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 fa-
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 a 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 Me. 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
ficer at critical moments. and nature
had given him authority which had
been confirmed by long habits of COM
mand. He Immediately brought his
company under high state of disci-
pline, keeping il constant in drill and
proving a military martinez from the
beginning, and as consequence a 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.
Ja inI 10 IF n G q
between the divisions OF Williams and
Augur, which he held until the Confed-
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 apt
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 inn
mediate attention of his division and
corps commanders, and as conse-
uuence 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,
Army Of the Potomac, which became ac-
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 the
dozen under his direction. holding the
new line after the Union line had been
driven hack 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 ne
regarded as OF little importance in the
days of constant battle and excitement
and gave it no attention until IL became
so painful that an amputation was
found necessary. ChlorofOrm was ad
ministered, and he never awoke. The
Surgeon pronounced ii the effect Of {
weak heart, which his friends had al
WAYS regarded as OF unusual strength
and have always believed that his deatf
resulted from excess Of chloroform.
Col McGilvery was a man to whom
nature had been prolific in gifts. an
he had acquired storehouse OF knowl
edge in his travels to all parts Of tn
world He was of commanding pres
ence most dignified. and stern in lin
of duty. but genial and compani0nabl
in association with friends. His re
mains lie in the cemetery near hi
home in SearspOrt, Me, the G. A. r
Post there bearing his name
After the promotion of Col. McGil
very. Edwin b. Dow succeeded him a
Captain. but the battery was always Il
command of Lieut.. William II. Roger
on the firing line. as at Gettysburg an
IN every other engagement until III
war ended. Rogers being commissions
CAPTAIN. Dec /. 1864. The battery di
especial good work at Dumfries. Va. Il
defending that point in contunctio
with the 5th and 7th Ohio. all unde
command of Col. Candy. against furi
Gus attack of Stewart with his cavalry
who raided the rear of Burnside's arm
shortly before the battle of Fredricks
burg 1t was in the thickest of tn
second and third day at Gettysburg
and was one of the few batteries hotl
engaged in the Wilderness. having bee
powerful factor in the repulse o
LorSstreets charge when Hancock wa
driven back on the plank road. Th
battery was with the Second Corps from
the Wilderness until the close of tn
war.
Dt William III. Rogers was first
member of the I'd Me. After the wa
he followed the sea for many years q