| VETERAN FUSILIERS Civil War Veterans Hold a Reunion at Whalom. It was on as bright a day as this 44 years ago today that the first company of Fitchburg Fusiliers marched down Main street to the depot, and took a train for Worcester where they remained at Camp Scott till they went to the front. The company by reason of its early organization and the high character of the officers and men who have served in it has held a high place in the esteem of Fitchburg people. Its first captain, John Upton, was father of Edwin Upton the first Fitchburg citizen who was commissioned a colonel in the Civil War, and the second captain, Alpheus Kimball was father of the second colonel from Fitchburg who won fame in that war -- now Gen. John W. Kimball. A few remaining veterans of the company with honorary members and ladies held their annual reunion at Whalom today. The company was called to order by Gen. Kimball soon after 11 a.m., and he called the roll and the following were present at that time or later in the day: John R. Farnum, Artemas A. Gibson, William Gibson, Herbert D. McIntire, Thomas P. Taylor, Josiah W. Wilder, Granville C. Hosmer. Honorary members: Joseph A. Battles, James Harrington, Raymond J. Parker, Simeon Green, Dr. S. C. [Samuel Clapp] Spooner [brother of Henry A. Spooner], Edward F. Kimball [the General's son]. Ladies: Mrs. Abel Bruce, Mrs. George S. Gilchrist, Mrs. Thomas P. Taylor, Mrs. John R. Farnum, Mrs. John W. Kimball, Miss M. Elizabeth Kimball, Mrs. Fred W. Eager, Mrs. A. A. Gibson, Mrs. Edward S. Kendall. John Kimball Eager, a grandson of General Kimball. Gen. Kimball read the record and report of the late secretary and treasurer, Walter A. Ames. The treasurer's report shows a balance of $26.63 in the treasury. Letters regretting inability to be present from Lieut. J. Myron Goddard of Melrose and William G. Waters of Santa Barbara, Cal., the latter and honorary member, were read. Gen. Kimball read a letter from James H. Tenney, stating that Marcus R. Johnson of Fort Wayne, Ind., died on July 4, 1894.[possible printing error;year believed to be 1904] Gen. Kimball then spoke of the late Sergeant Walter A. Eames who served the company as secretary and treasurer as faithfully as his country on the battle field. The officers of the company were made a committee to prepare resolutions on the death of these comrades. On motion of Thomas P. Taylor the following officers were elected: Captain, John W. Kimball; first Lieutenant, J. Myron Goddard; second lieutenant, A. A. Gibson. John R. Farnum moved that as the duties of secretary and treasurer were not arduous that Gen. Kimball be elected in place of Walter A. Eames, deceased. The motion was unanimouly carried and Gen. Kimball consented to serve. On motion of William Gibson it was voted that the next reunion be held at Whalom. The time fixed by the rules is June 28. William Gibson paid a tribute to the late Walter A. Eames, speaking particularly of his kindness to the soldiers and to his family. Mr. Gibson also spoke of Gen Kimball's services in the Civil War, especially at Antietam, where more men were killed in one day than on any other daqy in the Civil War. It was stated that Sergeant Eames had kept an accurate record of the members of the company and Gen. Kimball proposes to continue the record, which will be invaluable in the future. Serveant Eames was first elected secretary and treasurer at the first meeting of this organization in 1869. Col. George E. Goodrich was introduced as a former member of the Fusiliers and who served in two splendid regiments in the Civil War. Col. Goodrich spoke of the gallant service rendered by the 15th Mass. regiment, which like the 21st and 34th Mass. regiments in which he served are numbered with the 300 fighting regiments in Fox's book on "Regimental losses in the Civil War." Dr. S. C. Spooner related that he was rejected as a recruit in the early part of the Civil War on account of disability and was drafted later and was ready to serve but Lee had surrendered and the drafted men were sent home. His grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary War and his ancestors for seven generations were ready to die for their country. He tendered hearty congratulations to the surviving veterans. Gen. Kimball referred to the First Minnesota regiment, which was brigaded with the 15th Massachusetts, and whose commander at Gettysburg, Col. Colville, died recently at the annual reunion of his regiment. Raymond J. Parker, who was orderly sergeant of Co. D of the First Minnesota, gave interesting reminiscences and said he had only met the old comrades at a reunion but once since the Civil War. Col. Colville was wounded twice at Gettysburg and disabled for life, and he was also wounded on the Peninsula. Resolutions on the death of Albert Litchfield, Charles A. Wheeler and Horace H. Wyman, who died previous to the last reunion, were unanimously adopted. A nicely prepared dinner was well served at Whalom Inn. |