| Loren Chandler Hoyle will tomorow celebrate his 69th birthday anniversary. His eight children, Mrs. Annie M. Aldrich of Brockton, Mrs. Ruth C. Jones and Mrs. Lena C. Hutchinson of Boston, Mrs. Lizzie W. Putnam, Mrs. Ida Richardson, Mrs. Lucia K Ray, Frank N. and Harry H. Hoyle of Sutton, their families, 21 grandchildren and one great grandchild, have been invited to the old homestead. Mr. Hoyle was born in Killingly Ct. and was the oldest of 13 children. His father died when his youngest brother was a few months old, and Mr. Hoyle did much to help the big family. One brother and two sisters are still alive. Forty-six years ago Mr. Hoyle married Lois Batcheller Mascroft and 11 children have been born, of these 8 being alive. Mr. Hoyle was a corporal of Capt. Watsons's company E of the Fifteenth regiment Massachusetts volunteers. He was mustered into the United States service on July 12, 1861 to serve three years but was discharged Dec. 2 1862 at Convalescent Camp near Alexandria VA by reason of surgeons certificate of disability Mr. Hoyle having contracted rheumatism and chronic stomach trouble. He was in a hospital three months. Many are the tales he tells of the war, but often persuasion fails to bring him to speak of the incidents of the 60s. To a Telegram reporter he told with reticence of carrying the colors across the Potomac at the Battle of Ball's Bluff in a boat containing officers. While crossing, the flag he carried was shot to pieces and he now exhibits a bit of the old flag that he sent home to his wife after the battle. His brother swam across by the side of the boat This was his first battle after getting out of the hospital, and as night came on and the other side was reached with bullets still coming thick and fast the men left their boats and tried to reach camp. Mr. Hoyle's strength failed, and after he crawled 10 rods in mud and water more than ankle deep, he sank exhausted and spent the night with no companion save his brother, who was with him during the entire campaign, nursing him carefully . Mr. Hoyle often says- But for Otis I should never have returned. After crossing the Potomac, Col Baker who had gone in the same boat, was shot dead by Mr. Hoyles side, and as the col. fell without a murmurhis hat fluttered down and was cought by Mr. Hoyle.. It was found to contain valuable papers. After this Mr. Hoyle was compelled to leave the Army and he has since suffered much but still retains a young Heart. After his return home he passed one year in Utica N.Y. and one year as overseer at the cotton mill in Fisherville, and has since lived in Sutton. He was one of the eight who formed Singletary club many years ago, and he still is a member. His fish dinners which always pleased the most fastidious, were the drawing card during the camping out season. Mr. Hoyle is now livingat his Sutton home, where he is much interested in floriculture and has several large greenhouses where he does an extensive business. |