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AN ACCOUNT
OF THE
Soldiers' and Sailors'
MONUMENT
ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF
NASHUA, N. H,
IN THE YEAR EIGHTEEN HUNDRED EIGHTY-NINE,
IN HONOR OF THE MEN OF NASHUA
WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY DURING THE WAR OF
THE REBELLION, A. D. 1801-65.
Publlslied toy order of the City Councils, ISroyemlpe]:', 1889.
NASHUA, N. H.
JAMES H. BARKER, CITY PRINTER.
1889.
S f 3 7 ^
RESOLUTION,
Providing for a memorial volume of the Soldiers' and Sail-
ors' Monument and appropriation not exceeding two hundred
and fifty dollars.
CITY OF NASHUA,
In the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and
eighty-nine.
Resolved^ By the Mayor and Aldermen and Common Coun-
cil of the City of Nashua, in City Councils assembled as fol-
lows : —
That the Committee appointed to carry out the provisions of
resolution number (978) nine hundred and seventy-eight, passed
by the City Councils January 29th, 1889, be and is hereby au-
thorized and requested to cause to be prepared and published a
memoriol volume, which shall contain an historical account of
the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument erected as provided in said
Resolution, together with the proceedings at the laying of the
Corner-Stone, and at the Dedication of said Monument, includ-
ing such papers and documents as said Committee may deem
appropriate.
Said volume shall be prepared in such manner and form as
said Committee may consider suitable, and the edition pub-
lished shall consist of five hundred copies.
* * *****
In Board of Aldermen, passed October, 22, 1889.
Charles H. Burke, Mayor.
Charles S. Bussell, City Clerk.
In Board of Common Council, passed November 12, 1889.
Henry P. Whitney, President,
George E. Danforth, Clerk.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
The Monument, _ _ _ _ Frontispiece.
The Soldier, - - - - Offosite Page ly.
The Sailor, - - - _ Opposite Page 6y.
CONTENTS.
Page.
GiTY Government, .........
Resolution, .......... 13
The Monument, 17
The Building Committee, 19
First Report of the Building Committee, ... 21
Laying the Corner-Stone, ....... 25
The Procession, ......... 29
Annovincement by His Honor, Ciiarles H. Burke, Mayor of
Nashua, .......... 31
Address in honor of the Unknown Dead, by Comrade
FrankG. Noyes, G. A. R., 32
Address of Mayor Burke, ....... 35
Masonic Ceremonies, ........ 37
Address of the Grand Master, ...... 38
List of articles deposited in Corner-Stone, ... 39
Oration by Colonel Frank G. Noyes. ..... 45
Second Report of the Building Committee, . . . 53
Arrangements for the Dedication, ..... 57
Description of the Monument, ...... 67
The Day, 75
The Procession, .......... 81
The Dedication, 93
Order of Exercises ........ 9G
Unveiling of the Monument and its delivery to the City by
the Building Committee, ...... 97
Acceptance in behalf of the City and address hy Mayor
Burke, 98
Dedicatory Ceremonies by the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, 101
Oration by Charles H. Burns, . . . . . .107
Closing Exercises, ........ 119
Final Proceedings, ......... 121
CITY GOVERNMENT.
CITY OF NASHUA, N. H.
CITY GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR 1S59.
BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN.
Hon. Charles H. Burke, (Mayor,) Chairman.
Charles S. Bussell, (City Clerk,) Clerk
Ward 1. Charles T. Lund.
" 2. Edward T. Morrill.
" 3. Eugene D. Perrault.
" 4. William H. Beasom.
" 5. John D. Sullivan.
" 6. James C. Moody.
Alphonse Burque.
John J. Sullivan.
" 7. Ira H. Proctor,
" 8. George L. Bugbee,
CITY GOVERNMENT. (Continued.)
BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL.
Henry P. Whitney, President.
George E. Danforth, Clerk
Ward 1. Harry W. Ramsdell,
Edward M. Oilman.
" 2. Alfred W. Heald,
Charles E. Faxon.
" 3. John Ledoux,
Frank B. Stark.
" 4. JosiAH N. Woodward,
James H. Barker.
" 5. Charles F. Sanders,
James Mul vanity.
" 6. Henry P. Whitney,
George F. Trowbridge,
Clarence A. Slate,
Frank P. Rideout,
Edmond D. Lucier,
James H. Moran.
" 7. George E. Holt,
Joseph L. Clough.
" 8. Harlan P. Ward well,
William C. Leahy.
THE RESOLUTION.
RESOLUTION.
For the erection of a Soldier's Monument and appropriation
not exceeding twelve thousand dollars.
CITY OF NASHUA,
In the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and
eighty-nine.
Resolved^ By the Mayor and Aldermen and Common Coun-
cil of the City of Nashua, in City Councils assembled as fol-
lows : —
That a sum not to exceed twelve thousand dollars be and
hereby is appropriated for a Soldiers' Monument, the said
monument to be located on Abbot Square.
That the Mayor, two Aldermen, three Councilmen and
three ex-soldiers of the War of the Rebellion be appointed a
Committee to carry said resolution into effect. The same to
be appointed by the Mayor in Joint Convention. The Mayor
to be chairman of said Committee.
That the City Treasurer is authorized and instructed to issue
two City notes for six thousand dollars, ($6000) each.
One payable in the year 1894. The second in 1895. The
money to be used to meet the above appropriation.
In Board of Common Council, passed January 29, 1889.
Henry P. Whitney, President.
George E. Danforth, Clerk.
In Board of Aldermen, passed January 29, 1889.
Charles H. Burke, Mayor.
Charles S. Bussell, City Clerk.
THE MONUMENT.
THE MONUMENT.
In pursuance of the provisions of the foregoing Resolution,
a committee was appointed on the 29th day of January, 1889,
called the Building Committee of the Soldiers' and
Sailors' Monument, and was constituted and organized as
follows : —
Charles H. Burke, Mayor, (Chairman.)
aldermen,
John D. Sullivan,
Charles T. Lund.
councilmen.
Alfred W. Heald,
Harlan P. Wardwell,
James H. Moran,
Charles W. Stevens,
Frank G. Noyes,
Royal B. Prescott,
Secretary.
On part of
the
City Government.
On part of the
Veteran Soldiers.
The Building Committee immediately began its work. On
the 4th day of February, circulars were issued, and advertise-
ments were forthwith inserted in the leading architectural maga-
zines and periodicals published in Boston, New York and Chi-
cago, inviting designs, plans and proposals from architects, de-
signers, builders and contractors. In response to these invita-
tions, thirty-six drawing of plans and designs for a monument
20 THE MONUMENT.
were submitted to the Committee within the time designated,
namely, the 15th day of March, 1889. On that day the draw-
ings were examined by the Committee in the room of the Mayor
and Aldermen, and each exhibitor was given an opportunity, as
advertised, to appear before the Committee and describe,
explain and point out the merits of his design, and also state
the estimated cost, or to offer direct bids or proposals for build-
ing the monument according to the plan or design sub-
mitted. Every design submitted was carefully examined by
the full Committee. Most of the designs were presented by
their respective authors, and ample time was given to each to
fully acquaint the Committee with its merits, and actual or
estimated cost.
The Committee after a patient and exhaustive examination
of each plan, both separately and by comparison, selected and
without a dissenting voice, voted to adopt the plan designed
by Mr. T. M. Perry, architect for Messrs. Frederick & Field,
quarrymen and builders, of Quincy, Mass., by whom the
design was owned and submitted. The owners of the chosen
design refused to sell, and declined to furnish it with plans and
specifications, for other parties to estiinate and bid upon. They
offered to execute a contract to furnish all material and build a
monument from the design, according to plans and specifica-
tions submitted, for a sum of money within the limit of the
appropriation.
On the 31st day of March, a contract was executed by the
Building Committee, in behalf of the City of Nashua, and
Messrs. Frederick & Field, which provided for the erection of
a monument on Abbot Square, which should be finished and
ready for dedication on or before the 15th day of October,
1889.
REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Nashua, N. H., May 7, 1889.
To THE City Councils : —
Gentlemen : — Your Committee appointed under the provi-
sions of a joint resolution entitled : — "A Resolution for the
erection of a Soldiers' Monument, and appropriation not exceed-
ing twelve thousand dollars," passed January 29th, 1889, beg
leave respectfully to report progress and state,
First : — That your said Committee in behalf of the Citv has
executed a contract with Messrs. Frederick & Field, quarry-
men and builders of Quincy, Mass., for the erection and com-
pletion of a suitable Monument to carry said Resolution into
effect, on or before the 15th day of October next.
Second : — That your said Committee has made arrangements
to lay the Corner-Stone of said Monument with appropriate
ceremonies on Thursday afternoon, May 30th instant. Decora-
tion Day.
Third : — That your said Committee begs i-espectfully to
suggest that your honorable bodies take such action as you
may deem proper, to be present officially on the occasion of
laying the Corner-Stone on Abbot Square, at the time stated
above.
Respectfully submitted.
In behalf of the Building Committee,
Charles H. Burke, Mayor and Chairman.
Report read and accepted May 14, 1889, In Board of Alder-
men,
Charles S. Bussell, City Clerk.
Accepted by the Common Council, May 28th, 1889.
George E. Danforth, Clerk.
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE.
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE.
On Thursday, May 30, the Corner-Stone was laid with
imposing ceremonies by the Grand Master of Masons of New
Hampshire, assisted by the proper officers of the Grand Lodge.
The day being Decoration, or Momorial Day, was observed
more generally than ever before in Nashua. The weather was
all that could be desired, the atmosphere cool and bracing, the
streets free from dust, and the sun shining out in all the delight-
fulness of a beautiful June da}'. Everything was apparently
in harmony with the occasion, which was one that interested
every citizen of Nashua, as well as the people of the surround-
ing towns, who came by thousands to witness the procession,
listen to the orations, and in some manner express their inter-
est in paying their respects to the veterans who stood between
them and the wall of fire which raged so fiercely in the
davs of the Rebellion. The mills were closed and business
was generally suspended, and this Memorial Day in Nashua
will be remembered by those who participated, as one of the
most historic in their lives. In the forenoon delegations from
John G. Foster Post, No. 7, G. A. R., visited the older and
outlying cemeteries, viz., the Nashua Cemetery, the Amherst
Street Cemetery, the Hudson Cemeter}', and the Harbor burv-
ing grounds, and decorated the graves of the heroic dead who
served their country during the war of the Rebellion.
At 1.30 p. m., the comrades of the Grand Army of the
Republic formed in line and marched to decorate the graves of
28 LAYING THE CORNER-STONE.
veterans reposing in the Hollis Street Cemetery. The Grand
Army column was formed on Main Street, right resting on
Franklin Street, in the following order: —
City Marshal, W. C. Tolles, with Platoon of Police.
Chief Marshal, E. T. Perkins.
Chief of Staff, E. D. Franklin.
Chaplain, Rev. W. H. Moreland.
Aids:— R. C. Duffy, C. H. Harris, Macy T. Shattuck, Charles Marden,
L. F. Thurber, H. H. Putnam, John H. Fields, John D. Sullivan,
George F. Perham, Ira S. Brigham, A. D. Walker, E. D. Eaton,
Fred Runnells, William Kennedy and Joseph Ackerman.
Second Regiment Band.
Co. I. (Foster Rifles.) Second Regiment. N. H. N.G.
Co. C, Second Regiment, N. H. N. G.
Co. A, High School Cadets.
Sons of Veterans as escort to John G. Foster Post, No. 7, G. A. R.
John G. Foster Post, No. 7, G. A. R.
Knights of Pythias.
Orator and President of the Day.
His Honor the Mayor.
City Government.
Invited Guests and Citizens in Carriages.
The column moved through Main and Kinsley Streets to the
Cemetery, where the ceremony of decorating the soldiers'
graves was performed by John G. Foster Post, No. 7, G. A. R.,
assisted by the Sons of Veterans. The column then returned
through Hollis, Chestnut, Pearl and Main Streets to the City
Hall, where a halt was made, and the battalion was formally
turned over to Chief Marshal of the day, M. A. Taylor.
Here the line of procession for
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE
was formed, right resting on City Hall building, and marched
to Abbot Square, through Main and Concord Streets, in the
following order : —
THE PROCESSION. 29
THE PROCESSION.
City Marshal Tolles with Platoon of Police.
Chief Marshal, M. A. Taylor.
Chief of Staff, Eugene P. Whitney.
Aids : — Alvin S. Eaton, Charles S. Collins, H. A. Bowers, Patrick
Lonergan, Frank H. Kellogg, Henry P. Whitney, W.D.Dodge
and A. A. Hall.
Second Regiment Band, W. A. Cummings, leader,
Sam. N. Hoyt, drum major.
FIRST DIVISION.
Major J. E. Tolles, commanding battalion, and staff; Adjutant C. E.
Faxon, Quartermaster George P. Kimball, Paymaster Charles A.
Roby, and Chaplain George W. Grover.
Co. I, Second Regiment. N. H. N. G., Capt, E. H. Parmenter.
Co. C, Second Regiment, N. H. N. G., Capt. H. S. Stevens.
Co. A, High School Cadets, Capt. A. G. Shattnck.
SECOND DIVISION.
E. T. Perkins, Marshal, and Staff.
John G. Foster Post 7, G. A. R., Alfred Chase, Commander, Charles
McGregor, Adjutant.
J. Q^A. Warren Camp, Sons of Veterans, Capt. George E. Cross.
Nashua Fire Department, Charles H. Whitnej', Chief Engineer;
Charles N. Colburn, George W. Piplar, George F. Adams, Frank
B. Hale, Assistant Engineers.
Torrent Steam Fire Engine Company, S. R. Collins, Assistant Fore-
man.
Niagara Steam Fire Engine Company. L. I. Minard, Foreman.
Pennichuck Hose Company, J. F. Brown, Foreman.
Union Hook and Ladder Company, W. F. Barnes, Foreman.
THIRD DIVISION.
George E. Bagley. Marshal, and Staff.
Moody Drum Corps.
Canton A, Patriarchs Militant. Charles T. Lund, Commanding.
S. S. Davis Division, Knights of Pythias; First Lieutenant, David M.
Rollins, Commanding.
Foster Rifles Drum Corps.
T. B. Crowley Conclave, Knight of Sherwood Forest, Arthur Sargent,
Commanding.
30 THE PROCESSION.
FOURTH DIVISION.
L. P. A. Lavoie, Marshal, and Staff.
St. Jean Band, Anaclet Larivee, leader.
Division No. 1, A. O. H., Thomas McCarthy, President.
Division No. 2, A. O. H..J. J. Doyle, President; William Molloy,
Marshal.
Union St. Jean Baptiste Society, E. D. Perrault, President; P. D. Car-
den, Marshal.
FIFTH DIVISION.
George E. Heath, Marshal, and Staff.
Chelmsford Band.
St. George Commandery, K. T., Joseph Shattuck, Eminent Com-
mander; George B. Bowler, Generalissimo; James H. Hunt,
Captain General.
Trinity Commandery, K. T., Manchester; Charles C. Hayes, Eminent
Commander; George I. McAllister, Generalissimo; Harvey L.
Currier, Captain General.
Mt. Horeb Commandery, K. T., Concord ; Frank L. Sanders, Eminent
Commander; Charles F. Batchelder, Generalissimo; George
O. Dickerman, Captain General.
Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of New Hampshire.
Grand Lodge, A. F. and A. M.. of New Hampshire in carriages : M. W.
Grand Master, George W. Currier, Nashua ; R. W. Deputy Grand
Master, Frank D. Woodbury, Concord; R. W. Senior Grand
Warden, John Pinder, Portsmouth; R. W. Junior Grand War-
den, Charles C. Hayes, Manchester; R. W. Grand Treas-
urer, Joseph Kidder, Manchester; R. W. Grand Secretary,
George P. Cleaves. Concord; Rev. Henry B. Smith, R. W.
Chaplain, Nashua; George E. Beacham, W. Senior Grand Dea-
con, Great Falls; Henry A. Marsh, W. Junior Grand Deacon,
Nashua; George C. Perkins of Lebanon, John K. Wilson of
Manchester, Charles C. Danforth of Concord, Alfred R. Evans
of Gorham, W. Grand Stewards ; Joseph W. Hildreth, W. Grand
Marshal, Manchester ; John P. Bartlett, W.Grand Sword Bear-
er, Manchester; Nathaniel S. Gale of Penacook, John C. Bick-
ford of Manchester, W. Grand Pursuivants; Samuel W. Emer-
son, Grand Tyler, Concord.
Orator, Colonel Frank G. Noyes; Mayor, Hon. Charles H. Burke, and
Building Committee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument.
City Government, ex-Mayors and Invited Guests, in
carriages.
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE. 31
On the arrival of the procession at Abbot Square, the va-
rious bodies were skillfully massed about the foundation of the
monument, while the thousands of spectators filled the streets
and sidewalks bordering on the square.
The Mayor and members of the City Government, the Grand
Master of Masons and his staff, the Orator of the Day, the
President, the Orator and other officers of the day and even-
ing of the Grand Army Post, together with the invited guests
were escorted to seats on the grand stand and raised platform
which had been temporarily erected south and west of the
foundation.
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF THE SOLDIERS' AND SAIL-
ORS* MONUMENT.
The solemn ceremonies attending the laying of the Corner-
stone were then proceeded with in the following order : —
1. Announcement by His Honor, Charles H. Burke, Mayor of
Nashua, as follows : —
Fellow Citizens : —
One of the beautiful usages of the Grand Army of the Re-
public on Decoration day, is to scatter flowers under a memo-
rial arch, and listen to an address in honor of the Unknown
Dead. This being Decoration day, the comrades of that or-
der have been invited to perform those ceremonies around
these foundation stones, before the Corner-Stone is laid. I
therefore take pleasure in introducing to you the President of
the day for the Grand Army of the Republic, Captain E. M.
Shaw, who will take charge of that ceremony.
2. Strewing the foundation of the monument with flowers in honor
of the Unknown Dead.
Captain Shaw then announced that John G. Foster Post, No.
7, would strew the foundation of the monument with flowers in
accordance with the beautiful custom of the Order, and gave
32 THE UNKNOWN DEAD.
the necessary commands. The line of Veterans then marched
slowly around, to the music of a dirge, and cast their floral
offerings upon the foundation, as they passed by.
3. Address in honor of the Unknown Dead, (upon invitation of
John G. Foster Post, No. 7, G. A. R.) by Comrade Frank G. Noyes.
The President of the day presented Comrade Noyes, who
delivered the following address : —
ADDRESS.
Mr. Commander and Veterans : —
We have strewn the graves of our honored dead with the
sweet flowers of spring. We have decorated them with
the garlands of love. Let us now entwine chaplets from
the flowers of memory and hope, and cast them forth with
faith that favoring winds will waft them to decorate the last
earthh' resting places where thousands of our heroes repose in
unknown graves.
While we cannot plant flags at the heads of all those graves,
as you have placed them here to-day, we have the grateful sat-
isfaction of knowing that what they fought for, now floats over
them wherever they lie under the sod on the face of this broad
country. The same old flag, that fired upon in 1861, brought
us here to-day. The same old flag, that was unfurled from
every hilltop, in every valley, and in every city, town and vil-
lage throughout our loyal North ; " and tearful eyes looked up
to it, and firm knit hearts and planted feet w^ere underneath,
and dearer than life or home and sacred next to our faith and
our God, is that old flag yet." We have assembled here, com-
rades, solemnly and devoutly to perform a sacred ceremony.
We have come, to strew these sweet symbols of promise upon
this foundation of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, in hon-
or of the memory of Unknown Dead. But we are here also
THE UNKNOWN DEAD. 33
to perform another duty. We have come to drop a tear to the
memory of our fellow-soldiers who sleep their last sleep in un-
known graves. We have come to mingle our tears of sympa-
thy for those desolate homes whose remaining members have
not even the sad consolation of scattering flowers over the
graves of their loved and lost. And while we perform these
sad, yet grateful duties, may we not indulge a generous im-
pulse and extend our sympathies? May we not, at this sacred
hour, throw the mantle of charity and forgiveness over the er-
rors of our brothers, and let the Boys in Blue shed a sympa-
thetic tear for the beareaved and desolate households of the
Boys in Gray. The Boys in Gray were human, — they erred ;
Let the Boys in Blue assume a divine attribute and, to-day, for-
give. Then it may be said : —
" Sadly, but not up-braiding,
The generous deed was done,
In the storm of the years that are fading.
No braver battle was won.
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day.
Under the blossoms the Blue;
Under the garlands, the Gray."
" No more shall the war cry sever.
Or the winding river be red,
They banish our anger forever,
When they laurel the graves of our dead.
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day,
Love and tears for the Blue.
Tears and love for the Gray."
Manv of us have already forgiven. If there are any of you,
my comrades, who have not, let me entreat you by the right
of one who served for four long years under your flag, and
whose proudest boast it is that no drop of disloyal blood ever
flowed through his veins ; let me entreat you by the precious
34 THE UNKNOWN DEAD.
blood shed ; by the woe and desolation of mournful homes ;
ave, by the example of Him who watches alike over friend and
foe, and who in the crisis of His persecution and in the bitter-
ness of His woe, cried, " Father, forgive them, for they know
not what they do." I entreat you to let the recording angel of
heaven's chancery as he writes down this day's memorial, en-
ter against names of us all that we have forgiven our ene-
mies.
We have spoken of the unknown dead, unknown? They
should not be unknown. When they lost their names with
their lives, the pouring of that precious blood should have
been a re-baptism, and the names of them at the re-christen-
ing should have been the same, and I would have it inscribed
on the slab at the head of every grave i^.ow marked "Un-
known ", so that when the sad-eyed mourner should see the
inscription on any grave she might sav, '' Here reposes mv
dead. At his re-baptism with his own heart's blood, he was
named loyalty and here is his grave."
The Unknown Dead.
"On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead."
Oh ! dear unknown. To-day the same beautiful sunlight
that floods the graves of our known dead ; the same gentle
wind that fans the blossoms we have placed upon these heroes'
graves, lingers over the spot where rests the body of him for
whom some aching heart is striving to still the longing, be-
cause the sad consolation of bearing a tribute of flowers to her
dolized dead is denied her. To the memory of that vast army
of the unknown — yet alas ! only too well known and remem-
bered — the chords of some heart are vibrating with a sad, unut-
THE MAYORS ADDRESS. 35
terable longing, that to those here present who have with us the
graves of our loved ones, can never be felt in all its pathos of
wistfulness and hopelessness, the unknown dead ! There
are none ! Every hero who yielded his soul on the field of honor,
and went to an unmarked and unrecognized grave, left behind
him some faithful and devoted one, whose grief is the deeper,
and whose tears fall the more bitterly, because her cry for the
sad consolation of shedding them by her soldier's grave is a
hopeless one. Ah ! dear unknown, wherever you are this day
sleeping ! Though the only tribute upon your graves be the
blossoms nature reverently places there ; though the birds chant
your only requiem ; may the incense from these our offer-
ings, gemmed by our tears, hallowed by the prayers sent forth
from hearts full of sacred memories, reach you in your lonely,
unvisited graves, and make your sleep sweeter in that dream-
less peace which comes alike to the known and unknown who
have joined the silent majority.
4 Address by His Honor, the Mayor, as follows : —
Eellotv Citizens : —
More than twenty-four years have elapsed since those of our
brethren who arose in open revolt against the Federal Union,
laid down their arms. Since that memorable time, hundreds
of structures have been erected throughout tlie loyal States, in
honor of the men who served their country on land or sea, dur-
ing the terrible days of the civil war. Repeated projects and
efforts to carry out a similar plan in honor of the men of
Nashua, have failed of success until the present year, when it
was resei-ved for the City Councils of 1889 to provide in behalf
of the people of Nashua, for the erection of a suitable monu-
ment to perpetuate the memory of the Soldiers and Sailors of
our city, who took their lives in their hands and went out from
36 THE MAYORS ADDRESS.
among us, in defense of their Country. Nashua's loyalty to the
Union was exemplified by the large quota of volunteers from
our midst, in response to the various calls of the government for
men. From our farms, w^ork-shops and factories — indeed, from
all the pursuits, callings and professions of life, sprung forth re-
cruits to battle for an imperilled Union. With all due respect
to the honored members of the City Governments which have
preceded us — it is with feelings of regret that I call attention
to the fact, that the names of these brave men have never been
enrolled upon the official records of our city. Unfortunately
the State records and rosters pertaining to Nashua are incom-
plete and unreliable. Your committee have labored under
great difficulties in making up the roll of honor to be deposited
in this Corner-Stone. That roll of honor contains the names
of 1355 men who were credited to Nashua's quota. The
graves of about 275 of this number have to-day been strewn
with flowers by the comrades of John G. Foster Post, and an
unknown number sleep whei'e they fell. "The structure to be
erected on the solid foundations which are in position before
you, will not be needed for the dead, the chief purpose of the
admonishing sculpture will be to teach the living, in all com-
ing time, lessons of patriotism and loyalty to country." May
the monument to be erected stand through years of peace
and plenty, not only adding new dignity to our fair city, but
as a fitting emblem of a free government of a free people.
We are here to-day to lay the Corner-Stone of that monument,
and in the name and behalf of the honorable City Councils,
and of the people of Nashua, by whom this structure is to be
erected, I bid you all a hearty welcome.
5. Singing The National Anthem, "America," in Concert, by Pu-
pils of the Public Schools of Nashua, under the direction of George
E. Crafts.
6. Presentation of Dr. George W. Currier, Grand Master of Masons
MASONIC CEREMONIES. 37
of New Hampshire, bj His Honor, the Mayor, with the request that
the Corner-Stone be laid in accordance with the forms and usages of
the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, as follows : —
Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Masonic
Lodge of New Hampshire : —
In response to an invitation extended to you in behalf of the
citizens of Nashua, you are Iiere to-day, attended by the distin-
guished officers and members of the fraternity, for the purpose
of laying the Corner-Stone of a structure to be erected on these
foundations, in honor of the Soldiers and Sailors of Nashua.
As the chief magistrate of the city, and in the name and be-
half of its citizens, it is my agreeable duty to ask you now to
take charge of these ceremonies, and see that this Corner-Stone
be laid in accordance with the time honored customs of the or-
der.
The Grand Master replied as follows : —
Tour Honor and Gentlemen of the Committee: —
It was with much pleasure that the Grand Lodge of Masons in
New Hampshire accepted your kind invitation to lay the Cor-
ner-Stone of the structure here to be erected to perpetuate the
memory of those brave men who went forth at their Country's
call, with their lives in their hands, to maintain the supremacy
of their Country's flag, on land and on sea, at home and
abroad.
From time immemorial it has been the custom of the Fra-
ternity of Free and Accepted Mason to assemble, when re-
quested, upon the occasion of laying the Corner-Stone of any
public structure, and perform certain ceremonies of the craft.
In accordance with that time honored custom, I will now as-
sume charge, and proceed with the ceremony, as provided by
our Order.
38 MASONIC CEREMONIES.
7. Ceremony of Laying the Corner-Stone of the Soldiers' and
Sailors' Monument by the Grand Lodge of Masons of New Hamp-
shire.
The Grand Master addressed the assembly as follows : —
The teachings of Freemasonry inculcate, that in all our
works, great and small, begun and finished, we should seek
the aid of Almighty God. It is our first duty, then, to invoke
the blessing of the great Architect of the Universe upon the
work in which we are about to engage. I therefore command
the utmost silence, and call upon all to unite with our Grand
Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace.
PRAYER BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN.
Almighty God ! who hath given us grace at this time, with
one accord, to make our common supplication unto Thee, and
dost promise that where two or three are gathered together in
Thy name. Thou wilt grant their request ; fulfill now, O Lord !
the desires and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most ex-
pedient for them ; granting us in this world, knowledge of
Thy truth ; and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.
Respo7ise. So mote it be.
Grand Master. Right Worshipful Brother Grand Treasur-
er, it has ever been the custom on occasions like the present, to
deposit within a cavity in the stone, placed in the north-east cor-
ner of the structure, certain memorials of the period at which
it was erected ; so that in the lapse of ages, if the fury of the
elements, or the slow but certain ravages of time should lay
bare its foundation, an enduring record may be found by suc-
ceeding generations, to bear testimony to the energy, industry
and culture of our time. Has such a deposit been prepared .?
(At this point, a box twelve inches long, eight inches wide,
and eight inches high, made of thick plates of lead and secure-
ARTICLES DEPOSITED. 39
ly sealed, containing the articles to be deposited in the Corner-
stone, was handed to the Grand Treasurer by Charles S. Bus-
sell, Cit}' Clerk of Nashua.)
Grand Ti-easurer. It has, Most Worshipful Grand Mas-
ter, and the various articles of which it is composed are safely
enclosed within the casket now before you.
Grand Alaster. Right Worthy Grand Secretary you will
read for the information of the brethren and others here as-
sembled, a record of the contents of the casket.
LIST OF ARTICLES DEPOSITED IN THE CORNER-STONE AS
READ BY THE GRAND SECRETARY.
1. Certified copy of Resolution No. 978, providing for the erection
of a Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, passed January 29, 1889,
and certified copy of Resolution No. 990, in relation to laying
this Corner-Stone. passed May 28th, 1889.
2. Names of 13.55 Nashua Soldiers and Sailors in the war of the
Rebellion.
3. Autograph signature of the President of the United States.
4. Autograph signature of the Vice-President of the United States.
5. Autograph signature of the Governor of New Hampshire.
6. Deposit by John G. Foster Post, No. 7. G. A. R.. containing list of
all the soldiers who ever belonged to the Post; Members of the
Woman's Relief Corps; Sons and Daughters of Veterans; a
G. A. R. badge and copy of By-Laws of the Post.
7. Copy of City Charter and Revised Ordinances.
6. Copy of City Report, 1888.
9. Copy of Manual of City Officers, 1889.
10. Copy of Manual of School Board and Teachers of 1889.
11. Copy of Directory of City of Nashua, 1888.
12. Copy of Nashua Weekly Gazette, May 30th, 1889.
13. Copy of Nashua Daily Gazette, May 29th, 1889.
U. Copy of Nashua Weekly Telegraph, May 25th, 1889.
15. Copy of Nashua Daily Telegraph, May 29th, 1889.
16. Programme of the exercises at laying of this Corner-Stone.
40 ARTICLES DEPOSITED.
17. Deposit bj the Nashua Fire Department.
18. Deposit by St. George Commandery, Knights Templar.
19. Depositby Granite Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F.
20. Deposit by Pennichuck Lodge, No. 44, L O. O. F.
21. Deposit by Nashoonon Encampment, I. O. O. F.
22. Deposit by Ancient Order of Hibernians, Divisions Nos. 1 and 2.
23. Deposit by Union St. Jean Baptiste Societj'.
24. Deposit by Conclave T. B. Crowley, Knights of Sherwood For-
est, A. O. F.
25. Depositby Women's Christian Temperance Union.
2G. Roster of J. Q^ A. Warren Camp, No. 18, Sons of Veterans.
27. Roster of Foster Rifles, Co. I, Second Regiment, N. H. N. G.
28. Silver and minor coins of the U. S., 1889.
29. Copies of Manchester Daily Union, Boston Daily Journal, Her-
ald and Globe, May 30th, 1889.
30. Copy of the Army and Navy Journal, New York, May 4th,
1889.
31. Pamphlet descriptive of the Washington Centennary, celebrated
in New York, April 29, .30 and May 1, 1889.
Grand Master. Right Worthy Grand Treasurer, you will
now deposit the Casket beneath the Corner-Stone, and may
the Great Architect of the Universe, in His w^isdom, grant
that ages on ages shall pass away ere it again be seen of men.
(The Grand Treasurer, assisted by the Grand Secretary
placed the casket in the cavity prepared, the Second Regiment
bandplajnng softly during the ceremony.)
Grand Treasurer . Most Worshipful Grand Master, your
orders have been duly executed.
(The principal architect here delivered the working tools to
the Grand Master, who retained the trowel, and presented the
square, level and plumb to the Deputy Grand Master, Senior
and Junior Grand Wardens, respectively, and said) : —
MASONIC CEREMONIES. 41
Right Worshipful Brethren , you will receive the implements
of your office. With your assistance and that of the Craft, I
will now proceed to lay the Corner-Stone of this structure, ac-
cording to the custom of our fraternity.
Brother Grand Marshal, you will direct the Craftsmen to
furnish the cement, and prepare to lower the stone.
The Grand Master then spread the cement, and the stone
was slowly lowered to its place, to the sound of appropriate
music, the grand honors being given under the direction of
the Grand Marshal. The Grand Master then said : —
Right Worthy Deputy Grand Master, what is the proper
implement of your office?
Deputy Grand Master. The Square.
Grand Master. What are its moral and Masonic uses.'*
Deputy Grand Master. To square our actions by the rule
of virtue, and prove our work.
Grand Master. Apply the implement of your office to
that portion of the Corner-Stone, and make report.
The square is applied to the four upper corners.
Deputy Grand Master. Most Worshipful Grand Master,
I find the stone to be square. The Craftsmen have done their
duty.
Grand Master. Right Worthy Senior Grand Warden,
what is the proper implement of your office ?
Senior Grand Warden. The Level.
Grand Master. What are its moral and Masonic uses?
Senior Grand Warden. Morally, it teaches Equality ; and
by it we prove our work.
Grand Master. Apply the implement of your office to
that portion of the Corner-Stone that needs to be proved, and
make report.
42 MASONIC CEREMONIES.
The Level was applied to the top surface.
Senior Grand Warden. Most Worshipful Grand Master,
I find the stone to be level. The Craftsmen have done their
duty.
Grand Master. Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden,
what is the proper implement of your office }
yunior Grand Warden. The Plumb.
Grand Master. What are its moral and Masonic uses?
Junior Grand Warden. Morally it teaches rectitude of
conduct ; and by it we prove our work.
Grand Master. Apply the implement of your oflSce to
that portion of the Corner-Stone, and make report.
The Plumb was applied to the sides of the stone.
Junior Grand Warden. Most Worshipful Grand Master,
I find the stone to be plumb. The Crafstmen have done their
duty.
The Grand Master then struck the stone three times with his
gavel and said : —
This Corner-Stone has been tested by the proper implements
of Masonry. I find that the Craftsmen have skillfully and
faithfully done their duty ; and I do declare the stone to be
well formed and trusty, truly laid, and correctly proved accord-
ing to the rules of our Ancient Craft. Ma}' the structure be
conducted and completed amid the blessings of Plenty, Health
and Peace.
Response by the Craft. So mote it be.
Grand Master. Brother Grand Marshal, you will present
the elements of consecration to the proper officers.
MASONIC CEREMONIES. 43
Grand Marshal presented Vessel of Corn to the D. G. M. ;
the Wine to the S. G. W. ; and the Oil to the J. G. W.
Deputy Grand Master advanced with the Corn, scattered it
on the stone, and said,
I scatter this Corn as an emblem of Plenty ; may the bless-
ings of bounteous Heaven be showered upon us, and upon all
like patriotic and important undertakings, and inspire the
hearts of the people with virtue, wisdom and gratitude.
Response by tJie Craft. So mote it be.
Senior Grand Warden advanced with the Vessel of Wine,
poured it on the stone, and said : —
I pour this Wine as an emblem of Joy and Gladness. May
the Great Ruler of the Universe bless and prosper our Nation-
al, State and City Governments ; preserve the union of the States
in harmony and brotherly love, which shall endure through all
time.
Response by the Craft. So mote it be.
Junior Grand Warden advanced with Vessel of Oil, poured
it on the stone and said : —
I pour this Oil as an emblem of Peace ; may its blessings
abide with us continually ; and may the Grand Master of Heav-
en and Earth shelter and protect the widow and orphan, and
vouchsafe to tliem, and to the bereaved, the afflicted and sorrow-
ing, everywhere, the enjoyment of ever)'^ good and perfect
gift.
Response by the Craft. So mote it be.
Grand Master extended his hands, and pronounced the fol-
lowing; invocation : —
44 MASONIC CEREMONIES.
May Corn, Wine and Oil, and all the necessaries of life
abound among men throughout the world. May the blessing
of Almighty God be upon this undertaking. May he protect
the workmen from every accident. May the monument here to
be erected, be planned with wisdom, supported by strength,
and adorned in beauty, and may it be preserved to the latest
ages, a fitting tribute to the brave defenders of our country
and a lasting monument to the liberality of our citizens.
Response by the Craft. So mote it be.
Grand Master addressed the Principal Architect and said : —
Worthy sir, having thus, as Grand Master of Masons, laid
the Corner-Stone of this Monument, I now return to you these
implements of operative Masonry, having full confidence in
your skill and capacitv to perform the important duties confid-
ed to you, to the satisfaction of those who have entrusted you
with their fulfilment.
The Grand Master then made report of his doings as fol-
lows : —
I have the honor to report, that in compliance with the re-
quest of the proper authorities, the Corner-Stone of the Mon-
ument to be erected on this site, has been laid successfully,
with the ancient ceremonies of the Craft. The Brother Grand
Marshal will therefore make the proclamation.
Grand Marshal. In the name of the Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of
New Hampshire, I now proclaim that the Corner-Stone of the
Monument to be erected, has this day been found true and
trusty., and laid according to the old customs, by the Grand
Master of Masons.
THE ORATION. 45
8. Oration bj Colonel Frank G. Nojes, of Nashua.
Mayor Burke then introduced the Orator of the Day, as
follows : —
Ladies and Gentlemen : —
By invitation of the City Councils, one of our distinis^uished
fellow citizens will now address you. This gentleman is too
well-known to Nashua people to require any introduction. I
therefore present to you Colonel Frank G. Noyes.
THE ORATION.
Mr. Mayor and Fellow Citizens: —
At the height of the grandeur and glory of Ancient Rome,
it was said of her citizens that to be a Roman was greater than
a king. We Americans are here to-day with a prouder title
than could be justly assumed by any dweller in that Roman
city, that "sat upon her seven hills and from her throne of
beauty ruled the world." We are here as citizens of the Re-
public of free and independent United States of America.
We are here in the name of Liberty and Union to perform a
sacred ceremony. In the name of Liberty ! that finds its
springs and sources deep in the hearts of men. With all its
beauty, with all its mistakes, its faith and inspiration, it belongs
to no nation, no creed, no race. It is the heritage of man. — In
the name of Union ! that was founded by the Fathers of the Re-
public, and cemented by the blood of our fathers and brothers.
It has received its " baptism of fire" ; we have tested it in the
crucible of civil war, and by the aid of those over whose
mouldering bones, their surviving comrades have this day
strewn the sweet flowers of spring, we have illustrated its
deathless existence.
46 THE ORATION.
THE CORNER-STONE.
We are here to lay the Corner-Stone of a memorial structure
to be erected by this city, as a tribute of honor to the men of
Nashua who served their country on land or sea during the
war of the rebellion, and aided in preserving the integrity of
the Federal Union. While we engage in this solemn duty, we
have here with us participating in these obligations, represen-
tatives of the battle-scarred heroes of the Grand Army of the
Republic, as well as many other equally worthy veterans who
survived the conflict, all of whom we delight to honor. To
perform this grateful ceremony, we have invoked to our assist-
ance an Ancient and Honorable Order, founded on the Chris-
tian religion ; whose tenets inculcate loyalty to country ; that
claims an antiquity more remote than the dawn of the Christian
era, and one of whose distinguished masters was the peerless
Washington.
THE MONUMENT.
For the people of our day and generation, the deeds of the
heroes in whose honor this structure is to be raised, need no
illustration by tongue or pen, or pile of stone or bronze. They
are imperishable and inshrined in the hearts of their country-
men. But to create and bequeath to the youth of future
generations, a memorial of the sublime virtues of loyalty and
patriotism, is a deed worthy of the intelligence of the most
advanced civilization. To you, therefore, gentlemen of the
City Councils, by whose wisdom this memorial structure is to
be erected by the people of Nashua, in their name and behalf,
I ofter you thanks. In the name of the heroic dead whose
faith and achievements you commemorate, I offer you thanks.
In the name of their surviving comrades. I offer you thanks.
THE ORATION. 47
In the name of the youth of the present, and of future genera-
tions, I offer you thanks.
THE DEPOSIT.
We here deposit in this Corner-Stone, memorials of our day
and age. In thus entonibing these treasures, we consign to a
long and silent repose, mementoes of ourselves that shall again
behold the light, only when we, perchance, have been long for-
gotten ; when perhai^s our names would have passed into obli-
vion, and our existence have become a tradition, save onlv for
the stately shaft tliat shall be erected on these foundations, to
perpetuate the memory of those who offered their lives upon
the altar of their country, and to be a constant, though silent re-
minder of their patriotism, heroism and devotion.
THE OCCASION.
During the brief time I shall address you to-dav, I purpose
to swerve from the somewhiat beaten track that has usually
been trodden by orators on similar occasions for the last quar-
ter of a century. Those of you who are of matm"e age well
remember, and the youth before me have heard by word of
inotith or perusal of faithful histories, the thrilling incidents
that occurred throughout the North, following the attack upon
our Countr3''s flag in '61. When the tocsin was sounded!
When the toilers at the loom, the forge, and the anvil dropped
their machines with the speed still on ! when the farmer left
his plough in the furrow ! when the workmen in God's vine-
yard, whether from the presses of the shop, the counter, the
office, the bench, or the pulpit, all laid down their implements
of peaceful avocations, and girding on an unwonted armor,
bade farewell to home and friends amid tears and prayers, and
marched to defend the honor of the Republic ! Well might
48 THE ORATION.
you here listen to a recital of some reminiscences of that terri-
ble period. Because we here stand on almost hallowed ground.
Here about us I behold many reminders of those dark days of
danger and doubt. Here I see on this platform a citizen of
Nashua, esteemed in his advancing years as he was honored in
his earlier manhood, who as Chief Magistrate i of the city, re-
ceived the battered veterans of the war, as they returned victo-
rious after Appomatox, and welcomed them home upon this
very spot. But should we not endeavor to draw lessons of
wisdom on this occasion, rather than indulge in reminiscences
of the war ?
The occasion is not and should not be one of unmixed grief.
Its ceremonies furnish us with sources of pleasure as well as
sad reflection. It is an appropriate time to examine our pro-
gress as a nation, to consider our present condition and the in-
fluence of our example, to extend our sympathies to other peo-
ple engaged in the same struggle in which we have conquered,
and above all to rekindle upon the altar of a common patriot-
ism, such torches as have been quenched or grown dim amid
party contests or attempted civil disunion.
THE SAFETY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The safety of our Republic is assured by the exercise of two
inalienable rights ; first, the free exercise of public opinion
upon the public acts of the party in power ; and second, co-equal
with this public opinion, and its voice, the ballot box, that
"Weapon that comes down as still
As snow-flakes fall upon the sod;
But executes the freeman's will,
As lightning does the will of God." 2
It is somewhat popular in these days of assumed modern
political degeneracy, to smile at a suggestion of the purity of
I. Ex-Mayor V. C. Oilman.
a. John Pierpont.
THE ORATION. 49
our ballot box system. Subtle schemers and smooth
tongued frauds, and sometimes men who " steal the livery of
the Court of Heaven to serve the devil in," i use their hellish
devices to corrupt and pollute the fountains whence flow the
pure waters of freedom ; but as intelligence shall become dif-
fused throughout the land, the masses of those men who now
lie under the thick clouds and dead calm of ignorance, super-
stition and vice, will surge like the angry ocean, and the reign
of terror to all such corruptionists, will be the history of the
nation !
THE STRENGTH OF THE REPUBLIC.
The great strength of our Republic lies in the innate love of
freedom and (if country implanted in our people ; the love of jus-
tice and fair play ; the calm, sober second thought of our men
and women, and such conditions of soil and climate as render
the genius of our institutions capable of producing in cases of
emergency, such men as Washington, Jefferson, Jackson and
Lincoln. And above all, it is that ardent patriotism that rises
above self. It is that electric fire of treedom which to-dav is
shaking the very foundations of kingdoms and empires. The
handwriting is on the wall ! What to-day do you plainly be-
hold among the monarchies of the old world .-^ "Change,
change, change," written on everything ; mysterious vials of
wrath momentarily threatening to pour ; the awful horseman of
the Apocalypse crying out from the clouds, — '• Behold I make
all things new." 2 Ever}' sceptre trembling in a palsied grasp ;
every crown fretted with sleeplessness and thorns ; arms in the
hands of soldiers sprung from the people, and who cannot be
trusted to turn against them ; secret societies filling the air with
1. Pollock's Course of Time.
2. The Revelation of St. John.
50 THE ORATION.
missiles of destruction from invisible hands, and Poland, Hun-
gary and Ireland preparing for the inevitable hour, when a
deadlier blast than Roland blew from his enchanted horn, shall
summon them to take their places as free, sovereign and inde-
pendent Commonwealths, around the standard of reconstructed
Europe !
THE UNITY OF THE PEOPLE.
The great heart of our people, my fellow-citizens, has al-
ways throbbed with love of country ; the rank and file what-
ever may be their party affiliations are all patriots. The issues
of the war of the rebellion, settled forever the question of uni-
versal freedom in our country. Those of our brethren in the
Southern States who rebelled, were arrayed against the Union
in support of an ignis fatuns that lured them on almost to
their destruction. But the masses in the South to-day, are as
loyal to the Union as any of us here. The Boys in Blue and
the Boys in Gray march under one flag now, the stars and the
stripes of the Federal Union. The line reaches the length and
breadth of the land, and it cannot be broken.
And so to-day our people are free, independent, prosperous
and happy citizens of the grandest Republic the world has ever
known ; a Nation with such resources and so united and pow-
erful, that it might successfully withstand the world in arms.
Let us therefore beware of the dangers that threaten us ; be-
ware of the allurements of luxury ; beware of the concentra-
tion of wealth by means of gigantic trusts, combinations and
other devices which menace the liberties of the people ; of the
tendency to centralization of power by which all the Republics
in the past have been overthrown ; resist every encroachment
on the autonomy of the States, and yield no iota of their
vested rights. Thus may the Republic endure forever !
THE ORATION. 51
THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLIC.
We have briefly considered the present ; let us now look to
the future : — Within the next century I behold my countrymen
numbering- three hundred millions of freemen ! I see the
whole continent under her starry flag ! I see her the center of
civilization ! l^hrones have tottered and crumbled, and dynas-
ties have been swept away ! T see her at the zenith, full orbed,
'•' glittering like the morning star, full of life, and splendor,
and joy." '
9. Benediction by the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Ma-
sons, as follows : —
Glorv be to God on High, and on earth, peace, good will
toward men ! O Lord, we most heartily beseech Thee with
Thy favor to behold and bless this assemblage ; pour down
Thy mercies, like the dew that falls upon the mountains, upon
Thy servants engaged in the solemn ceremonies of this day.
Bless, we pray Thee, all the workmen who shall be engaged
in the erection of this monument ; keep them from all forms of
accident and harm ; grant them in health and prosperity to
live ; and finally, we hope after this life, through Thy mercy
and forgiveness to attain everlasting joy and felicity in Thy
bright mansion, in Thy holy temple, not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens. Amen.
Response. So mote it be.
At the close of the exercises at Abbot .Square, the column
moved down Main vStreet, by the City Hall Building, where it
was reviewed by the Mayor and City Government, thence coun-
termarched to the starting point, where the parade was dis-
missed.
1. Edmund Burke.
SECOND REPORT i BUILDING COMMITTEE.
REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Nashua, N. H., Sept. 17, 1889.
To THE City Councils : —
Gentlemen : — Your Committee appointed under the provi-
sions of joint resolution Number 978, entitled: — "A Resolu-
tion for the erection of a Soldiers' Monument, and appropria-
tion not exceeding twelve thousand dollars," passed January
29th, 1889, begs leave respectfully to again report progress and
state,
First: — That the contractors for building the Monument
have given this Committee formal notice that the same will be
finished and ready for dedication on the 15th day of October,
next.
Second : — That this Committee is, therefore, makino- ar-
rangements to have the Monument dedicated with approprinte
ceremonies on said 15th of October.
Third : — That the Commander of the Grand Army of the
Republic for the Department of New Hampshire, has hecn
invited and has accepted the invitation to perform the ceremonv
of dedication, assisted by the comrades of the order.
Fourth : — That the Hon. Charles H. Burns, of Wilton, has
been invited and has accepted the invitation to deliver an ora-
tion on the occasion.
Fifth : — That your Committee did not feel authorized nor
warranted to trespass on the rights and dignity of your honor-
able bodies so far as to ask or appoint any member of the City
o6 REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Councils to serve on any of the Committees to attend to the
details of arranging for the dedication of the Monument, but
your Committee begs respectfully to suggest that your honor-
able bodies take such action as may seem advisable, to act as a
General Committee of Reception to the guests of the City on
that occasion.
Your Committee further begs respectfully to suggest that
your honorable bodies take such action as you may deem prop-
er, to be present otficially on the occasion of the dedication of
the Monument, on Abbot Square, at the time stated above.
Your Committee begs respectfully to request that your hon-
orable bodies will ratify the action of your Committee in the
premises, by accepting this report.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles H. Burke,
Mayor and Chairman,
John D. Sullivan,
A. W. Heald,
H. P. Wardwell,
J. H. MORAN,
Charles W. Stevens,
Frank G. Noyes,
R. B. Prescott,
Secretary,
Received Sept. 30, 1889.
Read and accepted in Board of Aldermen, Oct. 1st, 1889.
Charles H. Burke, Mayor.
Charles S. Bussell, City Clerk.
Read and accepted in Board of Common Council, Oct. 1st,
1889.
Henry P. Whitney, President,
George E. Danforth, Clerk.
Building Committee
\ of the
Soldiers' Monument.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DEDICATION.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DEDICATION.
As soon as the Building Committee were assured by the
contractors that the Monument would be finished and ready
for dedication within the time specified in the contract, prepa-
rations were begun and arrangements made for a ceremony and
pageant that should be worthy of the object, and the fifteenth
of October, 1889, was set as the day on which to dedicate the
Monument.
The Committee invited the following named persons to take
part in the dedicatory sei'vices : —
The Commander of the Grand Array of the Republic for
the Department of New Hampshire, assisted by his staft' and
comrades of the order, to dedicate the Monument.
Hon. Charles H. Burns of Wilton, to deliver the oration.
Rev. Geo. W. Grover to act as chaplain.
Colonel Frank G. Noyes in behalf of the Building Com-
mittee, to formally deliver the Monument to the City,
Col. E. J. Copp to act as Chief Marshal.
These invitations were severall}' accepted.
Invitations to participate in the ceremonies were forwarded
to every Grand Army Post in New Hampshire, and to several
Posts in adjoining States. A circular was published in all the
newspapers in the State, extending to all soldiers and sailors
who were either born in, or were credited to, or now reside in
New Hampshire, who have sei"ved in the army or navy of the
60 ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEDICA TION
United States, a cordial invitation to be present and take part
on the occasion of unveiling and dedicating the Monument.
A general committee of arrangements was appointed, con-
sisting of the following named citizens : —
Mayor Charles H. Burke, Chairman,
Hon. Frank A. McKean,
Hon. James H. Tolles,
Gen. Ira Cross,
W. D. Cadwell, Esq.,
Col. E. J. Copp,
Dr. A. W. Petit,
Col. Frank G. Noyes,
Alvin S. Eaton, Esq.,
Charles W. Stevens, Esq.,
Patrick Lonergan, Esq.,
Dr. R. B. Prescott, Secretary.
There were also appointed sub-committees on invitation, on
entertainment, on transportation, on order of exercises and
printing, on decorations, on music, on carriages, and a large
reception committee consisting of ex-mayors and other prom-
inent citizens.
The members of both branches of the City Government
also acted as a special committee on I'eception.
All the committees, comprising more than an hundred citi-
zens labored earnestly, industriously and in entire harmony
throughout the whole affair, and with the sole object of making
the occasion a grand success, a credit and an honor to the city.
The following General Orders were issued by the Chief
Marshal : —
GENERAL ORDERS. 61
Dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument.
Office of Chief Marshal.
Nashua, N. H., Sept. 25, 1889.
Orders No. 1.
I. Having been appointed Chief Marshal of the exercises
at the dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at
Nashua, October 15th next, the undersigned hereby assumes
the duties of the office.
The following appointments are hereby announced : —
Dr. R. B. Prescott, Chief of Staff.
Col. DanaW. King, Assistant Marshal and Chief of Division.
H. A. Marsh, Assistant Marshal and Chief of Division.
C. W. Stevens, Assistant Marshal and Chief of Division.
M. A. Taylor, Assistant Marshal and Chief of Division.
AIDS.
Col. R. P. Staniels of Concord, Col. J. J. Dillon of Manchester,
Col. John B. Hall of Manchester, Col. F. E. Kaley of Milford,
Col. W. E. Spalding of Nashua. Capt. G. E. Heath of Nashua,
Maj. W. H. Cheever of Nashua, Capt. M.L.Morrison, Peterboro',
Capt. W. W.Hemmenway, Milford, Dr. G. F. Wilbur of Nashua,
Adjt. C. E. Faxon of Nashua, J. H. Dunlap of Nashua,
Capt. F. L. Kimball of Nashua, Capt. C. E. Nelson of Derbj' Line,
Capt. D. B. Newhall of Concord, W. A. Gregg of Nashua,
Loren S. Richardson of Concord, C. H. Moore of Nashua,
J. A. Dadman of Concord, John H. Vickery of Nashua,
G. F. Hammond of Nashua, P. Lonergan of Nashua,
F. E. Marsh of Nashua, Darius Whithed of Lowell,
L. P. A. Lavoie of Nashua, John Welch of Lowell,
Col. J. W. Crosby of Milford, Daniel Walker of Lowell,
B. S. Woods of Nashua, D. W. Hayden of HoUis.
II. Chiefs of Division and Aids w^ill report at 9 o'clock,
A. M., Oct. 15, at the Office of Chief Marshal, County Building.
III. John G. Foster Post, G. A. R., will report to the
Chief Marshal for special escort dut}-^ at 10 o'clock, A. m.
Companies I. and C, Second Regiment, N. H. N. G.,
having volunteered their services for the day, unless otherwise
ordered, will report to the Chief Marshal for special escort
duty at 10 o'clock, a. m.
IV. All visiting organizations will report upon arrival to
the Assistant Marshal or Aid in waiting at each station.
V. Dinner will he sei'ved at 12 o'clock on North Common
to the Military, to the visiting organizations of the G. A. R.,
62 GENERAL ORDERS.
and to all Soldiers and Sailors of the war who may favor us
with their presence.
VI. Lines will be formed at 1 :30 p. m. by Divisions under
direction of Chiefs of Division as follows : —
First Division upon the westerly side of Main street, with
the right resting upon Factory street.
Second Division upon Temple street, with the right resting
upon Main street.
Third Division upon East Pearl street, with the right resting
upon Main street.
Fourth Division upon Main street, with the right resting
upon Hollis street.
The line of March will be as follows : Main street to Bel-
mont street, countermarch through Main to Concord street.
Concord street to Courtland, countermarch Courtland to Cres-
cent, Crescent to Abbot, Abbot to Abbot Square.
VII. The formation of Divisions and assignment of com-
mand, with other details, will be announced in future orders.
VIII. All organizations intending to participate, that have
not already reported, are urgently requested to communicate
with the Chief Marshal without delay. The co-operation of
all Soldiers and prompt compliance with orders is absolutely
necessarv to the success of the ceremonies.
E. J. Copp, Chief Marshal.
Dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument.
Office of Chief Marshal,
Nashua, N. H., Oct. 10, 1889.
Orders No. 2.
I. So much of paragraph No. VI of Orders No. 1 from
these headquarters as relates to the time of formation of line is
hereby revoked. Lines will be formed by Divisions under the
direction of Chiefs of Divisions at 1 o'clock p. m., Oct. 15th.
First Division upon westerly side of Main street, with the
right resting at Factory street.
Second Division upon Temple street, with the right upon
Main street.
Third Division upon East Pearl street, with the right upon
Main street.
Fourth Division upon Main street, with the right upon Hol-
lis street.
GENERAL ORDERS. 63
II. The column will move at 1 :30 o'clock in the order
named below, through Main street to Belmont street, counter-
march through Main to Concord street, Concord sti-eet to Court-
land street, Courtland street to Webster street, Webster street
to Hall street. Hall to Concord, Concord to Crescent, Crescent
to Abbot, Abbot to Abbot Square.
********
(The Column or line of Procession which follows here in
the General Order, is given hereinafter beginning on page 83.)
All organizations not having yet reported will be assigned
to position in line in the order in which they report.
Col. D. W. King will establish headquarters upon the Oval,
Railroad Square, to whom all Veterans unattached to organiz-
ations, will report at or before 11 o'clock A. M. and will be or-
ganized by him into a Veterans' Division.
All organizations arriving early in the day will reassemble
upon the ground upon which they break ranks, at 11 o'clock
preparatory to marching to the North Common for dinner.
To obtain admittance to the dining tent, it will be necessary for
Soldiers and Veterans to appear with their organizations under
the command of Col. King, as above directed.
Immediately following dinner. Post Commanders will con-
duct their commands to the point of Division formation, report-
ing to the Chief of the Division to which they are assigned.
VI. Capt. S. S. Piper, commanding First Light Battery,
N. H. N. G., is charged with the firing of the National Salute
of 42 guns upon the unveiling of the Monument. For this
purpose he will place his battery in position on North Com-
mon, and upon orders transmitted by the Signal Corps will
fire the salute.
VII. Upon the termination of the ceremonies, commanders
of visiting organizations will reform their lines and march to
the depot for embarkation. The Chief Marshal in command
suggests that every man in line appear with sufficient under-
clothing to make the wearing of an overcoat unnecessary.
It is confidently expected that every man participating in the
ceremonies of the dav will place himself under reasonable dis-
cipline, obeving all orders promptlv. Everv soldier knows
this to be necessary to success.
Bv order of
E. J. Copp, Chief Marshal.
Official,
R. B. Prescott. Chief of Staff'.
64 GENERAL ORDERS.
The following General Orders were issued from Grand Army
headquarters : —
Headquarters Department of New Hampshire,
Grand Army of the Republic.
Concord, Aug. 6, 1889.
General Orders, )
No. 6. \
IV. The Department officers have accepted an invitation
extended by the city of Nashua, N. H., to dedicate a Soldiers'
and Sailors' Monument in that city, October 15, 1889. and a
cordial invitation is extended to all of the Posts in this Depart-
ment to be present and participate in the ceremonies. Post
Commanders are requested to bring this subject before their re-
spective Posts for their action, at the first meeting of their Posts
after receiving this order, and will notify (by letter) Col. E. J.
Copp, Chief Marshal, of their acceptance and the probable
number of comrades that will be present. They will also re-
port to Col. Copp upon their arrival in Nashua on the da}-
specified, for assignment to position in column.
V. The Commander of John G. Foster Post, No. 7, will
detail one comrade to act as Officer of the Day, one comrade
to act as Officer of the Guard, and six comrades (three sol-
diers and three sailors) to act as Guard of Honor, and report
their names to the Assistant Adjutant General immediately.
VI. The Department Commander is assured that the vari-
ous railroads in the state will issue round trip tickets at the
lowest possible rates, which will soon be published ; and it is
hoped that the comrades will avail themselves of this opportu-
nity, turn out out with full ranks, and pay honor to the memo-
ry of the heroic dead.
VII. If the date of the dedication of the monument should
be changed, due notice will be given.
By command of
J. F. Grimes, Department Commander.
James Minot, Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS. 65
Headquarters Department of New Hampshire,
Grand Army of the Republic.
Concord, Sept. 23, 1889.
General Orders, )
No. 9. I
I. Post Commanders are reminded that the time fixed —
October 15th — for the dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors'
Monument at the cit}^ of Nashua, N. H., is near at hand, and
as they are to be the guests of the city upon that occasion, it is
very essential that they report their acceptance or non-accept-
ance of the invitation, with the probable number that will be
present, by letter, as directed by Section IV of General Orders
No. 6 from these Headquarters, in order that the city may
know the number for which to provide entertainment. Posts
that have not so reported will do so at once.
II. A collation will be served to the comrades as near 12
o'clock m. as possible and the dedicatory exercises will com-
mence about 2 o'clock p. m., and close in season to allow the
comrades to return to their homes, that night, if they desire.
III. The Concord, Cheshire. Boston & Maine, Old Col-
ony, and Fitchburg Railroads, and leased lines, have agreed to
carry passengers at 1 1-2 cents per mile, and in no case shall
the fare exceed three dollars for the round trip w^hatever the
distance may be.
Tickets will be on sale at all the principal stations, and good
going to Nashua on the 14th and 15th and returning on the
15th and 16th days of October.
IV. All the Stafi' Officers are cordially invited to be present
at the dedication and will notify the Assistant Adjutant Gener-
al of their acceptance by letter without delay.
V. The following named officers are directed to report to
the Department Commander at Nashua, N. H., as early as
practicable on the day of the dedication and take the respec-
tive parts assigned them in the dedicatory exercises : —
Thomas Cogswell, Senior Vice Dep't Commander.
George E. Hodgdon, Junior Vice Dep't Commander.
James K. Ewer, Chaplain.
James Minot, Assistant Adjutant-General.
VI. Comrades G. F. Bailey and J. L. Burgess, of Post No.
7, G. A. R., are hereby detailed as Officer of the Day and Offi-
cer of the Guard, respectively, and will report to the Assistant
66 GENERAL ORDERS.
Adjutant-General for duty at 1 o'clock p. m. on the day of the
dedication.
By commarrd of
J. F. Grimes, Department Commander.
James Minot, Assistant Adjutant-General.
JMSm^..JiaP^'
i
nrr'"»wif>'if*t
THE MONUMENT.
THE MONUMENT.
The Monument is an imposing structm-e, and as a creation
of memorial art, for beauty of design and appropriate expres-
sion to commemorate the deeds of the men whose memories it
is intended to perpetuate, has seldom been equalled.
The Monument is located near the south east corner of Ab-
bot Square, at the head of Main street, and far to the south,
beyond the City Hall Building, the view is unobstructed.
It is built of granite and is as solid and should endure as the
very hills themselves. The foundation is of solid masonry
eleven feet below the surface of the earth. The base is fifteen
feet and six inches square and the Monument is fifty-two feet
and eight inches in height, with castellated shaft. The main
die is hammered and the blocks forming the column alter-
nate hammered and rough ashler, the contrast being perfect.
The inscription on the bronze tablet on the South face of the
die is : —
A TRIBUTE
TO THE MEN OF NASHUA
WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY
ON LAND OR SEA
DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION,
AND AIDED IN
PRESERVING THE INTEGRITY
OP THE
FEDERAL UNION
A. D. 1861-1865.
ERECTED BY THE CITY OF NASHUA
A. D. 1889.
70 THE MONUMENT.
On this side of the die, above the inscription, in bronze and
tastefully grouped, are the emblems of the cavali'y arm of the
service. The group consists of a saddle, thrown carelessly
against a stone wall, upon which is a hat and blanket ;
upon the side and below are the canteen, sword, rifle,
straps, pistol and other trappings, with a bugle lying upon the
ground at the left.
The tablet on the North face of the die is given to appropri-
ate quotations, as follows : —
'' the union ought to be considered as a main prop
of your liberties, and the love of the one ought to
endear to you the preservation of the other."
[Washington's farewell address.
"OUR FEDERAL UNION; IT MUST BE PRESERVED." [AN-
DREW JACKSON.
"LIBERTY AND UNION, NOW AND FOREVER, ONE AND IN-
SEPARABLE." [DANIEL WEBSTER.
*•' THAT FROM THESE HONORED DEAD WE TAKE INCREASED
DEVOTION TO THAT CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY GAVE THE
LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION ; THAT WE HERE HIGH-
LY RESOLVE THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN
VAIN AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE
PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE
EARTH. [ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
"LET US HAVE PEACE." [u. S. GRANT.
The bronze emblem above the inscriptions on this side of
the die consists of a group of three cannon, with an artillery
wheel below and two rammers perpendicular.
THE MONUMENT. 71
The bas-relief, in bronze, upon the East face of the die, rep-
resents the sinking of the Alabama by the Kearsarge, June
19, 1864, off the coast of France. The Alabama is engulfed,
sinking in the sea, while the victorious Kearsarge is seen in the
background, on even keel, seemingly uninjured by the fight.
Above, on the top of the die, stands a bold and defiant sailor
in bronze, 7 feet 2 inches in height. His right arm is extended
above his head ; his right hand grasps a cutlass, his left hand
holding a rope, a coil of v^hich lays at his feet. The idea con-
veyed is that he is about to board an enemy's ship. The band
upon his hat is inscribed "Kearsarge." The appropriateness
of this tablet and figure is found in the fact that the victorious
war ship bore the name of a New Hampshire mountain and is
therefore identified with this State. It is also found in the fact
that the last male descendant of Matthew Thornton, the signer
of the Declai-ation of Independence, Capt. James S. Thornton
whose body lies buried at Thornton's Ferry, was the executive
oflficer of the Kearsarge in the memorable engagement, and di-
rected the guns that brought victor}- and lienor to his country.
The bas-relief upon the West face of the die is allegorical
and of special significance. The capitol of the nation appears
upon the right background and a ruined Southern dwelling
house upon the left, in front of which stands a stack of mus-
kets, resting upon which is a furled rebel flag. The Goddess
of Liberty, with broken chains at her feet and with out-
stretched hands, stands in the center ; before her in kneeling
attitude is a colored man over whose head a Federal and Con-
federate soldier have clasped hands in the bonds of peace,
while a ribbon border across the top and bottom bears the in-
scription : " With malice toward none ; with charitv for all."
Upon the top of this side of the die stands a spirited figure, in
bronze, of an infantryman in the act of raising and cocking his
72 THE MONUMENT.
rifle. The figure, upon which is a haversack, cartridge-
box and canteen, leans forward ; the gaze is intently fixed on a
far away object, while every nerve is strained to the utmost
tension. The thought of the beholder instantly grasps the idea
that the soldier is represented, either as a skirmisher, or on a
lonely picket line, and that an important movement of the ene-
my is being watched with absorbing interest. We doubt if
the figures of the soldier and sailor of this Monument are
equalled by any in this country. Equalled or excelled, they
are perfect works of art and a credit to artist and committee.
On the four sides of the capstone of the shaft, there
are four bronze shields ; the one upon the South face is a copy
of the seal of the State ; that upon the North, a copy of the seal
of the City, and those upon the East and West are copies of
the United States shield. The stone is ornamented with col-
umns at the corners and with raised stars at the top.
Standing upon a pedestal of proper proportions and crown-
ing the whole, is a statue representing Victory. It is nine feet
high and carved from New Hampshire Granite. Its symmetr}'
is perfect. The features are beautiful ; firm, yet benign ; the
drapery flowing and graceful in folds ; the ellcct perfect in art.
The right hand rests upon the symbolic shield of the country,
and the extended left holds a laurel wreath in bronze.
This Monument has been erected to commemorate the pa-
triotism and valor of the thirteen hundred and fifty- five men of
Nashua, who served their Country as Soldiers or Sailors dur-
ing the War of the Rebellion, whose names are deposited in
the Corner-Stone It is a worthy and appropriate tribute to
the living and dead of the army and navy of the Union, and
when it shall have been improved by adding statues of a cav-
alryman and artilleryman in bronze, in place of the embleniS
now upon the Noith and South faces of the second die, there
THE MONUMENT. 73
will be no Monument in our country — at whatever cost — that
will more appropriately mark the greatest epoch liberty has
ever known.
Note. — The design and general plan of the Monument was made by
Mr. T. M. Perry, Architect for Messrs. Frederick & Field of Quincy,
Mass. The model of the Sailor was made by S. J. O'Kelly, sculptor,
of Boston, and was cast by M. H. Mosman, of Chicopee, Mass. The
model of the Skirmisher (the soldier) was made by C. Buberl, of New
York, and was cast by the Henry Bonnard Bronze Co., of New York.
The model of the Artillery emblem was made and the same was cast by
M. H. Mosman, of Chicopee, Mass., who also furnished the model of the
Emancipation bas-relief and the two lettered panels, and cast the same.
The model of the Cavalry emblem, the bas-relief of the sinking of the
Alabama, City Seals and U. S. shields, and the surmounting Statue of
Victory were modelled by Beattie & Brooks, sculptors, Quincy, Mass.
The Cavalry emblem and Naval bas-relief were cast by Henry Bonnard
Bronze Co.. of N. Y. The City Seals and U. S. Shields were cast by M. H .
Mosman, of Chicopee, Mass. The surmounting figure of Victory, carved
from a block of Concord, N. H., granite, was executed in the works of
Messrs. Frederick & Field, by their own sculptors. All the granite
work of the Monument was executed in the works of the contractors
and builders, Messrs. Frederick & Field, of Quincy, Mass., who erected
the Monument. The foundation of the Monument — which is eleven
feet deep, and fifteen feet and six inches square at the top, and flares reg-
ularly to the bottom, where it is eighteen feet square — is built from
granite raised from the Nashua quarry, and was laid by Charles W.
Stevens, of Nashua, under the direction of Frederick & Field. The
dedicatory inscription on the bronze tablet inserted in the south or
front face of the die of the Monument, and the quotations from emi-
nent Americans, on the bronze tablet inserted in the north face of the
same, were prepared by Col. Frank G. Noyes, of Nashua.
THE DAY.
THE DAY.
The fifteenth day of October, 1889.
It was a perfect autumn day, bright and beautiful. The
air was cool and bracing. It was the day to which the peo-
ple of Nashua had looked forward for nearly a quarter of a
century ; the day on which a Monument was to be dedicated
to the memory of sons and brothers, of husbands and fathers,
who, in the pride and strength of their manhood, went
forth to battle for the integrity of the nation as a federal
union ; which should set the bondman free and preserve
the liberties of the people. The citv was decked in its
finest raiment. Public and private buildings were elaborately
decorated with flags and banners and bunting, and hundreds of
beautiful and ingenious devices, which testified to the patriotic
feeling and general interest which the public had in the grand
event. It was surely Veterans' day. The factories closed,
business suspended, the streets crowded with people, the
assemblage of many distinguished personages to do honor to
the occasion, the gathering together of more than three tliou-
sand veterans of the war who were comrades on weary
marches, lonely bivouacs and bloody fields, irresistably
turned the mind back more than a quarter of a centurv to a
time when the whole nation swayed and staggered under the
mighty power of civil war ; when far away under the South-
ern sun, the true-hearted "boys in blue" were giving their
lives to protect those institutions that were priceless heirlooms
78 THE DAT.
to the loyal northern heart. Nashua in tender remembrance,
had called together her sons and daughters to do honor to those
hei'oes and their surviving comrades.
Before eight o'clock, hundreds of vehicles that brought visit-
ors from the suburbs and the adjoining towns were upon the
streets, and the highways were thronged with thousands of
pedestrians.
The arrival of the early railway trains brought large delega-
tions, and when the later trains came rolling in, they were liter-
ally burdened with loads of war veterans and people from the
cities and towns of the State and Massachusetts, and invited
guests from places both near and remote. The visiting Grand
Armv Posts, Veteran Soldiers and Sailors unattached, the Mil-
itary and other organizations, and invited guests were received
and welcomed upon their arrival at the several railroad stations
b}' soecial committees of citizens, and escorted to the various
rendezvous. The veterans, the military and other organized
bodies were then " off duty " until the call for dinner. All
other specially invited guests were escorted to the City Hall,
where the Mayor and members of the City Councils and the
general committee on reception warmly welcomed them.
Provision had been made to organize a Division composed
of veterans who should be present, unattached to any post or
other organization. Col. Dana W. King was assigned to
duty, as chief of this Division. He established a rendezvous
at the park in Railroad Square, and appointed special aids,
with instructions to attend the arrival of all railroad trains,
and otherwise to scour the city in search of recruits, to enlist
for the day and march under the flag of this old veteran's divis-
ion. This resulted in the gathering at the rendezvous of more
than an hundred grizzled veterans who were heartily wel-
comed, and were gratified that Nashua had provided a place
THE DAT. 79
for them, although nearly all had come to town as strangers.
Col. King organized them as a battalion, which comprised in
its ranks many men of eminence, among whom were a Past
Department Commander of Maine and many others of equal
rank who had served their country on land or sea. After din-
ing with the thousands on the North Common, this batallion
was assigned to a place in the line on the right of the fourth
division. The Lisbon Drum Corps, 22 pieces, Bailey, leader,
which played martial music after the manner of fifty years ago
marched proudly at the head of this unique command.
Twelve o'clock, noon, was announced in general orders as
the hour for dinner. Preparation had been made to entertain
all guests of the city with dinner and other needed refresh-
ments. The committee on entertainment had made ample
provision to furnish " a square meal " to every old soldier and
sailor in Nashua on that day, — whether in or out of the Grand
Army of the Republic — to all the Military, and to all the Sons
of Veterans present. Two Yale tents of the largest size were
pitched on the North Common, and in these tents, between the
hours of twelve and one o'clock, forty-five hundred men par-
took of an abundant dinner. The rations consisted of baked
beans, beef, ham, and tongue, brown and white bread, dough-
nuts, pickles, fruit and coffee, and all in ample supply.
The Mayor in behalf of the City Government had issued
cards of invitation to his excellency the Governor and Staff,
to the members of the Governor's Council, the Judges of the
Supreme Court, the Commander of the Grand Army of the
Republic of the Department of New Hampshire, and staff,
the Brigade Commander and the field and staff' officers of the
New Hampshire National Guard, the New Hampshire dele-
gation in Congress and many other distinguished guests, to
partake of a complimentary luncheon at the Tremont House,
80 THE DAY.
at 12 M., noon. At this feast, upwards of two hundred guests
of the city were entertained.
Some of the visitors were invited to the homes of friends in
the city ; others were cared for at the hotels, and it is safe to
say that no guest of the city on that day was unprovided with
ample, hearty and satifactory entertainment.
Meanwhile the streets were thronged with a multitude of
people, and all seemed supremely happy.
THE PROCESSION.
THE PROCESSION.
At one o'clock, p. m., lines were formed by Divisions under
the direction of Chiefs of Divisions, as announced in General
Orders and were as follows : —
First Division upon westerly side of Main street, with right
resting at Factory street.
Second Division upon Temple street, right resting upon
Main street.
Third Division upon East Pearl street, with right resting
upon Main street.
Fourth Division upon Main street, with right resting upon
Hollis street.
Half-past one o'clock in the afternoon was the appointed
time for the column to move. As soon as the several divisions
were formed, the order to march was sounded, and the proces-
sion moved in the order given below : —
Through Main street to Belmont street, thence counter-
marching through Main to Concord street, Concord street to
Courtland street, Courtland street to Webster street, Webster
street to Hall street. Hall street to Concord street, Concord
street to Crescent street, Crescent street to Abbot street, Abbot
street to Abbot Square.
84 THE PROCESSION.
Assistant Citj Marshal, W. W. Wheeler.
Platoon of Eight Policemen.
Chief Marshal, Col. E.J. Copp.
Chief of Staff, Dr. R. B. Prescott.
MARSHALS AND AIDS.
Col. R. P. Staniels of Concord, Col. H. M. Goodrich of Nashua,
Col. John B. Hall of Manchester, Capt. M. L. Morrison, Peterboro',
Col. W. E. Spalding of Nashua. Dr. G. F. Wilbur of Nashua,
Col. J. W. Crosby of Milford, W. A. Gregg of Nashua,
Maj. W. H. Cheever of Nashua. J. H. Dunlap of Nashua,
Adjt. C. E. Faxon of Nashua, Capt. C. E.Nelson of Derbj Line,
Lieut. G. P. Kimball of Nashua, John H. Vickery of Nashua,
Dr. C. S. Collins of Nashua, P. Lonergan of Nashua,
G. F. Hammond of Nashua, Darius Whithed of Lowell,
F. E. Marsh of Nashua, John Welch of Lowell,
L. P. A. Lavoie of Nashua, Daniel Walker of Lowell,
B. S. Woods of Nashua, D. W. Hayden of Hollis,
Col. J. J. Dillon of Manchester, C. H. Moore of Nashua,
Col. F. E. Kaley of Milford, Arthur D. Ramsdell of Nashua.
SIGNAL CORPS.
FIRST DIVISION.
Second Regiment Band, N. H. N. G., W. A. Cummings, bandmaster.
First Brigade, New Hampshire National Guard,
Brig.-Gen, J. N. Patterson, Commanding.
STAFF.
Lieut. -Col. George W. Gould, Assistant Adjutant-General,
Major Albert N. Dow, Assistant Inspector General,
Major Harry B. Cilley, Inspector of Rifle Practice.
Major Frank W. Rollins, Judge Advocate,
Captain Daniel H. Gienty, Aid-de-Camp,
Captain Frank L. Kimball, Aid-de-Camp,
Brig. Color Sergeant, Arthur H. Knowlton.
Second Regiment, New Hampshire National Guard,
Col. A. W. Metcalf, Commanding.
THE PROCESSION. , 85
Lieut.-Col. Jason E. Tolles,
Major Francis O. Nims,
First Lieut. Sumner Nims, Adjutant,
First Lieut. E. W. Emerson, Quartermaster,
Captain C. A. Roby, Paymaster,
Major George W. Flagg, Surgeon,
Captain William H. Nute, Assistant-Surgeon,
Captain Henry B. Smith, Chaplain.
Sergeant Major E. P. Whitney, Quartermaster Sergeant G. E. Dan-
forth, Commissary Sergeant, F. H. Weeks, Hospital Steward, G. C.
Shedd, Drum Major, S. M. Hoyt, Color Sergeant D. P. Barker,
Band Master W. A. Cummings.
Foster Rifles, Co. I. E. H. Parmenter, captain; W. H. Goodspeed,
first lieutenant ; W. R. Seaman, second lieutenant.
Smith Rifles, Co. K, of Hillsborough Bridge. L. E. Nichols, captain ;
John W. Craine, first lieutenant; Homer A. White, second
lieutenant.
Keene Light Guard, Co. H. J. P. Wellman, captain; Frank Chapman,
first lieutenant; E. A. Shaw, second lieutenant.
Keene Light Guard, Co. G. Charles W. Starkey, captain; E. O. Up-
ham, first lieutenant; Charles E. Joslin, second lieutenant.
Company C, of Nashua. Hiram S. Stevens, captain ; Arthur D. Far-
ley, first lieutenant; William H. Livingstone, second lieutenant.
Manchester Battalion of Infantry.
Col. G. M. L. Lane, Commanding.
Drum Corps of Company K, First Regiment, N. H. N. G. Six men.
Col. G. M. L. Lane,
Major P. A. Devine,
Acting Adjutant, First Lieut. J. F. Reardon,
Quartermaster Sergeant, T. E. F. McDerby,
Sheridan Guards, Co. B, First Regiment, N. H. N. G. D. F. Shea,
captain; J. F. Reardon, first lieutenant; William Sullivan.
• second lieutenant.
City Guards, Co. E, First Regiment, N. H. N. G. B. N. Wilson,
captain; Frank W. Tibbitts, first lientenant; John B.
Rogers, second lieutenant.
86 THE PROCESSION.
Manchester High School Cadets. W. Parker, captain; A. W. Morgan,
first lieutenant; A. F. Wheat, second lieutenant.
Lafayette Guards, Co. H, First Regiment, N. H. N. G. Jeremie H.
Soley, first lieutenant; Frank H. Lussier, second lieutenant.
Company K, of Manchester, First Regiment, N. H. N. G. P. H.
O'Malley, captain; T. H. Kendrigan, first lieutenant, John
Fitzmorice, second lieutenant.
Detachment Third Regiment, New Hampshire National Guard.
Maj. William A. Messer, Commanding.
V/eston Guards, Co. D, Pittsfield, Walter Langmaid, first lieutenant ;
commanding; Delta H. Merrill, second lieutenant.
State Capital Guards, Co. C, Concord, William C. Trenoweth, captain ;
H. B. Roby, first lieutenant; Thomas P. Davis, second
lieutenant.
Manchester Cornet Band, J. D. Ricord, leader.
Amoskeag Veterans, Major E. F. Trow, Commanaing; Captain John
B. Abbot, Adjutant.
Manchester Cadets, Frank L. Downs, captain; Ed. T. KnowUon, first
lieutenant; Ed. R. Robinson, second lieutenant.
Nashua High School Cadets, R. S. W^ason, captain; M. W. Mitchell,
first lieutenant; W. S. Williams, second lieutenant.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
AND STAFF, (^Mounted.)
His Excellency, David H. Goodell, Governor,
Maj-Gen. Augustus D. Ayling, Adjutant-General, Concord,
Brig.-Gen. Elbert Wheeler, Inspector-General, Nashua,
Brig. -General Charles O. Hurlbut, Q^iartermaster-General, Lebanon,
Brig.-Gen. Sylvester Little, Commissary-General, Antrim,
Brig.-Gen. John H. Cutler, Surgeon-General, Peterborough,
Col. Fred A. Palmer, Aide-de-Camp, Derry Depot,
Col. Daniel F. Healy, Aide-de-Camp, Manchester,
Col. Stephen S. Jewett, Aide-de-Camp, Laconia,
Col. Edward M. Gilman, Aide-de-Camp, Nashua.
THE PROCESSION. 87
First Light Battery, N. H. N. G.
Samuel S. Piper, Captain,
Edward H. Currier, First Lieutenant,
Silas R. Wallace, First Lieutenant,
John A. Barker, Second Lieutenant.
SECOND DIVISION.
Dunstable Cornet Band, C. W. Spalding, leader.
Captain Charles W. Stevens, Chief of Division, and Staff.
John G. Foster Post, No. 7, G. A. R., Nashua, Alfred Chase, com-
mander.
General J. G. Foster Post, No. 163, G. A. R., South Framingham,
Mass., William F. Brown, commander.
Worcester Cornet Band.
Geoi-ge A. Ward Post, No. 10, G. A. R., Worcester, Mass., A. M. Par-
ker, commander.
General Lander Post, No. 5, G. A. R., Lynn, Mass., Eli W. Hall,
commander.
Major Howe Post, No. 47, G. A. R., Haverhill, Mass.,
commander.
Lowell Cornet Band.
B. F. Butler Post, No. 42, G. A. R., Lowell, Mass., Charles A. R. Di-
mon, commander.
Cornet Band.
James A. Garfield, Post, No. 120, G. A. R., Lowell, Mass., L. A.
French, commander.
Cornet Band.
Ladd and Whitney Post, No. 18.5. G. A. R., Lowell, Mass., Franklin
S. Pevey, commander.
E. S. Clark Post. No. llo, G. A. R., Groton, Mass., John S. Hartwell,
commander.
George S. Boutwell Post. No. 48, G. A. R., Aver, Mass., George L.
Sawyer, commander.
Thomas A. Parker, Post, No. 19.5, G. A. R., Pepperell, Mass., George
H. Morrill, commander.
88 THE PROCESSION.
Old Concord Post, No. 180, G. A. R., Concord. Mass., George F.
Wheeler, commander.
Edwin V. Sumner Post, No. 19, G. A. R., Fitchburg, Mass., Charles
H. Glazier, coinmander.
THIRD DIVISION.
MiLFORD Cornet Band, D. Arthur Vittum, leader.
Captain M. A. Taylor, Chief of Division, and Staff.
Oliver W. Lull Post, No. 11, G. A. R., Milford, N. H., II. F. Warren,
commander.
Louis Bell Post, No. 3, G. A. R., Manchester, N. H., Charles A. Frost,
commander.
Willard K. Cobb Post, No. 20, G. A. R., Pittsfield, N. H., John M.
Gilman, commander.
Stover Post, No. 1, G. A. R., Portsmouth, N. H., B. Stowe Laskey,
commander.
DoA^R Cornet Band.
C. W. Sawyer Post, No. 17, G. A. R., Dover, N. H., William Drew,
commander.
E. E. Sturtevant Post, No. 2, G. A. R., Concord, N. H., E. H. Dixon,
commander.
William I. Brown Post, No. 31, G. A. R., Penacook, N. H., D. E.
Jones, commander.
Bell Post, No. 74, G. A. R., Chester, N. H., A. D. Emery, commander.
A. A. Livermore Post, No. 71, G. A. R., Wilton, N. H., H. L. Emer-
son, commander.
G. H. Phelps Post, No. 43, G. A. R., Amherst, N. H., Cyrus Cross,
commander.
Upton Post, No. 45, G. A. R., Derry, N. H.. W. H. Thomas, com-
mander.
Wesley D. Knight Post, No. 41, G. A. R., Londonderry, N. H.. W. P.
Nevins, commander.
Peterborough Cornet Band.
Aaron F. Stevens Post, No. 6, G. A. R., Peterborough, N. H., Charles
R. Peaslee, commander.
J. H. Worcester Post, No. 30, G. A. R., Hollis, N. H., Isaac W. Pierce,
commander.
THE PROCESSION. 89
E. N. Taft Post, No. 19, G. A. R., Winchester, N. H., John W. Ham-
mond, commander.
Harvey Holt Post, No. 15, Lyndeborough, N. H., Jason Holt, com-
mander.
Oilman E. Sleeper Post. No. 60, G. A. R., Salem, N. H., C E. Conant,
commander.
Stark Fellows Post, No. 46, G. A. R., Weare, N. H., A. F. Page, com-
mander.
Herman Shedd Post, No. 27, G. A. R., Greenville, N. H., Thomas E.
Marshall, commander.
Hillsborough Cornet Band.
Senator Grimes Post, No. 25, G. A. R., Hillsborough Bridge, N. H.,
E. L. Carr, commander.
Ephraim Weston Post, No. 89, G. A. R., Antrim, N. H., Leander Em-
ery, commander.
John Sedgwick Post, No. -i, G. A. R., Keene, N. H., Walter W. Gla-
zier, commander.
Fremont Cadet Band.
Joe Hooker Post, No. .■,!, G. A. R., Fremont, N. H., David W. Coffin,
commander.
Col. Putnam Post, No. .5, G. A. R., Hopkinton, N. H., Sylvester W.
Perry, commander.
Davis Post, No. 44. G. A. R., West Concord, N. H., Abiel C. Abbott,
commander.
Post, No. — , G. A. R., Danville. N. H., David B. Cu-
mer, commander.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Lisbon Drum Corps, Twenty-two Men, Bailey, leader.
Captain George E. Heath, Chief of Division and Staff.
Division of Veterans, (Soldiers and Sailors unattached,) Col. Dana
W. King, commanding.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Natt Shackford,
Major, Captain Charles E. Buzzell,
Adjutant, Eri Oaks.
Sons of Veterans, Col. B. O. Roby, commanding.
90 THE PROCESSION.
J. C^ A. Warren Camp, No. 18, Sons of Veterans. George E. Cross,
captain; Eugene H. Paige, first lieutenant; James H. Thorn-
ton, second lieutenant.
Civic Organizations.
Ancient Order of" Hibernians, Division No. 1. John M. Lee, presi-
dent; Patrick Lonergan, marshal; Patrick E. Moran, as-
sistant marshal.
Union St. Jean Baptiste Society. E. D. Perrault, president; Dorilla
Cardin, marshal; Rev. J. B. H. V. Millette and Rev. H. A.
Lessard, chaplains.
Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division No. 2. J. J. Dojle, president;
Marshal.
City Government and Invited Guests, as follows :
Barouche containing His Honor, Charles H. Burke, Major; Hon.
Charles H. Burns, Orator of the Day; Rev. G. W. Grover, Chap-
lain; Col. J. W. Grimes, Commander of the Grand Army of the
Republic, Department of New Hampshire.
Barouche containing Col. Thomas Cogswell, Senior Vice-Commander,
G. A. R., Department of New Hampshire; Hon. George E. Hodg-
don, Junior Vice-Commander, G. A. R., Department of New
Hampshire; Rev. J. R. Wilkins, Acting-Chaplain, G. A. R., De-
partment of New Hampshire ; James Minot, Assistant Adjutant-
General, G. A. R., Department of New Hampshire.
Barouche containing Isaac W. Hammond, Assistant Quartermaster
General, G. A. R., Department of New Hampshire; Liberty W.
Foskett, Inspector, G. A. R., Department of New Hampshire;
Col. Daniel Hall, Judge Advocate, G. A. R., Department of New-
Hampshire ; William H. Tripp, Chief Mustering Officer, G. A. R.,
Department of New Hampshire.
Barouches containing the members of the Board of Aldermen of the
City of Nashua.
Barouches containing the members of the Common Council of the City
of Nashua.
Barouche containing T. M. Perry, Architect, and Messrs. Frederick &
Field, Contractors, and R. A. Maxfield, Esq.
Barouche containing the Building Committee of the Monument.
THE PROCESSION. 91
Barouche containing the Majors of Concord, Manchester, Dover and
Keene.
Barouches containing Ex-Mayors of Nashua : Honorables V. C. Oilman,
G. H. Whitney, S. D. Chandler, F. A. McKean, Charles Holman,
A. M. Norton, J. A. Spalding and James H. Tolles.
Barouche containing Ex-Mayor Dr. Edward Spalding; Hon. Isaac W.
Smith, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire;
Ex-Governor Frederick Smyth, and Ex-Governor P. C. Cheney.
Barouche containing Ex-Governor B. F. Prescott; Ex-Governor Moody
Currier; Gen. D. M. White, and Col. Thomas G. Banks.
Barouche containing members of Governor's Council, Hons. Charles
H. Horton; Edward C. Shirley; William S. Pillsbury, Frank C.
Churchill, and Hon. David A. Gregg.
Barouche containing United States Senator Henry W. Blair; Congress-
men Alonzo Nute and Orren C. Moore ; and E. S. Cutter, Esq.
Barouche containing Ex-Congressmen M. A. Haynes, Dr. J. H. Gal-
linger, Luther F. McKinney ; and W. W. Bailey, Esq.
Barouche containing Major A. B. Thompson, Secretary of State of
New Hampshire; Solon A. Carter, State Treasurer; Hon. J. W.
Patterson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Major Archi-
bald H. Dunlap.
Barouche containing Gen. S. G. Griffin, Gen. M. T. Donahoe, Col.
Babbitt (9th N. H. Vols.) and Col. Hapgood, (.5th N. H. Vols.)
Barouche containing Gen. E. S. Greeley; Mr. Charles P. Clark, (late
Commander, U. S. N.) Col. French and Col. H. M. Putney,
(chairman Board of Railway Commissioners for New Hampshire.)
Barouche containing Hon. Mark F. Burns (Ex-Mayor of Somerville,
Mass.), Hon. George A. Marden, of Lowell; H. A. Barton, Esq.,
and Hon. E. P. Brown.
Barouche containing Hon. Sam. W. Dickinson, George W. Burke, Esq.,
A. N. Flinn, Esq., and John Field, Esq.
Barouche containing Ex-Department Commanders, G. A. R., of New
Hampshire, James E. Larkin, William H. Trickey, T. W. Challis
and Alvin S. Eaton.
Barouche containing Ex-Department Commanders, G. A. R., of New
Hampshire, John C. Linehan, Marcus N. Collis, George Farr, and
Otis C. Wyatt.
92 THE PROCESSION.
Barouche containing Hon. Henry D. Upton, Speaker of House of Rep-
resentatives of New Hampshire; Capt. D. B. Newhall ; Capt. W.
K. Norton, and Hon. E. O. Blunt.
Barouche containing Hon. D. A. Taggart, President of the Senate of
New Hampshire; Thomas D. Luce, Esq., Clerk of the Supreme
Court of Hillsborough County; Capt. Charles D. Copp, and Mr. O.
Williams, Superintendent of Public Schools, Nashua.
Barouches containing Representatives of the Press.
Barouches containing members of the General Committee of Arrange-
ments ; Committee on Entertainment; Committee on Invitation;
Committee on Order of Exercises and Printing; Committee on
Transportation ; Committee on Decorations ; Committee on Mu-
sic; Committee on Carriages, and Committee on Reception.
Other Guests in Carriages.
Citizens in Carriages.
THE DEDICATION.
THE DEDICATION.
A raised platform or grand stand which seated nearly a thou-
sand people was erected on the South side, or front, of the
Monument, on Abbot Square.
Admission to this platform was by ticket, in the distribution
of which especial effort was made to furnish them to widows
and female relatives of soldiers and sailors who have joined
the silent majority, and to the families of living veterans.
On this platform were seated, besides those above mentioned,
the members of the City Government, the Governor's Council,
State Officers, ex-Governors of the State, Judges of the Su-
preme Court, the Congressional Delegation from New Hamp-
shire, Mayors of New Hampshire cities, United States Gov-
ernment officials. Past Commanders and other Past Depart-
ment officers of the G. A. R. for New Hampshire, Nashua
veterans residing outside the State, representatives of the
press, and other distinguished guests.
Another and smaller stand was erected on the west side of
the Monument, on which were seated the Governor and Staff,
the Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and Staff,
the Orator, the Chaplain of the Day, the Mayor of Nashua
and the Building Committee of the Monument.
The ceremonies were in the following order : —
96 THE DEDICATION.
DEDICATION
OF THB
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
NASHUA, N. H., OCTOBER 15, 1889.
Programme at Abbot Square.
(At 3 o'clock, p. m.)
1. Announcement by His Honor, Chas. H. Burke, Mayor of Nash-
ua.
2. Invocation by the Chaplain of the Day, Rev. G. W. Grover.
3. Unveiling the Monument, by Miss Jennie Josephine Chase, six
years of age, daughter of the Commander of J. G. Foster Post
No. 7, G. A. R., and
Delivery of the Monument to the City in behalf of the Build-
ing Committee, by Col. Frank G. Noyes.
(Following the unveiling of the Monument a National Sa-
lute was fired from the North Common by the 1st Battery,
N. H. N. G., Capt. S. S. Piper Commanding.)
4. Address upon Receiving the Monument in behalf of City, by
His Honor, the Mayor.
5. National Anthem, " America," sung by the audience, led by the
Second Regiment Band, N. H. N. G.
My country! 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died
Land of the pilgrim's pride;
From ev'ry mountain side.
Let freedom ring.
My native country ! thee —
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love :
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake.
Let all that bre'athe partake,
Let rocks their silence break.
The sound prolong.
THE DEDICATION. 97
6. Presentation of Col. James F. Grimes, Commander of the
Grand Army of the Republic for the Department of New
Hampshire, bj His Honor, the Major, with the request that
the Monument be dedicated in accordance with the ritual of the
Order of the Grand Armj'.
7. Dedication of the Monument bj the Department Commander
and Staff of the Grand Army of the Republic, assisted by the
comrades of the Order.
8. Oration by Hon. Charles H. Burns of Wilton.
9. Benediction by the Acting Chaplain of the G. A. R. for the De-
partment of New Hampshire, Rev. E. R. Wilkins, of Concord.
UNVEILING OF THE MONUMENT, AND ITS FORMAL DELIVERY
TO THE CITY.
Upon arriving at Abbot Square, the column of procession
was broken and massed around the Monument by the Chief
Marshal.
The audience was called to order by Mayor Burke, who
briefly announced the object of the occasion.
The Mayor then introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Rev.
George W. Grover, who invoked the blessing of Deity.
The Building Committee of the Monument then arose,
advanced to the front of the stand before the Mayor, and
Colonel Frank G. Noyes in their behalf, formally delivered
the Monument to the City.
Colonel Noyes spoke as follows : —
Your Ho7tor^ the Mayor of Nashua : —
By the instruction and in the name and behalf of the commit-
tee to whom was delegated by the City Councils of Nashua, the
duty and power to carry out the provisions of a resolution au-
thorizing the building of a Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument by
the people of this city, I announce to you, sir, as its chief mag-
istrate, that our labors are ended, our work is done. Before
you, behold the result !
98 THE DEDICATION.
[At this point the Monument was unveiled by Miss Jennie J.
Chase, six years of age, daughter of Commander Chase of Post
7, amid the booming of artillery, ringing of bells, music from
the bands and general hurrahs from the thousands assembled,
and a salute of 42 guns was fired from the North Common by
the First Light Battery, N. H. N. G., Capt. S. S. Piper, com-
manding.]
Colonel Noyes then continued : —
It only remains for the committee to surrender to the city the
product of their labor. Therefore, b}^ authority of the Build-
ing committee here present, to you, sir, as the legal and prop-
er representative of the City of Nashua, I now deliver this
Monument. Receive it, sir, as free from stain and we trust as
enduring, as are the deeds of the men whose memories it is in-
tended to perpetuate.
MAYOR BURKE's ADDRESS.
Mayor Burke then accepted the Monument in behalf of the
City, and addressed the people as follows : —
Gentlemen of the Building Committee and Felloiv Citi-
zens : —
As Mayor, it becomes my duty as well as pleasure, to receive
in behalf of the City of Nashua, from your hands, this beauti-
ful and enduring memorial erected by our grateful city as a tri-
bute to her sons who perilled their lives in their country's
cause, and which is now to be dedicated with appropriate cere-
monies.
Gentlemen of the Building Committee, it gives me pleasure
to thank you in behalf of the City Councils and the citizens
generally, for the faithful discharge of the high trust confided
to you, and for the unceasing and untiring labors that have
MA TOR BURKE'S ADDRESS. 99
brought forth this Monument, — the consummation of months
of earnest eflbrt, — which reveals to-day one of the most noble
and artistic memorial structures ever erected within the borders
of our State.
Nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed since the close of
the civil war, " harvests wave on its battlefields and time has
obliterated its forts and trenches and softened the prejudices
and passions kindled by the strife."
To the stranger within our gates it may seem that Nashua
at this late day has been tardy in fulfilling the patriotic and
sacred duty in here marking, in appropriate form, her senti-
ments of gratitude to her citizen soldiers.
Shortly after the close of the war of the rebellion, the City
Government voted an appropriation of $12,000 to commemo-
rate the gallant deeds of its sons in that contest, but in conse-
quence of a great diversity of opinion and the lack of unan-
imity on the part of our citizens as to the location, or as to
whether a Monument or a Memorial Hall should be built,
the matter was deferred, and although agitated and discussed
from time to time, no definite action was taken until the
present year, when it was reserved for the City Councils of
1889, which I have the honor to represent, to provide for and
locate upon this historic square, the structure now before us.
A fitting and a worthy tribute to the brave men and the great
sacrifices they made for the prcsei^vation of the Union ! A
Monument that will be a lasting ornament to the City. You
have made it of granite and bronze, that it may withstand the
ravages of time, and teach to one generation after another les-
sons of loyalty and patriotism.
Upon its top you have erected, carved in solid granite from
the quarries of New Hampshii"e, a statue representing Victory,
with a crown upon her head which denotes the supremacy of
L.c\ C.
100 MAYOR BURKE'S ADDRESS.
the government ; her right hand rests upon the United States
shield, and in her left hand she holds a laurel wreath, which
are emblematic of triumph, peace, and the end of sectional
strife. The bronze statues of heroic size and in active atti-
tude, and the emblems, which collectively represent the prin-
cipal divisions of the service of the army and navy, are origi-
nal and of artistic merit.
Upon the four sides of the base of the pedestal are bronze
bas-reliefs, — that upon the West representing, in plastic art,
scenes and incidents that illustrate well, in a simple manner,
the fruits of the victory in the greatest struggle for human
rights the world has ever known.
That upon the East portrays the naval engagement between
the United States sloop of war Kearsarge and the notorious
and dreaded Confederate cruiser Alabama. Famous as is this
battle throughout the world, it is especially memorable to us,
from the fact that the Kearsarge was named for one of tlie
mountains of the old Granite State, and also because one of
Nashua's bravest sons was the executive officer of the victorious
vessel in that conflict that dragged down the rebel flag, and
sent the arrogant corsair ship to the bottom of the Atlantic, oft'
the coast of France. The inscription on the South face of the
Monument proclaims it to be erected as "A tribute of honor
to the men of Nashua who served their country on land or sea
during the war of the rebellion and aided in preserving the in-
tegrity of the Federal Union." This inscription, simple in lan-
guage, is an impressive and fitting expression of the public
appreciation of the brave deeds of the living and dead.
Upon the North side, in raised letters of polished bronze are
inscribed famous expressions touching the union of the States,
uttered by the lips of some of the nation's heroes and greatest
men, from the days when the fathers of the Republic laid the
THE DEDICATORY EXERCISES. 101
foundation of our government, down to the present decade.
There they will be read and pondered by those who succeed
us, and in the history of our country they are recorded and will
be remembered long after this Monument, with its soldier and
sailor of bronze, shall perhaps have crumbled and become a
shapeless mass.
Fellow Citizens : May we hope that with the completion of
this long deferred but just tribute to Nashua's sons, our city has
emerged from a comparatively inert past into an active, en-
terprising and expanding present, an epoch of wise progress
in the community, a period of material prosperity that shall
mark the beginning of the best and grandest history in the life
of our city.
Living under the best form of government in the history of
the world, let us cherish the hope that those who are to come
after us may look back, over the track of centuries past, upon
the Monument we now^ erect as the memorial of a still united
and happy country.
THE DEDICATORY EXERCISES.
Mayor Burke then addressed Commander Grimes as fol-
lows : —
Commander Grimes of the Grand Ar?ny of the Republic
for the Department of New Ham.pshire.
Mr. Commander : —
You have gratified and honored the people of Nashua by
appearing here accompanied by the distinguished veteran offi-
cei's and comrades who compose your command, in response
to an invitation extended to you by our municipal councils to
perform the solemn ceremony of dedicating this Monument,
erected to honor the men of Nashua who served their country
102 THE DEDICATORY EXERCISES.
on land or sea during the war of the i-ebellion and aided in
preserving the integrity of the Federal Union.
It is therefore my agreeable duty to ask you now to assume
the direction of aftairs, so that the good work may be accom-
plish in accordance with the ritual of the order of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Commander James F. Grimes gracefully accepted the invi-
tation to dedicate the Monument and proceeded with the ritual
of the order, being assisted by the Senior Vice Commander
Thomas Cogswell ; Junior Vice Commander George E. Hodg-
don; Rev. E. R. Wilkins and Acting Chaplain, Officer of the
Day G. F. Bailey.
Col. Grimes spoke as follows : —
Mr. Mayor : —
In the name of my comrades of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, representing as they do all soldiers and sailors who de-
fended the integrity and authority of the nation, I thank you
and those whom you represent for this memorial shaft. Its
very silence is impressive. VVithout articulate speech, it is
eloquent. It needs no words. It is itself an oration. It as-
sures us that our dead are kept in remembrance, — those dead
who gave their lives for the security of the citizens and the
union of the states. It is significant of brave and loval obedi-
ence to the command of the nation always and everywhere,
since the obligations of citizenship are not restricted to time or
place or to conflict of arms. It gives encouragement for the
future, since the recognition and approval it gives of patriotic
fidelity and heroism will be an incentive for the display of pub-
lic valor and virtue in all coming time. There can be no
doubt, sir, that the honor you pay to the patriot dead, and to
their memorable deeds, will serve not only to make American
THE DEDICATORY EXERCISES. 103
citizenship in these days niore reputable, but also to maintain
and perpetuate, through all future generations the union and
authority of the United States of America.
Adjutant, you will detail a guard of honor.
[The Adjutant called the following names : James A. Reed,
James L. Bui-gess, James Blood and A. C Gordon, on the
part of the soldiers, and Edwin H. Webster, C. H. Holden,
and William Nelson on the part of the sailors, — each man as
his name was called, answering "• Here."]
Adjutant. — Commander, the guard is present.
Commander. — Officer of the Day, you will direct the Offi-
cer of the Guai'd to station this detail about the memorial
shaft.
Commander . — Holy Scripture saith : —
The Lord gave the word : great was the army of those that
publish it. Ps. Lxviii, ii.
Declare ye among the nations and publish and set up a
standard. Jer. i. 2.
In the name of our God we will set up our banners. Ps. xx. 5.
Officer of the Day, you will order the Guard of Honor to
display our flag.
Officer of the Day. — Officer of the Guard, let the flag be
displayed.
Music — Band. " Star Spangled Banner."
Commander . — The forces of the Nation are divided into
two great arms, that of the navy and that of the army. Sen-
ior Vice-Commander, what word of the Holy Scripture may
apply to the
NAVY }
Senior Vice- Commander . — They that go down to the sea in
ships, that do business in great watei's, these see all the works
j04 THE DEDICATORY EXERCISES,
of the Lord and His wonders in thu deep. For He command-
eth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves
thereof. Then they crv unto the Lord in their trouble, and He
bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm
a cahn, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad
because they be quiet, so He bringeth them unto their desired
iiaven. Oh, that men wo\dd praise the Lord for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men. Ps. cvii,
23, 24, 28-32.
Commander. — Officer of the Day, let the Guard of Honor
set up the symbol of the navy, and let a sailor be detailed to
guard it.
[An anchor was then set up against the shaft, crossed with a
cutlass and boarding-pike. A comrade, dressed as a sailor,
stood guard with drawn cutlass.]
Cojnjfiander. — Junior Vice-Commander, what scripture may
apply to the
ARMY ?
yunior Vice-Com.mander, — To your tents, O Israel. So
ail Israel went to their tents. — 2 Chron. x. 16. The children
of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp,
and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. —
Num. i. 52. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee,
that it may be displayed because of the truth. — Ps. lx. 4. The
Lord shall utter His voice before His army; for His camp is
very great ; for he is strong that executeth His word ; for the
day of the Lord is great and very terrible ; and who can abide
it? — Joel ii, 11. Some trust in chariots and some in horses;
but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Ps.
XX. 7.
Commander. — Officer of the Day, let the Guard of Honor
THE DEDICATORY EXERCISES. 105
set up the symbol of the Army, and let a soldier be detailed to
guard it.
[A musket with fixed l)ayonet, canteen and haversack hang-
ing- from it, knapsack leaning against the stock, was set up
against the shaft opposite to the anchor. A comrade in fviU
soldier uniform, armed with a musket with fixed bayonet stood
guard.]
Commander. — Officer of the Day, if the work of navy and
army be well done, what proclamation from Holy Scripture
can you make ?
Officer of the Day. — A proclamation of peace.
Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us : for Thou also hath
wrought all our works in us. — Isaiah xxvi, 12. How beauti-
ful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good
tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth salvation ; that sayeth unto Zion, thy God
reigneth. The Lord hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes
of all the nations ; and all the ends of the earth shall see the
salvation of our God. Isaiah Lii, 7, 10.
ComTnander. — The Chaplain will now offer the praj^er of
dedication.
Chaplain. — Almighty God, we thank Thee for Thy sovereign
care and protection, in that Thou didst lead us in the days that
were shadowed with trouble, and gavest us strength when the
burden was heavy upon us, and gavest us courage and guid-
ance so that after the conflict we have come to these days
of peace. VVe thank Thee that the wrath of war has been
stilled, that brother no longer strives against brother, that once
again we have one country and one flag.
May Thy blessing be upon us as a people, that we may be
Thy people, true and righteous in all ways, tender and patient
106 THE DEDICATORY EXERCISES.
in our charity, though resolute tor the right ; careful nioi-e
for the down-trodden than for ourselves, eager to forward
the interests of every citizen throughout the land, so that
our couiitiy may be indeed one country from tlie rivers to
the seas, from the mountains to the plains.
We pray Thee to make our memories steadfast, that we may
never forget the generous sacrifices made for our countr}'.
May our dead be enshrined in our hearts. May tiieir graves
be the altars of our grateful and reverential patriotism.
And now, O God, bless Thou this memorial !
Bless it, O God, in honor of mothers, who bade their sons
do brave deeds :
In honor of wives who wept for husbands who should never
come back again :
In honor of children whose heritage is their fallen fathers'
heroic name :
In honor of men and women who ministered to the hurt and
dying :
But chiefly, O God, in honor of men, who counted not their
lives dear when their country needed them, of those alike who
sleep beside the dust of their kindred or under the salt sea. or
in nameless graves, whei^e only Thine angels stand sentinels
till the reveille of the resurrection morning. Protect it and let
it endure, and unto the latest generation may its influence be
for the education of the citizen, for the honor of civil life, for
the advancement of the nation, for the blessing of humanity,
and for the furtherance of Thy holy kingdom.
Hear us, O our God, we ask it in the name of Him who
made proof of the dignity and who consecrated the power of
sacrifice in His blessed life and death, even in the name of
Jesus Christ, the great Captain of our salvation. Amen.
Comrades. — Amen.
THE ORATION. 107
Commander. — Attention ! Comrades of the Grand Army of
the Republic.
In the name of the Grand Army of the Republic, I now
dedicate this Monument. I dedicate it to the memory of those
who in the navy guarded our inland seas and ocean coasts, and
fell in defence of the flag. I dedicate it to the memory of those
who in the army fought for our hillsides and valleys and plains
and fell in the defence of the flag. I dedicate it to the memory
of those brave and gallant men of our Army and Navy, who
from '61 to '65, left their homes, their families, their friends and
everything they held near and dear, buckled on the armor of
war and went forth to do battle in defence of the Nation's hon-
or that the Nation might live, and fell in defence of the flag.
Comrades, salute our dead !
Commander. — Attention ! At ease.
Commander. — Mr. Mayor, our service of dedication is
ended. In the name of my comrades I thank you and those
who are associated with you, for your courtesy in giving us,
who are bound by special ties to them, the privilege of dedi-
cating this Monument, erected to perpetuate the memory of the
heroic deeds of the Soldiers and Sailors of Nashua, (both liv-
ing and dead) who fought upon land and sea during the war
of the Rebellion.
At this point, the Mayor called the attention of the audience
and introduced as the Orator of the Day, the Hon. Charles
H. Burns, of Wilton, who then delivered the following
ORATION.
Mr. Mayor and Fcllovj Citizens : —
" Out of monuments * * * * ^ve doe save and recov-
er somewhat from the deluge of time." — Lord Bacon.
For the first time in the history of the city of Nashua have
108 THE ORATION.
its people assembled to dedicate a Monument to the everlasting
honor of its dead and living heroes, whose brave work, on sea
and land, is now a part of the imperishable story of our nation-
al struggles. Here it stands, on the historic spot from which
they went forth to battle, freighted with the liopes and the fears
and farewells of their fellow men, and to which they were wel-
comed after peace had been restored, with its back toward the
unequalled Merrimack, •' along whose smooth margin the
ashes of our forefathers are laid," with its right to tiie "cloud-
capped granite hills" of New Hampshire, and its left almost
touching the borders of the grand old commonweath of Massa-
chusetts, and its face toward a loving city, whose undying
gratitude finds but feeble expression in this cold, silent, and
yet suggestive, monumental shaft.
Its erection is in accordance with a time-honored custom
prevailing among our own and other civilized nations ; a cus-
tom dating so far back, that the " memory of man runneth not
to the contrary." From almost the very dawn of creation
traces of monuments which were evidently the work of man
have been found. There seems to have been an instinct, born
in the human breast, to erect something that should remain.
The pyramids of Egypt, the mausoleums containing the bodies
of distinguished dead, intended to defy the assaults of time ; the
tablets and monuments erected with marvelous industry through-
out the ages, revealing an infinite variety of designs and ob-
jects ; ancient hieroglyphics, cut mountain high, all bear test to
the ever present desire to perpetuate in some enduring way, the
deeds and heroism, the accomplishments and the sacrifices, of
the human race. Away up among the Arctic snows, amidst
eternal ice, Elisha Kent Kane, at great labor, built a pyramid
of heavy stones, perched upon a mighty cliff', looking out upon
"the icy desert," on which he placed the woi-ds " Advance 1853
THE ORATION. 109
-54," and surmounted it with the Christian symbol of the cross.
He did it to remind those who might come after him that he had
gone before. He did it to symbolize the hope and faith, that
there would yet be established, in the midst of the ignorance
and the stupidity and gloom of the frozen north, the power,
the beauty, the sunshine, and the consolation of the Christian
religion.
All over our land, a grateful people, following this touching
instinct and custom, have constructed testimonials of their sol-
emn appreciation of the inestimable work of the patriots, who
saved this nation from the impending ruin of a rebellion,
which was never before equalled in the life ot nations, and to
suppress which, more lives were lost than have been sacrificed
in all the wars of all the nations of the old world since Water-
loo, a period of seventy-tive years. Almost every village and
hamlet in the North, can point to its memorial, thus perpetuat-
ing, so far as possible, as sublime and patriotic incidents and
events as ever graced the history of any nation known to man.
The now historic battlefield at Gettysburg, where was fought
one of the bloodiest and most stupendous battles of the world,
and which was once covered with the slain of two mighty ar-
mies, is now dotted all over with monuuients erected by the
survivors and friends of those who died that the nation might
live.
Not only have we placed testimoninis to the valor of our glo-
rious sons, exhibited on almost numberless battlefields, and in
great naval wars, for the suppression of the Rebellion, but the
people of our country, have from the closing moment of the
great revolution, made manly efforts to erect, and have erected,
noble structures, commemoiating in manv instances, in a strik-
ing manner, the great heroism and unselfish patriotism of our
forefathers, in their mighty struggle to release the American
no THE ORATION.
people from the avarice and the tyranny of the people of Great
Britain. Among the greatest of them all is that matchless
granite shaft at Bunker Hill. Tt maj- not be as poetic a pile as
some in Europe ; it may not be as majestic as our great nation-
al monument at Washington ; it may not be as historic as the
statue of Liberty which has just been dedicated at "Plymouth
the land of the Pilgrims," which commemorates events which
adorn, with the bewitchery of romance, and the sternness of
cold reality, the struggles, the suflerings, the sacrifices, and
the achievements of that God-like band of noble souls who
were the pioneers of the nation ; but, reminding us. as this
sublime monument does, of the opening scenes of the Revolu-
tion, and of an era in the history of our country when almost
every man was a soldier ; of the hour when the minute men of
New England, left the plough in the furrow, seized the musket,
and without further preparation, began the struggle for liberty
in their own dooryards ; and of the fact, that the brave sons of
our own New Hampshire, were first on the consecrated spot to
initiate a battle, which might determine whether or not, there
should be a nation of freemen established on this continent,
the shaft at Bimker Hill fills us with emotions, not inspired
by any other monument on the face of the globe ; and, added to
all this, there is another fact which makes it peculiarlv dear to
every native of New Hampshire. At the laying of its cor-
ner-stone in 1825, by Lafayette, then the nation's guest, and
when it was finally completed and dedicated years afterwards.
New Hampshire's greatest son, Daniel Webster, spoke words
of living and patriotic truth, which will abide when the granite
of which it is made, shall have been dissolved into dust and
have been lost in the sea that rolls at its base.
Nothing is so interesting to man as man. The chief charm
of history is the light it throws upon the people of other days.
THE ORATION. Ill
A chair in which a Washington sat, a table on which a
Shakespeare wrote, a garment worn by some departed hero, a
temple or monviment commemorative of noble deeds, are ob-
jects of intense interest ; the objects themselves are trifling, but
the associations which cluster around them, the events they
have witnessed or suggest, are important, and thrill with emo-
tion the beholder who delights to go back in memory and learn
something of the experiences and the deeds of those who have
lived in another generation. There is an invisible chain con-
necting the man dead with the man living. There is a bond
of sympathy between the life that has been and that which now
is. Life would be comparatively worthless if it left no abiding
influence behind, and whatever exemplifies or discloses this
influence is precious. Out in Oregon, there are trees as huge
and appai'ently as old as the cedars of Lebanon, but they do
not attract equal attention with the grand old cedars, because
they have no known history connected with the human race.
Jerusalem, with its narrow streets and dingy buildings ; a city
without commeice, business, or beauty, would be wholly unat-
tractive, w^ere it not for the religious associations surrounding
it. It was the city of David, and the Holy Sepulchre is thei-e,
and thousands traverse the globe, that they may sit and reflect
within the shadows of its grim, historic walls. Damascus, the
oldest city in the world, which was powerful in the days of
Abraham, now has no attractions except in its fallen greatness
and the strength it once possessed. Men spend their lives in
exploring the earth for the ruins of cities, long since sunk from
the light of day, that they may find in their buried bosoms
something to teach them of the race that was overwhelmed
with them. At Ph'mouth there is a rough rock, not unlike
millions of others in New England, surrounded and guarded
almost as if it was solid gold. It is the stone on which the
112 THE ORATION.
feet of the Pilgrims first rested, as they landed on the forest
covered shores of a new world, and from this spot, has gone
forth, a marvelous influence greatly promoting the welfare of
man, and which is destined to be far reaching and eternal.
This polished shaft, superbly mounted by a haughty but
graceful female figure — a chaste and thoughtful tribute to the
self-sacrificing devotion of woman in the great struggle —
grasping an emblem of victory, although beautiful in design
and faultless in execution, would be of little value were it not
that it commemorates immortal deeds.
It requires heroic acts and a just cause, to make events that
are fit for eternity. A brave deed in a righteous struggle, is as
immortal as the soul of him who performs it. When Martin
Luther, the great exponent of Christianity, three centuries
ago, standing in the midst of the enslaved nations of Christen-
dom, resisted the powers of the Papacy assembled in the Vati-
can, and defied the thunderbolts hurled at him from "that great
city drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs," he communi-
cated to the world a mighty impulse, and became the conspic-
uous leader in the greatest revolution ever effected in human
affairs, and the work he did will live to the remotest hour of
coming time. The brave and heroic deeds of old John Brown,
done in the name of God and humanity, are marching on with
his soul, and will still march on through the eternal ages.
When Abraham Lincoln sent forth the edict " Let the bond-
man go free," a proclamation made possible and effective by
the sublime heroism of the soldiers of the North, he not only
thrilled the hearts of fettered millions, but he did a deed which
will live, long after even the pyramids of Egypt shall have been
sunk to the level of the Nile. A nobler cause than the defense
of this mighty nation, when treason sought its overthrow, nev-
er aroused the patriotism, nor stirred to action, the heroism of
THE ORATION. 113
humanity. Never in the conflict of human wills was there a
mightier struggle, nor one freighted with vaster destinies, and
never was a great demand more promptly and completely
honored. It was the supreme moment in our national life. It
was the hour when the patriotism of the American people was
put to the vital test.
How did the sons of Nashua respond to this heroic and heav-
en born test.? If this hour could be extended to a day, it
would not be sufficient time, to give in detail the patriotic deeds
of more than thirteen hundred of her noble soldiers ^vho val-
iantly served the nation in its terrible ordeal of war. Among
the many we recall the never to be forgotten William P. Ains-
worth, young, energetic, brilliant, full of life and enthusiasm ;
he was among the first to go to the front. We remember his
lithe figure, mounted on a superb horse, riding up and down
these streets, recognized and loved by all. He fell at the head
of his company, while charging the enemy, pierced with many
bullets, one of the earliest and choicest offerings upon tlie
altar of his country. John Q. A. Warren, (everybody's
"Quin") was shot through the heart at Georgia Landing.
October 27, 1862, while shouting, •• Come on boys, we'll lick
'em," displaying a bravery, as sublime as that of his great name-
sake at Bunker Hill. Edgerly, while in the Wilderness, and
literally surrounded by rebels, swinging defiantly his sword,
fell, pierced with a bayonet. Thompson and Hosley, Russell,
Rogers, Button. Bennett, Davis, Towle, Tucker, Nottage.
Danforth, Andrews, Sullivan, and scores of others who exhib-
ited equal heroism, falling in the supreme hour, thus securing
a fame that shall be deathless.
Among the noble dead, whose brave work now adorns its
history, we also recall Timothy B. Crowley of the volunteer
service. Lieutenant Thornton of the navv, and General John G.
114 THE ORATION.
Foster of the regular army. General Foster was one of the
bravest and most distinguished officers of the Union forces in
the great Civil War ; educated at West Point, and having done
splendid work in the Mexican War, he brought to the discharge
of his great duties a perfect equipment, and his record is as
bright and enduring as the stars. George Bowers, a born sol-
dier, and a descendant of brave John Lovewell, was a gentle-
man and a patriot. The heroic deeds of his early career in the
Mexican War, were fully equalled by his patriotic work in the
Rebellion, and they stamp him as one of the most gallant and
generous of Nashua's noble sons.
Aaron Fletcher Stevens, a leader in a great profession, in
the full vigor of a splendid manhood, went to the front, did
efficient work, received severe wounds from which he never re-
covered, and when peace once more triumphed, came home, and
for years pursued again with marked success his life work, but at
last, full of honors, passed on to his exceeding great reward ; and
when life's fitful fever was almost over, when delirium had tak-
en captive the brain, the heart, true to its native loyalty, as the
sunflower turns toward the sun, again yearned for the old flag ;
and as Napoleon, at St. Helena, in wild imagination, in his
last hours, was once again at the head of the French armv,
so General Stevens, in his dying moments, was again at the head
of his dear old regiment, and in the midst of a raging battle ;
and he triumphantly cried, "Steady, steady, we shall 3et win
the battle," and thus died, as true and noble a patriot, as ever
drew breath .
Peace to the ashes, rest to the souls, and endless tributes to
the memories of these laurel crowned patriots and their noble
comrades. The work they performed in the great conflict de-
sei^ves, and will receive, the everlasting homage of the city they
THE ORATION. 115
so nobly honored, and the country they so gallantly and trium-
phantly served.
When the children of Israel had passed over Jordan. Joshua
in obedience to the command of the Lord, set up twelve stones
in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the
priests which bore the ark of the covenant stood firm ; and
when they had been so placed, he said to the assembled multi-
tude, "When your children shall ask their fathers in time to
come, saying, 'What mean these stones.'*' then ye shall let
your children know, Israel came over this Jordan on drj- land,
* * * and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the
children of Israel forever. That all the people of the earth
might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty." And so,
when our children "shall ask their fathers in time to come,
saying, 'what mean these stones?'" we shall say to them, that
when red rebellion raised its ghastly hands, seizing this nation
in Its strangling grasp, and sought to destroy our government,
perpetuate human slavery and drive freedom from this fair land,
the feet of our noble sons, who bore aloft their country's flag,
stood firm ; and that all the world may know and forever re-
member their matchless fidelity. We shall say to them that
these stones are for a memorial, intended "to save and recover
from the deluge of time " the perpetual memory of deeds of
such sublime patriotism, and of acts of such exalted worth, as
to desei-ve eternal recognition by coming generations ; that this
shaft, whose very foundations were laid in sincere and humble
gratitude for these sacrifices, is erected to constantly remind
our countrymen, it may be through countless years, of a great
civil war, in which were fought twenty-two hundred battles
and skirmishes in four short years, and in which the havoc in
affection, family ties, and all that makes life precious and
worth living, is without a parallel in the history of the human
116 THE ORATION.
race ; and where the cost in cash and destruction of property
no one could count in a life-time ; and that in this mighty con-
flict, Nashua's gallant sons bravely fought, honoring by their
splendid heroism, their homes, their city, their countr}-, and
their God.
This now consecrated shaft stands, not only as a grateful and
expressive I'ecognition of these unparalleled services, but it
stands for more than this. It stands for the triumph of patri-
otism over treason, liberty over license, freedom over slavery,
manhood over servitude, the school over the street, the home
over the hovel, citizenship over the slave mart and the auction
block, law over lawlessness, government over force and fraud
and fetters. It stands an unwavering and eloquent witness, of
the undying devotion of the fathers and mothers, the brave sons
and the fair daughters of this great nation, on sea and on land,
in peace and in war, to those sublime and eternal principles,
which exalt the jDeople and republics, and break dov/n tyrants
and empires. It stands, an impressive testimonial, to the tri-
umph of that immortal prediction, made by the sainted Lin-
coln on the battle-stained field at Gettysburg, eighty-seven
years after the birth of the nation, " That this nation, under
God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that the govern-
ment of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not
perish from the earth."
The American people have always been most fortunate in
the character of the men who have fought their battles. It has
been truly and quaintly said of the brave men who fought the
early battles of New England, " they were not vagabonds and
beggers and outcasts, of which armies are sometimes consider-
ably made up, to run the hazard of war to avoid the dangers of
stai-ving ; but the}- were the fathers and sons of the best of our
families." This was conspicuously true of our Civil War. The
THE ORATION. 117
best and noblest of the land engaged in the mighty conflict.
They came from the farm, the shop, the store, the forge, the
office, the counting room and school room, and from every
profession and avocation. They were not idlers and loafers,
but prosperous, energetic men, v^^ho had a vital intei'est in the
vs'elfare of the nation ; and they formed the most intelligent and
invincible army that ever went forth in the defence of a conn-
try.
Montesquieu, a celebrated author, says : ''In the birth of so-
cieties it is the chiefs of the Republic who form the institu-
tion, and in the sequel it is the institution which forms the
chiefs of the Republic." In the formation of this Republic, it
was the chiefs of our land who made its institutions, and now^
these institutions are making our chiefs. The United vStates
were supremely blessed in the character of the people who
first established their government. They were not only bold.
energetic and conscientious, but they were broadly intelligent,
They knew something of the experiences, the achievements
and the failures of other nations, and they had the wisdom to
be guided by their knowledge, and they established a govern-
ment, which was not a conspiracy, but a noble compact, in-
tended to secure universal benefit and freedom. The govern-
ment in its turn has formed the national character of the peo-
ple. Its citizens are unsurpassed in intelligence and earnest in
their devotion, because they are the product of noble institu-
tions ; they recognize the immense debt they owe their coun-
try ; they will peril their lives for it, because it deser\-'es their
affection and their heroism. Tlie protection of a just govern-
ment is the anchor of the human race. It is the infallible rem-
edy, that destroys confusionand chaos, and establishes regularit}^
and law^. It protects home, property, and life ; without it all the
ambitions and aspirations and struggles of mankind, every hu-
118 THE ORATION.
man benefit, every virtue, every hope or^ expectation, every ex-
perience of love, every comfort or consolation, every grace or
talent ; all would be at the mercy of the mob.
There is no nation on earth which offers to its people such aids
and inducements, such encouragement and protection as our
own. When Burns, Scotland's great poet, sang the immortal
song, "A man's a man for a' that," he voiced the principle
upon which our government was intended to be established, and
the great charm and value of the age and country in which we
live is, that we can be just what we w^ill, and that here every
person, black or white, man or woman, has an equal chance
in the race of life. Ours is not a government where a few hun-
dred people hold the titles to all the landed estate of the nation.
Here every person can ovv^n a home and an estate. This powder
to hold and own landed property, is a priceless right, and exerts
a marvelous influence over the people of the United States.
The stimulous of proprietorship is the most powerful that can
be applied to labor. Stuart Mill savs, "If there is a first
principle in intellectual education it is this: thf<t the discinline,
which does good to the mind, is that in which it is active, not
passive. The secret of developing the faculties is to give
them much to do and much inducement to do it." Few things
surpass in this respect, the occupation and ownership of prop-
erty. A. Swiss statistical writer speaks of the almost superhu-
man industry of peasant proprietors. Arthur Young says,
"It is the magic of property that turns sand into gold." Mich-
elet says, " It acts like a ruling passion in France." In Ire-
land, where the laborer does not own the soil he tills, there is
a universal want of thrift, almost universal poverty and dis-
tress. Give a man the fee simple of the soil on which he
works, and it blushes with untold charms, yields untold crops,
and crowns him a nobleman.
CLOSING CEREMONIES. 119
A government which abounds in institutions so beneficent,
in laws so just, in opportunities so magnificent ; which protects
the humblest as the most exalted ; which disseminates intelli-
gence and inculcates virtue among all its people ; such a gov-
ernment cannot fail. A people, reared in sueh institutions,
animated with the spirit of universal liberty, inspired with a
sacred love of home and country, engaging in causes that are
great and just, such a people cannot fail.
" They never fail who die
In a great cause ; the block may soak their gore ;
Their heads may sodden in the sun ; their limbs
Be strung to city gates or castle walls ;
But still their spirit walks abroad. Though years
Elapse, and others share as dark a doom,
They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts
Which overspread all others, and conduct
The world at last to freedoin."
At the close of the oration by Mr. Burns, the military bands
played some of the National airs.
His Honor, the Mayor then addressed the Commander of
the Grand Army, saying.
Mr. Commander ^ our exercises are ended.
The ceremonies of the day were closed as follows : —
Commander . — Attention ! comrades of the Grand Army
of the Republic. As we close these services, the Guard of
Honor is withdrawn, the symbols of the army and navy are
removed, and the flag is lowered ; but the memorial we have
dedicated remains, guarded by the sacred memory of our dead.
So long as it shall endure, it shall speak to us and to all future
generations, of the patriotic fidelity and heroism displayed by
120 CLOSING CEREMONIES.
our army and navy during the dark days of our country's his-
tory, and of that significant national authority, of which our
flag is the symbol, to every brave, true and loyal American
heart.
Officer of the Day, remove the symbols. Lower the flag.
Dismiss the guard.
Chaplain, pronounce the benediction.
Chaplain. — The grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit, be with us all. Amen.
Comrades . — Amen.
At the close of the ceremonies, which were ended as above,
the Mayor brieflj^ addressed the audience, and in the name of
the Cit}' of Nashua, extended thanks to all who had honored
the occasion with their presence, for their participation in the
exercises of the day. The Mayor then declared the ceremonies
ended, and ordered the Chief Marshal to dismiss the parade.
FINAL PROCEEDINGS.
F!ML PROCEEDINGS.
At the regular meeting of the City Government, held Decem-
ber 10, 1889, the following resolution was offered by His
Honor, the Mayor, and passed unanimously : —
The City of Nashua, in token of her appreciation of the entire success
that, in every stage, attended the building of the Soldiers' and Sailors'
Monument. — erected the present year on Abbot Square, and dedicated
on the Kth day of October last — and recognizing the hearty and un-
qualified approval which the object has received from her citizens ; and
observing with satisfaction that the public has set its seal of approval,
not only on the structure itself, but also on the ceremonies attending
the laying of the Corner-Stone and the Dedication, deems it proper to
place on record an expression of her grateful acknowledgement to those
who aided in the successful consummation of the undertaking;
therefore,
Resolved, That, in addition to the thanks heretofore tendered to
Col. Frank G. Noyes and Hon. Charles H. Burns, the orators, respec-
tively, on the occasions of laying the Corner-Stone, and the Dedica-
tion, — the thanks of the City of Nashua, be hereby extended to —
The members of the Building Committee ;
The members of the various committees, that arranged the plans and
executed the details attending the Dedication ;
The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New
Hampshire, George W. Currier, Grand Master;
The Grand Army of the Republic. Col. J. F. Grimes, Department
Commander;
124 FINAL PROCEEDINGS.
Mr. M. A. Taylor, Chief Marshal and his aids on the occasion of
laying the Corner-Stone ;
Col. E. J. Copp, Chief Marshal, and his aids on the occasion of the
Dedication ;
The guests and visitors, and to
All organizations and bodies, military and civic, which honored by
their presance, the occasions of laying the Corner-Stone and Dedica-
tion of the Monument.
In Board of Mayor and Aldermen, December 10, 1889.
Passed.
Charles H. Burke, Mayor.
In Board of Common Council, December 27, 1889.
Passed in concurrence.
Henry P. Whitney, President.
Note. — The compiler of this volume — who has done his work at the
request and under the supervision of the Building Committee, — desires
to give credit to the Nashua Daily Gazette, and Nashua Daily Tele-
graph for the extracts he has made from those newspapers ; to the
Grand Master of Masons of New Hampshire ; to the Commander of
the Grand Army of the Republic for the Department of New Hamp-
shire, and to the Chief Marshals on the days of the laying of the
Corner-Stone, and Dedication of the Monument, for valuable infor-
mation.
F. G. N.
Nashua, Dec 1889.
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