The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-08-16


Second regiment, Excelsior Brigade. commanding
regiment during its three years term OF service
Wounded at Bristoe Station.
ance, TO give ground. We fell back to
the artillery reserve and formed in sup
port, but were not allowed TO remain, as
our commander, Gen. Revere, notwith-
standing our earnest protest, marches us
to the rear. 1t was the on y instance in
our history of our having been marched
from tie field while under fire. As
soon as this was discovered Gen. Revere
was relieved and Col Farnum, of the
1st regiment, was placed in command.
Under this gallant soldier we were
marched back to the battle-ground and
remained at the front until the army
recrossed the Rappahannock. Our
losses in this battle amounted to $50.
The enemy, flushed with his recent
victory and confident of his superiority,
soon determined on a bold, aggressive
movement. Collecting his forces and
abandoning our front, he made detour
and marched rapidly toward the Poto-
mac. Hooker followed with energy,
and We were soon passing over our old
battlefelds of Bristoe, Groveton, and
Manassas, and the enemy was allowed to
cross the Potomac without molestation.
As be passed into Maryland and
across the Pennsylvania line your eyes
Frightened and you marched as you
never marched before The Pittsburg
boys In our ranks had an air of conf
dence, and the seal of
GRIM DETERMINATION
was upon their faces. They were on
their own soil, and they held their lives
of little value if by sacrifice they could
deal deathblow to the invader.
1t would be idle for me to dwell upon
the battle Of Gettysburg. You, the
survivors of this field, know its history.
The heroisln of the Army of the Poto-
mac, the fruitless efforts of Lee, Long
street and Pickett, are well known to
you These hills and woods and valleys
are eloquent with the story of your vic
tory and the saving of a Nation This
was the high tide of the rebellion, and
the hope Of the Confederacy was blotted
out IN the blood Of the brave but mis-
taken soldiers who battled against you on
this field. Thirty years have passed
since the battle, and we have assembled
here to dedicate to the memory of our
dead who fell on this field this beauti-
ful monument, which stands like temple
Of fame on the front line of the second
days contest
They are sleeping in their soldiers
graves, my comrades, but they are not
forgotten, for We have in our hearts a
tender love, fond,
UEDYING REMEMBRANCE OF THEM.
The lst regiment carried into action
on the I'd Of July % officers and 349
men, and lost one officer and 80 men
killed or died of wounds, seven officers
and 75 men wounded, and four men
missing: total, III.
The I'd regiment carried into ac-
tion, y officers and $50 men, and lost
one officer and 13 men killed or died OF
wounds, six officers and 58 men wounded,
and l3 men missing total, 81.
The Sd regiment carried into action
% officers and 2S3 men, and lost one
officer aud 10 men killed or died OF
wounds, six officers and 90 men wounded,
and 2S men missing; total, ia
The 4th regiment carried into action
% officers and $50 men, and lost five
officers and AZ men killed or died OF
wounds; l0officers and 90 men wounded
and eight men missing; total, 162.
The 9th regiment carried into action
II officers and 25S men, and lost one
officer and is men killed or died ot
wounds, five officers and "a men wounded
and three men missing; total, 80.
These figures make total loss in the
brigade of 573 killed, wounded and miss
ing.
The night of the Sd found Lee van
quished at all points, and his decimated
.battalions soon retreated and recrossec
the Potomac, with the Union army IL
close pursuit.
On he afternoon of July % we over
took the enemy at Manassas Gap, wher,
we found him strongly posted on Wap
ping Hights, supported by artillery
Gen. Meade determined to dislodge thi
force if possible, push through the Gap
and compel him to give battle.
The Excelsior Brigade was selected
for this duty, and you moved forward
climbed the Hights and charged the foe
Gen. Spinola, commanding the brigade
fell seriously wounded, and the gallan
Farnum took command.
You pressed on with determination