The National tribune., 1892-10-13
GEN, SICKLES'S
spEEcv.
What He Actually Said at the Re-
Union of the Third Corps.

Well, here we are under tent again.
always feel at home with Third Corps men, and
more than ever in r tent. 1t seems natural
and comfortable. Rather a good sized tent
this would be for tho field, as it holds 1000 OF
more-but the Third Corps is big thing and
wants a big tent.
need not tell you, my comrades how much
satisfaction find in seeing so many OF your
familiar faces once more. Every time this
pleasure is given me it seems like another kind
gift of Providence. You all know am one OF
the youngest men here laughter, yet there
are few here younger than l am, anu every
time meet you l find it difficult to persuade
myself am ever to see you again. Never
mind, here we are together once more; and
this time you and your brave and worthy CON-
rades of all the armies have come to Washing
ton in vast numbers, unprecedented in your
history-unprecedented in the history of any
country SO long after great war-coming MS you
do from every corner of the continent. Such a
column of veteran heroes rs marched yesterday
from the Capitol to the White House was q
spectacle Of which any Nation might be proud L;
most of you were volunteers of 1861, the bloom
and flower of American yonth-men gold could
not hire-men moved by pure love of country
and home, ready to give their lives and oil
they had to maintain the Union and defend
the honor of our flag. Applause Such were
the men we had from 81 to '65 to follow our
standards through disaster and defeat some
times. and always through sufferings and trials
only known to men like you who have served
through n long war.
Well, my comrades, you have conquered our
worst enemy-you have conquered Time. You
are here TO witness the glory of your service in
| the prosperity and power and renown OF the
Republic you saved. Yes, more than 10000
are here again in Washington-now the Capital
of the greatest among the Nations, and soon to
be the most splendid Capital in the world.
Here, comrades, are at home-the guests of
the Nation. Applause.
| / was, like you, volunteer. Enlisting in
the ranks in April, '6I under my lamented
friend Vosburgh, of the list National Guard
of New York, was soon after invited by the
| Governor of my State to raise regiment. My
| objections were all overruled / was told it
was patriotic duty for one who had been the
political adversary of Mr.. Lincoln, and the
devoted friend of Mr.. Douglas. to give an ex-
ample to my fellow Democrats of New York,
and ask them to join me in raising a reg iment
The regiment was enlisted and then
was asked to 90 ahead and enrol brigade.
Meanwhile / studied half the night to learn
what to do next day. laughter
How was it that was able TO get on and
make a little reputation in the service, as / am
sometimes told? 1t was because / had such
men as you to execute my orders. 1t was
because was seconded by officers like Taylor,
Graham, Dwight, Tremaine, and afterward by
| Carr, Ward, Brney, Berry, Randolph, Clark,
Seely, Moore, Whpple, Sewel McAllister,
Pierce, Marston, Coils Medill, and noble
| host of others.
to fall heir to the division of the brilliant
Kearny, and another division that had been
trained by the heroic Hooker. Who could
have failed with such troops? We did not fail.
We held diamonds" and diamonds were
| trumps. We held them and we played them
and we won the game. [Applause.l
| | met our old friend, Gen. Longstreet in
Atlanta, last March. We were both invited to
dine with st. Patrick, who gave good
! dinner. st. Patrick gave US besides some very
good Irish whisky. / wish you could have
heard Longstreet sing the Star spangled Ban
ner." 1t was about midnight. If there is one
thing Longstreet can do better than fight, tits
to sing the Star Spangled Banner" / couldn't
help giving him good strong Third Army
Corps hug for that song. / wish he were here
to sing it for you. On our way home, both of
us feeling pretty good Longstreet said:
"sickles. how did l get along with the song
to-night?"
20. bully!" I replied "but it sounded as if
you hadn't sung it for some time BEFORE"
We'll" he said, Z" guess that is 500
As left Longstreet at his hotel, he said:
"Sickles, it is quite the fashion at the North
to call Gettysburg the decisive battle of the
war"
Yes General" / replied, "that is quite
common saving"
"Well" he exclaimed, 81 want to tell You
right here, if it hadn't been for that id
Third Corps of yours, would have won it,"
l want to say a few words to you about
Pleasonton. l am glad to tell you that my
visit to him this afternoon was not at all pain
full as / was afraid it might be, for although
he has been sufferer for three years in the
same room and in the same be-. that dauntless
RI hot
led our cavalry to SO much glory in the war
were all there still. As his pale face rested on
the white pillow the soul of Pleasonton was
there-not the siEewy frame that defed fatigue
and danger, but the soul was there, and he was
never more animated. When the time came to
say good-by he gave me his attenuated hand,
saying, "Sickles, wish could go with you
| to- night and meet your men. Tell them for
me how we'll / remember that dark hour at
Charlottesville when you gave me charge of
your guns, with no support but handful of
my cavalry, when there was no hope for the
right wing of our army save in your guns and
your divisions whom you were hurrying to my
support, and who care in time to save us from
disaster. God bless the Third Corps, for it gave
me the proudest hour of my military life"
Comrades, we all enjoyed the great parade
We admired the superb decorations all over the
city. We have appreciated the proofs of
gratitude and regard lavished upon the vet
lioLu puftS VI Inc Dut WnaJ
brought me here was to see you all once more.
have enjoyed this pleasure in considerable
detail For the last three nights have been
aroused at all hours. have had visitors in the
early morning, before got out of bed / have
had your company while dressing for break
fast and while undressing to go to Sleep
Third-Corps man needs no introduction to me.
/ know him as he crosses the street, not by his
badge, but by his eye, his smile, his look of
affection. | hope none of you will ever let me
pass without stopping me for one more greet
ing; no matter how tired look or where am
or if it rains as it does tonight; no matter if
neither of US has an umbrella we will halt in
the storm and have one more shake.
Comrades, we missed one of our number
| yesterday. An imperative domestic duty con.
strained him to be absent from the Capital,
and deprived him Of the pleasure of meeting
yes and extending to you soldiers welcome
| from the head of the Nation. Now, o-night,
he has the happiness to see his beloved con-
| sort in her home, somewhat relieved, as we
are happy to learn from her suflerings Yet
it is impossible for him TO open his doors to
| you night, as / am sure it would have been
~ Rosy cheeks ere
~ pada from