Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-10
IN MEMORY OF COMRADES.
The Eighteenth Connecticut Dedicates
d Monument at Winchester.

The Eighteenth Connecticut Dedicates
q Monument at Wfnchestcr.
Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star
WINCHESTER, Va, October o. 1895.
The survivors Of the eighteenth Connecti-
cut regiment dedicated here today, in the
National cemetery, monument to those of
| their late comrades who fell in the battles
around Winchester. June 1915, 1858. There
were about fifty veterans of the regiment
present. They drove all about the city and
region, visiting familiar places. At 1890
o'clock they drove to the cemetery, the
Friendship Military Band furnishing march
music. At the cemetery prayer was Of
fered by Rev. A. c. Green of the veterans;
address by DR.. s. H. Lupton, mayor Of
Winchester, who gave them hearty well
come, which was responded to by Gen. w.
G. Ely. Lieut.. Caruthers presented The
monument from the state of Connecticut,
which was accepted by Capt Brady, who
formally turned it over to the National
cemetery, and was then received by Mr..
Thomas Savage, the superintendent. The
monument cost $4,000.
Col. d. Terrence delivered the Grafton and
a recitation, "Old Comrades was recited
by Professor B. F. Rooms of the one hum
dred and twenty-third Connecticut regi-
ment. Al 7:3O this evening the Connect
cut boys were the guests of Turner Ashoy
Camp, Confederate Veterans.
Ine eighteenth Connecticut was COM
posed of nearly one thousand of the best
young men in the state. and was recruited
principally in the cities of New London
and Bridgeport In it's ranks were to be
found lawyers, physicians and members OF
many professions, not excluding several
who had been professors in colleges, but
had given up their chairs to take part in
the war.
When first mustered into service the reg
iment was ordered to duty In one OF the
Tod forfS
and after several months of guard duty
was ordered to Harper's Ferry. Soon after
reaching there Early began his campaign
down the valley, and the eighteenth was
ordered to Berryville, Va, where, on June
II. they were attacked by portion OF the
advance guard of the confederate army,
and after some severe fighting driven back
to Winchester, ten miles distant, where
they took refuge in one of the forts.
From this time until the regiment was
annihilated, so far as fighting for the re-
mainder of the war was concerned, three
days later, they were in battle both day
and night, ard their losses during these
few days amounted to more than six hun
dred men killed, wounded and captured.
The brave fight made iy the eighteenth
took place about four miles north of Win
chester. The regiment was practically sac
rificed to enable Gen. Milroy's command to
escape. All day long detachments OF Gen
Milroy's command, who had not 1ousni
that morning. were brought in, until In all
the captured forces numbered 5000 men.
During the fighting Capt. Bowen Of the
eighteenth, with two companies, charged
upon a company Of confederate sharp
shooters, securely posted. and got back to
the Union lines with fifteen prisoners. 1t
is said the confederates cheered loudly
over their victory, but Gen. Walker check
ed them by saying, They had been figh:-
ing that morning only about one regiment,
and that was the eight zenith Connecticut"
He also said to Col. Ely: You have made
US a good deal of trouble this morning."
and when the colonel gave up his sword
the confederate general, observing that the
hilt and blade were broken, inquired:
Colonel. when was this done?" This
morning, sir, in the fight" was the reply.
Gen. Walker said: You deserve to keep
this. Here are the marks of bravery and
honor I will give orders that it be return
ed to you sir"
The sword was sent to Gen. Early, who
directed that it be kept in the prison office
at Libby. Two or three months later 1t
was sent through the lines under a flag of
truce to the father of Col. Ely, while the
latter was yet prisoner.
The killed, wounded and captured of the
eighteenth during the battle amounted to
537