The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-09-27
A Deserved Tribute.

The following letter from Major General
Joseph Hooker to the Seventeenth Maine
Regiment Association, on the occasion OF the
Annual Reunion" of 1872 will be read with
interest by the Maine soldiers The 18th Maize
during the early part of its service formed a part
of the brigade, commanded by Gen. Hiram u.
Berry of Rockland in the LIST Division OF the Sd
Army Corps. Gen. Hooker in his letter has
COMPOUNDED the 18th with the 4th Maine Regi-
ment, Gen. Berry's old regiment, also in the
same division, but as he pays glowing tribute
to the memory of one of Names illustrious
soldiers, we place it before our readers.
GLEN HOUSE, n. III. Aug IA, 1879.
VIM. I'll. Greene, Esq,
Pres. 18th Maine Regt. Association
My DEAR MIR. PRESIDENT:-l have this
moment been honored with your cordial invi-
tation of the 18th inst, requesting me to JOIN
your Association in the observance of the 18th
anniversary of the muster in OF your regiment
for the war of the Rebellion, your meeting to
be held at the Auburn Spring House, on the
Goth inst
In answer, can only state my deepest re-
greet that | am unable to return an affirmative
response to your kind and consderate invita-
ton.
Nv sympathies are always alive to the sum-
mons of my companions in the war, and uni
formly and cheerfully turn my face in the
direction of their assemblages whenever 1t IS
possible for me to do so. Butthere are reasons
for my desiring to meet the members OF the
brave 18th, once commanded by gentleman
who won my esteem and that of his old COM
mander, Gen. Kearney, by his valor and devo-
ton to the cause which called him INTO the
field | was prepared to be an admirer of Gen.
Berry long before it was his fortune to belong
to nv command, from frequent converse
tions with regard to him with his former COM
mandant, and all that now have time to say
is, that he grew in my esteem from the day
made his acquaintance, to the end of his brief
but very brilliant career. Your State fur
nished the army with many noble soldiers, but
am sure 1 never met with one more deserv-
ing the love and admiration of his associates,
and indeed 1 may almost add of the whole
country, than he who is the subject OF these
lines.
But cannot tell the members of his old
regiment anything new of Gen. Berry. They
each felt his humanity, and often had occasion
to witness his cdlor. In my estimation these
are the most conspicuous qualities in great
commander in a republican army, and it was
in these qualities of character your old Colonel
shone most brightly.
In the field at Charlottesville, where he
fell, he commanded my Reserve, as it were,
and where the emergency of the battle pre-
sented itself at the time Towards corps gave
way. Berry was thrown forward to arrest the
advance of the Rebel army in overwhelming
force, threatening to sever my army, and prob
ably of insuring defeat if not disaster; but the
enemy's rush was arrested, the army was
Saued, but Berry fell.
The history of that battle is yet to be pub
lished when, 1 trust, full justice will be done
to the character and services of our beloved
comrade. 1t was for these and other reasons
that L particularly desired to meet the surviy-
ing members of this glorious old regiment, but
prior to coming into the mountains and during
my sojourn here, l have entered into so many
engagements that find it will be utterly i'm
practicable for me to join you in you Reunion
on its seventeenth anniversary.
If you should again honor me with an invi-
taton, 1 shall make every effort in my power
to be with you. Please present my kindest re-
CARDS, and my best wishes to every officer and
every soldier of your regiment.
In haste, sincerely yours,
j. HOOKER, Mai Gen'l.