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ORGANIZATION OF THE WEBSTER REGIMENT: A wonderful group of 13 war-date documents that read like a...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
ORGANIZATION OF THE WEBSTER REGIMENT: A wonderful group of 13 war-date documents that read like a...
ORGANIZATION OF THE WEBSTER REGIMENT: A wonderful group of 13 war-date documents that read like a small journal related to the organization of the 12th Mass. Volunteers chronicling the first days of the unit. Penned between May 1861 through Oct. 1861 by an unknown officer of the regiment these letter sheets measure in size from one piece as small as 5" x 2 1/2" all the way to a number of sheets that measure 4to. in size. Organized by Daniel Webster's son, the members of the regiment considered their role to be one of abolition and thus the regiment was destined to become one of the hardest fighting regiments in the war. Webster would die in battle as well as the regiment's chaplain, in part: "...[May 5, 61]...religious services were conducted in Fenial Hall yesterday by Rev. Gerald Fitzgerald...the volunteers were present & seemed much interested in an eloquent sermon on the duties & responsibilities to the holy cause which they were about [to go] forth...the steamer Natacket took down companies H, I, & K the...ladies...& Col. W-Major Len Andrews with Major Hall & Col. Devens [future brigadier general Charles Devens]...went down at noon in the 'Mary Queen' to Fort Warren...Capt. Bryan, a West Pointer, who served several years in the U.S. Army was unanimously chosen Lt. Col...Gerald Fitzgerald was appointed chaplain about 1700 troop now at Fort Warren...Andrews is expected to establish his headquarters there...[May 16, 61]...com[mittee] went down at 10 in steam tug to decide some change of officers-Webster accompanying prepared to take command...[May 17]...clothing of the volunteers left at P.O. Sent off 8 cases to the island outside the fort [Warren] & some 50 bundles according to the direction...[here is illustrated a nice little drawing of a sailing frigate]....[May 18]...Duane resigned...[May 21]...official orders given to fill up the Reg. to 1000...[May 22]...opened recruit's list at our post office for Co's. A, B, & C received 6 names...[May 23]...recruits enrolled their names. Received order to stop recruiting...[June 1]...an official order from Gov. Andrew lists us as the 'Seventh Regiment' in camp under the 'Act to provide for the Instruction & discipline of a military force'...[June 3]...12th & 11th Col. Clarke together now number about 1550 men. About 2000 persons visited the fort...the uniforms not proving of the promising material the Com. met to take the matter into consideration...Smith our [?] at the fort complains of insults to his men from the soldiers-he seems to be doing his very best for them...[June 11]...committee from No. Bridgewater visits the fort...surprised this morning by the announcement of the app't. of 1st Lt. Shattuck contrary to the list requested & submitted by Col. F[letcher]...[June 13]...Hallett escorting Senator Wilson [to the fort]...Mr. Dehorn & Col. Fessenden went to the fort in a special tug at 10 1/2-the Reg. made a very satisfactory appearance much to the gratification of Sen. W. the 11th Reg. Col. Clark...being accepted for the U.S. service were mustered in by Adj. Gen. Stone...[June 14]...this p.m.-paid Smith & etc. $6,000-Sen. W. forwarded this telegraph...[the following is Webster's retained copy of the telegraph]...'Boston, June 14. To President Lincoln...Fletcher Webster has raised a capital regiment it is well organized, well officered its Lieut. Col. being a West Pointer. Gov. Andrew can't well accept it as one of the six. Do I pray you accept it. Telegraph at once. H. Wilson'...[the telegraph]...was responded to at 5 1/2...I refer to Gov. Andrew. If he is agreed then Webster's Reg. shall be accepted in addition to the 6 already accepted. It may be mustered into service for the war. Simon Cameron...[June 26]...Capt. Marshall swore in about 850 & recruiting posters were at once issued to fill up the regiment according to army regulations...[July 8]...Capt. Amory being at the fort to administer the oath to the Essex Regiment. Swore in about 100...[July 13]...Capt. Marshall again went down...[Oct. 11]...donations for Webster Regiment (at Committee Room)...bundle of shirts, sheet, pillows cases etc for Hospital...[Oct. 14]...Mrs. Stafford...1 White sheet...for Wm. H. H. Stafford...Polly Pidge...2 White sheets...for Cooper of Co. A & Allen Co. F...". Included are three 8vo. letter sheets listing the officers of the regiment as well as a list entitled: "Troops to Fort Warren" showing the aggregate of the regiment as it grew in size over the period May 3 through May 9, 1861. Minor staining and soiling affects some sheets, else very good. $300-500