Mugford Guards

Well, I am back to blogging after a short whirlwind book tour. If you haven't heard already, my book "Marblehead and World War 1 - At Home and Overseas" made its debut with a book signing at the Spirit of '76 Bookstore in Marblehead on June 4.

It was a huge success and we ran out of books. They will be getting a new shipment this week and the books are also available at the Village Pharmacy, Barnes & Nobles and Amazon.com.  In case you missed the signing I will be at Barnes & Nobles in Peabody at a future date.  You can also request a signed copy at the Spirit of '76, I will be going there to sign a few more copies for special orders.

Now back to blogging -

I was going to write about what was going on in Marblehead in June, 2011 - 100 years ago, but it seems not much was happening.  If you wanted to buy some Undermuslins at Almy's Department Store in Salem, MA, they were having a sale.  Underdrawers made of good cotton, tucked ruffle, full size, open and closed were selling for 25 cents..If you wanted Nainsook and Cambric Drawers trimmed with three inch Hamburg flounce they would cost you 75 cents a pair.  If food was on your mind you could get a pineapple for 13 cents and Franco American Potted Beef for 10 cents a can.

 As I was reading the June 1911 Marblehead Messenger I came across the obituary of Benjamin Day, a Civil War Hero who was born on September 4, 1822 and died May 29, 1911.  He lived in Marblehead his entire life except for the 4 years he served in the war.  His parents died when he was young and he resided with Adoniram C. Orne.  It was Benjamin Day who applied to Governor John A. Andrews of Massachusetts for a permit to raise a company to fight in the war. 

 On April 15, 1861 when President Lincoln issued the call for 75,000 militia for three months' service the news reached Marblehead that afternoon and the following morning the town's three militia companies, the Marblehead Sutton Light Infantry, the Lafayette Guards and the Glover Light Guard left for Boston.  On that same day Benjamin Franklin Martin wrote the  petition and it was circulated by Benjamin Day. I knew these two men's names were familiar to me, as I said in my last blog Benjamin Martin was my  2nd great grandfather   and I remembered reading papers we had about the Mugford Guards.  Here is what these two men did for Marblehead and the Civil War.  The letter is as follows:         

"To his excellency John A. Andrews, Governor of Massachusetts"We, whose names are hereunto affiixed, do severally consent, and by our signatures hereunto made, do agree to be enrolled into a Company of Volunteer Militia, to be known as the Mugford Guard; and to be raised in the town of Marblehead and vicinity, subject to orders of the Commander-in-Chief; and, in consideration of arms and equipment to be furnished us by the Commonwealth, we do hereby agree to serve for the period of five years, unless sooner discharged agreeably to law; with the full understanding that we are liable at any moment to be ordered into active service under the government of the United States." This was signed by Benjamin Day, Benjamin F. Martin and 77 others.

The petition was granted and they were duly constituted under the command of Captain Benjamin Day, Benjamin Martin, First Lieutenant who was also elected Secretary.  Capt. Day received a set of muskets, drum and fife and military books for himself and officers. Now I went to the papers I have from Benjamin F. Martin during his duties as Secretary of the Guards and found out more information about the Guards. 

On May 4, 1861 the officers went to Boston to receive their commissions and met with Adjutant General Schouler who gave a few remarks and assured the company that in a few days they would be called upon and requested them to suspend their labor and perfect themselves in drills as rapidly as possible, remarking that they were to be attached to the 8th Regiment, as he wished to have all the Marblehead Companies together, so that when a Marblehead man should fall in the front rank, another Marblehead man could step forward and fill his place. 

 The men were without uniforms and the school teachers of Marblehead voted to furnish the materials for making them at their own expense. Mr. John Marr, the local tailor offered his services as a cutter, and they were accepted.  On Sunday, May 5th, the ladies of the Soldier's Aid Society assembled at Academy Hall and worked the entire day and evening to make the men's uniforms. 

 On May 8, 1861 the company was presented with 79 dippers form Harris Silver.  On Monday morning May 13 the men were accompanied by the Marblehead band and paraded throughout the town to the Town Hall where Captain Day was presented with a beautiful sword.  He remarked "I now swear before God and man that this sword shall not rest in its sheath until treason in all its forms has been subdued, the flag of the Confederacy trailed in the dust and the glorious old flag of our nation again waves over a united and happy people.

The Mugford Guards received a warm ovation on the day of their departure and once again marched through town escorted by the Fire Association and led by the band.  They were addressed by Selectman William B. Browne at Workhouse Rocks.  The men left for Boston, arriving at noon, proceeded to Boston Common and then to Fort Warren,  Boston  where they arrived at 6 o'clock, June 24, 1861 to begin their service to their country.

Both Benjamin Day and Benjamin F. Martin died in 1911, Day on May 29 and Martin on November 28.