USA > Maine > First Maine bugle, 1890 (history of 1st Maine Cavalry) > Part 28
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To-day I meet representatives of the Second Cavalry Division, in the per- sons of two of its distinguished brigade commanders-alas! the gallant and lamented Custer of the Third Division, having given his life on a later field, cannot be with us-representatives of the same division and the Michigan Brigade, in the persons of regimental commanders and other officers of vari- ous grades, and, to our especial happiness, in a large number of private sol- diers. We would extend our cordial greetings to all veteran soldiers of all arms of service. Would that it had been possible for every survivor of the command that fought on this field in 1863 to have been with us to-day.
On July 3d, 1863, we stood on this field, armed men, to resist the advance of an enemy with whom we had made trials of strength oft times before, and of late at Brandy Station, Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville. Our gaze was directed to the northward as we watched the approach of the columns of the enemy. Right gallantly did they come sweeping on, with such well alligned fronts, and with such tremendous pace, that it seemed as though nothing could stand against them. There was a meeting of the blue and gray, and for a time the issue was held in the balance.
The struggle was ended by the retirement of the enemy to his starting point, discomfitted by failure, with ours in hot pursuit. Severe as was the engagement, it could not be asserted that the Union forces that participated were never in a severer. These fought too many battles in that long war for
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CAVALRY SHAFT AT GETTYSBURG.
such a comparison . But all will agree they never fought on a fairer field. Neither party asked nor expected aid from the main armies beyond. Our enemy had the advantage in numbers and position; we the moral advantage of fighting on our own heath. It can safely be said that on no other field did Union cavalry, whether on foot or in the saddle, do more effective and bril- liant fighting than on this. Had it fought less well here, the victory would have been with the enemy rather than with us.
Then our ears were filled with the sound of cannon, the rattling fire of car- bines, and with the defiant shouts of foemen of well tried gallantry. To-day we stand here the most peaceful of citizens, and the usual quiet is only broken by the hearty and joyous salutations of long separated comrades, who are met to view this shaft which marks the field on which twenty-one years ago they proved their valor and their devotion to their country. In after years our sons will proudly point to this the indicator of the field on which their sires fought, and will go hence, having pledged anew their devotion to their country. More than twenty-one years ago we saw these fields occupied by thousands of horsemen in battle array. To-day they are the scene of a happy reunion of those whose cause triumphed after a war of four years' duration.
After today we will again part. not to meet again. Let us preserve as long as life shall last, even in separation, the friendship formed amid the stirring scenes of war, and renewed at this shaft. Let us stand more closely to gether as the close of the day of life draws on, and even in the twilight we catch the notes of the last tattoo. Nor should we forget our comrades who fell on this field, some of whom quietly repose in yonder cemetery, but will keep green their memories.
The necessity of rearing a cavalry shaft on the extreme right of the line of battle at Gettysburg had long been apparent to those who had served there. Its purpose is to serve as a guide to visitors, even from far distant points. This required height, massiveness, and prominence of position, but not elaborate ornamentation. The shaft is not memorial, else other effects would have been studied. It stands as solid as the line of blue-coated caval- rymen that once stood there.
Before closing, you will allow me to mention that the successful completion of this work is mainly, aye entirely, due to the exertions of one of our num- ber. More than four years ago he first mentioned the project, and from that time to the present he has labored without ceasing. No matter what dis- couragements arose, what indifference on the part of others he met, he passed them by, only looking to the end. Expecting no other reward than that which he this day enjoys, of being present at the dedication of this shaft, he is the happiest of men. No one knows so well as I the vast amount of work he has done, and therefore I do not hesitate to ask that you will give your thanks to one who twenty-one years ago on this field proved his valor as a soldier, and is to-day proved a successful builder. You will all know that I mean Captain William E. Miller, of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The shaft will now be transferred to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association by one who needs no introduction at my hands. I refer to the dis- tinguished officer who so ably commanded the brigade of the Second Cavalry
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Division which did such magnificent fighting on this very field, on the after- noon of July 3d, 1863. You will at once recognize Brigadier-General John B. McIntosh, U. S. A., who will proceed to discharge the duty assigned to him.
ADDRESS OF GEN. JOHN B. MCINTOSH.
MR. BUEHLER, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION .- It becomes my pleasing duty this day to trans- fer to the care and keeping of your association this beautiful shaft, erected by the survivors of the Second Cavalry Division and General Custer's Cav- alry Brigade, who were participants in the engagement which took place here on July 3d, 1863. The inception of the project originated with the Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, a regiment conspicuous on the day of the engagement for its continued and superb fighting. On the 17th of Sep- tember, 1881, a convention of cavalrymen was held at Shippensbug, Penn- sylvania, and at that meeting an Executive Committee was appointed, con- sisting of General John B. McIntosh, General J. Irvin Gregg, General A. C. M. Pennington, and Colonel Charles Treichel, to whom was conceded full authority to decide upon the design of the shaft, the inscription to be placed thereon, its location, and to raise the necessary funds and to superintend its erection. Subsequently a sub-committee was appointed by the executive committee, to assist in the work, consisting of Captains William E. Miller and S. C. Wagner, and Private William H. Martin.
That the shaft is completed and ready for dedication this day is due very largely to the untiring efforts of Captain Miller, of the sub-committee, and to the generous and splendid contribution of Colonel George Gray of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry. To your hands, as the representatives of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association, we consign the custody of the shaft, which will stand a silent sentinel to proclaim to this and succeeding generations the martial deeds of a patriotic people, who here on this field met a determined foc bent on the destruction of this fair Republic, and hurled him back broken and defeated. It will stand as the right flank of that noble army, which, fresh from the defeats of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, here deter- mined that a victory should be won which would reanimate our country and be the harbinger of final victory. It will stand as the cenotaph of those valiant and loyal men who here laid down their lives in the interests of hu- manity, and for the safety, honor, and welfare of this people. Accept this trust, which we confide to your care, and guard it well, as you have those heretofore placed in your keeping.
The shaft, which was enveloped in a large American flag, was then unveiled, while a salute was fired from a field-piece by a de- tachment of Corporal Skelly Post G. A. R., of Gettysburg.
Mr. David A. Buehler responded on behalf of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association as follows :--
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ADDRESS OF DAVID A. BUEHLER, ESQUIRE.
MR. CHAIRMAN, VETERANS OF THE SECOND AND THIRD CAVALRY DIVISIONS-LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- The chill atmosphere of this chilly afternoon, and the interesting exercises yet to come, as indicated by your programme, admonish me that it would not be proper to detain you with un- necessary remarks. I may be permitted, however, on behalf of the associa- tion I have the honor to represent, to express the very great pleasure it gives us to have this magnificent monument intrusted to our care. Although more than twenty years have passed since the great struggle which swept with fire and blood these hills and slopes and fields, the interest in the battle-field and the great principles here contested for, instead of diminishing, is increasing as years roll by, as is attested by the constantly swelling numbers who come hither year by year to gather inspiration from the great deeds and heroic sacrifices that have consecrated these grounds to an immortality of fame.
It so happens that in the overshadowing magnitude of the infantry opera- tions, popular interest has centred around Seminary and Cemetery Hills, Culps Hill and the Round Tops, the Peach Orchard and Wheat Field, while the relations of the cavalry to the great struggle have been largely ignored. Until within a year or two, few of those who came hither seemed to be aware that on this field occurred one of the heaviest and most desperately contested cavalry combats of the war. Fewer still have realized the vital relation of that combat to the final desperate assault of Lee on the Union lines, or what disasters might have ensued had Gregg's gallant troopers failed in duty on the ground on which we now stand. You understand and fully appreciate all this, and a grateful country is coming into full recognition of what you did here. It is eminently fitting, therefore, that to-day you rear this imposing memorial shaft.
It has been the privilege of our association to have committed to their care numerous memorial structures, but I can assure you that we accept this one with peculiar pleasure, and promise for it somewhat at least of the same loving and watchful care which you have given to its preparation. Long may it stand as a memorial of the grand deeds here performed, and of the heroes who here gave their lives that the nation should under God, "have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, should not perish from the earth."
The President then said: " An historical address will now be delivered by a comrade, who, in addition to a very accurate general knowledge of the great battle of Gettysburg, derived from the study of the best authorities, is particularly well informed as to the details of the engagement which took place on this field on July 3d, 1863, he having participated therein as an officer of the Third Pennsyvania Cavalry. I have the pleasure of presenting Captain and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel William Brooke-Rawle .*
The Historical Address was published in the April Call.
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Upon the conclusion of the reading of the address, the President announced that Colonel John B. Batchelder, the historian of the Battle of Gettysburg, was present, and would be glad to meet rep- resentatives of the different regiments and batteries engaged, for the purpose of determining their positions on the field during the battle, in order that they might be correctly represented in the official map recently issued by the War Department, and that the meeting would be reconvened at the court house in Gettysburg, at 7.30 o'clock in the evening.
In the evening, at half-past seven o'clock, the meeting reconvened in the court room, which was filled to its utmost capacity. General Gregg, the president, in calling the meeting to order said :---
FELLOW-SOLDIERS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS :- Owing to the very general desire on the part of those who were present at the exer- cises on the field this afternoon to stroll over the battle-field, the continuation of the meeting was postponed until this even- ing. We are again assembled to enjoy together the hour or two re- maining before many will have to take the train to return to their homes. We will now resume the order of exercises as set forth on the programme. A gallant comrade was invited to write a poem for this occasion, and we had hoped that he would be present to read it himself. In the absence of the poet, Lieutenant Edward P. Tobie, of the First Maine Cavalry, I call upon Major J. Edward Carpenter, of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, to read the poem.
LINES
Written for the reunion of the Second Cavalry Division, and Custer's Brigade of' the Third Division, Army of the Potomac, at Gettysburg, October 15th, ISS4, held for the purpose of dedicating the shaft erected on the field of the cavalry operations on the right flank, July 3d. 1863.
BY EDWARD P. TOBIE,
Of Pawtucket, R. I., formerly Second Lieutenant First Maine Cavalry.
Along through more than twenty years, The echoes of the past Come rushing down, and fill our ears- Aye, thick they come, and fast- . The bugle note, the sabre clash, The cannon roar and carbine crack, The myriad hoofs in onward dash. The squadrons surging forth and back.
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CAVALRY SHAFT AT GETTYSBURG.
The aroma of heroic deeds Fills all the air around- Deeds done by men of all the creeds, On this historic ground --- Of bravery that would do and dare, Of courage pure as e'er was known, Of striving each to do his share As though the cause were his alone.
This shaft will send these echoes grand Adown the years to come, And breathe the aroma o'er the land Long after we are dumb, Telling the story o'er again Of this Republic's dreadful strife,
Telling the story of the men Who offered life for nation's life ;
Telling the story of the field Whercon to-day we stand, Where foemen brave was forced to yield In contest hand to hand, Where sabre blows fell sharp and fast, Where charge and counter-charge were given -- The foe was driven back at last, The field was ours-give thanks to heaven.
Teaching along the coming time, So all may understand, That love of country is sublime, And patriotism grand ; That loyal hearts and loyal arms Will aye respond to country's call Whene'er she sounds stern war's alarms, And with her stand or with her fall.
The comrades we left here that day, A hundred, good and true, Now dwelling in their bright array Above the ethereal bluc, Are looking down upon this shaft Raised on the field whereon they fell ; To us the heavenly breczes waft Their sweet acclaim-" Comrades, 'tis well."
The President then said, " There is present another of the brigade commanders of the old Second Cavalry Division. Behold the man ! General Irvin Gregg will now address you.
تفمادور
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
GENERAL J. IRVIN GREEG'S REMARKS.
MR. PRESIDENT AND COMRADES OF THE RIGHT FLANK, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- It is entirely unexpected to me to be called upon to address such an audience as this, and particularly so that I should attempt to tell you what General McIntosh has not told you. And if, as that distinguished officer says, General Gregg's tactics or strategy have turned his right flank, he has by this movement got upon my left, and if it was not for the Second Brigade of the Third Division, the gallant " Wolverines," which happily we have in reserve, we would be completely enveloped and hopelessly entangled, for our infantry are too far off and have too much to do looking after their own flanks and centre to give us any assistance.
Now, comrades and friends, does it not seem like asking a good deal for your distinguished presiding officer to call upon me to say what General McIntosh, Colonel Brooke-Rawle, Mr. Buehler, and himself have left unsaid, about the glorious events that took place upon this sacred and historic ground twenty-one years ago, particularly when they were talking under the inspir- ation of the memories and recollections called up by the very scenes amid which, and the very field upon which, took place that glorious combat so long misunderstood and still so little appreciated by the great mass of peo- ple of this country.
There is another reason why I should not be expected to say much about what has not been said, and that is, that the brigade which I had the honor to cominand was held in reserve -- that it did not actually participate in the combat-consequently any support which it contributed, or any influence it exercised upon the issue of the fierce contest going on under its view, was entirely moral. How important a factor two thousand fresh troops massed upon the flank of the contending forces would be, every soldier will under- stand and appreciate. The part assigned to rny brigade on that memorable third of July was not an 'unimportantone. Some time during the forenoon, perhaps about nine or ten o'clock, it moved up the Baltimore pike to the vi- cinity of General Meade's headquarters, where it was met by your presiding officer and ordered to proceed up the Tannytown road and develop the ene- my, as General Meade was in doubt as to the position of General Lee ; but before the the command was fully in motion the order was countermanded, as General Meade had received the information he desired in reference to General Lee's position and intentions, and I was ordered to return to and take up the position of the previous day, on the right flank. In compliance with this order I took a position on the east end of Wolf's Hill, my left con- necting with the right of the infantry, the enemy being immediately in my front, occupying the buildings of Mr. Deodorf. Here I remained until nearly three o'clock P. M., the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, some squadrons of which were on the skirmish line, keeping up a sharp fire with the enemy and repulsing one or two spirited attacks.
About this time I received an order to move the remainder of my brigade, as rapidly as possible, to a point on the Bonaughtown road, west of the Span- gler house, where the road leading from the Baltimore pike, near White Run bridge enters it, mass it, and keep a sharp lookout on my left, towards
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Gettysburg, and Rummels' farm buildings on my left front, which appeared to be the right of General Stuart's position. In this position my brigade occupied the gap of nearly two miles between the left of our forces engaged with General Stuart and the right of our infantry. The position was taken up in full view of the enemy, whose batteries opened upon us for a short time, wounding several men in the Tenth New York Cavalry.
Comrades, I am exceedingly gratified after the lapse of twenty-one years to meet so many old comrades, to renew the friendships formed amid scenes of danger and suffering that tried men's souls, and to know that yonder stately shaft which we dedicated this day will perpetuate to future generations the fame of the brave men who on that July day, more than one-fifth of a cen- tury ago, so nobly did their whole duty in the defense of their country in that extreme moment of its deadly peril.
The President then introduced Col. Bachelder, the Historian of Gettysburg, who said, substantially :
COL. JOHN B. BACHELDER'S REMARKS.
The monument which you have this day dedicated marks the locality of a distinctive feature of the Battle of Gettysburg, comparatively unknown, yet one of the most important in its results. That it was the design of General Stuart to turn the right flank of the Union army and attack it in rear is un- doubtedly true. Had the attempt succeeded, the entire character of the en- gagement, and probably the result of the battle, would have been changed. That it did not succeed is due to the desperate daring and brilliant gallantry of the men whom you. sir, had the honor to command, and hence the im- portance of erecting a monument to mark the spot where that event trans- pired must be patent to all. I also desire to congratulate these veterans up- on the good judgment displayed by their committee when it was decided to erect the monument on the field where the battle occurred. I know there were those who, for fear it would not be seen in its present location, would have placed it as a battle monument on Cemetery Hill, and marked the present site with a tablet. This in my opinion, would have been a public inisfor- tune. It is the identical field, made historical by your valor, which should be preserved to history. There are too many who would thoughtlessly sur- render now the ground on which they fought, and erect their monuments in inore conspicuous positions. If the only design had been to have had it seen it might well have been erected in the city of Reading, where it was cut; but your committee chose well when it was decided to place it on the field where the tide of battle surged, the field which the historian will describe, where your comrades fell, and the field which your children, and your chil- dren's children will visit with pleasure in the long years to come, and point with pride to the shaft which marks the spot moistened by the blood of their fathers. Again, sir, I congratulate you upon the successful erection of this imposing monument.
The President then called upon Colonel Rawle, who spoke briefly, as follows :
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FIRST MAINE BUGLE.
COLONEL WILLIAM BROOKE-RAWLE'S REMARKS.
MR. PRESIDENT AND COMRADES :-- I thank you most heartily for the kind but vociferous manner in which you have called me to my feet. I know very well that you have heard enough from me to-day, even were I not reminded of the fact by what my friend, General Irvin Gregg, has said. I could not address you now if I would, for, as you percieve, I have no voice left. I sup- pose that it is still being wafted around our shaft out there on the right flank with that " aroma of heroic deeds" of which our poet has so beautifully sung this evening. I have certainly lost it some where, and must ask you to excuse my saying more than again to thank you.
Col. John P. Nicholson, Recorder of the Commandery of Pennsyl- vania, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, spoke briefly on behalf of that order, and then Capt. David M. Gilmore of the Third Pennsyl- vania Cavalry was introduced, and thus spoke.
CAPTAIN DAVID M. GILMORE'S REMARKS.
MR. CHAIRMAN AND COMRADES :- This is the first time since the war closed that it has been my privilege to meet you. Frequently I have longed to attend your reunions, but distance and business have heretofore prevented. To be present on this occassion I have traveled hundred of miles, and now that my hopes are realized. and I have once more grasped the hands of former com- rades, and revived the friendships of army days, " my cup of joy runneth over," and, with the ancient maiden on her glad marriage day, I sing :-
" This is the way I long have sought, And mourned because I found it not."
It is fitting and proper that we should meet from time to time, and talk over the experiences of the past. Far too little credit has been given to the cavalry arm of the service for the hardships and dangers it encountered. and the mighty achievements it wrought. In the camp or in the field. it was the ever sleepless eye of the army. Its work was ever in the front or on the fanks or rear, and where the reporter was seldom present as an eye witness. This fact, added to the proverbial modesty of the cavalrymen, has left their deeds " unhonored and unsang."
It is not my purpose to, nor would I, pluck a single leaf from the immor- telles which surround the brows of infantry or artillery, but I do maintain that for laborious work. patient endurance, hard fighting, the cavalry is en- titled to a full and equal share of credit and glory.
Many of our noblest men and greatest generals received much of their military education in the cavalry. McClellan, Kearney, Sumner, Sedgwick. Harney, Thomas, Grazz. Averell, Sheridan, McIntosh, Irvin Gregg, Custer and a host of others, carved with their sabres their names high on the roll of honor.
It is not generally known that during the war of the rebellion the cavalry force of the government was larger than ever belonged to any nation on earth, and the achievements of its members rivaled any of history of song. It has become ciltirely too common a custom to seek in foreign countries
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and by-gone ages for examples of daring skill or chivalry, while our own times and country are replete with heroic examples. Murat, with waving plume and glistening sabre, never surpassed Custer, with fair flowing locks and crimson necktie, leading his " Wolverines " in the thickest of the fight. Our hearts thrill with emotion as we read of the Earl of Cardigan and his " immortal six hundred" riding to death and glory at Balaklava, but for dar- ing intrepidity this achievement was more than equaled by the dare-devil Phil. Kearney with his " two hundred," charging the whole Mexican army of thirty thousand before the gates of their own capital city. The gal- lantry of Major Keenan, of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, charging boldly into the head of Stonewall Jackson's advancing corps at Chancellorsville, or of Zagonyi at Springfield, Mo., was never surpassed by the dashing Rus- sian Skobelof, who with white uniform wasever in the forefront of battle. Of downright hard fighting, where hard knocks were given and received, the cavalry during the war had its full share. Averell's fight at Kelly's Ford ; Pleasonton's, Buford's, and Davies' at Beverly Ford; Gregg's at Brandy Sta- tion ; the battles of Middleburg, Upperville and Aldie-all are instances where cavalry met cavalry in hand to hand encounters. But amidst all these vari- ous engagements, few, if any, have equaled, and none excelled, the magnifi- cent fight on the right flank at Gettysburg, where the three brigades of McIntosh, Irvin Gregg, and Custer, under General D. McM. Gregg, met and repulsed the four brigades of confederate cavalry under General Stuart, on July 3d, 1863, which attack was simultaneous with and virtually part of Pickett's charge. The purpose was that Pickett should break our centre, and that Stuart should turn our right and strike our rear, in which case the cer- tain defeat of the Army of the Potomac would follow. Both attacks failed, and from that hour, which has been fittingly styled " the high water mark of the rebellion," the waves of the confederacy receded, until at Five Forks they were dashed to pieces on that cavalry rock-Sheridan.
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