The National tribune., 1908-08-20

to the country. The arrival of the Fifth
Corps at the point of attack at so criti-
cal moment afforded 1t an opportunity
OF doing service for the country the
value OF which can never be overesti-
mated. OF the manner in which this
opportunity was improved / need not
speak. The long list of its killed and
wounded attests more strongly than
language can the vaior of its officers
and men, Maiden. Sykes in his re-
port says: Night closed the fight The
key of the battlefield was in our pos
session intact. Vincent, Weed and Haz-
lett, chiefs lamented turnout the corps
and army. sealed with their lives the
spot intrusted TO their keeping on which
so much depended
Gen. Hayes steadies His Line.
The history of the 65th " Y. SAYS:
Gen Hays was assigned by orders
from army headquarters, after Gen.
Meade had assumed command of the
Army of the Potomac. to the command
of the Third Division of the Second
Corps. Gen. Hancock's. receiving his as
signment during the march OF the army
at Gum Springs on June 20. 1853
But two persons in the center diyi-
sion. the officers above named. had ever
been with him in an engagement, or
personally witnessed his conduct and
bravery under fire. Arriving upon the
battlefield with his new command. and
realizing the situation and MAGNITUDE
OF the pending conflict, the General was
naturally somewhat concerned and anx-
fous to gain the confidence Of the OFF,
GERS and men of the division The op-
portunity came when a Lieutenant from
the skirmish line excitedly announced
to him that Col. Sheriff.. division officer
OF the day, reported that his command
u n arUf vi
afraid they would be forced TO retire.
The Lieutenant was very persistent, AMI
the General replied. There are as many
men out there as are necessary and
they are as good men as there are in
this division: they must hold the
ground. But the Lieutenant replied,
Col Sheriff. says that he will not be
responsible for them remaining there
Gen Hays answered. Well. will go out
and stiffen 'em up Accordingly, with
members Of the staff, a number of or
derlies and the division flag (white field
with blue trefoiD flying in the breeze.
he rode TO the front and along the en-
tire skirmish line covering his COM
mand. The enemy. astonished at the
appearance of this imposing cavaIcade
on the skirmish line, ceased firing at
the skirmishers. and directed their at
tention exclusively to the mounted Off
GERS and men. The General for whom
these compliments (?) were especially
intended. wonderful to relate, was not !
once hit nor was his clothing pierced by
the ieaden shower. His horse received
several wounds, but was not disabled
and the division flag showed IS bullet
holes received during this daring adj
venture. Such an exhibition of manly
courage and unfiinchinG bravery upon
so unusual an occasion won for him the
admiration of the enemy and the conf =
dcnce of his entire command; there was
no further talk of running in from the
skirmish line" -,
The Grand Old Third Corps.
Gen. Dc Peyster, in his history of the
Third Corps says:
The crimson sunrise of the Third
Corps at Williamsburg was followed by
a brilliant and cloudless noon on the
Peninsula and in northeastern Virginia,
and just as the sun is hotter and more
overpowering in the afternoon, even SO
the splendors Of the old Third glorified
its sinking and settling at Chancellors-
vile and Gettysburg
AT Gettysburg, if not the first upon
the field, it was the first in it's efforts to
pursue the key points on our left its
unparalleled devotion and fearful suf-
fering in the lowiands to their front
saved the Round Tops
"On the second day of the battle of
GettySburg-the real day of the battle
of Gettysburg-thc glory belongs to- the
Third Corps. even as it did on the sec
ond. the day of the battle of Chancel-
lorsville. There it lost its beloved chief, a.
Sickles; and there, in the front rank,
fell. almost shot to pieces. his successor
in command of the 'Excelsiors.' Graham,
lately the honored head OF this associa-
ton. a5 -j-s
This was the last grand fight of the
Third Corps. as we understand it, but
not the last grand fight of the heroes
who constituted its brains and muscles,
its fire and its backbone.
THE work of the old Third has been
revealed under fire, thru fire, by fire
Let us ever bear in mind that the Red .
Diamond Lozenge or patch of Kearny
was the original designation of the lead
ing division of the Third Army Corps
Union.
But even as the diamond. the ruby
and the sapphire Exceeded in value and
brilliancy the carbuncle or any other
jewel, even SO the luster of our symbolic j
gems will outshine all other emblems."
(To be continued-)