Minutemen Of 61

Author : George W. Nason
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781331138105
Total Pages : 430 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (381 download)

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Download or read book History and Complete Roster of the Massachusetts Regiments, Minute Men of 61 Who Responded to the First Call of President Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861, to Defend the Flag and Constitution of the United States and Biographical Sketches of Minute Men written by George W. Nason and published by . This book was released on 2015-07-11 with total page 430 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from History and Complete Roster of the Massachusetts Regiments, Minute Men of 61 Who Responded to the First Call of President Abraham Lincoln, April 15, 1861, to Defend the Flag and Constitution of the United States and Biographical Sketches of Minute Men To the fact that Massachusetts had for years maintained a military force known as Volunteer Militia, the members of which were somewhat accustomed to the use of arms, and inured in some degree to the discomforts of the tented field, may be accredited the salvation of the nation in the early spring of the year 1861. There can be no question that the appearance of the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in Washington, and the arrival of the Third and Fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at Fortress Monroe, saved those important points from attempted capture by the disloyal men whose creed was slavery and States' rights before freedom and Union. The prompt arrival of the Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry preserved the Naval Academy and the frigate Constitution at Annapolis, Md., and opened the way to the succor of the nation's capitol, obstructed in other directions. The gallant conduct of the Fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at Bull Run further demonstrated that the slight military training of that day was, in some strong degree, a factor in the Union's defence. It is the province of the following pages to tell as best they may, the story of that time and supplement the history of the nation and give due credit to the deeds of those "Minute Men of '61," who so promptly responded to their Commander's Special Order. No. 14, of April 15, 1861. It is well to note here that while our pages treat only of three months of the doings of these men, yet the greater part of them continued their service of patriotism to the end of the rebellion, and that the names of some of them appear on the rolls of most of the battles of the Civil War. We give here such data as we have been able to gather from the files and authorities of that time and such memoranda of their whole service which they or their comrades have been able to furnish at this late day. The men of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, called out by order of the Governor in April, 1861, numbered approximately 3,800. The first order was issued April 15, and the last of the seven organizations had left the State before April 21, and remained in service until August 1. We give herewith a condensed summary of their service which may serve as a guide to the reader in a more careful perusal of its pages. The Third Regiment, which was composed of six companies in Barnstable and Plymouth counties, and to which was added one company from Cambridge in Middlesex county, reported in Boston, April 16, 1861. At 11.30 a.m. the 18th, they sailed on the steamer S. R. Spaulding, under sealed orders, which, upon being opened, indicated their destination as Fortress Monroe, Va. Col. D. W. Wardrop was in command, and the regiment mustered about five hundred officers and men. They arrived at Fort Monroe at 11 a.m., on the 20th, and at 4 p.m., sailed on U. S. Gunboat Pawnee for Norfolk, arriving at 9 p.m. Finding it impossible to save any vessels or property at the navy yard all hands at once engaged in destroying everything possible that could serve the rebels, and tired and hungry arrived back at the fort at 6 a m., on the 21st, and were added to the garrison there. The regiment continued as garrison of the fort, and in scouting and outpost duty at and beyond Hampton, until July 16th, when it started for home, arriving in Boston July 23d. Of the five hundred who returned one hundred and sixty had real listed before the close of the year. The Fourth Regiment consisted of five companies from Norfolk and two each from Plymouth and Bristol counties. They reported at Faneuil Hall on the 16th, under Col. A. B. Packard, with over 500 officers and men. They left Boston late in th