The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-05-02
KINGS DIVISION.
COmrade Of the Second Brigade EuIoglzes Gen.
popn.

COmrnde Of the Second Brigade EuIogizes Gen.
Pope.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The writer
has been much interested in reading the arti-
cles in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE concern
| ing the individual experiences of the boys in
blue. The relation of their hair breadth es-
capes by Hood and field awakens vivid memo
ries of the days that are no more. Our COM
rades are, however, somewhat inclined to push
things to extremes. We respectfully submit
that further discussion as TO who killed Jack
son will be proftless He has been killed by
Pennsylvaniaus and New Workers; by men
from Michigan and Massachusetts,. Surely he
is dead enough. Column after column has
been surrendered to the discussion of this i'm
possible problem, and we are no nearer a solu-
ton than when the Boy Spy" propounded
the unfortunate conundrum. 1t is a problem
in which all the quantities are unknown. Any
one az all familiar with the circumstances of
Jackscn's death can readily see that even at
that time it was impossible to ascertain who
fred the fatal shot, aud that any speculation
on the subject at this late day is wholly I'M
profitable
Aside from the articles on Jackson's death,
Providential Spring, DeGresss Battery, and
some other subjects which have become sadly
threadbare THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE has
given US large number of papers which de-
serve 10 rank among the best contributions to
the history of the war. Among these were the
articles of Gen. John Pope on the Army of
Virginia" Gen. Pope was the much-abused
commander of much-abused army: in fact
for 20 years he has been the best-abused Off
Ger that ever rendered faithful service to
thankIess country. His articles, both in The
Century and in The NATIONAL TRIBUNE, are
characterized by a rigid adherence to truth
minnteDess.of detail, and a power of descrip-
ton so vigorous and exact, that in their peru
sal the mind is insensibly carried back to the
days Of 90.
The paper on Salisbury Prison " is no less
valuable than interesting. 1t is a contribu-
ton to the history Of the war which possesses
much worth. II was never my fortune TO
serve the United States in a rebel prison; and
the thrilling picture of the horrors of Sails
bury has made such an impression on my mind
that / can never be sufficiently thankful for
that feetness of foot which, on some occasions,
must have been instrumental in preserving me
from a similar experience.
took much pleasure in reading how COM
rade of the I47th n. Y. "played parson" in
Gettysburg. | belonged to the Second Brigade
of the First Division, First Corps. Kings old
division was well known in the army, and has
received well-merited praise from Gen. Pope,
and also from Gen. D. II. Hill, of the Confed-
crate service. Most writers of late times, how
ever, lavish their eulogies on the Iron Brigade
Wen, it deserves praise-all that has been or
can be bestowed upon 1t, for Drawer body of
troops never went forth to battle. We have
seen 1t tested, and it never fiinched. After
the lapse of nearly quarter of century /
cherish fond memories of the brave fellows in
their big hats who marched with us and fought
with Us through all that trying time and my
heart grows tender with the memory of one
cherished friend of the I'd Wis, whose life,
charmed hitherto, ebbed out with the current
OF his blood in the tangled jungle of the Wilder
ness. Whether the brigade was any more
" iron than the Second is an open question.
They did not exceed the boys of the seth Pa
IN ferrnginous qualities on the expedition to
Brandy Station and Beverly Ford, as some of
the I'd and 9th Wis. viii remember However,
there IS something in a name
The writer would like to read something
more from the members of the Second Brigade
of Kings Division. 1t was composed of the
10Th, 95th and 147th II. Y, the 7th Ind. and
10Th Pa. Afterwards the 10th and I2lst Pa.
were added 10 it. 1t was commanded success
siyely by Doubleday, Rice, Cutler and Hof-
mann, and rendered distinguished services
throughout the war. Perhaps its most brilliant
exploits were connected with the battles of
Groveton, South Mountain, the first and second
days at Gettysburg Spottsylvania, and Weldon
Railroad.
Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station,
Beverly Ford, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville,
Groyeton and other engagements would afford
matter for interesting personal memoirs. What
record it is What list of honorable battles
some Of them the most tremendous ever
waged, and none of them insignificant. The
writer would before now have attempted his
tory of the brigade but for the unfortunate loss
of his records. If any of the comrades of the
brigade can furnish him with copies of their
diaries kept during the war, he will be CRATE
full. If some should have kept no diary. but
can give from memory any data, fact or date
concerning any battle in which they were en-
gagged, he viii duly appreciate it. Please send
them, no matter how trivial they may appear,
for they may serve to confirm other facts and
render clear what would without them be OBJ
scure. Any diary, paper or copy intrusted to
him will be carefully preserved, and, if de-
sired, copied and returned
Nearly "a years have elapsed since I saw any
of the comrades of those days that tried mems
souls, but I often fondly think of those with
whom / shared the tolls and dangers of heroic
struggle that was but the presage of brighter
and serener day.-E. Z. GRAHAM, Grand Pass,
No.