The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-05

lckSDufg. COi. 10Y e IL OeCTetary anu AAe"s-
urer of Sickless Excelsior Brigade Association
and resides at No. 3 Hampton Court, Jersey
City, N. J.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND COMRADES OF THU
| FOURTH EXCELSIOR: do not think can re-
spond to the toast just proposed more appropri-
| ately than by reading paper have prepared
on your services during the war for the Union.
On an occasion like this. history that would
cover the details of your service would be out
| of place; but an outline of your record will not
be inappropriate. The figures l give of your
casualties I have carefully compiled from OH
cial sources. and / have been careful not to
overdraw i'll describing your gallantry, in order
| that may not be accused OF partiallty.
The organization of your regiment was per-
| fected at Camp Decker, on Staten Island, under
| Col. James Fairman. This officer was organic
ing the Fourth Excelsior Regiment under spe-
| cial authority granted to Gen. Danl E. Sick les
| by the War Department. Col. John Bauich
| was at the same time recruiting q regiment to
| be called the Second Fire Zouaves, but by mn-
tual agreement the two regiments were con-
| solidated, and thus the regimental organization
became perfected, and was known thereafter as
the Fourth Excelsior Regiment, or Second Fire
Zouayes 1t was not until Dec. 8, 1861, that
you received your State numerical designation.
Col Fairman remained in command OF the
regiment until September, 1861, when he was
succeeded by VIM. r. Brewster.
The regiment was mustered into the United
States service by companies for three years,
between July and Oct. g. 1861 but the main
body of the regiment, over 300 strong, went on
to Washington in August Of that year, and per-
formed duty in the vicinity of the Capital
until it was sent into Maryland.
The Winter was passed. with the rest of the
brigade, at Liverpool Point. on the lower
Potomac, in drill and picket duty, and you
soon became hardy and well-disciplned SOL
diers. You were now in Rockers Division,
Third Army Corps, and under that gallant
leader you were to have your baptism of fire,
and win name that would add luster to the
noble State whose motto you bore upon your
banners.
At Yorktown your duties were arduous and
important, and it was your Tag that was hrst
planted upon the enemy's works on the morn
ing of the 4th of May, 1862. Ever on the alert,
yon lead by the first gray light of dawn, dis
covered that the works that had confronted us
in their formidable strength for SO many
weeks did not present the usual signs OF
vigilant enemy, and you therefore pushed for
ward and were tho first to proclaim the news
of their evacuation.
Rockers Division, of the Third Corps, and
Smiths Division, of the Fourth Corps, were
selected to follow up the retreating enemy.
After a toilsomo march through the rain and
mud, and long into the night, you come to
halt, and seek as best you can refreshment and
rest.
The early morning finds you again in pur-
suit of the foe, and soon the noise OF battle
comes through the heavy atmosphere and re-
minds you that the time has come when you
must do your part and crown your colors with
honor or dishonor.
The story of the battle of Williamsburg has
never been told. Of all the battles OF the war
this was one of the most brilliant, for single
division bore the brunt of the onslaught Of
Longstreet who hurled masses of troops upon
it. aud threatened by mere force of numbers to
extermlnate the band Of heroes who had the
andacity to Intercept his march. There were
gallant deeds done OH other parts of the field.
but here in front of Fort Magrnder the field
was lighted up with the 1urid light of battle,
and conflict ragged that was not surpassed for
ferceness, gallantry. and valor, by any battle
of the war. The noble Excelsior Brigade won
imperishable renown for its courage and heavy
sacrifices on this field, and your regiment was
not the last of that noble band in garnering the
chaplets Of glory. Your losses speak of your
indomitable courage. They tell in eloquent
figures Of your heroism and soldierly bearing.
You lost in this action three officers and "a
enlisted men killed or died of wounds, one of
fcer and I'll men wounded, and Is men miss
ing; total 104.
Early the next morning we found the
enemy had abandoned the field. and we took
possession of Fort Magruder and the town of
Williamsburg
Three four days were passed here. when
the line OF march was taken up for the Chick
ahominy. Our progress was slow, and you be-
came impatient at the delay as day after day
passed and it became apparent that the enemy
was not being persued with the vigor that you
thought consistent with the energy that the oc-
casion called for. Johnston, ayailing himself
of the opportunity thus afforded him, concen-
trated his forces, and early on tho morning of
the 31st Of May advanced against Caseys
troops, who were imperfectly intrenched on
the south side of tho Chickahominy, amidst
the swamps of its lowlands.
The resistance to Johnston's impetuous as
saults was feeble, and most Of Casey's troops
were soon driven from their advanced position.
His appeals for assistance were not made to
deaf ears, for the gallant Heintzelman had the
Third Corps in motion without delay, and you
were coon on the road at d0uble-qnick to tho
rescue, and reached the field in time to stop
the further progress of the enemy. Early the
next morning you advanced in line OF battle
with the rest Of tho brigade and soon coming
in contact with the enemy the battle is re-
sumed. After a stubborn contest OF short du-
ration the enemy begins to give way, and
pressing forward you are soon masters Of the
field, and occupy the ground that Casey's
troops had fought over the day before. Under
our brave aud gallant leader, Gen. Sickles, you
have won the day, and again the laurel wreath
of victory is placed upon your banners. You
lost in this action one enlisted man killed and
10 wounded.
Through the month of June you were con-
stantly in front, and almost daily under fire,
and you were frequently called upon to drive
back from our picket-lne the daring foe, who
had seized it from other troops. In these
swamps, with meager rations and hardships I'M
paralleled, you passed through weeks of storm
and battle and the Twin Houses" that stood
the Williamsburg road were often filled
with your dead and wounded. AS you would adj
vance your line your musketry-fre would echo
through the dense woods, and the whole diviS-
ion would rush to arms only to learn that I" it's
only the Fire Zouaves driving back the rebs."
You lost during the month in these short
but severe actions, which included Oak Grove
and the Peach Orchard, one officer wounded
and one missing nine enlisted men killed, SO
wounded. and ID missing; total. 81.
When Mcclellan began his movement to the
James River you were among the last to leave
the intrenchments at Fair Oaks, and by your
bold front gained valuable time for the retreat
ing army.
You were at Glendale and Malvern Hill,
though fortunately you were not called upon
to sustain any loss
When the Army of the Potomac reached the
vicinity of Washington in August tho Third
Army Corps was thrown forward to reinforce
Pope, and our division, still under the COM
mand of the brave Hooker, came In contact