Norwich bulletin., 1912-01-06
HOPED FOR QUICK ENDING or WAR
Fifty Years Ago. While Preparations Were Steadily Being
Made to Garry 1t On, Its Termination Was Looked
For Before Close of Year-Bg Orders For Muskes Be-
ing Gotten Out Here-Gunboat Norwich in Commits
sion.

At the opening Of the new year fifty
years ago with trouble and strife
ahead there was the hope for the quick
endlng OF the war and the adjustment
OF the country to better conditions, it
was not thought that it would drag
through several more years, to say
nothing Of the year just entered upon.
The week marked the sailing OF the
Gunboat Norwich a product of a local
shlpyard while other vessels with stor-
es for the government troops and To-
val men in the south were preparing
for trips 20 Port Royal md Annapolis.
1t marked the beginning of Col.
Aiken's duties as quartermaster gen.
eral Of the state and also the firing
upon of the 9Th regiment by a large
rebel force.
A contract for 10000 muskets made
total Of $1,000 muskets being made
here for the government then and four
shops were busy turning them out
Other places had their men of money
erect armories and the question was
asked as to how Norwich would well
come such an idea.
"Happy New Year."
The following items were taken from
| the Bulletin for the first week of the
year, fifty years ago:
January l. 1S62-To all our friends,
our readers everywhere we give this
rlorning the kindly benediction of the
oay We wished Them all Happy New
Year. twelve months ago when 1861
! was born. We have lived an age since
then; have made history so fast that
as we turn back its eventful pages
comparing them with the dull record
| of the older years we almost doubt
/ ourselves and our waking senses. May
| 1862 see the rebellion crushed, tho
| union restored the government sus-
| tained, war ended and peace smiling
/ on all our homes. May it see all our
| friends returned from camp and field,
/ treason killed, patriotism wakened 10
! new life, business revived the country
I prosperous and happy. Thus will
/ this year of Grace, 1862, be indeed a
! Happy New Year"
/ One hundred and fifty names have
Teen signed to d petition to congress
| in JeWett City for the emancipation
! Of the slaves in the rebel states.
| The Gunboat Norwich built at the
| yard of r. WetmoTe & Co, in this
| city last summer has been put in com
| mission and will probably sail IN
/ Gen, Burnside's expedition from An
| napolis Her armament consists Of six
| g. Founders and her crew Of about
! lOG men. Lieutenant Commanding
Dunevan is in command. n. B. Bates
| Of Preston is her second assistant en-
gineer.
! Daniel Hebard son of Leonard He
| bard Of Lebanon has been appointed
| assistant ABUNDANT general Of volun-
teers attached to Gen. Gormans brig
| ade.
Col, Aiken's Duties.
January 3, 1862-Marvin Wait of this
! city a member of Capt. Wards COM
! pany, Eighth C. v. has been promoted
! to be Second lieutenant of Co. A OF
| the same regiment and with Lieut.
| Breed of Capt. Wards company has
been detailed for duty with the signal
| corps
| Capt. Schleiter's company for the
| 18th regiment numbering forty mer
left their rendezvous in New London
! for New Haven on Monday.
| The Thames Fire Insurance Co. has
| declared a semi annual dividend OIL
four per cent At the end Of two
| years business they have but $21(
| of unsettled losses.
Colonel William A Aiken. sOn-in-
| law Of Governor buckingham entered
upon the duties of the quartermastel