The National tribune., 1910-09-29
On the Peninsula.

| Editor National Tribune: In The Ma
tional Tribune recently ] read letter
| from Comrade ]. Edwin Nye, of Co. E,
| Sd Me- in reference to the building of
theater near Alexandria, Va, in the
Winter of 1862 by Sedgwick's Brigade
| (the 3Sth and 4Oth n. Y. MoZart's regi-
ment, and Sd and 18th Me-. l am much
pleased with his description of the thea
ter. 1t is true in every particular: L
helped to build it, and enjoyed the plays
that were put on for the short time left
to us before being ordered to the Pen
insula.
We left our camp at Alexandria, Va,
March II. 1862, and landed at Fortress
Monroe March IS, 1862. L am char
ter member of Co. !, 40th NJ Y, having
been mustered into the regiment at
Yonkers. n. Y, June 26. 1861. We
soon left for Yorktown, Va, and took
part in the siege. L was on picket
Sunday. May 4, when the enemy evac-
uated the works. 1 rushed forward
with others into the works. We had
just got inside the works when a con-
cealed torpedo exploded, killing Pri-
Yates George McFarrar and Michael
McDermott, of Co. A Several were
wounded. We were ordered back to
camp. and were soon in pursuit of the
enemy, whom we encountered Monday,
May 5, at Williamsburg. We had a
sharp battle with them during a heavy
rainstorm. The enemy retreated dur
ing the night. and we started after them
next morning. In the meantime Gen.
Birney was appointed our brigade COM
mander.
Saturday. May 81, and June 1 we
took part in the battle of Fair Oaks.
Col E. J. Riley was dashed against a
tree by his morse, and was severely in
jured. He was carried off the field.
Lieut.-Col T. w. E!gan took command
of the regiment. Every member of the
colcr guard was killed or wounded in
a short time. Our loss in this battle
was 96 killed and wounded. The killed
are buried in the National Cemetery at
Seven Pines (at the intersection of the
Williamsburg and Nine Mile roads,, one
mile from Fair Oaks All the dead in
this cemetery, with three exceptions,
were those killed at Fair Oaks and
Seven Pines. The cemetery books show
163 known and 1880 unknown. Only
one member Of my regiment is among
the kEoun-Hollis r. Smith, Sergeant,
Co. G., 40th n. Y, killed in action June
l, 1852, aged 81 years.
1 am here after an absence of Al
years in charge of the cemetery where
So many of the brave comrades of my
regiment, brigade, division and army
are taking their last sleep. can assure
my living comrades that I am taking
good care of this holy place, and 1 shall
do all / can to keep their graves green
and to keep the place beautiful.
We took part IN the Seven Days
fight, winding up with great victory at
Malvern Hill. Next morning. in COM
pliance with orders, we fell back to
Harrison's Landing, on the James Riv-
er, marched across the Peninsula to
yorktown and took ship for Alexandria,
Va. We took part in the second Bull
Run and Chantilly, Va. 1 received gun
shot wounds in this battle. My division
commander, Gen. Phil Kearny, was
killed in the same battle at about the
same place l was wounded. 1 was dis
charged for disa bility from wounds re-
ceived in battle Feb. IA, 1853 While
in the regiment I wrote for the New
York Mercury under the title High
Private in the Rear Rank" Many of
the boys will remember me-
1 re-enlisted az veteran in Co. I,
2Sth Pa. Feb. 4, 1864, for three years
more. The regiment was in the First
Brigade, Second Division, Twentieth
Corps, under Maj.-Gen. Joseph Hooker.
We took part in the Atlanta campaign,
the march to the sea, the march thru
the Carolinas. including the battles of
Averasboro and Bentonvflle, ". c., final
ly reached Washington, and took part
in the Grand Review at Washington
May "a. 1865. Mustered out with regi-
ment July Is, 1865.
Why is it that the soldiers who took
part in the march to the sea have not
organized as a separate body, such as
the Army of the Potomac, the Army of
the Cumberland, ETC.? 1 recommend
| that we organize. Let some one start
it l think we can form quite respect
able organization If we are bummers.
L would suggest that the 50th anniver-
sary of the march to the sea be OBJ
served Sept. Is, 1914. Let us get to-
gether on that date, and celebrate at
some central place in ths United States.
L. w. Callaghan. Co. 1, 10th N Y,
and Co. l. 2Sth Pa, Superintendent Ma
tional Cemetery, Seven Pines, near
Richmond. Va.