Lafayette Artillery Company facts for kids

The Lafayette Artillery Company is a very old group from New Hampshire. It started in Peterborough in 1804. Back then, it was called the Artillery Company of the 22nd Regiment. This group was like an early version of today's National Guard. They have been active ever since they started! Since 1833, their main home has been in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire. Today, they mostly teach people about history. They often take part in Civil War reenactments in the northeastern United States.

History of the Lafayette Artillery Company

How the Company Started

In 1804, New Hampshire changed its state militia system. A militia is like a group of citizens who can be called to serve as soldiers. Because of these changes, new artillery groups started in different towns. These included groups in Peterborough, Somersworth, and Keene.

The Peterborough artillery group was part of the Twenty-Second Regiment. This regiment also had infantry (foot soldier) companies from towns like New Ipswich and Wilton. A lawyer named James Wilson was the first leader, called a captain.

Back then, everyone had to serve in the military. Being in the artillery was seen as more important than being an infantry soldier. We don't know much about their very early days. But some members did help defend Portsmouth in 1814. This was during the War of 1812, when the British Navy blocked ports in New England.

Changes and a New Home

The 1820s were a time of big changes for the artillery group. Before 1820, only three captains led the group. But from 1820 to 1832, five different captains took charge. This shows things were less stable.

Also, fewer people from Peterborough joined the group. This was because Peterborough was becoming more industrial. More members started coming from Wilton and Lyndeborough. By 1833, most Peterborough members had left. The group then moved its main base to South Lyndeborough.

Becoming the Lafayette Artillery Company

In 1837, the group officially became a company. They chose the name "Lafayette Artillery Company." This was probably to honor Marquis de La Fayette. He was a French nobleman who helped America during the Revolutionary War. He had died in 1834.

Around this time, the group got the special brass cannon they still have today. They might have had an iron cannon before. But in 1844, inspectors said their cannon was "unfit for service." So, the New Hampshire Legislature gave them a new one. It was an 822-pound brass cannon, made in 1844. The group still owns this cannon. They also have its original caisson, which is a special cart for carrying ammunition.

Training and the Civil War

The group kept training with their cannon. In 1850, they used their training at a big military gathering. The crowd there was very noisy. The artillery was called to help keep order. They even chased away some gamblers!

During the Civil War, the Artillery was again called to defend Portsmouth. They served for six weeks at Fort Constitution. But they didn't see any fighting there. Their cannon was used for training in Nashua in 1863.

About twenty members of the Artillery joined other regiments that fought in the Civil War. One of them was Harvey Holt, Jr. He was said to be the first New Hampshire man to die at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. Other members who died included John Hartshorn and John Karr. Some members, like David Proctor and George Woodward, even led African American troops. Azro Cram was wounded and taken prisoner.

After the Civil War

After the Civil War, many artillery companies in New Hampshire closed down. But the Lafayette Artillery Company kept going! By 1877, it became more of a social club. That year, they started a special party called the February 22nd Levee and Ball.

This celebration honored George Washington and marked the group's birthday. The day started with speeches, followed by dinner. The afternoon had more speeches, music, and fun. The main event was an evening dance that lasted until early morning. A big supper of turkey or ham was served around 10:30 PM.

This party was so popular that in 1888, the group asked the town of Lyndeborough for help. They wanted to build a hall for the event, called "Union Hall." The town built the hall, but named it Citizens' Hall. It was meant to be a community building. However, some townspeople were upset that public money was used for the artillery group. They refused to go into Citizens' Hall for many years. Citizens' Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The Early 1900s

The Artillery group continued to be an important part of Lyndeborough's social life. Their annual levee and ball became famous for its oyster stew. Even in the 1930s, when Lyndeborough had only 399 people, the ball often attracted 400 or more guests!

In 1904, the group celebrated its 100th birthday. This was like a big February 22nd party. They also held squirrel hunts, put on plays, and had a baseball team. They were often seen in parades in nearby towns like New Ipswich and Manchester.

As older war veterans passed away, the artillery group took over planning the town's Memorial Day activities. They still help with these events today.

Recent History (1941-2010)

Many members of the artillery served in World War II. But after the war, the group faced challenges. People had new things to do, like watching television or spending time with family. Citizens' Hall started to fall apart. In the 1960s, the town moved its offices into the building.

The group still had its 1844 cannon. But when they tried to practice with it, people in town complained about the noise. The annual February 22nd Ball became less popular. It was even canceled in 1953 and didn't return every year until 2000.

The group continued to struggle until the early 1980s. That's when they started letting women become full members. They also changed their main goal. By the late 1980s, they became a Civil War reenactment group. These changes helped the group survive.

In 1999, a fire at a member's home destroyed some of the group's old items. But their records, guns, and cannon were safe. Today, the Lafayette Artillery Company is still a big part of Memorial Day celebrations in Lyndeborough and Wilton. They helped fix up Citizens' Hall from 1997 to 2000. As of 2010, members also help clean up the South Lyndeborough village common. They are also helping to move war memorials and create new ones for veterans of the Vietnam War and other conflicts.