Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-04-22
DEPARTURE OF THE FIRST
COMPANY FOR NEW HAVEN.
Big Send of Given Them, But ReIig-
ious Exercises Had to Be Postponed.


The Bulletin of April 20, 1851, had
the following account of the departure
of the first comany for the civil war
from this city, which was just fifty
years ago today: u.
The parting scene at the depot
Monday noon (Apri1 %, 1861 when ITO
drum beat and heart beat," with pray :.
er and praise, and cheering word, and
tokens of good will, we commended
our true boys to God and gave them to
their country-was Of the most I'M
prassive character. Early in the fore
noon crowds poured into Franklin
square, filling the sidewalks and
streets, and all the windows and
housetops from which a lookout was
available. They waited with all pa
thence until after ! o'clock, when it
was announced that the religious SER
vices intended to be performed on
Franklin square CLERGY of the differ
ent denominations were to have adj
dressed them would have to be omit
ted. as the members of the company
would need every moment OF the time
allotted for their preparation to start.
About quarter past one Captain Ches-
ter's company, preceded by the Nor
witch Brass band, marched up from
Uncas hall-amid the enthusiastic
cheers and God bless you's' of an i'm
mense crowd which surrounded them
on all sides.
A halt of a very few minutes was
allowed as the company took a hasty
dinner at the Apollo saloon. Return
ing. they took up their march to the
depot, where the train was awaiting
them. Captain Chester marched at
the head, arm in arm with Governor
Buckingham. He looked pale from the
effects of his indisposition in the morn
ing, but his step was so firm and his
bearing so manly that we all looked
at him with moist eyes, waved hand
kerchiefs, threw wreaths and cheered
as he went by, and down at the bot
tom of our hearts felt proud of him
as a Norwich boy. with good Norwich
blood, and proud of his company as
the first installment of our offerings
yes, and If need be, our sacrifice. At
the depot the crowd surged back and
forth, covering the platforms and
tracks and streets. filling the depot
and getting into every possible posi-
ton where standing room was afford
There were many affecting parting
scenes and in all the crowd there was
the most intense feeling, not manifest
ing itself in noisy ebullitions, but seen
in streaming eyes heard in choking
voices and felt in warm pressures of
the hand. At a little before 2 o'clock
the train moved slowly off, amid the
waving of handkercheifs and flags, the
cheers of the crowd and the good-byes
and the Godspeed of friends. Some of
thecrowd ran along the track after
the train as far as the west side, and
all along the route men and women
and children cheered the boys as they
passed. At the shipyard the work
men exhibited large flag and gave
! three cheers.
At Montville a salute was fired and
much enthusiasm manifested. To all
the greetings the company returned
cheerful responses.
At New London they were received
by the volunteer company just organ
| lied there, and a salute of thirty-four
guns was fired from the wharf. They
marched short distance up street,
then returning, took the New Haven
cars and moved off. amid enthusiastic
| cheers from the citizens Of New Lon
don who had gathered to see them off.
All were in excellent spirits and all
determined to send back good report
of themselves as soon as occasion Of
fers. We know they will do it.
A Geographic despatch received last
| night informed us that they arrived
! safely at 4.30 p. m.-dined at the New
Haven hotel and were quartered in
| Mr.. Russelrs school building near the
new Green. Their position is the ex-
IRENE right of the Second regiment.