City and County

The Fifteenth regiment is not to include the Dedham company, the Blackstone company having been substituted, thus making it a Worcester county regiment. The necessary surveys were made at the camp ground, yesterday, by Engineer Davis of Gen. Ward’s staff; and various articles ordered by the quartermaster arrived and were stored in the building just completed.

The contract to supply beef has been given to A. Peaslee, and that for bread to L. R. Hudson.  To-morrow night the troops will have their tents up and enjoy their first army rations, and all Worcester will desire to look in upon them, but will probably have to content themselves with glimpses of the encampment on Brooks farm

Camp Scott

This is the appropriate designation which has been given to the encampment of the fifteenth regiment at South Worcester ; The companies as they arrive today by various railroad trains will proceed directly to the camp grounds, two miles out on the Norwich Railroad. Quartermaster Howe was yesterday busily engaged preparing equipments for delivery to the troops as they arrive. ; He has ordered one day’s ration of meat, to be cooked in readiness for them.

The companies composing the regiment are ordered to report themselves to Brigadier General Ward, commanding upon the grounds, before 3 o’clock this afternoon.  Gen. Ward’s staff is as follows:
George H. Spaulding, brigade Inspector pro tem;  
Harvey B. Wilder, aid-de-camp;  
Andrew McP. Davis, engineer; 
quartermaster, Church Howe.

Co. D. (Capt. Foster ) has kindly volunteered to pitch the tents for the whole encampment.  This work will be commenced this morning at 8 o’clock .  The companies’ tents will be on the south side adjoining the grove.  Special trains will be run upon the Norwich road, daily, commencing tomorrow, from the depot in this city to the encampment, at such hours as will best accommodate visitors, landing them upon the grounds.

For The Camp Ground   Extra trains will be run upon the Norwich road this afternoon landing visitors upon the camp ground, at the hours stated in the advertisement, which see.
Tickets to go and return 15 cents.

NORWICH & WORCESTER RAILROAD

Road Notice for Camp Scott

On Thursday July 4, trains will run between Worcester and Camp Scott as follows:
Leave Worcester at 8, 9:15 , 10:30 , and 11;45 a.m., 2, 3, 4, 4;30, , 5:30 , 6 and 7:45 p. m.
Leave Camp Ground at 8:15 , 9;30, 10:45 , a.m. 12, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15, 4:45, 5:45,  6:15, and 8 p.m.

Tickets to go and return, 15c., to be had at the Ticket Office.  Persons who do not have tickets will be charged 10c each way.

On Friday and Saturday July 5 and 6, trains will leave Worcester at 2:15 and 7:15 p. m.; leave Camp Ground at 2:30 , 4:15 and 8 p.m.

P. St. M. Andrew Sup’t.

SUNDAY AT CAMP SCOTT

Sunday passed in a quiet and orderly manner in camp.  The usual drills in the middle of the day were dispensed with.  After guard mounting in the morning, the soldiers were dismissed till six o’clock P. M., when religious services were held, conducted by Rev. Mr. James, several appropriate hymns being sung by the gentlemen composing his choir.  The sermon and prayer of Mr. James were exceedingly appropriate and affecting.  Old hundred was sung at the close.  Dress Parade, at seven o’clock , terminated the exercises of the day.

Religious services were also held in the grove adjoining the camp, at 9 A. M., and 4 P. M., by the soldiers themselves under their own direction.  These meetings were largely attended, and participated in by both officers and men, the exercises consisting of prayer, exhortations, & ect.  Corporal (Priestly)Young of company D was principally instrumental in getting them up.  They constitute a good feature of camp life.

The number of troops reported in camp, Sunday morning, was 904 in all, officers and men.  Private (Frederick F.) Young of company K ( of Blackstone ) was drummed out of camp on Saturday night, for disobedience to orders on several occasions.  He was obstinate and willful, and several times put under guard.

The widest street in camp, running by the quarters of company D., is named Foster St., complimentary to Capt. Foster.  The soldiers have exercised their taste by adorning many of the streets and tents with evergreen boughs and wreaths.  The Paxton volunteers gratefully acknowledge the receipt of a box of cake, together with a nice cheese and other delicacies from their friends in Paxton, for which they desire us to tender their heartfelt thanks for the interest thus manifested in their welfare.  

Company K., of  Blackstone gratefully acknowledges the receipt of a box of sugar from Col. Israel Plummer of Northbridge, and a box of lemons from Charles E. Whitin of North Uxbridge .  With the same, the health of the donors was drunk on the forth.  July 5, Mrs. Paul Whitin presented the company with a barrel of cucumbers, pickles, and beets, for which three cheers were given the donor with a will.

Companies C., D., E., G., and I. , have the national colors flying from their respective quarters.  That of company E., is the highest, with  that of company D., next.

BROOKFIELD

Company F of the fifteenth regiment is composed chiefly from the present towns of Brookfield, North and West Brookfield .  They were furnished with an elegant uniform, each town supplying its own men.  The ladies provided each soldier with a drill shirt made of flannel, and a soldiers “housewife,” well filled with needles, pins, thread, yarn, buttons, bandages, lint, salve & ect.; also two towels.

Deacon Pliny Cutler furnished the materials, and the ladies of West Brookfield made for them 101 havelocks.  Chas. Adams Jr., Esq., provided for each soldier a neat copy of the Testament and Psalms.  A few ladies in New Braintree also contributed something towards the outfit.  Mrs. Francis Howe of Brookfield , Mrs. Thomas Morey of West Brookfield , and Miss Sara Pellet, of North Brookfield , were especially active, but many others with equally willing hearts engaged in the work.

On the evening previous to the departure of the soldiers for the camp, they invited Rev. C. Cushing of North Brookfield to give them a farewell address.  A large concourse in the meeting house of the First Congregational society attended the reading of scripture and prayer by Rev. Wm. H. Beecher, the singing of patriotic hymns by the choir, and then listened to the farewell address for nearly an hour.

On the following morning the soldiers assembled in the village of North Brookfield, and in response to sentiments offered by Mr. Josiah F. Hibbard, “To the Brookfield volunteers,” and “To the clergy of 1776 and 1861”, Lieut. J. Evarts Greene and Rev. C. Cushing made brief and felicitous remarks.  The latter, returning his thanks for the grateful opportunity, and speaking for the profession which he represented, said:

We are the commissioned servants of a God, the principles of whose government and all whose administrative acts are in justice and love.  We have no occasion to sympathize with tyrants.  We are sent to urge upon a rebel race he duties of submission and loyalty, and we have no occasion to defend rebels.

We love our country, our whole country, the beautiful hills and valleys of New England , the broad prairies of the west, and the bright savannahs of the south.  We have received this rich inheritance from an honored ancestry, and whoever would wrest from us any portion of it we esteem only as a foe.  We love our free institutions, and the “glittering generalities’ of the Declaration of Independence.  Our fathers made that declaration and sustained it against enemies abroad, and we renew that declaration, and will defend and perpetuate it against enemies at home.

Fellow soldiers!  I address you as such, for I am with you in heart.  Go forth and fight for the stars and stripes unfurled before you until that glorious flag shall float over our whole land, trusting in God that it will soon be the land of the free!  personally give to god your hearts, do your duty, and with a “God bless you,’ I bid you farewell.

The company, with a large number of followers, then proceeded to West Brookfield , where Dea. Pliny Cutler presented them havelocks and many religious books.  In doing so he congratulated them for the prompt zeal and patriotism with which they proposed to go forward to protect the rights and integrity of the country, and assured them that in such a cause they could but win the favor of God and of every civilized people on earth.

He also urged upon their thoughts the example of Gen Havelock, the brave soldier and devoted Christian, whose faith was conspicuous even in battle.  After some further appropriate remarks, Lieut. Greene returned the thanks of the soldiers, and citizens, proceeded through South and East Brookfield , to the depot, and left in the cars, cheered by a grateful constituency.

Brookfield .

Camp Scott exhibited its usually lively appearance yesterday, in spite of the hot weather, the thermometer being at 97 degs. in the tent at headquarters.  The customary drills were performed in fine style.  The regiment is expected to be very soon mustered into service, and fifty-nine recruits are called for to fill up the regiment.

Company D. gratefully acknowledge the receipt of Havelocks from the ladies of Millbury; also a basket of eatables from A. P. Ware, and a can of milk from Wm. H. Harrington, of Millbury.  These articles were duly appreciated.

Trains on the Norwich road leave for Camp Scott at 10:30 A. M. , and 2:12 , 4:30 , and 7:15 P.M.

City and Country

Camp Scott .  The 15th regiment will be mustered into the United states service, today, probably at half past ten this forenoon.  Should the mustering officer fail to arrive in the morning train, the ceremony will be deferred till afternoon.  The friends of the regiment and many of the companies have kindly remembered them during the last two or three days, which we cannot mention in detail.

The girls of Mr. J. K. Lombard’s Sunday school class, yesterday, visited the soldiers and distributed among them twenty dollars worth of tracts and interesting moral works.  The ladies of Clinton have given to the Clinton Light Guard a full set of Haverlocks, and the company have been otherwise favored  by their friends.  The ladies of Oxford have in the same manner remembered their friends of company E.  Rev. Dr. Bardwell has also given each member a copy of the Testament, to be delivered when they are mustered into service.  Col. DeWitt, in addition to his other generous donations, has given four swords to the officers of the company, and left subject to the order of Lieut. Bartholomew a check for $100.

The Lancaster company acknowledge the receipt of seventy-nine havelocks from the ladies of their town; and Co. K., of  Blackstone, return their thanks to the ladies of Worcester for their very welcome present of one hundred and three havelocks.

A  Special Train will leave the Norwich Depot for Camp Scott , this morning, at 9:45 , to accommodate all who may desire to witness the ceremony of mustering the troops into the United states service.  The train will return from the camp ground at 11:45 .  tickets to go and return 15 cents, to be had at the ticket office.

Capt. Marshall of the U. S. army, arriving at about 11 o’clock , and the troops were sworn into the United States service, all present taking the oath, except eight of the whole regiment.  Six of these eight belong to Co. I., ( Capt. Sherwin’s ) of Lancaster, hailing as follows: Josiah Barker of Framingham,  Jonas S. Spencer of Clinton,  Rolla Nichols and Edward Barnes of Boston,  C. H. Maynard of Berlin, and H. F. Brigham of Boylston.  The other two present refusing to take the oath were Joseph Campbell of Chepatchet, R. I., belonging to Co. K. of Blackstone, and John ------------belonging to Co. A. of Leominster.

Truman T. Keeler of Co. E., (Capt. Watson ) of Oxford , secreted himself till the others had been sworn in, and then ran away from the camp.  A fine well of water has been opened upon the camp grounds, and furnished with a pump, which supplies a sufficient quantity of water for the regiment, for all purposes.

Camp Scott .  The following order was read at the evening dress parade, on Monday evening, before the whole regiment:,

HEADQUARTERS, CAMP SCOTT .
Worcester , July 15, 1861 .

Order No. 25.,  It having been represented at headquarters by Lieut. Davis, commanding company D, that William R. Chapman, a private, ( he having been detailed as a member of the guard of the day, ) shamefully abandon(ed) his post as a member of such guard, and did desert from the camp, and did not return thereto until he was brought by force; and it having further represented at headquarters that there were certain circumstances connected with the commission of the offence which tend to mitigate the flagrancy, it has been deemed best not to punish said Chapman with the full penalties which the offence would naturally call for.  It is therefore ordered that said Chapman be dishonorably discharged from said company. 

By command of GEORGE  H. WARD,
Brig. Gen. commanding
JOHN M. STUDLEY, Brig. Insp. pro tem.

There are several other cases of offences for breaking guard not yet disposed of.

City and County   

Camp Scott .  The new overcoats with which our regiment is supplied are of heavy cadet cloth, each weighing seven and a half pounds, and are said to be the finest yet delivered.  Each soldier has also received two pairs of flannel drawers, two pairs of flannel shirts, two pairs of socks, a knapsack, canteen, havelock, “housewife” shoes, and other articles of utility and convenience.  The uniform, which is to be delivered next week, we understand is to be the regulation army uniform.

City and County

Camp Scott .  The religious services at Camp Scott , were conducted on Sunday evening at six o’clock , by Rev. Merrill Richardson.  The singers of the various churches were present by invitation.  Mr. Turner, of the Norwich and Worcester railroad, kindly volunteering to run a special train to the camp ground for their accommodation.  The regiment, after their drill, were ranged in five divisions, and were seated upon the ground during the services.  

The singing of the hymn “My Country 'tis Of thee,” by the united choir, commenced the exercises.  After a fervent prayer, Mr. Richardson preached without notes, a most excellent discourse, taking from his text the words from Corinthians, “We are workers together with God.”  His point was that all the good and great actions of the world have been brought about by active working with God in the execution of his will; and he enforced it by many telling illustrations.  His voice could be distinctly heard by all the regiment, and all seemed much interested.  

We understand no band has yet been engaged by the regiment, although two or three bands have made propositions which are under consideration, the National Band being one of the number.  It is expected that Major Devens will take command on Tuesday or Wednesday

City and County

Camp Scott .  It is expected that Major Devens will be sworn in and assume command as colonel of the fifteenth regiment, this afternoon, and Gen. Ward will be sworn in as lieutenant-colonel.

One Way of Doing Good.  Corporal Young, of Co. D, ( Capt. Foster ) at Camp Scott, has written a note to his pastor, in which he says:  “I am constrained to acknowledge the reception of three packages of tracts and cards and books, of excellent moral influence, and psalms and hymns, together with the lives of several eminent Christian heroes, all from some unknown hand, which I have distributed among the troops in this camp, and I am very happy to add, they were very gladly received.  Soldiers sometimes have leisure for reading, and it is a very pleasant reflection, that some kind hand has been reached out, that some kind heart feels for them.

City and County    

Camp Scott.  Quartermaster Howe yesterday delivered to each company its full complement of muskets.  The soldiers made considerable progress in getting used to the handling of them, in drilling by companies and squads.  Col. Devens has received from Col. Eldridge of Boston a splendid officers tent, for headquarters tent.

Today being reception day in camp, excursion trains will run at reduced rates of fare from Fitchburg , to accommodate friends of the soldiers in that and other towns in the northern part of the county who desire to visit the encampment.

For Camp Scott . Trains will leave Norwich depot for Camp Scott , at 10:30 A. M., and 2:15 and        5 P. M.

Camp Scott .  There was a very large attendance of civilians at the camp, yesterday evening, caused by the rumor that John B. Gough  would speak to the soldiers, and the belief that this would be the last Sunday that Col. Devens regiment would remain at Camp Scott .  Religious services were conducted by Rev Mr. Hager, the choir of “All Saint’s Church” first chanting a hymn and closing with the tune of ”Old hundred,” in which many joined. 

Mr. Gough spoke  to the soldiers fervidly and with the magnetic manner so peculiarly his own.  He told the story of the glorious hope, the mighty power represented by the power of the Union; uttered his warning against intemperance, conjured his auditors to treasure up the spiritual influences of home, and fear not the ridicule that would laugh them down, and spoke some fitting words for the day of battle.  His address had a marked effect on the soldiers, who applauded him heartily at the close.  As one of the privates remarked, “That is the speech for us, just before the battle.”

The soldiers are satisfied with their new muskets, and  are anxious to go to the field of action.  There have been some changes made in the companies officers, a few of which are distasteful to members of one or two companies, but better acquaintance will doubtless bring better liking.

City and County

Camp Scott .  The musicians forming the regimental band and  various officers had the oaths administered to them, yesterday, by Capt. Marshall of the United States army.  Company D. of this city is now officered as follows:  Captain, John M. Studley; first lieutenant, S. P. Woodward; second lieutenant, J. W. Grout; Wm. R. Steele, late of the third battalion rifles, has been appointed quartermaster sergeant.  The attendance of visitors at the camp, yesterday was large.

The Fifteenth Regiment Preparing To Leave.

One hundred and thirteen horses, twenty-five army wagons, two hospital wagons, three ambulance wagons, harnesses to match, and sixty rounds of ammunition for the regiment, were brought from Boston last night under charge of Quartermaster Howe and a detachment from Camp Scott.

Owing to the insubordination of the Lancaster company, who refused to parade under their newly appointed officers, it has been disbanded, and the Slater Guards of Webster, Capt. Young, from Camp Lincoln , have taken their quarters at Camp Scott , and will hereafter form a part of the fifteenth regiment.  Movements at Camp Scott indicate an early departure of the troops.  The quartermaster requests the immediate presentation of all bills.

City and Country

Camp Scott presented a deserted look, yesterday, so many men have been let off for the day on their last furlough previous to the departure of the regiment. There was a large attendance of spectators, and the soldiers were addressed by Rev. Messrs. Wayland and Hill, while the choir of the Third Baptist church sung several hymns, among them “Glory Hallulujah.”

The men expect to start for Harpers Ferry as soon as Tuesday.  Capt. Kimball of the Fitchburg company has been appointed major, and it is rumored that Dr. Bates and R—e of this city will go out as surgeons.  Previous to their departure, the regiment the regiment will march into town, where a banner presentation awaits them.  The array of army wagons and wagons for the wounded, with horses for then filling the woods, heightens the martial appearance of the camp.

City and County

The fifteenth regiment will leave Camp Scott ay four o’clock this afternoon, for the city, escorted by the twenty-first regiment from Camp Lincoln .  The presentation of the flag in behalf of the ladies of the city who are interested in the welfare and honor of the regiment, will take place upon their arrival on the common.  This is probably  the last time they may be seen here together, as they are expected to take the cars for Norwich from their camp ground.

Camp Scott .  The fifteenth regiment is now full, numbering in all, officers and privates, 1046 men.  The members of Co. I. of Webster, Capt. George C. Joslin, which took the place in the regiment of the Lancaster company, were all sworn into United States service last evening.  The regiment will leave for the seat of the war tomorrow night, in a special train, by the Norwich route.  They will take with them cooked rations for seven days.

The regiment will march into town, this afternoon escorted by several companies from Camp Lincoln and parade through Main street .  The presentation of colors to the 15th regiment will take place upon the common at five o’clock .

The new army regulation uniform was received yesterday morning, and delivered to each man.  It consists of light blue pants, dark blue coat, and black army hat, with feathers, and makes a beautiful appearance.

The field and staff officers of the fifteenth regiment are:
Colonel.  Charles Devens, Jr., of Worcester .
Lieut. Colonel  George H. Ward, of Worcester .
Major.  John W. Kimball, of Fitchburg .
Quartermaster.  Church Howe, formerly of the sixth regiment M. V. I.
Surgeon.  Dr. Joseph N. Bates, of Worcester .
Adjutant.  not yet appointed.
Assistant Surgeon.  Dr. S. F. Haven
Chaplain.  rev. Wm. G. Scandlin, of Grafton.
Sergeant Major.  F. A. Walker
Commissary Sergeant.  Wm. G. Waters.

It will be recollected that the number of this regiment is the same as that which Col. Timothy Bigelow commanded in the revolutionary war.

May they achieve equal fame!

City and Country

Departure Of The Fifteenth Regiment.  The fifteenth regiment will bid farewell to camp Scott at three o’clock this afternoon.  They will reach the city at about half past three, and will march through the Main street to Lincoln Square and countermarch to the common, where they are to take the Norwich cars on their way to Harpers Ferry to join Gen. Bank’s division of the army.

They are to proceed in an extra train in advance of the boat train, leaving here at five o’clock .        The regiment goes provided with seven days cooked rations for the men, and ten days forage for the horses.  It will be a cause of much gratification to our citizens that they are to have such a favorable look at the troops before their departure for the seat of the war.

PRESENTATION OF A  BANNER TO THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT

Several ladies of this city have interested themselves in providing an elegant flag for our Worcester county regiment, and yesterday afternoon the ceremony of presentation took place in the City Hall, the rainy weather not admitting of the presentation upon the common, before the whole regiment, as was intended.  The field and staff officers of the regiment, and the commissioned officers of the several companies were present, accompanied by the regimental band.  They were escorted to the hall by the officers of the twenty-first regiment, and were there welcomed by the ladies through whose patriotic exertions the banner had been secured.  Mayor Davis presided, and Rev. Dr. Hill offered a fervent prayer that those to whom the flag was to be entrusted might never tire, in the good work, until it shall wave over all places in out broad land, the symbol of liberty, union, and peace.

Hon. George F. Hoar came forward with the splendid gift in his hand, and in behalf of the ladies, spoke as follows, while he gave the flag into the charge of  Col. Devens:

Mr. Hoar’s Speech

Colonel and Officers of the Fifteenth Regiment:  I am deputed by the ladies of Worcester to present to you this banner.  Eighty-four years ago to-day there were mustering in these streets the first regiment ever raised in Worcester county for actual warfare, the fifteenth regiment of the Massachusetts line.  What hard fought fields at Monmouth and Trenton , what suffering at Valley Forge , and what glory and victory at Saratoga and Yorktown have made that name famous, history has recorded.

And now that for the second time, Worcester county sends out to battle a full regiment of her sons, by a coincidence too appropriate to be called accident,  the name which your fathers rendered illustrious has been allotted to you.  What they won for us it is yours to preserve for us.

The ladies of Worcester desire to testify, that, while you strive to emulate the courage and self devotion of your fathers, they still cherish the sentiments which animated the mothers of Revolutionary times.  Take this banner, as a token that there are those at home to whom the cause in which you are enlisted is precious.  As you look upon is folds, blazoned with the dear emblems of the country, let it bring the thought of the mothers, sisters, wives, without whom country would be worthless.  Amid the hardships and temptations of the camp, and the dangers of the battlefield, let it be witness to you that there are those to whom your welfare is dear.  Absent, but with most intense spiritual presence, where ever you go, whatever you may suffer or dare, they will be with you.  And when you return, your duty all well done, liberty re-established, law vindicated, peace restored, bring back with you this flag.  Know that  

“……there are bright eyes will mark
Your coming, and grow brighter when you come.”

If, when they next look upon it, they shall see these folds now so beautiful and pure it matters not if there is no rent in the Union of which it is a symbol, no stain on the honor of the sons of Worcester, to whom it is entrusted.

As the speaker finished,  “The Star Spangled Banner” was played by the regimental band with fine effect, and Col. Devens, received the flag from Mr. Hoar, responded in the behalf of the regiment under his command, substantially as follows:

Col. Devens Response

Mr. Hoar,  I accept this beautiful banner, which you have presented to the regiment under my command, in behalf of the ladies of Worcester; I lay hold of this emblem, as the symbol of all that is glorious, which has been respected wherever it has floated on land and sea, and which I believe, from the bottom of my heart, shall yet be respected wherever it may float, whether it be in the field or the fortress or from the wave rocked topmast.  May God give me the strength to perform this task fully, the task this day undertaken, to aid in upbearing that standard, in the contest before us, that the fame of those who have gone before us, in defending our country from foes without and traitors within, be not dimmed.

There is, indeed, a remarkable coincidence, as you have so well said, in the name of the regiment which I have the honor to command, being numbered the same as that commanded during the revolutionary war by Col. Timothy Bigelow, over whose remains yonder proud monument was three months ago erected with such inspiring ceremonies.  It is indeed a most fortunate omen.  I trust that some of the spirit that animated our ancestors, has descended upon the present sons of Worcester county, and that they will be able to render an equally good account their labors.

I know they stand ready to defend the flag, as much dearer than life, as honor is dearer; and they will not “suffer a single star to be obscured, or a single stripe erased,” from the glorious symbol of our union.  I am unable to predict as to our return; yet this symbol shall be returned to the ladies of Worcester untarnished; defeat; disaster and death may come to us, but dishonor never.  I know well from three months experience, how much the aid of ladies had contributed to the welfare of troops in the field, and we shall be doubly encouraged by them to do everything which can be done in the performance of our duty, cheered by their approving smiles upon our endeavors. 

Mayor Davis, in conclusion, addressed the officers of the fifteenth regiment in patriotic words, thanking them, in behalf of the city, for their zeal in proceeding with such promptness and fidelity to the defense of our country, whose liberties, purchased by the blood of our fathers, were now endangered.

The sympathies and prayers of all patriotic and loyal men were with them; with the example of the glorious fifteenth regiment, commanded by Col. Bigelow, before them, he trusted they would continue in the fight till the flag waved over every portion of our once united country.  The mayor closed by invoking god’s blessings upon the departing soldiers.

The band struck up “Hail Columbia,” the sergeant having the flag in charge, waved it from the platform, the ladies sprang to their feet, waving their handkerchiefs, while cheers went up for the colors of the fifteenth regiment.

The flag is made regulation size, and is finished in the most elegant and beautiful manner.  On silk these words are neatly blazoned in gold lettering”  “Worcester County Volunteers Fifteenth Regiment Infantry”  A silver shield on the richly finished staff, bears the inscription “presented to the Fifteenth Regiment, Worcester County Volunteers, Mass., by the Ladies of Worcester, 1861.