The National tribune., 1906-06-14
COL. FREEMAN MCGILVERY.

rapidly advanced and at an early age
reached the command of a vessel. No
better navigator was known in the mer-
chant marine service or one more ia
miliar with the details of water trans
portation or commercial law. all ac-
Quired by study when at sea, by which
reading, together with associations in
foreign ports. he had learned to speak
several languages with fiuency, which
was an advantage in his business
shared by few. He was also a student
of science and an authority upon gen.
eral literature.
Landing in New York from foreign
voyage the latter part of 1861, he imme-
diately offered his services to the Gov
ernor OF Maine, who commissioned him
Captain of the 9Th Ne Battery, which
Joined the army in April. 1862.
The artillery service was most attrac-
tive to him. The science of gunnery
possessing especial fascination. he had
the rapidity of thought, action and
GOODNESS so essential to an artillery of
had given him authority which had
been confirmed by long habits of COM
mand. He Immediately brought his
company under a high state of disci-
pline, keeping it constant in drill and
proving a military martinez from the
beginning, and as consequence most
unpopular and absolutely hated COM
mander by his men. fresh from the
schools. shops and farms Of Maine.
That sentiment vanished with the first
battle in which the battery was en-
gagged. Cedar Mountain. Aug. 9, 1862,
where his bravery, GOODNESS and con-
summate skill in handling his guns cap
tured their hearts while exciting the
admiration of that portion of the army
that could witness his perfect conduct.
He occupied the center of Banks's army
between the divisions of Williams and
crates swarmed up to the mouth of his
guns, which he brought safely from the
field. He lost two guns that unfortu-
nate day at Second Bull Run. when
Comrade Vail was serving in his bat
terry, but his behavior could not have
been improved In excellent judgment
displayed and genuine, intelligent pluck.
He bad been such a close and APP,
student and had developed into the
ideal artillerist so quickly. which he re-
duced into practice under fire the first
opportunity, that he attracted the i'm
mediate attention of his division and
corps commanders, and as conse-
quence such demonstrated capacity and
gallantry brought him early promotion.
He was made Major before the end
of his first years service. and In Feb
ruary. 1863, was promoted to Lieuten-
ant-Colonel and assigned to command
Of the Reserve Brigade OF Artillery.
lively engaged at Gettysburg. where he
was awarded high praise by Gen. Hunt.
Chief OF Artillery: his command. with
his old 9Th Me. Battery as one of thu
dozen under his direction. holding the
new line after the Union line had been
driven back from the Wheat Field and
Peach Orchard.
He was promoted to Colonel the fol-
lowing September and to Chief Of Ar
tiliery OF the Tenth Corps at Peters
burg. where soon after assuming his
new command. I'm the Summer of 1864,
he was wounded in the hand. which he
regarded as OF little importance in the
days of constant battle and excitement
and gave il no attention until IL became
30 painful that an amputation was
found necessary. Chloroform was ad-
ministered and he never awoke. The
Surgeon pronounced 1t the effect Of a
weak heart. which his friends had al
WAYS regarded as OF unusual strength.
and have always believed that his death
resulted from excess OF chloroform.
Col. McGilvery was man to whom
nature had been prolific in gifts. and
he had acquired a storehOuse of knowl-
edge in his travels TO all parts OF the
world. He was of commanding pres
ence, most dignihed- and stern in line
OF duty. but genial and companionable
in association with friends. His re-
mains lie in the cemetery near his
home in Searsport. Me, the G. A. r
Post there bearing mis- name.
After the promotion of Col. McGil-
very. Edwin b. Dow succeeded him as
Captain. but the battery was always In
command of Lieut.. William II. Rogers
on the firing line. az at Gettysburg and
IN every other engagement until the
war ended. Rogers being commissioned
Captain. Dec. 1. 1864. The battery die
especial good work at Dumfries. Va. ir
defending that point I'm conjunction
with the 5th and 7th Ohio. all under
command Of Col. Candy. against furi
Gus attack of Stewart with his cavalry
who rafded the rear of Burnsides arm.
shortly before the battle OF Fredricks-
burg. 1t was in the thickest OF the
second and third day at Gettysburg
and was one of the few batteries holly
engaged I'm the Wilderness. having beer
powerful factor in the repulse OF
Longstreet's charge when Hancock was
driven back on the plank road. The
battery was with the Second Corps from
the Wilderness until the close Of the
WaI.
at. William II. Rogers was first a
member of the I'd Me. After the war
he followed the sea for many years q