Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-30
ANSWERING TIE THREE MONTHS CALL

of his able address, that 'Massachu- setts will avenge the blood of the of April, and the loyal States will join with her. We are fighting to preserve our liberty against despotism.n
 Short but enthusiastic speeches followed, from Alfred P. Rockwell Ed ward T. Clapp, c. C. Child. H. H. Starkweather and Lawyer John W. Murphy.
 Three cheers were proposed by l.. H. Goddard, and were given with a will, for $. T. c. Merwin and E. Kempton Abbot, the Norwich boys in the .Hartford Rifles"
 E Rev. Dr. Alvah Bond concluded the speaking of this memorable evening by a brief address, showing the ne eessity of men placing their trust ill
 the God of Battles; and he offered up Ia fervent prayer.
 Thus ended this significant union mass meeting, writes Mir. Dana.
 Every citizen felt the stIonger for
 this popular expression of; feeling.
 The patriotism of all citizens of every party found utterance, and it was discovered that all were agreed
 upon one course-that the emergency could be met but in one honorable way.
 The Democratic paper, The Aurora
 under the leadership of John w. Sted-
 man, lent it's sanction, the chroniclel tells us, to the position and policy tha- i in this assemblage were advocated witt
 consenting mind, and pronounced the
 meeting the largest and most spirited lever held in our town, an over.
 whelfning evidence of the unity O
 feeling and patriotic determination O Jour people The war it added, in it editorial comments, lis one of tn necessary results of the attempt t break up the Union;, and so long a lit lasts; we believe it to be our duty las it is the duty of every man wh,
 acknowledges allegiance to the Uniol under which we live. to. sustain tn iconstitutional authorities of the Coy ernment, in the exercise of all tN powers that may be necessary to briH it to a speedy termination"
 F So much for words! But deed EWere not Eaekins!
 ! The sterner work of enlisting mean i while was going on. The earliest fror I Norwich to enter the ranks Of tn icountry's defenders were Samuel I lG. Merwin, Edward Kempton Abbot
 and George R. Case who. eager t be off in the first regiment, enliste Fin the Hartford Rifles, Capt. Josep R. Hawiey's company. These are tn ttop- liners in the towns first hono
 roll!
 |, About the same time, John Dennis enlisted in the Worcester Ligh Infantry, which was attached to tn famous Sixth Regiment of Massachu isetts, his name being the first sigma
 ture on the con1pany's roll.
 F To the commend of the first regi { neft from the State, one of the mos distinguished citizens of Norwich wa
 appointed, Colonel Daniel Tyler, fathe !; of the late Col. Augustus Clevelan : Tyler. He was the only professions Ll soldier that went forth in the fir i three regiments. and to him wa ] largely due the discipline Iand sol dierly bearing which from the, be ginning of the war characterized th , IConnecticut troops.
 
 Frank sa Chester, bookkeeper i !. the Thames National Bank, son { 7 Rev A. T. Chester, of Buffalo, wa l, among the earliest to enlist here and this splendid banking institutio
 of which Norwich has ever had reasc i, to be so proud not only approved h f prompt patriotism through the col : dial endorsement of it's directors. bl ! generously pledged itself to continl ;. iflis salary while he was in the ser, .. ice. What wonder that fine patriotis . is shown in the old town now, aft, : the example and prestige of tho. s Civil War years!
 2 To Frank s. Chester and the Ia Judge James B. Colt belong the cred
 II It is recorded, of raising the first mi 6 itary company in Norwich und
 President Lincoln's call for thr 6 months volunteers
 Il Col. Hugh H. oseood, then on tI q Governors staff, hearing that youl r Chester had determined to enlist, pr : sented him to Col. Harvey's militia q company, which had proceeded to the e tarmory in Uncas Hall, to take yo k on the proposition to enlist as a bod T The vote being negative, Col O t good stated to the assembled men tn
 Mir. Chester was acquainted with t a manual of arms, and would make s l fit leader for those of the boys willil : Ito volunteer. The enrolment bo v provided by James E. Colt was at on : opened, MT. Colt promptly entering | s own name; and the names of othe s who we're ready to enlist were rapid e signed.
 fl Thus was the nucleus of the fir h company obtained; by. later enlis z ment the requisite number of men W e secured when, under the designati
 of the. Buckingham Rifies-in honor d the Governor-organizat was coi h pleted by the choice of Frank S.. Che st ter. captain. Thos. Scott and Willis B A. Berry. liertenants, Francis McKet y l.James L. Cobb, Anthony Staubley a l. Austin G. Monroe, sergeants; John j. Jennings, Chester W Converse, Gc s- ham Dennis and Thomas C. Lawl 10 lcorporak.
 n THE DTCTAGRAPH $ STORIES OF THE WAR