the people were called on to pay expenses that became necessary on account of the war. So that, there is not the slightest doubt, the people of Woodbury paid not less than $100,000, as their quota towards the suppression of the rebellion, or about one twelfth of its grand list at the commencement of the War. In this estimate, no account is taken of the increased taxation necessary to pay our part of the State, and national taxes for the support of the military expenses of the nation. It is by such reviews as this that we begin to appreciate the money cost of the abolition of slavery, and the overthrow of the slaveholders' rebellion. During the existence of the war, the following persons furnished, or helped to furnish substitutes for themselves : Lewis H. Atwood, Wheeler Atwood, Roderick Atwood George M. Allen, Henry M. Allen, ed and paid commutation Jesse B. Burton, Nathan B. Burton, Horace D. Curtiss, James G. Curtiss, Walter S. Curtiss, Sheldon B. Castle, Samuel D. Castle, Oliver Cowles, Edgar Galpin, John Galpin, Henry C. Judson, John S. Nichols, Frederick Ward.-49. William S. Isbell, Since the close of the war, an organization of the soldiers who served in the union armies has been formed, called the Grand Army of the Republic." This is not a political organization, but simply an association for mutual aid, and for keeping alive the remembrances and patriotic feelings which led them to battle for their country. Under the auspices of these associations, for the most part, but in Woodbury, under the auspices of the ladies, a beautiful custom has been introduced, of decorating the graves of their deceased comrades on the 30th of May, annually. The ceremonies usual on these occasions are, a procession, and the decking of the graves profusely with the bright spring flowers, after which, speeches, poems, and patriotic songs follow. This custom was first observed in Woodbury in 1869, and has since been continued. In 1870, under the direction of Deacon P. M. Trowbridge, who, during all the war was preeminently the soldiers' friend, the ceremony was made very beautiful. After the procession and decoration of the graves, prayer was offered by Rev. Gurdon W. Noyes, pastor of the 1st Congregational church An original hymn, written by Mrs. Emily G. Smith, was then sung. Then followed short addresses by Rev. John Purves, of St. Paul's Church, Colonel N. Smith, the writer, and others. Το give an idea of the nature of the addresses on these occasions, the remarks of the author on "Decoration Day," 1870, are recorded here: The vernal season of the year has come, with its flowers and its perfumes. Beauty gleams forth from every side. The carol of birds at early dawn and dewy eve, fill the melodious air. The old earth itself is tremulous with joy. The manly heart, the tender bosom throbs with great emotions. Human nature, for the hour, is ennobled, and kindly sympathies encircle all with a vast comprehensiveness. We are in this beautiful valley, with its lovely outlook-heaven's chosen place for the dispensation of munificent gifts! We are standing in this silent, peaceful city of the dead! It is the votive hour. It is the day of sacred memories! With uncovered heads, Come we with our offerings, to decorate the lowly graves of the tried, the true and the brave. It is a sad but pleasing duty. Beautiful and graceful is the act, when blooming, youthful forms, strew these graves with flowers, cheered on by the approval of an entire community. How appropriate to revive in each revolving year, with the fragrance of flowers, and the fragrance of a perennial honor, a fond remembrance of those we loved in life, who wrought well, and have ascended into glory. In doing this, we prove the saying true: "On the cold face of death the roses are blending, We come with our floral offerings, and tributes of praise, to honor the heroic men who gave their lives for us; who stood like a wall of fire between us and our foes; who saved the nation's life. We come to honor the men who went out from our pleasant hills and sweet valleys, leaving fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives and children, the endearments and comforts of home, -all that men hold dear in life, to battle for the right, to execute the will of God, to wipe out a glaring iniquity from the face of the earth. No venial men were they. All that loving friends and kind government could do for them, was a mere trifle, compared with the great sacrifices they willingly made. No malice, no thirst for blood, no love of carnage entered their manly bosoms. They went forth with high resolve, influenced alone by a stern and honest sense of duty. They endured toils and privations and sufferings which no tongue can tell, and no pen can adequately describe. "On the perilous edge of battle," the muskets of their foes puffing sulphurous death and deadly missles into their faces; amid the storm of shot and shell; in the desperate charge, steel clashing with steel, while, each second, comrade dropped silently, or moaningly down in the death agony; in the exhausting march, in the hasty bivouac, resting on their arms in the dense woods, or upon the open plain; in the loathsome hospital; in the horrid prison pen; these gallant men breathed out their lives in a noble cause, and obtained a martyr's crown. We miss these gallant men from our social gatherings, and from our firesides. We hear no more their pleasant greetings in the bustle of active life. It is a sad and yet a glorious roll-call we make here to day. Barnum, the gentle of soul, yet bold as a lion; Dutton, the chivalrous, dashing and patriotic, yielding up his life in the deadly charge, and heat of battle at Cedar Mountain; Orton, the faithful and true, victim of Winchester's bloody field; Whitlock, the genial and the brave; the soldierly Hurd, Flushmen aud Galpin; the patient and modest Briggs and Wheeler, who receiv ed their death wounds at Cold Harbor; time fails me to characterize all-these are but types of the whole patriot band, who served their country during these four dark, lurid years of civil war, and gave their lives for ther country. With palpitating hearts we call the roll of our honored dead to-day. We place their names on our ROLL OF HONOR, and treasure them in our heart of hearts. We miss these more than fifty stalwart forms, but we garland their memories. We magnify their fame. Well have they earned the guerdon we so gladly accord to them, while they find other and more glorious employment on the heavenly plains. We will teach our children and children's children their honored names, and hand them down to the latest posterity. "He never dies, Who, when the battle's won, lays down His armor, and takes furlough of his God." The cypress droop above their graves, In 1866, the people of the town began to agitate the question of erecting a suitable monument to the memory of the brave men who had died in the war of the rebellion. A public meeting was called by the Standing Committee of the two political parties, and an association formed to lead in the enterprise, which took the name of the "Woodbury Soldiers' Monument Association." The following officers were appointed,-who devoted themselves zealously to the work, often to the great detriment of their private business, till their labor became a success : President,-Lewis Judd. Vice Presidents,-Rev. John Purves, Rev. George Little, Rev. John Churchill, Rev. Mr. Pullman, and Rev. Wm. T. Bacon. Executive Committee,-Thomas Bull, R. J. Allen, James Huntington, David C. Porter, and P. M. Trowbridge. Corresponding Secretary,-William Cothren. Recording Secretary,-W. A. Gordon. Treasurer,-Benjamin Fabrique. Mr. Judd died in 1869, and P. M. Trowbridge was elected President in his stead, Dec. 28, 1869. At the same meeting Rev. Gur don W. Noyes was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rev. Mr. Little; Rev. A. N. Lewis, to fill the vacancy of Rev. Mr. Bacon, and Rev. Joseph Gilman, to fill the vacancy of Rev. Mr. Pullman. Horace D. Curtiss was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Mr. Trowbridge; William Cothren, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of R. J. Allen, who had never been able to cooperate with the Committee, on account of ill health-and Heman Botsford and Frederick C. Orton, were added as additional members of the Executive Committee. Then followed a series of festivals, sociables, concerts, &c., during four years, for the purpose of raising the necessary funds to accomplish the work. The people with one accord manifested great interest in the undertaking, and gave generous aid. By the autumn of 1870, the funds thus collected amounted to about the sum of $1,500. Previous to this time, the General Assembly of the State had passed a law authorizing towns to appropriate monies from the treasury to aid in such laudable undertakings, and to assist in raising monuments to the memory of the heroic dead. It therefore became the general wish of those who had borne the chief labor thus far, and it was deemed fitting, that the whole community by tax should contribute to the praiseworthy object. Accordingly, at their solicitation, the following action was taken : NOTICE. "The legal voters of the town of Woodbury are hereby notified that a special meeting of said town will be holden at the Town Hall on Saturday, the 23d day of April, 1870, at 2 o'clock P. M., to take such measures as may be deemed expedient in regard to erecting a monument to the memory of all soldiers and seamen, resident of, or belonging to said town at the time of their enlistment, and who have died in the military or naval service of the United States, in the late war against the government of the United States. "At a special town meeting held pursuant to the above notice, on the 23d day of April, 1870,-Present, W. A. Strong, Clerk, William A. Cothren was chosen Moderator. |