The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-29

Tomorrow Is Memorial Day, and
grateful and prosperous people Will be
thinking OF the gallant men who fought
on many battlef1elds TO preserve the In
tegrity OF the Union.
II Is not given to every man to carry
the proud baton of a marshal. nor to be
allotted a large space in the history of
the greatest war OF modern times.
Yet the deeds OF the humblest soldier
are held in appreciative remembrance by
their friends and relatives and by CRATE
ful nation.
No state in the Union. probably, in re-
spect TO size. contributed a larger share
i'm men and material as did Rhode Island,
and their skill and valor Is bright page
in the history OF the state.
PRAISED BY LINCoLN's SECRETARY.
Indeed. in the dark days OF 1861. Sec
retary OF State Seward, at the instance of
Mr.. Lincoln, wrote Governor Sprague
letter, in which the following passage oc-
ours:
The president feels assured that when,
I'm after times, IL shall be asked which
OF the thirtyfour states was most loyal
and most effective in saving our country
from ruin in it's present peril, the state
OF Rhode Island will have no fear that
her traditional fame will suffer In the an
swer that shall be given"
The words of the great war secretary
were strangely prophetic, for while
Rhode Island is Justly proud OF Burnside
and jealous OF his well-deserved fame
won on many stubbornly contested bat
tlefields, other of her sons answered TO
the blare OF the battle birds. the bugles,
who had a genius for war and the lustre
Of whose glory is undimmed even by that
OF the great commander of the army of
the Potomac
During the years 1s61-65 there were
enlisted in this state and sent to the
front 23 457 men, OF whom 1928 were, or
became afterwards by their gallant con-
duct. commissioned officers.
The total of killed. wounded and died
aggregates 113 officers and 1856 men.
Cons idering the size OF the state at the
time the number OF men sent to the seat
OF war is unsurpassed; while the large
number OF casualties clearly proves that
they were not idling in camps or rioting
In barracks.
WERE IN THICK OF FIGHT.
As matter Of history It can be said
that there was hardly bloody defeat or
glorious victory during the progress OF
the war I'm which some Of her sons did
not have an important command. and
in which at least one Rhode Island regi-
ment had a glorious participation.
than to give special mention and de-
served credit to each and every one OF
the 276q men who died to uphold the
honor Of Rhode Island and their country
during the war. but such n task is i'm
possible.
But there are many names that are re-
called because of the prominent part they
took in the struggle and about whose
graves grateful comrades will hold special
exercises on Memorial Day. Foremost Of
these IL the great chieftain, General Am
brose Everett Burnside.
Any intended sketch of Gen. Burnside
would be unnecessary. Even the very
school children learn to love and revere
the memory OF the great man by reading
about him In their school books.
GEN. BURNSIDEs RAPID RISE.
Suffice Il 10 say that he was the colonel
OF the first regiment recruited in this
state early in 1861. commanded n brigade
at the battle OF Bull Run. the first en-
counter OF the war. and was appointed a
brigadier general in August.
In February. 1862. aided by large naval
force. he captured Roanoke Island. In
March he took Newburn. ~. c.. and was
promoted TO the rank OF major general.
His command Joined the Army OF the
Potomac. under Gen. Mcclellan. and he
commanded a corps at the battle OF South
Mountain. and at Antietam. where he
won distinction. Sept. 1s, 1862.
COMMANDS ARMY OF POTOMAC.
In the, following month. General Burn
side assumed command Of the Army OF
tho Potomac. succeeding Cen Mcclellan,
who was a warm personal friend OF his.
Burnside's appointment was extremely
popular with the army. The men wero
anxious 10 meet the enemy and knew
Burnside would soon lead them where the
foe awaited them.
They were not mistaken for on Dec a.
he crossed the Rappahannock and fell
upon Lees army which held n strongly
fortified position near Fredericksburg.
Tho attack was repulsed and burnside
withdrew his army 20 the left bank OF the
river. His loss was 1929 In killed and
and az his own request he WIS
relieved of the command on Jan. 26. 1864
few months later he took command of
he department OF the Ohio and occupied
Ind defended Knoxville, Tenn, against