The National tribune., 1893-08-17
AT GETTYSBURG.
Dedication OF New York's Monument and
Reunion of Greene's Brigade.


Dedication OF New York's Monument and
Reunion of Greene's Brigade.
At the greatest of all battles. Gettysburg,
the greatest of all States, New York, had the
greatest share. The Empire State furnished.
in SO commands, 30 per cent. of all the troops
engaged in that battle, and 81 per cent. OF the
killed and wounded; and the New York
Monument, erected on the field, is the grandest
and most beautiful there.
Most appropriate was it that this Queen Of
States summon thther her surviving victors
of that field to dedicate her monument. With
imperial generosity she sent them there aud
back, ut her own expense, sheltering them also
at Gettysburg Seven thousand of her sons
who participated in that battle gathered on
Sunday afternoon, July 2, around the monu-
ment. 1t was exactly 30 years after their
valor with that of their comrades from other
States, had dedicated that field to deathless
ronown. 1t was grand anniversary. New
York's patriotic Governor, Flower, spoke most
eloquently; also Pennsylvania Governor,
Pattson Bishop Potter. of New York, in a
magnificent Grafton. and De Witt C.. Sprague,
of Washington, d. c., in thrilling poem that
will never be forgotten, and best of all, Gen.
Daniel E. Sickles who presided.
celebration that almost overtopped the
monument dedication was that of Greene's
Brigade on Culp's Hill. Off in the woods, by
themselves, in the dark, their dauntless defence
has never received its proper credit. When
Gen. Sickles was so sorely pressed at the left
on the afternoon of the second day the entire
Twelfth Corps was ordered TO his assistance,
excepting one brigade commanded by Gen.
George S. Greene (now of Morristown, N. J.).
1t was the Third Brigade of the Second
Division of the Twelfth Corps, and con-
sisted of the Goth, 18th, 102d, 18th and
149th N. Y; 1900 men for duty. These were
stretched out one rank deep along the earth
works. just before this the enemy started
(about p n.y. from the opposite ridge in two
lines of battle. Here occurred what Division
Gen. Geary pronounced perhaps the most
brilliant skirmishing in the whole war. The
rebel advance was hinde.ed exactly half an
hour, securing invaluable time to the officers
and men in the works. Leut.-Col. ]. G. o.
Rediugton, of the Goth N. Y, was in command
of the skirmishers, and by giving orders with
the bugle, sounding the calls himself, was able
to control the whole line of over quarter of
mile in the woods. The skirmishers were shell
tered by trees, and fought so tenaciously that
when ordered into the works the enemy
thought they had driven the first limo of battle.
There shone valor that has never been sur
passed-hardly ever equalled. That handful
of men successfully resisted Is coo assailaDts.
who had orders to take that hill at the cost of
every life. Six charges were made, some by
the celebrated "Stonewsl Brigade" The de-
tenders fired 80 rounds of cartridges to each
man. The flag of the 149th II. Y. received so
bullet-holes The flagstaff was shot IN two, and
Coor-Sergeant VIM. Lilly spliced 1t together
while the battle was going on. After two hours
the enemy ceased firing, but lay close to the
works all night Greene's Brigade had saved
the right at Gettysburg.
On the next morning, July 3, the battle ragged
furiously for several hours. During the night
the remainder of the Twelfth Corps had re-
turned and the Confederates were driven back.
In front of Culp's Hill the dead were piled as
never before, in some places three feet deep.
Greene's Brigade had over 400 men at Gettys-
burg to celebrate the Both anniversary.
And they did it royalty. On Saturday even
ing July /. they marched in four ranks to
Culp's Hill, esc0rting the regiments who as
sisted the morning of the third day, for a
sham battle with fireworks Nearly 200 men
were in the line Col. Redington was sent over
the old ground in front with a force to repre-
sent the Johnnies After brisk firing. with
plenty of yelling the battle ended with VIC
tory, as before on the Union side.
At $50 Sunday morning Greene's Brigade
marched again to Culp's Hill in full ranks,
headed by the Gettysburg Brass Band 22
pieces. Addresses were made by Gen. Slocum,
Gen. Greene (now SO years of age), Gov. Flower,
and Gen. Sickles, Gen. Robert Avery, formerly
of the 102d N. Y, (now of Brooklyn. N. W
presided. With his one leg and crutches he
seemed to move around as lively as anyone.
The exercises were interspersed with singing.
At this gathering the brigade was commanded
by Col. Lewis r. Steyman, of Brooklyn, N. Y,
who commanded the 102d n. Y at the battle.
As Gen. Greene arose to read his address he
was greeted with overpOwering cheers, and
every heart was thrilled with grateful pride.
Had he not exhibited at the battle the very
best generalship, the valor of his men would
have been in vain, as they were fanked on
the right. Gov. Flower became greatly en-
Unused at the story of the battle. and in his
address wished to God he had been there 80
years ago with the boys.
Greene's Brigade turned out in full ranks to
the dedication of the monument, and returned
home proud of and happy in having had their
magnificent commander, Gen. Greene. called
for a speech. He responded: 81 have no
speech to make, but propose this sentiment
the men of the rank and file who stood by US
through thick and thn."-HIsToRIAN