Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 40 of those read), 1889

Military

Leominster haa an honorable war record. She would, indeed, be unworthy both of her ancestors and the times of her birth, if in all the struggles for liberty, she had not made full proof of her patriotism. It is true that the first settlers of the town had no personal experience of the tomahawk and the scalping-knife; but the story of what their fathers had suffered was a close remembrance ; and these hardy pioneers had barely time to build their rude homes, " establish God's house in the wilderness," connect the hill-tops by roads and erect here and there a mill to grind their corn and saw their logs, when the alarm of war sounded at the North, and the sword did not, for the next ihirty-and-five years, rest easy in its scabbard. The origin and the early environments of the town were favorable for the growth of patriotism : and so it is no surprise to find that in all wars, where the records can be obtained, Leominster was at the front.

Leominster hardly knew herself to be a town when King George's War began in 1744. If any requisition was made upon Leominster for this war, there does not appear to a record of the fact; but as the chief event was the siege and taking of Louisbourg, and as the burden of this expedition rested upon New England, and particularly upon Massachusetts, it may well be that Leominster was represented at that famous siege. Possibly some son of hers learned there that which was practiced thirty years later for England's benefit. But the past must be allowed to keep its secret as regards this war.

The French and Indian War, so called, soon followed, and in this contest we are able to find the work of Leominster. Her quota of troops was thirty-six, and these name* make a part of the list:

The following muster-roll, also, shows that a company marched from Leominster in answer to a special case of alarm. The taking of the fort was no doubt the cause of the return. Whether all were Leominster men or not cannot now be ascertained. The roll is of interest.

A muster Roll of a foot Company, commanded by Tliumas Wilder, of Leominster, detached out of Col. Oliver Wilder's Regiment, that marched on the .\Iarm for the relief of Fort William Henry .as far as Springtield. Gone 14 days.

ally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above roll that each person set thereon served the whole term and took nothing on account of the Province but what is there set forth.

Mr. Wilder, in liis history, says, that of those who were drafted, some went willingly, and others furnished substitutes : and, what is still more remarkable, all lived to return and unite in the general thanksgiving over the conquest of Cauada. This thanksgiving occurred October 9, 1760. Leominster was thus happily through the first severe war after her incorporation. Through the more serious troubles just at hand she was not to pass without the stain of blood.

If one could, in imagination, enter a Leominster home anywhere between the years 17i!5 and 1775, he would find, as the evening came on, the family gathered about the immense fire-place, discussing the darkening prospects of the Colonies and their relation to the mother country. It is likely that little mention would be made of absolute separation from England. But the spirit was only waiting motive and direction. Leominster was not disloyal; but there was liberty in her blood. England, in her selfishness, taught her Colonies to think, to organize, to pay and to fight, and they bettered the instruction. It was pleasant music to Englioh ears when, on June 17, 1745, New England men beat the triumphal march into Louisbourg; but when, on June 17, 1775, thirty years after, the same drums were heard at Lexington, the music was less agreeable. Still, it was the same old tune.

What the town did in these years of preparation may be briefly summarized. The people of Leominster were loyal to King George while King George was loyal to the Colonies ; but their allegiance to him was held within the larger feeling of liberty, - a determination to maintain their equal and just rights of freemen, to secure which they had braved exile, danger and death. In witness of this, the closing words of an address, adopted March 3, 176(3, may be quoted. The people of Boston were suffering under the laws of the British Parliament. The address was one of sympathy, and closes with these words : " We part with our creation right. We are obliged forever to iissert it, as it is our glory to be in subjection to that Supreme Power which made us free."

It appears from the spirit and temper of tliis address that the people of Leominster were not one whit behind the rest pait of Massachusetts in their love for liberty and in their willingness to take any risk for its possession. There is clear proof that this interest did not fail or become feint. For example, in September, 1768, a committee of three was appointed to meet other committees in Boston and to consider questions relating to the public good. About four years after, Leominster took occasion, in townmeeting, to approve the doings of Boston in regard to their troubles with the British government. In August, 1774, Leominster, with other towns, appointed a Committee of Correspondence. These ccmimittees were not only a means of collecting intelligence, but were also the first step towards organization, and in the end gave the country the Continental Congress.

When, in the progress of events, the port of Boston was closed, a committee was appointed to consider the state of the country, and they made this report:

We are of the opinion that aa the Delegates from the several Colonies are soon to meet in Congress, in order to point out and advise what is best to be done at this alarming crisis, it will be most proper in us to wait until we are informed what measures they reconunend before we come to any jiarticular Resolutions concerning the matter, except aa follows :

1st. That we will to the utmost of our abilities strictly and steadfastly pursue such methods as shall be n-commended by the said Congress as the most likely to recover our just rights and privileges.

'M. That we will heartily endeavor aa much as in us lays to awaken and stir uji every person to a thorough sense of the real certainty there now is of America being reduced to the most abject slavery and poverty ; and the danger there also is of the loss of our religions, aa well as our civil rights and privileges, unless we unitedly endeavor by a steady and manly opposition to prevent it.

3d. We earnestly recommend it to the consideration of this town whether it is not their indispensable duty to afford some relief to Ihr industrious poor of the town of Boston, who are really exposed to tht- Miost severe hardships by means of the late cruel Acts of Parliauieut.

4th. We recommend peace, tirmness and a manly fortitude in asserting and maintaining, to the utmost of our abilities, all our just_ lawful and constitutional rights and privileges.

When war was the only possibility, Leominster was not a moment behind. A large number, considering the population of the town, marched at once to Lexington, June 17, 1775. The names of the members of this company who belonged in Leominster are given below :

A company was at once enlisted into the service for eight months, and some of the same re-enlisted for the war. Of this company of eight months' men all but a very few were from Leominster, and for this reason their names are given below :

Not only did Leominster respond promptly and hartily to every call for men and means in the regular services, but she was ready with help in such special emergencies as came in this section of the country. It is known that in the case of Burgoyne's invasion many volunteers went to Bennington in addition to the company whose names are here printed. At this battle Thomas Joslin, a brother of the captain, was killed by the first shot of the enemy.

Roll

Roll of Captain .Tttbn Joslin's Company in Colonel .Tob Cusbing's Kegiment, who marched from Leominster for Bennington on the last of July, A.i). 1777, by order of Council, to "joyn" General Seth Warner, as follows :

From the record of those times we may pick a few points of interest and such as will throw much light upon the general spirit of the town during the Revolutionary struggle. It is clear that the people of Leominster were never moved by a mere sense of exact duty. There was manifested a large-hearted love and loyalty for the cause in all their acts, which tell how fully they had committed themselves to the service of liberty. The question was not: How can we meet this requisition so as just to relieve ourselves of its terms? but each call was filled promptly, flilly and often more. There was something left over; a spirit of largeness in the service, indicative of the love which went with the ottering. Still the men of that time, as now, did their own thinking. They could not be pushed too far even in the service of ' their country. June 3, 1778, we find that in townmeeting assembled they voted a remonstance to the "General Court," "setting forth that they had at all times fully met all calls upon them for men or material ; but so many other towns had failed in these respects as greatly to increase their burdens and that they could not much longer furnish men at their own expense." Still we find that in the next call there was no trouble or delay in furnishing the men, and when the State, in September, 1780, voted a large supply of beef for the army, Leominster paid for three hundred and thirty-four pounds more than her proportion, which was seventy-two hundred pounds. This fairly illustrates the spirit of the men who controlled this town during the Revolution.

There is another fact worthy of mention and of more than passing interest. Mr. Wilder, in his history, has this statement, which stands still uncontradicted : " Although the men of this town were loyal subjects of their King before the Revolution, yet during the whole time of the struggle for Independence no one was accused, or even suspected, of being a Tory, or unfriendly to the cause." That is worthy of remembrance, and may well be a matter of pride to the present inhabitants. All the people were loyal to the cause of freedom. It is pleasant to believe that the town did its whole duty, that there was no one within its limits who did not love the cause of the nation, labor for its success and rejoice in its triumph. It is a yoo'l reconl.

Still another point of interest appears in this, that the people of Leominster have always favored the exact defining of power on the partof the Legislature by a Constitution. Unrestricted power for State or nation was not their idea of liberty. Hence we find that the town voted by large majorities for a State Constitution and instructed their representative to work for the same. At a later period, also, the town voted in favor of adopting the National Constitution.

The method ado|)ted by the town to fill its several quotas is interesting, and at this date somewhat amusing. The town ilivided itself into cla.sses or districts. Each class was to provide and pay for a man. In this capacity the classes acted separately, levietl taxes and made contracts. The business was done in no half-pledged manner, as appears from the following contract, made by one of these classes with the man who was to serve them :

Leominster, April 10, 1781. I, the subscriber, do engage to serve in the Continental army for three years, unless sooner discharged, for the class of which Capt. Joshua Wood is the head, provided the class p.ay me two thousand dollars in paper money or silver, at the exchange, before I go, and eighteen three-year old nnddling cattle, provided I stay two years and six months ; and if I stay one year and six months said cattle are to be two years old j and if I stay but one week said cattle are to be one year old.

L.^NC.^sTER, April 12, 1781. Then passed nnister, David .Toslin, for a Continental soldier for the term of three years, and for the town of Leominster and Gapt. Joshua

This young soldier was a mere boy, and tradition says that it required high-heeled shoes and some extra under-garments to take him safely through the examination. He made a good soldier, however, served out his time and received his cattle as per agreement.

Many instances of special patriotism and the cheerful bearing of burdens incident to the times coul,d be given. The women were in no way behind tlie men in this regard, and all did their duty well. What has now been said, however, must sufBce. "The souls of the people were tried and their poclcets drained, but they stood up to the work like men."

It is not at this time possible to give any full list of those who served as regular soldiers in the army during the Revolution. Mr. Wilder mentions the names of eleven and thinks that five more were included in the first enlistment of three years' men. The late James Bennett, Esq., had at the time of his death collected a large number of the names of those who served in this and other wars, but the lists are not designated with sufficient clearness so that a full record can l)e made. Entries which were clear to him cannot now be properly placed. The record is .sufficiently full, however, so that all will admit that the town passed with credit through this great struggle.

In the Rebellion of Daniel Shays, which came but a few years later, this town fully sustained its reputation and stood firmly for law and order. Its quota of men for the militia was filled with characteristic promptness, and the town in addition furnished two of the officers - Ensign John Buss and Maj. Timothy Boutelle. The record, at this day, has its chief interest in the fact that, while Leominster furnished men to put down these insurgents, none of the insurgents themselves claimed a home within her limits.

The War of 1812. - This war is the next point of interest in the military history of the town. In common with other towns in this part of the country, Leominster, in her coriiorate capacity, does not seem to have been directly connected with this war. When our coast was threatened, a full company of artillery, under Capt. Joseph Tenney, marched to South Boston, and were on duty three months.

Without doubt some volunteers went from I^eominster, but the writer can give the names of only two - Elislia Carter, who served nine months in the Eleventh United States Infantry, from June, 1812, to March, 1813. He died at Burlington, Vt., at the age of thirty-five years. The other was Jonathan Carter, of whom no account can be given.

Civil War. - It is greatly to be regretted that so large a part of Leominster's record in the Civil War is now lost. Tlie history which could so easily have been written at the time, and which would to-day be of such incalculable interest and value, was neglected or forgotten in the hurry and excitement of the war. When men are busy in making history, they usually fail either to note its importance or record its facts. They are too near to see its bearing upon the future, too much interested in the events themselves and too large a part of the history to remember that there will ever come a time when the transactions will not be as present and vivid to the minds of all men as they are to their own thought. In this way what Leominster did and suffered in the Great Rebellion was left, for the most part, unrecorded. There was no weekly paper to chronicle the doings of the people, and the records of the town are but the dry, cold bones of what was once a life so intense that its pulsations reached and affected every home in the community.

Writing in 1852, less than ten years before the Civil War, Mr. Wilder said of the military spirit of the town : " Even at the present day, should their political rights and privileges be infringed, a vast majority of the inhabitants of this town would doubtless at once stand forth in the defence of freedom and to sustain the laws and support the Constitution, both of this Commonwealth and of the United States." This was strikingly true in the years from 1861 to 1865 ; but before giving such details of the history as can now be obtained, this general statement is proper.

The old record of the Revolution was repeated. Leominster furnished four hundred and four men, and her quota was more than full. She " stood forth " nobly and well in the defence of freedom and in support of the laws and the Constitution. The insight which we get here and there of the town during the war shows active and sustained interest, energy and zeal in doing her part in suppressing the Great Rebellion.

At the opening of the Civil War there was one company of militia in town. Company A of the Ninth Regiment. It was originally chartered as a company of artillery in 1787, and for many years two field-pieces with the necessary appliances were kept in town. The company was an honor to the State, and especially to the citizen soldiery of the town of Leominster. This is the company which has already been referred to as marching to South Boston during the War of 1812. After this war it was changed into an infantry company. The first move in the War of the Rebellion, so far as Massachusetts had any part, was to muster the militia companies of the difl'erent towns into the service of the United States for three months. Company A, of Leominster, desired to go under this call, but was too late, as it had been decided to accept only such as would enlist for three years. The form of agreement was this :

" We, the undersigned, by our signatures hereto annexed, do hereby severally agree to serve as members of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged, from the date of our being mustered into the service, in accordance with the terms of the i)roclamation of the President of the United States, issued May 3d, 1861." Under these conditions this old Company A enlisted as Company A in Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment. To their first offer of services the following reply was received :

Cosimonwealth Of Massachusetts

Dear Sir, - Your letter of the 7th instant, enclosing the offer of your Company to serve three yeai-s in according with the President's proclamation, gives pleasure to the department.

The promptness with which you respond, as well as the eagerness you manifest, is honorable to yourselves and gratifying to those at headquarters.

This company was, however, mustered into service on the 12th of July following, and contained, we suppose, the first soldiers who went to the Cival War from Leominster.

The occasion of the departure of this company, June 28, 1861, was the first great day of the war for Leominster. The citizens presented Captain Rockwood with a sword before the company left town, and the people were present in great numbers to bid the soldiers "Godspeed." The presentation speech was made by Rev. Eli Fay, of the Unitarian Church, and Mr. Ward M. Cotton, a former captain of this company, was marshal of the day. Rev. Mr. Fay was full of patriotic enthusiasm and we give a few words of his speech, which must have been one of unusual power :

Your fellow-citizens have thought it proper to make some expression of their appreciation of your willingness to leave the quiet scenes in which you have so long mingled and to serve your race, your country and your God on the battle-field ; and they have chosen me as their representative, to express, as words can but feebly express, the satisfaction we feel that you are willing to go and to lead a goodly number of our feUow-citizens to the field of mortal combat Cif need be) in defense of the liberties of our country. . . . Sir : We have given you ovir men - inir young men - we have given them, understanding the awful hazard of war, and I charge you, before God, to bring them back to us alive, or bring back to our distressed country, in order and liberty, the price of their blood. And as a slight testimonial of the profound sympathy which the connnunity feel for you in view of the trying and responsible duties of your post, they have requested nie to present this sword to you. Sir: Slinister of the gospel of peace as I am, yet, under the circumstances, I cheerfully comply with that request. . . .

Mr. Fay was a man of intense convictions upon the questions of the war, and no man in Leominster did more efficient service than he in helping on the good cause. In this connection it is interesting to note how the same events appeared to one of the soldiers of this company. It helps us to get around on the other side of these things and see how little, after all, most men realized the severe work on hand. The record is made by the first sergeant of the company, and one whose name is now on the Leominster Soldier's Monument.

Leominster, June 28, 18(51. Agreeable to orders, the Company met at their Armory at 8 o'clock A.M., and, putting on the new Uniform, fitting some new members, after a short Drill under the Captain, numbering seventy officers & privates, thfy were dismissed till llj-:^ a.m., when they met again, forming in line before the Old Armory, give it three rousing cheers before leaving it for the Seat of War. The Company then marched into the Street, where a large delegation of the citizens of Ijeominster, under command of Mr. Ward M. Cotton, formerly Captain of the Old Artillery Company, forming a Guard of Honor, escorted the Company to the Town Hall, where a collation was in readiness for the members of the Company and their friends.

After being seated, air. Ward M. Cotton, in behalf of the citizens of Leominster, invited the Company to a social dinner, and as the soldiers needed no urging, all fell to with a will, and an enormous mass of eatables disappeared in a wonderful short time.

At 12^ o'clock P.M. order was given to "fall in," and, escorted by the guard of honor, the Company marched through the principal streets to the Depot on the Fitchbnrg and Worcester Railroad, where a halt was made. The last Good-ry and " God hli'ssyon " were whispered to the soldiers by losy lips and a last hearty grip between friends.

The experience of this day was not peculiar to Leominster ; but was part of the general history of the times. Most of the towns started ofi' their first soldiers with music, feasting and speaking. It seems well, even at this writing, that it was so ; for the fearful work of the future was thus hidden for a moment, and the hearts of men burned with patriotic zeal. If the suffering and death had been seen from the beginning, it might not have been as easy to leave home and friends for the safety of the country.

Below, the names of the original members of Company A are given. The roll is of interest because it contains the first who enlisted from Leominster, and it is given in full because all the commissioned officers and so many of the privates were from this town.

The muster-roll of Company A, Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, mustered into service of the United States July 12, 1861, by Captain Marshall, United States Army, and certified by Captain Rockwood :

Leoininaier Soldiers in the Civil War. - Of course many of the men credited to Leominster under the different calls, were citizens of other towns at the time of enlistment. These are included in the four hundred and four above-named. Nor is it supposed that the list of Leominster men is complete. Perhaps it would not now be possible to obtain all the names. At the time it would have been comparatively easy to trace the history of each man who enlisted from Leominster and to give his full war record. The favorable moment was not improved and now the information has mostly gone with the actors themseli'es. The list here given, therefore, does not claim to be complete. Such as it is, it will be found interesting:

Prirate Ac/ion. - Before considering what action the town, as a town, took to encourage enlistment, the work of private citizens in this direction may well And place. In many, if not most of the towns in the State, considerable sums of money were raised by subscription for the purposes of a recruiting fund. It appears from the following list that Leominster was not behind in this regard. As this paper is the only one found and bears the date of 18tU, it is very likely a summary of several subscriptions:

Recruiting Fund

Town Action. - This brings the record naturally to the corporate action of the town, as the first vote relates to a private subscription. The summaiy of votes here given makes the action and the spirit of the town as clear as it can be made in the space allowed to this sketch :

Ata town-meeting held May 6, 1861, a letter to the" selectman from Johnson C. Bun-age, Alvah A. Burrage, Charles C. Burrage (three noble brothers), sonsof Leominster, residing in Boston, enclosing the sum of seven hundred dollars, afterward increased to ^10, was read, and was OS follows: "We desire to have the money aiipropriated to purchase of Revolvers, Pistols, to be used by the Patriotic Citizens composing Company ' A ' of the 9fh Regt., Light Infantry, in defense of the Government and Liberties of our Country." Feeling assured that our dear old native town will ever do her part in sustaining and defending the free institutions transmitted to na by our fathers, we are, with great respect, (Signed) John.son C. Burrage, etc.

"Resolved, That the generous and timely gift of our esteemed friends, Messrs. Burrage, of Boston, excites in us feelings of lively gratitude ; and responding, as we do, most heartily to the patriotic sentiments contained in the letter, covering the gift, we assure them that the love of freedom and of right, so nobly vindicated by the Citizens of their native Town in 1776, is still maintained and cherished here in 1861."

At the same meeting tlie treasurer was authorized to borrow five thousand dollai-s and the same appropriated for the relief of the families of siich citizens of the town as may be called into the military service of the United States the present year ; and to refund such sums of money as shall have been already advanced for the proper outfit of such citizens as may be called into such service, and a committee of ten was chosen, who, with the selectmen, were charged witii the duty of administering to the relief of soldiers' families.

At a town-meeting held Sept. 2, 1861, the selectmen were instructed to furnish aid to soldiers' families conteniplateii in Chap. 222 of the laws of 1861.

Sept. 2, 1862, the town voted to pay 8100 bounty to each volunteer to fill the town's quota under the President's call, August 4, 1862, and the treasurer was authorized to borrow 86000 for tliat purpose.

A larger number than was called for from this town having volunteered, at the town-meeting, held Nov. 4, 1862, it was voted to pay said additional number the bounty of $100 each.

.\ugu8t 29, 1803, the town voted to pay into the treasury of the State its proportion of money for the reimbursement of bounties, as provided in Chap. 218 of the laws of 1803, and authorize their treasurer to borrow the sum required.

At the same meeting the town authorized their treasurer to borrow 83000 and the selectmen were instructed to apply the same for the relief of soldiers' families.

Also the sum of 812 per month was voted as special relief to the family of Michael Kennepeck, as long as he remains in the United States' service.

The sum of 9600 was appropriated to be expended at the discretion of the selectmen for relief of soldiers' families in addition to the aid already provided for *y the votes of the town.

" Eesolved, That the town raise and approjiriate tlie sum 86875, that the same be assessed at the next annual assessment, and that the selectmen draw their orders on the treasurer for the sum of 8125 for each and every volunteer furnished by the town, who has not already received that amount from a fund contributed by the citizens of the town under a call of the President dated Oct. 17, 1863, and February 1, 1864.

*' Also that the selectmen be instructed to reimburse from the treasurer such sums of money as citizens of the town have contributed for the purpose of raising volunteers since Feb. 11, 1864, according loan act passed March 15, 1864.

" JResolved, That the town raise and appropriate the sum of 84000, to be paid as bounties to volunteers to fill the quota of Leominster, under the call of the President, dated March 4, 1864.

" Resolved, That the town offer a bounty of 8125 to each citizen of the town now in service of the United States, who may re-enlist as a part of its quota."

July 27, 1864, the treasurer was authorized to borrow 87250, and the selectmen were authorized to expend the same in procuring this town's proportion of soldiers under the call of July 18, 1864, by the payment of bounties to volunteers.

Jan. 2, 1865, the town voted to raise the sum of $3375 by loan in anticipation of receipts, and the selectmen were authorized to expend said amount in procuring volunteers to fill the quota of the town under the call of Dec. 19, 1864, and at an adjonrned meeting, held Feb. 13, 1865, the sum of 82750 was added to the amount voted January 2d, for the purpose of procuring volunteers.

From the record given above it appears that the town raised over forty thousand dollars in specific sums, and that aid and bounty was often voted where it is not easy to ascertain the exact amount. Leominster, therefore, dealt most liberally with all the questions growing out of the war.

Soldiers' Aid Society. - In addition to the sums raised by the town and by individuals, this society did most efficient service. It was organized October 7, 1861. The object, as expressed in the constitution, was "To furnish articles for the relief and comfort of the soldiers.'' The first officers were: President, Mrs. J. W. Backus; Vice-President, Miss H. Nichols; Secretary, Mrs. E. Y. White ; Treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Joiden ; Directors, Miss Eudocia Hatch, Mrs. Emerson Prescott, Mrs. Solon Carter, Miss Carrie Colburn, Mrs. M. Richardson, Mrs. William Morse, Mrs. Liberty Kendall, Mrs. Eli Fay.

The following is an abstract of the work of this society from its organization until June 27, 18(53, at which time a large amount of ho.spital supplies were forwarded :

Summary of Articles sent for the First Ihvo Years. - 4 barrels dried apples, 2 barrels crackers from School Ward No. 6, 12 boxes filled with wine, vinegar, jellies and preserves for the sick ; the following is a list of articles: 720 shirts, 238 sheets, 296 pillowcases, 627 pairs socks, 399 pairs drawers, 153 pairs

The material sent during the last years was in about the same proportion and amount. There were one hundred and fifty-eight women connected with this society ; they held one hundred and fifteen public meetings during the war for work, besides preparing many entertainments for the purpose of raising funds to carry on their enterprise. It is not now possible to give any estimate of the value of the material contributed. It must have been several thousand dollars, to say nothing of that value which all service of this kind possesses, and which cannot be estimated in dollars.

It is thus seen that, both in their public and private capacity, the men and women of this town united most heartily in carrying on the work of the war. It may be safely said that Leominster left nothing undone on her part to bring back order and liberty to our distressed country.

The secret history of this war, here as elsewhere, its suffering and anguish, can never be written. Leominster dismissed her first soldiers with feasting and flying banners. This for Leominster, and on her scale, was the " pomp and circumstance of war." But when, in less than five months, her first martyr came back from the fatal field of Ball's BlufiT, Leominster understood what price the maintenance of liberty was likely to demand at her hands. She paid this fall price in blood before 1865. Company A of the old Fifteenth saw almost two-score battles, and there was hardly any part of the service to which Leominster did not pay full tribute. Of this, the names on her monument are a swift witness.

Soldiers' Moriumrnt. - In the spring of ISdO the town appropriated the necessary funds for a soldiers' monument. The committee to whose hands was committed the work of carrying out the wishes of the town was John H. Lockey, Leonard Burrage, Joel Smith, Solon Carter and William Tilton.

The monument is a handsome shaft of Quincy granite. The base is six feet, ten inches square. The first stone above the base bears the names of the four battles in which Leominster soldiers were especially engaged, - Ball's Bluft', Gettysburg, Port Hudson and Knoxville. Upon the four sides of the die are the names of the men who were killed in battle or died in service. At the time of his death James Bennett, Esq., had, by the most pains-taking effort, obtained many facts in regard to each of these men. By permission of the writer of this sketch, this record, in an abbreviated and unsatisfactory form, appears in "Leominster Historical and Picturesque." The following is the record as Mr. Bennett left it, only adding a word here and there to make the sentences complete. In justice to Mr. Bennett, who, of all the men in town, seems to have been the only one who attempted to find or preserve these facts.

FitoNT Tablet (facing east). Corporal Aiidrim W. Cowdrey, son of WiUiam Cowdrey, was boin in Lnncnburg .Tune 12, 1S34 ; enlisted in Leominster, liis place of resitlence ; was innstered into the United States service July 12, 18G1, in Worcester, Ifith Regt.,Co A,, Mass. Vols , under Captain George W. Rockwood ; started for Washington August 8, I8GI. He was severely wounded in the battle of Ball's Bluff, Va., October 21st, and died of liis wounds November 3, l.SGl, at Poolsville hospital, on the Maryland shore. He left a wife and two children. He was buried in Leominster with military honors. Corporal Cowdrey was the first mai: from Leominster lost in the War of the Reliellion.

Geurge II. G.iHi/jj, private in l."itli Regt., Co. A., Mass. Vols., son of .fames B. Gallup, was boru in Leominster December 10, 1843. He enlisted at Worcester A\igust 7, 1861 ; started the next day with his company for Washington ; went with General McCIellan to the Peninsula Campaign ; was taken sick at Savage Station of typhoid fever. In the last letter he ever wrote his father he says : "Being left behind at C'hickahoniiny sick, I was taken prisoner by Major-General .Tones June 29tli. I gave one soldier my rubber blanket to carry my things; exchanged my canteen with another to assist me, and when we arrived at Richmond prison, I was put into a filtliy tobacco-house for a prison, the floor my only bed, and the 27 ilays I was a sick prisoner there I received no medicine nor medical care." He was exchanged at Fortress Monroe; was sick there of dii)htheria,and died of suffocation by falling into a foul vault August 6, 1802, at Fortress Monroe Hospital.

Corpor'd Prunklin Gardner, son of Volney Gardner, born January 8, lS41,in Sterling Mass., enlisted at Leominster into the ISth Regt., Co K, Mass. Vols; was mustered into the service of the United States at Worcester, July 12, 1801, and went to the front with bis company ; was in the battle of Ball's Bluff, the I'eninsula Campaign under General McCIellan. Rev. Eli Fay, then a pastor in Leominster, after the battle of .\ntietiiTn, Md., visited him at the hospital near the battle-field at Sharpsburg, September 24th, seven days after he received his wounds. He was removed on the 2Sth to the Patent Office, Washington, 1). C., where he died from his weunds October C, 1802. Mr. Fay did not regard him daugerouH, for he found him reading on his bed. He loved to read history; he had just been making "history." He was one of the "Color Guard," and took up the colors from the hands of three who had been shot dead by bis side. He received three balls : the first passed through a limb, the second through his thigh, the third in his stomach ; he could not get up after that, but kept the flag waving till the next guard took it; the company was in that engagement but half an hour. He fell in the battle Wednesday morning, September 17tli, and lay there within the enemies' lines till Fri.lay morning, when our men went to buiy the dead ami remove the wounded ; he was then plac-ed in the hospital at Sharpsburg. liis grave at Washington, I). (;., lies near the road, range No. 7, block No. 2, tlie sixteenth grave from the fence opposite the entrance and on a line with a large locust tree.

Hans Peter Jorgauoa, a native of Denmark iii Eiuope, enlisted at Leominster into the 15tli Regt., Co. A, Maas. Vols,; was mustered into the United States service at Worcester; went to the seat of war as ordei lysergeant; he was in the battle of Ball's Blufl'; he had his canteen struck by a ball. He was wounded in his right arm and was detailed to recruit. October 22, 1801, he was promoted to second lieutenant : July 19, 18G2, to flret lieutenant; and October 2.8, 1862, to a captain; and was in command of Co. A, 15th Regt., when he was killed on the field at the battle of Gettysburg. He had seen service in the Civmpaigns of the Danish army, and was twice wounded when fighting the Prussians in Schleswig and Holstein, once in his arm by a ball and also on the head by a sabre. After he enlisted into the United States service, it was remarked by a friend of his, "you not being a citizen of the United Stales were not obliged to enter the arTuy, for you could not have been drafted," he quickly answered, " Freedom is the same everywhere, I cheerfully give my life in its defence."

Corporal Charles A. Lamb, son of Albert Lamb, of Leominster, was horn at Leominster Januai-y 26, ls:!S. He enlisted into the loth Rest., Co. A, at Leominster ; was nuistered into the service June 12, 18G1 ; went with the company to Washington August S, 1801. He was in the battle of Ball's Bluff', where he was taken prisoner and hurried away to a tobacco-house in Richmond, whore he sickened and died of congestion of the lungs, November 25, ISIil.

Regt., Co. A, Mass. Vols., iin"l wiis mustered into the United States service June 12, 1861 ; went with his company to Washington August 8tli. After fighting at Ball's Bluff he readied the Maryland shore, and seeing some of our boys on the Virginia shore who were not taken prisoners, he procured a skiff, rowed it over amid the whistling of balls, got the soldiers into it and landed them in safety. He sent his wife a beautifully wrought card with the names «f eleven hard-fought battles that he had been in, viz.: Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, West Point, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Wbiti; Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancelloi-sville ; he left a space for one more, anr] wrote liis wife tliat afti'r one more battle he should prtibably come home; he went into the twelfth battle July 2, 1863, and was killed on Gettysburg battle-field. He left a wife and four small children.

Captain Charles H. Stevens, enlisted at Leominster; was mustered into the service of the United States June 12, 1801; left camp for W^ashington August 8, 1861, as fourth sergeant in the l.Stli Regt., Co. A. He participated in the battle of Ball's Bluff, the Peninsular Campaign, Antietam and Gettysburg ; he was promoted to second lieutenant July 19, 1862; to firet lieutenant October 21, 1862; to a captain July 4, 18G:i. He was wuunded near Bristow Station, where the head of the column was attacked by infantry and artillery. After about an hour's fighting the enemy gave way. Lieutent Stevens died October 15tli of wounds received the 14th ; he was wounded in the foot at Savage Station ; at Gettysburg he was wounded in the leg while supporting our batteries, probably by our own men.

John Goithi Snow, son of Thomas S. Snow, of Leominster ; enlisted at Leominster ; was mustered into the United States service June 12, 1861, l^th Regt., Co. A, Mass. Vols., went to Washington, D. C, August 8, 1861. He was in the battle of Ball's Bluff and shared in six other battles with his company, when he sickened and died of chronic diarrhiea, December 10, 1863, at Fairfax Hospital, Virginia. He was an unly child and died a single man.

Sergeant John Tripp, son of John L. Tripp, born in the city of Lowell December 19, IS47 ; enhstod in the 15th Regt., Co. A, ftlass. Vols. ; was mustered into the United StJites service at Worcester, January 12, 1861 ; went to Washington, D. C, with bis company, August 8th, and was in seventeen battles. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg ; be was taken prisoner at Petersburg, Va., and w.is carried to Andeisonville, and when Sherman marched from Atlanfci to the sea he was hurried away to another place ; he was paroled, entered our lines exhausted by starvation, cold and sickness, and died in a hospital at Baltimure, Md., March \<t^ 1864. His body was buried in Leominster Cemetery, March 23d, with military honors. He was detailed to the position of nurse in the hospital soon after the battle of Ball's Bluff and distinguished himself for fidelity, kindnessand cheerfulness among the sick and wounded in Poolsville Hospital.

Sergeant George E. Wilder, son of George Wilder, of Leominster, was born at Petei-sham, June 17, 1842 ; enlisted in the l5th Regt., Co. A, Mass. Vols., at Leominster ; was mustered into the United States service June 12, 1861 ; went with his company to Washington, D. C. He was with his company, in the Peninsula Campaign under McClellan ; was shot in the head near Spottsylvania the last hour of the battle and dieil May 17, 1861, while under Grant. He was never married.

William L. Whitntu, a private, son of William Whitney, late of Leominster, was born in Princeton, September V), 1833; enlisted into the loth Regt., t'o, A, Mass. Vols. He died at tho hospital in Washington^ D, C, of fever. He was a single man.

Geo. W. DiioU, private, sou of Thomas Divoll, late uf Leominster, born at Lancaster July 31, 1826; enlisted at Leominster in the 7th Mass. Battery, and was mustered into the United States service January T), 1864, under Captain P. A. Davis. When he enlisted be had a wife, who died about the time of his death, whioh occurred September 21 1864. He died of chronic diarrhu-a, in the hospital at New Orleans.

Horace It. Barker, private, son of Kphraim Barker, of Walpole, N. H., liorn in Granby, Mass., May 6, 1837 ; enlisted in the 2l8t Uegt., Co. D, from West Fitchburg, under Captain Theodore S. Foster, went into camp at Worcester, July 19, 1861 ; left Worcester August 23d, for Annapolis, Md., where the company joined General Burnside's expedition to North Carolina. He died at Newbern, N. C, of typhoid fever, April 1«J, 1862.

Rnftii H. Carter, private, son of David Carter, born at Leominster February 12, 1840 ; enlisted at Fitchburg into the 21st Regt., Co. D, under Captain Theodore S. Foster, ami was mustered into the I'nited States service July 19, 1861 ; be participated in the battles of the company and was mustered uut ;tt Bloint-s Cross-roads, East Tennessee, December 31, 1863, and re-enlisted into the Veteran Volunteers. He waa killed on the battle-field at Petersburg, Va., by a ball from a sharpshooter, September 30, 1864. He was never married.

Albert F. Creed, private, son of Moses Creed, was born in Leo. minster March 15, 1845 ; enlisted into the 21st Regt. Mass. Vols, under Captain Rice, and was mustered into the United Stiites service August 22, 1861. He died at Newbern, N. C, in the hospital, of typhoid fever. May 2, 1862. He was never maiTied.

John F. Oroshy, private, son of John Crosby, of Leominster, born in Leominster Aug. 12, 1842 ; enlisted at Boston in the 23d Regt., Co. D, Mass. Vols., a recruit to fill the regiment. He re-enlisted for three years. When ordered by the euemj' to surrender he replied, "wre?*." They fired at him and cut off part of his ear. He was under McClellan in the Peninsiila Campaign. He was wounded at the battle of Kingston by the enemy, and when the I'nion troops were ordered to retreat, the fire was so sharp the coinmandor ordered the men to crawl till they reached a less exposed position. While thus retreating a gun in the rear by drag-ring was discharged, and the hall entered Crosby's back; he was helped along by his comrades in arms to an ambulance ; the ball was never cut out at his chest, as he was too exhausted when he arrived in camp. He was four weeks in the hospital in Newbern, N. C. He was then put on board a steamer bound for the North, but died on board in New York Harbor, April 22,. 1865. He was brought home and buried with military honors. He was never married.

First Sergeant Artemas S. Farwell, son of Peter Farwell, of Leominster, born in Fitchburg, July 29, 1835 ; enlisted into a New Hampshire Regt. three mouths' Vol. militia, and served out his time ; he then reenlisted at Fitchburg into the 25th Regt., Co. F., Mass. A'ols., under Captain Foss. He was in the battles of Roanoke, Va. and Newbern, N. C. He died at Newbern, Nov. 23, 1862, of diptitheria, and was buried at Leominster. He was never married.

FVauk George, son of William George, born at Topsham, Vt., Aug. 28, 1836; enlisted into 3d Regt., Co. D., Mass. Vol. Cavalry. He was taken prisoner in the Shenandoah Vallsy, Va. Two commanders of Confederates, dressed in the U. S. uniform, with a U. S. flag, rode up to them and shouted "we Lave come to relieve you," which threw the company off their guard, and they tlien took them prisoners. They stripped them of their clothing, gave them some dirty rebel rags to barely cover their nakedness, and marched them off on foot as prisoners. It was five days before the rebels gave them any rations. He was first imprisoned at Belle Isle. He was sent from there to Andersonville slaughter pens. When Sherman went from "Atlanta to the Sea "he was hurried away to Salisbury prison, where he died of starvation December 6, 1864.

George A. Houghton, private, son of Levi Houghton, of Lunenburg, bom in N. Chelsea, Mass., July 20,1845; enlisted at Worcester, August 24, 1861, into the 2l8t Regt., Co. I, Mass. Vols. He died of ship fever at Hatteras Inlet, on board the transport ship "Northerner," January 20,

1862. He was buried in the sand on the beach by Chaplain George S. Bait and a band of sailors who volunteered to go ashore in the violent gale. They gathered seu-shells and placed at the head of the grave. George H. was on the muster-roll. It should have been George A., as that was the proper initial letter.

William II. Johnson, piivate, son of Henry Johnson, of Leomiuater, born in Leominster, August 11, 18.U ; enlisted into tho 21st Regt., Co. H, Mass. Vols. He died in hospital at Newbern, N. C-., June 18, 1862, of typhoid fever. He loft a wife.

Captain James Masters Malhm, son of William S. Mallon, of Boston, horn in Manchester, Mass., March 7, 1835 ; enlisted in the Ist Mass. Vols., Co. A, Blay 23, 1861. He was discharged, but re-enlisted October 18,

1863, and was appointed and commissioned first lieutenant of the 3d North Carolina Colored Vols, He was killed at Wilmington, N. C, September 23, 1865, while endeavoring to quell a mutiny in another company. He was commissioned captain, but the commission arrived two days after he died, and was forwarded to his friends by Captain Rembough.

James E. Marshall, private, son of James IL Marshall, of Leominster, born in Leominster January 27, lS4.'i, was drafted and assigned to the 32d Regt., Co. I, September 1, 1863. He was shot dead near Laurel Hill, Va., soon after getting that series of battles through the Wilderness under General Grant, May 12, 1804. He was never married.

John C. Heady, private, son of John Ready, born in Canada March 8, 1841, enlisted in Lynn, Mass., into the Ist Regt., Co. A., Mass. Vols., went with General McClellan into the campaign of the Peninsula, and died in Columbia Hospital of wounds received at the second battle at or near Fair Uake, Va., .luly 6, liHi2.

Charles H Sinclair, private, son of Cbarlee P. Sinclair, born at Leominster November 25, 1839, enliBted in tho 21st Regt, Co. A, Mass. Vols., August, 1861. He was killed at Newborn, N. C, March H, 1802. He was shot through the liead. He was never married.

LEfT Hanu. First Lieutenant Alfred R. Glover^ enlisted at Camp Stuvene, from Groton, into Co. C, 53d Regt. Mass. Vol. Infantry. He was killed .'une II, 1863, at Fort Hudson, while attacking the works.

Corporal Albert IT. Carter, son of Sumner L. Carter, born at Leominster May :il, 1844, enlisted into the 36th Eegt., Co. A, in July, 18IV> ; passed to the front in September. He was shot dead on the battle-field near Spottsylvania in the battle of the Wilderness May 6, 1.S64 He was not married.

Srrgeaut Charles H. Deihy. ^ou of David 8. Derby, born at Leuniiuster October 'J, 1839, enlisted into the 36th Regt., (Jo. A, Mass. Vols., under Captain Thaddeus L. Boker, of Leominster, August 1, 1862. He was killed at Hanover Court-House, Va., on the battle-fleld by being shot through the head. He was not married.

JItiiry K. Derby, son of Henry Derby, of Leominater, born in Leominster October 2, 1840, enlisted at Leominster October, 1801. He had not been assigned to a regiment or company when lie was taken sick at Furt Warren, in Boston Harbor. He obtained a furlough to go home, and died there January 5, 1862, of pneumonia.

Corporal Le-niaril Goodrich, son of Benjamin Goodrich, of Lunenburg, born in Leominster May .'i, 1812, enlisted at Leominster August 1, 1862, in the 36th Regt., Co. .A, left for Washington September 2, 1862. He was in no battles, died at Wiishington, D. C, December 31 , 1862, of typhoid fever. A single man.

Sargeaut Le Boy K. Gallup, son of William Gallup, uf Fuster, R. I., born at Foster June 25, 1831 ; enlisted in the 36th Regt., Co. A, Mats. Vols., August 1, 1862, under Captain Thaddeut- L. Boker. He was killed by the premature bursting of one of our uwn shells while lying in front supporting our batteries at Campbell's Station, near Knoxville, Tenn. He left a wife and two children.

Roland H. Moore, private, son of Samuel H. Moore, born in Chazy, Clinton County, N. Y.; was drafted at Greenfield to fill the quota of Leominster, and was assigned to the 36th Regt., Co. C, Maes. Vols. He died at Bealston Station, Va., December 6, 1863, of exhaustion and diarrhna, aged thirty-one years. He was not married.

Andrew B. Osborn, private, son of Benjamin Osborn, born at Fitzwilliam, X. H., April I'J, 1S24 ; enlisted ,into the 36th Regt., Co. A, Mass. Vols., and was discharged April 22, 1S63, for disability. He rc-enlisted in the 16th Battery Mass, Vols., and was mustered into the service of the United States March 11, 1864, and was assigned to provost duty, where he served till near his death. He died at Camp Angus General Hospital, Alexandria, A'a., January 31, 186.1, of heart disease. He left a wife and two children. His body was deposited in the cemetery at Leominster, with military honore.

John F. Oirens, private, sun of Benjamin Oweusj of Leominster, born in Vernon, N. J., March 2, 1840; enlisted at Leominater, and was mnstered into the -'ith Regt., Co. L, Mass. Vols., and died in camp at Readville April 13, 1865, of diphtheria. His body wiis deposited in Leominster Cemetery, with military honoi-s and by the Sous of Temperance, of which the young soldier was an officer at the time of his enlistment.

John SchoHw, bom in Amsterdam, in Holland, Europe ; enlisted from Leominster into the 2'Jth Regt., Co. H., Mass. Vols. He died on board a steamer tranejiort at the wharf at Cairo, HI., .Vugust 20, 1863, of dysentery. He left a wife and three childien.

Abel Lafayette Wilder, son of Abel Wilder, of Leominster, born at Leominster December 20, 1845 ; enlisted from Leominster into the ad Regt., Co. D, of Mass. Cavalry, and was mustered into the service of the United States November 1, 1862; left the Stale November loth, as the regiment was originally the Forty-first Infantry and was organized into cavalry June 17, 1863. He was taken pinsoner at the same time, place and under the same circumstances as his brother-in-law, Frank George. To keep himself and companions frnm starving he sold, for a trifle, a valuable piesent sent by his sister tu him as a token of her love, for they were made to march five days without any rations. He weighed one hundred and eighty puunds when taken and was a picture ot health, but he was starved to death at the rebel prisons, and died just about the time that Frank George died.

John McDoHotujh, private, son of Michael McDonough, of Leominster ; born in Ireland June 20, 1843 ; enlisted into the 20tb Regt., Co. F, Mass. Vols. He was killed at the battle of Antietam. When the 20th Regt.

Daniel Bulterjield, a private, son of David Butterfield, was born at Tyngsboro', Jlass., July 27. 1833 ; enlisted into the 53d Regt., <'o. C, and was mustered in under Captain Joel A. Stratton, and went out under the call for nine months' service ; he died May 4, ls62, at St. Lonis, Mo., of erysipelas.

Eli .1. ElUel, private, son of William C. Kllick, of Leominster, wa.t born at Fitchburg April 23, 1843; enlisted at Worcester, and was mustered into the Veteran Reserves January 1, 1864 ; he was killed at Peb-isburg, Va., June 17, 1865.

Ira B. Foster, private, son of Gardner Foster, of Shirley, born in Hopkinton, N. H.; enlisted in Leominster, 53d Regt., Co. C, Mass. A'ols , for nine luontlis" service under Captain Joel J. Stratton ; he was wounded near Port Hiuls-m, La., in the neck ; i1 was in the morning ; he went tn the rear, had his neck bound up with cotton to stop the flow of blood, then returned ami fought through the day; he did no more service; was sent to Baton Rouge to the buspital, where he died ; he left a wife.

John Feryusou, private, born in Nuva Scotia of Scotch parents ; enlisted at Leominster into the 5:{<l Regt-, ''o. C, Mass. Vols., for nine months' sei'vice ; he was sent from Opelousaa sick, and died at Marin*? Hospital, New Orleans, Lii.. June 16, 1863, of chronii- diarrh(.ea; he left a wife.

Edinnud Uordy, son of Dr. Samuel Hardy, Cornish Flat, N. H., was born at Scotland, N. Y., December 11, 1833 ; eulisted at Leominster, Mass., 53d Regt.; died at Island Hospital, Brashear City, La., May 3n, 1863, of diarrhn-a ; he left a wife.

Adelbeit iV. Johitson, private, son of Frederick Johnson, of Leominster, born in Leominster September 5, 1837 ; enlisted at Leominster in the service of the United States for nine months in 53d Regt., Co. C, Mass. Vols.; be was severely wounded at Port Hudson June t4th, requiring amputation ; he died from the eflects of his wouikIs July 11, 1863, at Im.'*- pital Port Hudson ; he was not married.

]\fartiii Luthtr Jordan, private, son of Rev. J, W. I'. Jordan, born at West Brookfield, Mass., September 9, 1846 ; enlisted at Worcester into the 57tb Regt., Co. H, Mass. Vols., December 28, 1863 ; he died in the hospital at Washington, D. C, June ;l, 1864, of pneumunia ; Iio was a single man.

Sergeant James Munfurd Levis, tife-major, burn in Sterling, Mass ; enlisted at Leominster September 16, 1863, for nine months' service, 53d Regt., Co. C, Mass. Vols.; he came home sick and died there before he was mustered out of the service ; he left a wife.

Lewis Richardg'iii, private son of Thurston Kichardson, of Leoiiiirister, born in Sterling March 14, 1848; enlisted irite the 57tb Regt., Co. H. MiiSB. Vols.; he was killed on the battle-field in the battle of the Wilderness, under General Grant, May 6, 1864 ; a minor and unmarried.

Gcorye Thompson, private, son of William Thompson, of Boylstou, born in Stoddard, N. H ; enlisted in the .^Sil Regt., Co. A, Mass. Vols.; went out under Captain Joel A. Stratton.

Eurjciie Snllivtiii, burn in Ireland ; eulisted in Leominster in the 3t'i|li Regt., Co. A, Mass.. Vols. ; went out with the company under Captain Thaddeus L. Barker September 2, 1862; died at Nicholsville, Ky., September 1, lt'63, of fever ; a single man.

The monument was formally dedicated September 12,1867. Oapt. Leonard Wood was marshal ol'the day, and several of those who had .served iu the War of 1812 as members of the old Leominster Artillery were present on the platform. On account of the absence, from sickness, of Hon. John H. Lockey, Mr. Joel Smith acted as chairman. Rev. W. J. Batt, Rev. Horace Parker, of Aahby ; James Bennett, Esq., Rev. RufusP. Stebbins, a former pastor ot the Unitarian Church ; Rev. Geo. S. Ball, of Upton, a native of Leominster and chaplain during the war, took part in the exercises of dedication. The grounds have since been graded and enclosed.

Charles H. Stevens Post 53, G. A. R. - Two years after the close of the war an unsuccei-sful attempt was made to establish a post of the G. A. R. in Leominster. L. A. Cook, A. J. Parker, F. W. Polly, E. A. Bennett and Charles H. Wilder were the authors of this movement. Not meeting with sufficient encouragement from the old soldiers, these men joined a Fitchburg encampment. The first decoration exercises in town were conducted by the comrades named above, as a detachment of Post 19, of Fitchburg. The charter of tlie present post was granted June 18, 18H8, and had as charter members, besides those named above, Aldrich Cook, C. B. Flagg, J. G. Eaton, Wm. A. Burrage, J. F. Chaffin and Geo. A. Browne. The post was organized .July 9th of the same year, in the ujiper story of Gardner Hall, with Comrade Lucien A. Cook as its first commander. Tlie post has, at diflerent times, occupied a variety of halls in town, but now has an excellent and permanent encampment.

The record of the post has been such as to receive the approbation of the entire community. In its membersliip are many of the most respected citizens, and its work is worthy of the higliest praise. By its action, Leominster was the first town in the State to contribute money for a Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts. It has ever been first in planning and executing good work. The post has expended nearly two hundred and seventy-five dollars a year in charity for the past twenty years, and several hundred families have received aid. At onetime it suffered severely through the rascality of its quartermaster, W. H. Lovering, who deserted with the funds of the encampment. But the help and sympathy of the community, and the energy of the members, soon placed it again on a sound financial standing, and its work went on without interruption. It is now doing this work successfully and is an honor to the community. The names of its past commanders are: Lucien A. Cook, Wm. A. Burrage, F. W. Policy, .Joel A. Stratton, N. B. Ellis, Charles A. Wheeler, C. B. Flagg, Wm. B. Frissell, Thomas J. Ames, Madison Beal, Aldrich Cook, Clesson Kenny, A. W. Allen and W. D. Blanchard. Thomas A. Hills is the present commander.

Woman's Relief Corps, No. 31, Department OF Massachusetts. - The first movement in the way of organizing a relief corps was in February, 1878. Then a few ladies met to consider measures for aiding the Post in its work. In March following "The Ladies' Auxiliary Corps " was organized. January, 1881, this corps became the "Leominster Relief Society," and the next December it was reorganized with its present name. It has rendered most efficient aid in the work of the Post, and is held in equal honor. Mrs. Sarah F. Gallup is now jiresident of the corps.

E. A. Bennett Camp 52, Sons of Veterans. - The members of this cainp were mustered in December 15, 1885. The object is to keep fresh in mind what was acconaplished by the fathers iu bringing peace and honor to the country. Only those whose fathers served in the Civil War can become members. G. H. Woodworth is the present captain.

existence to the Civil War and also the military history of the town. It may be added that the old artillery company renewed its orgaization after the war and continued until December, 1885, when it was disbanded by order of the adjutant general. The year before it had but few members at the annual muster; but the company was being rapidly filled by the efforts of Capt. Winch at the time the order was received. Its centennial would have occurred fifteen months later.

However imperfectly the foregoing record is given, it shows this : that Leominster has not been behind the chief of her sisters in the work and suffering required to secure and maintain our liberty.