. Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present . patriotic citizen to know that such awork was undertaken and most faithfully written while thescenes and events of the war were yet fresh in the minds ofall. We refer to the book entitled Fitchburg in the War ofthe Rebellion, by Henry A. Willis, adjutant of the 53dRegiment, from which volume we select, by permission,some interesting facts and incidents for this chapter. The opening scenes of the Rebellion are well remem-bered by those of us who were living at that time. Thesecession of the southern states, the attack upon FortSumpter, its gallant
. Fitchburg, Massachusetts, past and present . patriotic citizen to know that such awork was undertaken and most faithfully written while thescenes and events of the war were yet fresh in the minds ofall. We refer to the book entitled Fitchburg in the War ofthe Rebellion, by Henry A. Willis, adjutant of the 53dRegiment, from which volume we select, by permission,some interesting facts and incidents for this chapter. The opening scenes of the Rebellion are well remem-bered by those of us who were living at that time. Thesecession of the southern states, the attack upon FortSumpter, its gallant defence by Major Anderson and the callof President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteersopened all eyes to the fact that war, so long feared, so muchto be deplored, so uncertain in its duration and consequences,was at last upon us. Who will ever forget the excitement ofthat memorable day ; the prompt response of Governor An-drew to the presidents call and his order for several regi-ments to proceed at once to Washington. We had at that. REV. G. R. W. SCOTT, D. D. Chaplain 6th Reg., M. V. M. MILITARY. 129 time two companies of militia in town : the Fitchburg Fusi-liers, Captain John W. Kimball, and the WashingtonGuards, Captain Edwin Upton, both of the old ninth regi-ment, which had but three other companies. The com-manders of these companies reported their commands readyto go forward at once, if called upon. All was excitement;little business was done ; people gathered on the street cor-ners with saddened hearts, but with determined looks,discussing what might next occur. Tuesday, Wednesdayand Thursday passed and Friday, the ever memorable nine-teenth of April, came. Late in the afternoon the wiresflashed the news of the attack in Baltimore, as follows : rrThesixth Massachusetts regiment is now fighting its way throughBaltimore, four men have been killed, many wounded, andthe fighting is still going on. What a shock it gave us !What patriotic heart does not remember its
Size: 1527px × 1637px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidfitchburgmas, bookyear1887
