New-York tribune., 1901-06-09
SEVENTY -FIRSTHONORS DEAD
CoLONEL DOWNS DEFENDS THE REGI-
MENT AFTER THE LAYING OF
THE CORNERSTONE OF THE
MONUMENT.

The cornerstone Of the monument which is to
De erected in Mount Hope Cemetery. in Westches-
ter County, to the memory of the of the list
Regiment who lost their lives in the Spansh-Amer-
lean War. was laid yesterday afternoon with i'm
pressive Masonic and military ceremonies.
The monument which will rise upon the founda-
ton already prepared is to be a reproduction of
the Spanish blockhouse that stood upon the
nit Of San Juan HILL 1t will be twenty-five feet
high and sixteen feet square, built of solid mason
ry, and will cost $4,000 OF which 5000 appro-
priated by the State legislature 1t is to stand
a high hill little way from and facing the
trance TO the cemetery.
There was a large crowd present to see the
monies and hear the addresses. A large platform
draped with flags had been erected for the accom-
modation of the speakers and the guests, among
whom We're Brigadier- General II. S. Hawkins
Major-General Francis V. Greene, Colonel Henry
b. Martin, who led the regiment in the Civil War;
Colonel Wallace y. Downs. who led the regiment
in Cuba Major Elmcre F. Austin, of the Fifth
Brigade ex-Adiutant j. w. Downg, Major Har-
rison X. Bird military secretary of Governor Odeu
and representing him. and Captain w. ]. Byrne, Of
the Governors staff.
In front of the speakers platform of
ten graves of those who already buried in the
plot. They decorated with flowers. Their
footstones bear the following names
John Hewitt. corporal Company C.
Richard Martens e2s nrivate ivat CompPanyy CTPnny G. T.
William H. Hugham private, Company NJ.
Edward Pfster, private, Company E.
Ebhe EbbeSon private Company L.
William Praeger, private Company A.
James p. Howard. private, Company l.
Alongside these the living representatives of the
regiment in fatigue uniform took their position
The ceremonies presided over by General
McAlpn, the president of the commission
Prayer was offered by the chaplain of the regi-
ment the Rev Edward Tilton, of the Second Re-
formed Church. this city. At its end the regi-
mental band played a funeral march. and then
Brisadier General Hamilton S. Hawkins spoke
briefly. This address was followed by one by Gen
eraI Francis V Greene. In regard to the regiments
behavior at San Juan. he said
The point on which there has been
troversy is that the regiment. as whole. per-
formed faithfully its entire duty on that trying
Of nGuiry. after taking thousands Of pages of tes-
most careful considera ton of all the facts
is concurred in by the public without dissent or
day the list Regiment was posted in a position
the enemy from which it did not ainch, and that
after remaining in that position for hours groups
broke away from this position without orders and
Joined other regiments as they advanced up the
The cornerstone was then laid by the Dep
uty Grand Master of Masons of the State of New
York. Charles w. Drake. The box which
placed in the contained sketch of the reg.-
ment, roster Of the list Regiment, United States
Volunteers. the present muster of the regiment,
list of the list Regiment volunteers and COM
mission ana photographs OF the veterans
Assemblyman Bell delivered the Grafton Of the
day:
Fellow citizens and veterans Of the list Regiment.
In the name of the commissioners who have
this patriotic work in charge. and in the name of
the reasons that create this occasion. salute you.
This monument to latest heroes is now
httinEly begun. Three years ago to-day the list
Regiment left Tampa. Fla. for Cuba, nearly four
teen hundred strong; and stronger Of courage than
they wcr" I'm numbers To-day IN this burial plat
he ten OF the hundred and nine soldiers of the
list Regiment who freely gave their lives that
Cuba and the Cubans might be free. The other
ninety and nine sleep In other graves, and others
still-many hundreds more-of regiments Of other
States and OF the national troops who eloriously
died fOr this cause"
The hcpediCtion then pronounced by Chap
lain Tllton and taps sounded The regiment re
turned 10 the city on the special train on which X
came.
Fx-Cooue Wallace A. Downs. Of the list ReCi-
ment, laid the cornerstone. After the ceremonies
he addressed Company u in their quarters He
spoke OF the vindication Of the regiments CON
duct at San Juan by General II. 5. Hawkins. of the
United States Army.
AS get further away from the spites and
jealousies that are always enGendered by war"
said Colonel Downs, we can more clearly how
the circumstances in which the list was placed
when rightly understood completely vindcate IT,
Boys. II I had go through the fight again
under the same circumstances 1 should do
Rcty l did before