The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-25
Thursday Morning. June 25, 1863.
Major General Berry.

Major General Berry.
The following sketch of General Berry's
life and character, is copied from the funeral
sermon delivered in Rockland by the Rev.
Nathaniel Butler, and since printed for pri-
vate distribution:
HIRAM GREGORY BERRY was born in
Thomaston, now the city Of Rockland, Au-
gust 9th, 1924. The circumstances of his ear
ly life imposed upon him the necessity of man
ual labor. He learned the carpenters trade,
and for several years, iabored in that employ
ment With an intelligence and capacity,
which kept pace with the remarkable enterprise
OF his native town, he sought opportunities
for wider exercise of his talent, and engae-
ed in various branches of industry, till he was
acknowledged one OF the most enterprizing
and successful men among his fellow citizens.
At the early age of twenty-nine, he repre-
sented his native town in the Legislature of
the State, and while yet one of the young
men OF Rockland, was elected its second ma
yor. Recognized as q financier of the first
ability, he was chosen President of the oldest
bank in Rockland, and by his prudence aud
skill relieved it from embarrassment, which
at one time threatened its stability. While
filling these positions in civil life, he also held
various offices In the military organization of
the State.
1t was while pursuing the callings of peace
fui life, that the rebellion of 1851 found him.
The first gun that was. fred at the flag Of his
country, stirred all the patriotism of his heart,
and enlisted all his sympathies for the threat
ened Union Of the States. He enlisted in the
Fourth Regiment of Maine Volunteers, and
In June, 1861, was chosen its Colonel. In
that position, as In all others which he filled,
he gave his entire energies to his work, and
until the time he was removed from the office
OF colonel, by promotion, his regiment was
regarded one OF the most efficient in the ser
vice. BE commanded his regiment in the
first battle of Bull Run, and when the army
for whose success he labored so faithfully, was
defeated, he returned to Alexandria, shedding
tears of modification on the loss of a victory
which he had SO bravely sought to win Pro-
NOTED to the rank OF Brigadier General in
March, 1861, he assumed command Of his
brigade at Hampton, and fought In nearly ev-
cry important battle, from the siege of York
town TO the great battle of Malvern Hills.
His brave and noble bearing during the whole
Peninsular campaign, is part of the history
OF the gallant army of the Union, and In al
most all the few successes it had, his name
bore an honorable place. ,..-,'...
Worn down by the incredible labors Of
those terrible months of the campaign, a con-
stitution, by nature frail, yielded for time to
Us OfCitaACo ShCi ktCc, dnu lOT u Ufltl period
he.returned home, when the congratulations
and honors of his fellow citizens were lavishly
bestowed upon him. With partially restored
health he hastened to join his command and to
give rest to his brigade-already celebrated
by its many conflicts and victories-was as
signed to duty in Upton's Hill, during the
Maryland campaign. To tell how he acquit-
ted himself In all this service, il is only ncces-
sary to say that he invariably received the
commitments md nou f,ta ,rk
rior officers. He was never censured, but
was always praised. His gallant bearing COM
manded the admiration OF the foe he fought.
After the battle of Fredericksburg, the con-
federate general commanding the division inn
'mediately opposed to General Berry took oc-
casion, under flag of truce, to compliment
the latter for his generalship; the only in
stance OF the kind, it is believed, during the
war.
In March, 1868, General Berry was nomina-
ted Major General, and being Immediately
confirmed, was assigned to the command of
the SECOND division of the Third Army Corps
OF the army of the Potomac-the division SO
long commanded by General Hooker This
division, trained anew under his skillful hand,
and renderde perhaps more efficient than ey-
er, he led at the battle of Chancelloryille, the
third of May. Here it fell to him for the
third time during the war, to throw himself
into the breach and stop defeat to wavering
army. An entire corps of the Federal army
mad given way before the enemy and were
neeing to the rear. General Berry, with the
division that had never been driven rod,
met the advancing foe, and with a terrible
charge OF bristing bayonets, drove him back
and saved the day. 1t was the hour of his
last and greatest success, and it was the last
Of his life. Walking cooly among his SOL
diers, In the fearless perform ance of his
duty, the messenger Of death found him, and
at the moment OF success, he fell dead at his
post His last words were a command TO his
soldiers, and obeying it, they bore his lifeless
body from the field
Thus has lived and has died the earnest
man, the true patriot, the brave commander.
who, having fallen in the very front of battle.
In advance of all his soldiers Is borne through
the land to his grave among his fathers. His
hie has been short, but 1t has been great one,
ana marked by deeds and characteristics,
wnlcn deserve an impershable shrine in the
hearts OF men, and must be recorded, an ex-
ample and an incentive, for other men and
other generations. OF this character let us
make Just record. while we give his body to
the dust whicn must hold it, but which can
never receive his deatLless fame.
General Berry was man of marked ability.
which distinguished him in every position
which he filed Under the guidance of he
nignant Providence, he was the arcbitect Of
his own fortune. His own ability and indus
try raised him from the more humble condition
OF his early life, to the eminence he reached.
In all the Important efforts of his life, it NAV
truly be said, he never failed. He Surprised
men by what he did accomplish--he never dis
appointed them by his failure. Although he
enjoyed advantages for literary culture not at
All beyond what are possessed by nearly every
young man in the State, yet he acquired de-
gree OF culture that could fairly characterize