Hampshire County MA Archives History - Books .....History Of Co. I, Mass. Vol. Militia 1899
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Book Title: Northampton In The Spanish-American War

CO. I IN THE VOLUNTEER MILITIA.

   The scope of this volume will not admit a history of the military
organizations that have existed in Northampton almost from the time of its
settlement, but it is fitting that a brief record of Co. I's career in the
Volunteer Militia be included. The company was mustered in on November 16, 1887,
the first officers being:—Captain, Charles O. Lovell; first lieutenant, Richard
W. Irwin; second lieutenant, Harry A. Moulton. In the summer of 1889 Captain
Lovell retired and Lieutenant Irwin was unanimously elected to the captaincy.
Under his leadership the company prospered for three years when, after five
years of continuous service in the militia, Captain Irwin resigned the command.
For several months the company was without a captain and first lieutenant and
was held together only by the faithful efforts of Second Lieutenant Southwick.
This was a critical period in the company's career and disbandment was narrowly
averted. Henry L. Williams was finally persuaded to take the captaincy, and was
commissioned December 13, 1892, with Robert E. Southwick as first lieutenant and
George P. Allen as second lieutenant.

   From that time Co. I has had a steady and healthy growth. Each year during
Captain Williams' administration the standard of the company, as shown in the
inspectors' reports, improved in every department until it stood at the head of
the regiment, receiving special complimentary mention from the inspecting
officers. The company made the most remarkable improvement in rifle work,
Captain Williams insisting that every man should be a qualified marksman. As a
result of this requirement and of Lieut, Moynihan's diligent training of the
rifle team, the company won first place at the regimental shoot in 1897, and its
score of 425 points, out of a possible 500, beat the best previous team record
of the state by four points. Besides participating in the annual encampments and
in several regimental field days the company took two special tours of
duty:—With the Second Regiment in the parade at the dedication of Gen. U. S.
Grant's tomb in New York, April 29, 1897; with the second battalion as escort to
President McKinley at North Adams, in October, 1897.

   A period of inactivity followed the muster out of the company from United
States service, while the state officials were busy with the rush of work caused
by the war. Reorganization under the Volunteer Militia was finally effected
early in December, 1898, and these new officers were commissioned January 31,
1899:—Captain, Daniel J. Moynihan; first lieutenant, James R. Gilfillan; second
lieutenant, Chester W. French. The personnel of the company is up to the
standard attained before the war, the same harmony exists between the officers,
and they have the confidence of the men. With the advantages of a new armory,
which now promises to reward the earnest and long-continued efforts of Captain
Williams and other officers and friends of the company, the organization should
retain its place at the head of the Second Regiment. Following is the complete
list of the officers of the company since it was mustered in, with dates of
their commissions:—

CAPTAINS.
Charles O. Lovell, November 16, 1887. 
Richard W. Irwin, August 25, 1889. 
Henry L. Williams, December 13, 1892. 
Daniel J. Moynihan, January 31, 1899.

FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Richard W. Irwin, November 25, 1887. 
Harry A. Moulton, August 27, 1889. 
Fred J. Munyan, November 20, 1891.
Robert E. Southwick, December 13, 1892. 
George P. Allen, April 9, 1894. 
Glenroy A. Thayer, December 17, 1894. 
James R. Gilfillan, January 31, 1899.

SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Harry A. Moulton, November 16, 1887. 
Fred J. Munyan, August 27, 1889. 
William Keefe, Jr., November 20, 1891. 
Robert E. Southwick, May 17, 1892. 
George P. Allen, December 13, 1892. 
Glenroy A. Thayer, April 9, 1894. 
Daniel J. Moynihan, December 17, 1894. 
Chester W. French, January 31, 1899.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

NORTHAMPTON IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
BY
JAMES R. GILFILLAN
AND
HERBERT E. RILEY.

ILLUSTRATED.

PRESS OF
ENTERPRISE PRINTING COMPANY
EASTHAMPTON, MASS.
1899.

Copyright, 1899,
by J. R. Gilfillan and H. E. Riley.


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