GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #13A
 

Anson to Colonel Edwin Upton

Note- Colonel Edwin Upton resigned his commission on October 28, 1862. Anson P. Goodell wrote this letter to him for the Non Commissioned Officers and the enlisted men of the 25th Mass. Regt. when they presented him with a sword. (This sword is now I the possession of the Fitchburg Historical Museum.)[1]

 Beloved Commander,

            The non Commissioned Officers and privates of your regiment have sought this opportunity to make you a recipient of a gift that shall in some measure betoken our regards for one who to every trait of a noble character joins the qualities of a gallant soldier and fearless yet considerate commander.

            At the announcement of your name for the command of the 25th Reg. we flocked to enlist with the rapidity seldom equaled during the campaign. The farmer with the callused hands and sunburnt brow left his toils of a spring and summer to be employed by strangers hands. The student dashed to earth visions of literary greatness_ bade adieu to Homer_ to Euclid and all hastened to link our destiny with yours in defense of that flag which has been so grossly outraged and it’s colors stained by fell traitor’s hands. With you we avowed to avenge the wrong and wash those stains in blood.

            Our ranks were quickly full and ready to depart for a camp of instruction bearing with us many a prayer and breathings of hearts that warmly beat in unison with our own.

            Fathers and Mothers_ gathered round to give their parting blessing_ bade us battle manfully for the right- brothers and sisters took us by the hand wishing they might go while wives and children clung to the neck and with aching hearts kissed away the scalding tear yet saying “ Be strong_ stand by the flag.”

            At Camp Hicks your indomitable energy and unremitting efforts were exerted to make a Reg._ well worthy the pride of the Old Bay State. How complete_ your success is not for us to say. But we would not suppress the feeling of pride as fond memories suggest the many reviews and inspections followed by an order giving your command Post of Honor in the Burnside Expedition or long to encounter the dangers of the deep and somewhere in the borders of Rebel lines to rekindle the fires of patriotism never to be extinguished but to spread till the devious spirit of rebellion is consumed from our sorrow stricken land_

            With our trials on the Deep we are all familiar. The disheartening suspense of those days and weeks of our long delay at Hatteras are recounted on the Page of Times the perusal of which is ever a delight as we remember_ through it all you were with us faithfully to guard our interests and lighten our every hardship by sharing in its burden.

            A thousand hearts beat with consulting pride as we recur to the 8th of Feb. that eventful day when you shrank from no danger but staid side by side with us in the battle front fearlessly challenging the sharpshooters aim_ Thank Heaven His Will sought not your life and you passed the fiery ordeal unscathed.

            A few weeks of rest and we were again ready to obey your mandate and follow our brave commander to other fields bearing that proud banner to unfurl on soil desecrated by the rebel rag.

            We can never forget the fatiguing march from Slocum’s Creek and that tedious night of bivouac through which you sought no better fare than the humblest private.

            Friday March 14th will be a memorable day in the records of us all. Your fearless yet considerate bearing has endeared you to us in ties that “time can’t remove” and pleasing memories will ever linger round those moments as we stand in line with orders to advance on the Rebel Fort so warmly greeting us by a shot that tore harmlessly pass though pledging a warm reception in waiting. Shells from our own gunboats too falling in close proximity plainly assured of death and wound from both friend and foe. Yet there was no shrinking there, no cowardly retreat, eyes kindled with fierce fire  and hearts beat with quickened pulse as we waited only your command to hurl from hundreds of muzzles commissioned with avengers sentence “death to traitors.”

            Other commander would have ordered Forward! And many brave comrade whose form now thrills with life would have filled a soldiers grave or been borne to distant loved ones wounded by balls from friendly hands.

            I might have wreathed your brow with fresher laurels_ yet you sought them not but desiring to save our ranks from needless loss you gave command to retire. Each heart beat again with unusual pulse but who shall tell how indelibly are those moments of suspense emblazoned on memory’s tablets.

            The succeeding events of that day so fraught with interest_ the reserve and in support of that battery were but to stand erect were instant death_ the moments of dread uncertainty when all hostility had ceased and the day appeared lost_ the grand charge when Reg. vied with Reg. to be the first in planting our nation’s noble ensign on the enemy’s works there to bravely defend it should dastard traitor attempt to strike it low and the final charge of the Railway_ these so often dealt on with pride I need not describe_ it is enough that you were ever at your post giving orders with the coolness of daily drill and by example nobly cheering us on to duty.

            We might thus follow the Reg. from Newbern with it’s laborious duties of patriots to Camp Bullock to which we receive with pleasure as our invitation to the watchful pickets task thence to Camp Oliver_ here stricken by ruthless hand of disease you were compelled to seek leave of absence to receive in a happy home the kind care you so much needed_ You left us accompanied by our heart felt wishes for your speedy recovery and safe return.

            Meanwhile we cheerfully united our efforts that on your return we might greet you with this sword and belt_ accept it humbly as an assurance of our affection_

            Thereon it is engraved no high flowering praise of daring deeds but simply “Presented to Colonel Edwin Upton by the Non Commissioned Officers and Privates of the 25th_ it were for that the remembrance of those deeds be embalmed in a thousand hearts_ priceless treasures of the past to which we shall cling with the tenacity of youthful memory and with pride recount them to our children.

            We give it out not in commemoration of any one act of your conduct but rather that it may be a reminder of the days gone by the memories of which can never be effaced but are treasured up to lasting remembrance by us all and we earnestly hope that in years to come when we shall have laid aside this martial array for the habiliments of peace this testimonial may awaken fond recollections of your connections with us.

Your fearless discharge of duty ahs won our respect_ your upright conduct, our admiration_ and your parental watchcare, our love. While your untarnished reputation bids us glory in our Commander


[1] This letter was not in the Goodell Collection, but Mrs. Marion Williams gave a copy of it to me.

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