E 513 .5 36th ,i^ Ly . lHoman's ^satmlim ©t tbe f (JtI*^8. Volunteers. i ^ s / r i 1 5 c^l ^/^l ^-^ ill^i 'fi'^4' i\\\\\ \ i WonuiiVs A.s.so( icirion or Tiir: 3()"> Pe^jiiiK'-.nf Mciss. Vols. PRESS OF (WI.MEKT G, DAVIS, 3S-44 KKUNT ST., WOKCESTEK, MA 1896 J ^ <^ •J' d=> u iNTi?()i)U(:r()i?\ jt jt |'|AA \ changes lia\ing come to our xlssocia- lion since its organization, and for the reason that a large number had joined us who were ignorant of the causes wliich led '^ to its formation, I was chosen to write a Histor^' which would not onh' inform the membership of its past and present work, but would be a reminder to our descendents of the struixilles and trials through which the wives and mothers passed while the ''Bovs of the 36th*" were awa\'. I now submit these thoughts to \o\\ with the earnest hope that it will be a \alued sou\enir in the household of everv member of the Association. LAMIRA O. BRIGGS. I ii,s'r()i?\' or 11 II: A^ssociATioM or- ri ii: woamim or riir Mym HIS dav on which I am wrilincx, Aiicrust 9th, 1895, commemorates the thirty- third annixersary of mv husband's enhst- ment. At the same time eleven others from the neighborhood enrolled themselves 1^ as Soldiers for the preservation of the Union and joined their fortunes to the 36th Regiment Massachusetts \^olunteers, en- camped at Worcester, Mass. The great question that had overshadowed many months with its weight of dread was settled. Now wife and children must be left to the mercies of a government which had sworn to protect the loved ones the brave soldiers left behind. The die was cast. The good wife must say ''Go, and God bless vou, and ma\' a kind rroxick'nce spare vou to return to the wife and children of your love." She must not weep when with him, for were not the moments too precious to lose when the regiment must depart so soon? This separation was her part of the sacritice of de- votion to their countrv. Many wives and mothers here to-day know well the meaning of those words "I have enlisted," and the answer "Go, and God bless vou." To us it meant days of toil without the precious home-coming of the loved one at night : the responsibility of government of the children without that svmpathv and assistance we had learned to rely upon ; the lonely watchings by the bedside of the sick child, and the terrible heart-achings which came to some of us when the physician said, " I have done all I can ; we must leave the little one in the hands of One who doeth all things well." What yearnings then for the dear absent ones to help and sustain in the trving moments. With what a different feeling we regarded all who were connected with the old 36th. Neighbors, and even strangers, became friends as soon as it was known an}- member of their famih- had gone with "our boys'' on that memorable day, the second of September, 1862, to take their places among the patriots whose bravery and devotion to their country was to save the nation in its peril. Wives, mothers, sisters, sweethearts and children were represented in the crowds that gathered upon the old com- mon to see the train depart carrying "our boys" to the scenes of danger and death. Can we ever forget those moments when we clasped the hand and fondly kissed the dear lips for the last time as we all feared and as it proved to many a wife and child? How we turned tearfully to each other for comfort as the train passed from sight. One, whose three little boys clung closely to her skirts, was the bravest of us all, and said, "I am not going to think my husband won't come back, for he is just as likely to return as any other man." But she was almost the first to wear the widow's badtre of !-> mournmg. I cannot tell you of the sadness of the home when reached, the utter desolation which had fallen upon it, and the sleepless nights whicli followed for nian\-, many weeks. What joy when letters began to arrive ! Our interests all centering in the question, ''Where now is our regiment? caused us to embrace e\-ery opportunity of meeting each other to hear the latest news and compare contents of the last letters received. Is it any wonder that with hearts so united we should be welded together into a more than common Ixjnd of sympathy and love? Days when the monthly state aid was to be paid were looked forward to by us as times when w^e should hear news of each other's husbands and brothers. Many times we heard pleasant things of our own dear ones, and often throuorh this interchanore of news we learned much more than any particular one had time to describe, as when they had been more than unusually busy because of remoyal of camps : or from long marches oyer the Tennessee moutains : or tales of suffering from thirst, as tlu-ough Mississippi, from Vicksburg to Jackson, where the rebels had poisoned the wells, and shot the cattle in the streams and left them to die that the water might be too yile for the Union army to drink : or of hunjjer, as at the sie^e of Knoxyille when they were reduced to two tablespoonfuls of flour per day, and which, stirred with a \ery little water into a paste and wound around a stick, was carefully held over the hre and turned until it was cooked. This same morsel must last them until the next morning unless by some good fortune some kernels of corn could be stolen from the mules' scanty allowance. In March, 1880, several members of Company C with their taniilies met l\v invitation to spend an evening with us for the purpose of exchanging reminiscences of the past. Many of those who accepted the invitation were of that number who hved in the same neighborhood and enlisted at the same time with Mr. Briggs, and whose families had been endeared to each other by their mutual sufferings and anxieties. The memory of those "days which tried men's souls *' were talked over and a desire expressed that when Regimental Reunions were held we women, who enjoyed the rehearsal of those tales as much as the men themselves, might have an opportunity of joining them. Some of the men present favored the idea but the majority frowned upon it and said it would never do. One jokingly pro- posed the conundrum, '' Why did we not have a Reunion of our own?*' The idea was anew one but impressed us favorably. " Wlw not?" said we. We surely had borne much and had passed through many experiences which filled our past lives J^ft/l of stirring scenes and inci- dents. Should we not be better for meeting and rehears- ing tliose memories before our children, many of whom had no personal remembrance of those times when their country's flao; had been "trailed in the dust" and their fathers had gone forth to preserve the best Government the world had e\'er known ? So strong were my impressions at that time in favor of the proposition tliat I confidently looked forward to a Re- union of the Women of tlie 36th as a reality some time in the future. All favored the sucr^estion but were loth to take tlie initiative. Finally I wrote an invitation to the "Mothers, Wives, Sisters and Daughters" of members of the Old Massachusetts 36th to assemble at the Boat House on Elm Park on Monda}^ the third of September, 1888, to consider the advisaJMlily ot sucli a i^allierinL^. I took the Hberty of using the names of three others in the call — Mrs. John A. Rice, Mrs. Luke Da\is, and Mrs. (ico. II. Mills — besides my own, all of whom have taken a deep interest and worked faithfully for the enterprise, and to whom the success which followed has been largeh- due. Our invitation was published in the papers, and letters and personal invitations were sent, and about thirtv ladies responded. A general introduction took place which soon relieved the o-atherin^ of all formalitv. The morninjj; was OCT » .^ spent in talking up the subject which had brought them together, and every one was ready to appro\-e of a plan which should have for its object an Annual Reunion of all women connected in any wa}' with the Old 36th. Dinner was served on the basket picnic plan at the rooms of the W. C. T. U. on the Fair Grounds, and at three o'clock we assembled for our iirst business meeting, when Mrs. F.\\\ Wellington was elected President, and Miss Carrie M. Adams, Secretary and Treasurer. The objects of our meeting were then discussed, and Resolutions governing the Societ}' were adopted. We were recommended to invite every one we knew who were relatives of members of the Regiment, and ask all soldiers who came to their own Reunion, to bring their families with them to join us. It was \oted that we hold our Re- union anmially on the anniversary day of the departure of the Regiment, the second day of Septembi-r. A connnittee of three was appointed to make all arrangements for the next meeting. The committee was composed of Mrs. John A. Rice, Mrs. Geo. II. Mills, and Mrs. L. K. Davis. Elections were followed by readings, and speaking by the ladies of the Association. Remarks were also made by some of the men from the Burnside x\ssociation, which were listened to with interest, and they expressed much pleasure that we had formed such an Association. New acquaintances were formed, and old friendships renewed, and everyone felt that the day had been delightfully spent. All joined in singing "America" as a fitting close to a most enjoyable day, and the lirst Reunion of the Associa- tion of Women of the 36th had become a thing of the past. The second Annual Reunion was held on Elm Park, September 2d, 1889, and a much larger number gathered at the Boat House than on the previous year. The morn- ing was spent in social converse and relating incidents of our experiences in War times, and at noon, we having provided our dinner in baskets, it was very acceptably served by the ladies of the W. C. T. U. and 62 places were occupied. During the noon hour, seats under the trees forming a hollow square, had been kindly provided bv order of the Park Commissioner, to which we repaired and were received with an address of welcome bv the President, Mrs. F. W. Wellington. Business followed and Election of Officers for the ensuing ^^ear. An assess- ment of twenty-five cents was voted to be paid annuallv. Then followed patriotic recitations by Miss Bertha Briggs, Myrtie Rice and Florence Merritt, and remarks b}' different members expressive of their appreciation and enjoyment of the Reunion. Short addresses also from Comrades wlio came from the J^urnside Association Re- union at Grand Army Hall to encourage us, and visit their wives and children. Closed by singing x\merica. On account of the Reunion of the Burnside Association being held at Palmer, the free use of Grand Army Hall was given us for our third annual gathering. At an early 10 hour w'c liad the pleasure of greeting luanv from adjoining towns who met with us for the first time, and ghidlv took membership with us. An excellent dinner was ser\ed bv the Executive Committee, after which the President, Mrs. F. W. Briggs called the meeting to order with words of welcome, expressing nuicli pleasure at the increase in members. JNIany of the new members spoke of the pleasure thev had enjoyed in the social hour in the morning, and of in- cidents in their own lives, and others, when every hour was filled with anxiety for the loved ones who were in constant dano-er, while their daily life must otq forward, and the children of the famih' be cared for, though their hearts were crushed to the breaking. With other recita- tions and the singing of America the Reunion of 1890 closed. The reunion of '91 was held at Sons of \'^eteran"s Hall, Main Street, Worcester, that organization having kindlv tendered us its free use. The President, Mrs. John A. Rice, gave a cordial welcome to all, after the bountiful dinner had been served, of which a large number partook. Among the decisions of the business meeting we accepted a la\ender colored ribbon to be worn at the next meetinor as a badge of membership. A fine autograph album was presented to the Associa- tion bv Mrs. Fred W. Wellinij^ton. Greetin. Joiin D., Hodgkins, Mis. Daniel, Holman, Mrs. Albert G., *Mubbaid, Mrs. Calvin, Hubbard, Mrs. Stephen N., Keves, Mrs. John, King, Mrs. W. H., *Legg, Mrs. Edwin, Lawrence, Miss Eva, . Lawrence, Mrs. G. H., Lawrence, Mrs. William, . Lawrence, Mrs. John C, Leighton, Mrs. Hazon D., Learned. Mrs. Frank S., Lesure, Mrs. Lovell A., Lesure, Mrs. S. D., Locke, Miss Ella C, Locke, Mrs. Thomas W., Locke, Mrs. William, Marsh. Mrs. Clara, Maynard, Mrs. A. T., Mclntire, Mrs. George H., Mellen, Mrs. Jonathan W., Merritt, Mrs. George J., Merritt, Mrs. H. A., Mills, Mrs. George H., Moulton, Mrs. Osborne, Mrs. J. W., . Partridge, Mrs. Daniel W., Patterson, Mrs. Stephen H., Perham, Mrs. L. M., Perley, Mrs. George, Perley, Mrs. Louis, Pierce, Mrs. Nelson. Rawson, Mrs. Charles B.. Rawson, Mrs. Dexter N., Rawson, Mrs. Gilbert N., . Ray, Mrs. M. F. Remington, Mrs. Dyer O., ♦Reynolds, Mrs. E. W., Reynolds, Mrs. S. R. D., Gardner, Mass. 74 Alvarado Avenue, Worcester, Mass. Baldwinville, Mass. Holden, Mass. I lolden, Mass. 34 Russell Street, Worcester, Mass. 862>^ Main Street. Worcester, Mass. . Worcester, Mass Orange, Mass. 19 Freeland Street. Worcester. Mass. Ashburnham, Mass. . Spencer, Mass. Gardner, Mass. Oakdale, Mass. Lawrence, Mass. ^^ Edward Street. Worcester, Mass. 33 Edward Street, Worcester, Mass. ^;^ Edward Street, Worcester, Mass. Jefferson, Mass. . Marlboro, Mass. Lunenburg, Mass Orange, Mass. 28 Woodland Street, Worcester, Mass. 2 Beaver Street, Worcester, Mass. 30 Milbrook Street, Worcester, Mass. Gardner. Mass. Willianisville, Mass Baldwinville, Mass. 19 Home Street, Worcester, Mass. West Gardner, Mass. Baldwinville, Mass. South Keene, N. H. West Boylston Street, Worcester, Mass. 22 Edward Street, Worcester, Mass Worcester, Mass. Gardner, Mass. South Gardner, Mass. Worcester, Mass. 49 Austin Street, Worcester, Mass. 27 Rice, Mrs. John A., Cor Rich, Mrs. J Y., Richardson, Mrs. E. A.. Richardson, Mrs. H. E., Rogers. Mrs. Stephen S., Sawin, Mrs. Emory, Sawyer, Mrs. Oscar L., Saunders, Mrs. H. D., Searles, Mrs. Edwin, Sheridan, Mrs. Barney, Smith, Mrs. C E., Smith, Mrs. E. A., Smith, Mrs. F. J., Smith, Mrs. Israel H., Smith, Mrs. Levi, . Smyth, Mrs. Robert W Spencer, Mrs. Etta, Sprague, Mrs. A. E., Stearns, Mrs. Adin, Stimpson, Mrs. Lizzie, Stone, Mrs. A. D.. Stone, Mrs. :Marshall, Stowe, Miss L. G., Sutton, Mrs, J. F., Tylee, Mrs. W. H., Underwood, Mrs. E. M., Wallace, Mrs. Franklin, Waterman, Mrs. Ida M., Wellington, Mrs. Fred W.. Wheeler, Mrs. Susan, Wheelock, Mrs. Calvin, Wheelock, Miss M. E., White, Mrs. A. A., White, Mrs. M., AVhitcomb, Mrs. Emma, Whitney, Mrs. J. L., . Wilder, Mrs. Kate T. Winchester, Mrs. Susan E. Wood, Mrs. G. A., Wood, Mrs. S. L., Wood, Mrs. C. W., \Vvman, Mrs. Alice, . Walnut cS: Lowell Streets, Newtonville, Mass. 2 Eden Street, Worcester Mass. i6 Shelby Street, Worcester, Mass. North Oxford, Mass. . Grafton. Mass. Athol. Mh&s. Fort Wayne, Ind. Worcester, Mass. 146 Beacon Street, Worcester, Mass. South Fitchburg. Mass. Holden. Mass. 25 Wilson Street, Providence, R. I. Baldwinsville, Mass. Fort Wayne, Ind. Lake View, Worcester, Mass. Leicester, Mass. Baldwinville, Mass. Grafton, Mass. Saundersville, Mass. 6 Oilman Street, Worcester, Mass. 1146 Main Street, Worcester, Mass. iS Home Street, Worcester, Mass. Orange, Mass. Orange, Mass. Hopedale, Mass. 10 Windsor Street, Worcester, Mass. Baldwinville, Mass. 8 Evergreen Street, South Framingham, Mass. 8 Evergreen Street, South Framingham, Mass. 18 Home Street, Worcester, Mass. Royalston, Mass. Gardner, Mass. Jefferson, Mass. 29 Salem Street, Worcester, Mass. Shrewsbury, Mass. 27 Newbury Street, Worcester. Mass. . 13 Barnes Street, Providence, R. L 20 Belmont Street, Worcester, Mass. 3 Lincoln Avenue, Worcester, Mass. 28 I ; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 704 135 2 #