Description:

Broadside Song Complains About Militia Muster in Massachusetts 1826

This broadside song mocks Major-General Elijah Crane of the Massachusetts militia for convening musters so far from downtown Boston. Militiamen may have sung the song as they marched to Dedham in October 1826 for a division muster there.

[MILITIA.] Printed Document, Lyrics for "Division Muster," a song in sixteen stanzas, ca. 1826. 1 p., 9.25" x 11.75". Expected folds; edge tears; small loss on one fold, not affecting text; minor scattered stains.

Excerpts
"Our Norfolk troops can march with ease
Up to old Dedham plain;
And there I think that we shall please
Our Major General CRANE.
And to Dedham we'll all go.
"

"To our sweet homes we'll now return,
And there relate the fame,
About the powder we did burn,
And also General Crane.
And to Roxbury we'll all go.
"

Historical Background
In 1826, Major General Elijah Crane of the First Division of the Massachusetts militia ordered a muster to convene on October 12 at Dedham, ten miles south of Boston. The Boston brigade of approximately 3,000 men were very angry at having to march so far from Boston for the division muster. The Boston News-Letter declared, "Major-General Crane, in defiance of public sentiment and public feeling, of squibs, crackers, rockets, and pasquinades, seems determined to play his military farce at Dedham, on the twelfth instant; the Boston Brigade, having no tents, must sleep under the canopy of heaven." Despite the caricatures, the Boston newspapers declared that "the manoeuvres were highly to the satisfaction of all who witnessed them." "The First, Second, and Third Brigades," another observed "were commanded by Major-General Crane, of Canton; the troops performed their duty in a soldier-like manner."

Another newspaper asked after the event, "As no little discontent has been manifested by interested persons, towards Major-General Crane for ordering out his three Brigades for a Division Review at Dedham, on Thursday the 12th inst.; and as no doubt many privates have refused or neglected on the occasion, it becomes a somewhat interesting question to decide, whether such persons are liable to pay any fine for that refusal or neglect?" Members of the militia who failed to assemble at called musters were fined for their refusal or neglect, according to the Militia Law of Massachusetts.

Elijah Crane (1754-1834) was born in Milton, Massachusetts, the son of Major Thomas Crane, who played a prominent role in the Revolutionary War. He moved to Canton with his family in 1763 and joined a company in response to the Lexington alarm in 1775 that was stationed at Roxbury, far from danger. He apparently did not serve in the Continental Army but may have helped provided supplies to the army. He rose through the ranks of the militia to become brigadier general in 1803 and major general in 1809 of the First Division of the Massachusetts militia, a position he held until 1827. In 1815, he first called a division muster at "Low Plain" in Readville, ten miles south of Boston. In 1826, he called for another division muster in nearby Dedham, also ten miles from the city, causing much resentment and mockery.

Very rare with institutional copies only at the American Antiquarian Society and the Peabody Essex Museum.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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