Melrose Public Library, Local History Room

The library in Melrose, Ma. has a great local history room. Besides books on general regional history, they have a very good Civil War collection. Many regimental histories, a few Grand Army of the republic volumes, books on the war in general, Butlers book, Melrose, Massachusetts, New England and Geneology books etc. One cool collection is from the Barry family. These are letters to and from members of the family who enlisted plus a collection of letter to and from family members left at home. One piecethat realy stands out is Royal Pierce Barrys' uniform coat. He served in the 45th, CO "D" that went through Camp Miegs in Readville, MA. One of his letters mentions how Readville was so much cleaner than Camp Cameron.

DAN SULLIVAN

John H. Chipman Jr. G.A.R. Post # 89

http://garpost89ma.tripod.com/

This is a great web site dedicated to the memory of the Beverly Mass. Grand Army of the Republic Hall.
Included in its information are some bios of the members with some photos. Three, Thomas N. Drawbridge, a Pvt. in the 1st Regiment CO "H", George V. Bowden, a Pvt. in the 1st Regiment, CO "C" and George W. Fray who was alsi a Pvt. in the 1st, CO "H" were at Camp Cameron. Check out their pictures.


DAN SULLIVAN

A recruit from the 28th celebrates in Winchester Mass.

The Oct. 25, 1861 Woburn Budget relates this story.
The previous Saturday evening a member of the 28th took a furlough and visited Winchester. After getting very drunk he went downtown and gave a speech on the merits of enlisting and the dangers of puppies. "He called upon all patriotic citizens to rally for Meager! rally for Corcoran! enlist under the "Star Stangled Banger," and march on to victory!" Eventually the constable was called who brought him to the vestry at the enginehouse. While in captivity he became indignant  and accused his captures of being "sessionists, traitors, and other rebellious folk, but in spite of his protestations he was safely housed."


DAN SULLIVAN 

Massachusetts 1st Regiment diary captured at Bull Run

The July 28, 1861 edition of the New Orleans Daily True Blue published a story of how a local soldier took a diary off a dead Massachusetts recruit and sent it home. Neither soldier, North or South are named. The Southerner is referred to as "H" and belonging to the LA 7th. 

The diary entrees are from Camp Ellsworth on Fresh  Pond in Cambridge. This could only be the MA First.

Here are the entrees.

May 16 - Enlisted in the Fusiliers. (Independent Fusiliers, CO "G", of Boston)

May 23 - Sworn into United States service by Lieut Amory.

May 24 - Alexandria taken - Col. Ellsworth shot by the secessionists.

June 1 - Marched to Camp Ellsworth, fresh pond in Cambridge - very long march. 

June 2 - Firtst day in camp; a very noisy and busy day; at a dress parade morning and afternoon.

June 11 - Ran the guard; went to the city to class-meeting - very good time. (another recruit at Ellsworth mentioned how the officers would dress as enlisted men and try to run the guard. A Camp Cameron soldiers also talked about "French Leaves."

June 14 - In the city and at the rehearsal.

June 15 - Started for the seat of war, five miles march to Boston.

June 16 - Arrived at Jersey City; met father, mother, uncle and cousin Alice; had a collation in the depot.

Bull's Rub, July 18 - This diary was suddenly brought to a close this day, by a musket ball from the Louisiana Seventh regiment. 

DAN SULLIVAN