The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-09-14
"Thoughts OF Long Ago"

reversed, of the early days of the war for
human rights, liberty, and the perpetuity
of the Union We have eight large Posts
here, and strange to say, during the war
our city was not thought of, and where
our beautiful city now stands, on the
banks of the Platte River, was the home
of wild beasts and wild Indians.
The old soldiers are here from Maine to
California, and from Virginia to the Gulf
of Mexico, and as rule they are our best
citizens. If man is good and faithful
soldier, he is sure to serve we'll in any
capacity of life. We have Union soldiers
for governors for judges, for mayors, and
members of Congress. Our very able
Senator, Edward O. Wolcott, was Union
soldier in the ranks.
How well do | remember being ordered
with my command from Fort Sullivan.
PASSPORT, Me, to take post and garrison
the batteries in the harbor of your beau
titul city. On our arrival by steamer from
Portland, Me- at the steamboat pier, my
the west side. | soon found we were tres
passers, as the batteries had been con
structed by contract under the supervision
of the United States engineers and had
not been accepted by the United States
government rom the contractor. A. Hay
ford, Esq. l at once telegraphed General
Dix ot New York. commanding the de
paltmeuJ of the east. the situation His
reply was 'receipt for all property that
had been ordered to garrison to the cou-
tractor ana the United States engineer. .
Il,s Was done at once and my men took
possession ReQujsition had been made
for subsistence and quartermaster stores,
b,t JAel hal not arrived. IteegIaphcd the
comuissagy and quarteImaster the stua-
Go- and thy reply was, "By next steam
e3 which was in two days My men
were tired and hnngly, and something
'Ala be done al once. then went to
tae 49, Fl nile away and made arrange
men.s tor ito day. rations for which
hae 90 le personally responsible As the
lo,e took the second thought, lie said
Iti aH ti.bt-Uucle sam can have all
.Aey want My next move vas the post
office uele found red tape enough to ill
50 basket Your postmaster, Frye, was
ye.y pleasant AID accommodating. Ny
mai savr4 been digested, ] looked tor
Temporary quarters fol myself. which
a..
y Lancaster owner and manager: a Jolly
good fellow, broad in all things and who
on iotel acquaintance, proved to be one Of
my best friends. and his dear vile one Of
COO noble women l made this house
laN temporary home until got settled at
Tire battery, Tile next day detachments
ol meu We're sent to the east side, Castine
md EoeklaLl Gatteries and in few days
We were SIT tied down in our new quarters
SO soldier LIVE. sunday came, and as my
ancestors veIe d church going people /
obeyeo ther injunction and looked fo1 the
Unitarian church, which | soon found.
The usher gave me seat with a gentle
man whose deep-toned bass impressed me.
ana Who was ever after my best musical
niand during my stay in your city He
was youl only shil-clandlel and large
ship oNnel-square as a brick in all things
1ouT minister was the late Dr.. Palfrey.
who had been settled over the society for
q 'ang tine. His sermons We're always
good, full Of patriotism and the best of
advice to yom citizens. 1t seemed to me
he could mpalt more 10 his congreg ton
II ten MINUTES than most preachers could
II De Loul His remarks We're always to
the point. always logical, always prolific
III advanced ideas must say he was one
OF G9d uoblemen Here l made my
chu1c1 home while in your beautiful city.
We frequently visited the Palfreys pleas
ant bone in musical way, and we were
always Welcome Tile last time I heard
the Doctor was III Dr.. Edward T. Hale's
church in Boston. ! think it was about
twenty years ago. am happy to say he
has son and daughter, wife of the Rev
David Utter, D. D. of this city, pastor of
the Unitarian church. The organ in your
church was beautifully played by Mrs.
HeIvey, whose kindness in a m. steal way
] shall always remember. Her ability as
B musician and composer could not be
questioned. You had at the time congre-
gational singing. How wildly Thoughts
of long ago. carry me back 35 years to
your beautiful city and its people. Some
of your readers will recall the ''male
quaYtette'' composed of Frederick, Bar
ker, Thombs and Gibson, and til cir sere-
nades-"There' music in the air, and
music everywhere;' and that beautiful
poem by Whittier:
Winds gently whisper while she sleeps,
And fan her with your cooling wings:
While she. her crystal treasure keeps
From pure and yet unriValld springs.
Some Of youl more mature readers will
recall one Of the rebel cruisers on the
coast of Maine destroying d number of
merchantmen. There was great excite
ment in Belfast and Rockland. as the bat
telies were very lightly galrisoned Mayor