The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-30

| The highest numerical loss in killed SUI
| fered by any regiment in single engage
ment occurred in the First Maine heavy
artillery. This regiment, numbering be-
| tween $50 and 800 men, led a forlorn hope
in front of Petersburg against breast works
and fortified batteries June Is, 1864, and
lost 210 killed and mortally wounnded
The highest loss in any infantry reoi-
ment in a single battle was in the Fifth
New York (Duryee's Zouaves), at the sec
ond Bull Run. The regiment was sup
porting a battery, and in warding off at
tacks in front and left flank lost III killed
and MORALLY wounded.
The highest loss sustained in any ors
battle, counting the percentage on the
number engaged, occurred in the First
Minnesota at Gettysburg July 2 1863. Ia
most desperate crisis Gen. Hancock or
dered the regiment, numbering only 2G2
men, TO charge on an advancing brigade Of
COnfederates and take its cd1ors. The deed
was gallantly accomplished, but with loss
OF 40 killed, Is per cent. Of those engaged.
The wounded numbered 1J9
Next to the First Minnesota in high per
cen5ages of killed in Il single battle stands
the Fifteenth New Jersey, which lost u
per cent at SpOttsvlyauia. Following this
is the Twenty-ffth Massachusetts,, which
lost q per cent. in killed at Cold Harbor
The Twenty-fifth charged upon breast
works lined with men whose muskets were
kept loaded and handed up in relays. The
One Hundred and FOrty-frst Pennsylvania
also lost n per cent. in killed at Gettys-
burg. 1t fought in the Peach Orchard.
Records as brilliant, in some respects, as
those l have cited might be continued IN
til hundreds had been accorded a place of
honor. But this would display only one
side Of the sacrifice that saved the Union.
The triumph did not come through for
lorn hopes alone, nor did Victory stand at
the beck Of those only who stood ready 70
get themselves killed most beautifully
In order 70 win her smiles.
The war was one of invasion and con-
quest, rs well as OF desperate fighting.
Weary miles had 70 be marched under
burning sun and through winters storm
Sieges were laid where deadly rniasma
killed more than bullets did, marvellous
works Of engineering. Of intrenchinZ. Of
running sags IN the face Of iucessant fire,
OF climbing mountains. Of binding cause
WAYS for guns and ammunition trains. OF
patient labor day ~ day for weeks and
months 20 get ahead foot at a stroke to-
ward The skIllfuIy defended strongholds
OF the enemy; all this Was accomplished
b. voluntary exertion from uaen not il-
Ured TO the exposure and strain involved.
The proper ufewOrk OF the masses who
went 70 tie front was laid aside and IN
thousands 81 cases never resumed by TIE
SURVIVORS, because Of lack Ot strength
when the battle was won Hale youths
they were. the tao and quarter millions
who proudly marched away at Father
Abraham : call-nErc5ed away and disao-
I'earea. No one c21 say u the spared thas
tie same men came back, exactly the SANE
men To tramp ali day under a load q (
sixty 70 seventy pounds under southern 4
sun, where the roads s-s thick with dust.
the water Sc. ynan; AID rank with decaylEg (
matter, and keep - IL uDt!l mea TAI, r,eve- .
u r-ss out Of ne cnli TAT stzlkes tAera a.
they reach the earth. then % plunge into T.
sVTzTaps aad stand WAIST deep iu water
= b le constructing roads ana bTldg=s OK psry-
Ing c1t guns Rrc cszv.1z-ss from tie rasrs- 4
70 u drencsed n Z ElnSsTs Fafl 20 TIE i
Skin ard then experience fail q Eaereury
os-lo7T the freez1Z po.Ht without a change
o. clothing CT IRE 20 fhaw the roe THAI IL
eases tie GEoz Ike amor 70 mzuse-rer
z-sc Gznt s1d fo3- tie eneasy under taezss
las. Conditions and fed IneAnw while On
horse EeAE CT from cAr-1Es@s a-&.2hsern6