Middletown 150 Yrs. Ago: What Lincoln's Call Means for Middletown

From The Constitution, Wednesday, February 3, 1864 (volume 27, number 1362)

Another Call For Troops.  A Draft For 500,000.

Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. 1.

It is ordered that a draft of five hundred thousand men, to serve for three years or during the war, be made on the tenth day of March next, for the military service of the United States; crediting and deducting therefrom so many as may have been enlisted or drafted into the service prior to the first day of March and not heretofore credited.  --Abraham Lincoln.

500,000 More.

President Lincoln has issued his call for another draft to take place March 12th. It becomes the citizens of Middletown to stir themselves up, and see that the quota of this town is promptly filled if we would escape a draft. We understand that under this call some one hundred and twenty men will be wanted, independent of all enlistments of volunteers and the re-enlistment of those already in the field. If the quota is filled, it must be done at once. Men can now be obtained at a low figure, comparatively, and those who have the means should at once come forward and subscribe freely. A subscription paper has already been started, and those interested can find it with Capt. T. R. Parker, at his office in the Post Office building. We learn that 120 men can now be furnished for about $5000; what the price will be one week from now, we cannot tell. Portland, Chatham, Durham, Haddam, East Haddam and other towns about us have already filled their quota. Shall Middletown be alone in a draft? It remains for us to say.

Successful Surgical Operation.

The friends of Major Lewis of the 12th Conn. Volunteers will be gratified to learn, that after a most trying and painful operation he is now in a fair way of recovery. At the attack upon Port Hudson he was struck by a grape shot one and a half inches in diameter, just above and against the collar bone, fracturing it within two inches of the shoulder joint; the ball passing downwards through his right lung and lodging against the spine, breaking up the processee. The removal of five distinct pieces of bone connected with the vertebra was accomplished on Wednesday last, by Dr. J. E. Blake of this city. The operation occupied an hour, and the incisions were at least two inches deep. The Major bore the operation like a hero, not even uttering a groan. We can truly say that he is “pluck to the back bone.”

Nearly a Case of Drowning occurred at Pameacha Pond on Saturday morning last. Several boys were skating on the pond, which, owing to the cold weather of the night before, was very good, except in front of the ice houses. On this ice, three boys, Wesson, Dunham and Chapin, scholars connected with Mr. Colton’s school, ventured, and broke through. Two of them were immediately rescued. Chapin was not rescued until he was sinking the third time, and when brought to the surface, life to all appearances had fled. By quick and ready means, however, he was restored to consciousness. Much credit is due to his friends present, who were so successful in rescuing him from his perilous situation.

Rip Van Winkle, in the shape of the Sentinel, has come to life once more. He is much astonished at the events which have transpired around him during the last few weeks, especially at the result of the late city election. He abuses his superiors, calls his party “Deeocrapic,” and gets things mixed up generally. Don’t worry friend Winkle, take another nap, as you are not much missed.

New Furniture Warehouse.

Mr. Edward Paddock will open to the public in a few weeks at his establishment in Court street, a large and complete assortment of furniture, it being his intention to add this branch to his already extended business in the stove line. Persons, and especially young people, wishing an outfit, will do well to call on him, and examine his goods and prices.

The Cartridge Factory recently erected by D. C. Sage, on his land at Fort Hill, is now finished. It is a firm substantial building, 20 by 80 feet, and embraces every advantage necessary for his business. On Wednesday evening of last week, there was a large gathering within the building. About one hundred and fifty invited guests, with music and Albert for promptor, whiled away the time until the small hours approached. Capt. John of the Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Hotel was on hand to do the honors of the table, in a way not to be surpassed. Everything passed off pleasantly, and was a credit to the originators and managers of the “Cartridge Ball.”

The Weather last week had a feeling of spring. On Wednesday afternoon the mercury went up to 50 degrees. Sunday morning closed in firm and cold, much impeding circulation upon perilous sidewalks. Monday morning snow fell thick, but it was soon washed away. Average temperature of the week at sunrise was 29 degrees.

British Royalty.

There is certainly no occasion to fear that the succession to the British throne will go out of the country, for the people of England have had another occasion for a paroxysm of joy and loyalty, on the announcement that the Princess of Wales had presented her husband, and the nation, with an heir. The Prince of Wales was married on the 10th of March, 1863, and became a father on the 8th of January, 1864. The child will not have any title conferred upon him, but will simply have the title “Prince” prefixed to his christian name. No prince of the blood-royal in England succeeds to any hereditary title, except the Sovereigns eldest son, who is born Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothsay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, and Hereditary High Steward of Scotland.—The title of Prince of Wales is generally conferred on him, when he is a few days old. Not one of Queen Victoria’s sons except the Prince of Wales, has yet a Peer’s title, which would qualify them to sit in the House of Lords. As the custom has been to settle on each Prince, on his creation as Peer, the sum of $60,000 per annum for life, besides other emoluments, it is presumed that the British public will not be very anxious for the present young princes to be converted into Royal Dukes. Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, received an annual income of $300,000; out of which, at the time of his death, he had saved the sum of five million dollars. It might reasonably have been expected that his children would have received their doweries out of this sum, instead of taking it, as they did, from the pockets of their subjects. No wonder, then, that the Royal progeny is so dear to British taxpayers.

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For more articles from The Constitution, go to the Middlesex County Historical Society blog.