The Old First Massachusetts Coast Artillery in War and Peace

by Frederick Morse Cutler

CHAPTER VIII

“THE CAPE”

During the train-band days, the troops of Plymouth and Bristol counties, with the Cape and Islands, constituted the 5th Division, while Boston militia made up the 1st. When the volunteer militia was set apart as the principal defence of the state, both sections found themselves in the same division. Now the Cape was the 2d Brigade while Boston was the 1st. By the consolidation of 1878 the two were finally brought together into the same regiment, so that the Coast Artillery not only perpetuates the old Legionary Brigade, but also the old 2d Brigade, M. V. M., and the older 5th Division.

There were four regiments of infantry in the 1st Brigade, 5th Division, of the train-band. The Halifax Light Infantry, organized in 1792, attached to the 1st of these, was the first company in the entire district to rise from the condition of militia to that of volunteers; and presently became the senior member of the Light Infantry Regiment. During its long career from 1792 until 1876, the Halifax Light Infantry was always one of the foremost military bodies in Plymouth County, and indeed in the entire state. Capt. Asa Thompson, who commanded in 1814, and who led his men into the 1st Division territory for the purpose of assisting to build and garrison Boston forts, was a giant (a “Saul” in the Scriptural language of the day), six feet, seven inches in stature. The towering head-dress of the times brought his height up to eight feet. As he led his men across South Boston bridge on the way to the forts and duty, every one stopped to look and admire,—and wonder whether the bridge could stand up beneath the load. Alas! Captain Thompson presently fell into disgrace, and was dismissed by court-martial.

Oct. 21, 1818, patriotic citizens of Plymouth met and organized a light infantry company, to which they gave the name, Standish Guards, in compliment to the great “Captain of Plymouth.” Coomer Weston was elected Captain, James H. Holmes, Lieutenant, and William Randall, Ensign. Under the drill regulations of the period, the captain marched at the head of the column, the lieutenant at the rear, and the ensign in the center, carrying the flag. The most notable early parade of the Guards occurred on Dec. 22, 1820, when they escorted the Pilgrim Society, and Daniel Webster as orator of the day, in commemoration of the bi-centenary of the Fathers’ landing. To be sure, the date is now known to be one day too late; but no error of detail could prevent the occasion from being one long worth remembering.

As regards personnel, the Cape companies did not differ from those in Boston; prosperous merchants and tradesmen and mechanics made up the bulk of their membership; moreover a certain percentage of farmers were enrolled. There was less opportunity for social interchange and less of the stimulus arising from competition, owing to the relative smallness of the cities and towns. But in general the constituent organizations of the 3d Regiment passed thru the same experiences as did their sister companies to the northward. It will therefore not be necessary to repeat the details of events as outlined in previous chapters; we need only speak of those matters which were distinctive of the Cape.

By 1834 the train-band was in a very bad way indeed, and was rapidly approaching the moment of its extinction. Ambitious companies were transferring to the light infantry, in order to distinguish themselves from their older and inefficient companions. Marshfield and Scituate had rifle companies and Scituate and Pembroke light infantry companies in connection with the 2d train-band Regiment; Abington had rifles, grenadiers and light infantry, and West Bridgewater light infantry in the 3d Regiment; and Middleboro had grenadiers in the 4th Regiment. In September of that year an order was issued separating the volunteer companies from the train-band regiments, and establishing them as a “Regiment of Light Infantry, 1st Brigade, 5th Division.” The nine companies mentioned, with the Halifax Lt. Inf. and the Standish Guards, constituted this new regiment. The organization is interesting because it ultimately became the 3d Regiment, and finally was consolidated in the Coast Artillery. The Samoset Rifles or Guards were organized in 1835 and were presently added to the regiment.

On April 24, 1840, the command became the 3d Regiment of Light Infantry, 2d Brigade, 1st Division. When on April 25, 1842, the companies received distinguishing letters, the following units existed with vitality sufficient to survive the transition: A, Halifax Light Infantry; B, Plymouth, Standish Guards; C, Hanson Rifles (a new company); D, Abington Light Infantry; E, Middleboro Grenadiers; F, Wareham Grenadiers (a new company); and G, Abington Rifles. At that date the New Bedford and Fall River companies were in the 2d Battalion of Light Infantry, as was also the company of Taunton Rifles. Taunton subsequently fell within the district of the 4th Regiment, a command which was by its location mainly an overflow from the 3d, and which a quarter century later merged in the 3d.

Col. Gideon W. Young of Scituate, who had commanded the 2d Regiment in the train-band brigade, was chosen first commander of the Light Infantry regiment. Col. John Cushing, Jr., of Abington, succeeded Col. Young and served from May 20, 1837, until May 13, 1839. Col. Nahum Reynolds of North Bridgewater came next, receiving his commission Aug. 31, 1839. Col. Henry Dunham of Abington followed on March 25, 1841, being first to receive commission as Colonel of the “3d” Regiment. Presently Col. Dunham was chosen Brigadier General. During the administration of Col. Albert Whitmarsh of Abington, Aug. 1, 1842, to May 1, 1844, new companies were organized in Middleboro and Abington, while the Wareham Grenadiers disappeared from the records. The original New Bedford City Guards were organized in 1842, with Capt. George A. Bourne in command; and in 1846 they became Co. K of the 3d Regiment. During their first year, the Guards paid a visit to the Rifle Rangers of Boston. The occasion inspired someone to compose the “Whaleman’s Quickstep.” While we are not today interested in this as music, still it finds place in all our bibliographies because, on the front cover, it bears a picture of the two companies mustered on Boston Common. The Rifle Rangers stand in line as the New Bedford Guards march past, straight in the direction of the large refreshment tent which bounds the vista. New Bedford’s company paraded in four platoons of eight files—a fact indicative of a large membership. The City Guards were disbanded in 1849.

Eliab Ward of Middleboro was Colonel from July 10, 1844, until April 10, 1850, an unusually long term. Elnathan Wilbur of Middleboro was Colonel from May 4, 1850, till Jan. 28, 1853; Col. Stephen Thomas of Middleboro succeeded Col. Wilbur and remained in office from March 12, 1853, until Apr. 8, 1858. While companies were disbanded in Plymouth county, the loss was made good by the formation of new units in Bristol county. On June 29, 1850, the Assonet Light Infantry of Freetown came into existence—a company destined to go to war eleven years later with only twenty-one enlisted men, equipped with ancient bullets which had been moulded for use in suppressing Shays’ rebellion. Yet one of their members was to have the distinction of bringing in, at Fort Monroe, the first three escaped slaves or “contrabands.” July 22, 1852, was the birthday of the new City Guards of New Bedford, commanded by the same Capt. Bourne who led the former company. This organization is today the 4th Company, Mass. C. A. On Feb. 26, 1855, the regiment was redesignated the “3d Regiment of Infantry.”