The National tribune., 1885-07-30
Lieut.. Kingsbury's Death.


To THE EDITOR: Noticing in your wide
known journal of the 25th ult., under the
heading of Washington Gossip" about the
marriage of Gen. S. B. Buckner, in which
is mentioned the name of Kingsbury "as a
Lieut.. Kingsbury of the Union army" and that
Lieut.. Kingsbury was killed in one of the early
battles in Virginia" Now, Mr.. Editor, allow
me to say a few words as to who and what that
Lieut.. Kingsbury was and how he was killed.
As soldier of kingsburys regiment, l cannot
fOregO an explanation or a correction. Kings
bury was a graduate of West Point Military
Academy, and in the first part of 1862 was
Captain of Artillery in the Regular Army
and Chief of Artillery to Gen. George B.
Mcclellan, and was commissioned Colonel
in the 18th Conn. about June the same
year. He was brilliant, honorable and brave
soldier, and one of the very best drillmasters
and disciplinarians the United States army had
during the war, and was the same time like a
father to the enlisted men of his regiment. He
was strict while on duty, but always courteous
and gentlemanly.
On the 18th of September, 1862, about 8 a.
m, heard Gen. Burnside, while riding up to
where the 11th regiment was lying give
orders to Col. Kingsbury to march his regiment
to the bridge (Antietam Bridge), take it and
hold it if possible until the arrival of re-en-
forcements. Accordingly, Col. Kingsbury
called the regiment to attention by his usual
command: "11th regiment attention" He
divided the regiment, giving the right wing in
command Of Lieut.-Col. Griffin A. Stedman
(same regiment) and retaining the left wing
himself. The object of this, as far as l under
stood, was to attack the enemy from the right
and left Of the bridge / was with the left
wing, and consequently with Col. Kingsbury.
We went in 500 strong, and left 200 on the field.
klngsbury was shot four times through the body
and limbs, and died from the wounds received,
if remember rightly, within "a hours was
close to him nearly all the time during the 18th
Of September, which l so well remember, and
can tell of many incidents that happened during
that memorable day. The Colonel was killed,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Major wounded, as well
as some line officers. Capt. Griswold was one of
the killed while skirmishing with Co. A.
There were two rebel brigades against hand
full of men of the 18th. 1t was a dark day for
the 18th Conn. that day, when the brave
Kingsbury fell to rise no more. His boots were
cut up by the men of the regiment to keep by
them as mementos of their valorous chieftain.
The idea of writing of Col. Kingsbury as "a
Lieut.. Kingsbury" was more than / as late
member of his regiment could swallow without
saying something in his behalf. i only hope
that some members of the 18th Conn. who are
better acquainted with the facts in the prem
Uses and remember better the happenings of %
years ago. will let themselves be heard from
on the above subject.
In conclusion, will say that only Kings
bury was the one to lead us in that engage
ment and while the men were falling from the
rebel lead like fies he spoke to them. saying,
while in front of the regiment and facing them
in hail of lead: Forward Come my 18th;
forward" and so on. We followed him, but /
doubt if we would have followed any other
oficer.-"OJos NEGRos," San Francisco, Cal.