1861. regimental dress-parade elicited the applause of all pres

May 21.

May 24.

May 25.

May 26.

May 27.

May 30.

June 7.

June 14.

June 17.

ent.

On May 21 Col. Webster received orders to recruit his regiment to the maximum.

During the night of Friday, May 24, an alarm was sounded for the purpose of testing the promptness and efficiency of the regiment. In less than three minutes the regiment was on the parade-ground in line of battle and ready for duty.

On Saturday, May 25, the governor and members of the Legislature visited the regiment, Gov. Andrew making an eloquent speech. On the same day the Second Battalion left Fort Warren, escorted to the wharf by the regiment, and to the State House by Companies A and E.

Sunday, May 26, was marked by a visit from Mayor Wightman of Boston, and members of the city government, accompanied by Gen. B. F. Edmands.

On Monday the steamer "Massachusetts " passed, carrying troops for Fort Pickens, and received the customary salute.

Thursday, May 30, was noted by a singular incident. An officer of one of the companies — having uttered traitorous sentiments, and rejoiced over the death of Col. Ellsworth was cashiered, and marched out of the fort to the melody of "The Rogue's March."

On Friday, June 7, the Eleventh Regiment left Fort Warren. Their last night in the fort was marked by a very fraternal re-union, the exercises closing by all joining in singing "Auld Lang Syne." The Eleventh was escorted to the city by Companies A and B of the Twelfth, under command of Capt. Murch.

By request of the Secretary of War, on Friday, June 14, the Twelfth Regiment was accepted as part of the Massachusetts quota.

On the following Monday, Col. Webster attended a flagraising at Bunker Hill, by invitation of Gov. Andrew; and, when called on by the governor, Col. Webster made a speech which the papers at the time styled "brief and appropriate." It was his last public utterance in Massa

chusetts.

1861.

June 17.

"His father, he said, had made the oration when the cornerstone of the monument was laid, and again when the monument was completed. He well remembered the preliminary meetings of the committee selected to decide upon the size, character, design, and site of the monument. He could remember the appearance of most of them, as their meetings were frequently held at his father's house.

"As a boy, I was present at the laying of the corner-stone of this great obelisk, under whose shadow we now are. Lafayette laid the stone with appropriate and imposing Masonic ceremonies. The vast procession, impatient of unavoidable delay, broke the line of march, and in a tumultuous crowd rushed toward the orator's platform; and I was saved from being trampled under foot by the strong arm of Mr. George Sullivan, who lifted me on his shoulders, shouting, "Don't kill the orator's son!" and bore me through the crowd, and placed me on the staging at my father's feet. I felt somewhat embarrassed at that notice, as I do now at this unforeseen notice by his Excellency; but I had no occasion to make an acknowledgment of it.' He had also witnessed the ceremonies at its completion. Many distinguished persons from all parts of our country were present, some of whom, I regret to say, would hardly like now to renew that visit or recall that scene. Within a few days after this, I left the country and sailed for China; and, while light and eyesight lasted, I watched its lofty summit as it faded from view. I now stand again at its base, and renew the vows once more on its national altar, - not for the first time made, of devotion to my country, its Constitution and Union. From this spot I take my departure, like the mariner commencing his voyage; and, wherever my eyes close, they will turn hitherward, towards this North; and, in whatever event, grateful will be the reflection that this monument still stands, still is gilded by the earliest beams of the rising sun, and that still departing day lingers and plays upon its summit.'

999

Gen. Schouler, in his "History of Massachusetts during the Rebellion," says,

"No man who ever knew Col. Webster could read these words uttered by him, on this occasion, without remembering many pleasant incidents connected with him.”

1861. June.

Drills and dress-parades marked the time till the close of the month, interspersed with mock parades led by Townley of Company A, as lieutenant-colonel, and Davidson of Company B, as adjutant, both of whom were unrivalled in their "counterfeit presentment."

Choice music in abundance, both instrumental and vocal; frolic and games of all kinds, in the quarters and on the parade-ground; watching the shipping from the ramparts as it entered and left the harbor; fraternizations with the Second Battalion of Infantry, the Fourteenth and Eleventh Regiments; receiving and entertaining friends and distinguished visitors; frequent visits to the city; with plenty of food, of good quality, furnished by Caterer J. B. Smith, - all served to make the time pass very pleasantly.

But one thing was desired: officers and men were impatiently awaiting orders to proceed to Washington.

1861. June 26.

July 11.

N Wednesday, June 26, 1861, eight hundred and fifty men of the Webster Regiment were mustered into the United-States service by Capt. Marshall, U.S.A.

In July the ranks were filled, and on the 11th the newcomers were sworn in by Capts. Marshall and Amory. The regimental roster was as follows:

Colonel. - FLETCHER WEBSTER of Marshfield.

Lieutenant-Colonel. - TIMOTHY M. BRYAN, jun., of Newton.
Major. · ELISHA M. BURBANK of Woburn.

Adjutant.THOMAS P. HAVILAND of Newton.
Quartermaster. - DAVID WOOD of Lexington.
Chaplain. - EDWARD L. CLARK of Andover.
Surgeon. - JEDEDIAH H. BAXTER of Boston.
Assistant-Surgeon. — J. MCLEAN HAYWARD of Boston.
Sergeant-Major. — GERALD FITZGERALD of Boston.

Quartermaster-Sergeant. LORING W. MUZZEY of Lexington.

Commissary-Sergeant. - CHARLES W. THOMPSON of Boston.
Hospital-Steward.-C. C. HUTCHINS of Maine.

After reaching Maryland this company was named "Felton Guards," in honor of a young lady of Boston to whom Capt. Kimball was betrothed.

16

1861. July 11.

Capt. Murch was an old veteran of the Mexican war; and his company was known as the "Dehon Guards," in honor of William Dehon, Esq., of the Webster Committee.

Captain. - NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, jun., Boston.
First Lieutenant. -J. OTIS WILLIAMS.

Second Lieutenant. - GEORGE B. DRAKE.

Capt. Shurtleff being a graduate of the Boston Latin School, that institution greatly interested itself in his company. They gave about four hundred dollars toward furnishing each member with flannels, stockings, etc., presented Capt. Shurtleff with a purse of seventyfive dollars, and voted a gold medal with a suitable inscription to the member of Company D who should prove most worthy during his term of service. They also presented to the company a handsome standard, made in the form of the old Roman maniple, surmounted by a gilt eagle and bearing a medallion head of Daniel Webster. Underneath were the numerals "xii." and the letter "D.” In acknowledgment of all this, Company D styled itself the "Latin School Guard."

Capt. Saltmarsh was formerly of the Norwich Military Academy. Mr. Emerson's Boston school of young ladies was very generous to this company, which took the name of Emerson Guards."

These five companies were recruited in Boston: the remaining five were recruited in the towns against their captains' names.