The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-21
eEx. s1ckLEs TO THE roLUNrEERs.
The Memorable Scene st the Presentation
Of the kenrnH Crnsses In Ie0n.


OF the kesrny Crosses In 1893.
To rHr EDiroR OF THE suN-Sir: The decors-
ton Of badge Of honor Is very dear to the sol
dier's heart. The first emblem OF this character
introduced into our armies was by Gen. Philip
KeArny Immediately after the battle Of Fair
Oaks, when In general orders from headquarters,
he directed that every ofioer OF his division
should wear an inch and a half square of rcd
flannel on his cap. 80 that he could recognize
those Of his immediate command and see that
none Of them should shirk duty.
shoulder straps, you are marked men; your
place Is ever at the front"
The Victoria Cross Of England, the Cross OF
the Legion of Honor of France, the Russian
Cross Of 81. George. and the Iron Cross of Ger
many were never prouder incentives to valor
than was Kctrny's Red Patch" the first deco
ration Of our Army Of the Potomac.
Immediately after the death Of the chivalrous
Eearny at Chantilly his successor in command,
Gen. David B. Birney, ordered that the enlisted
men should wear the badge which had originated
az n mark OF distinction by order OF their fallen
chief. subsequently, by general orders OF Major
Gen. Joseph Hooker the various corps of the en-
tire army wero designated each by badge Of
its own, 50 that in whatever part of the battle
he was engaged the corps and division to
which each soldier belonged was known by the
design worn upon his cap or hat. This sugges-
ton came frou Gen. Daniel Butterfeld Gen.
Hooker's chief OF staff, who designed the badges.
As this system was followed by the other
armies OF the Union, there il now no prouder
emblem of service than the badges ofdistinction
worn on Decoration Day by the veterans. which
OF the grand armies that fought IT out on this
line all summer" under Grant, marched from
Atlanta to Savannah and thence to North Caro-
lina,w sherman. or followed the battle flag Of
sheridan In tho Valley of the shenandoah ana
mt his browning victory of Five Forks.
Referring, to the origin of our army corps
%. 1859, when. in compliance with the follow
ing order, the First Division OF the Third Army
Corps were directed to parade:
TInRD CoRPs, May 80 1898. !
The division viii be paraded to morrow for the pres.
sntation OF medals az o'clock p N. 4 stan officer
at S T lGsr, to sroans
sn"S viii be ~ pa De to ds nd
the troops The brigade band Tir. brigade viii be
ims Hssisant RdJGtant General The drum corps Of
brigade VIII be consolidated by command OF Major.
\. A. Adjutant.GeneraI.
The memory. of Kearny was very dear to
Birney proposed TO present to the most gallant
and deserving of the non-commissioned officers
Ks s p,'S Cross in memory Of their former
leader, whose battle flag. like the plume of Mar
The day was M most beautiful and the occasion
caused an assembage OF nearly all the general
officers and their staiis upon the parade grounds
in front Of Gen. Birney's headquarters. The
medals were awarded was drawn up in q hollow
Creek. The distinguished officers present occu-
pied the centre OF the square:
When the formation OF the troops was per-
fected the brigade commanders were directed to
have the roll OF honor called, and the parties
several PAGES to the front They were quickly
formed In three ranks, the Representatives Of each
o Carrying The c9 abs the
AT the request of General Birney, the corps COM
mander, Major-tien. Daniel L. Sickles, made
When Gen. slckles rode into the square on his
spirited thoroughbred horse he was picture Of
prime and had not yet been manned In battle, 1t
being then few weeks prior TO Gettysburg'
There were cheers for him such only soldiers
who have been there" can give.
deliVere s ON horseback. Cen. sicSies was one
OF the best horsemen in the army and cannot
forget his clear ringing tenor voice, as, seated
could be heard by ali, as follows.
"SoLDIERs: Your General OF division has con-
decoration Of brave men with medals OF honor.
These medals are the gift OF your fellow ooun-
as a martial people should bring to the camp Of
their defenders. You have earned these proud
more honorable than office. They are legacies
for your kindred, which neither time nor change
can impair You are volunteers, the noblest
'fYou have offered your lives for the preserva-
tion OF q government, alone among nations, OF
which II has been gracefully said that its
blessings, like the dew OF heaven. descend upon
all Your power is in your bayonets Bayonetss
have dethroned kings, created nations. opened
avenues to civilization and religion. The sun
which now glds yours never lighted heller
steel which destroys the enemy Of a good cause
is consecrated. II is this. and because you
know how 10 use your arms, which makes you
invincible.
ION the day after the attack upon Fort sum
ter. April IL, 1861, ! had the honor tO be ac-
cepted by my late lamented friend, Col. Nos-
ty-frst Regiment OF New York militia. Like
rebellion. and, II spared so long will end when
,hs rebels are put down. Peace while the re-
Never since Caesar led his legions 10 con-
quest; never since RienZ last of the Tribunes,
fell with the last fragments OF the Roman Re
Marshals rose from the ranks; never, In any
army. has promotion so generally and SO surely
followed merit in ours. The genius which
ehnllenges victory evan a from adverse 2, f6Sradans
the column. Let your motto be Excelsior -
the emulation OF the brave for the cOmmenda-
ton of the good. You are the soldiers OF koarny-
whose sword was yielded at last only TO the SUI
preme conqueror.
These medals bear his honored name. When
you are worthy OF both, hope that nothing is
left unSaid which the occasion demands. The
medals will now be delivered to the command
ing Officers OF regiments, who Will decorate the
men OF their commands named In the order
To those who were present upon the occasion
referred To this will be q welcome reminder OF
old and, though perilous, happy times, and 70
glory = soldier seeks and 10 proud of.
GEoRGH w, cOOSEY.
Brevet Major L. ;. Volunteers.