The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-04
TIE CHassEURs.
Reunion of Their Officers.


Distinguished as was this regiment in the field, it
win be as well remembered by the important events
which otherwise attach its history Before 1t was
the memorable speech made by ITS colonel, John
Cochrane 1.-THE Secretary OF War; Simon Cameron,
present and approving), which first advocated the
arming Of the slaves; the grand national lyric,
John Browns Body was first sung in Its ranks;
and 1t the last regiment OF the greatest army the
world has ever seen mustered out OF the service Of
the United States.
The Chasseurs left New York. under Colonel C0ch-
rane, on the 9th day OF August, 1861. They were
Differed by members OF the renowned Seventh regi
meut Alexander Shaler was their lieutenant colo
mel ana Joseph E. Hamblin their major. The regiment
was organized by the written authority OF Simon
Cameron, Secretary OF War, by whom Its colonel
was concurrently June II, 1861 mustered into the
service OF the United States Subsequently its field
officers, Colonel Cochrane, Lieutenant Colonel Alex
ander Shaler and Major Joseph f. Hamblin received
from the President of the United States their appoint
respectively to their several ranks On Colonel
Cochrane's receiving the commission OF brigadier
general the officers OF the regiment took commissions
from the State OF New York, upon whose roll the
regiment was the Sixty-1fth New York Volunteers.
The Chasseurs served on the peninsula and in
Maryland. under General Mcclellan and, having been
Incorporated with the Sixth Army corps at its for
battles on the Rappahannock, in Maryland, the
valley, Pennsylvania, at Petersburg to Five Forks
and Sailors creek. The assistant adutant general
of the corps, Brevet Major General NJ. S. Mcmahon,
says"on the 18th of July, 1865 the Sixty fifth New
York Volunteers Chasseurs the last regiment of the
greatest army that has ever Illuminated history by
as deeds, was duly discharged from the SER
wee Of the ation.u-U3aited Sercice Magazine Tor
April, 1866. When mustered out but forty veterans
OF is original rank and Tile were lett. Its hrst
field officers Cochrane Shaler and Hamblin, be-
came brigadler generals ana brevet major generals.
TWO OF IT'S captains, William Quincy and Thomas
Higginbothan, became coones OF other regiments,
anu the nrst named Quincy brigadler general by
prevet In It's later campaigns 1t was commanded
b. Colonel Henry G. Fisk
The second reunion OF the officers OF the regi-
ment was held last evening at the house
Of General John Cochrane. The occasion was
nonorea py the presence OF the various generals
under waom the regiment had fought Generals
Franklin smith tBaldyl Newton, Wright ADer-
cronbe aus Pike Graham were in attendance and
tine ladies Of the Officers graced the scene Nara
tive "Reminiscences and anecdote contributed To the
general mlrth. Among the most interesting was
that OF William 9. keneys, who, while visiting his
son, lieutenant Ia the Chasseurs was surprised
with tie regiment By the attack upon the Union
Lines a: seven Pines. He seized musket and fought
Ia The RANKS with the soldiers :here, the battle
OF Fair Oaks. The Chasseurs made him for this an
honorary member Of their body. Another anecdote
was tod OF General hambin, wno, when taking
farewell OF his veterans, sgnIhed his regard for
them al BY advancing 70 Their sergeant ana plnning
upon his breast the re2irnenIai badge winch he had
just taken from MS own. There dry eyes
on that occasion. Another told OF General
Cochrane one dark, cold night the days march
nau brought the brigade to camp In Maryland on
ground lntersected With rail fences. The soldiers
were freezing. and, the general orders having re-
Gently forbidden tae soldiers burn any fences the
General ordered that only the top rail should be
burned, and as there was left top rail to the last,
OF course the fences disappeared In the olaze
OF joyful camp nres. ON complaint the next morn
Ing the General pleasantly insisted that mis- COM
mand having burned nothing but tue top rail some
one else must have burned the fences.
When the Cbasseurs and their guests drew around
the banquet table General Cochrane introduced the
theme OF the evening with the recital oil the follow
ing s.anzas. The scene was impressive and solemn
when, at the words Comrades a toast-all stand
ing, tue whole company arose and silently drank
- Our oead in freedoms eight.
Resrnling their seats the General proceeded with
the slaalas TO the end
cnAssEURs.
We bore upon our roster
Comrades a thousand srong;.
But battle and tue pestilence
Have thinnef the martial lhropg.
The rery breath OF conflict
u Consumed ssn,s our stricken band,
And Cold HsrOor's strand.
coniradsi from the oiood-rei field,
Aud colnrade, manned and marrow.ess
Bring 90 our fading sight
Your battles won-ise wilderness,
Far Oaks and Malvern Hill
Proclaim you victor still
when shall in the future
Chssseursi your dead. remember,
Inlinortallzed your name.
We icit then there beaind Us,
But many sigh from fearful
Mourns them we loved wei.
We gazed upon the battle shrouds,
Upon easA pslld face
Insn laid their sriraed accoutreneus
tach IN ia proper place.
We pinned their badges on them.
Their swords placed between
beneath each head his knaps,ck Lid
Niih each his old cantsen.
They're sleeping where we laia them
In bvouac there to-night
Comrades, n toast-sf sanding--
Our dead In freedoms hzalti-
We've poured The sad baslon,
Drained low silent bowls
With last behest pray them rect.
To their immortal souls.
On friendships burning altar
Lay now your mutual hands,
Iis lambert lame shall temper
With love mutual bands
Our cOuntry's chlldren, comrades,
Teach we brothers then;
The boon conferred a. Petersburg
Was peace, good will toward men.