Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-01-10

amuse ourselves and our visitors, Sedg-
wick was the central figure. Amid the
rain and snow, and the mud and the frost,
among our canvas cities our fires burned
cheerily and our hearts were light. Let
tiers came and went from home and visi-
tors by the thousand shared our hospital
tiles. The Sixth Corps headquarters,
because it was SedgWick's s, was central
point of interest. Nothing disturbed us
except the occasional report that our
chief was to be taken from US to command
the Army of the Potomac. This command,
however, although not formally offered,
he had still on several occasions most
persistently declined. 1t was winter
of delights, but nevertheless the day came
when from major-general to drummer boy
there was not dry eye in the Sixth Corps
of the Army Of the Potomac.
On our line of battle at Spottsylvania
where on the day previous we had made
an unsuccessful attack and suffered heav-
lily, near a section Of artillery at fatal
angle in our works, General Sedgwick
stood with Gen. Whittier, Gen. Tompkins
and myself, directing the movement of
our men then occupying the rifle pits.
1t was in the early morning and certain
feeling of gloom pervaded the army.
Sedgwick had slept the night previous
unsheltered by tent or blanket. He SEEM
ed in excellent spirits although a little
discouraged by the slow progress of the
campaign which seemed to be desperate
fighting day after day with indecisive
results. A few minutes before he had
spoken of some of the young officers of
his staff in tender and kindly terms of
affection.
He said few jesting words to some of
the men who passed before him as they
moved into the rifle pits. His manner,
attitude and gesture as he stood indicated
to the enemy that he was an officer of
rank and authority. He wore no uniform,
not even sword. From across the little
valley which separated us from the enc
my's line, from one of their sharp shoot
ers concealed in the woods in front of
us came the swift messenger of death.
Slowly, without word, with a sad smile
upon his lips, John Sedgwick fell and his
| great heart ceased to beat.
His life blood pouring in a strong,
steady stream from the wound spirited
over me. I made an effort to sustain him
as he fell and in doing so fell with him.
He uttered no word and made no sign.
1t seemed to me if I could but make him
hear and call his attention to the terrible
effect his fall was having on our men he
would by force of his great will rise up
in spite of death. I called vainly in his
ear-he made no answer.
His favorite aid, General Charles A
Whittier, bent over him with streaming
eyes. General Tompkins, the chief of the
artillery, and his surgeon DR.. Ohlenschla
ger raised him partly from the GROUND
and the pale and anxious faces of the
men in the long line of rifle pits were BEN
eagerly toward the group, but such was
the force of dicipline that although thes,
mems hearts were filled with grea
sorrow, although they knew that a terri
BILE blow had fallen upon them, none lief
the ranks, and the silence which follows
a great tragedy fell upon the summe
woods of Spottsylvania on that morning
of saddest memories.
1I1trT fr Nnrff to GRO
headquarters that the Sixth Corps wa
without commander, for General Rick
etts, who was next in rank, UNDERESTIMATE:
that it had been the desire of Gen. Sedge
wick that his old associate General Ho
ratio G.. Wright of the first division
should succeed him, had informed m
that he declined to assume the command
When 1 reached general headquarters am
dismounted in front of the tent of tn
adjutant general Of the army, the gentl
and much loved Seth Williams, ther
were in that tent Gen. Williams and Gen
Hunt, the chief of artillery, and Col. Plat
the judge advocate general of the army
and other old veteran officers who ha
| served through many years of warfare.
As they saw me covered with blood
: Gen. Williams started forward and sal
+ but one word, "Sedgwick?''
l could not answer. Each one in tina
f tent, old grey bearded warriors, burs
: into tears and for some minutes sobbe
4 like children mourning father.
l They built bower of evergreens
/ the pine woods and laid him ott upon
5 rough bier made for him by soldier hand:
a and all day long there were strong me
weeping by his funeral couch. The
: came from all parts of the army, the oil
: and the young, the well and the wounded
d officers and men, to take their last loo
e at the beloved chieftain. Many thousan
S of brave men who composed that arm
!. were familiar with death in all its form
n Not once nor twice had they seen stroT
;. men stricken in sudden death. Not on,
g nor twice had they beheld men of his
+ rank, in high command, fall anil CO
h tending hosts. They had, perhaps, grow
;, hardened and Indifferent to what w
y necessarily of frequent occurrence al
II the common expectation of all. B
: when the news went that day, like an ele
IS trio shock, along the lines of the Arr
N of the Potomac that John Sedgewick W
r, dead, a great loneliness fell upon t
lie hearts of all, and men that scarcely CIV
lie heard his voice, many that scarcely kne
lie him by sight, wept bitter tears as if tn
D had lost an only friend, and all recall
lie how on many occasions, hearing on rig
20 or left or rear the thunder of hostile gul
at all anxiety passed away from the min
ID of men at the simple remark, sit mt
I'd be all right, Uncle John.is there
u The Sixth Corps went on and serv