The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-15

adjoining works, when they fell down TO
catch a few moments sleep on the harG
ground, which only veterans used TO such
fare could do. The early morning of the
18th found them in line OF battle, ready
&c meet the onslaught that was SO soon
to take place.
They had not long 10 wait, for they
were soon aroused by the oncoming of the
rebel veterans, who anticipated an easy
victory, having. as they supposed, only
raw levies to oppose them; but as they
came forward on the charge with that
familiar yell known only to those vet
Grams of the Potomac who had so often
heard it before, they were not only sur
prised. amazed. and awestruch, to see
the bronzed faces and dusty blue uni
forms and badges of the Fighting Sixth
rise like apparitons before them in de-
fence of the old Capital. but there was
wavering along their whole line and for
a moment they halted and sung out, Hell
10, old Sixth, we thought We left you at
Petersburg; how did you get up here SO
quick?' General Early said in 1888 that
the sight of the Greek cross on the works
north of Washington was what induced
his retreat, and another Confederate Off
Ger said in front OF the Capital, we fed
that cross everywhere They knew that
they ,Go easy job on hand when they saw
| that cross, for they had met those same
| determined veterans before on many
hard-fought field, and thinking discretion
| the better part of valor. stood not upon
| the order of going. but went at once. and
| the battle was fought with $50 killed and
wounded on both sides, and so was Wash
ington saved.
Goodness of Lincoln.
They say Gettysburg was the greatest
battle of the war; in my opinion it was
in blood and loss of lives. and it prevent
| ed the rebels from making a battle-ground
of Pennsylvania and New York; but 1T did
| not end the war. nor did it save the Cap
ital, for Early not only intended the cap
ture of the city and all branches of the
Government, but also TO free the prison.
ers confined at Point Lookout and arm
them with arms captured from the ar
senal.
Under the excitement Mr. Lincoln kept
walking the parapets and breastworks. and
1t is said he was ordered down by Cen
eral Wright. In a letter to DR.. Stevens,
of the Seventyseventh New York volun-
teers, General Wright said:
The President evinced a remarkable GOODNESS
and disregard of danger. Meeting him as came
out from my quarters, | thought ieSsy invited him
10 see the fight in which We were about 10 en-
gage, without for moment supposing he would
accept. moment after | would have given much
TO have recalled nv words as his life was too i'm
portant TO the nation to be put in jeopardy BY a
chance shot the bullet OF sharIshoo;er lie
took his position at my side the parapet, and
all my enireaties failed TO move him, although
IN ADDITION TO the stray shots that were con-
SANITY passing over, the spot was favorite
marx for siarIshooters.
When the surgeon was shot, and after had
cleared the parapet of everyone else, he still
maintained his ground till told him | should
have TO remove him foroibly. The absurdity of
the idea of sending off the President under guard
seemed 10 amuse him, but in consideration of
my earnestness in the matter. he agreed 10
promise by sitting behind the parapet instead Of
standing upon it. He could not be made TO
understand why, II / continued exposed, he
should not, and nv representations that an acct
dent to of little Importance. while TO
him it could rot be measured and that il was,
moreover, my duty, failed to make any impress
sion upon him.
could not help thinking that in leaving the
parapct he did so rather in difference TO my ear
nestly expressed wishes. than from any consd
Grafton OF personal safety, though the danger had
been SO Enthusiastically proved by the w2unding Of
the officer alluded to. After he left the parapet
he would persist in standing up from time TO
time. thus exposing nearly one-haf his tall form
to the bullets.
THE Confederates were disappointed
over their failure TO capture Washington. !
so they departed with the old Sixth close
upon their heels. They might have cap |
tured 1t on the evening of the 18th, but on |
the 18th il was too late. and so closed I
Early's raid upon Washington. The old !
Sixth continued its march with Sheridan
through the valley until not a vestige of |
Early's army remained, when they went |
back TO join the Army of the Potomac at
Petersburg. to end their glorious work at
April 9. 1865.
Valor of the Sixth Corps.
THE Sixth Corps had its origin May 49,
1862. when General Franklin's division
was united with that of Gen. W F. Smith,
Gen. William B. Franklin becoming its
first commander. 1t participated in all the
strife in which the Army of the Potomac
from the PennEular campaign,
through Gettysburg to the first assault on
Its successive commanders
were Generals Smith, Sedgwick, and H. G.
Wright. In laying stress upon the services
Of the Sixth Corps no attempt is made to
disparage other and similar organizations.
Everyone must grant that all did their
duty. To the Sixth Corps came certain
ordeals. and the corps acquitted itself
Very likely other bodies
would have done the same, but under
Sedgwick and Wright there had grown up
a confidence in itself that meant much to
he cause for which it strove. Confidence
begot confidence. and leaders and men
each other, II, indeed, the word
respect is strong enough. For many a day
after the dread event at Spottsylvania
here were few boys of the Sixth who did
lot refer TO Uncle John with a Quaver In
heir voices.
There had not been the hesitation OF
moment in the accession Of Wright.
md though there was a taking On of
lew love, there was no forgetting the old
The new general was no novice in the arts
# war; like his predecessor. he was a
latiye OF the State of Connecticut, born
n Clinton. March 6, 1920; graduated from
Vest Point, No. 2 in his class, 1871, and
ecame a member of the Engineer Corps.
lie taught at the Academy, and was
aptain when the war broke out; served !
n the Bull Run campaign; helped cap
ure Hilton Head, S. c.; was in Florida
q 1862: later was in Ohio and Kentucky;
aving become major general of vol
nteers, he commanded the First division,
ixth Corps, at the beginning of the cam !,
align OF 1854. We need not follow again
through the battle summer. but how his
TO the head of the corps was .
agarded, the following lines indicate:
ur truest. bravest heart is gone, and We remem- 4
her well,
he bitter anguish OF the day when noble SeGg- .