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GOVERNOR GUILD AS 2ND. LIEUTENANT

the streets, so that by half-past seven order was restored."

The military were retained on duty all night, sentinels being posted and every church guarded to prevent false alarms. The next day all was peaceful and the promptness of the National Lancers was no small factor in bringing it about.

The new cavalry corps showed a decided taste for the dashing and spectacular when they chose as their character the Uhlan or Lancer, adopting that uniform and armament. The armies of Napoleon had not ceased to have their influence on

popular interest. They had been rendered more efficient by the presence of the Polish Lancers and France led the world in the number and power of that class of mounted men. The uniform adopted followed the style affected by those organizations in the French army: the uhlan schapka-the peculiar helmet of red and blue-a close-fitting coat of green, double-breasted, which buttoned one way was entirely green and buttoned the other showed a plastron of scarlet; red trousers with the section from the knee to the ankle of green like the coat. The armament was a sabre, a flintlock pistol and the lance with a scarlet pennon with two points.

In this characteristic and striking uniform the National Lancers made their first parade on June 14, 1837. Preceded by a mounted band the command marched through the streets of Boston to South Boston where they paid their respects to Brigadier General Aimee. They visited the residence of Jarvis Braman, one of the members, where a lunch was spread. The day closed with a dinner in Concert Hall.

From that day to this, the 14th of June is the hallowed day of all the year in the calendar of the National Lancers and it never passes without proper observance. The parade has traversed the principal streets of Boston and round the board at the banquet have sat men famous in the annals of the city, state and nation.

The first parade was described by a newspaper of the time as follows: "National Lancers. This newly organized troop made their first dress parade on Wednesday, under the command of General Davis, and attracted to the Common several thousand spectators to witness

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their evolutions and truly soldier like movements. The day was unusually fine and their brilliant uniforms were exhibited at great advantage. Their ranks were pretty full, numbering sixty-six, we believe: several, however, were necessarily excused and among these was Lieutenant E. Coleman, a gallant officer, who was confined to his room by illness, from exposure while on duty at the riot Sunday night.

"In the afternoon a procession was formed which escorted the state and city authorities, their guests, through the principal streets to Concert Hall, where at half past five o'clock, the whole company sat down to altogether the most sumptuous entertainment we have seen served for a similar occasion. Eloquent and appropriate addresses were made by the Governor, the Mayor, the Adjutant General, Colonels Thomas and Winthrop, Rev. Mr. Robbins, Dr. Flint, J. C. Park and others. The sentiments were generally patriotic and racy and the 14th of June will hereafter be memorable as the anniversary of the brave and gallant Lancers."

The favor of Governor Everett for the new cavalry company was shown by his gift of a banner, which event took place before the State House on the morning of August 30, 1837. The Lancers arrived at the State House at 7.30 o'clock to escort him to Cambridge and there the Governor in a short address presented the banner.

As described at the time by the Columbian Sentinel, the banner banner

was, and still is, as follows: "On one side is a copy of the arms of the State; on the other is a view of Boston Common, taken from a position near the head of West Street,

and embracing the State House, the old Hancock House, the great tree, the frog pond, and also the residences of the present and three ex-mayors of the city, viz., Messrs. Phillips, Otis and Armstrong. This is a new view of the Common taken by Mr. Hubbard. In the centre of the Common the Lancers are represented as coming into line for review by the Governor, as on their first public parade, and also a view of the Governor and accompanying officers in uniform.

"The standard is on white satin, is decorated with gold bullion and arranged after the manner of old Knights Templars. The staff is surmounted by a bronze horse, from the foot of which hang three pendants, white, red and green, the colors of the uniform of the company. On the top of the vignette is the national Eagle bearing the words, 'For Liberty, Union and the Laws.' Underneath is the American standard and the Lance, bearing the inscription - 'Presented by Edward Everett, Aug. 30, 1837."

Following the presentation the Lancers took the Governor under their escort and marched to Cambridge. A newspaper of the time says: "National Lancers. This new and unrivalled corps of cavalry made a splendid appearance on Wednesday and performed in fine style the escort duty to the Governor and council in their attendance upon the literary exercises at Cambridge."

On March 26, 1845, the full dress uniform of the corps was changed. The green and red was discarded, and instead was adopted a scarlet coat with two rows of gilt buttons bearing the organization initials. A pair of scarlet and blue epaulets

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and a white belt set off this coat to advantage. Sky-blue trousers took the place of the green and red ones of the original uniform. The helmet remained unchanged and no change has it suffered in recent years. Its appropriate colors, the brilliant sunburst on the front, the. plume of swan's feathers and the cord of heavy gilt bullion add much to the costume which is one of the most striking and brilliant of any of the characteristic uniforms in the country and the only Lancer uniform in the United States. An appropriate dress uniform of neat design completes the wardrobe, and the Lancer is provided for all occasions.

When mounted the corps forms one of the most glittering military pageants to be seen in the country. The shining lances, the fluttering scarlet banners, the waving white feather plumes and the gorgeous color of the coats with the flash of sabre and horse-housings make a parade of National Lancers a picture not easily forgotten and one which is familiar to every graduate of Harvard University of the past half century.

The war record of the National Lancers, though limited on account of peculiar conditions to that of individuals, is not to be ignored. There was no opportunity for service in the Mexican War as a command, but when the Civil War began the corps was not idle. At that time the ranks of the corps were filled principally by men of mature years, men with families and established business associations. The majority were beyond the limit for military service in the field, so the war was not for them. But there was no lack of the true patriotic

spirit. Captain Lucius Slade was then in command; Oren H. Shaw and Atherton H. Stevens, Jr., were lieutenants, and these three officers began to recruit as many companies for the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. Lieutenant Shaw organized Company C; Lieutenant Stevens, Company D; and Captain Slade, Company G making more troops from the National Lancers than were furnished by any other cavalry organization in the state. Under command of these three officers as captains they marched to Readville where they were mustered into the Volunteer Army with the exception of Captain Slade who for proper reasons did not enter the service. A number of other Lancers were in the companies, among them being: Lieutenant Charles E. Rice, Lieutenant Walker Miles, Lieutenant George F. Jennings, Lieutenant J. H. Wyman, Quartermaster Lucius W. Knight, Sergeants Samuel Wright and William H. Guild, while later the names of others were enrolled among the defenders of the Union.

while later the

The history of these organizations is part of the story of the Civil War, and need not be rehearsed here, but the name of one man comes out prominently for the part he played, that of Atherton H. Stevens, Jr., who later became major in the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, in which capacity he was the provost marshal of the 24th Army Corps and participated in the fall of Richmond.

Charles Carlton Coffin, the historian, in describing the taking of Richmond says: "A little past four in the morning Major Atherton H. Stevens, with two companies of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, recon

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noitered the Confederate lines east of the city. He found the intrenchments evacuated and the cannon spiked. He met a carriage containing the mayor and Judge Meredith of the Confederate State Court, who tendered the surrender of Richmond. Major Stevens proceeded to the capitol, ascended the roof, pulled down the State. flag which was flying, and hoisted a guidon of his troop in its place."

JOHN BLACKIE

From this statement of an eyewitness it is known that it was to a National Lancer that the capital of the Confederacy surrendered, and he raised the first emblem of the restored authority of the United States over the city.

When the war was over the ranks of the National Lancers were largely augmented by veteran soldiers. men

who had been in the Volunteer service in various branches. Among them were two who later became commanders of the corps-Major C. C. Emery of

CHARLES WAUGH, CLERK

the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry, and Sergeant C. F. Thurston of Company D of the Ist Cavalry.

During the war the companies which were recruited in the Lancers' armory were considered the especial wards of the corps, which did much from time to time to make their army life easier. On the return from the front on a re-enlisted furlough Company D was received with much enthusiasm and entertained while in the city, and in October, 1864, the 1st Regiment on its return was received by the Lancers and their especial companies made important guests.

When the Spanish War began to threaten, the National Lancers were ready for what might come. Early in the spring the troop was prepared for possible service, and recruiting was commenced in a quiet way. The call for volunteers did not include any New England cavalry in the quota, and as it was

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