USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > A brief history of the Fourth Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry, embracing organization, reunions, dedication of monument at Gettysburg and address of General W. E. Doster, Venango County Battalion, reminiscences, etc > Part 2
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But it is also proper that you should pause a moment in your season of conviviality, and think of those who have long since ceased to mingle with us here. Would to God I had the ability, the eloquence to speak of them in fitting terins. Would that I had the time, at least, to mention the name of
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every hero of the regiment who gave his life to his country. But this I cannot do; and you must, therefore pardon me, if I refer to a few names only on the long death roll of our com- mand. At Gaines' Mill on the 27th of June, 1862, when all was confusion and disorder, when the little valley that led down to the Chickahominy from Gaines' house, was filled with the dead and the dying, when our infantry broken and over- powered by the greatly superior numbers of the enemy, flushed with the hope of victory, came pressing over the crest of the hill like an irresistible torrent, at that fearful time when death reigned everywhere, do you remember who it was that stood at the head of his regiment like a statue, facing the storm as though it was a summer shower? It was the gal- lant, the noble Childs! He had been ordered by his superior officer to maintain a certain position, and that position he proposed to hold, or yield it only with his life. At Antietam -how I dread to name that place-that chivalric officer was taken from you. His conduct after he received the fatal wound was God-like. First he sent Captain Hughes, one of our honored citizens, who was on his staff, to General Pleas- anton, and another of his aids to Lieutenant Colonel Kerr, to inform those officers that he was about to die, and to request them to see that his command was properly officered. He then sent word to the Surgeon to come to him, " if not attend- ing to any one whose life could be saved, as he was in great pain." He then called his Adjutant, to whom he delivered his messages of love and affection for his family, and then, only forty minutes having elapsed since he received the fatal shot, he died. A braver and a better man never drew his sword in defense of his country. He was a man who could truthfully say: "I do love my country's good with a respect more ten- der, more holy, more profound, than my own life."
His life was nothing to him. It was a shadow compared with the interests of his country and his regiment.
And then you will all remember the gallant and intrepid Covode, who was at his post when duty called him, and ready for any emergency. What a splendid officer and gentleman he was ! Genial, courteous, kind and generous when off duty. he was stern, yet dignified, brave, yet unassuming, when in the
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face of the enemy. At St. Mary's Church, when shot down by a party of the enemy whom he believed to be his own men. his conduct was of the most heroic character. After receiving the fatal wound he was carried from the field, much . against his will. He wanted to confront the enemy as long as life lasted, and in the extremity of death he clung to his post. Such conduct is rarely to be witnessed, and for that reason the memory of the gallant Covode should be especially dear to us to-day.
At Farmville, on the 7th of April, 1865, the Fourth lost another of its most accomplished officers. He was one of our own boys-one of Venango's heroes. He was my personal warm-hearted friend, and I can hardly mention his name to- day, although so many years have passed, without profound emotion. But on the record of his regiment, on the pages of his country's history, on yonder marble shaft-wherever it is to be found -- I know that you will agree with me when I say that in the whole history of the war there is not to be found a more honorable name than that of William B. Mays. Ah, me ! when we think of the long list of our dead boys, how can we help feeling sad to-day ? True, they died in a glorious cause. True, they were the preservers of their country. True, the brighest jewels in a martyr's crown are theirs. And equally true, I believe, the hand of God has inscribed the his- tory of their priceless worth upon the records of a glorious eternity. But at the same time they were our brothers, our friends, our comrades. I would like to speak of all of them- officers and soldiers-of Kerr, Parke, Dunn, Say, Heckathorn, and oh, so many others; but it would be impossible on such an occasion.
Yes; we must leave our dead comrades; but as long as life lasts, in the quiet evening hour, in the stillness of the solemn night, in the rush and whirl of business, wherever we may be. the forms of our dead comrades will continue to pass before us, and as the years glide by those forms will become more and more distinct, as will the memory of our fallen comrades become dearer and dearer to each one of us.
Yes; ah, yes; on this day, when we are met together to renew old associations, it is eminently proper that we should
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speak of our fallen braves. They have left a name of which the nation and humanity may well be proud; and their con- duct has thrown a halo around the name of the Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry which time itself can never obliterate. - But while we would thus honor the dead, we should remember the living. Many are before me to-day who braved every danger of the battle-field, yet escaped without a scar. That they did so does not detract in the slightest degree from their record as true and valiant soldiers, but simply illustrates the mys- terious way of Providence in permitting one to be taken and the other left. And, as we have already said, it is right that those who escaped should meet together, not only for the pur- pose of keeping alive and stimulating feelings of patriotism, but for the purpose also of keeping alive their organization. But a few only of these reunions can be had at best. Already the shadows are beginning to lengthen with many of us. Since your first meeting, there are many vacant chairs in the banquet hall. As year after year glides by, name after name will be stricken from the roll, and soon the last survivor of that regiment, which was an honor to the State, the County and the Nation, will pass away. For the few years then, that we can remain here, at best, let us preserve our identity as a regiment, and above all things let us preserve those feelings of friendship which should always exist between those who have shared dangers and privations together. If we will do this, then will our reunions be fraught with all that is desira- ble and praiseworthy, and a perfect absence of everything of an unpleasant character will pervade our midst. We will learn to think of and treat each other as brethren united by the most sacred ties. Then can we look forward with bright anticipations to each recurring anniversay of our organization. Yes, in my imagination, I see many happy reunions of our regiment in the future. Our numbers are growing less, but not our friendship and affection.
Appropriate addresses were also made by Col. Jno. S. Mc- Calmont, Col. L. D. Rogers, of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Capt. Mackey, Tenth Reserves, Capt. Hughes and Maj. W. N. Biddle, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, after which the meeting adjourned.
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GETTYSBURG MEETING.
A meeting of the Regiment was held at Gettysburg, Pa., October 6th, 1887, the purport of which is shown by the minutes :
GETTYSBURG, PA., October 6th, 1887.
In pursuance of notice published in the following papers. viz: Oil City Der- rick, Oil City Blizzard, Franklin Evening News, Bethlehem Times, Eastern Ex. press, Mauch Chunk Democrat, and three daily papers of Pottsville, a meeting of the surviving members of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry was held at the Eagle Hotel, Gettysburg, October 6th, 1887, for the purpose of selecting a site for a monument, and appointing a committee to act in conjunction with the State Com- mission.
The meeting organized by electing Gen. W. E. Doster, President, and Maj. D. C. Phillips, Secretary.
On motion of Maj. Maitland, it was resolved that Gen. Doster, Maj. Maitland. Maj. Phillips, Capt. J. R. Grant and Capt. A. M. Beatty, be a committee of said regiment, to confer with the State Commission, for the purpose of taking advan- tage of the Act of Assembly of ISS7, relating to appropriations for soldiers' monu- ments at Gettysburg.
On motion of Capt. J. R. Grant, it was resolved that the committee be empowered to select the design, the material and the inscription for said monu- ment, and to contract for the erection of the same, under the powers given by said Act of Assembly; adding to the said appropriation such sum or sums of money as may be secured by the committee on subscriptions.
On motion it was unanimously resolved, that the monument be located on " the northwest corner of the Weikerd property; on the east side of Round Top Avenue," (stake No. 117).
On motion adjourned.
D. C. PHILLIPS, SECRETARY.
Immediately after the adjournment of the Regimental Meeting, the committee appointed to " select and erect the monument, " met, and organized by electing Maj. J. B. Maitland, of Oil City, Chairman; Gen. W. E. Doster, of Bethlehem. Treasurer; and Maj. D. C. Phillips, of No. 68 Duquesne Way, Pittsburgh, Secretary.
On motion, the Secretary was requested to obtain suitable designs for submis sion to the committee, and the Chairman to prepare an inscription for like submission.
On motion, the following named persons were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions, to be added to the appropriation from the State. All subscriptions to be handed or sent to the Treasurer, on or before January Ist, ISSS.
GEN. W. E. DOSTER, MAJ. J. C. PAUL, . J. B. MAITLAND, " J. P. BARR, 4. D. C. PHILLIPS, D. C. BOGGs, R. J. PHIPPS, LIEUT. A. B. WHITE, 66 JAS. OGDEN.
CAPT. J. R. GRANT, 66 A. A. PLUMMER,
W. K. LINEAWEAVER,
A. M. BEATTY,
CAPT. ALEX. FRAZIER, W. K. GILLESPIE,
There being no further business, on motion, the committee adjourned to meet at the call of the Chairman.
D. C. PHILLIPS, SECRETARY.
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THIRD REUNION, AND
DEDICATION OF MONUMENT.
The third reunion was held at Gettysburg, on Pennsyl- vania Day, September 11th, 1889, upon the occasion of the dedication of the Monuments of the Pennsylvania organiza- tions who participated in the battle of Gettysburg, the Fourth Cavalry being of the number. Transportation was furnished to its members entitled to the same, under the provisions of the Act approved May 8th, 1889. A business meeting was held in the Court House at IO A. M., on September 11th, and the presence of our beloved Division and Brigade Comman- ders, Generals D. McM. Gregg and J. Irvin Gregg, aroused all to an intense spirit of enthusiasm, and their reception, amounting to an ovation, gave them additional proofs, if any were needed, of the devotion of the boys of the gallant Fourth to their trusted leaders, who had so many times led them to victory. The words of commendation from these men, as they briefly addressed us, were the best eulogy that the Regi- ment could desire. After arranging plans for the dedication of the monument, and placing the finances for its completion on a sound basis, adjourned to meet at the Camp-fire in the evening.
The Camp-fire was aglow ; and yet, pervading all, was a feeling of sadness, caused by the absence of many well remem- bered comrades, who have long since been mustered out,- some among the scenes of strife, others peacefully at their homes, surrounded by loved ones. The memory of all these was blessed, and we lovingly paid tribute to the worth of Welton, Covode, Childs and scores of others whose names and deeds are yet enshrined in our hearts. After an address of welcome by D. C. Phillips, Secretary, (see address), the following programme was, as far as possible, carried out, except the dedicatory address, which was delivered at the monument at 9 A. M., of Sept. 12th, and is appended hereto.
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PROGRAMME.
FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN CAVALRY REUNION, AND DEDICATION OF MONUMENT,
GETTYSBURG, PENN'A., SEPTEMBER 11TH, 1889.
PRAYER-REV. D. CUPPS, Butler, Penn'a.
GREETING-MAJ. D. C. PHILLIPS, - Pittsburgh, Penn'a. SHEPHERDSTOWN-GEN. J. IRVIN GREGG, Washington, D. C.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH-MAJOR J. C. PAUL, . Chicago, Ills.
INCIDENTS OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH-
SERG'T W. H. COLLINGWOOD, Pittsburgh, Penn'a.
FARMVILLE-MAJ. J. B. MAITLAND, STONY CREEK-MAJ. J. P. BARR, - Grove City, Penn'a.
Oil City, Penn'a.
SAILOR'S CREEK-MAJ. J. R. GRANT, GETTYSBURG-CAPT. A. M. BEATTY,
Franklin, Penn'a.
UPPERVILLE-LIEUT. COL. R. J. PHIPPS, ANTIETAM-CAPT. ALFRED DARTE, JR., - Wilkesbarre, Penn'a.
CAMP LIFE-DOCTOR C. P. SEIP,
Pittsburgh, Penn'a.
LIGHT DUTY-SURGEON F. A. BUSHEY, - Green Castle, Pa.
FORAGING-CAPT. W. K. GILLESPIE,
Pittsburgh, Penn'a.
· SULPHUR SPRINGS-LIEUT. C. S. MARK,
LIBBY-LIEUT. A. B. WHITE, · Washington, D. C. Franklin, Penn'a. PENINSULA-CAPT. CHAS. E. TAYLOR, - Franklin, Penn'a. APPOMATOX-GEN. S. B. M. YOUNG, Ft. McIntosh, Tex.
OUR DEAD-CHAPLAIN H. Q. GRAHAM, - Homer City, Penn'a.
DEDICATORY ADDRESS-GEN. W. E. DOSTER, - Bethlehem, Penn'a.
Dempseytown, Pa. Butler, Penn'a.
Letters from absent comrades, expressing regrets and sending fraternal greetings, were read from Chaplain H. Q. Graham, Captain Wm. Hyndman, General S. B. M. Young, and others, followed by reading of paper on recovery of the body of Colonel Geo. H. Covode, then an address by Capt. A. M. Beatty, both of which are found herewith.
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ADDRESS OF MAJ. D. C. PHILLIPS,
AT REUNION AT GETTYSBURG, SEPTEMBER 11, 1889.
COMRADES :- Notwithstanding my earnest request of your committee, that I should be excused from any attempt at speech making on this occasion (for, like our illustrious commander, Gen. Grant, I never made a speech in my life), they have assigned me the pleasant duty of welcoming you, veterans of the grand old Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, to this reunion, on this historic battle field of Gettysburg; a re- union, after more than a quarter of a century has passed since your gallant squadrons charged the enemies of your country, and drove them headlong from your native State.
. No words of mine can adequately express the heart- felt pleasure it gives me to-night to look into the faces of so many of my old comrades, and to greet you with the warmest words of welcome.
But you have changed, greatly changed, since last we met. The hardships of those memorable years passed in the pines and swamps of Virginia, in camp, reconnoisance and battle, in Libby and Andersonville, sowed the seeds of disease and suffer- ing too plainly traceable on the countenances of many of those before me. These more than twenty-five years also, have done their part in changing the beardless boys of 1861 to 1865, into veterans, in appearance as well as reality.
Comrades-this reunion will be the last in which many of the veterans here assembled will take part. Cherish the friendships formed during those memorable years, which tried men's souls and nerves, when you stood shoulder to shoulder and hurled back the valiant but misguided foe.
Teach your children to reverence the flag you fought under : to preserve the liberties you fought for ; to defend, with their lives, if need be, the glorious union, which cost so much blood and treasure to preserve.
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ADDRESS OF CAPT. A. M. BEATTY,
AT REUNION AT GETTYSBURG. SEPTEMBER 11, 1889.
MR. PRESIDENT AND COMRADES :
I am happy to greet you on this historic field, and want to ask you to convene a court martial at once, as I have charges to prefer against two comrades. I had intended charging it to but one, and that was comrade Collingwood ; but since comrade Maitland has told you that he had a hand in preparing the programme for this evening, I want to include him, and I hope you will find a verdict, and impose such a penalty that it will be an emphatic protest against such an imposition as inflicting me upon you for a speech at this time. I have no apology to make for my presence here on this field; I am here under orders, and do not deem an excuse any more necessary now than when I was here twenty-five years ago.
Gettysburg was, and is thought and said to be, one of the five decisive battles of the rebellion ; it was undoubtedly the most decisive, for here was defeated the best equipped and most powerful army the rebels ever had. They had made great preparations for the campaign before leaving home, and had acquired immense additions and strength in the way of supplies after coming into this great and loyal State. The old Keystone State. teeming with its millions of honest toilers was full to repletion. Its millions of bushels of grain, hund- reds of thousands of horses and cattle, sheep, swine and poul- try, was a vision to the eyes and a treat to the fiery veterans of Lee, whose military lives had most been spent on the exhausted soil and the wasted and worn sands of Virginia.
Their invasion was not a military necessity in the sense in which we are wont to speak of the moves of a campaign, but more of a political nature ; a movement born of despera- tion, and urged to force foreign recognition. It was under- taken with a full knowledge that it was to be a struggle to the death. Their conduct here, if it proves anything conclusively, proves that they fully realized this to be either the beginning of their success, or the beginning of the end.
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Their conduct on this field has been sung in songs of praise throughout all the world during all the years of the quarter century ending to-day. That they fought heroically and bravely, none will deny. It would be belittling the cour- age and valor of our own troops for us to do so ; but with what mettle and what spirit were they met ? The army of the Potomac, well skilled in retreat, and fairly well taught in advancing, came winding its way from the banks of the Rap- pahannock, wearily toiling along the rugged foot hills and spurs of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Through a country already devastated and laid waste by the ruthless hand of war. It came, but a semblance of its former self, save in discipline and heroic determination to do or die, that the Union might live. And now I speak particularly of Pennsyl- vania soldiers, when I say that comrades, who under other circumstances, and on other fields, would have been laggards, vied not only with each other, but with those who always strove to be at the front, to reach the scene of carnage and to be on hand for the final struggle.
This spirit of determination and devotion was apparant throughout our whole army, and it seems as though it took just some such thing to arouse the Union army and its lead- ers to a sense of the importance of making a grand deter- mined effort to prove to the whole world that this great Republic of the United States could regulate it own affairs, and take care of its own people, whether they were found following the paths of peace, or found in armed rebellion; and I take this opportunity to refute the idea and scout the senti- mentalism which impels even some of our Northern speakers and writers to say, " that if we had failed and been defeated here, and they had won, the history of the rebellion would have been written the other way, and with the other hand." As soon expect the sun to come up at night. Never, since the advent of the Nazarene, has the progress of human rights gone backward ; nor the Scribe been long stayed whose hand has been engaged in enlarging the bill of human rights and human liberties.
Had we failed here and been crowded back into our own country, our homes and cities sacked, it would only have added
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years and chapters to the history of the war, and have added generations to its victims.
No, only the base of operations would have been changed. The contest would have been waged in the hills and valleys of the Allegheny Mountains, or fought out in the vales and on the granite peaks of New England. For the principles involved, Humanity, guided and directed by Humanity's God, would have endured to the end.
But Providence spared us, and seemed to be with us, and the mantle of Fate seemed spread with her mystic hand over us. The selection of our main position was masterly general- ship ; while allowing it was a serious blunder. After its -election, the manner of attacking, and the three days of fighting, were a series of blunders on the part of the Rebel Commander ; but with the strategy of the campaign I have nothing to do, and as little with the tactics.
Our own part in the battle, as the historian tells you, was a modest one, and all of you who were here will remember how surprised we were that our list of casualties was so small, placed as we were for three or four hours in direct range of eight or ten pieces of the enemies artillery stationed on either side of the Sharfy House.
It appeared to me like a storm of bursting shells and case shot, and I never remember of being under a cannonade. apparently so severe and destructive, which did so little dam- age. In many engagements-both before and after this one- which were insignificant in proportion, we lost heavily in horses and men from both artillery and small arms.
Whether it was our luck, or the fault of the Rebel artil- lerists, one can judge as well as another ; but we were here to be shot if it was necessary, and I would remind my comrades of other commands that "it was not always the man who got "hot the most that fought the most." and we will deny to-day that it was any fault of our own, and swear that we would have followed the gallant Doster wherever he would lead : that where he would not or could not lead, men could not go.
Yes, comrades, we were here inspired by that spirit of pat - riotism and love of country, which pervaded our whole army; And now we only ask recognition of the people of our common
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country, in the same spirit which animated us then ; and ask them to remember their great anxiety least we would fail them at that time. Other fields of the war tell more of our powers in battle, but this one marks the greatest struggle of the war, and has been set apart by the great loyal hearts of our people as such, and designated as the Mecca of the patriot pilgrim, and the goal of the tourist.
This great forest of monuments, while in their individuality mark this place of acts of daring and heroism, and designate separate and distinct commands, as a whole teach an emphatic lesson and is an impressive lecture to all the young people of our country.
Many of you no doubt proudly claim, and justly so, lineal descent from the patriots and heroes of the American Revo- lution, and it has been, to many, a stimulus which urged them perhaps to greater deeds of daring and more steadfast devotion to the Union, and to the principles it embodies. They were grand men ; royal Americans, and the stars they planted in the azure field of our glorious national emblem, have shone with an undiminished lustre during all the years since, save the time they were obscured by the smoke of secession while borne by the columns breasting the waves of treason ; but our boast of Freedom and Liberty then was only an assertion, now, thank God, by your heroic devotion and sac- rifices, it is a fact ; and as the record of your ancestors served its day and time as a talisman, urging you on to contest and victory, so let your history and achievements serve in guid- ing and directing the future of your children and children's children ; and if your pride of ancestry dates from the Revo- lution, its Lexington or Bunker Hill ; its Savannah or York- town, let the pedigree of your children start from the war for the suppression of the Rebellion ; and let it date from Gettys- burg, the hardest battle fought on Union soil, and the longest contested battle of the war.
Here, worn and weary, you met the foe elated with initial success and flushed with promised victory, and hurled them from Cemetery's bloody heights and Rebellion's highest mark. crushed and discomfitted ; and without any disparagement of our leaders of that time, I will say that with Sheridan-the
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Napoleon of American generals- here, they would have been annihilated, and never would have reached the south bank of the Potomac as an organization.
Our grand old army often suffered through its comman- der. although commanded by its best men. Historians, psy- chologists, and physiognomists, have all alike failed to explain why, nor will I attempt it now; but perhaps as rational an explanation as any can be found in the fact that many, amongst whom are to be found some of our loyal leaders who were gallant soldiers, profess to believe that the Rebels fought for what they believed to be right. I have stood on the sacred soil of this very field, no longer ago than last summer, and heard loyal Pennsylvanians slobbering over the Rebels assembled here, and telling them this. I have neither the time nor inclination to dispute or discuss this question, did I deem it neccessary, but will say the average Northern school- boy of 14 years, or more, knows better. Now I hope you will pardon me for alluding to the politics of the war, and I will say nothing further on that point.
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