ; No. 8, Rufus Putnam. S. P. Cummings was added.

At an adjournment, this committee reported recommending the erection of a monument at a cost of not less than three thousand dollars, that fifteen hundred dollars be appropriated by the town and the balance by subscription, through a committee of one from each district. The committee already appointed were made a subscription committee, to report at a meeting specially called when they should have secured the required sum.

At the March meeting the next year, 1869, the committee reported that they " have attended to their duty, and by the patriotism and generosity of our citizens we have been enabled to raise the required sum. The committee would, with the consent of the Trustees of the Peabody Park, recommend that place as the most appropriate for the erection of said monument."

The old committee were elected for the ensuing year, with the addition of the selectmen. But the question of location was not easily settled. At the next March meeting, 1870, a motion was introduced to place the monument in front of the Town House, but was withdrawn to give place to the proposition that, at the adjourned meeting a ballot-box be so placed that citizens might informally express in writing their preferences for location. The result of this ballot showed ninety-three votes for Peabody Park, and sixty -six for the Town House yard.

May 2d, Simeon Putnam was added to the committee. On that same day it was reported that the Trustees of the Peabody Institute had declined, on account of some legal objection, to allow the monument to be erected in the park. In the meantime, March 21st, an additional appropriation of sixteen hundred dollars was voted.

In June a special meeting was called to consider several important subjects, first of which was the report of the monument committee. Those Avho strongly favored the park as a location disliked to accept the decree of the trustees as final. Some one, to fame unknown, succeeded in getting recorded a pithy motion "that the Monument be paid for and stored until consent be obtained of the original

Mr. Augustus Mudge moved that the committee be instructed to place the monument on the Common at Danvers Centre. The motion was declared carried, was doubted, and on division was declared carried, one hundred and thirty-five to eighty-five. To clinch the matter, a vote was taken to re-consider, and lost.

This seemed decisive. Doubtless the inhabitants of the Centre, as they passed old Deacon Ingersoll's training field on some of those summer evenings, saw with no great stretch of imagination certain ghostly monumental outlines rising from the green sod, where soon the substantial shaft would consecrate anew the historic ground. But no. In just one week a warrant was issued to act on a petition for the relocation of the Soldiers' Monument. The meeting was held July 11th. Dr. Hunt moved for a re-location within half a mile of the flag-staif at the Plains. On a large vote by ballot the motion was carried, - yeas, 264; nays, 161. The definite location was then left with the committee, who decided upon the Town House yard. The monument was dedicated November 30, 1870, It is of Hallowell granite, thirtythree and one-quarter feet high, and seven and threequarters feet square at the base ; its total cost, $6298.- 20, towards which sum Edwin Mudge contributed the larger part of his two years' salary as the Representative in the Legislature of the district composed of Danvers and Wenham, the remainder being presented to the latter town for a similar object. The names inscribed upon the monument are these :

A special meeting was called a week before Decoration Day, 1872, to see if the town would appropriate a sum of money in aid of Post 90, G. A. R., for the expenses of Memorial Day, and by a vote of eightyfour to two, two hundred dollars was appropriated. Each subsequent year at the annual meeting an amount varying from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars has been devoted to this purpose. Ward Post, 90, G. A. R., was organized June 8, 1869.

The list of Danvers volunteers which follows is made up chiefly from the official lists of Massachusetts volunteers compiled by Adjutant-General Schouler. These two large volumes contain a hundred and fifty thousand names, more or less, arranged only according to organization, and not according to towns, and therefore a close scrutiny of the entire list has been necessary to ascertain every Danvers volunteer credited to the quota of the State. It is thought that no omissions have been made. Some errors have been noticed and corrected ; if others appear, the respon-sibility must rest on the official authority, referred to. The figures opposite the names give the age of first enlistment.

The members of the Danvers Light Infantry and of the Putnam Guards were not the first volunteers from Danvers. A number enlisted in the two Salem companies assigned to the Fifth Regiment, three months' men, mustered in May 1, 18G1. In Company A, known as the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry, were these :

These men arrived at Annapolis April 24th, and were mustered into United States service as stated. They bore an honored part in the disastrous battle of Bull Run, July 21st, exactly three months after the regiment left Faneuil Hall. Henry T. Briggs was there taken prisoner, and was exchanged in 1862.

Company

Names of original members of the " Putnam Guards" not given above, are Thomas Turney, corp., George Beard, Frank A. Burrill, John F. Dudley, Ezra S. Dudley, George A. Dodge, Edwin E. Dodge, George G. Esty, Charles M. Goodwin, Wm. Johnson Charles F. Jordan, Albert F. Putnam, Addison W. Putnam, Kendall F. Richardson, Philemon R. Russell, Jr., Wm. Shackley, Ira T. Trask, John E. Tiney, drummer, John Wesel.

Fourth Regiment Heavy Artillery

Two companies of sharpshooters, three years' men, were recruited at Lynnfield, and left for Washington in December, 1861. In the first company, which was ordered to report to General Lander near Maryland Heights were the following Danvers men :

In the Salem Cadets, which organization performed garrison duty in Boston Harbor from May 26, 1862, to October 11, 1862. were these Danvers men :