There are times in life when there is a need to celebrate victory. There are other times when we are most forlorn and joy is an emotion that is difficult to attain. Such was the case in Concord on April 3, 1865. Residents rejoiced for they learned that Richmond had fallen and the Civil War effort was nearing the end, and their husbands, sons and daughters too would certainly be home soon. The people rejoiced for they had suffered the war years and lost the peace that we desire within our hearts each day of our life.
The good news was immediately celebrated with the ringing of all the church bells within our little city and followed by the discharge of cannons and a procession with flags. It was just a week later on April 10 that our ancestors learned General Lee had surrendered at Appomattox and the war had come to an end. There would be no sorrow and peace would reign across our city as well as our country.
With the surrender there were crowds cheering in the streets, Concord Mayor Humphrey ordered yet another cannon salute as well as a one-hundred-gun salute. The church bells were ringing and our buildings were decorated with our grand flag. On the evening of April 10 another procession formed in the State House yard and the citizens marched along with wounded veterans and young men that were newly recruited and scheduled to deploy, the women and children marched, and the beautiful carriages and riders on horseback followed. It must have been a grand sight to see, the citizens of Concord had finally found that peace that they desired within their hearts. Soon the troops would be home from the war and a sense of complacency would once again become routine.
It was with this festive, light hearted period of celebration that our ancestors received word just five days later on April 15 that President Abraham Lincoln, had been assassinated. Tears, yes there were tears for the man that had guided them on this war-torn journey from 1861 to 1865. Citizens who had just celebrated peace five days before, now found sorrow was bestowed upon their community. A meeting was immediately called at Phenix Hall down on Main Street and the colorful patriotic building decorations were removed and draped with emblems of mourning.
President Lincoln was celebrated at his funeral April 19 in Washington. As the nation wept and the funeral proceeded, our country mourned the loss of a great man. All businesses in Concord closed from 11 a.m. until p.m. and services were held in honor of President Lincoln at both the North and South Congregational Churches as well as the Unitarian and Episcopal Churches. A proclamation was read by both the Governor and the Mayor of Concord and the Reverend Doctor Bouton offered prayer as well as a benediction.
Sad days so closely following celebration left our city in mourning. As the thoughts of this tragedy continued to be discussed by our ancestors the sadness prevailed. Perhaps the discussions brought some peace to the people. As the New Hampshire Regiments started to return to Concord there were constant reminders of the war and more sadness. The troops continued to arrive for months, collecting their last payments from the Concord Paymaster they were mustered out and returned to civilian life. The troops continued to arrive until the last soldier on Dec. 23. The war was over for the people – though it certainly lived on in each of their minds for their remaining years. The celebration of victory robbed with the assassination of our President Lincoln.
There are times in our lives that we celebrate and rejoice for we have been quite fortunate. Sadly, there are other times where we are not able to be consoled, we are wounded and forlorn.