The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-26

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defense Of the Union, when he was mustered In
as a drummer boy IN Co. G, 61st Pa, on July
80, 1861. At Fair Oaks, Va, June l, 1862, the
first action in which his regiment was engaged,
Comrade Hackett shOuldered musket, went
into the ranks as private soldier, aud SD con-
tinued during all the severe engagements of the
Peninsuar campaign, until the regiment reached
Alexandria, Va, when, after a few days illness,
the result of his heavy service he again returned
to his duty as a drummer.
After the action at Ream's Station, Aug. %,
1864 he was promoted to Sergeant in his COM
pany, and shortly thereafter to First Sergeant.
Later he was commissioned First Lieutenant
and then Captain, which position he held until
mustered out with his regiment after the close
of the war, July &, 1865.
The splendid service of the s1st Pa. is drawn
from the fact that il entered the field with a
full complement of 10 companies Of 10l men
each, and had lost in action so heavily as TO be
able to muster for duty at fredericksburg, Va.
Dec. 13. 1862, $40 men. Ii tcame out of this fight
with every line officer but two killed or
wounded and the loss of every man upon the
color guard, with a total for duty III the
regiment of about 30 men-so small a number
that it could not participate in the review
shortly thereafter ordered by Gen. Hooker
upon assuming command of the Army of the
Potomac. Many old soldiers can remember
that terrible conflict at Fredericksburg. Va, in
the charging of Maryes Hights, the struggle to
get over the stone wall, the cheer of the blue
coats as they pressed the enemy within their
lines, the yell Of the Johnnies as our men were
forced back for want of support. Many and
many brave heart was forever silenced in
that awful struggle
tlx-o off, fha af DoaD,fa Gtotinu
the regiment received some 200 recruits, por-
tion Of which were assigned TO Co. g. At this
time COmrade Iackett received his promotion
from dTummer-bOy TO Sergeant and was spe-
cially assigned TO organize and drill the re-
cTuits At Petersburg, March >, 1865, while
temporarily acting as Adjutant of the regi-
ment, Comrade Hackett was especially COM
mended for the service he then rendered by
assisting in having the position of the 6lst n.
y, which had been tianked, occupied by his
regiment. At a severe engagement at BOydton
plank road, March 81, l565, the scabbard of the
sword of Comrade Hackett was cut in two. At
Farmville, April z, 1865, he was captured by
the enemy, and returned 10 his command upon
the surrender of Leo at Appomattox Court
house.
Comrade Hackett after the close Of the war
became interested in the militia of PeBRsyl-
vania, and was Captain OF Co. G., then of Co. II, T,
o! the 2d regiment, aud so continued until 1874,
when he became a cOmrade of L. X. Schuyler
Post, No 81, GAR, and there organized a
firing party. which he still commands and
which is considered one of the very best In the
| GAR in the State. Upon the burial OF Gen.
VIM. McCandless, in June, 1852 it was selected
rs the guard Of honor mastering SO men.
Comrade Hackett has been q member of the
Union Veteran Legion almost since its Organi-
zaticn, and is one OF its most valued comrades.
Comrade Hackett has occupied the position
Of letter r-carrier, day and night Inspector of
Customs at the Custom house in Philadelphia
and is at present State Appraiser in the office
OF the Register of Wills at Philadelphia, posi-
tion of great responsibility and one requiring
considerable ability 20 properly fill. In all the
| positions in life that ComTade Hacke.t has
filled his superiOrs have given him the credit
of being most efficient in the discharge of what
ever duty he was assigned.
From a short sketch IN the Philadelphia
Daily NecS in relation to the services Of the 5lst
regiment at SpOttsylvania, May 12 1861, copy
the following as somewhat expressive OF the
feeling Of soldier at that time:
Who that was present does not feel his blood
warm and every thrill he recalls the bril-
liancy of that action. How fresh in memory the
dfcary, midnight march through the falling rain
Too weary 70 talk much We paced like speeiers
| through the gloom, wondering Where next We
would meet the foe, now thinking sadly OF the
conirade who fell by our side yesterday aud then
| considering the probability Of our joining him
tlc eternal march Tomorrow Nor could We forget
the loved ones at home soundiy sleeping after
breathing prayer for the soldier boy who IS OH to
the war DO We not remember too. how Tejoced
we were when the welcome q" Halt" ordered
aud we stretched our tired limbs on the muddy
| ground for n few hours of refreshing sleepg
but scarcely had our eye, grown heavy in s!um
Der when we were aroused. " WHAT'S up, now? +"
Quietly we are told that we are close 10 the enemy
lie Is sound asleep aud unaware OF our approach
We are 10 prepare for "a grand bayonet charge. No
man il to shout cheer until strike the enenlys
4 "a NJ vel
Along the line rs far a. the - can see In the early
dawn the boys are getting ready Kidding them
selves OF everything that may check their speed
| An awful calm prevails WE begin 20 feel sick ut
| The stomach. We always do when going in, and
the blood irckles like ice water in our VEINS. But
we are familiar with these sesations, and will soon
feel better II perchance We are able To feel 1T all.
| And now we ready. eager for the word " For
ward" Ii comes. and with u deafenng cheer the
| line of bayonels bounds on Who thought of the
order not 10 checrl No one. We doubt the possi-
| bilily OF successful charge without cheer. At
any rate our line OF battle cheered Justify rs IL swept
! through forest swamp and stream, on. ON upon the
| foe The first line of eaTthwDTks Is taken with n
rush, the amazed Johnnies, presenting u eoniical
appearance as they stare III us an sleepy astonish
| ment. Al the second line they show fight long
enough for those ia the third line To make hasty
them. To- -
Then occurred "A real hand to- hand fight. The
enemy stood inside their works and We outside.
Guns were dubbed and bayonets drank blood.
| fells and cheers, groans and curses. eyes blazing
! with mutual defiance and hate. the waving of ban
ners the mingled roar oi artillery and rush OF bat
| lalionS. Neither side would yield. II we jumped
! In the ditch to chamber up their works were
| met by butts OF guns and savage bayOnet thTusts
! that tumbled Us bleeding back again. But we
struggled on until the fight was over.
Reader, many years have elapsed since the
close Of the conflict for the Union. Many
heads are being rapidly slyered, the results OF
exposure. wounds and age. Probably in your
| immediate neighborhOOd is some one you can
readily assist TO make his declining yes. Tor
him and his loved ones, easie- ..n remembrance
Of that service he rendered yOl and yoiirs-be-
yond Ia price, and at the risk of all lie had
his life.-CoMRADE.