The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-26

battles Of the Ohickahominy and in the
a'duous campaigns Of Virginia and
Maryland.
With the Federal army concentrated
at Falmouth the summons TO surrender
the bombardment. the crossing OF the
army, the occupation. the assaults with
the momentous incidents Of battle, the
evacuation. followed with dramatic
rapidity.
After the completion Of the bridges,
the Federal army was pressed. corEs
after corps, across the Rappahannt ok,
franklin on the left. Sumner on the
right and Hooker on the centre.
The same vigilant and valiant troops
that fought at South Mountain, Har-
| per's Ferry and Antietsm. again con.
fronted the Army Of the Potomac from
their positions On the opp site heights.
the right wing under Jackson, the left
and centre under Longstreet
Whether In the onset on the left,
against Jackson's we'll defended bat
,eries and redoubts, Ur in the fatal but
fearless assaults against Longstreet' s
position on Msrye's and Willis Hills
and along the sunken road. topped
with line Of steel, each gallant
division met the deadly. continuous
fire Of the enemy's artillery and the
rolling volleys OF Confederate musketry
with the same intrepid spirit and daunt-
less mien.
Each was a part Of the great army
whose deeds Of renown shall live while
waters flow In that majestic river. from
which the Army Of the Potomac takes its
name
1t is now nearly forty years since that
memorable night in December. when
the Fifth Army Corps, under its bril-
liant young commander. General Dan
iel Butterfeld. after the repeated as
saults Of the preceding days, occupied
the town and battle lines fronting
Marye's Heights and the sunken road,
under orders to perform the hazardous
military manGuvre Of covering the re.
treat Of the Army of the Potomac across
the Rapp lhannock, thus closing the
brief, disastrous campaign
At 80 m. the l6th Of December
orders we're received TO evaouate Fred
ericksburg.
At O'Clock a m in q storm OF hail
and rain, the last division had re.
crossed in perfect order
The withdrawal OF an army Of 30. 900
men. at o moments notice. across q
navigable river, in the presence Of
victorious enemy, q hundred guns train
ed upon It's masses without the loss Of
material OF men, or the firing Of picket
shot. marks this movement the one
splendid military achievement Of the
Fredericksburg campaign
Under the heroic leadership of the
group of distinguished soldiers whose
names are linked with the command Of
the Fifth Corps, Porter, Hooker, But
terrified, Meade, Sykes, Warren and
Critic, It achieved distinction for per-
sistent and desperate fighting not
exceeded in the annals Of war. Its
losses aggregated the half Of that first
call by President Lincoln, for 70 900
volunteers TO suppress the Rebellion in
the war of the Union.
La the desperate assaults on Marye's |
Heights, December 18th, its losses were |
2. l75 men, the gallant divisions Of |
Griffin. Humphreys and Sykes, adding |
new lustre to the renown Of the corps |
for martial galour.
Gen ButteTfield's munifcence is un-
in the history Of natioDsl |
corps memorials. which, |
heretofore. have been tributes from a
grateful Government, the Common.
wealths Of States, or inc ,rpoIaied asso.
Citations
It il q privilege most highly sppre-
ciated by the survivors Of the Fifth
Corps TO participate, with our below
ed commander, in the ceremonies Of
laying the corner stone Of this fabric
his venerated gift. appropriately in
scribed with the legend Of the events
that have made this field immortal and
dedicated TO valor.
And now, through the Honorable
Secretary Of War, we commit this
memorial TO the care and guardianship
II the Fredericksburg and Adj icent
National Battlefield Park Association.
This column Of imperishsble granite,
bearing the insignia of the Fifth Army
Corps the Maltese Gross, garlanded
with laurel and oaken wreathes, en-
blematic OF fame and victory, crowned
with the ball Of Unfolding fire. will
carry down the ages the story of Fred
and forever stand monu-
ment to the lofty patriotism and mill
tary ardor Of the founder, an incentive
10 noble deeds, glorious tribute 30
he brave men Of the Fifth Corps who
fell in defense Of the flag, that from
reveille TO retreat, bends above this
,onsecrated ground.