The Republican journal., 1877-07-12

Dltter contest winch the ola nero WaSeu against
the bank and tariff schemes of that eventful period.
In size the journal" was originally about TWEEN
tvone by fifteen inches. 1t was printed almost
wholly upon long primer type, so that the con
tents did not equal more than single page of the
paper as now issued The early numbers are in
teresting as pictures Of the times nearly a half
century since, for many are the changes within
even so short period. Those were the good
old times when news from Boston was week old,
and the latest Congressional intelligence twelve
days: when rum, as appears by large capitals i'll
the advertisements, the principal article in
family groceries, when merchants went TO Bos-
ton for their goods in regular fast sailing
schooner when the whistle of the Steam-engnc
had not pierced our ears, and the electric wire
had not sent tdings around the world, quicker
than thought.
The history Of the Journal is traced to
the present year, and high and just trib-
utes paid to the memories Of its deceased
editors, Benjamin c. Griffin and George
B. Moore.
An interesting chapter treats of Law
and the Courts, and another is filled with
Biographical Sketches of Lawyers. The
latter embraces, among those deceased,
Bohan P Field the elder, Judge Crosby,
John Wilson, Phineas Ashnum, Alfred
Johnson, Zaccheus Porter, William White.
Rufus B. Allyn, Joseph Williamson, Ma
thanicl NJ. Lowney and Alfred W. John
son.
The Physicians and the sanitary his
tory of the city have their space in the
History, where the annals OF the healing
art are fully set forth.
The military history Of Belfast forms
the material for two chapters, and that
pertaining to the war of the Rebellion,
two more. The incidents Of the Greene
Indian war are told at length, including
the poems of Dollitf. OF the occupation
of the town by the British forces after the
capture OF Castine in 1914, the History
says:
From the heights Of Belfast. the arrival Of the
fleet and the destruction OF the fort at CaStue
were witnessed; and it was not without agitation
that three Of the vessels We're soon seen heading
towards harbor. A portion of the fleet pro
ceeded up the Penobscot, in pursuit Of the nted
States corvette Adams which was then at Hamp
den for repairs but she burnt by order Of her
commander Captain Morris to prevent capture
As the militia then assembling at various
points, it appeared to be a necessary measure of
prccaution to occupy post on the western side
of the Bay which might afford support, if neces
sary, to the force going up the river. and cut off
communication with the southern and western
sections OF the country. Upon inquiry, the British
commander found that Belfast, being upon the
high road leading from Hampden to Boston, and
which perfectly commands the bridge" likely
n molly
directed Major general Gossen to take post here,
with the Twenty Regiment of foot
A light breeze delayed the vessels, and it was
late in the afternoon when they arrived They
We're three in number, the trgate "Burhante and
two transports. The former anchored off Steele S
Ledge, the transports came nearer the shore. At
about five o'clock. a barge, conveying several of
ticers and flag of truce, landed the beach just
below where the Foundry Wharf now stands. A
large crowd had assembled to witness their arrival
Presenting the flag the officer in command asked
interview with the chief magistrate of the place
and conducted by William Moody to flusc 5
tavern NOW the store OF ). \. Howes d Co,
where Asa Edmunds, the Chairman Of the Board
of Selectmen was formally presented The officer
then stated that his Majesty troops ordered
to hold possession of the town for Il few days ;
that, If no molestaton took place the persons and
property OF the inhabitants would be respected
and that a certain quantity of beef and other pro
visions required the next morning, and would
be Adequately paid for. Edmunds replied that he
knew Of no objection to landing the troops, but
that he doubted if the supplies could be furnished
in so short time. adding, ''If we had known YOU
were eomlng,-lf you had given us notice,-we
should have been better prepared for you" This
reply was supposed at the time to imply that
sistance would have been offered but all that the
"chief magistrate" intended was that the want
OF notice might prevent a seasonable response TO
the demand for provisions. 1t was said that the
somewhat equivocal remark occasioned no slight
mprrlmpnt when rpDOr ed hoard tlp fri
Soon after dark the troops diSembarkcd on the
same spot where the barge landed. They wore
gray fatigue coats, i'll the place of their red uni
forms, which were used on parade On their caps
was the number of their regiment. the Twenty
ninth. called the Boston Regiment. If being the
same that perpetrated the memorable Boston mas
sacre, Preceded by Il band of colored musicians
they marched up Main Street to the tune Of The
British Grenadier" General GoSselin was mount
ed on cheStnut-coored poney. The whole rank
and file numbered about seven hundred picked
men, of almost equal height They We're just from
the Mediterranean, and had served under yelling
ton. Guards We're at once stationed at the wester
ly end Of the bridge and on the roads leading to
Belmont Northport and the Narrows The AGA
deny. the west meeting house. the gun house,
and the barn of -Apollos Alden We're used as bar
racks; the old town pound at the corner Of what
is now Allyn Street and Northport Avenue
converted into fort or battery. Some Of the
troops encanped opposite the shipping. General
Gosselin occupied the Mcfarland house, then one
of the most prominent residences here. Other of
ticers were qllartered at John Wilson's and i'll the
Durham house opposite No inhabitant was i'll
terered with and no acquisitions for provisions
made; but every thing furnished was Literally
paid for. request that liquor should not be sold
to the privates was generally complied with. The
strictest military discipline was observed and every
violation of orders punished For entering gar
den without license Il soldier was severely ioggcd,
The British were unacquainted with the topogra-
ply OF the place, and supposed the lower bridge
was the key Of Penobscot River. TO prevent deser
tons the officers represented Belfast an island,
some distance from the main land. One of the
picket guards. stationed on Wilson's hill, conceiv
ed the idea of visiting the western shore of the
tS'0nd. and started on an exploring expedition III
the direction OF the setting " hen the troops
departed, he was i'll Davstown, now Montville,
where, as respectable citizen, he resided until
his death. A Northport man detected in aid
ing one Of the sentinels to desert he was carried
to Halifax as a prisoner, and detained until after
peace was declared.
The Mexican war and its local volun-
teers come next, followed by history
of the military organizations in time Of
peace, i'll which Gen. James w. Webster's
celebrated Report is given in part, with
liberal extracts from the metrical version
thereof. Belfast in the war of the rebel
lion is fully recorded. There is list com
prising every man who entered the army
or navy, and /; biographical sketch Of all
who died in the sery ice
Fitty-seven pages of the book are de
voted to the neurology of the city, con-
tanning a list Of persons deceased in the
period covered by the history.
The remaining chapters treat of the
following subjects Travelling, Post Of
flee, Hotels, &C.; Roads; Streets; Ferries
and Bridges; Steamboat Navigation
Railroads and Railroad Projects; IN
dustrial History Commercial History;
Fires and Fire Department Associations
and Societies; The Temperance Reform
Amusements; Celebrations and Observ-
ances; Visitors, Distinguished and Motor
ious; A Chapter of Accidents; Ship