Connecticut western news., 1911-11-30
OLD CANAAN'S MILITIA
Local Company was Commanded by
 Father of D. L.. Peirce.

LOCdI SoTnpanY was SoHlmanuou DI Father of D. L.. Peirce.
 In the early days of the towns history, and almost down to the days of the break ing out of the rebellion, a company of militia was maintained in Canaan. Of this organization 1t has been written:
 "The general training was an impor- tant and animating feature of old-time Canaan. Able-bodied citizens between the ages of IS and 45 were required by law to do military duty, and companies were organized in all the towns and stood in constant readiness to 'repel armed in- vasion,' etc. The local company would be called out to train, once a year, on its own grounds, and the regiment, compris- ing all the companies in a given district or county, were required to assemble at one place annually, for general train ing
 "Sereno Gillette served for some time as Colonel of the Litchfield county regi- ment, and the general training was held here during his term, on the parade ground east of the Four Corners, at the foot of Bennett's Hill, several hundred soldiers, comprising eight or ten com panies, being massed there.
 Surviving veterans of that old-tim militia recall with mingled emotions, the experiences and associations of those training days. The company was gen orally composed of patriots of diversified height, weight, angular construction and ambitious energy. A short, bow-legged warrior would be lined up beside tall, knock-kneed comrade, while a dignifed, pigeon-breasted man would touch elbows with slouchy, round-shouldered one. Each man was equipped with fiint-lock musket, and never knew to a certainty which end the charge was going out of until he pulled the trigger"
 In a casual street conversation, a few days ago, Mir. D. L. Peirce recalled to mind the fact that his father, the late Captain William Peirce, not only was at one time captain of the local militia com pany, but served in the ranks in the War
 
 region 'oi Ec,l London.
 MT, Peircc has, among his treasured heirlooms, the uris isinal commission issued by Governor Oliver Wolcott to the elder Peirce, in I8I7 making him an Ensign in the state militia, of which the follow ing is afaithful copy:
 OLIVER WOLCOTT, ESQUIRE, Captain General and Commander in
 Chief In and Over the State of Con-
 necticut, in the United States of America.
 To William Pierce, Gent. Greeting:
 You being, by the General Assembly of this State, accepted to be Ensign of the First Company of the Thirteenth Regiment of Militia in this State, to take rank from the goth day of April, A. D. 1877; reposing special Trust and Conf dence in your Fidelity, Courage and good Conduct, I do, by virtue of the Laws of this State. me thereunto enabling, ap- point and empower.you to take the said Company into your Care and Charge, as their Ensign, carefully and diligently to discharge that Office and Trust, exercfs- ing your inferiour Officers and Soldiers in the use of their Arms according to the Rules and discipline of War, ordained and established by the Laws of this State, keeping them in good Order and Govern lnent, and commanding them to obey you as their Ensign; and you are to ob- serve all such Orders and Directions as from Time to Time, you shall receive, either from me, or from other your su- periour Officers, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
 Given under my Hand, and the Public Seal of this State, at Hartford, the 2oth
 Day of May, A. D. 1877.
 OLIVER WOLCOTT. By His Excellency's Command,
 Thomas Day, Secretary.