In the footsteps of Lt. James Matthews and the Rockland Squad.

After my fall visit to Rockland Maine, (and the discovery that fourteen Company D volunteers had called it home), I was curious to see what Rockland looked like when they departed for the War. As my wife and I walked Main Street, I looked up to see if the buildings had a date on their cornices, but was disappointed to find only single one (1867). After returning home, I retrieved Matthews book Soldiers in Green, and took down notes of the Rockland businesses, social organizations and churches that Matthews visited during his Veteran leave.

Unfortunately, Rockland experienced six major fires that destroyed sections of its downtown; beginning in 1853 and continuing up to 1972, (1890: Underwood Block; 1920: Four business blocks on the east side of Main Street; 1934: Savings Bank Block; 1941: Gladstone Block; 1952: Hotel Rockland, Bayview Hotel, portions of buildings on Park and Main Streets; 1972: Samoset Hotel). Other buildings/blocks underwent renovations that altered the height or character of the buildings. Viewing photos of the devastation, made me I realize why so little of the downtown that Matthews knew intimately survives today.

Having re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer, Matthews arrived in Augusta, Maine on January 12th, to collect the Federal re-enlistment bounty ($100). The next day, he arrived home; “…at 7 PM…met father on the street“, and received an additional $315 (Rockland’s reenlistment bonus). Flush with cash, Matthew’s “ran around town…..purchased boots, hat, collar, shirts, etc (portfolio, memoranda book, and Days and Nights with the Army)*

I became curious about the book Matthew’s purchased, and if it was still in print. I discovered it was written by Charles Carleton Coffin, who was a war correspondent for the Boston Journal, whose articles appeared under the pen name, “Carleton”. Capitalizing on his popularity, Coffin secured book contracts with Boston publishers, Ticknor & Fields. Ticknor & Fields were the leading publishers of American literature; their catalog including works by Hawthorne, Emerson and Thoreau. Coffin wrote fiction and nonfiction books for both adult and youthful readers. Well aware of his readers (New England and Boston) strong abolition sentiments, Coffin devoted the first chapter to highlight the foundational, moral, cultural and economic differences between the North and the South.

Within 48 hours of celebrating his freedom from 16 months of stifling military routine and combat trauma, Matthews soberly penned: “Rather dull in Rockland now”. The timely arrival of a letter by Captain McClure gave him a new assignment; “ordering me to report to Provost Marshal of Belfast for recruits”.

On January 18, Matthews, with fellow Co. D member, Nelson Hall, set off for Belfast. Matthew’s wrote: “Reported to Captain Bean and took up lodging at the New England House”. New England Hotel turned out to be my first photographic link to James Matthews. This is a description the Hotel’s history and image as it appeared in 1872; In 1848 the New England House hotel opened on High Street in the former Eels house, which had been built in 1806. The hotel was re-modeled and enlarged in 1860, and in 1885 was renamed the Windsor Hotel. By the early 20th century, the hotel had fifty-five guest rooms and its restaurant was popular with diners. The building burned in 1960. Link: https://www.mainememory.net/record/98369/image/98369

On January 20th, Matthew’s wrote; “New England House is a good hotel. Shall go to Rockland tomorrow and join Aurora Lodge if possible”. The next day he added: “Met at the stopping place in Rockland with Mr. Richardson who conducted me to the hall where I was made a Brother”. Based on surviving images, Matthews may have attended the Lodge located in one of the upper floors of the Berry & Cobb block; (link to a 1872 stereo view): https://www.mainememory.net/record/100054/image/100054 .

Matthews found recruiting boring and unproductive. Off duty, he enjoyed the company of “Mrs. Rich” & “Mrs. Chase” playing euchre, going ice skating, taking sleigh rides, attending dances, viewing a diorama, and hanging out with his former coworkers at the Rockland Democrat and Free Press.

On January 23rd, Matthews reported: “had negative plate taken”; and twelve days later posed for an ambrotype. I was curious to locate the name of the photographer/studio he visited.

Fortunately, the Maine Memory Network has provided an invaluable photographic history of Rockland entitled; Promoting Rockland Through a Stereopticon, 1875. This is the introduction: “Local stereograph publisher Frank Crockett was the son of Enos Crockett, one of the first photographers in East Thomaston…Enos Crockett had begun making daguerreotypes in his saloon in the Spofford Block on Main Street in 1849…His oldest son, Frank, joined the business in the 1860s and began publishing stereo views of Rockland.”

In addition to studio portraits and cartes de visite; Crockett expanded his portfolio to include images of hotels (to advertise Rockland’s emerging tourist industry), business and residential blocks, churches and local industries, (docks/shipyards, chandlery, lime kilns and granite quarries). https://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder ... bject=page

On February 20th, 1865, the Second U.S. Sharpshooters were disbanded, with the surviving Rockland veterans transferred to the 17th Maine Infantry. Although commissioned as a First Lieutenant, Matthews was not mustered, due to being a supernumerary. He was honorably discharged on ? And arrived home on ?

Civilian James Matthews was reunited with family and friends. His journal notes he attended different community churches, hiked Blackington’s Corner, and resumed his job as a typesetter, splitting his time at both the Democrat & Free Press, and Courier Gazette. Like many of veterans, Matthews felt the pull of immigrating West irresistible. Within two months of his discharge, James Matthews packed his trunk and valise and stepped onto a Chicago-bound train and a new life. However, many of his Company D comrades chose to remain in Rockland. The Rockland, Thomaston, Belfast and Camden Directory (1868), notes their occupation and residency;

* Henry Brown; Brown Henry Mrs. h(ome). Lime Rock, n. old County road

* Edgar Crockett; Seaman, bds. Nathaniel Crockett’s

* Alexander Crockett; Seaman, living at Crockett residence

* Rufus T. Hall (injured in train wreck; discharged disabled) Seaman, h(ome) Florence

* John S. Hall; Lime manufacturer, Crockett point, h. (Hall was only 19 when he enlisted. Possibly he worked for the family business after the war)

* Thomas J. Henderson (Discharge for disability 2/4/63); Ship-master, h(ome) n. Orange (street)

* Martin Hopkins; Laborer, h(ome) Grace

* Argyl Morse; b(oards) Asa Morse’s

* John E. Wade; Seaman, bds. William II.

* Barzilla E. Bragg; teamster, h(ouse) Warren,Bragg Zenas O. Ship-Smith, Front, n. Camden, h. Warren

* John J. Jameson; Laborer, h. Camden

* James N. Pendelton; Pendleton James M. Mrs. h. Cedar, n. Pine

Sources:

For those who wish to “peek over the shoulder of James Matthews” and read My Days and Nights on the Battlefield, here is the link: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id= ... 2948&seq=9

A view of Main Street and the First Baptist Church, visited by Matthews ten years earlier;
https://www.mainememory.net/record/98881/image/98881

For those interested in learning more of Rockland’s history, this link provides an excellent timeline: https://rocklandmaine.gov/298/History-of-Rockland

Front page of Rockland’s Democrat & Free Press, set by “devil’s apprentice”/typesetter, James Matthews; https://lcn.advantage-preservation.com/ ... 4&cid=2800

Rockland, Thomaston, Belfast and Camden directory 1868: https://digitalmaine.com/rockland_books/1/


Bill Skillman
Berdan Sharpshooters Survivors Association