Fort Independence

The First 5 Companies at Fort Independence.

The following information comes from "Three Years in the Army" by Charles E. Davis, Jr. Boston; Estes & Lauriat, 1894.  (photos by Sarah Kizina, © 2008 unless otherwise noted).

   On the 25th of May the five companies (Companies A, B, C, D, & E) with knapsacks, blankets etc., marched down State Street to the wharf, where they took the steamer “Nelly Baker” for the fort, and where they arrived in due time.

     It was a joyous day, though cloudy.  We were puffed up with pride and importance at our new responsibility and the knowledge that we were to relieve the New England Guard, who had been garrisoning the fort for a fortnight.  The New England Guards was one of the crack organizations of Massachusetts, of which the citizens of Boston were justly proud.  It subsequently became the nucleus of the Twenty-fourth Regiment, that left Massachusetts for the seat of war December 9, 1861, and afterward made a glorious record.

     As we marched into the fort, that battalion was drawn up in line to receive us.  As we watched with admiration the precision and skill with which they performed their movements, we shed a big lot of conceit.

     The duties of a soldier began immediately on their departure.  We were in possession of a fortification of the United States, and the responsibilities seemed immense.  We were to guard it, and see that it was not stolen or captured by the enemy.

      A detail was made from each company for guard duty, and the writer began at once the tremendous duties of a soldier.  Being placed on the extreme Southern point of the island, nearest the enemy, he was cautioned to watch carefully, that the enemy might not come up the harbor without warning being given of his approach.  There seemed nothing ridiculous in all this; the caution was given and received in all earnestness.  These instructions were the first and, so far as can be recalled, the only ones he ever received, and they made a deep impression on his mind.  We often laughed afterwards as we reflected on the difference between this and the reality, though it was real enough to us then.  Not a wink did some of us sleep that night.  The responsibility was too great for sleep.

Morning came at last, beautiful and bright, with the fort still safe.  As the men turned out of their quarters, in the morning air, to fold their bright red blankets, it was indeed a picturesque sight.  The battalion companies were quartered in the fort, while the Roxbury Rifles were quartered in barracks outside.

During our stay at the fort, Sundays were visiting days, and the duties light, so we had ample time to devote to the friends who came to see us.  Visitors were also admitted on other days of the week; but they were not allowed to interfere with our duties.  We drilled seven hours each day during the week, besides guard-mounting and dress parade. 

      Major Leonard, who was in command of the battalion, was known long before he became a brigadier-general in the State militia by his superior qualifications as a drill-master, and he was possessed with the determination to show what he could do with raw recruits. 

 After dress parade our work was done for the day, except the roll-call at tattoo, when we were obliged to fall in line and answer to our names.  We then had a half-hour to complete our arrangements for the night, when “taps” were sounded for the lights to be put out, which was a signal for us to go to sleep.  Sleep rarely came before midnight, however, owing to the noise which began the moment the lights were extinguished.  It frequently happened that the “Officer of the day” would interrupt the noise by telling us to “Go to sleep!” which had the very opposite effect. We had great larks in those days, and played all the pranks in the calendar.  Some of the boys whose quarters adjoined the sally-port would listen at the nearest casemate to hear the countersign repeated as some one, passing in or out of the fort, would give it to the sentinel, when a mock “grand rounds” would be organized and each post visited, the guard being scolded for some imaginary neglect, and ordered to report to his captain in the morning.  The hours of the night were called by the sentinel on each post as he heard the bells striking in the city, adding “All’s well!” The guard on the ramparts of the fort frequently, sticking his head in one of the chimneys, would yell, “And the wind north-east, and it blows like hell!”  which, of course would wake up every man in the room, bringing the officer of the guard to quarters to quell the disturbance.  The guard, by means of the chimney, would warn the occupants of the officer’s approach, whereupon he was sure to be greeted with a loud and continuous snore; the guard in the meantime stealing along to the other side of the ramparts, a safe distance from the confusion.

     Until the 29th of June we lived well, having our own cook, plenty to eat, and a ration of beer served us each day.  It was the custom to detail a man from each mess to draw the allowance of food, and whoever possessed ability to get the greatest quantity of food for the smallest number of men was sure to receive a large amount of praise and popularity.  It was a talent more highly appreciated than any other accomplishment.

     Each morning we were awakened by the veteran drummer, “Dan Simpson,” and “Si Smith,” the fifer.  “Old Si,” as we called him, looks as though he was left over from the crusades, so thin and worn with age he appeared.  Both of these veterans could date their service back to the War of 1812.  At five o’clock in the morning they would come out to the sally-port, and after wrangling a bit (for tempers) they would sound the reveille which turned us out to answer roll-call.  Smith weighed about seventy-five pounds, though he didn’t look it.  His coat-sleeve, which seemed no larger round than a baby’s arm, was covered with service stripes from wrist to shoulder.  In spite of his attenuated figure, he managed to get wind enough to make his old fide sound as clear as a bell.  “Good morning, Si!” would be heard as the boys turned out.  “How’s you old friend, Miles Standish?”

     In addition to these venerable relics from “Ye olden time” we had four musicians from the “Germania Band,” who provided us with music at guard mounting and at dress parade.

One of the features of the day’s work was “dress parade,” at sunset; at which time we turned out in full uniform to take our position in line.  It was the custom, during this ceremony, to lower the flag on the fort, the band playing while it was being done.  One of the airs which they played was from the “opera of Grenada.”  To this air the boys fitted the following words:  “Corporal of the guard, corporal of the guard, corporal of the guard, post eight.”  This never lost its popularity with us.  It was carried into service by our regimental band, and was frequently played by it, always awakening pleasant recollections of our service at the fort.  After the band was discharged, which occurred early in September, 1862, we heard it no more until our arrival home.

     Thus passed the days until the 29th of June, when the State sent to the fort five more companies:  two from Marlboro’, one from Natick, one from Westboro’, and one from Stoneham.

     The addition of these companies made no difference in our drilling which was pursued relentlessly.

     We drifted along until the “Fourth of July” without excitement, except that which was provided us by our friends on visiting days.  Formerly it was the custom of the city authorities of Boston to celebrate the “Fourth" by an annual parade of the city government.  Our services were offered and accepted as escort, in company with the “Tigers” and the “New England Guard,” and we looked forward with anticipations of pleasure and pride at the opportunity, thus afforded, of showing the result of our work.

     We were up early the morning of the “Fourth” brushing clothes, blacking boots, and making other preparations for the day’s jubilee.  We were well tanned by constant exposure to the sun, giving appearance of health and vigor, our uniforms fitting perfectly, with the addition of white collars, and our guns and bayonets in excellent order, so that we made a very satisfactory appearance.  As we stood in line inside the fort, we all felt how much was at stake in competing with the two battalions with whom we were to parade.  We were told to eat a hearty breakfast, for we had a hard day’s work before us; but what a breakfast that was, and what murmurs of indignation were expressed as we flung the mouldy toast and the mild dilution of coffee at the cook-room!  It was too unsavory for us, so we went without it, though the time came, months after, when we wished that we might have some of that same toast.

    We were escorted to the boat by the other companies of the regiment, who expressed their generous wishes for our success.  They were quite as anxious for our credit as we were, and the hearty cheers that were given as the boat left the wharf testified the good feeling that existed, and which continued during the whole three years of our service, and indeed has never ceased to exist.

     Upon our arrival in Boston it became known that we had come to town without a breakfast, and while halting in front of the Parker House kind friends supplied the deficiency.  All along the route of seven miles we were greeted with demonstrations of great kindness and hospitality.  It was a day never to be forgotten.  The enthusiasm of the people excited us to do our best, and we never did better.  Our two months of constant daily drilling enabled us to make a very creditable appearance.  The enthusiasm with which we were everywhere greeted was due to the fact that we were part of a regiment soon to leave for the seat of war; for at that time the patriotic feeling was at its whitest heat.  It was a hot day, the thermometer at 104; but our daily work out of doors enabled us to make the march with the loss of only one or two men, while the other battalions suffered much more than we did from the intense heat.

     After the parade we were furloughed until the following morning, when the battalion returned to the fort to meet the kindly greeting of the companies who were already aware of the success achieved by the five companies, through the newspapers, which were extravagant in their words of praise.

     While the battalion companies, so called were doing escort duty for the city of Boston, Company E, which went to the city in the same boat, was entertaining the people of Roxbury with and exhibition of its proficiency.  The members were received with the same demonstrations of enthusiasm as greeted the battalion, and were given a dinner at the Norfolk House.

    We were young boys then, and these events seemed great in our lives, though what followed was far greater in importance and magnitude. 

*Image Courtesy of J. M. Gould; Center for Fort Preservation & Tourism.

Memoirs of Charles H. Roundy, Co. F

Letters of James F. Ramsey, Company E.

     James F. Ramsey was born 1842 in Boston.  Along with others in Company E, he signed his enlistment papers at Fort Independence July 20, 1861 to serve three years with the 13th Regiment.  James was an amiable and charitable companion with a strong Christian faith that must have helped bring him through the harsh campaigns. He always enjoyed the Sunday sermons and the music sung or played during those services as well as the concerts given in camp.  He would read from the bible for his fellow soldiers and was often asked to write or direct letters home for them because of his beautiful penmanship.  His own letters were frequently signed ‘kiss Hugh for me’ referring to his two year old brother.   I am indebted to Don Gage of Iowa, a family descendent, for sharing these letters with me.

Austin Stearn's Memoirs

(Three Years with Company K; edited by Arthur Kent; Fairleigh Dickenson Press; 1976)

     We passed a very pleasant time learning to be soldiers, drilling down on the Point, doing Guard Duty inside and out of the Fort, [having] dress parade inside the Fort at sunset, and occasionally a ride on the "Nellie Baker."

     The last was not compulsory, but was taken for pleasure, as every one who had been on guard was excused from all duty for the forenoon and had the privilege of riding down the Harbor to Fort Warren, to visit the 12th Mass.

     I remember of going down one day, with four or five others; when we arrived at the Fort it was raining hard.  We concluded not to land but kept on to Nahant.  How mad the Captain was, when we were coming back, because we would not pay our fare.  It was cheeky, I know, but others did it the same; why couldn't we?

Steamboat Nelly Baker was built in 1855; painted by artist James Bard; image source Wikimedia.org

Letter of Edwin Rice, Band

     Edwin Rice's grand-nephew Ted Perry, published Rice's war time letters for family in 1975.  His preface to the small book states:   "Edwin Rice lived in Marlboro, Massachusetts.  He was born December 6, 1839.  The Band of which he was a member had been started about 1858.  ...These letters, ...were carefully husbanded by his older sister Viola.  They were conveyed to his younger sister Mary Alice by Edwin late in life..."

     Mr. Perry, the grandson of Mary Alice received the letters in 1937.  Edwin Rice lived long enough so that Ted Perry had memories of him.  "My first recollection of Edwin Rice was at Eagel Camp, South Hero, Vermont.  This was a summer camp started by George W. Perry, Mary Alice's husband.  It was a camp for families and is still operating now by a corporation in the same manner as it was 84 years ago.  Its location is on the west shore of Vermont's Grand Island in Lake Champlain, facing Plattsburg and the Adirondack Mountains.

     "Edwin Rice and Viola Rice used to sit on the front stoop of Comfort Cottage ( now called the Eagle's Nest) conversing often by pencil notes.  Vioula usually had her ear trumpet which made an impression on my memory."

     Extra copies of this booklet were given to the "Edmund Rice Society," a genealogical association,  to be sold for fundraising purposes, while copies lasted. A copy of the booklet is in the collection of the Marlboro Massachusetts Library.  The letters add depth to the chronicles of the 13th Mass. The band followed its own itinery in camp and Rice was able to observe and comment on things other soldiers couldn't. 

Letters of John B. Noyes, Company B.

     John Buttrick Noyes was born in Petersham, Massachusetts on March 2, 1838, the son of George Rapall Noyes (1798-1868) (Harvard College A.B. 1818) and Eliza Wheeler Buttrick (b.1804). John was a graduate of Harvard College, A.B. 1858.  His father was a well known Professor of Divinity at Harvard.  This background gained John access to prominent families & individuals during his war time travels in Maryland, Pennsylvania & Washington.

     John Noyes served in the Civil War, enlisting as a private in Company B of the 13th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment July 16, 1861.  At Fort Independence he was offered the rank of Corporal in Company B.  Before accepting the offer he took a day to check on the progress of a friend’s plan to organize a new rifle company in which John had been promised an officer’s commission.  Upon learning the plans were stalled he returned to the fort to find the Corporals rank had been accepted by another in his place.  So John went to the front as a private believing it was better to go immediately to the seat of war as a private in the 13th than wait for the chance of receiving an officer’s commission in an organization yet to be formed.

     During the war he wrote about 300 descriptive letters home to his family, including his mother & father, his three older brothers, George, Stephen & Charles, and his younger sister Martha.  His comrades called him ‘Hardee’ after ‘Hardee’s Tactics’ the military manual then in use, because of his fondness for discussing movements after battalion drill.  Charles Davis wrote of him “He had keen sense of humor and, strange to say frequently missed the point of a story until the next day, when, perhaps while on the march, he would suddenly burst into laughter, to the amazement of his comrades who could see nothing to laugh at until his explanation, which was as good as the story itself.”*

I am grateful to Houghton Library, Harvard University for granting permission to post these materials.  

*13th Regiment Association Circular #23, Dec. 1910.

On the 16th of July the regiment was mustered into the United States service for three years, and on the 29th of the same month it left Fort Independence for the seat of war.   [Aerial Image from the Boston Public Library, Print Department.]