Photo above is Main St in Worcester, 1865. Decorated in honor of the returning troops. You can click on it for a larger view.
Below is from “The Story Of Worcester” 1910
WORCESTER IN THE CIVIL WAR
GREAT excitement prevailed in the city when the news of the fall of Fort Sumter came. At home, on the streets, and in the churches, it was the sole topic of discussion. Political and sectarian lines were broken, and all were determined to stand by the flag.
The President called for 75,ooo volunteers. Governor Andrew sent an order to Worcester for her militia to prepare for immediate service. Three companies responded at once—the Light Infantry, the City Guards and the Emmet Guards. The City Guards became Co. A, and the Emmet Guards Co. C of the 3rd Battalion Rifles. They enlisted for three months.
The Light Infantry formed a part of the gallant Sixth Massachusetts Regiment and participated in the memorable march through Baltimore. This regiment had the distinction of being the first full regiment of volunteers to report in Washington.
In 1855, the Jackson Guards, later the Emmet Guards, had been disbanded by Governor Gardner of the Know-nothing party. In 1860 they reorganized and drilled in preparation for the war they knew was impending. They were the first organization of foreign blood to march to the war.
The term of service of the City and Emmet Guards expired July 19th, 1861, but the alarm at Washington, caused by the defeat at Bull Run, prevented the official discharge.
General Dix said:—
” Gentleman, your term of service expired the 19th and you are entitled to go home. If you say so, I will order you transported tomorrow, but I had rather you would not ask it tomorrow, or for the next ten days. You have done your duty and more.”
Every man in both companies responded to this appeal, because they felt they were needed. Upon their discharge they returned home and most of them re-enlisted in the regiments then forming in Worcester.
The following regiments were recruited in Worcester—the lath, gist, z5th, 34th, 36th, 51st and 57th.
The colonel of the 15th Regiment was Charles Devens, whose statue stands in front of the Court House. This regiment took part in the battles of Ball’s Bluff, Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and others.
The 21St and 25th were part of the Burnside Brigade and later were attached to the Army of the Potomac. They participated in the battles of Roanoke Island, Newbern, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and many other important engagements. The Emmet Guards formed a large part of Co. E of the 25th Regiment and of Co. I of the 50th.
The colonel of the 51St Regiment was Hon. A. B. R. Sprague, who was Mayor of Worcester in 1896 and 1897.
The population of Worcester in 1860 was less than 25,000, and she gave to the war the services of 3,927 men, more than one in every eight of the total population.
“They shared in the shifting lot of the Army of the Potomac, from its clouded morning to its brilliant close; in the march ings and lightings of the Shenandoah until every open field and copse became familiar ground; in the early, welcome victories of Carolina; in patient trials along the Gulf ;. in the turning fortune at New Orleans, Port Hudson and Vicksburg; in the tangled marches and counter-marches of Tennessee; in every part of the country, in every campaign, not excepting that Napoleonic excursion of Sherman to the sea.”
The great commanders have testified to the courage, endurance and discipline of the soldiers from Worcester.
The records of the Massachusetts Volunteers show that the men from Worcester served under the colors of fifty distinct regiments of infantry, five of cavalry and fourteen of artillery. They served in seventeen regiments of other states and in nine of the United States regular army.
BATTLE FLAGS
The flags carried by the following regiments, all of which were raised in Worcester, the 15th, 21st, 25th, 34th, 36th, 51st, and 57th are kept in a case, which stands on the second floor of the City Hall, near the Mayor’s office.
The flags captured at Newbern, N. C., by Captain Thomas O’Neil of the Emmet Guards, and presented by Major M. J McCafferty to the Free Public Library, are also in this case.
