History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

304 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
insurgents being at Pelliam, where the comniander
resided, invitations were extended to the disaffected
in every part of the state to organize, and repair
thither, and act as circumstances should require.
This presented another opportunity for the disaf-
fected patriots of Shirley and Groton to show their
zeal for the rebel cause. Matthew Clark, a resi-
dent of Shirley, and a private in the campaign, has i
tiius described the movement ; we follow his ac-
count.
" A number of men were assembled from Siiirley
and Groton, in tiie centre of the first-named town,
at the public-liouse of ilr. James Dickerson, and
after paying their devotions at the altar of Bacchus
grew brave, and proceeded to organize themselves
into a military company, to join tlie insurgent forces
under Shays, and assist him in his patriotic work.
Aaron Bigelow, of Groton, was elected captain
Solomon Pratt, of Shirley, was promoted to a lieu-
tenancy ;
and Cornelius Davis, also of Siiirley, was
appointed ensign. The company immediately took
up a line of marcli for Pelham, whicii place they
reached on the third day. They remained there
about eight days, when the rebel army was removed
to Petersham.
" During this period tlie company from Shirley
formed a ])art of tlie detachment that was sent to
Springfield to suppress a court in that place. After
a sliglit skirmish the detachment was driven back
by government troops. As General Lincoln, who
commanded these troops, pushed forward towards
the rebel camp in Petersham, Shays, with his prin-
cipal officers, fled to other states, and eventually
took refuge in Canada. Captain Bigelow and
Lieutenant Pratt were also among the missing ;
;
but
Ensign Davis, true to the obligations he had as-
sumed, never left his command, but made an
orderly retreat back to Siiirley with his entire
company. At Fitchburg, through whicli town
tliey passed, a body of government troops were
stationed to intercept, and if possible capture them
but so well disciplined and firm was the rebel corps,
that it was allowed an unmolested course. As these
soldiers marched through the villages lying ou their
way, they presented as great external apjiearance
of 'the pomp of war' as their means would allow,
bv unfurling their banner and marching in closed
ranks to the sound of music.
"\Viien the company arrived at liic border of
Shirley it was disbanded, and each nmu returned
to his home. Subsequently e\ery iiiili\ idiml that
volunteered in this canqjaigu was arrested, carried
i not
! town
j of
• all
j
! The
1 Mexican
to Fitchburg, and there forced to surrender his
arms, take the oath of allegiance, and receive a
discharge."
The following action from the town records will
show the attitude of the people at this perilous
period. A meeting of the town called by a war-
rant posted January 29, 17S7, contained these
articles: 1. "To see what the town will do in re-
gard to sending provision to those men who are
gone, or about to go (as they say), in defence of
tlieir rights and privileges. '2d. To see if the town
will take into consideration the present distressing
circumstances of our public affairs, and consult
upon means for a settlement of those disturbances
that are subsisting in this commonwealth.-"
At the meeting that followed it was voted, " 1st,
to send provisions to the men gone from this
under arms. 2d, to choose a committee,
agreeable to the second article." Tliis committee
reported in favor of sending a petition to the Gen-
eral Court praying that all " the disturbances sub-
sisting in this commonwealth may be settled";
which report was accepted, and tiie petition sent.
By this action of the town we find that a majority
the people were opposed to the use of forcible
measures, though it cannot be denied that almost
of them were in favor of some immediate and
salutary reforms in the affairs of government.
War of 1812 with Great Britain and tiie
War liave left no data wortiiy of record,
and the incidents usual to most of the New Eng-
j land
I capture
towns were exjierienced in Shirley in regard
to the War of tiie Rebellion. The news of the
of Fort Sumter, which came to town
April 15, 1861, aroused the entire community
from their apathy, and caused the dullest to be-
lieve that the rebels were in earnest in their bellig-
erent declarations. From that time until tlie war
closed the interest and zeal of our people Mere
unabated. Town-meetings were of fretiuent occurrence,
large sums of the public funds were appro-
priated for tiie benefit of the army, and tiie stream
of private ciiarity was constantly accumulating for
the encouragement and comfort of tiie Federal sol-
diers.
Tlie whole number mustered into tiie service
from Siiirley was one iiundred and lliirty-eigiit.
Of tiiis number twenty-one were killed, died in
camp or hosjiital, or at honie of disease engendered
by tiie hardships of army life.
The town has been largely peopled by persons
of rural occupations and rural liabits. 'I'o till the