Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-21

stances beyond his control" | venture to
suggest that this is a mean and cowardlv
method of imputing to Mr.. Davis lack OF
personal courage. | need not remind
First Ne. Cavalryman" that the actions at
Deep Bottom, Reams Station. Weldon r. r.,
Boydton Plank Road, Bclfield, Iarrett's
Station, and the actions during kautz's and
Wilson's raids in all of which Corp1 Davis
participated, though they may not rise to
the dignity of battles, rs compared with
Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Cold lIar-
Dor. were still deemed of sufficient magni-
tude to be ordered inscribed on the colors of
the regiment. And it would be supcrtuOus
for me TO suggest to any old soldier who
served with the First Cavalry that, harder
than a general engagement, more fraught
with personal exposure and danger, more ex-
hausting and wearying and harrassing, is a
we're skirmish. Our experience OF four
years taught us that the SinhitSh was more
to be dreaded than the battle. and no veteran
soldier will ever flippantly alude to them as
trivial and of little moment. II he has that
idea, let him consult the mortuary record, Of
his regiment. Let my friend remember that
we lost the gallant Boothby, as brave Il man
as ever drew sabre, in ar insignificant Skin
msh of an advance guard. near Beaver Dam
Station; that we lost the noble Bartlett, our
beloved Chaplain. killed in little "brush'
near summers Bridge; that the heroic COL
Inns baptiscd his newly won commission with
his lfe's blood in u skirm>h.
| take no issue with the writer in the
Gazette concerning Gen. Chamb rlain.
That able gallant soldier, and model Cover
nor, has no warmer or more ardent adnlircr
in the State. than myself. But when this
writer would Law down. even by implication.
the doctrine. and preach it to the Union Vet
nfN tl,pf all l,a nj
the solderly qualities. all the state man,hip
and political ability even. of our citizen sol
dery, was covered by the chapcau of tie
general, was hidden under the straps of the
commissioned officer, he insults the irtcl!i-
gence and the pride of every true soldier in
the commonw calth Gen. Chamberlain him
self, with his full, generous appreciation OF
true soldicrly manhood, his knowledge OF
men and events acquired during the four
years of the war. would Indignantly rcpudiatc
such contemplate fling at the rank and file
who so grandly followed his glorious header
ship ON many hard fought field, and would
spurn with disgust such an eulogist.
In conclusion, Mr. Editor with no desire
to discuss the age, qualification. or the qucs-
ton of the exact amount of political expert
ence requisite for a candidacy for the guhcr
material chair in Maine, | may he pardoncd
for saying that having served with the First
Maine Cavalry, from the day of its organiza-
ton to the date of its final muster
out of service, feel that | have quite an
equal right with one who if he were really
erer member of the regiment, at the best
Joined it only in September or October "a.
to speak for my comrades, and Indignantly
protest against using the prestige OF the name
of the regiment to decry any man whatever.
TO attempt to belittle his reputation, or detract
from his good name, whether he wore the
epaulettes of commissioned officer, the chev-
rons Of the sergeant or corporal, or the sim
pie uniform of the private soldier.
1t is new and strange doctrine to lay down
in these times, that wearing the uniform of
private is to dcbar man from future pro-
motion, and | respectfully call the attention
of my friend to the fact that when the First
Maine Cavalry returned to Maine in August
80, more than four-fifths of its line officers
were promotions from the ranks, and hazard
nothing in saying that no regiment from this
or any other State, taken all in all, was bet
ter Differed than was ours.
JONI d. MYRICK