Feltonville: Abolitionism

and the Civil War

Presented by

Paul Brodeur

For the Hudson Historical Society

Special Thanks to the

Following Sources for

Making This Presentation

Possible

13th Mass Websiteat

www.13thmass.org

Copyright 2008 Brad Forbush

And especially for all the personal assistance from Brad Forbush

Brigham’s Early Hudson History

as written by

Wilbur F. Brigham

compiled and edited by

Katherine Johnson and Lewis Halprin

The John Brown Bell

Copyright 2008 by Joan Abshire

And most particularly for all of Joan's assistance, direction and inspiration.

The Marlboro Daily Enterprise1892 – 1920

& The Marlboro Mirror

1860-1865

With a special thank you to Kathy Lizotte Lynde for past, present and ongoing research.

Cyrus Felton's two volumes of local history:

Four Hundred Fifty EventsSix Hundred Events

Charles Hudson History of Marlborough

Ella Bigelow Historical Reminiscences

John Buczek's History of Marlboro Website

athttp://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~historyofmarlborough/contents.htm#Fire

containing

Paul Polewacyk's History of the Marlborough Fire Department

And The Just Released

History of the 125th Quartermaster Company

by

Leonid E. KondratiukDirector, Historical Services

The Adjutant General’s OfficeWorcester, Massachusetts

2011

1. Absolutely Abolitionist Feltonville

2. The Motivation of the Fire Department

3. John Brown's Raid and the Strange Story of Ledra and Seth Coolidge

4. Marlboro Mirror, November 10, 1860

5. War!!

Absolutely Abolitionist Feltonville

Dec 25, 1846 Hon. John Parker Hale of NH lectured in Marlborough Town Hall on “War, Slavery, and Abolitionism”.

Hale was newly elected to the Senate from NH and champion of the Free Soil movement determined to keep slavery out of the new territories.

He was a staunch opponent of the war with Mexico.

In 1852, John Parker Hale would be the Free Soil candidate for President, losing to Democrat Franklin Pierce.

The Free Soil party would be one of the key groups that led to the formation of the Republican Party in 1855.

Hon. John Parker Hale

Born in Marlborough in 1795 in the Feltonville section of town.

Became a Universalist Minister and served in Westminster

Was both a State Representative and State Senator from Worcester County.

Was elected as a Whig to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1840 and served eight years.

In 1846 he argued passionately against the Mexican War, believing it to be an excuse to extend the institution of slavery into new territory.

Wrote the definitive History of Marlborough for their Bicentennial in 1860, as well as the History of Lexington where he settled in his later years.

When Feltonville separated from Marlborough in 1866, he offered $500 to the new town if they would name it in his honor.

U.S. Rep.

Charles Hudson

Charles Hudson, In Memoriamby Henry M. Smith

Charles Hudson, In Memoriam by Henry M. Smith

Speeches:

Discriminating Duties, 1841; The Annexation of Texas; The Tariff, 1846; The Wheat Trade of the Country, 1846; The Mexican War; The President’s Message on the War with Mexico, 1846; The Three Million Appropriation Bill, 1847; The Cost of the Mexican War, and the Finances of the Country, 1848; The Constitutional power of Congress over the Territories and the Right of Excluding Slavery Therefrom, 1848.

Charles Hudson, In Memoriam by Henry M. Smith

Obadiah Wheelock Albee was born in Milford , MA. And graduated from Brown University in 1832.

His first position was as preceptor of the local Gates Academy in 1833. The Academy was located near the present Walker Building on Main St., and became Marlboro High School in 1851. Albee then became its first Principal.

Albee was an ardent abolitionist and Free Soil activist, and was instrumental in organizing the local Free Soil Meeting in 1848.

Apart from his role as educator, he was the State Representative for 4 years, the State Senator for 2 years, and a trial judge for 4 years.

Almost every significant abolitionist activity in the Marlboro area bears his imprint.

O. W Albee

Timeline

1848: Marlborough Free Soil Meeting 800 in attendance (Cyrus Felton)

1848: Harpers Ferry firehouse is built to house the equipment and fire bell for the National Armory (National Park Service)

Timeline

Sept 18, 1850: The Fugitive Slave Act is passed, requiring any Federal Marshall or other official to aid in the return of slaves to their rightful owners.

This begins the acceleration in the Underground Railroad throughout the country.

A number of houses in Marlborough and Feltonville are converted to assist in the conveyance of slaves to Canada.

TimelineNov 11 1850: The Substance of Resolutions passed this day in Marlborough Town Meeting. (Cyrus Felton)

“Massachusetts cannot become the hunting ground for slaves.”

“We most decidedly disapprove of the Fugitive Slave Law, and will not aid, but will in all suitable and proper ways resist its execution.” But very few voted nay.

Timeline

April 12th 1851 the East Meeting house bell tolled 75 times because Thomas Sims, a colored person was taken from Boston back to Georgia as a slave.

It was 75 years since Independence had been declared. (Cyrus Felton)

The West Village of Marlboro, centered around the Second Parish Church

(Unitarian), was a hotbed of Abolitionism led by

Rev. Horatio Alger, father of noted Rags to Riches author Horatio Alger Jr.

The Unitarian Church

Rev. Horatio Alger

“Mr. Alger’s pastorate lasted fourteen years. It was

marked by ability, faithfulness, and especially

by aggressive action on the slavery question.”

History of the Second Parish Church

by Edward Farwell Hayward

The Unitarian Church

Rev. Horatio Alger “…it was the duty of those churches

who believed Slaveholding to be a sin, it being in diametrical opposition to the principles and spirit of Christianity, and put on record their determination to have no fellowship as Christians with it or those who are guilty of it.”

Quoted in

History of the Second Parish Church

by Edward Farwell Hayward

The State Disunion Convention held at Worcester, Mass. in January of

1857 was a unique exercise in northern secessionist thought.

(Gathered) for the purpose of considering the “practicability, probability, and expediency of a separation of the Free and Slave States”.

Organizer: Rev. T. W. Higginson (Member of John Brown’s Secret Six)

Among the six Vice Presidents: William Lloyd Garrison, Boston (publisher of The Liberator) Charles Brigham, Marlboro

“Uncle Charles Brigham, ... a great temperance laborer and anti-slavery man, very public

spirited and one of the founders and leading men of the Unitarian Church (Feltonville).”

Ella BigelowHistorical Reminiscences of the Early Times in

Marlborough

“If the Union cannot stand the practical working of the truths enunciated in the

Declaration of American Independence, it seems to me its value has been calculated.

I am not, however, prepared to believe that the triumph of freedom requires the

dissolution of the Union.”

O.W. AlbeeLetter to the Worcester Disunion Convention

The Motivation ofThe Feltonville Fire Department

Fighting Fires in the Agricultural New England Towns in the Olden Days

Mostly chimney fires or barn fires

Strategy: Save the people, save the animals, save the tools

Methods: buckets, buckets and more buckets

Population Growth in Marlboro1830-1860

1830: 2,074 1840: 2,092 1850: 2,941 1855: 4,288 1860: 5,910

In 1850 Marlboro there were three villages, each distinct enclaves of small factories and closely packed

multi story houses surrounding small commercial areas and a

central main Church.

All areas between the villages remained farmland with sparse

housing.

The Village of Feltonville

1856

The New Reality to Fighting Fires

Buckets weren't good enough

Buildings were bigger, closer together

A more disciplined approach with more manpower and better equipment was needed.

This was the answer. An 1849 model hand tub pumper from the Howard & Davis Co. Boston. This is the actual pumper from the

Marlboro East Village Torrent Company.

Timeline

1849: Town meeting voted to purchase three new hand tubs from the Howard & Davis Co. Boston

1853: By an act of the Mass. State Legislature approval was received to create a Fire Dept.

1855: Marlborough Fire Department was formed

Sylvester Bucklin

Pastor of First Church from 1806 – 1832

At an advanced age became the champion of the Marlboro Fire Dept

By 1860 there were 87 volunteers prepared for fire duty.

A large percentage of these men became members of Co. I and Co. F of the 13th Regiment.

Marlborough Firefighters and the Fireman's Muster

July 4, 1849, the first fireman's hand engine muster was held in Bath, Maine. Marlborough that year received

three new engines and two years later were contestants for the first time.

Since that time Marlborough's engines have been prominent in most musters held in New England where they originated. Several of the largest, and best, were

held in Marlborough".

H.H Esterbrook, Westboro, circa 1922

Quoted in Paul Polewacyk's history of the Marlboro Fire Department on John Buczek's Marlboro History Website

Marlborough Firefighters and the Fireman's Muster

Each village competed separately and an intense rivalry developed. It was the first instance of competition between Marlboro and what is now Hudson, a tradition that continues to this day.

The History of the Eureka Engine Co. tells the full story of the development of firefighting from its origins in Feltonville to the early years as the town of Hudson.

There developed a sense of loyalty, community spirit and dedication to discipline within the members of the Fire Dept which continued to their time in service to the Union.

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry and the

Strange Tale of the Coolidge Boys

John Brown

Born in 1800 in Connecticut, moved around in his youth, partly in Massachusetts.

In 1846 he moved to Springfield, MA and became an expert in the wool industry.

His many travels brought him in contact with most of the leading abolitionists of his day.

Eventually, he developed relationships with the Secret Six, abolitionists mostly from Massachusetts who became his financial backers.

In October of 1859 he led the raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, where his target was the Federal Armory, his first stop on a mission to free the slaves of the South.

An overhead view of Harpers Ferry. The Potomac River descends from the north and the Shenandoah comes in from the west. The white arrow is the

relative position of the Engine House and the Red arrow is the substructure of the railroad bridge destroyed by the Confederates in the summer of 1861.

The bridge from the Maryland side looking at Harpers Ferry. The buildings left of center are

the Wager Hotel buildings and just to the right a small water tower. Behind the tower sits the Engine House (not visible). Historic Photo Collection, National Historic Parks

These overhead street maps are from The Business Enterprises and Commercial Development of Harpers Ferry Lower Town

Area, 1803-1861 by Charles W. Snell

The circled area is the water tower. The Potomac River is to the right.

The Wager House Hotel complex including the Potomac Restaurant/Hotel was at times run as separate hotels but mostly as a single unit. The slaves of our

story all would have worked in this area.

The Engine House where John Brown was isolated sat behind a fence and gate within the Armory complex and stood throughout the Civil War although all the

buildings around it were totally destroyed.

The Raid, The Bell, & The Wager Hotel

On the evening of October 16, 1859 John Brown and an 'army' of 23 men conspired to take hostages and take a large cache of weapons from the Armory.

Things immediately went bad and Brown decided to isolate a portion of the group with the hostages into the small firehouse that was used to protect the Armory.

The firehouse bell was a mere observer of events, but some later asserted that it was Brown's intention to ring the bell to promote a slave uprising. Makes for a good story.

The Wager Hotel was used as an overnight prison for captured abolitionists and, as William Geary reports, as a source of food for John Brown's prisoners.

Born a SlaveBut Made His Escape to Freedom

Exciting Days In the Life of a Marlboro Barber

“Young (William) Geary was one of those who carried the breakfasts to the imprisoned men and in this way he had the

opportunity of meeting John Brown.”

Marlboro Daily EnterpriseWednesday, June 5, 1901

John Brown

Eight, including John Brown were captured, tried and hung.

Robert E. Lee commanded the contingent of Marines that stormed the firehouse. J. E. B. Stuart was his aide-de-camp who spoke with Brown about surrender. Brown refused.

John Brown was hung in Charletown, Virginia on December 2, 1859. Stonewall Jackson and John Wilkes Booth were there. Remarkably, when Booth was caught and killed after the assassination of Lincoln, a photo of his fiance was found in his pocket. None other than the daughter of famed abolitionist John Parker Hale who had spoken in Marlboro, Christmas, 1846.

Cyrus Felton noted that on December 2, there was “an indignation meeting at Marlborough Town Hall, relating to the execution of John Brown in VA, a martyr to the cause of Human Liberty.”

from the Marlboro Enterprise – Monday, 30 May 1914

Mrs. Fanny Stanley, Who Died Saturday, Knew John Brown Personally

“….when he was hung, she saw him go to his death on the scaffold. She was in a hotel at the time. She knew that he was to go to his death on that day and climbing to the topmost part of the hotel she saw the enactment of a tragedy that has gone down the ages. Mrs. Stanley said that when the drop was pulled, his face turned toward the north, prophetic of future development.”

 “In my Company was a man who knew every secret hiding place in the mountains around Harper's Ferry and Maryland Heights and it was whispered that he had been one of John Brown's men who had escaped capture,  he would point out places where he had been with Brown's band -  his name was Ledra

Coolidge, a quiet, earnest sort of man.”

Charles Roundy, Co. F

“In connection with these incidents, another of intense interest comes to our knowledge

and that is that Silas Coolidge, a son of Rufus Coolidge, was one of the John Brown party and was wounded in the leg during the

fight. He turned up in Hudson just prior to the war and when the war broke out enlisted

in the 13th Regt.”

Marlboro Enterprise, November 4, 1892

Of these two stories, the one concerning Ledra Coolidge probably has more validity. It is a first person account with direct observation albeit written years later as a memoir.

The story concerning Silas Coolidge is problematic in that there are other parts of the news article that are probably false, and is written without attribution of source. Silas Coolidge died during the Civil War.

Clearly, there may be a realistic connection. Charles Brigham was a fellow abolitionist in the circle of T.W. Higginson, one of John Brown’s Secret Six. Feltonville was a small village and any with strong abolitionist leanings would be known to each other.

Was Brigham a financial supporter? Was one or both of the Coolidge boys involved in John Brown’s Raid? Intriguing! None of the histories of the raid make any mention of them. Only some local or family history tying them to known conspirators would certify the historical rumors.

Items from the Marlboro MirrorNovember 10, 1860

Items From the Marlboro MirrorNovember 10, 1860

In Marlborough, Lincoln received 516 out of 771 votes (66.92%)

Henry Ward Beecher was scheduled to deliver the kickoff lecture for the eighth season of Mechanics Institute lectures the following week. He had 500 offers to lecture and accepted 25. Marlborough was one of the 25.

The Mechanics Institute entertained many of the leading lecturers of the day. Abolition was a constant topic, although Temperance and world travel were frequent. Some of the important Abolitionists such as T. W. Higginson and Frederick Douglass spoke after the war on different topics.

Items From the Marlboro MirrorNovember 10, 1860

Anti-Slavery Lecture Mr. H. Ford Douglas, of Chicago, will lecture in Town Hall next Wednesday evening, Nov. 14th at 7 o'clock. He will also lecture in the Baptist Church in Feltonville, on Thursday evening, 15th at 7 o'clock.

H. Ford Douglas was a prominent Black Lecturer from Lincoln’s home state of Illinois. It is uncertain what words he spoke those two days in

Marlboro, but it is likely that it reflected his disdain for the popular Lincoln as in this speech he gave in

Framingham earlier that year.

H. Ford DouglasSpeech at Framingham, July 4, 1860

“I do not believe in the antislavery of Abraham Lincoln, because he is on the side of this slave power of which I am speaking, that has possession of the federal government. What does he

propose to do? Simply to let the people and the territories regulate their

domestic institutions in their own way.”

Douglas was correct. Although Lincoln was against slavery, his

strategy was always to preserve the Union at whatever cost.

War!!

Construction of the 13th RegimentMassachusetts Volunteer Infantry

• Regiments contained about 1000 men• Companies comprised about 100 men• The 13th Regiment was made up of 4 companies of

Boston, formerly the 4th Battalion Rifle militia (Co.’s A, B, C, D), Co. E from Roxbury, these reported to Ft. Independence on May 25th, 1861.

• The suburban based Companies: Co. I and Co. F from Marlboro, Co. G from Stoneham, Co. H from Natick and Co. K from Westboro reported by late June.

• Term of Enlistment was 3 years.

The Feltonville Rifles (Co. F 13th Mass Infantry)

• It has just been discovered that this unit is the 2nd oldest military unit of this size in the country, first organized in Marlboro in December of 1660 to protect the frontier from hostile Indian activity.

• Because of these recent discoveries, it was decided to award the 125th Quartermaster Co. (the direct descendant of Co. F, 13th Mass Infantry) the streamer for the battle at Lexington-Concord. The Marlboro Rifles, as they were known at that time, assisted in the attack against the retreat of the British back to Boston. They are the only company size militia unit in the country with this streamer.

• Mostly known as the Marlboro Rifles, at the time of the Civil War many of the members and officers were from Feltonville.

• Feltonville did not have 100 men, so they recruited up to the last minute from surrounding areas.

Photo depicts the award ceremony for the 125th Quartermaster Company for the Lexington – Concord Battle Streamer at the Massachusetts Army National

Guard Historical Museum, October 16, 2011

Command of Co. F

• Captain: Henry Whitcomb

• 1st Lieut: Abel H. Pope

• 2nd Lieut: Charles F. Morse

Private Charles Roundy

• Born in Boston, was 18 and living in Berlin at the outbreak of war.

• Although sometimes inaccurate as to dates and times, his memoirs, written years later, of his time with Co. F are the best picture we have of that company.

Private Charles Roundyon Ft. Independence

 “The Feltonville Rifles left Feltonville, (now Hudson, Mass.) and our first stop was Marlboro, where we were joined by Company I, and at Westboro, by Company K, and we certainly owned that train on the way down.     We arrived in Boston, marched through the principal streets and took steamer for Fort Independence, Boston Harbor.

     Here we spent 8 weeks, drilling, marching and learning the duties of a soldier and what a delightful soldiers life we led perfecting ourselves in marching, guard duty and drill – drill – drill – then more drill.”

Ft. Independence at bottom of photo. Boston’s Logan Airport is top center

Regiment attached to Gen. Banks Division Army of the Potomac assigned to patrol and outpost duty on the Upper Potomac. Winter camp spent in

Williamsport. The blue line from the left of the slide is the Potomac River, the line from the bottom is the Shenandoah River. The Potomac was the dividing

line between North and South.

Private Charles RoundyWilliamsport

“I was one of 21 detailed from the left of my company to report for Provost Guard duty for the winter in Hagerstown, so I saw but little of the regiment while there.

    But when spring came we were ordered back to the regiment and we found that nearly every company had attached a colored man.  Our own company with the rest, had one.”

This photo was taken at Williamsport, MD, probably by George L. Crosby a photographer and artist from Marlboro who had signed up with Co. F and brought his equipment with him. The camp follower slaves were known as ‘contraband’. There is every possibility that the

two women to the right are Arenia and Fanny Geary, who relocated to Marlboro along with other Harpers Ferry slaves. Without pictures to compare there is no way of knowing for

sure.

Crossing the Potomac in the beginning of March, their strategy was to stay between the troops of Stonewall Jackson and Washington DC. There were

skirmishes but no battles in this period.

Concerning the John Brown BellThe Marlboro Enterprise

November 4, 1892 “It is among the most interesting and valuable relics of one of the most

important and interesting epochs in the history of America, to be found in this state or nation and is beyond and above gold and silver value. Whenever it shall be seen or heard it will stir in the minds and hearts of the veterans memories of the bloody period in which the house where it once hung played so important a part.

Within the limits of Hudson there are other relics of this historical building in the shape of two elegant, massive brass torches taken therefore and which were an important part of the equipment of the company. They were sent home by Seth Haskell and have been the property of Eureka Engine Co. ever since. They have this week been republished and put in shape for inspection by the curious.”

History of the Eureka Engine Co.

1862

April 7, two torches taken at Winchester, VA, were received from A.H. Pope, Calvin Carter and S.G. Haskell

The two previous slides tell a vastly different story. The first says that the two ornamental torches came from the Engine House at Harpers Ferry, and would have tremendous value since they would be tied to John Brown. Company F was in Harpers Ferry only a short time, in August 1861. Presumably, they would have sent the torches home from Williamsport during their stay for winter camp.

The second slide makes more sense. Winchester was the Company’s first foray into the South. They were there from March 12 – March 18 and apparently found some means of sending the torches back.

Attempts to locate the torches have thus far been futile. They were at one of the fire houses in Hudson but mysteriously disappeared.

Whatever their origin, they have historic value.

The 13th Regiment continued its wandering movements through August of 1862, finally reaching Manassas at the end of the month. Due solely to illness,

their troop strength had been cut in half from their original 1000 men.

On August 30, 1862, the 13th engaged in their first serious battle, 2nd Bull Run. It was also their worst engagement, with heavy losses. A few weeks later, they participated in Antietam, again with heavy losses. Starting with 500

men, they were down to 165 after both engagements.

Through the end of 1862 and spring of 1863, having been decimated by battle and illness, they were only minimally involved in battles to the south. At Chancellorsville, their old nemesis Gen. Stonewall Jackson, was killed by

friendly fire.

Becoming aware that Gen. Robert E. Lee was marching north, the Union troops followed in pursuit. After three weeks of constant marching, the 13th

reached Gettysburg on July 1 and were immediately thrown into battle.

Peach Orchard

Lutheran Seminary

Cemetery Hill

1863Battle of Gettysburg

July 1st-3rd

Oak Hill

July 1st

Noon

July 1st

4 PM

July 3rd

3 PM

1st Corps

MorningJuly 1st

July 1st

11 AM

11th Corps

July 1st, 11 AM: 13th MVI arrives at Lutheran Seminary – construct earthworksJuly 1st, Noon: Advance to near Mummasburg Rd. & heavily engage enemyJuly 1st, 4 PM: Withdraw through town to Cemetery Hill – 90 taken prisoner, ~ 70 make it through

13th MVI’s July 1st losses: 24 killed, 63 wounded, 98 captured – Pvt. John M. Russell, Co. I killed; Capt. Moses P. Palmer, Co. I wounded againJuly 2nd-3rd: Held in reserve

Mummasburg Rd

Emmitsburg Rd

17Slide prepared by Alan Chamberlain

July 14th 1864 13th MVI term of service ends – recent recruits and reenlistments transferred to 39th

July 18th 3yr veteran William F. Brigham, Co. F, dies in Washington, DC

Aug 1 17 officers and 265 men were mustered out from 13th MVI on Boston Common

History of the 13th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Summary of Men Killed or Mortally Wounded

Pritchard’s Mill, September 15,1861……………………………..Thoroughfare Gap, August 28, 1862……………………………..Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862……………………………….Antietam, September 17, 1862……………………………………Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862……………………………...Fitzhugh Crossing, April 30, 1863……………………………….Chancellorsville, May 4, 1863……………………………………Gettysburg, July 1-4, 1863……………………………………….Wilderness, May 5, 1864…………………………………………Spotsylvania, May 8, 1864……………………………………….Bethesda Church, June 3, 1864…………………………………..Petersburg, July, 1864……………………………………………

An additional 40 men died of disease

In total, over its 3 years of service, 1,439 men served in the 13th MVI

1 23826 4 2 124 412 2 4 121

The following record of soldiers from

Three Years in the Armyby

Charles E. Davis1894

Soldiers of Co. FLEWIS ROBERTS ; age, 24; born. Charlotte, Vt.; shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co. F,

July 16, '61; taken prisoner May 6, '64, and died in Andersonville prison, July 22, '65, of pleuritis; buried in grave No. 12,505

On July 9, 1864, Sgt. David Kennedy of the 9th Ohio Cavalry wrote in his diary: ' Wuld that I was an artist & had the material to paint this camp & all its horors or the tounge of some eloquent Statesman and had the privleage of expresing my mind to our hon. rulers at Washington, I should gloery to describe this hell on earth where it takes 7 of its ocupiants to make a shadow.'

During July and August, 1865, Clara Barton, a detachment of laborers and soldiers, and a former prisoner named Dorence Atwater, came to Andersonville cemetery to identify and mark the graves of the Union dead. As a prisoner, Atwater was assigned to record the names of deceased Union soldiers for the Confederates. Fearing loss of of the death record at war's end, Atwater made his own copy in hopes of notifying the relatives of some 12,000 dead interred at Andersonville. Thanks to his list and the Confederate records confiscated at the end of the war, only 460 of the Andersonville graves had to be marked " Unknown U.S. Soldier."

Both notes from website ‘Anderson Civil War Prison’ by Kevin Frye

http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/Andersonvilleprison/

Soldiers of Co. FTHOMAS F. RATHBURN; age, 20; born, Bolton, Mass.; butcher; mustered in as priv.,

Co. F, July 16, '61; died at Winchester, Va., March 15, '62.

First man killed in action, Co. F

GEORGE A. ATKINSON; age, 25; born, Amherst, N.S.-, shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 16, '6l; killed, July l, '63.

Killed first day of Gettysburg

JAMES H. BELSER ; age, 29; born, Inverness, Can.; carpenter; mustered in as corp., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out for promotion, March 7, '63; promoted to 2d lieut. 9th Regt. Colored Troops, March 7, '63; residence, Marlboro', Mass.

One of many foreign born members of Co. F, and one of a few who later became officers of Colored troops.

GEORGE N. BRIDGEWATER ; age, 27; born, England; seaman; mustered in as corp., Co. F, July 16, '61; Nov. 16, '63, promoted to 1st lieut. U.S. Colored Troops. Died of disease while officer of Colored Troops.

Another foreign born member who became an officer in Colored troop. Bridgewater’s very extensive service papers are located at the Marlborough Historical Society, including papers relating to his recruitment of colored men in the South.

Soldiers of Co. F

HENRY J. BRIGHAM; age 25; horn, Marlboro', Mass.; shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July l6,'6l; mustered out as sergt., Aug. l,'64; died, Aug., '65.

SIDNEY A. BRIGHAM; age, 20; born, Marlboro', Mass.; shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out, Feb. 14, '63; taken prisoner, Aug. 30, '62, but paroled in three days.

WILLIAM F. BRIGHAM; age, 19; born. West Acton, Mass.; shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co': F, July 16, '61; died of wounds, July 18, '64; promoted to Corp.

Three Brighams from Co. F. Their relation to the more famous Brighams from Feltonville/Hudson is unknown. William F. is not the twin brother of Historian Wilbur Brigham. That William F. Brigham died a year later having served with a different company.

Soldiers of Co. FCALVIN H. CARTER; age, 24; born, Berlin, Mass.; shoemaker; mustered in as

sergt., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out, Nov. 14, '62; wounded at Manassas, Aug. 30, '62; declined commission; residence, Marlboro', Mass.

SETH G. HASKELL; age, 31; born, Marlboro', Mass.; trader; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out, Aug. 1, '64; residence, Hudson, Mass.

Both involved in the Torch episode. Haskell was one of the very few who went through the war apparently unscathed. 95% of Co. F were either killed, wounded, or mustered out for disease.

Soldiers of Co. FLEDRA A. COOLIDGE ; age, 24; born, Marlboro', Mass.; shoemaker; mustered in

as priv., Co. F, July 16, '61 mustered out as principal musician, Feb., '63.

SILAS A. COOLIDGE; age, 20; born, Bolton, Mass.; shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 16, '61 mustered out, Oct. 11, '62; reenlisted, Co. D, 59th Mass., Feb. 9, '64, and died July 1, '64.

Both implicated in John Brown’s raid. Their family relationship is unknown.

GEORGE L. W. CROSS; age, 19; born, Hanover, N.H.; shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 16, '61; dropped from the rolls, Feb. 1, '62; reenlisted, Feb. 17, '62, in Co. G, 15th Mass., and was killed at Gettysburg, July 2, '63; left the 13th in January, '62, on a furlough; wrote to Captain Whitcomb for money to return, and was refused, whereupon he enlisted in the 15th.

There is an interesting story in here, but I don’t know what it is.

GEORGE T. DICKEY ; age, 35; born, Weston, Mass.; farmer; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 16, '61; died March 4, '62, at Williamsport, Md.

Probably one of the first to die of disease. The balance of the unit had already left for the South.

ABEL B HASTINGS; age, 18; born, Marlboro', Mass.; shoemaker; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out, Aug. 1, 64; wounded Aug. 30, 62, and taken prisoner at Gettysburg; residence, Marlboro, Mass.

One of the many prisoners from the 13th taken at Gettysburg.

Soldiers of Co. FCHARLES E. HAYNES; age, 24; born, Sudbury, Mass.; farmer; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July

16, '61; mustered out, Aug. 1, '64; wounded at Manassas, Aug. 30, '62, at Antietam, Sept. 17, '62, and at Spotsylvania, May, '64; residence, Sudbury, Mass.

One of a number of soldiers from Sudbury in Co. F. Wounded 3 times.

HENRY O'NEAL ; age, 24; born, Ireland; laborer; mustered in as priv., Co. F, July 23, '63; deserted, Nov. 5, '63.

JOHN QUINN; age, 23; born, Troy, N.Y.; sailor; mustered in as priv., Co. I, July 25, '63; deserted, Aug. 16, '63.

Both of these men were part of the New York draft riots. After Gettysburg, a draft was instituted to replenish troops. 190 men were drafted from Marlboro/Feltonville. In New York City, there was terrible rioting. Many of these men were transferred to Boston and inserted into Massachusetts units. The desertion rate from these men was exceedingly high.

1st Lt. ABEL H. POPE; age, 36; morocco-dresser; mustered in as 1st lieut., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out as capt., Oct. 3, '63; promoted to capt., Nov. 29, '62; wounded, Sept. 17, '62.

One of those involved in sending the torches back to Feltonville, he was wounded at Antietam. Does anyone know what a morocco-dresser is?

Capt. HENRY WHITCOMB; age, 41; farmer; mustered in as capt., Co. F, July 16 61; mustered out, Nov. 29,'62; wounded, Aug. 30,'62; deceased.

CHAS. F. MORSE; age, 29; born, Marlboro', Mass.; mustered in as 2d lieut., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out as capt.. May 10, '65; promoted to capt. and commissary of subsistence, Aug. 30, '62; served with the Army of the Potomac until April, '64; then at Chicago, as depot commissary of subsistence until March, '65, when returned to Army of Potomac as inspector of the commissary department of all the armies operating against Richmond residence, Marlboro', Mass.

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Soldiers of Co. F1st Lt. ABEL H. POPE; age, 36; morocco-dresser; mustered in as 1st lieut., Co. F,

July 16, '61; mustered out as capt., Oct. 3, '63; promoted to capt., Nov. 29, '62; wounded, Sept. 17, '62.

One of those involved in sending the torches back to Feltonville, he was wounded at Antietam. It appears that he was promoted to Captain when Henry Whitcomb was mustered out due to his wounds. Does anyone know what a morocco-dresser is?

Capt. HENRY WHITCOMB; age, 41; farmer; mustered in as capt., Co. F, July 16 61; mustered out, Nov. 29,'62; wounded, Aug. 30,'62; deceased.

Wounded at 2nd Bull Run. It’s not clear from this entry whether he died from his wounds.

2nd Lt. CHAS. F. MORSE; age, 29; born, Marlboro', Mass.; mustered in as 2d lieut., Co. F, July 16, '61; mustered out as capt.. May 10, '65; promoted to capt. and commissary of subsistence, Aug. 30, '62; served with the Army of the Potomac until April, '64; then at Chicago, as depot commissary of subsistence until March, '65, when returned to Army of Potomac as inspector of the commissary department of all the armies operating against Richmond residence, Marlboro', Mass.

One of the many men from the 13th Regiment to be promoted to greater responsibility. They were among the most educated and motivated men in the Union Army

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John S. Fay

• John S. Fay was certainly one of the most respected men in Marlboro, in Massachusetts, perhaps the entire Northeast.

• As a member of Co. F 13th Regiment he had lost both his right arm and his right leg from wounds received at Fitzhugh’s Crossing. Shortly after his amputations he and his surgeon were taken prisoners of war and sent to Libby Prison.

• At wars end he was made Postmaster in Marlboro, a position he held into the 20th century.

• As Postmaster, he was the highest ranking Federal official in Marlboro.

• As a member of the 13th, he was the ideal man to have accepted the oath of Lysander Parker concerning the John Brown Bell.

George L. Crosby

● Despite the fact that he was a photographer, we have no photos of him.

● In his shop at the Union Block, he painted pictures, took photos, and made signs.

● He brought his photo equipment to war and took many photos of men and camp life, some of which are shown in this presentation.

George L. Crosby

• Despite the fact that he was a photographer, we have no photos of him.

• At his shop in the Marlboro Main St. Union Block, he took photos, painted pictures, and made signs.

• He brought his photo equipment to war and took many photos of individuals and camp life, including some contained in this presentation.

• Advertisement is from the Marlboro Mirror, Oct. 1860

George L. Crosby

• Crosby moved to Hannibal Missouri after the war, opened up a photo and painting studio, married and had two children.

• He has two paintings in the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal.

• His life and those of his family ended tragically. The death notice appears next.

Hannibal ClipperNewspaperJune, 1877

The local columns of The Clipper to-day contain the full particulars of one of the most distressing casualties which has ever occurred in this city. Mr. George L. Crosby, with his wife and two children, embracing we may say an entire family, were drowned in the outskirts of the city during the hard rain of yesterday afternoon, by being precipitated into a swollen stream, by the sinking of a bridge which they were attempting to cross with a horse and carriage. The occurrence is one which shocks a whole community; causes poignant grief and distress to relatives and friends, and furnishes the most forcible and impressive illustration possible of the brittle thread by which human life is suspended.

BibliographyAll of the publications below are available at the Marlboro Public Library and

the Marlboro Historical Society. Links to online, full-text versions of several of the publications below can be

found at the Society’s website. History of the Town of Marlborough

by Charles Hudson

Historical Reminiscences of the Early Times in Marlborough

by Ella Bigelow

Four Hundred Fifty Events in Marlborough and Neighboring Towns

by Cyrus Felton

Six Hundred Events in Marlborough and Neighboring Towns

by Cyrus Felton

History of the Second Parish Church (Unitarian), Marlborough

by Edward Farwell Hayward

BibliographyThe following resources are available

online13th Mass Website Brad Forbush webmaster

13thmass.org

John Buczek’s Marlborough History Website

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~historyofmarlborough/contents.htm#CONTENTS

The John Brown Bell by Joan Abshire

http://www.historicmarlborough.org/John_Brown_Bell.html

Proceedings of the Worcester Disunion Convention

available at multiple sites

BibliographyThe following resources were also used

The Business Enterprises and Commercial Development of Harpers Ferry

Lower Town Area, 1803-1861

by Charles W. Snell

The Marlboro Daily Enterprise

1890 – 1978

The Marlboro Mirror

1860 - 1870

Three Years in the Army

by Charles E. Davis, 1894

The John Brown Bell Tower Memorial

Tenth Anniversary of the Rededication Program, 1978