Tag Archive for 'Worcester'

Worcester Massachusetts in The Civil War

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.

Click Here For More Worcester Massachusetts History

Published on January 17, 2010 in The American Civil War.
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Worcester Ma – Spanish American War Cannon at Armory

Cannon at Armory Square- Through the efforts of Hon. Daniel E Denny, Senator George F Hoar and Governor John L Bates, the cannon on display in front the the armory was secured.

It was cast in Seville, Spain, in 1798 and was surrendered by the Spaniards at Santiago, Cuba.

The tablet on the base reads..

“In commemoration of the soliders and sailors of 1898, this gun, surrendered at Satoiago, Cuba, is here erected by the citizens of Worcester under the auspices of Geroge H Ward Post 10, GAR., 1904″

You can click on the photo for a larger view.

Published on January 6, 2010 in Spanish American War.
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Worcester Massachusetts In The Spanish American War

WORCESTER Massachusetts IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

The companies of the state militia stationed in Worcester responded to a man when the call for troops came at the outbreak of the Spanish War. Those who did not go with their companies were rejected on account of physical disability (defective eyesight for the most part), or through family responsibilities.

Four Worcester companies took an active part in this war: Co. A, known as the City Guards; Co. C, Light Infantry; Co. H. Wellington Rifles; all of the 2nd Regiment; and Co. G. Emmet Guards, of the 9th Regiment.

These companies left for Framingham May 3rd and 4th, 1898, and were mustered into the United States service as volunteer troops.

The second regiment started for the front on May 11th and the Emmets on May 31st.

The Massachusetts troops were furnished with old-fashioned ammunition and every shot fired revealed the presence of the soldier firing. For that reason, the commanding general ordered the volunteers not to fire, except to prevent the escape of the garrisons in the block houses. Digging trenches and throwing up breastworks was the chief work, and this they were obliged to do without shovels or picks, using knives, plates and fingers.

On the 14th of June news came to the tired soldiers that Santiago had surrendered. They then prepared to return home. The three companies of the 2nd Regiment arrived in Worcester, August 27th, emaciated and malaria-stricken.

The 9th Regiment left Santiago for home Aug. 24th. When the ship arrived at Montauk Point it was met by the health officers, who declared that the regiment was in the worst condition of any returning. After remaining in camp at Montauk Point (Long Island) for a short time, they were allowed to return to their homes.

Lieut.-Col. Kellogg of the both U. S. Infantry said of the Emmet Guards, who were assigned to serve with his regiment of regulars: ” Massachusetts should be proud of such officers and men. I have never witnessed in my forty years’ service such coolness and indifference under fire.”

LIEUTENANT EDMUND N. BENCHLEY, U. S. A.

One of the first officers of the regular army to lose his life in the Spanish-American War was a Worcester boy, Lieutenant Edmund Nathaniel Benchley.

He was born in Worcester, May 3, 1876, and was educated in the public schools. After graduating from the English High School he received the appointment of cadet at West Point through Congressman Joseph H. Walker, and was graduated number thirty in the class of 1898.

His standing in his class entitled him to a choice of the infantry, cavalry or artillery branches. He chose the infantry because, as he said, it would give him opportunity for active service.

Owing to the scarcity of officers the class was graduated in April, nearly two months before the regular date. Benchley was at once commissioned second lieutenant, and assigned to the 6th Regiment Infantry, United States Army.

Lieutenant Benchley was given twenty days furlough. He came home, and was one of the reviewing party when the local companies of the 2nd and 9th Regiments left Worcester.

His regiment landed in Cuba in the latter part of June. The battle of San Juan took place on July 1st. Several companies of the regiment were separated from the advance portion of the troops while crossing the river under a severe artillery fire, and the colonel wished to have them brought forward at once.

Captain L. W. V. Kennon, Co. E, 6th Regiment Infantry, U. S. A., writing to his father, Mr. Charles H. Benchley, says:—

” He,” meaning the colonel, “called Lieutenant Benchley and directed him to recross the river and carry orders to the battalion and company commanders to bring their commands forward at once. He started on this important and dangerous duty, and gave the orders to some of the
officers indicated. He had just given it to one commander when he received a bullet through the heart which killed him instantly.

” His military career was brief, brave and glorious. He was cool and brave under one of the severest fires ever known, and he performed his duty nobly and gallantly. Had he lived, he would have been brevetted for gallantry in action.”

www.preservemasshistory.com has more Worcester, Massachusetts history. Click Here For PRESERVEMASSHISTORY.COM

Published on January 2, 2010 in Spanish American War.
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