Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-06-07
General Harriss Bravery and Re-
mOVal.

In his Grafton at Dover, on Memorial Day.
Hon A. {. Hamln of Bangor paid the fol-
lowing tribute to the valor of the Maine Sixth
regiment, and to General Harris, its gallant
leader. who has recently been removed at the
State House, to make room for DIR. Lantas-
ter, who dcvotes himself to speaking in the
school districts hcrcahout for the Rag Baby.
Fellow soldiers, | think may be permitted
to designate ones regiment from number of
historic ones without exciting your jealousy.
since some of its bravest men came from your
midst. The sturdy Sixth Maine Regiment
bore the reputation of being the brayest in
the Army of the Potomac and it is entitled to
this exalted rank by its heroic deeds. Some
of YOU may remember that desperate but vic
torious assault upon st. Marys heights back
of Fredericks burg, when the colors. cnveloped
in the deadly fire of the enemy. were steadily
carried up the steep hillside, over the ram
parts and in spite of the terrible storm of
death. were planted over the rebel cannon.
Some of you may also recall the daring and
desperate attack upon the rebel forts at Rap
pahanock Station in Virginia. Here the 9th
Maine, with two other regiments, formed i'll
open skirmish line, advanced over open fields
10 attack the redoubts where the two Brgados
of the choicest troops of the Southern army
lay intrenchcd. The approaches were swept
by the rebel cannon and it was thought I'M
possible for any living thing to cross the field.
At the word of command. the Sixth marched
swiftly over the field, meeting storm of bull
lets that shattered the ranks. and struck down
nearly every officer of the regiment.
But the survivors pressed on unmndful of
death, climbed the ramparts and grappled
with the foe. The reserves now protected
81 al...l
of this brave handful of men struggling on
the ramparts and captured the garrison of
quite two thousand men. After the close OF
the war an officer of one OF the Rebel Brig
aides who had refused to surrender but sprang
into the river and swan across with his sabre
in his mouth, said to me in Georgia that the
9th Me-. was the bravest regiment he ever
saw. The leader of this daring and forlorn
hope fell on the ramparts woltering in his
blood. With difficulty he was restored to
consciousness but to remain cripple for life.
Shortly after the close of the war, this officer
was selected as custodian of the Capitol
buildings at Augusta, and of the blood stain
ed and battered flags which were borne by our
Regiments during the war. This selection
was made in consideration of his eminent
services and in Difference to the history of the
noble Regiment to which he belonged. The
appointment was actuated by patriotic spirit
and it was highly acceptable to the loyal men
of this State.
But loyal men of Piscataquis, we have
lived to see the day when that patriotic spirit
has sadly changed, and when the politician
finds it convenient to forgot the claim of a
soldier to his gratitude. We might have ex-
pected a display of this heartless policy
among the rebel Legislators in power at
Washington where the blue has been dis
placed by the gray, but to have it illustrated
at Augusta in the presence of the historic
flags of our brave soldiers, is an insult to the
loyal spirit of the State.