New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-31
A QUEER SORT OF FRIEND.
TAMMANY7s TRIBUTE TO A BRAVE MAN.

TAKING THE CREDIT FOR HIS WORK.
In her efforts to get control of the State OF
N.UYork Tammany Hall has recently been making
rarade Of her love for the OLD soldier and posing
as n defender Of the Union at the opening OF the
Civil War
In 1851 the 42d Regiment of Volunteers went
ont from New-York under the leadership of Colonel
William D. Kennedy II at first known as
the jackson Guards Afterward it took the
name The Tsmmany Regiment Colonel Men
pcdv died at Washington on his way 70 the 'front.'
Al the time Of the raising of the regiment ne was
Grand Sachem Of Tsmmany Hall On TINS one
fact Tammsny bases its claims 70 exalted LOYALTY
and tries to cover up its part in hanging coored
men u lamp posts in the riots Of So.
When President Lincoln issued the call for
troeus Colonel Kennedy. a Southerne: by oirth
but thoroughly loyal man. said that ne wouio
undertake TO raise a regiment lie encountered
hitter opposition from the other leaders OF lam
many Hall Some were open in their dis oyalt%
others pleaded that il impossible. Personal
friends said no one would lead it, and when Colonel
Kennedy sale he would lead it himself they said
Tammany Hall needed him at home. Finally,
when enlistment was going on, they tired To
discourage it by saving that he never wouid
go 10 the front. but was only making
show Of loyalty.
Tn spite of opposition; Colonel Kennedy enlisted
the men at his own expense, equipped them, took
them 70 Great Neck. and fed them until they were
mustered into service The Government paid for
the ecuir ment, but Colonel Kennedy had to stand
the expense of enlistment and sustenance. He
was not rich man, and had TO borrow money to
meet these debts He borrowed it Of Democratic
politicians and they paid back. Iammany
Hall paid nothing toward the regiment, though
it ROW lays claim to the credit Of having sent II
10 the front After the ColoneFs death, his
widow paid back to Smith Ely Isaac Bell, Mayor
Havemeyer and others, large sums borrowed by
her husband. with which to equip the troops.
Mrs Kennedy is now living at No 60 Pumpkins
ave. Brooklyn. She gave these facts 10 a Tribune
reporter She also told about the attempt Of
Tammany Hall to rob her husbands memory Of
the honor due it,
When il became convenient for Tammany to
pose as the friend Of the soldier and TO talk of the
monument at Gettysburg, mention made
of the founder of the regiment Mrs. Kennedy
called upon ex-Sheriff Peter Bowe, the first major
Of the regiment, and told him that her husbands
name was entitled to some recognition, for he was
not only the founder of the regiment but the first
man in it to lay down his life for the cause.
Major Bowe promised 10 see that Colonel kennedy's
noble work properly recognized. No proper
recognition was accorded. however. Mrs. Kennedy
was utterly ignored by the committee, was not
invited 70 be present at the unveling OF the
monument. although wives of Tammany poll
tcians were, and was not even favored with pro-
gramme OF q newspaper account Of the ceremonies.
Such was the honor with which Tammany Hall
held the wdNw of the founder of the "Iammany
Regiment
How about the soldier boys themselves
William D. Kennedy Post No. AZ, Of the Grand
Army. is composed OF many old 42d Regiment
men. and is named for its first commander No
no0ce was sent to them of the ceremonies on one
Of tie battle grounds They had expected TO at
tend, but 1anmany utterly ignored them. The
trip 10 Gettysburg 1amlnany excursion
Not One-tentn of those present were soldiers, and
the leaders evidently did not want soldiers along.
II soldiers votes, not soldiers company, that
they wanted.