The National tribune., 1903-08-13
THE SECOND MASS.
-nvailiug of the Hooker statue.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The ID
Mass, known as "GOrdOn's Old Second
was distinctive organization from its for
nation. in April, 1861, to its disbandment
in July, 1865. Its first commander was
Col. George II. Gordon, and its last Col
WIN. COggswell.
Maj. Gordon, West Point graduate,
served in the Mexican war; and Gov. John
A. Andrew relied upon his sound military
judgment, when organizing the State
Militia, which at the breaking out of the
civil war was regarded as a remarkably
efficient organization.
Gordon commanded the New England
Guards" BOston's crack battalion. and
when war seemed imminent he resigned.
intending to recruit a regiment. and adj
vised his well-drilled men to use their mil
itary knowledge in the instruction of new
organizati tons. Aided by leading Boston
citizens, Maj. Gordon raised some $4,000
for the equipment of his regiment and for
officers he selected men of education and
military training.
George l.. Andrews, a Lieutenant Of
Engineers, then engaged in the construc-
ton of Fort Warren. was made Lieuten-
ant Colonel; Wilder Dwight, an eminent
Bostonian, was selected as Major. The
Captains and Lieutenants representatives
of leading Boston families, were chosen be-
cause of their fitness to perform the duties
required of them. Men of more than av-
erage intelligence and education composed
the rank and file. The regiment was dis
tinctive in more ways than one. During
nearly the whole of its career the officers
We're selected by the Colonel. Gordon be-
lieving that for the men to choose their Of
ficers was detrimental to good discipline.
During the first two years of the war there
were no promotions from the ranks to the
line.
For nearly its entire term of service
"GOrdon's Old Second was brigaded with
the Sd Wis. and the 9th Ind. The I'd
Mass. and the Sd Wis. enjoyed the dis
tinction of being the only regiments in the
service that carried the musket in the
left hand as taught in SCOTS Manual of
Arms.
The Cd Mass. took part in all the CAM
paigns of the Army of the Potomac, end
ing with the battle of Gettysburg. when
it was transferred with Hooker to Sher-
mans army, with which it marched to the
sea. For nearly three years Gen. Alpheus
Williams commanded the division. and the
boys never felt happier than when ''Old
Pap" came riding by.
The total enrolment was about LOO
men, the casualties from all causes being
about 500. OF this number 100 were
kllltu Ill Ddttie
No stronger association of veterans ex-
lists to-day than that of the I'd Mass, as
nearly 400 of the men are yet living. In
variably the regiment holds annual Re
unions on Sep. II, "Antietam Day" The
last three Reunions were held at the Amer
lean House, Boston, For "a years pre-
viousy they were held at the United
States Hotel. Col. Charles +. Morse
of Kansas City, is President of the
Resimental Association, and John r.
Merritt, of Swampscott. Mass, is
Corresponding Secretary. After the COM
ing September meeting n revised roster
and report will be issued; therefore. every
survivor is urged to communicate with the
Secretary that his name and address may
be printed. The Secretary should be ad-
vised, also, of any deaths that may have
occurred since the last Reunion.
The I'd Mass. was one of the various
Regimental AssOciatio that took part in
the ceremonies attending the unvailing
of the Hooker Statue ON the grounds of
the State House. at Boston, June %. As
ISOLATED with "GOrdOn's Old Second was
the SD Mass. the two regiments having
been the only Massachusetts organizations
that accompanied Hooker to the West.
and thence marched to the sea. On the
occasion of the dedication of the statue 80
of the ID Mass. We're in the parade. Many
of their old comrades of the Twentieth
Corps came from various States to partici-
pate in the ceremonies, the white ribbon
with the red star corps badge being con-
spicuous-JOHN X. MERRITT, I'd Mass,
SwampScOtt Mass.