The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-12
THE FIGHTING SlXTYNINTH.

To THE Epiros HERALD:-
ask the privilege OF correcting through your COL
umns some OF the mistakes and inaccuracies which
found In article that appeared in one Of your con-
temporaries OF recent date, entitled s'The Fighting
Sixty-ninth," &c The writer Of that article Is gno-
OF the subject desgnedy incorrect several Of
his statements Tho Sixty-ninth New York volun-
tcers, First regiment OF tho Irish brigade, and the
sixty-nnth New York state militia separate
and distinct organizations The Sixtyninh New York
state militia was organized in 1851. and the break
ing out OF The late civil war entered the Of
United States for three months. not for thirty days
the writer OF tho article states. Alter tho battle OF
Bull Run, July 81 1861 tho regiment returned TO New
York and mustered out OF the service OF the gen.
era government Its early history will pass over
will the remark that II organized under the COM
mand Of Colonel Charles s. Roe. It's subsequent COM
manders were ColoneIs james X. Ryan and Michael
Corcoran Colonel Corcoran is SO well known that
need say nothing OF him. but Coloncls Roe and Ryan
were both good dsciplinarians, and under them the
regiment attained high state of discipline Joined
the regiment in 1854, and was its lieutenant colonel
at the commencement OF tho war IN 1861. Colonel
Corcoran was in arrest at this time for refusing TO
parade regiment In honor Of the Prince Of Wales
| made tender Of Its services 10 Governor Morgan
through General Sanford, then commanding the First
division, New YORK State militia The General refused
10 accept the der In writ
ing we're aimed officers OF the regm that
they were willing 10 take tho field. l assured HIM
that such assurances would be easily obtained, but
remarked that there was no resemblance between
tho present aud the late refusal OF tho regiment
parade in honor OF the Prince OF Wales that every
vi US willing 10 defend the flag Of his adopted
country. The regiment finally accepted tor Lhrcc
months, and left New York Tor Annapolis on tho 23d
day OF April II fought al Bull Run, where Colonel
Corcoran taken prisoner, ana returned to Now
York and was, mustered out OF service, as already
stated August 3. II Immediately resumed It's State
ORGANIZATION, which II has continuously kept TO the
present time. The present colonel is James Cava-
nagh. Colonel Cavanagh was major OF the Sixty
ninth New York Volunteers. under my CON.
mand, and was in service, being distinguished
Tor bravery and general good conduct until alter the
battle OF Fredericksburg in 1882 when be was severely
wounded aud forced to retire from active service
now proceed 10 give you the history OF the organza
ton vi the Sixty ninth New YORK Volunteers. The
regiment recruited by me IRON my IRISH fellow
eounlrymen in september and October OF 1851, and
comm ssoned as It's colonel on the LIST day OF
November The Sixty-third ana Eighty. eighth .egi-
IN ents were recruited at the same time The Sixty
ninth joined tho army on the Potomac November Il,
and the Sixty-third on the LIST day OF December The
Eighty.eIghth followed few days after. Tho Irish
brigade organized tho day OF the arrival OF the
sixlythrd, aud was as the senior colonel placed
joined in February, 1862, being commissioned
a brigadier general. The writer OF the article
engaged as brigade q. Fair oaks. Such was no. the
fact. The Sixtynnth fought that day on the right OF
tho Fifth New Hampshire while tho Eighty eiGhth was
on another part Of the neld The Sixtythird having
ordered back TO the Chickahomny to assist the
artll!ery in crossing. The story OF General Meagher
spiking two guns OF Virginia battery is incorrect
Nothing OF the sort took place General MeaEner was
even in command At The time, being IN arrest l
was command OF the brigade at the night at Savage
station. Tho day following General Mcagher was re-
leased IRON arrest and commanded his brigade IN the
battle Of White Oak swamp During the battle OF
separated from the brigade and tho COM
mand devolved on me. II was night and
get the OF our position. At this time the
brigade in columns OF regiments, the Sixtynnlh
being and the Elghty.eghth forming he Sec
ona line. on discovering tho intentions OF the enemy
| threw back the left wing OF the Sixty-ninth and
Inc norm =" S rsnusno INC
enemy and capturing number oil prisoners, among
them Lieutenant Colonel Waggerman Of the Tenth
louisiana, now Sheriff Of the city OF New Orleans.
The often referred TO leaves tho Impression on
the reader that General Meagher commanded during
the entire engagement at Malvern Hill, and have
stated these facts relation to that battle to estab
fish my own claim to having been In command por.
ton OF the time The writer alludes TO an
been tho 17th OF November, 1862, the
day on which the Second corps arrived at
Irish brigade ordered BY Sumner TO advance up
the road toward Falmouth, TO see IL any OF the enemy
terry across the river and Sumner ordered them to
charge on It, They plunged into and through the Rap
pahannock and, charging, nj once captured Tho guns
AS they dashed into the camp they gave one IRISH
cheer and kicked their way through the camp fires,
scattering pots kettles, trying pans and coffee pots IN
delightful confusion, and the enemy, taken by sur.
prise. fed without hiring shot, General Hancock,
witnessed the scene, cried out in delight, 'Gcr-
era Meaghcr, have never seen anything so SPLEEN
dd.'n No such affair took place. Tho brigade did not
the river until tho 18th day OF December, tho
day before the ''big Tight" The ordcr TO tho
RIVER was given by General Sumner to General Han
cock to take his division the river but tho
order was coun termanded when the DIVISION was on
It's way TO Falmouth. ON this occasion General Han
cock. whose praise always highly priced, did CON-
pment the Sixty-ninth ON the aacrity with which II
command tho regiment engaged IN putting up It's
tents, but within three minutes II under way and
march. General Hancock said, This Is quick work.
sirn In his reference the battle OF Fredericksburg
the writer quotes the London Times which gave
10 General Meagher tho honor OF having commanded
the Irish brigade IN the charge up Maryes Haights
II TINS writer know anything personally OF this battle
he could hardly have dared TO venture on an ndorsc-
mont OF such statement General Meaghcr was
suffering IRON surgical operation and was una
bio to lead his brigade on loot Hc in
tended to have comma nded mounted, but an
order from General Hancock directed that all mounted
officers should 80 INTO the battle on loot TINS de-
privcd General Meagher OF his and the same
devolvcd the next officer in rank. All this
General Meagher states in his official report now on
file IN the War Department aud which was Published
by him IN the NEW YoTk HERALD IN December, 1862.
Ii Is an historical fact beyond dispute that AID CON-
mand tho lrsh brigade in the battle OF fredericksburg
December Is, 1862 and AM entitled TO whatever credit
attaches that TACT so much that is Incorrect has
been written In rotation To tho Irish brigade that IL
qusuted with Its history TO give tho public truthful
vi IT, Oicia reports OF rcgmcntal and brigade
commanders in the archives OF the War Department,
personal mciaoraada and recollcctions oil officers,
together with the war correspondence oil the New
York dailics, would furnish sufficient material for
correct history and II was not aware that Colonel
James f. MCGEE possessed of sufficient data and has
ii in contemplation to give The public at no distant
day a reliable history OF the services Of the Irish
brigade, / should be disposed to ask some surviving
member Of the command 10 perform ior " that pcus
duty. but Colonel MCGEE IS highly compctcn. for the
task which, to him, would be duty oil love, and To
Inn IL should be Entrusted. In that history justice
VIII be done to tho brave and eoquon. Meaghcr, who
needs no fictitious exploits cndear HIM to the hearts
OF hts surviving comrades or give him brilliant page
In the annals of the great rebellion.
Respectfully, your obcdiont servant
ROBERT NUGENT
Major Twenty fourth infantry, late Colonel Sixtynnt
Now York vountecrs Irish brigade