Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-01

Fifty-one of the two hundred and twenty men
who represented Nhis town and counted on our
quota were purchased by bounty of about three
hundred and twenty-five dollars each-men whom
but few, if any, of ever saw, and perhaps at this
late day it will not be worth while to make any
great effort to secure their acquaintance. leave
them "unhonOred and unsung," simply remarking
that no one who has examined their record win
dispute that the money paid was well worth the
service rendered.
But of our own citizens we can proudly say their
record is such as we shall ever love to remember
and it will be remembered and honored.
Where all with only one or two isolated exceptions,
discharged their duties so faithfully and endured
their priyation and suertngs so patiently, any al
lusiOns to any regiments, companies individuals
especially worthy of our notice and grateful ad.
mration might be deemed unkindness or disrespect
to others but know that all who are the least ia.
miar with our record and especially every
soldier, will pardon me If say, that of all the regi-
ments in which North Brookfied was represented,
the Fifteenth was not only first in the field, but
she was prominently fighting regiment;
of all the companies, company of this same regi-
ment was our fighting company, and saw the most
hard service; and of all our brave bows none were
more prompt and cheerful in the discharge of every
duty, or are more worthy to be always remembered
and ever honored than Joseph c. Fuetts and Charles
Perry They were the first to enlist and both, by
glorious death the same day in conflict with the foe,
were first discharged They fell in the bloody bat
tie of Antietam, Sept 18th, 1862.
And to have been a member of the old "fghting
Fifteenth" commanded by Gen. Charles Devens
that distinguished man and accomplished gentle
have won for him such an enyiable position in the
profession which he has so long honored whose ac-
quaintance and friendship many of us enjoy and
whom we all delight to honor; say, to have been
a worthy member of that regiment, and to have
followed such commander through all the varying
scenes and vicissitudes Of the war; to have Joined
In its shouts of victory; to have shared with it the
sorrow, discouragement and modification of de-
feat; to have been honOraby discharged from it, OF
marched in its ranks so fearfnly thinned as it re-
turned bruised and SCARED and covered all over
with glory no one has any need to covet any more
of military fame and martial glory.
Not the most daring and heroic Of all those who
so nobly and so goriously died on the CORY field is
more deserving of our gratitude and honor than are
some, may not say many of our citizens who through
all those four anxious years of strife, left the
secure and peaceful retreat of their and happy
homes, but we had in fullest measure the precious
influence of their tenderest sympathy, their con
slant labors for our comfort and happiness, theil
money and their daily prayers for heavens protect
ing care and richest blessing upon us, and all these
in no stinted or grndging measure, had them
while preparing to go, we had them while there We
have enjoyed them since our return, we have them
| STILL and we know we shall ever have them. That
they fully appreciated most highly priced and
will ever be gratefully remembered by all nv com
rades, as well as by myself l need not assure you
| and where many have done well and may justly
claim our most heartfelt Acknowledgements, perhaps
we ought not, and we will not, make any invidiou.
| distinction; but there is one noble form which We
miss here to-day, which we know, neither business
or pleasure or any pecunary consideration could in
duce to fOrego the sad, but sweet privilege of meet
ing with us to enjoy these beautiful memorial ser
vices, we there the pleasant and perfect shadow
| of his sweet face looking down interestedly and
| lovingly upon us. He has part in these tender
and touching ceremonies, but not here. We shal
| never again see that stately figure or lool
| upon his pleasant face, or hear his swee
| earnest voice, while with quivering lip and tear
glistening in his eyes, he stands here and pleads
| that the memory of our fallen comrades may b.
| suitably honored and their widows and orphans re
membcred and literally provided for We have to-
| day laid our choicest and most fragrant flower
upon his grave while tears of sorrow and swee
| witnessed how tenderly and securely in all oul
hearts is enshrined the precious memory of thu
soldiers friend. At the Organization of Post No
81, G. A. r., as we sought for it some name of no
bic prestige, one which every one would respect AM
| delight to honor, and around which all would low
to rally, we chose the name Ezra Batcheller,
| than which none can boast worther
There are many pleasant incidents and interesting
facts connected with the service of our soldier boy
in camp and field, and on board transports, Q
which ] desired and designed to speak; but OF
| committing to paper what had before mapped on
In my mind, found that my plan would have +
be very much abridged for two reasons-I had no
time to write it out and if written, could not ex
pect any one to sit here long enough to hear il
| But / cannot, without doing violence to my ow
brief and very imperfect sketch of the service
| rendered by North Brookfeld in defending GU
country against the rebellion, without referring
the noble and patriotic devotion of her women an
| labored and sacrificed to sustain ana chez
| those who went forth In defence of thei
/ Country. sometimes L IulDk we almost Forge
that there are patriotic women no less than mer
and those who have sealed their love and devotion
TO their country, by labors suferngs, and sacrifice
as great as were borne by any of their husbands o
| brothers whose valor won cur splendid vctorie
and achieved our glorious and final triumph. w
never can forget how frequent during all the Garlic
| years of the war were the meetings of our arm
| sewing circle, or how earnestly and industriousl
our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, all there
piled their needles in making those little articles
comfort and convenience which the dear boys Ell
joyed so much in camp and field, or which served
mitigate their sorrows and suferings they Ia
sick and sad In the hospital.
Shall we, can we ever forget the devotion Of GU
good mothers when our country sought the servic
Of their sons-and often an only son, and their onl
superior whom they had hoped to lean as the
should go down the vale of yearsS They said Eve
go my son-God will provide and care for me-
give you my blessing and shall follow you with m
prayers. BE good boy, john" Placing Bible i
his hands and giving him nartina kisa sha hastar