i'lilii
ililli!isiill!il:iiiilii!l!
Class 1_ ( -^ ^
BookJAAUG,
Copyright N"
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.
X
WORCESTER
IN THE SPANISH WAR
BEING THE STORIES OF
Companies A, C, and H, 2d Regiment
AND Company G, 9th Regiment
M. V. M.
DURING THl. WAR KOR THE LIBl.RATION OK CUBA
Mav — November, 1898
WITH A ROSTER OF E. R. SHUMWAV CAMP, No. 30
SPANISH WAR \'ETERANS
FOLLOWED BY A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF
WORCESTER CITIZENS
IN AIDING THE SOLDIERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES
By ALFRED S. ROE
.■i I'lUr,,,, ,4 the Civil ll'^r, V)/-V),-
WORCESTER, MASS.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR
1905
LIBHARY »' 30NGHESS
I wo OoDies liuttavcj
JUL 11 iau5
>• CouyriKni Liiiry
U!»n lo.ifoJ"
E^
>U
PREFACE.
Readers of this \olumc will ol)serve
that in no sense is it a history of. the
strife rendered necessary by the
struggle of Cuba for independence, it
being a iilain statement of the part
borne bv Worcester men and boys in
tlie cit\'s several militia conijjanies.
The story itself is the outgrowth of
a beginning made in the W orcester
.Magazine, .\o\ember. l()02, when a
resume of the part borne in the.'^panish
War b\- .\ Company, or the Cit}-
( iuards, was undertaken. Later the
same was fidlowed by a similar nar-
rative of the Light Infantry. The
work of collecting and arranging ma-
terial for one-half of the companies
concerned in the war ha\ing been
done, the engravings used being ac-
cessil)le and the ty]ie itself being, for
the most part, still set up. what more
natural than that the other two com-
panies shoidd recei\e similar treat-
ment "•"
The d( iuble colunm ]iage and the
somewhat peculiar shape ot the
volume are the residls of facts alreaily
stated, with the ailditional truth that
illustrations, whether grou])S of indi-
viduals, scent-r\ (jr e\ents, can be
more conveniently employt-d on a mag-
azine l)age than in a smaller book.
No store of this nature can be told
without many conferences and com-
parisons with those who had a part in
the events descrilied. I'".\er\- word in
the vohnue was read to one or more
niemlu'rs of the comp;mies, that con-
firmation or <lenial might be had. The
newsi)apers of iSgS. with home letters,
diaries, journals, and word-of-mouth
recitals, ha\'e been employed to give to
the stor\- an air of direct contact not
( itherwise attainalile.
In telling the deeds of those who
served, one cannot sujjpress a feeling
of regret for the others wdio had no
chance. \\ hen the war rumors were
rife, no one thought it ])ossible that
]')atter\- 11 \vould remain at home and
have no part in those stirring times,
yet such was the case. There had
been \'ery few left in the P.attery
ranks had not the men supposed that
Massachusetts .Vrtillery would be as
necessary as Hay ."state Infantry. Fate,
howexer. was md<ind. for, sa\e a short
tour of clut\- on IMnm Islaml, the sum-
mer of iS()S was (|uite mieventful fur
the artiller\inen, Avhile their brothers
in the infantr\ ranks were winning
fame and honors in active ser\-ice :
hence this history cannot include a
record of 1 lattery \\. much as the
writer and the citv would be pleased
to lia\'e it iiossilde.
Then, too, there is the long list of
Worcester |iatriots who, failing in
their ettorts to enter the several com-
panies, sought opportimities for mil-
itary experience in the regular army.
The number was as large or larger
than that of the men in the home com-
panies, and nothing would please the
writer more than to give their names
and services could the same be ob-
tained. Captain D. F. Anglum, who
had the recruitins" station in Worces-
WORCESTER IN THE SPANISH WAR.
ter, and who sent on such a fine array
of the city's youth, did ncit retain his
rolls, and access to them, nnw in the
custody of the government, is denied.
While reference to the daily papers of
the period and the careful scrutiny of
war histories might reveal some por-
tion of the names desired, still the roll
would be so imperfect that it is
deemed best to confine the narrative
to the work of Worcester militiamen.
This conclusion rules out the inter-
esting stories of West Pointers : Geo.
H. G. Gale, Roger B. Bryan, Marcus
D. Cronin, Roger F. Gardner, Edmund
N. Benchley ; with Annapolis men.
Charles Ward Bartlett, .\ustin M.
Knight, Timothy S. O'Leary and
Ralph Earle, all of them being repre-
sentatives of ^\'orcester in the army
or navy during the war, and each one
giving a good account of himself.
.■\t one time it looked as though
volunteer organizations would be
called for instead of militia, and the
quota of Massachusetts in such an
event was four regiments, and among
the colonels thus designated l.)y Gov-
ernor Wolcott was Major E. T. Ray-
mond, who hiul won distinction during
the Civil War. Had there been an
opportunity, there can be no doubt
that to his standard had rallied
as valiant a body of men as responded
to the call of duty in the trying days of
a generation before. Among the com-
panies of this central regiment might
have been mustered the fine body of
young men who gave in their names
to Sergeant Harry S. Putnam in the
hopes that a place might be found for
them, but this plan, too, proved
abortive.
Had the scope of the volume per-
mitted, it had been a pleasure to
enlarge on the concerted efforts of re-
ligious and secular bodies to further
the great object of making happy, as
far as possible, the hi>nies which were
lonesome on account of soldiers gone,
rerhajis there was not a pul])it in
\\'orcester from which was not heard
repeatedly the re(|uest for funds to
help on the good cause, an<l it should
be stated that, inxariably, the re-
sponses were cjuick and generous.
Ever\' charitable organization set at
work all its activities to helji. There
were societies formed for the express
pur]50se of aiding the soldier and hi.s
family, but the records are lost in the
haste with which the past is obliter-
ated. The Red Cross, world-wide in
its usefulness, had its branches in
Worcester churches, and in the last of
.\ugust. a central organization was
effected and considerable money was
forwarded to Miss Clara Barton for
distribution. Of this latter body
scarcely more can be foimd to-tlay
than that its President was .\lfred S.
Roe and its Treasurer E. ]. Mc.Mahon.
and that its contributions amounted
to nearly three hundred dollars.
The hook itself is the result of many
fa\drs rendered liv those interested,
and to them, one and all, thanks arc
returned. While the names of those
who ha\e aided in various ways are
legion and thus hardl\- to be enumer-
ated, it does a|)iH-ar desirable to
mention specialh' certain ones whose
assistance particularly furthered the
enterprise ; among these should be
named Captain E. G. Barrett, S. E.
Cla])]) and Joseph T. Lafiamme of A
Companw whose daily records ac-
counted for their period of service; in
C Company much help was had from
Captain !■". L. Allen, from the letters
anil diaries of Lieutenant .\. C. King,
Sergeant W illiam E. Barton, Corporal
C. T. Eldridge and Henry J- Greene;
the active assistance of Captain C. S.
Holden in H Company, with that of
Seroeants H. C. Young and C. E.
6 WORCESTER IN THE SPANISH WAR.
Smith, alons;- with the diaries ami let- uiitiriii,^- eitorts of citizens. >vhile the
ters of Sergeants C E. Monroe. U. U. written and printed records of the
Jordan, Corporal A. 11. Scott, Willis '■Emmets." as jireserved by Mr. M. B.
("deason and Allie Kim1)all. rendered Eand). in the writin.sj of the late W'il-
the •■Wellington" story piis>ihle; the Ham J. Tansey, alon^- with the price-
faithful attendance nf Captain Moy- less compilations of Mr. Richard
nihan ami Lieutenants Hurley and ( )'l'"Iynn. made the home efforts mem-
McCann of the "Emmets," at repeated rirahle. In arrangino- the matter pre-
readinsjs. is remembered gratefully, liminary to the story of the ■■Em-
while the Cuban letters of Musicians mets," the writer acknowledges his
\. T. Skerrett and I'eter I- . Sullivan, obligations to Dr. George McAleer for
along with the co-operation of Ser- valualile suggestions.
geant J. j. Corli>s. in many ways The roster of L'olonel E. R. Shum-
helped along the project. way Cam]) is taken from the books in
The profuse illustrations in the the keeiiing of Secretary A. F.
Vfdunie must excite remark. The same Wheeler, and he. too. i.s entitled to the
had not 1)een possible without the as- gratitude of all interested,
.sistance of many people, among whom Xo one can regret more than the
shouhl be mentioned H. C. (irover, writer the fact that every meml)er of
whose war sketches are admirable; the tour companies is not reiiresented
the cameras of Sergeant Young and "i the following jiages. that readers
I'Ted r. Dean contributed no little to might know how their soldiers looked,
the a])pearance of these jiages. while Earnest efforts -were made to secure
the generosity of Colonel \'. E. Pierce the portrait of each man. Letters were
of the Second Regiment adds interest written, many miles were traveled and
to the volume. Captain P. L. Rider, ;>11 honorable means were taken to get
by the lo.-m of cuts and data furnished, t'le jiiclures. but in many cases with-
t-nli\t-ned many pages. Thanks aKo out success. There is little doubt that
are due to the Wijrcester Hoard of some xeterans will l)e disappointed at
Trade for the use of half-tones, pre- t'le non-appearance of their sem-
pared when the first part of the work blances here, but such will have only
was running in the Magazine; to the themsehes to blame. The preparing
Worcester I'Aening ( iazette for plates "f the story was pla_\- com])ared with
made during the war period, and to '''e work necessary to obtain the illus-
F.ditor 1). P. Toomey of Houahoe's tralions.
Magazine, foi- the loan of eugr;i\-ings Such as it is, the story with its em-
in his possession. Lieutenant Me- bellishments goes f.irlh to the friemis
Cann's collection of idiotos, with th.ise •""' ''^''^itives of the men who faltered
of j. j. C.rliss and E. R. Parker, ""I in the path of duly .an<l in .so acting
ri-llecteil credit upon the cit\' which
niu-tured them. an<l to these men.
whether here deUing in the callings of
peace or having crossed the great di-
vide are waiting in the realms of bliss,
this account of their de\otion. action
aided not a little.
In preparing the sketch of the home
work of Worcester, the writer is
under great obligations to Mr. Hal-
leck P.,-u-tlelt, .Mr. C.-irl P.onney and
Mrs. William L. Robinson for the use .,„,, trinniph is ,le,licated
of records in their ki-e])ing, the same .VEERED S. ROE
chronicliui.; in a faithful m;inner the March, 1905.
Worcester in the
Spanish War
CITY GUARDS, COMPANY A, 2ND REGIMEN 1, M. V. M.
[Though the origin of the company was owing to pohtics, all questions of pohtici in the com-
position and management of the City Guards long since disappeared. In 1S40, when the
campaign for the t^residency was run, on one side, along the lines of '"Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
and hard cider attained a prominence never hefore held, the rival Whigs and Democrats of the
Light Infantry became almost belligerent towards each other, and. in the excess of their rancor,
the Whigs withdrew, all save the Captain, D. Waldo Lincoln, and proceeded to organize a mili-
tary company whose appreciation for W. H. Harrison and accompanying beverages knew no
qualification. From the start the comi)any won a popular position and has ever held it, though
to-day not one member in fifty among tlie active, veteran and honorary members coulil tell the
real reason for its beginning.
The first Captain was George Bowen, and his successors to date have been (jeorge llnbbs,
Leonard Pool, George B. Conklin, L. Lincoln Newton, Edwin Eaton. Charles W. Longley. John
M. Goodhue, George H. Ward, A. B. R. Sprague, R. H. Chamberlain, Joseph H. Titus.
W, H. King, E. R. Shumway, George H, Cleveland, Wni. D, Preston, Wni. .•\. Condy and Edwin
G. Barrett. When the War of the Rebellion came, the company, under the command of .-X. li.
R. Sprague, went out in the three months' service as a part of the Third Battalion of Rillcs.
Later, nearly every member saw service in some capacity throughout the struggle. Few, if any,
organizations furnished more commissioned officers for loyal troops, and the record from the
beginning of the war is a proud one.
The organization of the company was in September, 1840, and on the 19th day of that month
the first parade was made. Its first encampment was in the fall of the year 1840, in Worcester,
and its second the year following, in West Boylston. Its reputation for proficiency in drill was
early gained and has been ever retained. It was present at the dedication of Bunker Hill Monu-
ment, June 17th, 1843, did guard duty mi that auspicious occasion, and heard the words of Web-
ster as he gave his immortal address.
Of the original roll, only the Hon. Julius L. Clarke of Newton and Mr. David J. Baker of
Worcester survive.]
RDAF the early days when
the frontier town of Wor-
eester was e.xpected to re-
turn lier qtiota to rejjel In-
iliaii attacks, down throtioh
h'reneh and Indian wars,
tliat (d" the Re\-olntion and
later eneonnters, the town
and city has ever heen
ready to render a g'ood accnunt of it-
self. The \\'ar of tlie Reht-llion was not
so far away but that nienmries of
it were fresh in the ptiblic mind,
and the militia of the ISay State
was largely composed of men whose
fathers had seen ser\ ice in the days of
l86[ and '6^. Long hefnre the final
order was isstied. the (itiestion nf active
ser\-ici' liad heen discussed in all the
armories id' Massachusetts, and there
appeared to he onl_\- one >enrnnent. viz.,
that 1)1 a desire to take a hand in end-
ing Spanish rnle in .\merica. Xot
a man in the militia coiild remeniber
the (Ia\- wheii there was not some
troidde in Cuba, and the conviction
was dee]) and widespread that the
L'nited States would e\'entnall}' have
to go to the resctte of the strtiggling
patriots in the Pearl of the .\ntil]es.
WORCESTER IX THE SPAXISII
Capt. Edwin C. ]!akk
Moses H. Tisdell. Secon
COAIMISSIOXED OFFICERS. COMI'.
CITY GUARDS, COMPANY A.
9
It is just possilole tliat the surcharged
condition of the atmospliere added zest
to otherwise monotonous drill, fur the
boys were beginning to think that
something might come of the exerlast-
ing handling of firearms, the unlimited
facings, marchings, and devotion tc~>
tactics generally. At the same time, it
must ever redound to the credit of
American soldiery that ^•ery few men
were anxious to go simply for tlie sake
of carrying guns with the intent of
shooting some one. It was a distin-
guished Frenchman who said, more
than one hundred }'ears ago. "In Amer-
ica no men are soldiers by trade. Init
men of all trades are soldiers." These
militiamen were ready to bear their
part in helping rid an oppressed por-
tion of humanity of its burden, e\'en to
the extent of risking their own li\-es in
doing it.
However, while to the praise of our
men the foregoing is true, there was
needed some overt act, some blood-
curdling deed, to kindle the fire which
had been laid so long. The spark was
afforded when, during the night of Feb-
ruary 15, in the harbor of Havana, the
United States ironclad, the Maine, was
blown up. It was the crowning igno-
miny of the century, an act fitly supple-
menting the barbarous rule of Spain in
the Western Continent, and one which
immediately welded into a compact
mass North and South, making every
American desirous of wiping out a des-
potism which would countenance such
a diabolical deed. Every man capal)le
of bearing arms seemed like a grey-
hound straining at his leash, needing
only its severing to spring ujion the
foe. While some people might flatter
themselves that the outcry was wholly
owing to the desire to fight for Cuba.
in their heart of hearts they knew full
well that from the murky waters of
that i.slaud liarbor there was a never-
ceasing moan. "Avenge me," and the
cry. "Remember the Maine," after six
years filled with their own history, has
not ceased to re-echo.
"When the splendid Maine went down,
.'\nd we saw our brothers drown.
Then a flood of sudden tears
Changed the smould'ring wrath of years:
.-\nd. above their Cuban grave.
We vowed to see our banner wave."
April 19, a momentous day in Massa-
chusetts history, saw Congress pass an
act warranting the declaration of war
bv the President, and the same was
signed the following da\-. Then fol-
lowed, on the 23d, the call for 125.000
troops, of which numl)er the ([uota for
Massachusetts was four regiments of
infantry and one of heavy artillery.
April 28: Ciovernor Roger Wolcott
called out the militia of the State, and
preparations to com])l_v were imme-
diately afoot. \\'orcester was the
proud possessor of four companies of
infantry and one of artillery. The
Emmet Guards constituted Company
G of the 9th Regiment, while the other
three companies belonged to tlie 2d.
Those were stirring times, and lo many
a home the call came with all the
emjihasis that I'.yron deiiicls in the
immortal night before the Battle of
Waterloo. Playing war was done, and
oiu" l)o\-s were soon to know what the
actual was like.
In obedience to a regular summons,
the members of Company A assembled
in their Armory rooms Friday evening,
April 29, to ascertain what the attitude
of the men would be in regard to the
call. It was a well-attended meeting,
and. long before the nominated hour
had arrived, the rooms were crowded
by the soldiers and their friends, and
one spirit seemed to actuate the crowd.
At precisely 8.15 p.m. Captain Edwin
G. Barrett called the gathering to order,
10 WOKCKSTER IX THE SPANISH WAR.
and requested the withdrawal of all was appointed to look after the com-
those not belonging to the coni])any. pany property during its absence, and
After a brief setting forth of the pur- the further nrder was read directing
pose for which the meeting was called. every man to report at 7.30 a.m. Tues-
remarks from others were asked for. day. May 3. in heavy marching order,
and the first to respond was Sergeant Following adjournment, each man pro-
W. H. riummer. who. in a ringing ceeded to look after his own belong-
speech. urged the men to volimteer as ings. and to discuss the probable dispo-
a companv and to follnw the Hag sition of the regiment (in its departure,
wherever it might lead. He t.)uched M.indav foll<iwe<l with about the same
the right chord, for his words were re- situation, for the victory of Dewey, the
ceived with cheers, and the men were da}- bef<:ire in Manila Harbor, had not
ready to v<ihmteer at once. However. then been heralded, but the next day
words from others in a similar vein fol- was all aflame with the wondrous story
lowed, after which the Captain called of Dewey and the reMdts of the first
for a rising vote upon the great cpies- naval battle fought with modern ap-
tion. and, be it said to the everlasting pliances.
credit of the ni-Miibers. every man rose There was no one in \\ (ircester who
in the affirmative. did not wish a bright, beautiful day in
So much for the altogether, the vote which to see the boys depart, but with
when men are inspirited by each other; characteristic weather fickleness. Tues-
then followeil the more trying ordeal. day dawned rain\- and dismal. ( )nly
as each man was called into the private the glorious new^ from Manda saved
room of the nou-commis>ioned officers. the day from downright gloom. Many
where, in the ])re>euce of the Captain, a time has the city risen above tempo-
and Company C/lerk, Corporal R. L. rary troubles, and this case proveil to
Allison, he was asked to make lii^ per- l>e no exception. Red. white and blue
sonal decision, and again there was no bedecke<I the buildings, and Main
flinching, for every man was ready to Street looked as it must have appeared^
])tit rlowu his n;ime. The moments, so many years before when the sons of
as the interviews |n-ogressed, were Worcester were (le]>arting for the
anxious ones to the men. and it was a Southland. Kvery available inch of
long breath of exidl.-iliou that followed slau.ling room was occupied by those
the final announcement. h'or reasons who were bound to see their boys
which seemed sufficient to himself march \>v. Moisture, not even ram.
Captain I'.arrett refused to accept four coidd dampen such ardor, and the pn.-
men, reasons in no way rellectiug u|)on grauune of departure was carried ou:
them, InU which were oiniously just as if the sim had shone his bright-
worthy of consideration. .\,,t till I 1.33 est. The .Vrniory at the api)ointed
ji.m. did the uu'eting cud. ;uid then the hour was filled with the members of
time was none too long, lor it was the the three companies who were that
most important assend)ling of tin- uk prning to say ■'good-by to it for they
(iuanls since 1861. knew not how long, il might be for-
Suiiday, May I. tlu' members assem- e\ er. It was ipiarter ])ast nine when
bled again to lr;msact fiirlher business, into the drill-she. 1 walked His lb. nor
looking to the near <lepart lire l"or scenes .Mayor Dodge and the Rev. .\linon
of hostilif.-. .\ committee of veterans (.unnison, D.D. An earnest and
CITY GUARDS, COMPANY
11
if-
tdiichiiii^' |>ra\cr was oflcrcd l)v tlie
latter, and remarks of an ajjpropriate
character were niaile \)v ^^ayl)^ Rufus
r.. D.Hl-e. Jr. Interested onloDkers of
the incident were ( ienerals .\. R. R.
S])rai;'nc and Rnliert Chainherlain. both
of thcni \eteran members (it the cum-
pany.
The hne ni()\-od away, led l)y a sipiad
of jxTlicemen. each one of -wlnun had
been a soldier in the Kebelliim. Then
came l!atter\- 1'. Hand, and the grizzled
ranks of the I irand Arnu' of the Repub-
lic followed, for I'ost lo had been
assioneil the honor of the right of the
line. Jsons of \'eterans. and surxdvors
of the ( )ld Tith Regiment of 1861,
marched next. There were carriages
containing infirm \'eterans of the G. A.
R. and of the several companies: then
came the I'olytechnic boys, and finally
the chief part of the e\ent. xdz., the
departing companies. .\. H. and C. in
order, with Lient.-Col. Edwin R.
Shumwa\- and Major Harry H. I'air-
banks riding at their head. The\- had
been seen in march and drill many and
manv a time, but how nnnierotis were
the beholders who were willing to
aftirm that they had ne\er really seen
them l)efore. Such is the dilTerence
between the actual and the seeming.
So adown Main .Street, with scarcely
mo\dng space, the gallant companies
marched, the band playing .\uld Lang
Svne till, for very pity's s.ake. the strain
was changetl to the more lively one of
Yankee Doodle. 'I'he southern limit
of the parade was Myrtle Street, just
be\-ond the I'ost ( )ffice. and thence
through it and b_\" Southbridge the loop
was made back to Main Street and by
the Citv Hall, where the grand review
was had by the Mayor and many con-
spicuous citizens. In honor of the day
the no-school signals had l)een rung,
and Young America of both se.xes was
12
WORCESTER IX THE SPAXISH WAR.
cxcry where in e\i(k-ncc, determined
that notliin.y; that cuuld l)e dnne shonld
be lacking to make separation memo-
rable.
The cnjwds thron,c:ed to the station
and n]) to the very car doors, where the
good-l)ys were spoken, an<l the train
mo\'ed otT for the familiar eam|)ing
grounds of South iM-anungham. The
trip was a short and uneventful one.
and the transferral from the cars to the
ground was soon effected. (~)\ving to
the deeds on the first of May the new-
camp very fittingly assumed the name
of Camp Dewey. .\',i time was lost,
and after a dinner provide<l hv Caterer
Yeaw, the ( iuards were tlie first to
api)ear before the surgeon for his
examination. The tests to which the
men were subjected proved to l:)e
unusually severe, hence many failed to
reach the standard, and many a would-
be patriot was obliged to f,,ld his
blanket and dei)art for Ikjuic. In Com-
pany A no less than ele\en men were
rejected, th..ugh on a re-examination
three of these men were taken back.
The inability of jd Lieut. F. H. Lucke
to pass the ordeal, on acci>unt of his
eyes, was [jarticularly regretted.
Then came the first night in camp.
The weather was cold, and rain a sorry
comforter. .\ot all the dreams of that
long night are recorded. 1uit it is safe
to say that many ..f them ])ictured