Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-06
brigadler general. L. s. Army. Gen.
Thomas died in 1897

brigadler general. L. s. Army. Gen.
Thomas died in 1897.
''The 81 Regiment was assigned to
the command of Cyrus Hamlin. cap
tain A. D. e., L. s. Army. son of Hon.
Hannibal Hamlin. an officer of fine ey-
ecutive ability. thoroughly conversant
with rules and orders from his asso-
citation with regular army officers and
heads of departments at Washington.
He thus became our mentor in red
tame and our friend. 1t is n family
trait to gain friends. to reward them
to keep them and his bonds of friend
ship We're cheerfully worn and easily
broken. After organizing his regiment
1t Baton Rouge re commended 4
hrign 1e there. Col HAmlin was hre
general u. S. Vols. He remained in
New Orleans after the war and died
there of yellow fever in 1867
The 4th Regiment was commanded
by Col. John r. Appleton, captain OF
the 18th Maine, he being at that time
on duty with his regiment in the de
partment of the Gulf, and did not re
rort to Gen. IIllm1n for assignment
to his command until after the surren
der of Port Hudson, refusing to leave
his company during the seige. The or
raniZation of this regiment devolved
upon myself.
Col. Appleton was a brave and
sl<illful officer and would have earned
distinction if his health had permitted.
lie was the only officer of Gen. Banks
army who reached the rebel works
during the seige. In the assault OF the
18th of June he managed To guide a
part of his men and those of another
company through half mile Of ahat
us of felled trees under a calling fire,
and by s1illfully posting his sharp-
sho tiers placing 20 or 40 men with l.im-
self in the ditch. of a salient from
hich it seemed impossible either TO
dvance or retreat
After the assault had failed all
4long the line he withdrew his mon
in the same manner as he had advanc-
ed. with the less of one man whom
TIE rebels buried with the honors of
War. in token of their appreciation OF
Ms bravery Col. Appleton's health
became impaired by exposure during
he seige TO the miasmic conditions,
and he resigned and went with his
brother to the Sandwich Islands. Three
Years after this he returned to Ban
ror. where he died in 1870. beloved by
all who knew him.
He was brevetted brigadier general
for meritorious services. Col. Appleton
was a Young man of eminent socla!
qualities. His affection for his parents
Vas unbounded. He always spoke Of
lis father as his friend and companion
ION whom he never concealed an act
ur a wish. To ME his mind and heart
seemed absolutely free from guile. He
was my ideal conception of the exalted,
spotless character of Tancred-th
very perfect gentle knight
Speeches were then listened to from
various members of the Legion
The following MEMBERS were present;
col. 5. H. Allen. Togus Home: Or. ;.
c. Gordon. Portland: NAL s " hax Il
Portland, Or. C.as: @. Hunt. Portlanu
Gen. /. s. Bangs. Wat.rr'le; cant. re
bron Mayhem. Westtrook; Capt. thas.
Graham. Westhrook. Capt. \. I. Turner.
WAY; Can't. = NJ. Thompson. Bangor
cant. Franz III Gansey Bangor; Maj.
WI Z. Clayton, Bangor: Lieut.. Joseph g.
Smith. SlIowhegan CGl n n. Drew
is.lsta; N.as. u. = ar sons. Oakland; Ma
H. s. Mclehcr Portland: Mai. j. ). NH
Auburn; Lieut.. III. L. Savage, AUBURN
CFn Ch1S MI Ti!dcn. HalOWell: Lieut.
q n Ste ems. Lew iston: Gen. l.. II. Man
ming. Lewiston; Gen Selden Connor Au
sIsta; Maj. W. II. ) en1er SHOW reg ~
George Otis Smith. Skowhegan: Or. Ma
than cid Butler, y a " e, y NJ. san
T. W Heath; R,v. q. K. Palmer; MAJ
". Fl. Green. Por land.
1t was voted 70 cold the next meetlns
:, g .lIlr