HISTORY OF WORCESTER IN THE WAR.

CHAPTER I.

THE UPRISING OF THE PEOPLE.

FORT SUMTER was attacked by the rebel forces under General Beauregard on the twelfth of April, 1861, and in the course of the next day was rendered defenseless. Major Anderson, who held command in the fort, was forced to surrender, and on the morning of Sunday, the fourteenth, the formal evacuation took place. It was known here on Saturday that the attack had been made, and all through the hours of the Sabbath the hearts of the people were oppressed by the fear that Major Anderson and the brave men under his orders might not be able to repel their assailants. At home, in the streets, and in the house of God, the general feeling found expression. As evening came on, the news was flashed over the country that the rebels had succeeded in their first blow against the Union, and that Fort Sumter was not only in ruins, but, what was much harder to endure, in the possession of traitors. A telegram was received from Charleston, saying: "Fort Sumter has unconditionally surrendered. The news has just come. General Chestnut has just landed, and marched to Governor Pickens' residence followed by a great crowd with great joy. In all two thousand shots have been fired. No Carolinians hurt. Major Anderson and men were conveyed under guard to Morris Island. The bells are ringing out merry peals. Our people are engaged in every demonstration of joy. I have just returned from a visit to Fort

Sumter, and I am assured that no one was killed at the Fort. This is reliable, and puts to rest all reports about Sumter. Major Anderson has reached the city. Judge Magrath has just returned from the Fort, and reports that the wood-work and officers' quarters are all burned; none of the officers were wounded. The Fort will be taken possession of to-night by the Confederate troops. Great rejoicing in this city." Such a startling event, reported in such terms of insolent triumph, caused a general and intense indignation in the city. "Nobody," says the Daily Spy of Monday, April 15, “remembers a similar excitement in Worcester. In the evening we found it necessary to print the dispatch in extras, which disappeared in the crowd as fast as they could be printed for several hours. It would have been difficult for a stranger to tell which of the vehement Union men in the crowd were republicans, and which democrats. They all showed an immovable purpose to stand by the country, and defend it to the last against traitors and all other enemies."

The next day, the president of the United States issued a proclamation, convoking Congress to assemble in extraordinary session on the ensuing fourth of July, and calling for seventy-five thousand men to take the field. The governor of Massachusetts sent an order for some of our own companies to prepare for immediate service. The excitement of the preceding day was renewed and made more intense. The demand had come for immediate personal sacrifice, but the soldiers and their friends were ready to meet the demands of their country.

The City Guards, (Co. A, Third Battalion Rifles,) held a meeting at their armory for the election of officers. Brigadier General Ward presided, and Colonel E. B. Stoddard acted as recording secretary. Major Augustus B. R. Sprague was unanimously elected captain, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of General George H. Ward. He declined, and Colonel John M. Goodhue was chosen, who also declined. Enough volunteers appeared and were enrolled, to fill up the ranks.

The Light Infantry met for drill, with full ranks, and were alive with patriotic enthusiasm. Hon. Dexter F. Parker addressed the soldiers and a large number of citizens who were present. He left for Washington the same evening, intending to join the company there if ordered into service, The Infantry voted unanimously to tender themselves as an escort to the City Guards, on their departure for Boston. The event proved, however, that they were to be ordered to Boston, while the Guards went direct to the seat of war. The National Band also offered their services for the occasion. The Emmet Guards had previously tendered their services to the president, whenever they might be needed. The commissioned officers of the Third Battalion Rifles met at the armory of Co. A, in the evening, (General Ward presiding, and Major Sprague acting as recording officer,) when General Charles Devens, Jr., was unanimously elected Major.

On Tuesday evening, the sixteenth, the City Hall was crowded by the citizens, who met to take some action in relation to the volunteer militia of the city. Hon. Rejoice Newton called the meeting to order, and proposed the Mayor, Hon. Isaac Davis, as chairman. Mr. Davis, after the applause following the announcement of his name had subsided, said that there should be but one sentiment now. must unite in sustaining the government, and in subduing the rebellion. Hon. J. S. C. Knowlton, thought the time had come for action. After a brief speech, full of noble, patriotic thoughts and sentiments, he moved the following resolution:

All

Resolved, That the Mayor be requested to convene the City Council, and to ask that body to make an appropriation of a sum not less than $3,000, in aid of the families of such of the troops of the city as have been, or may hereafter be, called into the service of the country.

Colonel Putnam W. Taft and Rev. Dr. Alonzo Hill supported the resolution with earnest and patriotic remarks. The Hon. Alexander H. Bullock was greeted with applause when he came forward, and often in the course of an eloquent speech. He said: "Under no circumstances will there

be a yielding to submission and disgrace. Better that the earth should engulf us than to yield our capital to the rebels who would seize it." Major Devens was called for, and made an earnest, patriotic appeal to the young men to come forward and sustain the honor of their country's flag. Dr. Merrick Bemis, D. Waldo Lincoln, Esq., and Colonel E. B. Stoddard spoke in favor of an appropriation by the city. Lewis Lewisson offered to subscribe $20. Rev. T. W. Higginson was called out, and said that the time for action had come. He spoke of the unanimity among all classes in support of the government. M. J. McCafferty, Esq., referred to the duty of all classes without regard to political or religious distinctions, to stand by the government; he highly praised the two companies which were about to leave, and hoped the Emmet Guards would soon be called into service, who would be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

On motion of Mr. D. W. Lincoln, the resolution was modified by inserting $4,000, and by adding the following words: "and to provide uniforms and supplies for such members of the company as may need them."

According to the papers of the day, "the meeting was unanimous, hearty and enthusiastic. All shades of opinion were represented, and for the first time within memory, Worcester was a unit on a great political subject."

Orders were received by the Light Infantry in the evening of Tuesday to enter into immediate service. The ranks of the company were full, and officers and men were in all respects in excellent condition for instant action.

The same evening the City Guards met, and chose the Second Lieutenant, Josiah Pickett, Captain; Samuel Hathaway, First Lieutenant; George C. Joslin, Second Lieutenant; Orson Moulton, Third Lieutenant; and E. A. Harkness, Fourth Lieutenant.

About half-past ten o'clock, in the midst of a drill, Colonel Wetherell announced to the Light Infantry that they were ordered into service. The order was enthusiastically received, and the night was given up to making

preparations. About three o'clock in the morning, it was determined not to leave till ten o'clock in the forenoon. The hall was a busy scene, being filled all night by those who were preparing to go, and by their friends who were helping them off, or taking leave, perhaps for the last time. The city furnished breakfast; and, at nine o'clock, Rev. Mr. Hagar, of the Episcopal church, offered prayer. The long procession left Horticultural Hall, where the tables had been spread, at half-past nine o'clock, in the following order: the National Band, the past members of the company to the number of about three hundred, the City Guards, and the Light Infantry. The streets were lined with people, including many from neighboring towns. Hon. Isaac Davis addressed the soldiers, saying that there was a fine of fifty dollars for refusing to march; he would therefore pay his fifty dollars now. Colonel William S. Lincoln made a brief and spirited address. The Hon. Ichabod Washburn, in behalf of the Worcester County Bible Society, presented the members of both companies a pocket Bible, which was gratefully received. Dr. Rufus Woodward tendered his professional services gratuitously to the families of the members of the Infantry during their absence in the public service.

An affecting and patriotic incident occurred just before the moving of the train. One of the members was observed weeping. A bystander found, on inquiry, that the cause of grief was the necessity of such speedy departure from home. He immediately took the soldier's place and clothes, sent the money he had saved and deposited in the Savings Bank to his mother in New York, and on one hour's notice left business, home, and friends.

As the train moved from the station, the citizens greeted the departing soldiers with hearty cheers. All seemed to feel the solemnity of the moment, and the importance of the enterprise. Those who left might never return; those who returned might never find the friends left at home; but all were animated with the spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion to the country. The names of the officers and men, in this