The National tribune., 1895-09-05

The term was not derisive one. The COM
pany in the Shenandoah campaign, In Its
first battle of importance held a bridge for
hours against the attacks of Ashby's brigade
Of cavalry and regiments of infantry which
Jackson sent against it, while the rest OF our
little army, save the ID, was In Its retreat
toward Winchester
Brook Farm was owned at this time by Rev.
James Freeman Clarke, who gave the use OF
it to the ID Mass.
The regiment had not been in camp a
month before Gordon's sense of military
propriety was outraged by one of the officers
inviting his Sergeant to drink with him in
his tent. The officer was invited to resign.
He appealed TO Gov Andrew Andrew could
not appreciate Gordon's naturally autocratlc
ideas OF discipline, intensified as they were by
actual service in the Regular Army and by
education at West Point. Gordon insisted.
Andrew persisted in refusing. In reply to a
question by the Governor as to what would
prevent the officers returning he said: " A
thousand bayonets sir.
In marching down to the relief of the sol
diers at Balls Bluff, after the disaster had oc-
Cured, Gordon met the then Col. Devens,
later known 10 fame in both military ana
civil life. Devens explained the battle.
Gordon interrupted him in the midst OF the
explanation, and said " There was where
you made your mistake" As the battle had
become tragedy in which Devens was par
ticipator, and had just escaped almost miracu-
lousy by swimming the Potomac, the crltl-
cism cut deeply, and was probably not Tor
gotten.
In the Shenandoah Valley campaign, be-
fore Gordon had left the regiment fora higher
command, complaint was made by an ola
planter that men of the I'd Mass. had stolen ms
turkeys. For once Gordon took strong sides
with his men. He said: - Did these men say
they were of the I'd Mass. ?n Eyes, " replied
the planter. Then" replied Gordon, they
were not of the ID Mass. My men are not
fools, and if they had been of my regiment
they would not have told you 81"
1t seemed to be the fate of Gordon to serve
with non-military men. He was later court
martialed by Butler for characterization in the
latter part of the war; and Butler said later,
in one of his political speeches: :" sent him
home to Lowell to practice law, at which he
has since been starving" Gordon was us
superior to Butleras a soldier as Butler was to
Gordon as lawyer
1t was the opposition of Banks and Butler,
under whom Gordon served as a brigade and
division commander, which prevented Gordon
being confirmed Z. S. Marshal for AlasSachu-
sets shortly after the war. 1t all arose out OF
differences between them in the field.
The enlisted men of the ID Mass. who were
drilled at Camp Andrew for this great service
would deserve enumeration and name rs fully
rs the officers, were it possible. Later, when
the original officers had fallen or risen TO
higher places, and promotions from the
ranks upon merit was in order. the discipline
begun at Camp Andrew resulted in ample
material in the old regiment for officers. IL
may he fairly said that 20 far as these promot-
ed officers were concerned, the discipline never
relaxed from the first day ut Camp Andrew
until July. 1865, when we were mustered ont
at Readville, after four years and three months
OF service Few Of the old officers were then
left, but the standard which they had raised
had never been lowered. GEORGE w. MORSE,
Captain, ID Mass.