Young Republican Regiment
Page 6
The regiment and most if not all of the other companies
had disbanded, the campaign was over, the object was accomplished
and its services were no longer required as a
body, when, on the second day of July, 1881, the news was
suddenly flashed across the wires with startling effect, that
the President, James A. Garfield, whom the whole country
honored and revered, had been shot by the hand of a cowardly
assassin, and on the 18th day of September, 1881,
after three long months of suffering he breathed his last.
Little did we dream that such a fate awaited our standard
bearer. His name, which only a few months before had
been shouted amid hoarse cheers, roaring of cannon and
blaze of fire, was now spoken in whispers, the whole country,
in fact the world, was in gloom and sorrow, and on the
23d of September, this notice appeared for our attention:
NOTICE
�All members of the Young Republican Regiment are requested to assemble
at the Infantry Armory Building on Sunday, September 25th, at 6
o'clock p. m., for the purpose of attending a Memorial Service for our late President, at the Beneficent Congregational Church.
Members will report to the captains of their respective companies, who
will assume command.
Mourning badges will be furnished at the armory. No uniform."
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Henry J. Hall, Col. | } |
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Philip S. Chase, Lt. Col. | } |
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Aug. Wright, Major. | } Committee |
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Chas. A. Winsor, Adjt. | } |
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Benj. W. Gallup, Paym'r. | } |
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Geo. T. Seabury, Lt. Co. F. | } |
The regiment, which marched so proudly to victory under
the banner of James A. Garfield, revived its organization
for the purpose of availing itself of the sad privilege of laying
its tribute upon the grave of its dead leader. The memorial
service was held in the Beneficent Congregational
Church, and was largely attended. The regiment formed
at the armory of the First Light Infantry and left for the
church soon after seven o�clock, numbering seven hundred
men, under command of Colonel Hall and accompanied by
the American Band, playing slow marches. The pathetic
contrast between this solemn march and the last previous
parade of the regiment, which was its march of triumph,
was apparent to and touched everybody.
Before closing the account of the regiment meetings there
is one which doubtless you all remember, although I find no
order for it, and that one was for the purpose of raising
funds with which to pay the American Band for their excellent
services rendered during the campaign. The command
assembled at the Infantry Armory, and, after listening to a
concert by the band, the financial condition of the regiment
was stated. The various companies pledged certain amounts
towards the indebtedness. Company A, through their representative, President Kendrick, pledged the sum of fifty
dollars, and in accordance therewith that amount was paid
to the paymaster of the regiment.
During the campaign Company A took part in eleven parades.
The roster of the company at the commencement of the
campaign, as I have mentioned before, consisted of seventy-
one men; since the disorganization of the regiment there
has been a marked decrease in the company's membership.
This has been caused no doubt, not from any lack of interest
in the company's welfare, but because the object for
which the company was organized had been accomplished.
The existence of the company at this time shows the character
of the persons who constitute its members; no company
in the regiment has kept up its organization except Company
A. Regularly every three months since the first meeting of
the company, meetings have been held and well attended,
this meeting being the ninth. The first meeting was held
November 10th, 1880; the second February 10th, 1881;
third, May 16th, 188; fourth, an informal one at Field's
Point, in August of the same year; the fifth, in November,
1881; sixth, February 10th, 1882; seventh, May 18th, 1882,
and the eighth, November 9th, 1882. An excursion was made
when the regular summer meeting time occurred, but as it
was not a regular meeting it was not generally attended.
It has been my aim in preparing this paper to give as accurately
as can be ascertained the doings of the company
from its start. There are many pleasant instances which
might be enumerated, that might make this record one of
greater interest, but I have thought it unnecessary at this
time to give anything but a synopsis of the doings of the
company. I will leave such incidents for some other member
of the company more capable than I am to hand them
down to our children. It is my wish and I think that of each
individual member of the company that its organization
should be maintained.
In conclusion, I would say that much credit is due to President
John E. Kendrick, for his earnest efforts in the Company's welfare
and he is deserving of our highest commendation.
NOTE
In addition to the names already mentioned in the original roster of the
company, on page 6, the following named persons have been admitted to
membership in Company A Association at different times since the
Presidential campaign, viz.:--
George E. Goodrich, admitted February 10, 1882.
Henry H. Harris, admitted February 10, 1882.
George W. S. Burroughs, admitted May 18, 1882.
J. William Patstone, admitted November 9, 1882.
William C. Smith, admitted May 8, 1883.
Charles S. Spalding, admitted May 8, 1883.
George R. Harper, admitted May 8, 1883.
William H. Manchester, admitted May 8, 1883.
W. A. Brownell, admitted May 8, 1883.
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