Amos Eldridge
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Joseph Amos Eldridge (1827 - 1903)

Joseph Amos (Amos) Eldridge
Born in Eastport, Washington, Maine, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 21 Aug 1845 in Cherryfield, Maine, USAmap
Descendants descendants
Father of
Died at age 76 in Noank, Connecticut, USAmap
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Profile last modified | Created 16 May 2017
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Contents

Biography

JOSEPH AMOS ELDRIDGE

b. 14 July 1827 Eastport, Maine
bpt. 26 July 1827 Grand Manan, New Brunswick
m.1. 21 Aug. 1845 Cherryfield, ELIZABETH STROUT (b.c.1827 ?New Brunswick, ?Maine, d. 2 Apr. 1877/8 Kennebunkport)- d. of Thomas & Jane (Sawyer) Strout of Harrington
m.2. 24 Dec. 1880 Groton, CT, Susan Maria Spring (b. 11 Dec. 1846 Noank, CT, d. 31 Dec. 1916 San Francisco)
d. 28 Nov. 1903 Noank, CT

Amos was listed in the census reports as being a ship's carpenter and a sailor. He lived in Millbridge and Rockland before moving to Connecticut.

“second wife… her maden name Susan Spring… mared by Steaven Howell at Noank Ct, December 24, 1880, one boy born may 19, 1882 name Webster… what record of marriage exists? Recorded at Grotton Conn…

Were you previously married?.... her name Elizabeth Strout… died at Kenebunk Maine April [ ] 1873… five children by first wife oldest Henry, 2 Jefferson, 3. Lewis, 4 Tilton, 5 Jenneta. I cant tell the date of there birth I cant there age thay are all maried of & don’t live in this in this part of the country. I lost my records by fire…
May 29, 1898
Amos Eldridge"[1]

Amos served in the Army and the Navy during the Civil War and there are over a hundred pages of information in his pension file at the National Archives which is a wealth of information on Amos and his family.

"Amos Eldridge… declares… that for 4 years immediately preceding his enlistment, his occupation was that of a Ship Carpenter, and that he resided at Rockland…"

28th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry

"Amos M. Eldridge, aged 55 years, a resident of Noank… he enlisted in the Army on or about August 5 : 1862 in Co. G, 28th Reg’t Maine Vol’s Inft. and was discharged from same on or about August 1863. Cannot say positively in regard to the discharge for the reason that I lost my papers. I enlisted again in Navy on board ship Sabine, Capt Lowery, in Oct. 1863 and was discharged from same August 5th 1865. Also declares that he has not been in the military or Naval service of the U.S. since Aug. 5th 1865.[2]

Amos enlisted in the 28th Maine Regiment in Co. G and was mustered in for nine months’ duty on 10 Oct. 1862. They left for Washington on 26 Oct. and stopped at New York and duty under Gen. Nathaniel Banks at Fort Schuyler until 26 Nov. and at East New York until 17 Jan. 1863. The regiment was at Fortress Monroe in Virginia from Jan. 17th to 22nd and then sailed for New Orleans where they were attached to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Department of the Gulf. They were on duty at Chalmette, LA until Feb. 15th and moved to Pensacola and then returned to New Orleans on March 22nd. The Regiment then moved to Donaldsonville and were on duty at Plaquemine until May 27th. Six Companies (including Co. G) were ordered to Port Hudson on May 27th and were part of the Siege of Port Hudson from May 30th until July 8th and took part in the assault on Port Hudson on June 14th.

The Siege of Port Hudson

Gen. John Breckinridge and 4,000 of his men occupied the fortifications at Port Hudson along with an additional 4,000 soldiers from the 4th Louisiana Infantry with Maj. Gen. Franklin Gardner taking command of Port Hudson. Gen. Banks surrounded Port Hudson and after his assaults were repulsed, the Union forces settled into a siege that lasted for 48 days, the longest in US history.

During the siege Gen. Gardner was running out of ordnance and used spent bullets and scrap metal sewn into shirtsleeves to make up canister casings for the guns. Three of the guns that were facing the river had center pivot mounts and were moved to face the Union positions on the eastern side of the fortifications. One of these 10” columbiad guns in Battery Four was so destructive that the Union soldiers named it “the Demoralizer”. The troops started the myth that this gun must have been on a railroad car and could fire from any position in the fort. The Confederates placed landmines in front of the lines and sniper positions were placed at high points which improved their defense, but this couldn’t make up for the fact that they were running out of everything except gunpowder. The food shortages caused a large number of desertions. Col. Steedman wrote: “Our most serious and annoying difficulty is the unreliable character of a portion of our Louisiana troops. Many have deserted to the enemy, giving him information of our real condition; yet in the same regiments we have some of our ablest officers and men.” [3]

Columbiad Gun- “The Demoralizer”

The second assault of the fortress began at 1115 on 13 June with the shelling of the Confederate positions. After an hour Gen. Banks sent a message to Gen. Gardner demanding his surrender, Gardner replied: “My duty requires me to defend this position, and therefore I decline to surrender”. The bombardment resumed and at 0330 on the 14th a failed three pronged attack struck the fortifications at “Fort Desperate”, which was stopped by the enhanced defenses and the formidable terrain ended that attack outside the Confederate works. The center attack also failed and the attack on the southern end of the Confederate works failed as well. The attack resulted in 1,792 Union casualties as opposed to 47 for the Confederates. Rushing the Confederate trenches was obviously not going to work and Gen. Banks settled back into siege warfare. Further siege batteries were constructed as well as “trench Cavaliers”, mounds of earth re-inforced with timbers to allow sharpshooters to overlook the enemy trenches and fire down into them. Batteries were also built on the west side of the river completely surrounding the Confederates. Gen. Banks started a general bombardment on 26 June which disabled, finally, what remained of the Rebel artillery.

The Confederates took rifle cartridges and recast them into artillery rounds, they used an old locomotive to power millstones to grind cornmeal for the troops and they built additional trenches, mines, bunkers, obstacles to potential invaders making their fortifications more difficult to overtake by the Union forces. Gen. Gardner and his troops launched an attack on 26 June which was fought off. Other raids by the Confederates annoyed the Union soldiers, however, they couldn’t break the siege and the resultant losses from starvation and disease within the Confederate lines. The rebels were reduced to eating their mules and rats. After the Confederates heard of the surrender of Vicksburg and being out of food, ammunition and struck by disease, they realized the situation was hopeless and they surrendered on July 9th.

The Siege of Port Hudson from "Harper's Weekly"
A Fierce Assault on Port Hudson

The African American soldiers had their reputation greatly enhanced by the siege and received a large amount of good press in Northern newspapers. Capt. Robert Wilkinson wrote: “One thing I am glad to say, that is that the black troops at Port Hudson fought & acted superbly. The theory of negro inefficiency is, I am very thankful at last thoroughly exploded by facts. We shall shortly have a splendid army of thousands of them.” Gen. Banks stated: “The severe test to which they were subjected, and the determined manner in which they encountered the enemy, leaves upon my ind no doubt of their ultimate success.” The New York Times wrote: “They were comparatively raw troops, and were yet subjected to the most awful ordeal… The men, white or black, who will not flinch from that, will flinch from nothing. It is no longer possible to doubt the bravery and steadiness of the colored race, when rightly led.”

The 28th Maine was back in Donaldsonville on July 4th until July 12th. Four Companies stayed on duty at Donaldsonville from May 27th until July 12th and saw action there on June 28th defending Fort Butler when it was attacked by a vastly superior force of the Texas Cavalry… the little garrison killing, wounding or capturing more than three times its number. The members of the 28th Maine who were at Port Hudson returned to assist their comrades at Fort Butler on July 4th. Col. Woodward had been retained at Port Hudson until after the surrender and resumed command of the 28th Maine on the 10th. The Regiment moved to Baton Rouge on July 12th and then to Cairo, IL on Aug. 6th and then headed home arriving in Augusta on the 18th and were mustered out on Aug. 31st. The Regiment only lost one officer and 10 enlisted men in action, however, they lost an additional 143 men from disease.[4] It’s interesting to note that the Captain of Amos’ Company G was Augustin Thompson who became a physician and entrepreneur and was the inventor of Moxie. The Maine State Museum has an 1863 Springfield that belonged to Jeremiah Luce of Co. G… an artifact close to Amos on the battlefield.

After returning from the Gulf, Amos is listed in the draft registrations for Rockland:

Draft Registration for Rockland

USS Sabine

Amos is listed in the Maine Naval Records having enlisted on 25 Aug. 1864 in Portland, age 38, born in Eastport, residing in Rockland, a carpenter with the rank of Landsman. He was 5’ 8 ¼”, dark hair, blue eyes and of a ruddy, dark complexion with a tattoo, A.E.E.E., on his right forearm.

The USS Sabine

Although Amos was a “Landsman”, or a Ship’s Carpenter, he did serve as a coxswain on the USS Sabine which was a training ship for the Navy. From the report of the Secretary of the Navy for 1866 is the following:

"Inspection of the Sabine
While the examinations were going on at the academy, the frigate Sabine, the school and practice-ship for naval apprentices, under the command of Captain R.B. Lowry, came into the harbor, and an order was received from the Navy Department directing that she should be inspected by the board of visitors. This fine frigate was fully manned by the apprentices, and all were greatly surprised and gratified at the scene presented on board. It did not seem possible that a ship of this class, with here battery, could be so finely handled by boys so young. In the various exercises of loosening and fastening the heavy sails, in working the guns, and in the drill with small-arms, the board found only what was worthy of praise. The complete order and the perfect neatness of the vessel in every part were worthy of the highest commendations, and great credit is due to Captain Lowry for this most gratifying exhibition of what the apprentice system may do for the navy when worked by firm and skillful hands. The board deems it worthy of consideration whether a larger number might not be annually selected from these boys for admission to the academy. The howitzer drill and the target practice by the cadets were very creditable performances, and secured the decided approval of the board. The target was placed at a distance of eleven hundred yards, and was struck five times and completely demolished. The accuracy of the firing elicited much praise from the naval officers present.[5]

As the Board of Visitors was to begin inspection in May 1865, Amos was undoubtedly part of these exercises as the training ships sailed from June until August. Amos must have been part of the crew assigned to train the “naval apprentices”. The Naval Academy was at the time in Newport, RI and had not moved as of yet to Annapolis.

Amos just missed the officers from the French fleet who came in Oct. 1866:

"French Visitors at Brattleboro
The officers of the French fleet now in New London Harbor, among whom were Capt. Ribourt, Commander Lathses, Capt. Bostard and Devermiel, Chief of Staff, visited this place to-day, in company with Capt. Lowry, of the frigate Sabine, and his associate officers, by invitation of the Directors of the New-London and Northern Railroad. They were taken in carriages and shown the beautiful mountain scenery, and partook of a sumptuous dinner at the Brattleboro House, where at the table the cordial feelings existing between this country and France were beautifully expressed by Capt. Ribourt and his associates, and by Capt. Lowry and Representative Brandage and Gen. Phelps."[6]

The USS Sabine was a frigate built by the Navy in 1855 and was one of the first ships to see action during the Civil War. A large part of the crew of the USS Monitor were volunteers from the Sabine in 1862. She was off the Gulf as well as off South Carolina and was involved in the hunt for the Alabama and the Tacony before coming to New York as part of the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron. She was ordered to Norfolk in Aug. 1864 and became a training ship by the time Amos joined her crew and was transferred to New London for that purpose. She ended life as a receiving ship at Portsmouth, NH until she was sold in 1883.

A wonderful article about the Sabine was in the New London newspaper The Day in 1938:

"The Passing of the United State Frigate Sabine
Often Made New London Her Port of Call, Later Here as Training Ship

Capt. Moses Crocket, skipper of the Lightship, his weather-beaten tarpaulin at a rakish angle, his trusted spyglass pointed eastward, was in all likelihood among the first to sight the magnificent square-rigger; he could make her out far in the distance while she proudly breasted the surging current of the Race. “Fine figger of a ship”, mused the hardy old mariner, as the vessel drew nearer and nearer, “good lines from stem to stern, swift as a greyhound. Sorta reminds me of the old Constitution.”

It was not long until fashionably attired summer visitors, idling that Fourth of July forenoon on the spacious piazzas of the Pequot House observed the approaching ship. By this time she had already rounded Eastern Point and was standing in towards New London harbor. With her full cloud of billowy white canvas spread, the stately ship, bending gracefully before a fresh breeze from the southwest, certainly made a handsome appearance. At the main-truck her pennant was flying; from the spanker-gaff floated the glorious Stars and Stripes.

The scene might well have inspired the brush of a painter, the imagination of a poet or the impassioned panegyrics of a political orator. Bet that as it may, it surely did inspire the enthusiasm of those townspeople who chanced to be strolling or carriage-riding along the Harbor Road that holiday forenoon. Shouts went up; hats were flung in the air; exquisitely gloved hands waved parasols and dainty handkerchiefs of lacy texture. All along the water front there prevailed a spirit of holiday exhilaration as the mighty battleship steered her majestic course toward her anchorage in the upper harbor.

Townspeople Imbued with Patriotism
What feelings of patriotism of exultation, must have possessed the townspeople when, at high noon, the ship’s broad-side batteries reared the national salute of 21 guns, in which manifestation the batteries of Fort Trumbull also joined, firing gun for gun. Although more than a twelvemonth had elapsed since General Robert E. Lee surrendered his impoverished and depleted army to the overwhelming forces of General Grant at Appomattox, the Civil War with all its horror and bloodshed, its devastation and sorrow and its bitter aftermath lingered yet in the public mind. Here in our New London, as elsewhere throughout the land, people still recalled Antietam, Andersonville, Shiloh and Shenandoah. Nor had they forgotten the Kearsage and the Alabama or the Monitor and the Merrimac.

With memories such as these yet fresh in mind is it any wonder the arrival of a historic man-of-war, followed by furious cannonading, on that day of days- the Glorious Fourth- should have roused everybody to a high pitch of patriotic enthusiasm. Not that the ship was by any means a stranger to these waters however. No sooner did she heave in sight than old Captain Crocker, at his lonely post on the lightship off Bartlett Reef, recognized her. Indeed there was hardly a sailor or a fisherman in these parts, or for that matter a landsman even, who did not know the U.S.S. Sabine.

As early as 1862 the Sabine had often made New London a port of call. Attached to the North Atlantic Cruising Squadron in those days, she put in here not only to take on supplies but also to give shore leave to her officers and men, who needed rest and recreation and the solaces of culture, after strenuous periods at sea while on the lookout for blockade runners and the few cruising men-of-war of which the Confederacy could boast. Even though we find no record of actual encounter between the Sabine and the cruisers of the enemy, it is nevertheless probable that she did cause many an anxious moment to the blockade runners along the coast.

Took on Recruits During Visit Here
It is also probable that she took on recruits during her occasional visits here. Besides volunteers to the number of 600 or more, who enlisted in the several military companies that were assembled in New London during the war, there were 225 volunteers who enrolled in the United States navy, a remarkable record for a little New England town of scarcely ten thousand. It it not a matter of reasonable conjecture that many of these volunteers in the navy were assigned to the Sabine, either for permanent duty or for temporary service until they could be transferred to the various gunboats and ironclads which were at the time engaged in the blockade of southern ports?

We do know that one local young man, Charles D. Boss, Jr. afterwards a leading manufacturer here was attached to the Sabine in the early days of the war as paymaster’s clerk, in which office he was succeeded by Frank H. Arms, father of Rear Admiral F.T. Arms of this city.

Soon after the close of the war the Sabine was ordered here to serve as a training ship for naval apprentices and, for a long time, the gallant frigate lying at anchor off the Parade was a familiar sight to all merchants of lower State street and their patrons.

Undoubtedly the Sabine was New London’s first nautical training school.

Frederick L. Allen- Mayor of City
In those far-distant days Frederic L. Allen was mayor of the city and chief of the fire department, Julius W. Eggleston was postmaster, Joseph Lawrence, aged millionaire ship owner and operator of a large fleet of whaling vessels out of New London would see another half decade before his final voyage.

Frequenters of hotel lobbies and livery stable offices discussed the trotting horse Dexter and his recent astonishing record of 2.18 made at Buffalo, without a breach. Loiterers on street corners whistled fragments of Champagne Charlie or Tassels on Her Boots. State street dozed in an atmosphere of bucolic peace; tall trees stood in solemn grandeur; farmers hitched their horses at feed troughs within the radius of the Liberty Pole’s shadow.

Scant attention had been given to architecture. Except for the city hall, designed by W.T. Hallett in 1856, few of the structures in the shopping district were impressive. Morris Bacon would soon build his palatial marble block, however, the Crocker house was to follow some five years later, while far away among the pines of Maine, 30 miles to the north of Augusta, at a remote village school of the Sandy River region, a small boy named Frank Munsey struggled with the intracacies of the Rule of three, little dreaming that one day he would erect New London’s pioneer sky-scraper.

Could Sabine officers but come ashore today they would look in vain for the old Yellow Store, the Irving House or the alleyway leading to the City Hotel bar. Such are the changes wrought by time’s inexorable hand.

So intimately was the Sabine associated with our home town during the post-Civil war period, that perhaps a short description of her may not be without interest even at this late day.

One of Last of Wooden Sailing Frigates

The U.S.S. Sabine was one of the last of a long line of wooden sailing frigates such as the Constitution, the Constellation and others of that ilk, ships which made proud history in the early days of our navy. Built by the government at the New York navy yard, where she was launched with appropriate ceremonies Feb. 5, 1855, she was constructed entirely of wood, and cost, exclusive of armament, $303,551.35. Available records fall to disclose for what the final item of 35 cents was expended, although we are safe in assuming that it did not pay for the traditional bottle that was smashed on her bow by the fair daughter of Texas who christened here, Sabine, after the river which forms part of the boundary line between Louisiana and the Lone Star State.

For even in the frugal days of the Franklin Pierce administration the cost of the vintages of France, then as now, far exceeded 35 cents per bottle. And besides we all know that the law of the land, also then as now, did not admit of the expenditure of government funds for alcoholic liquors, even though the occasion be so auspicious as the christening of a battleship.

The Sabine was propelled by sails and was full ship-rigged, having three towering masts all square-rigged to carry a large spread of canvas which gave her speedway when winds favored. Her lines were essentially the same as those of the old sailing frigates of a much earlier day, representing as she did an adherence to tradition on the part of older naval officers, who were notoriously conservative in their insistence upon “sails” at a time when “steam” had already arrived to bring about vast changes and improvements in all shipping.

Changes Made in Armament in 1864
The displacement of the Sabine was rated at 2,450 tons; that is when fully loaded with crew, supplies, ammunition and stores, and, as the navy puts it, “ready in all respects for the sea”, she displaced when afloat a body of water that would weigh 2,450 tons. In this full load condition she had an extreme draft of 21 feet, six inches, a deep draft for her tonnage in those days.

She was equipped with an imposing battery for a sailing frigate of her date. In 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, she carried two ten inch caliber Dalgren smoothbore guns and ten eight-inch caliber 36 hundredweight guns in the main battery and in addition to these, there were 36 thirty-two pounders, half of them 33 cwt and half 57 cwt, mounted in broadside batteries.

Certain changes were made in her armament in August 1864, at which time she was ordered fitted out as a practice schoolship for naval apprentices and landsmen, serving as such at Norfolk, Va., until late in 1865 when she was ordered to New London. Here she spent more than two years at anchor in the Thames, making occasional short cruises seaward for the purpose of giving practical experiences in seamanship and navigation to the apprentice boys on board.

At the time the frigate was commanded by Reigart B. Lowry, an officer already accredited with distinguished service in the Mexican War and the more recent Civil War. In the former he was present at the capture of Tuxpan, Tampico and Vera Cruz. In the latter, as executive officer of the USS Brooklyn, he participated in the taking of New Orleans in 1862, and the assault on Vicksburg the same year.

Commandant of Naval Station Here 1875-77
Born in South America July 14, 1826, young Lowry was appointed midshipman United State Navy from Pennsylvania in 1849 and served aboard the U.S.S. Boston in the East India service. In 1846 we find him in the new naval school at Annapolis, which had just been established by George Bancroft, the eminent historian, statesman and diplomatist, and secretary of the navy during the administration of President James K. Polk.

New Londoners of an older generation remembered Captain Lowry not only as commander of the Sabine, but also as commandant of the naval station here, from 1875 to 1877.

Among those who served under Captain Lowry on the Sabine while at New London were Lieuts. H. DeHaven Manleef, G.W. Hayward, Walter Abbott, Surgeon B. F. Gibbs, Assistant Surgeon George F. Winslow; Paymaster George A Sawyer, Chaplain T.G. Salter (superseded in 1867 by William A. Hitchcock), Acting Master B.S. Melville, Acting Ensign J. C. Oatley.

Then there were Midshipmen C. D. Griswold, G.C. Reiter, A.H. Vail, Thomas Perry,Louis A. Kingsley; Boatswain T. Bennett, Gunner William Cope, Carpenter J. E. Cox, Sailmaker G.W. Frankland and Bandmaster Pasquale Lunari [and Coxswain Amos Eldridge!]

In addition to these, there were some 300 sailors and marines and a band of 20 musicians attached to the frigate, besides a large class of apprentice boys, among them one bearing the illustrious name of Samuel Seabury.

Regarding the efficiency of the training received by the apprentices, the New London Daily Star, July 5, 1866, would give a reliable opinion: “The Sabine, Capt. Lowry, returned to our harbor yesterday after an absence of several days, under full sail with a spanking breeze. It was a grand sight. When she came to anchor, the boys handled the sails with all the precisions of old tars. They have been taught seamanship with great success. Capt. L. has just reason to be proud of them. It was his intention to be here on the morning of the Fourth and give the boys a parade, which would have enlivened the day.”

War Gloom Dispelled by Vessel’s Arrival
The gloom which brooded over the land during the four years of conflict between the States and the following period of reconstruction and recrimination was in so far as it applied to our city, dispelled by the advent of the Sabine early in 1866. Washington’s birthday was celebrated that year by a grand parade, which included the entire company of officers, marines, sailors and apprentices from the frigate, headed by their fine brass band. Flags were displayed from the shipping in the harbor, from all public buildings and from many private residences.

As may be imagined the presence of this imposing company in our midst gave a new tempo, an added impetus and significance to all phases of social and business life, which had hitherto moved leisurely in sedate grooves. Sailors on shore leave enlivened the streets. Proud Colonial mansions threw open welcoming doors to officers of the ship. Elaborate parties and receptions were held on shipboard. The band played inspiring music.

The town’s most beautiful belles in all their hoop-skirted magnificence danced with dashing young officers on scrupulously polished decks, while scions of the best families foregathered within the confines of the captain’s cabin or the wardroom, seeking solace around frequently replenished punch-bowls. New London girls of the Sabine era made no secret of their admiration and preference for the gorgeously uniformed naval officers, thereby inaugurating a custom which was eventually to become traditional.

Charming Hospitality of Capt. Lowry, Officers
Old residents whose good for tune it had been to participate in the social formalities on board the Sabine, often spoke with nostalgic fervor of the charming hospitality of Captain Lowry and the wardroom officers. According to stories handed down through the ages from one generation to another, a delightful feature of this hospitality was extended by way of an insidious decoction known as “Old Navy Punch”, the formula for which, also handed down through the years, was as follows:

To one quart of strong tea add the juice of a dozen lemons and four cups of soft sugar dissolve thouroughly, then mix with one quart of Old Jamaica rum (Niggerhead preferred), one quart of good old Port wine and one quart of fine Brandy (Five Star Hennesay is best); add a gill of orange Curacoa, and stir thoroughly, being careful never to reverse the direction of the stirring motion for that is bad luck at sea. This makes one gallon of punch stock. When ready to serve pour into a large punch-bowl over a cake of hard ice, pouring at the same time an equal quantity of soda water or White Rock or equivalent. Let it cool, then ladle out into good sized glasses or silver cups, say “Glad to see you aboard”, drink it slowly and say “Ah-h-h-h!”

Although distilled spirits and vinous liquors are nowadays strictly taboo aboard our navy ships, they were permitted in the old days, always, however, at the expense of the captain and wardroom officers.

“Glad to see you aboard”, said Captain Lowry as he and his officers received the Sabine guests one night early in October 1866. “Glad to see you aboard, won’t you try our Navy punch?”

Entertain Officers of French Frigate
The occasion was a grand entertainment in honor of Admiral Didelot and the officers of the French frigate Themis. It all came about quite unexpectedly. A week or so before, the Themis, flying the flag of Admiral Didelot, who commanded the French fleet in American waters, steamed into port for the purpose of repairing machinery which had broken down during the passage from Sydney, Cape Breton Island. Immediately upon their arrival here the French admiral and his officers were accorded flattering recognition by the American officers and the New London citizenry, climaxed by a reception and ball on board the Sabine, an affair which assumed the proportions of an international event. Invitations to the number of 250 were sent out to persons socially prominent in this city and Norwich and the occasion long remained unsurpassed in local social annals.

Let us in retrospect dwell briefly upon the incidents of that memorable evening of long ago: two battleships, hardly more than a cable’s length apart, are lying at anchor; one, the French Themis, a steam man-of-war, harbinger of a super-dreadnaught age yet to come; the other, our Sabine, a sailing frigate of the old line, a veritable emblem of a glorious era soon to pass. The officers of France are to be honored aboard the American frigate.

At the wharves along the water front lie such fine ships as the Arab, the Isabella, the Monticello and the Lydia, the barks Nile and Peru, the schooner Charles Colgate, the brig Georgiana and other grand old whalers, their spars and tangled rigging dimly silhouetted in the New London night. On the river all is silent, save for the current’s gentle murmur and a faint sound as of carlocks creaking. Sabine cutters are conveying guests to the hospitable decks of the frigate, each cutter with 12 stalwart oarsmen and a coxswain in charge of a midshipman as boat officer. The guests are landed at the ship’s starboard gangway ladder. They clamber aboard to be received by the officer of the deck, a lieutenant in white gloves and frock-coat; under his arm he carries a long spy-glass as his badge of office. Other officers conduct the guests down ladders to the gun deck and aft to the captain’s cabin, there to meet the chief host.

Spardeck Thronged with Eager Guests
From mainmast and waist gangways clean aft to the taffrail, the spardeck is thronged with eager guests. Under the canvas canopy flags of all nations are arranged and festooned upon the inside of the bulwarks; the brass work of the ship shines like fire [even the sand locker that broke Amos’ ribs?] the decks are as of alabaster, at one end of the enclosure is a large wreath of flowers around the letter “N” having for a background the French flag, while over the taffrail on a background of Stars and Stripes is a monogramed “U.S.”

Listen to the band! Stationed on the upper deck abaft the mainmast, they are playing a potpourri; we hear the familiar strains of A Life on the Ocean Wave, We’ll Rally Round the Flag, and other favorite airs. Suddenly the music ceases. An interval of breathless suspense ensues. All eyes are focused on the gangway. The band strikes up La Marseillaise, Vive La France. The guests of honor have arrived.

Gentlemen of distinguished military bearing these Franch officers, of polished foreign manner, of fine, handsome appearance albeit of somewhat sinister aspect, their fiercely black spade beards and spike goatees contrasting sharply with the more benign Burnsides, Dundrearys, Galways, walrus mustaches and other luxurious hirsute adornment affected by most of the American officers and civilians.

Program Gotten Up in Elegant Style
Dancing has already begun. The programs are gotten up in elegant style. On the first page are remarks flattering to the foreign guests, on the last page is a ship of war in guilt. There are twenty-two dance numbers, among which we find quadrilles, schottisches and glide waltzes, alternating with the polka-redowa, the Portland fancy and the varsouvienne.

After refreshments have been served on the gun deck, dancing is resumed with increased abandon. The lilting measures of Gungi, Lanner and Zikoff have given way to Offenbach and the gay bouffonnerries of the boulevards. Swirling salterellos and riotous rigadoons have supplanted the stately contra-danse and the graceful redowa of the early evening. A French officer in executing a pas seul. And so the merriment continues well into the small hours.

A writer in the New York Herald, Oct. 3, 1866, refers to this entertainment as one of the finest and most interesting ever given in New England, reflecting great credit upon Capt. Lowry and his officers. “The decks of a man-of-war”, continues the writer, “have seldom, if ever, witnessed such an array of beauty as was present last night. The tout ensemble was perfect in the extreme. The day for wide quarter decks such as a sailing frigate would have on account of the required breadth of beam has now gone by, and narrow steamers with narrow decks and a horrid smell of burned oil tend to mar the pleasure of a ball afloat. None of these annoyances are present in the Sabine. All went as merry as a marriage bell and even the little bright eyed messenger boys, each carrying a lantern, as the guests came over the side, seemed to enter into the festivities with a spirit of innocent happiness that made all feel as though they were exceedingly welcome. The city of Norwich, Conn., was very creditably represented by twenty of its most beautiful ladies, whose pleasing faces added much to make the affair magnificent. With king and generous hots, elegant ladies, beautifully and splendidly prepared refreshments, where is the person who could not have enjoyed such an occasion at such a place?” Echo answers- where?

French Gunboat Comes into Port
Ere the Themis completed the repairs to her machinery and steamed away, the French gunboat Catzoukatol came into port. The gunboat was described as a rakish looking vessel, brig-rigged and with an ordinary armament. The officers came on shore and strolled about the city, spending their money freely, although it was remarked that they seemed to have nothing but specie.

While the chronicles shed little light on the subject, we may safely assume the usual official calls were exchanged between the Sabine and the Catzoukatol and that the officers of the gunboat were present on the Sabine the night of the famous party. And they surely must have been here for the reception and ball aboard the Themis, given in honor of the American officers on the afternoon of Oct. 13, as the Catzoukatol did not clear until several days thereafter.

One of the most important days in the development of New England transportation came during the Sabine period. This was Thursday Sept. 22, 1866, a day that marked the completion of the extension of the New London Northern railroad to the far reaches of Grout’s Corners, Vt. In the evening a banquet celebrating this triumph of transportation achievement was held at the Pequot House. Among the speakers was Captain Lowry of the Sabine whose frequently applauded remarks were said to be “pertinent vigorous and eloquent”.

Other speakers introduced by Mayor
Frederic L. Allen were His Excellency Joseph R. Hawley, governor of Connecticut; several prominent railroad officials and E.C. Bailey, editor and proprietor of the Boston Herald who “forcibly illustrated the power of the press and its desire to do good”. Two distinguished New London attorneys were also heard Andrew C. Lippitt and Augustus Brandegee, the latter voicing his long remembered aphorism, “The montains kissed the sea”. In the course of their remarks, both of the local orators as well as Captain Lowry made strong appeals in behalf of the Navy Yard here.

Evinced Interest in Civil Affairs
The day following, Governor Hawley and other banquet guests visited the Sabine on invitation of Captain Lowry. They were impressed by the neatness, discipline and excellent appearance of the vessel; the apprentice boys were put through their practice and a salute was fired in honor of the governor.

During his stay here, Captain Lowry evinced a lively interest in civic matters, often speaking at public meetings and banquets; he also contributed occasionally to the columns of the press. His description of a brilliant shower of meteors observed in New London on the morning of November 14, 1867 as published in the Daily Star is remarkable for its masterly brevity.

“The Meteors from 8 to midnight, no meteors. From midnight to 4, not a single meteor. About 4:45 the meteors began to fall. At from 5 to daylight they fell with great rapidity- many very brilliant and large. It was impossible to count them, but the officer of the deck computed them to average one a second. The shower continued with increasing rapidity till daylight. It is believed that farther west the shower was observed to greater advantage. R.B. Lowry”.

Genial and Affable Delightful Raconteur
Another distinguished officer of the Sabine personnel was Dr. George F. Winslow, who was attached to the medical corps of the frigate from 1863 to 1867 and again from 1874 to 1875. Twenty years later Dr. Winslow served for some time at the naval station here. Those of us whose privilege it was to know him then or during his occasional visits here in later years, can easily recall his charming personality. Genial and affable, a delightful raconteur, always ready to tell a good story or raise a social glass, he made many friends and found the world a gracious place in which to live.

In 1862 at the age of 20, Dr. Winslow was commissioned from Massachusetts as assistant surgeon United States navy and served on the U.S.S. Morse in the North Atlantic Blockading squadron. He was present at engagements on the James river, and the assault and capture of Richmond in 1865. Later Dr. Winslow served at sea on various ships and stations, retiring as medical director with rank of rear admiral January 19, 1903.

An admired feature of the Sabine during the New London period was the excellent band under Pasqualo Lunari an able leader and cornet soloist. This organization not only played at all formal entertainments aboard the ship but also came ashore frequently to assist in local parades and other ceremonies. It was not unusual to hear the band playing a summer afternoon concert on the elm-shaded lawn of a New London mansion or perhaps of an autumn evening serenading some prominent citizen at this home.

Era of Romance and Pageantry
A glamorous era, those Sabine years an era of romance and pageantry, of dancing and gaiety and of music.

Notwithstanding all this, the apprentice boys pursued their nautical studies assiduously besides developing in the meanwhile an unwonted dgree of religious feeling. The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Hallam for many years beloved rector of St. James’ church, New London, refers to this trend, in his admirable brochure, Annals of St. James’s Church. In 1867, an incident of rare occurrence and considerable interest took place. The frigate Sabine with a large number of naval apprentices on board was lying in [line dropped] cock, a clergyman of the church was chaplain on board and [ ] his earnest labors, an unwonted degree of religious feeling was awakened. A good number of the apprentices desired confirmation. The occasion excited unusual interest, and a considerable number of citizens attended the bishop in his visitation to the ship, when he confirmed twenty-five. One of the candidates, a great-grandson of Bishop Seabury, and bearing his name, Samuel Seabury, was allowed to come on shore to receive the rite, which was administered to him in the church”.

Bishop Seabury, 1729-1796, it will be remembered, was the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in America, his remains now lying beneath the chancel of St. James’ church in this city. It is interesting to know that Judge Samuel Seabury of New York is a direct descendant of the bishop and a first cousin once removed of the Samuel Seabury, who was an apprentice boy on the U.S.S. Sabine.

In 1868 the Sabine was discontinued as a training ship and ordered to the New York navy yard. Here she was surveyed and found unfit for further sea service without extensive repairs, for which purpose no money was available in navy funds. Accordingly she was put out of active commission and laid up “in ordinary”, which means without crew except for a couple of old ship keepers, who tended her lines and inspected her from time to time against fire and other damage.

A few years later the Sabine was stripped of her lofty rigging and towed to Portsmouth, NH where she served as a receiving ship at the navy yard there until 1883. Then she was condemned and sold for $11,100 to one J.L. Snow of Rockland, Maine. But whether in the end she was dismantled for salvaged wood, cooper bolts and iron fittings or put into use as river barge we cannot tell. We do not know.

Nor was Captain Lowry ever to know the sad fate of his old ship; he died March 25, 1880, only two months after he had been promoted to Commodore.

Dr. Winslow Died in New Bedford
As for our good friend Dr. Winslow, he had attained the ripe old age of 86 at the time he passed away at New Bedford, his home city, September 1928. Recalling former shipmates on the Sabine, he would remark in his declining years. “I am the last, they are all gone but me.”

It was of a bleak morning in April 1868, that the Sabine took her final departure from New London. Though it is not recorded that the aging skipper on the lightship off Bartlett Reef cast a regretful glance as the old square-rigger passed for the last time beyond his range of vision and stood out to sea, we are sure that general sorrow prevailed among the townspeople. Doubtless the editor of the Daily Star struck a responsive chord in most hearts when, in a leading article that evening, (April 13, 1868) he said:

“Good-bye grand old ship. How many pleasant memories linger about thee. Thy familiar form will no longer be seen in our harbor, proudly riding out the tempest or basking in the proud waters of the Thames. The thousands that have clambered over they sides and stood upon they grand old decks will heave a sigh at they departure. No more they booming guns will wake the echoes of our little city. Farewell. Bon Voyage.”[7]

The USS Sabine

A Fall Into The Sand Locker

Just prior to his discharge in the summer of 1865, Amos was injured while serving as coxswain on board the First Cutter Sabine which caused long lasting pain leading to his receiving a pension from the government:

“Charles M. Thomas, aged 59 years a resident of Portland… Maine… That he first became acquainted with Amos Eldridge the applicant… about the first of September A.D. 1864. That he has every reason to and does fully believe he was a sound able bodied man at that time free from all physical diseases and disabilities. That sometime during the month of June A.D. 1865 to the best of his recollection said Eldridge while in the service of the US and in line of his duty without fault or improper conduct of his at or near Newport, RI said Eldridge fell into the hole leading into the sand locker, the cover being off which was against the rules unless the place was guarded. His right leg going into the hole which was some eighteen inches in diameter he fell on his right side on the combing or flapp of brass work to receive the covering for said hole fracturing and severely injuring one or more ribs on his right side. I assisted in getting him into the sick bay in care of the surgeon. I visited him frequently while in the sick bay under the surgeon’s care. I also saw and felt of the bunch or enlargement on his side a result of the injury received when he fell… Said Eldridge was discharged from the service of the US at New London Conn on or about the 5th day of August A.D. 1865. My recollection of him is that he was returned to duty before he was discharged, but I am unable to give dates, but think it was shortly before his discharge…. Charles M. Thomas… late master at arms, USS Sabine."

"This 7th day of July, A.D. 1888… Wm. P. Walsh aged 55 years, a resident of Boston… That he first became acquainted with Amos Eldridge… about the first of September 1864…. That sometime during the month of June AD 1865…said Eldridge while in the service… in the line of his duty… near Newport RI said Eldridge fell into the hole leading into the sand locker the cover being off, which was against the rules unless the place was guarded his right leg going into the hole which was some eighteen inches in diameter, he fell on his right side on the combing or flange of brass works to receive the covering for said hole fracturing and severely injuring one or more ribs of his right side. The above facts were gained by observation while on said ship I being a ship mate of said Eldridge at the time of the accident… although I did not see him fall I did see him afterwards and visited him frequently in the sick bay where he was under the docters care and saw that he was suffering from his injury and complained of the same."

Navy Department- Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
March 22, 1884…

“Sabine” : June 5, 1865. Journal states : “Amos Eldridge, coxsn act 38 nat. of Me and shipped in Portland Me, accidentally fell down a hatch and struck right side; but no ribs were broken, and probably not seriously injured. He fell while in the act of searching for some part of his boats equipment and the injury originated in the line of duty.”

June 8. 1865. “Had an attack of Febris Intermittens, which he has had previous while in the army.”-
June 22. 1865 “Discharged to light duty”.

"Amos Eldridge… declares… that upon his discharge he returned to… Rockland… & remained there for about 8 years, then went to Kennebunk… & there remained about 5 years, then to Bath… for about 1 year & from thence came to Noank… where he now resides. That he was injured by falling through a ships Sand-Locker on board the Ship Sabine, Capt. Lowry, in the latter part of the year 1865 as near as he can remember, in the lower ribs of the right side. That he was treated by the Surgeon of said Ship whose name he does not remember. That upon his return home he was treated by one Dr. Estern his family physicians at Rockland… the said Dr. Estern having since gone to California & there died. That he has not been treated by any other physician for this reason. That he realized no benefit from treatment. That his side has troubled him ever since said injury, but that during the years since his discharge, with the aid of Plasters & Liniments he has worked when able at his trade, that of Ship Carpenter. That he has lost at least 2 day’s out of each week by reason of said injury since his discharge… Amos Eldridge… the 7th day of April A.D. 1884."

In the pension papers was a copy of Elizabeth’s death record:

As noted above Amos moved to New London to work as a ship’s carpenter and at the time of the 1880 census he was a boarder at his future in-law’s home in Groton. His age given as 50. Also living in the house were his future in-laws George and Elizabeth Spring. George was a blacksmith. Also living in the home was their daughter, Amos’ future wife Susan M. who was a dressmaker. Also in the house was another boarder named Hathorn who was a ship’s carpenter as well.[8]

"Kennebunkport Maine – Dec. 29. 1904
This is to Certify that I Charles Tripp of Kennebunkport, knew Amos Eldridge deceased prior to the death of his first wife Mrs. Elizabeth M. Eldridge at Kennebunkport, Me. April 2, 1878. And make affidavit that he remained unmarried until he married Susan Spring at Noank Conn.
Charles Tripp"

Amos needed to collect statements from his friends and co-workers to obtain his pension:

“Mr. John Porter aged 40 years, a resident of Noank… declares as follows… That he has worked with Amos M. Eldridge… more or less of the time for the past 2 years or more have often heard him complain of his right side how much it troubled him, as the result of an injury which he… received in the Navy during the late war. H known of his being obliged to stope work because of lame side and of his being confined at home with same at times for from one to 2 weeks, have also known of his buying plasters, and other things for the same… the 3rd day of June A.D. 1886…"

“This 6th day of July, A.D. 1886… Peter W. Annis aged 33 years a resident of Peabody… That he worked with the above named claimant for nearly Eight years commencing in the fall of A.D. 1871 and until latter part of 1879. That during all these years he often heard him complain of his Right side pain and soreness in same which claimant alleged was the result of an injury to the side received while in service in the Navy during the late war. Known of his being confined at home by reason of said injury at times for a week or two at a time, should say during said time that he lost by reason of said injury nearly 1/3 of the time. We worked together in ship-yard almost every day when able during the time above stated and for this reason had a chance to know as above stated.”

"This 3rd day of June 1886… Mrs. Carrie Latham, aged 35 years a resident of Noank… That she has been well acquainted with Amos M. Eldridge… for the past 6 years and have heard him complain of lame side, right, which he alleged was the result of an injury received while in the Navy during the late war, and that about 2 years ago, should say in June 1884, while acting as agent for Scotts Electric Belts, said Eldridge came to her for one of said Belts for said lame side and that she got one for him.

Scott’s Electric Belts was one of those quack treatments widely sold in the 19th century to cure a multitude of ills. The belt wasn’t electric at all… it did contain magnets and it may have helped with his discomfort by acting as a splint.

Ad for Dr. Scott's Electric Belts

Of course he had to have medical exams as part of his application for his disability. He gave the history of his injury as noted above and told the physicians that the pain in his right side extended into his back and was worse “in stormy nor easterly weather the pain interfering with his work as a ships carpenter-that he can’t carry upon this the right shoulder & that the extra carrying on the left shoulder lames [  ? ] shoulder… has to use his left shoulder in this way at his trade- & alleges that he looses two days a week at his trade from this cause”. Another physician noted that his “Back is weak & right side gives out- has to favor that side”. By the time he applied for an increase in his pension in 1890 he stated: “Pain runs up right side but has of late palpitations and pain on left side for the last year. Bowels also block badly.” And “Increase of disability from said Injury causing weakness & pain in right side, & inability to do any lifting or perform hard labor of any kind which constantly becomes worse as he advances in age.”

He was described as well nourished, stands erect, skin fair, the muscles well developed, “looks well preserved for man of his years”, hair and beard gray (earlier exam says his hair was “dark”), eyes blue, bald on vertex. teeth in fair condition, height was 5-9, wt.170, pulse 80. Chest 36” on expiration, 40 1/2" on full inspiration, Belly 37”, Biceps 12 ¾” (sounds like Amos was jacked!). One of the physicians stated that “I find no physical signs of the injury… it is possible that the side may have been left sprained & weakened & rheumatic from this injury that he describes- but it is impossible for me to discover physical proof.” Another physician noted the area of the injury as a “fracture with minor & displacement inwards of the 10th r rib anterior section & cartilage displacement inwards about ½ inch- evident in inspection when lying on the back =this is apparent a [  ? ] two inches transverse & one inch vertical- Locality apparently tender.” And at another time “marked prominence over 9 & 10th ribs with tenderness upon pressure, says the ribs were fractured”. On another exam “there is tenderness over the lower part of thorax right side, from angle of scapula down to lower rib and reaching around to nipple line, heart liver and spleen normal.” In 1890 his physical exam was describes as: “Bones small, hands moderately hard, hearing fair, eyesight very faint. Enlargement of floating ribs right side, enlargement and evident fracture 11th and 12th ribs, [ ] junction with cartilages evident to eye on touch. Hapatic dullness. 3 inches. Heart sounds normal. Splenic dullness normal. Lungs normal. Chest 36. 39. Abd. 38. Biceps 11.11. Voice hoarse. Small arcus senilis right eye and pterygium. Abdomen prominent."

All of this for $2 a month… which was increased to $4 in 1890.

At the time of the 1900 census Amos and Susan were living with their son George W[ebster] and Amos was still working as a ship’s carpenter and Webster was a boat builder. Amos also listed that he hadn’t worked for 6 mos. in the past year.[9]

The End

"Certified Copy of Death Record… Amos Eldridge, married… Place of Death… Noank… Occupation, Ship Carpenter… Date of Death, 1903, Nov. 25, Date of Birth, 1827, July 14, Age 78 of Death, Secondary Cause of Death. Cerebral Hemmorrhage, Senility; Duration of Sickness- 38 hours"

As noted, Amos died in Noank in 1903 and his widow continued to receive a pension, however, she had to show that she was entitled to the benefits:

Susan also had to show that she had no assets and no other support. Notice that the letter was sent to the postmaster… I guess that supplying such information was considered part of the Postmaster’s job!

Susan sent a reply and it looks as though her mother was still alive… which shouldn’t be surprising as we must remember that Susan was 20 years younger than her husband.

Susan sent in a list of taxable property from the town of Groton for 1903 showing that her house was worth $1450 and the land $250.

"Noank, Dec 13th 1916… My husband’s name was, Amos Eldridge, a Landsman, U.S.S. Sabine. I was born on Dec. 11th, 1846, in Noank New London County Conn. My name is Susan M. Eldridge…"

Poor Susan died two weeks after she wrote to the pension office.

"Commissioner of Pensions
Noank, Conn. Feb. 24, 1917

Dear Sir

I am droping you this letter to let you know that my mother Susan M. Eldridge died Dec 31, 1916. I should have written you before but as I have be sick I had neglected to do so.

Yours Very Truly
Webster Eldridge"[10]

Children

First five children by Elizabeth, last two by Susan.

• I. Henry- b. 26 May 1847 Millbridge, ME; m. Francis Henderson, d. 28 Nov. 1923 Augusta, ME
• II. Jefferson- b.c.1849 Rockland, m.1. 17 Sept. 1873 Kennebunkport, Katie G. Walsh, 2. 22 Apr. 1908 Lawrence, MA, Clara M. Castle (b.c.1860), d. after 1940 Lawrence, MA. Jeff & Clara’s marriage record from Lawrence, MA lists his parents as Amos Eldridge and Elizabeth Strout and gives his birthplace as Rockland. He was a painter and living at 6 Morton St. in Lawrence.
• III. Lewis- b.c.1851
• IV. Tilton- b.c.1855
• V. Jennetta- b.c.1858, m. 23 Nov. 1877 Kennebunkport, Peter W. Annis
• VI. Webster George- b. 19 May 1882 Noank, CT, m. Clara R.
• VII. Leona- b. 1 Sept. 1884, d. 31 Jan. 1885 Groton

Sources

  1. Pension Records for Amos Eldridge- National Archives
  2. Pension Records for Amos Eldridge- National Archives
  3. Port Hudson, Confederate Bastion on the Mississippi- Lawrence Hewitt, Louisiana State University Press, 1987- pp. 167-70
  4. [www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm | National Park Service- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database]
  5. Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress- Perley Poore, Ed., Government Printing Office, Washington, 1866- Report of the Secretary of the Navy- p. 175
  6. ) New York Times- 22 Oct. 1866
  7. The Passing of the United States Frigate Sabine- George T. Brown- The Day, New London, Sat. 16 July 1938- p. 18
  8. 1880 Census for Groton, CT- Sup. Dist. 2, Enumeration Dist. No. 103, p. 2
  9. Census for Groton, CT- Sup. Dist. No. 26, Enumeration Dist. No. 450, Sheet No. 24
  10. Pension Records for Amos Eldridge- National Archives
  • Maine, Massachusetts & Connecticut V.R.




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