The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-05-05
HISTORY OR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO.


HISTORY OR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO.
A quarter of century has just passed
since the first New Jersey troops left Tren-
ton for the seat of war, at the call of Presi-
dent Lincoln for 70, 900 volunteers to as
sist in the suppression of a rebellion, then
just commenced In certain States Of the
South. Those who may recollect, will
justly say that those times were eventful.
History also has it all recorded. New
Jerseys quota was to furnish four regi-
ments or total Of $3.50 men.
The Presidents call for troops was
issued on April 18th, 1861. On receipt
of the requisition on the nth, Governor
Olden, of this State, issued his proclama-
ton, directing all individuals or organi
cations willing to volunteer to report them
selves within 20 days.
Lambertville was the first In the State
to respond to the call for troops made by
the Governor, and 1t Is SO recorded in his
tory. The first regimental offer made and
received by the Governor by letter was
the following, which speaks for itself:
LAMBERTvILLE, N. j., April IS, 1861.
Governor CHARLES 5. OLDEN
Dear Sir.-The LIST Regiment of the
Hunterdon Brigade, at this time number
Ing about 200 men, rank and file, respect
fully tender their services to the Govern.
ment to aid in putting down the present
rebellion. We are ready to obey your
command.
v. MATHEWS,
Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Regiment,
Hunterdon Brigade.
Ashbel w. Angel was the first to start
to form Company of rs men In this city.
A badge was furnished each volunteer,
consisting of piece of blue ribbon. On
III was printed In gold, ''Volunteer."
These we're pinned ON the capped of the
coat as each volunteer enlisted or signed
his name to the roll. AS the members of
the Company strolled through the streets
of the town the greatest excitement was
created. Work and business almost
ceased. A day or two ofdriling on the va
cant lot on South Union street, then the
Company was nurrieu 10 lrentou. o-r
tain Simeon r. Husclton Immediately
formed another Company, which thinned
the town considerably of It's young men,
all with the patriotic FIRE burning within
them to 60 at their country's call to do
battle or die, il need be, in its defence.
Such was tho spirit that animated the
young mon in this City quarter of CEN
tnry ago, and we'll can be remembered the
days that the Companies left their homes
Lambertville's streets were packed with
mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and
friends bidding them all an affectionato
and perhaps last farewell.
The mothers, who shed mothers
tears, at seeing their sons marching to
war quarter of a century ago, many of
them havo passed away. In the next quar-
ter Of a century very few Of the volun-
teers will DO left to tell the tale, except
here and there perhapsa IN aged person, who
will relate his war experience to tho yet
unborn generation that Is to come. Hun
tertlon County furnished for the first three
months volunteers, three Companies, as
follows: From Lambertville, Capt. A !.
w. Angels Company, Captain Simeon
II. Huselton's Company I; from Fleming
ton, Captain George A. Aliens Company. |
OF the three Captains, two have passed
away to their final rest, leaving Captain
s. r. Hnselton, who is yet resident of |
our city, and enjoying fair health. Col.
v. r. Mathews is now resident of Rim
goes, this county.
On the Sd day Of May, % years ago,
which day came on Monday, and which
was also a beautiful day, the 5000 New
Jersey troops left Trenton, embark ing on
fourteen Delaware and Raritan steam
and with waving of handker,
chiefs and the parting shouts of the thou
sands who had assembled on tho banks of
he canal, they proceeded down the Della
ware and through the Delaware and Ches.
,peake Bay and finally reached Washing
.on on the 9th Of May. 1861. Their arri-
val was promptly reported to Gen. Scott,
and which was also great relief of
anxiety to the country. The following Is
,aid of their arrival: "0n all sides, the
arrival of the troops was hailed with plea
'ure Men felt that now the Capitol was
afe. These 5000 Jcrseymen, thoroughly
lrmed and equipped, as no regiment pre-
,iously arrived had been, could be relied
IN to repel assaults. (" II
New Jersey never stood higher in the
estimation Of the loyal people of the coun-
Try than at that juncture, when she sent
10 the Nations defence tho first full Bri.
yade of troops that reached the field.
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