History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

348 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
to establish a free public library, and appropriated
for that purpose the sum of $;300; and at the
annual March meeting in 1860 it was reported
that the number of the volumes in the library was
fourteen hundred and seventy.
At this meeting it was also voted to purchase
land of William Ricliardson for a cemetery, if, in
the opinion of an appointed committee, it should
be for the interest of the town so to do, the ground
being located on the westerly side of tlie town,
adjoining Woburn. The lot was purcliased, con-
taining i-l^ acres and 14 rods, and was sub-
sequently laid out into 699 burial lots.
The first society of the Methodist Episcopal
church was organized January 2, 1865.
The religious society known as the Christian
Union (,'lutrch was organized February 23, 1867.
The First Baptist Church was organized Feb-
ruary 7, 1870, with Eev. A. J. Hovey as i}astor.
Tlie Stoneiiam Liglit Infantry Company, being
Company L of the 7th Eegiment Massachusetts
Infantry, was one of the first to respond to the call
of the President for troops at the time of the late
Rebellion. The officers were Jolni H. Dike, cap-
tain; Leander F. Lynde, Darius N. Stevens,
James F. Rowe, and William B. Blaisdell of Lynn,
lieutenants.
This company was transferred from the 7th to
the 6th regiment. At two o'clock on the morning
of April 17, 1861, Captain Dike received orders
from the governor, by a special messenger de-
spatclied from the office of Adjutant-General
Sciiouler, to report himself with his company at
tiic state-house next morning. The reply of Cap-
tain Dike to tl\e messenger was, "Tell the adjutantgeneral
that I shall be at the state-iiouse wilii my
full command by eleven o'clock to-day." True to
his word. Captain Dike reported at the state-house
at eleven o'clock, and that afternoon, attached to
the Gth regiment, the company left for Washing-
ton. Two days afterw-ards, on the 19tli of Aj)ril,
during their march through Baltimore, Captain
Dike was shot down while leading his company
through the mob, rc-ceiviug a wound in the leg
which made hiin a cripplr lor life.
Stoneham furnislud four Iniiulri'd ami four men
for the war, wliicii was a .surplus of forty-six
above all demands. Twenty-rive were commis-
sioned officers. The amount of money raised and
expended for war purposes, exclusive of state aid,
was $.'50,616.79.
The aniount of money raised and expended bv
the town during the war for state aid to soldiers'
families, and repaid by the commonwealth, was
$36,111.73.
The women of Stoneham, from the commencement
to the close of the war, were unceasing in
their eff'orts to render aid to the soldiers.
Stoneham lost during the war : died of wounds,
seven ; died in rebel prisons, four ; died of disease,
twenty-one; killed in battle, eleven.
In July, 1868, the town voted to build a sol-
dier's monument, and chose a committee to carry
out the vote. The monument is of Concord gran-
ite, and consists of a base six feet square and three
feet high. On this is a pedestal, five feet square
at the base, seven feet high, with a concave die surmounted
with a heavy cornice. From the top of
this springs the shaft, which is sixteen feet high.
The four dies bear on their faces heavy marble
shields, handsomely cut, and inscribed Avith the
names of the soldiers whose deaths are commemo-
rated. About middle way of the south side of the
shaft, in bas-relief, are two hands clasped over the
swords of Justice and of State crossed ; a wreath
of laurel surrounds the hands, aiul the streamer
that binds the wreath is inscribed : " By the
sword she seeks peace under liberty." Over
these emblems is a canopy of stars. On the west
the word "Justice," in a wreath. On the north,
an anchor, cannon, national shield, and fiags. On
the east " Liberty," in a w reath.
The shield on the south side is inscribed : —
To the
Men of Stoneijam
wlio
died for their country
the War of the Rebellion.
Erected bv the Town,
A. d! 1S09.
On the west side as follows :
—
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Col. J. Parker Goidd, 50lh Mass., Aug. 21, ISO-l.^
Darius Johonnott, tOlb Mass., March 23, 1S05.
Sidney F. Mellen, 8th R.ittcry, Oct. 11, 1802.
W. II. Kirhnnlson, .-)lh Mass., July 7, ISOl.
Chailrs A Uhiiil.M-, l:ith Mass., Sept. 27, 18G2.
Kn(l,i)( k C, Anns, :ir,lh Mas.s., June 2a, 1804.
Willuuii lla.veb, j'Jth Mass., Jan. 31, 1869.
> Jarob Pnrker Gould, (i son of Jacob and Pbcbo C, was born
>Iiiy 15, 1822, graduated at Norwicli Uuivers'ly, Virmout; was
a i-ivil engineer; wns major of the 13lh Regiment XIassacluisetts
Voluuteeii; afterwards colonel of the 59th Massachusetts rcgi-
niciit ; wounded nt the battle of Petersburg, Virginia, bod B leg
aniputated, and died at Pliiladelphia, July 21. 1864.