The record-union., 1897-01-24
AMERICAS OLDEST REGIMENT
Third U. s. Infantry Under Arms One
Hundred Years.
The Famous Regiment Was Organized
In Seventeen Hundred and
Eighty-Four.

L
the regular army celebrated the one
hundredth anniversary of its establish
ment in November, 1896, at the home
of the regiment at Fort Smelling, on the
Mississippi River, at the head o: navi-
cation hard by the cities of Minneapo-
lis and St. Paul. 1t is the post reSl-
ment of this old and historic fort.
The Third passed its century mile
stone far different body from what 1t
was in November, 1896, different in
uniform, in accoutrements, in arms ana
In drill; but it was not a more stead
fastly loyal body in 1896 than 1t was
In 1896. Other regiments have been as
brave and as loyal, and nave fought as
yaliantly for the preservation OF the
country or the repelling of foreign
foe Circumstances ana time ana MS
tory, however, have given this body
particular fitness for recognition.
1t is the Oldest regiment in the regu-
lar army of the United states. The
original First was established IN June,
1854 This by subsequent consolidation
was merged into the present Third, so
that is is, in reality, decade more
than century old. On March ., li92,
Congress authorized the formal estab-
lishment of the regiment. It was then
known as the infantry OF the Third
sub-legion. AS the army was reorgan-
ized in November, 1896, when the in
fantry of the Third sub-legion became
the Third Regiment of Infantry, the
latter became 100 years old in Novem-
Der, 1896
This is the same regiment which
fought under Mad Anthony Wayne
when he led his forces wirh impetuous
ardor against the Indians Of the North
western border; which Was so power
full a factor in the war Of 1S12; which
passed a decade or more Of its lie IN
the great lakes region when the feeble
garrisons along the inIabd seas were
so sorely in need of its stanch ald'
which was foremost in the long ana
trying campaign in Florida, where II
maintained the splendid reputation as
an Indian fighter which Il has kept for
a century. 1t is the lame regiment
which, when Texas would maintain her
own definition of the boundary line be-
tween her and Mexico, was ordered 10
the Southwest, where, through thaI
spirited and picturesque campaign, II
fought it's way at PalO Alto, at Resaca
&C la Palma, at Monterey, at the siege
and capture of Vera Cruz, then onward
under Scott on that Irresistible march
straight to the citadel Of the Mexican
Capital. After the brilliant battle or
Churubusco when the Third LED the
deciding charge, and when the colors
oe the regiment were the first TO De
flung from the parapet Of the oi'' con-
vent the regiment wa2 one OF the urst
10 march into the coE1dcred city over
which foated the flag IF its natl H.
So onward the regiment fought, de-
pleted many times by death ana dls-
ease. it's veins steadily filling again
with the best blood of the nation, tight
ing against the Navajos and the
Apaches in all the exciting lnd1an cam
paigns from 1910 to 1860, until when
the elements of the greatest CIVIL war
of history were a-nlixing, 1T was order
ed to the North and from its long SER
vice on the soil Of the South. Passing
through San Antonio, Tex, it was sug-
Eested that the regiment march around,
rather than through, the principal
streets of the Southern city, where the
sympathy with the cause of the South
was so pronounced. a council OF the
officers OF the regiment was called, and
Il was unanimously decided that 1t
would never do for the oldest regiment
in the army, a regiment which had
never been in the habit Of travelling
roundabout when the main Travelled
road was open-it would never do for
such a regiment TO change its policy
under such conditions; 50, bedecked
for the occasion in the finest garb OF
their wardrobes, with, as writer OF
the day said, "the regimental colors
flying, the band playing, and every
man and officer as fine as brass and
bullion could make him. the old Third
marched onward through the streets
of THE Southern city TO take its place
in the great conflict then impending.
Three of the companies of the regi-
rnent. A, F, and l, We're captured by
the enemy in the earlier part OF the
war in Florida Their reputation was
we'll known in the South, and 1t was
generally conceded that 1t was one OF
the best drilled and most important
military bodies of the continent, so
every effort was made TO induce the
members of these companies to re-
nounce allegiance to the General Gov
ernrnent and take up the cause Of the
South The members of the companies
were offered positions as officers IN the
Southern army, and no doubt there
were few Of them who We're not far
better fitted for high positions than
very large number of the volunteer SOL
diers North or South. But the cap
aured companies remained steadfastly
loval TO the Government, and, after
parole. Joined their regiment in the
North and fought on through the cam
paign.
From the outset of the civil war the
Third was in the hight of battle. 1t
won its first recognition at the hrst
onportunity which presented itself.
when II showed it's splendid qualities
nv its mastery covering of the flight
~ +he army at the first battle of Bull
Prn Lieutenant j. H. McRae of the
rrnir,d. the historian Of the regiment,
and to whose statistics / am indebted
for the skeleton of the regiment move
anents above given, says or the regl-
rnent at the first battle of Bull Kun;
.Its gallant conduct in this, the first
great battle of the war, its unf1inching
steadfastness and perfect order in COW
erinp the flight of the panic-stricken
army was but presage of that which
was IN distinguish il throughout the
war"
MANY times during the civil war the
fighting qualities of the Third were
called into play. IT took part in TWEEN
ty-one battles and sieges. losing in
killed. wounded and missing 2o' men,
number equal to its average strength
during the war. After 1t led the noble
column at the close of the war in that
hofora the President