National Republican., 1885-03-04
THE GALLANT sIxTY-NINrH.

Sketch OF an Organization Witch
Performed Good Service Daring tho
War.
The regiment was organized on the 1st
Of November, 1852, as militia regiment
under the command of Col. Rowe, q
veteran officer of tho State National
Guard, with the late Col. Michael Do
heney, tho 4S exile, as lieutenant colo
mel. Col. Rowe two years after was sue
ceeded by the late Col. James p. Ryan.
under whose able administration the
regiment rapidly grew in stability and
served with credit during tho "Quarsn-
tine War" when the Sixty-ninth, under
orders from the governor. occupied for q
time the old quarantine station on Staten
Island. Col. Ryan was succeeded by
Capt. Michael Corcoran, who afterward
became brigadier general. His name is
insepsrably connected with tho regiment
by his refusal TO parade II on the occa-
sion of tho Price of Wales's reception in
1860
Col. James Cavanagh, the present
commander has been n member of tho
Sixty-ninth from the time when, as q
young lad, ho arrived in America from
Tipperary. When the civil war broke
out he had filled every position from pri-
vate in the ranks up to that of captain,
and in response to tho call of the govern
ment he had marched in April, 1861, to
tho defense of Washington with his regi-
ment. During the three months cam
paign under Macdonald, terminating in
the disastrous battle of Bull Run, he
rendered offe ctiye service, and was dis.
tingushed as competent and painstak-
ward appointed major Of the First regi-
ment, or Sixty-ninth New York volun-
teers, and he participated in every battle
in which the army of tho Potomac was
engaged till he fell desperately wounded
in front of Maryes Heights while lead
ing his men on the disastrous day of
Fredericksburg. Before he recovered
from his wounds his regiment had been
olidated into a battalion of two COM
panies. and he was mustered out with
the other officers, being. for 'service in
the field" brevetted as colonel and briga-
dier general of volunteers. On his
return to New York, toward the close of
the war, he was unanimously elected
colonel of his old regiment.
the Sixty-ninth, National Guard, and
this position he has since occupied, being
now the second senior officer in the service
OF the StAte. Unuor COl, CaVhnARl'SCo COM
maud tho regiment has attained high
state of efficiency, and "The Little
"Major" as ho was called in the Irish
brigade, was regarded by Gems. Mcclellan,
Sumner, Richardson, and other com
manders, as ono of the best and most re-
| liable of officers. Ono noted instance OF
his capacity was shown when on the eve
Of the retreat Of the federal army from
the lines in front of Richmond to the
James river the Goth, reinforced by only
one company from the $50 regiment New
| York volunteers, was left to cover the
line Of the retreatlng army. James Cav
anagh was placed in command with orders
to hold his position at whatever cost until
daylight, whom the confederate forces
saw what slender obstacle had stood be-
tween them aud the army which at
Savage Station they attacked in vain only
q few hours la ter, Col. Cavanagh was still
to be found with his regiment during all
tho seven days battles that succeeded the
retreat across the Chiokahominy, always
where the conflict was hottest aud win
ming the highest reputation for courage
aud soldierly qualities In regiment
where all the men were brave, Tho little
major, after all his vicissitudes, still lives
to command the historic organization in
which he once wore the green, and hoped
to be able to strike blow for his home
and fresde.