Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-22

Tine bfoihcfH - W. anu J., NJ Alhfk'l
Maine took the lead Of the division, and
when the troops saw that they cried out,
Eight today, boys; the First Names In
the advance"
Gregg dlsmountcd his men md built
rudo brca-tworks, and then the Maine men
opened the hght and ended Il, using both
cnfhincs and rcyolvcrs
Though ordered 10 rrtirc, the men did 20
slowly, turning Ut every ridge and fence
aud clump Of trees for ono more yullcy. So
they held ON til a battery came 10 their
aid, and they helped 10 defend that when IL
ran out 81 ammunition. OF the 80 men
engaged II were killed aud - wounded.
Hampton was held up until the wagon
train was beyond reach Sheridan left the
Army Of the Potomac Aug, I, 1854, but
Grogg's division remained behind 40 Peters
burg, following the fortunes Of Hancock la
his expeditions on the Confederate TANKS,
The regiment added four battles TO It's list
during August, and In September was To-
enforced by eight companies Of Maine
troops transferred from the First District
Of Columbia cavalry. The strength WITS
about 800 with this increase, On Oct ~
at Boydton Road. 10 were killed and 81
wounded In savage fight with Wade
Ilampton's mounted forces,
The First Maine at that time belonged
TO brigade commanded by Col. q. II.
Smith, its former leader who WIS cap
tain In the regiment IN 1901 Cilley, the irt
recruit and the first man wounded. had
grayitatod TO the top and led the regiment,
The highest casualty list OF all was al
Dinwiddie Court House, March 81. the pre-
liminary 81 Five Forks, Shcridan's cavalry
was forced 10 give ground all day and at
length Smiths brigade was called upon Ia
defend creek crossing against heavy odds
| The First Maine disuouutcl and advanced
| IN u dcplOyod line 10 meet charging cavalry,
They opened fire with Spencer and Henry
| rifles 7 and 10 shooters, and the Confeder
ate column temblod, waycrd aud parted
right and left, soon to mott away In form
less wrcck Of dead horses and men. In this
fight the First Maino's loss was "a killed
and ca wounded.
At Appomnttox, Smiths brigade wa
| placed In the last gnp opened 10 Lee, tn,
Lynchburg road. The hghting on sunday
| April o, that cnded IN Lees surrender
| began on the front ~ the First Maine, ant
| is loss here WIS killed and 10 wounded
The total loss NJ the regiment Killed ans
! mOrtally wounded was ID officers and III
men the highest suffered by any cayalr!
| regiment ~ the Union army.
The First Maine was organized and Tee
| throughout by volunteer officers Il lof
| / colonel, amajors and captains killed IL
| action. Al 81 Mnry's Church L. colonel
! lieutenant colonel and major wor,
/ wounded.
! Aud an this noble record was made ID
| average men. Tho twin sergeunts, who's
/ pictures from photographs taken duunl
The war accompany THIS sketch, would 40
! stand out on an artists canvas 30 grand,
as do some Of the uhlans and Dragon
that rode at Groynllotte aud Sedan, hu
they are types OF the First Maine troops
for whom therc can be no grander culog
than the simple record Of their perslston
daring. Another thing, have stated tina
the regiment was led by volunteers. Earl
IN it, career east iron rule of nntiprliai
| ity and total abstinence WAS prumulgAte'
Ht headquarters, This mny not sigu,t
! anything, hat some ways would have
that Tor troopers In the field there WAS ~
rtdrrmiuy vice left except fighting, hruc
the thifty six battles nn the First Maine
iiag, GEORGE L. kiLMEh