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It was the heart of Massachusetts, patriotic Worcester County, beating responsive to the music of the Union, that was to extend its blessing upon a regiment of men to be raised for a service of three years.

The County of Worcester was to move again. The same County who's sons seized their firelocks to join the patriots resisting the British during their march to Lexington and Concord. Whose loyal women melted their clock-weights and moulded them into bullets for the men who marched to join the Continental Army at Cambridge.

In addition, Worcester County soldiers broke the back of Shay's rebellion and sent a regiment under Colonel Towne to hold the crest of Dorchester Heights in the war of 1812.

Worcester County had already responded by sending companies into the national service for three months. These companies were the Worcester City Guards, Emmet Guards, a Company from Holden, a Company from Boston, Third Battalion of Rifles, and the Worcester Light Infantry. Many of the fine men of the 25th came from these companies.

It was during this time that the Mass. 15th regiment was formed. That noble regiment, under Colonel Charles Devens, Jr. was marched to Maryland and there waited for its first baptism of blood at Ball's Bluff.

Another Regiment, the 21st, was in camp, its ranks nearly full, waiting for orders to march. On August 20th, 1861, Governor Andrew issued a proclamation to the citizen soldiers of Massachusetts, saying, "Again, in a moment of public danger, your country calls you to the post where the heroic Soldier of April hastened with generous alacrity and sublime devotion. Duty, honor the dearest sentiments of patriotic love and devotion, call for your brave hearts and unconquerable arms."

Up to this time the officers and enlisted men of the Worcester companies noted above, who were mustered out early in August, had made no movement in anticipation of future service. Some felt that their individual duty was performed, and had determined not again to leave their families for the dangers and privations of the field. However, the proclamation of Governor Andrew aroused the old fire in their hearts and proved the straw that broke the back of peaceful intentions.

July had seen the disaster of Bull Run. The need for a substantial army was now felt more than ever as the Confederates were menacingly close to Washington.

The men of Worcester who had seen service soon realized that their duty was performed only when they had accomplished all that could be done. They realized that actions, and not professions, stamp the character of the man, and thus feeling they could not remain at home while others fought the national battles for them. Captain A. B. R. Sprague, presented the subject to a number of the representative soldiers of Worcester, by whom it was determined to raise a Worcester County regiment, with the understanding that it was designed for coast service, whatever that might be.

Governor Andrew had gone out of state to offer the position of colonel of the 25th to Colonel Green of New York City. A committee was formed and sent to New York to meet and discuss this with Colonel Green. During the discussion committee members expressed their opinion that a local officer should be appointed and not someone from New York. Colonel Green expressed his sympathy with the committee and stated emphatically that he would not under any circumstances accept the colonelcy of the proposed regiment.

Immediately thereafter, Edwin Upton of Fitchburg was commissioned colonel, and Augustus B.R. Sprague of Worcester was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. These appointments were deemed satisfactory and the designated officers commenced on September 11 1861, the recruitment of companies for the new regiment.

Edwin Upton, commissioned the first colonel of the Massachusetts Twenty-fifth Volunteers, was born in 1815, and was a resident of Fitchburg. By trade he was a mason, but for a number of years before the war he was engaged in the lumber trade. From President Lincoln he received an appointment in the Boston Custom House, which he held and surrendered at the time of his commission. For 25 years he had been connected with the Massachusetts Militia, receiving regular promotion from a private to the rank of colonel of the Old Ninth Regiment.

At the break out of war he was captain of the Washington Guards of Fitchburg. The other military organization of Fitchburg, the Fitchburg Fusiliers were also ready for any emergency. A parade was held on the 27th of April. Fitchburg residents were thoroughly patriotic and many of the military men of the place were "spoiling for a fight". But the time had not come for their services. Afterwards the Fusiliers were assigned to the 15th and the Washington Guards under Colonel Upton went to the 25th.

On October 1 1861, the 25th marched to the Fitchburg railroad station and amongst the cheers and well wishers of a patriotic people, left for Worcester, and joined its fortunes to those of the 25th, being known as Company F.

Colonel Upton brought to the service not only a high character for integrity and honor, but a genuine patriotism and zeal for the loyal cause which made him fit for the intelligent Massachusetts soldiers.

The honorable Amasa Norcross delivered an address before the departure for Worcester. Mr. Norcross said "This expression comes from those who have for many years observed your course in private as well as public life, and now on the eve of your departure to join the forces marshalled in defense of all on earth we most highly prize, they would give you assurance that you have not failed that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches, and that loving favor which is better than silver or gold."

After a somewhat brief service Colonel Upton was able to render, and after the recovery of his health, the loss which compelled him to leave the field, he was again appointed to the Boston Custom House, as storekeeper of the Appraisers store.

He resigned that position that he might accept appointment as keeper of the jail at Fitchburg. In the discharge of his duty, while superintending the blasting of rocks upon the jail ground, a premature explosion occasioned such injury that he has since been totally deprived of sight. The terrible affliction, in which he has the warmest sympathy of all his former comrades in arms, is borne with heroic bravery and the uncomplaining patience of a true Christian gentleman.

Deprived himself of light, he is yet the light of a pleasant home, and the recipient of the love and gratitude of his neighbors and fellow citizens.

The agricultural grounds in Worcester had been secured for the use of the new regiment, designated the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, and on September 26 some of the companies having recruited the full number of men, and others partially recruited, formed camp upon the ground which was designated Camp Lincoln in honor of ex-Governor Levi Lincoln.

A special order #478 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Headquarters, Boston September 25, 1861 directed to raise a regiment of volunteers for the service of the United States will direct the following named persons to proceed to the Camp in Worcester and report to the officer in command. Josiah Pickett, Orson Moulton, Thomas O'Neill, Charles H. Foss, J. Waldo Denny, Willard Clark, Albert H. Foster Louis Wagely.

Lieutenant F.E. Goodwin is hereby detailed as recruiting officer of the Camp, and all persons wishing to enter for the purposes of enlisting will be sent by the officer of the guard to him, at headquarters. By command of Colonel Edwin Upton E.A. Harkness, Adjutant.

Camp Lincoln was laid out in an attractive manner, and its good order and cleanliness were subjects of general remarks form the thousands who visited the grounds. The company streets were named accordingly, Co. A - Pickett Avenue, Co. E - Jackson Street, Co. C - Carver Street, Co. G - Liberty Street, Co. B the Milford Company named its street Draper in honor of a well known patriotic citizen of that town whose son was a lieutenant in the company, and who came home from the war as a Lieutenant Colonel.

The company streets faced towards Agricultural Street, the right being near Highland street, and the companies were disposed in the following order:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A E C G B F K I D H

1 6 4 9 3 8 5 10 7 2 - ranks

The Springfield armory was unable to manufacture a supply equal to the extraordinary demand placed upon it. A large number of arms stored in the south ended up in Confederate hands due to the burning of Harpers Ferry, and the treachery of Mr. Floyd, the secretary of war under President Buchanan. He had sent 115,00 small arms to the seceding states. As a result of this the government was forced to go to the markets of Europe for a supply. The English and Belgian factories supplied the arms necessary for this emergency.

On October 2 the 25th was supplied with the Enfield (English) musket, rifled, and on October 3 the battalion had its first dress parade with arms.

On October 7 the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States by companies, the mustering officer being Captain John M. Goodhue, 11th United States Infantry.

October 9 the 25th had its first battalion drill and on the 26th, the line officers received their commissions, and on the succeeding day were duly "qualified" according to the law.

A drum corps, comprising a detail of two musicians from each company was formed. They were instructed by the well known veteran drummer of Worcester, Jubal H. Haven, who had enlisted in company A. From early morning until late at night was heard the tapping of the sticks. Drum major Haven was finally rewarded by a drum corps that could be excelled by none other in the service.

Ira D. Bates succeeded Mr. Haven when the latter was discharged for a disability. The drum corps, under Mr. Bates was the only music of the regiment during the war.

Arthur P. Forbes,

Charles H. Pelton, Thomas Gleason,

James A. Woodworth,

Wm. J. Temple

Lawson D. Wood,

Francis Bridges,

Charles H. Seagrave,

John D. Mirick,

Henry W. Fernald,

Randall Mann,

Williard Cheney Jr.,

Edward W. Wellington.

Many presentations of public appreciation and generous forethought took place at Camp Lincoln during the stay of the 25th. Public visitors were common as the gratitude of the people rained down upon the gallant soldiers soon to be embattled in the cause.

Many men of the 25th were connected with the parish of which Rev. Merrill Richardson was pastor--the Salem Street Society of Worcester. His words echoed throughout the public press from week to week, resounded through the country, and touched the hearts of many men throughout the Commonwealth. He held service on several Sabbaths in Camp Lincoln and discoursed upon the great duty before them.

Members of the Salem Street Society held a social gathering at with the officers and soldiers of the regiment, connected with the society, were entertained, and an informal farewell and "God bless you" extended.

The pulpit of the Old South Society, occupied by Rev. Horace James, a co-laborer of Mr. Richardson, had thundered its denunciations against the rebellion. He was beloved by all who were honored with his friendship. It was not surprising that the officer of the regiment early sought him for chaplain. Several days elapsed before he finally concluded to surrender his pastoral duties.

He addresses the following letter to the Old South Society:

To the assessors of the First Parish in Worcester: "Gentlemen,--Our country still continues to call her sons to the field in defence of her institutions. In answer to her call, another regiment from Worcester County, in addition the the Fifteenth and Twenty-first, is nearly ready to march. It is composed of the flower of our youth, and takes not a few from our churches and congregations. Through its constituted authorities it has elected your pastor as its chaplain, and strongly urges his acceptance of the post. I submit to you, therefore, the question: Are you willing to let me go? It seems to myself like the voice of the Lord. It so accords with the spirit of my public teachings, it is so fitting a sacrifice in the hour of our nation's danger and distress, and so manifestly indicated in divine providence, that, in the absence of any decisive considerations, on the other side of the question, it is, to me, plainly a duty to obey the summons. I therefore ask of you the favor that you will take immediate measures to open the way for my departure. And, that your action may be perfectly unembarrassed, I hereby tender to you my resignation of the pastorate of the First Church and Parish in Worcester, with a view to accept the chaplaincy of the 25th regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Wishing you, and the beloved people to whom I have ministered in the Lord for nearly nine years, all blessing from above."

I am very faithfully, your pastor,

Horace James