History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

serve the Union. As early as January 31, a meet-
ing of the officers of the 6th Massachusetts Regi-
naent was held at the American House in Lowell
to "arrange for future contingencies." At this
meeting Major B. F. Watson of Lawrence pre-
sented the following resolution, which received the
approval of all present —
:
" Resolved, Tbat Coloael Jones be authorized and re-
quested, forthwith, to tender the services of the 6th regiment
to the commander-in-chief and legislature, when such
service may become desirable, for the purposes contem-
plated in General Order No. 4.
This resolution was read in the legislature by
Gen. B. F. Butler, who was at that time a member
of the senate.
April 15, Colonel Jones received the following
order :
—
" Commomcealth of Massachusetts.
" Adjutant-Genebal's Office, Bosto.v, April 15, 1861.
" Col. Jones : Sir, I am directed by His Excellency,
the Commander-in-Chief, to order you to muster your regiment
on Boston Common, forthwith, ia compliance with a
requisition made by the President of the United States.
The troops are to go to Washington.
"By order of His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief,
"William Scuouler, Adjidant-Oenend"
On the night of the 15th it became known that
the 6th regiment was called to go to the front ;
the soldiers assembled at the armories, and fifty
or sixty names were added to the rolls. Colonel
Jones was present, and made a speech to the
companies. The men were busy all night making
necessary preparations. Tiie ne.\t morning the
armories were crowded by citizens, who came
forward with ofl'ers of money, clothing, etc. A
drizzly rain-storm prevailed, but it did not damp
the ardor of the men.
The out-of-town companies arrived about nine
o'clock, A. M., and the regiment assembled in
Huntington Hall.
The following companies were from Lowell
Company A, National Greys, Josiah A. Sawtell,
captain ; C, Mechanic Phalanx, Albert S. Follans-
bee, captain ; D, City Guards, James W. Hart,
captain ; H, Watson Light Guard, John F. Noyes,
lieutenant commanding.
At ten o'clock Huntington Hall was filled.
Colonel Jones introduced the mayor, who presided.
Eev. Amos Blanchard, D. D., read the Eighteenth
Psalm. Addresses were made by the mayor
(B. C. Sargent), A. R. Brown, Esq., f. H. Sweetser,
Esq., Captain Peter Haggerty, Hon. Linus Child,
Colonel George F. Sawtell, and Hon. Tappan Went-
:
LOWELL. 87
worth. Mayor Sargent assured the soldiers that
tliey and their families should be cared for by the
city. The city government promptly responded
April 18, voting the sum of ^8,000 to be used for
that purpose. The benediction was pronounced by
Rev. Dr. Blanchard.
The regiment, accompanied by the Brigade Band,
took an extra train of cars for Boston at a quar-
ter before twelve o'clock. On its arrival in Boston
it marched to Faneuil Hall. During the march
tlie men were enthusiastically cheered by the people
who lined the streets and occupied the buildings
along the route. At quarter-jjast four o'clock, p. m.,
it marched from Faneuil Hall, tlirough State and
Washington streets, to Boylston Hall, where quar-
ters had been prepared.
April 17, the regiment was increased in Boston
by the addition of the Stoneham Light Infantry,
Captain J. H. Dike ;
the Washington Light Guard,
Boston, Captain Walter S. Sampson ; and the
Worcester Light Lifantry, Captain Harrison W.
Pr.itt. The other companies were filled up by men
from other regiments, so- that the 6th numbered
six hundred and fifty men.' At eleven A.m. the
regiment marched to the State House, where those
of the troops who had old muskets were furnished
with the new rifled musket; each man received an
overcoat,^ flannel shirt and drawers, and a pair of
stockings. While in front of the State House the
regimental colors were presented to Colonel Jones
by Governor Andrew, who said :
—
" Soldiers, summoned suddenly, with but a mo-
ment for preparation, we have done all that lay in
the power of men to do, — all that rested in the
power of your state government to do, — to pre-
pare the citizen soldiers of Massachusetts for this
service. We shall follow you with our benedictions,
our benefactions, and prayers. Those whom
you leave behind you we shall cherish in our heart
of hearts. You carry with you our utmost faith
and confidence. We know that you never will
return until you can bring the assurances that the
utmost duty has been performed wliich brave and
patriotic men can accomplish. Tliis flag, sir, take
and bear with you. It will be an emblem on
which all eyes -nail rest, reminding you always of
that which you are bound to hold most dear."
In reply. Colonel Jones said —
:
" Your Excellency, you have given to me this
flacf, which is the emblem of all that stands before
Procured by the governor,
'. Butler.
the suegestiou of General