Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-04-28
RECALLS STIRRING DAYS.
General Plaisted's Farewell To Troops
Appears In Cal. Paper.

Appears In Cal. Paper.
Mayor Plaisted has received d copy
Of a letter written by his father Gen.
Harris NJ. Plaisted in bidding his
troops farwell March 26, 1865 at Chap
ms Farm. Va. The document was
printed recently in the Berkeley. Cal.
gazette during the annual encamp-
ment of the Department Of California,
G.. A. r. 1t was loaned for publca-
ton by William H. Wharf, former
Maine man. A copy was sent Vain
wright Gushing of Foxcroft, who for
warded the same to Col. Plaisted.
Cen Plaisted was in command of the
l1th Maine. 10th Connecticut, 24tE
Massachusetts and Tooth New York
regiments when the letter was written
The clipping is as follows;
The following was handed to William,
Fl Wharf. the we'll known BERKELEY
architect while his regiment was
drawn up in line. March 26, 1869, az
Chapin's Farm, Va. eight miles from
Richmond.
Wtartf is Il past commander of LIN
coin Post. No. I. Grand Army OF tie
Republic. san Francisco. He larticl-
patod in all the battles of his regiment
i'm tnc closing campaign that ended
tne great struggle for the lif" "f the
nation April Q. 1868, ut AppomattoX,
Va.
Headquarters 3d Brigade. list Division
oath a. c.,
Army of the James.
Before Richmond. Va. March p,
1865
TO the Officers and soldiers ni the
Third Brigade
At last soldiers. it becomes my
dutv to say farewell That word may
sometimes Dc spoken and not carry
with it the hearts regret. but not by
him who has, for years. shared the
pleasant companionship of soldiers.
That panionship. with YOU,
have shared in campaign which will
oe celebrated. even in the world 5
Observation-Disclosures for the brave deeds
and manly virtues of patriot army
Contending for government. freedom
and empire-yes. soldiers. with you,
| will not rehcarSe your history III
that campaign. Suffice it to say. the
record shows you engaged your coun
trv's foes and had. killed and wounded
some CT YOUR number on hity-nlnt
diff, rent days-that your losses. in the
aggregate. were 1,3S5 out of 2.693.-and
that among the names on the battle
fields. adjudged to belong to your ban
ners are:
"WalthalI junction." or Green Val
lev" Chester Station" "Drury s
Bluff" Richmond Pike Bermuda
Hundred" Richmond and Petersburg
Railroad Ware Bottom Church.
.'Strawberrv Plains" Deep Bottom.
Deep Run" "Fusselrs Mills" Seige
of Petersburg" Newmarket Heights.
"N.Wmarket Road "DarbytoWr
Road" Charles City Road
Bn proud of your record. veterans
you have a right to be.
Should your country need your ser
vices in the field again. not only your
past conduct. but your present unsur.
nassed excellence in drill ami disci-
mine. furnish the surest guaranty that
YOUR future NAV be even more bril-
liant than the past. Reviewed by the
lieutenant general and the secretary
nj war a few days since. your soldierI}
appearance won from those nigh OIL
ciaIs the strongest expressions of theil
annrobation and delight What should
thev have thought had they seen you
fight,
Tho respect and confidence of such
troons. after such service. is honor
enough Il is sufficient reward fol
tho hest efforts-the best endeavors
of lifetime 7 am indebted to you
comrades. Your conduct has aHorde,
me the keeneSt pleasure OF my NE
and while life shall last memory VII
constantly recur to the conduct "I
the Iron brigade" with as much PRIDE
and yratitude as the heart is capable
of.
I heartily congratulate you upon the
prospect of early peace. In the opih-
ion of our greatest general .he ilaro
fighting is over" May the day come
| quickly when you can return TO youi
hons. to resume your peace1ul pur'
| suits and to receive the honors Whlct
belong to our country's defenders
| Then will you. in your civil me- VIM
dicate the high character of the army
by aiding to restore and preserve tht
public morals and by proving 10 your
fellow-citizens that in learning u
become good soldiers you have De-
come the best of citizens.
For your generous confidence ano
support, soldiers. you have the CRATE
| thanks of your late brigade com