The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-06-03

richmond, while Sherman with his
seasoned and we'll disciplined yeter-
ans. cut the wires and marched
across Georgia to the sea.
Early made his first raid down the
Shenandoah. Phil Sheridan made
his famous ride from Winchester,
turned the fleeing Union soldiers,
rode around Newton, encouraged
the troops of the Union. defeated
Early completely and made good his
promise to re-camp at Cedar Creek
that night.
) In 1865, Sherman marched north,
Lee was driven out of Richmond,
surrendered to Grant, the Confeder-
acy was at an end and the Union
was saved.
The largest army was assembled
by the Confederates at the Seven
Days; by the Unionists at the Will
derness.
On the Union side, 11O,O7O men
were killed in battle. You veterans
may recall. as if in dream, the
sight of many dead on the battlefield
but think Of 10, 07O units in graves
side by side, and you will appreciate
the numbers Of those who gave up
their lives on the battlefelds alone.
In addition there were 249, 459 more
on the Union side who died from
diseases, accidents, in. military
prisons or from other causes. Then,
including both sides, over half a
million lives were lost.
There have been wars which have
lasted longer wars with intermit-
tent and desultory campaigns; but
in this struggle the two armies
for four years never let go their
clutch upon each others throat. sFor
four years the echo of the pickett's
rifle never ceased.
In proportion to the number en-
gagged the greatest loss sustained by
ar regiment during the war was
that of the First Minnesota at Get
tysburg. The Fifth New Hampshire,
the 83rd Pennsylvania, the Iron
Brigade of Wisconsin, the Fifth
Michigan and the 10th Massachusetts,
sustained the greatest losses, in the
order named, while in battle.
Nearly half a century has passed
away since that memorable struggle.
Here and there, in city, or hamlet,
where the Grand Army of the Re
lpublic has a kindred organization,
there is some remnant of the band
Wherever they are today the flowers
have been strewn over the graves OF
departed comrades. Wherever they
are today the heroic deeds of the
early sixties are being recounted
and recalled by and to the preserv-
vers of the Union. Wherever they
gather today posterity is listening
anew, as far as feeble human voice
can utter, to those deeds Of yalor
and love of country.
| No chapter in the history of this
great struggle is so calculated to
enlist the sympathies of the people
as the one enumerating the sorrows
of our brave soldiers who were Sc
unfortunate as to fall into the hands
of the enemy as prisoners of war.
The multiplied woes of the battle
field, the sufferings Of the many
sick and wounded in hospitals which
our own Government provided, were
almost the enjoyments of Paradise
/ in comparison with the fearful
and prolonged agonies of Unior
4prisoners in those rebel stockades Of
Andersonville. Libby, Florence ano
other points.
| To those who breathed their las
in those Rebel hells, and to those
who were given strength to live
through those auful days, may the
Father of all mercies give especia
reward, either in the kingdom thai
they have gone to or wherever they
may be on this earth.
| Once again our minds revert t.
him the great MARTYR of the cause
We see him with his kindly face
praying that the Union might b
saved. but pathetically pleading thu
erring ones to return and assist il
right prevailing through the civi
cause. We see him. when the frs
rebel shot was fired on the walls O.
4 C,,~,, 49,. ncI1.vrrr ~ 4tn Axr.n,sooy