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“TOO OLD TO RUN.” .


Historical Guide-Book of Somerville. 19
of Boston, the flag was transferred to one of the forts in the
harbor that had been vacated by the British.
After Burgoyne's defeat his troops were quartered, as
prisoners of war, on Prospect Hill and Winter Hill, 2,300
British on the former and 1,900 Hessian on the latter.
Here they remained through the winter of 1777-78, causing
a great deal of trouble to their guards, and annoyance to the
people.
This was the last military event of the Revolution on
Somerville soil.
A tablet bears the following inscription:
ON THIS HILL THE UNION FLAG, WITH ITS THIRTEEN
STRIPES, - THE EMBLEM OF THE UNITED COLONIES, -
FIRST BADE DEFIANCE TO AN ENEMY, JANUARY 1, 1776.
HERE WAS THE CITADEL, THE MOST FORMIDABLE WORK
IN THE AMERICAN LINES DURING THE SIEGE OF BOSTON :
JUNE 17, 1775, TO MARCH 17, 1776,
Prospect Hill is situated a short distance from Union
Square in a northerly direction. A portion of the hill is now
used for residential purposes.


Historical Guide-Book of Somerville. 29
On the front is a tablet with this inscription :
“THEIR warf ARE is over, THEY SLEEP well.”
ERECTED BY THE
SOMERVILLE LIGHT INFANTRY
WITH THE BALANCE OF A FUND
GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTED BY THEIR FELLOW
citizens, IN AID OF THE COMPANY
oN ENTERING THE UNITED STATES SERVICE FOR
THREE MONTHS, APRIL 19, 1861,
IN MEMORY OF ALL FROM THIS TOWN who
HAVE FALLEN IN THE
SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.
Somerville's loyalty to the Union was characterized by
great enthusiasm and earnestness. In addition to the local
military companies, hundreds of citizens enlisted for service
and were assigned duty in either the army or navy, where
they rendered deeds of heroism and exhibited the most un-
daunted courage. According to records 1085 men and 40
commissioned officers went from the town. Of this list, 250
were wounded and 98 killed in battle or died from disease
or injuries, while others suffered the severest hardship in
prisons and otherwise. The sympathy of the people found
expression in the numerous packages of clothing. etc. sent
to the “boys in blue.” Over $200,000 was also contributed
in aid of the Union cause.


36 Historical Guide-Book of Somerville.
Mystic water, for drinking purposes, was introduced in
1868,
A petition for annexation to Boston, in 1869, failed to
pass the Legislature.
In 1870 Post 139, G. A. R. was organized.
In 1871 Highland avenue was extended from Central
street to Davis Square. Street watering was tried for the
first time this year. -
April 14, 1871 an act establishing the City of Somerville
passed the Legislature, and was accepted by the people at a
town meeting held April 27, the vote being 336 in favor and
170 against. The first city election occurred Dec. 4, 1871,
when the following officials were chosen : Mayor George O.
Brastow. Aldermen : Ward 1, William H. Furber, Horace
Haskins; Ward 2, Clark Bennett, Daniel E. Chase; Ward
3, Jacob T. Glines, John R. Poor; Ward 4, John G. Hall,
Person Davis. Councilmen : Ward 1, E. D. Conant, E. A.
Curtis, M. Dechan, C. G. Pope ; Ward 2, J. T. Bolton, O.
S. Knapp, Patrick Rafferty, G. W. Wyatt; Ward 3, W. S.
Barnes, Stewart French, Albert Kenneson, H. F. Woods;
Ward 4, W. C. Crane, T. H. Lord, Nathaniel Morrison,
C. E. Rymes. Inaugural exercises were held in the Town
Hall, Sycamore street, Jan. 1, 1872.
The Latin High School building on Highland avenue was
commenced in April 1871, and completed in the following
February.
In 1872 a Police Court was established.
The Public Library was first opened May 1873, and con-
tained 2,380 volumes.
In 1873 Somerville avenue was widened, making it the
principal thoroughfare of the city.