The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1889-11-28
In Working clothes,

At the tine OF the draft riots in New
York, the Thirty Seventh Massachusettt
Regiment with three others. was detailed
from the Army Of the Potomac to preserve
the peace OF the city Ths draft was TO be
resumed on the 10th OF August, and ser.
ious outbreak was feared. The rioters as.
serted that they had twenty thousand men
well armed and organized They had al
all events, special spite against the Mass
acbusetts soldiers. nd declared that no
one OF them should get away alive.
Colonel Edwards, OF the Thirty Seventh
accepted the challenge thus thrown down.
Said he to General CANDY | wish to bring
my regiment to the city, to station them
as special guard of the drafting proceed
logs, that no other troops be in sight, and
that they display only the Massachusetts,
flag except in case Of actual conflict, when
they will also fly tho Unit States col.
ors
The request was at once acceded to, and
the regiment was brought into the city,
where it bivouacked ,or the night on the
ground at the Battery.
The next day the drafting began anew,
and was proceeded with without any hos.
tile demonstration 10 the evening sever
al regiments OF the New York militia
marched on to the Washington parade
ground for their dress parade. Their ap
pearance was fine, with their SNOWY and
untarnished uniforms and their full brass
bands. Their friends, many thousands in
number, applauded loudly as they went
through the various exercises in highly
creditable manner
As the last regiment marched of the
Thirty Seventh MARCHED on. The contrast
could not have been greater. From the
holiday parade to an exhibition Of veterans
fresh from the fields OF deadly strife, the
change was instantaneous ard striking. The
curious throng became silent in moment
Men, women and children all seemed TO
realize that they were looking upon leaf
from the great book Of war.
Those sturdy, bronzed men were in the
midst OF their term Of service Their dill
apidatsd garments, while made as present
able as possible, had protected their --oar
ers in the trenches across the Rappahau-
nok, in the terrible marches after Lee, had
been torn by the cannonade at Gettysburg
soaked aud rent in the hand built entrench
ments OF that fatal field and on the horri-
BILE by ways OF Catoctin Mountain.
Never did the sturdy arms OF Drum Ma
ior Gaffney wake more anlmating respon-
ses than when bis drum corps performed
its part that evening; the entire regiment
seemed neryed to do its very best. From
the first command given by the Colonel
every movement was executed AS though
by an automaton.
From the assembled multitude burst an
irresistible wave Of applause. 80 earnest
and long continued that the succeeding
orders we're delayed to allow 1t TO abate.
Finally the order was given TO "raise
arms" 1.-The most difficult man8uycr known
10 infantry tactics for regiment to per.
form In cadence. As though o single in.
telligence animated the entire line, every
back was bent es one, and every form as.
sumed iis perpeadie ar.
The enthusiasm ~ the surrounding mul-
titude could no longer be retained. Like
a peal oil thunder applause and cheera
burst forth. drowning every effort OF Col.
oncl Edwards to make bis voice heard
and the parade was summarily dismiss
ed.