Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-09-26
rbe VISIT of the Corn EXCHANGE Regiment.

The VISIT of the Corn Exchange Regiment.
Last Saturday thirty-six survivors
of the 11Sth Pennsylvania Regiment,
or, as it was better known, the Phila-
delphia Corn Exchange Regiment,
visited Shepherdstown and spent the
day on the battlefield where. just
twenty-eight years before, it had re-
ceived its first and most terrible bap-
tism of blood. This regiment had not
been in the battle of Antietam. The
third day after that fight it received
orders to cross the river at the ford a
mile below this town and make re-
connoissance on the Virginia side.
Scouts reported no Confederates near.
The regiment had crossed the river,
had been placed in position on the
bluff above the Cement Mill, with
deep ravines on the right and left and
high cliffs overlooking the river in
their rear. The position proved TO be
a veritable death-trap when suddenly
a large body of Confederate veter-
ans, commanded by Gen. \. p. Hill.
swept upon them from the woods
with that thrilling rebel yell.
Taken by surprise, veterans against
raw recruits, the Union soldiers were
at a terrible disadvantage. They
were swept over the cliffs with great
loss, and their number was further
decimated as they struggled across
the Potomac by the Confederates on
the heights They suffered loss of
nearly half their number.
The veterans spent day full of i'll
terest here on Saturday. They at
once recognized the surroundings,
although it was their first visit since
the fight. \ number of them were
lucky enough to find shells, bullets.
etc, on the battlefield, which they
of course highly priced as relics. The
President ofthe Association, Mr.. Hen
~ II. Hodges, made an address at the
battlefield, which will be found below,
and Mr. Joseph Meehan read an orig
inal poem Mr.. q. w. X. Carteret is
the Secretary of the Association, and
Mr.. S. NJ Jones Treasurer. The par
~ left here in the afternoon, To spend
a day at Antietam. They were well
pleased with their visit, and all wer
glad that the cruel war was over.
The following is the address deliv-
cred by President Hodges:
Comrades: Standing on this soil made
sacred by the lives of our fallen comrades, and
dyed by the blood OF our own wounds many
will recall the scenes here enacted. To-day,
after twenty-e;Ght years have passed, a few
survivors OF that terrible event, through God =
mercy are again permitted 10 visit this place,
fraught with many sad rccOllectlOns. From
Antietam TO AppOmditoN was long ana
weary road, yet, amid the trials, prvationS
defeat and victories. Shepherdstown stands
out prominent in our entire term OF service.
But twenty days had passed after mustered
into the United States service, when on the
early morning Of september 2Dth, lS62, in ODE
dience TO orders, We crossed this noble river,
700 strong. and on these bluiis encountered
JacksOn's veterans, failing 10 receive the or
der To retreat, fought ana alone held TINS po-
our rear. when finally driven back and forced
to recross under calling and dlstracting fire
of the enemy. Defeated, yes; dismayed.
never. How well we fought - attested by
the IS comrades who here freely gave their
lives in defense of our nations honor; by the
lOj wounded, who shed their blood In pro-
tecting our countrys flag by the lOl cap
tured whose loss caused much sorrow ana re-
gret The lesson of obedience learned here
AT such "a fearful cost was not In vain. From
this cauldron OF death and suffering We
emerged mistaken in our loyalty To country
and flag. Tried and not found wanting. we
closed our depleted ranks and hurried for
ward with renewed devotion to duty; Tor
wherever the jth Corps led. and the Maltese
Cross waved, from here To the glorious Apo
mattox, we were ever in the front to follow
and uphold lis honor. Comrades, pause a
moment. Look around, examine, take in
the scene before you. How vivid the recol-
lection Fording the river-the returning
artillery in understandable silent march To
these bluffs-the deadly encounter-the re-
treat-the lime kiln-running the death
gauntlet on the dam-temporary refuge In
the canal. Up through the jaws OF death TO
the barn, and above all, the conscious loss OF
those who did not return. Let us draw fresh
inspiration from this visit, and reverently
cherish the memory OF our comrades, VINO
here in their early manhood laid their all on
the altar OF their country Heroes, who
though absent are yet present, whose loyalty
shall prove 10 coming generations that death
possessed no horrors for them in defense OF
our country's flag, now honored and reyered
within all the confines Of this great and glo-
rious republic.