USA > Pennsylvania > History of the One hundred & sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, 2d brigade, 2d division, 2d corps, 1861-1865 > Part 37
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"And our hearts though stout and brave, Still like muffled drums are beating Funeral marches to the grave."
410 THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
ORDER OF EXERCISES-CONTINUED
5. POEM-"Gettysburg." Read by COL. Jos. R. C. WARD BY GEO. E. VICKERS.
GETTYSBURG.
To all the brave men who fought at Gettysburg and gave to the world a new example of sublime valor this poem is reverently inscribed.
O! mighty walls of rock, whose massive forms do prove
The strength of age, and a triumphant past,
Here let my soul, with they deep musings move
And have expression ;- here where deeds of valor last In man's memory. O! that a voice more fit did sing
Of what this spot recalls, and no uncertain note
In feeble warble, spoil the golden ring
Of the true thought, nor screen the ghost-like visions of warrior throngs remote.
Here was the Nation's test-man's highest, greatest rise In the ebb and flow of war; here human will And effort lost their semblance and attained the size Of God-like striving, where each hand but vied to fill The earth-pores with the other's blood, while half the world did pause With horror dumb and wait the issue. Life and Death, To Liberty and Country alike did plead their cause In this red streaming forum, with sulphurous breath.
Two mighty armies meet : the cunning hills With equal favor, forth extend their arms, Bidding welcome to each, with many exultant thrills That they, so schooled to the wild tempests' alarms, Shall now enjoy what doth far outweigh Nature's visitations-the thunder's roar The fiery lightning's flash, the hurricane's display, And, whate'er the end, shall for evermore Perpetuate their fame and consecrate the spot. Invitingly do all the slopes and knolls Beckon to the opposing hosts, hastening hot To seize the vantage ground which neither yet controls.
Hark! e'en now the answering signals wildly sound As straggling columns scent the fray from afar And 'rousing the echoes of hills and woods around. Loud blows the shrill-toned bugle, high swells the noise of war And loud the clatter and clang of arms and loud the leaders' call;
1
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DEDICATION OF MONUMENTS
And sharp and quick the sound of hurrying hoofs as down the line O'er hill and plain fleet riding couriers rise and fall. Onward ye farthest bands ! your comrades no longer wait But in the blazing eyes of Death their own poor ghosts Do mock them as they rush to meet a Soldier's fate.
A foremost chieftain sinks ! Death's shaft doth mark him soon, Nature ! hast thou no mark to show where gallant Reynolds fell? No special sign? Do not the winds attune Themselves in softer cadence as o'er that spot their swell Doth rise and fall in day and midnight hour? If not, a Nation's gratitude doth serve instead And toward the sky doth rise a granite tower Marking the place where fell that gallant head.
The night doth come, but not yet comes the end The storm of war still is gathering-hath not yet fully broke, That which has happened, only serves to send Warning to the hurrying hosts that hear the opening stroke Of the battle tocsin hath rung.
'Tis the second day-The mist hath lifted clear. Behold in full force, the Combatants massed for the fight on either side. 'Tis plain the victory shall be bought with sacrifice most dear And he who wins shall not the courage of his foe deride. Look now! the battle opens! The screaming guns from hoarse hot throats
Do pour Death's surest blasts and soon the ground is red. Away all thoughts of home and loved ones! 'Tis now the Soldier will devotes
His strength to duty and has no time for gloom or dread. Fight for the cause and, if ye fall, enough ! The muster roll shall voice thy answer with thy blood. No longer shall thy loyal feet toil over marches rough No longer shall thy faithful arm add to the crimson flood.
The third day comes, the last great trial 'midst smoke and fire. Both sides do hold their ground, sullen 'midst heaps of dead. O! does the cause remorseless still require That more shall follow those who in Death's agonies have bled? Yes! Hear the stolid cannon's grim decree And see the stern-faced columns rush into the fatal flame. Quick is their doom; but there are others still to be Their death-mates, who, with leaping pulse hasten to claim Their need of glory though all earthly hopes do end.
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
'Tis not a fight, where alien standards seek A place to glorify the pride of conquest : the life streams Of blue and gray alike the same source bespeak, Though kinship defers to duty and there seems No common tie 'twixt those who yon mad combat wage. How close they were in former days, a century's thrilling annals tell. Turn to their country's past, and read the heroic page Where foreign despots quaked o'er the far sounding knell Of sceptered thraldom's end, and vain ambitions fall. How changed the times when sons of patriot freemen strive And o'er the native shield doth hang the mournful pall,
That tells of mutual woe in which the spark of hope seems not to e'en survive.
Ah! Then and there was valor tried as ne'er yet since time began. The opposing host did meet them as doth the gray scarred wall Of ocean's towering bounds. Man after man In the close packed ranks of the invading host did fall, Yet quick was closed the gaps and onward pressed the living mass Bent on the work in view though cannon's breath and fast devouring flame
Did seek the frenzy of their high wrought spirits to e'en surpass. How they did battle! Country ! Victory and an immortal name ! These were the impelling thoughts. There their graves shall be. Assailed and 'sailants both the earth is kind !
Ye shall be brothers in Eternity
And from the toils of this wild hour a long, long rest shall find.
Beyond the walls of stone, a Southern leader essays
Cheering his hosts with hat high raised on sabre point.
Brave was the act but soon a mortal wound the debt to rashness pays, Still, ere his eyes do close the valor of his troops his grievous hurts annoint.
Yet all in vain! With equal valor are they fully matched Straight 'gainst their furious ranks brave Webb undaunted strides. The Northern door is closed, bolted and latched And the eager tenant gladly 'gainst his furious foe collides. 'Tis the last trial and man to man the fight they wage.
The assailed, though thinned and torn, their leader's shout do hear And forth they rush impatient to engage
Where danger most abounds and Death's grim medley fills the ear.
Flows there a stream of Nature's wrath in wild volcanic land More hot than that which o'er the dreadful Angle sweeps? Fatal the spot! well named "the bloody"? Who can withstand Forked lightning's bolts? Men fall in heaps;
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Yet o'er their prostrate forms surviving comrades fight. To yield an inch doth cause the invader to crave an ell, And though the earth doth tremble and death is certain quite, To hold the ground is all-important until fresh arms shall quell The mad advance-Men face their doom
Like walls of adamant and dying block the way.
Thus doth the dead their living work resume
And serve their country's cause e'en in their native clay.
There, sternly erect, stood brave Cushing, the last of all his smoke- stained guns
Dismantled and his life fast fleeting from a mortal wound.
Like a war-god, who views, with grim philosophy, his slaughtered sons He gazes on his battery's wreck and through brave Webb's ears his thrilling words resound
"If I had another gun I'd give them one more shot !" and then dies 'Midst his iron-throated war-mates, loved by the stern gunner beyond the sum
Of spoken language. Not stouter is the metal that besides him lies Than the brave heart that now forevermore is dumb.
His still white face, firm in the sense of duty done, doth seek the upper world
While with glad shouts his blue-garbed comrades hail
The lesson of his dying speech as 'gainst the foe with ten-fold force their strength is hurled,
Until the end is seen and victory comes close in the wake of fury's gale.
"The flower of the land!" 'Tis no idle phrase The earth's red bosom knows her species. She doth bear Upon her tricking form what time shall not erase- Proud stain of brave men's blood for which posterity shall spare Her days of consecration and in glad hours rehearse The acts done here and feel the flush of glory for her kind. Yet the present still is urgent: Ere the clouds disperse And 'naught but red turf and fresh turned soil remain behind, Glance on yon hill and note the warrior chief, The Dam that checked the impetuous Southern flood Though fury drove its currents. His words are brief And firm his hand as through his glass he views the sea of blood.
'Tis here O! Meade the lasting glory of thy name Sprang like the sun-burst into being. Thy Soldier mind Did see the issue and to thy ready hand unerring judgment came. Soldier and leader alike! All needful qualities combined Thy form doth stand colossal in the trying hour,
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
Thy directing hand did skilfully dispose
Of thy brave forces and to the fullest utilize their power.
How, with thee and thine world's galaxy of heroes brighter grows! Thee and thine! Was there not one whom men have learned to know As "The superb" whose deeds resplendent friend and foe alike do praise !
HANCOCK! Thy bright genius here did on thy loyal men bestow- The fire of thy brave heart, all-pervading as the sun's fierce rays.
Where smoke and death were thickest there was HANCOCK found. Where danger most beset the toil-spend hosts-his guiding hand was near.
Go o'er the field where graves are plenty-there was HANCOCK'S ground.
Ask the war-scarred veteran of the lion-heart that ne'er knew fear. Go to the spot where REYNOLDS fell and hear of him who came Thrice welcome to the sad-souled hosts and bade their gloom depart. Go to the scenes most desperate and the perpetual flame
Of his well-earned glory doth rival the lurid glow of war's stern art. Deep was the wound he got but 'twas too late ;
His sturdy arm had dealt the master-stroke
His fierce-spent energy did, ere his grievous hour, the foeman's zeal abate
And naught remained to do but keep his well formed lines unbroke.
Fraternal strife! Ah let the words grow strange !
As through the Patriot ear glad PEACE and UNION thrill.
Look o'er the granite studded field and note the change
That time has wrought on men and country. O! drink thy fill
Of inspiration on this storied ground and feel the grandeur of thy race-
View here the towering mile-stone that through the centuries shall mark
The sun-stilled hour in a Nation's pace
Behold thy country's shrine whose vestal spark
The starry guardians of man's destiny shall be,
Read well the moral which this sacred spot proclaims-
Here men did meet in strife: Henceforth in unity,
While from yon silent mounds their Nation's brighter glory flames.
ORDER OF EXERCISES-CONTINUED
6. UNVEILING OF MONUMENT.
7. SONG-"Auld Lang Syne."
8. BENEDICTION.
.
1
5
8
12
14
1
3
6
9
11
13
7
I. E. J. Flanagan, Co. H. 2. 3. Lieutenant Wm. B. Rose, Co. H. 4. Corporal Jos. R. C. Ward, Co. I. 5
GROUP PRESENT AT DEDICATION OF MONUMENT. SEPTEMBER II AND 12, 1889. 6. Dr. H. D. McLean. 7. General Alex. S. Webb. 8.
9. General James C. Lynch, Co. B. IO.
II. Sergeant Jos. J. Taylor, Co. C. 12. General J. Wm Hofman. 13. Samuel W. Arbuckle, Co. C.
14. Dr. G. J. R. Miller, Co. H.
2
4
415
DEDICATION OF MONUMENTS
OFFICERS TO COMMAND THE REGIMENT
Colonel, WILLIAM N. JONES, late Captain of Co. D. Lieutenant-Colonel, PAUL J. HALLOWELL, late Captain of Co. B. Major, JOHN IRVIN, late Lieutenant of Co. D. Adjutant, WILLIAM B. ROSE, late Lieutenant of Co. H. Quartermaster, G. J. R. MILLER. Surgeon, H. D. MCLEAN, M. D. Sergeant-Major, WILLIAM H. NEILER, late of Co. C. Color-Sergeant, JOHN HOUGHTON, late of Co. F. Aid to Commander-in-Chief, L. D. C. TYLER, late Captain of Co. H. Assistant Marshall (2d Div.), JOHN W. LYNCH, late Captain of Co. C.
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
JAMES THOMPSON, President. WILLIAM H. NEILER, Vice-President. WILLIAM B. ROSE, Secretary. G. J. R. MILLER, Treasurer.
MONUMENT COMMITTEE
G. J. R. MILLER, Chairman.
Jos. R. C. WARD, Secretary. WILLIAM B. ROSE. L. D. C. TYLER. JAMES THOMPSON.
MEMBERS OF THE 106TH REGIMENT WHO ATTENDED THE DEDICATION CEREMONIES OF MONUMENT AT GETTYSBURG, SEPT. 11 AND 12, 1889 FIELD AND STAFF.
Assistant Surgeons, Drs. Philip Leidy and H. D. McLean. BAND.
Geo. H. Jones, David R. Nerline.
COMPANY A.
Ist. Sergeant, Chas. H. Murdock; Sergeant, Francis A. Schaefer; Corporals, John S. Dove, Wm. H. Brady ; Musician, Fred. Lewis; Privates, Thos. M. Nixon, John S. Turner, Geo. W. Waldron, Geo. W. Webber.
COMPANY B.
Captains, Paul J. Hallowell, James C. Lynch; Ist. Sergeant, Alonzo Schank; Musician, David B. Roach; Privates, Jos. Armbruster, Thos. Hill, Martin Kelly, Baker Schetzline, Harry Vaughan.
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
COMPANY C.
Captain, John W. Lynch; Ist. Sergeant, Wm. H. Neiler ; Corporals, S. Macy Smith, Stephen Taylor, Rufus G. Brown; Musician, Clarence Landon; Privates, Samuel W. Arbuckle, John Clary, Job. Crandall, O. C. Cole, Cornelius Dibble, Mahlon Gage, Geo. Hellem, Newton Hickok, Perry Kilborn, B. Frank Newell, Henry H. Spencer, James Warren, Matthew Ward, Thomas Ward.
COMPANY D.
Captain, Wm. N. Jones ; Ist. Sergeant, Wm. Irvin; Sergeants, David Irvin, Samuel Irvin, J. W. P. Parsons, Giles M. Coons, Albert Conklin; Corporals, I. S. Jones, Wm. Black ; Privates, J. Frank Ammerman, Thos. Mathews, Horace N. Scott, David H. Hoagland.
COMPANY E.
Ist. Sergeant, Wm. J. Coward; Sergeant, Rudolph Oestmann ; Corporal, Jas. E. DeCoursey ; Privates, Wm. Connell, Franklin W. Hill, John McPherson.
COMPANY F.
Lieutenant, Ed. J. Lathrop; Ist. Sergeants, Richard Whit- moyer, E. E. Webb; Sergeant, John Houghton; Corporal, Chas. A. Rubright; Privates, John Stauffer, Benj. Pout, J. H. Walter.
COMPANY G.
Ist. Sergeant, Allen J. Elliott; Corporal, Wm. H. Abrams ; Private, Jos. S. Sellers.
COMPANY H.
Captain, L. D. C. Tyler ; Lieutenant, Wm. B. Rose; Sergeant, Fred Weideman; Musician, G. J. R. Miller; Privates, John C. Hallowell, John Stacey, Geo. Stratton, James Thompson, Thos. Thompson, Geo. Wilson, E. J. Flanagan.
COMPANY I.
Lieutenant, Samuel L. Hibbs; Corporals, Henry Neamand, Jos. R. C. Ward; Privates, D. G. Lindley, John McClain, Alfred Mudford.
COMPANY K.
Lieutenant, Wm. May; Corporals, Thos. M. Tebo, Geo. Red- fort; Privates, Jas. H. Eva, Austin S. Griswold, Leonard Morse, Chas. W. Tillotson, Jos. White.
417
DEDICATION OF MONUMENTS
RECAPITULATION
Field and Staff
Band
2
Company A
9
B
9
20
D
13
E
8
F
3
=
H
6
I
8
K
-
97
2
C
6
G
II
418
THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
ANTIETAM
The placing of monuments upon the battlefield of Gettysburg reminded the old veterans that other battlefields were just as im- portant to them, and would become just as interesting to future generations ; therefore, steps were taken to mark other battle- fields, and the old Philadelphia Brigade remembered too well Antietam's bloody field, where they did just as hard fighting as at Gettysburg, and where more noble lives of their comrades were given to win that battle, more of their members crippled for life and more bore upon their bodies the marks of wounds there received, and that that battlefield should have erected upon it a monument testifying to their bravery and the great loss they sus- tained, and steps were taken to raise the necessary funds. Every member of the Brigade was called upon to contribute his mite, lectures and entertainments were given and in two years nearly $10,000 was raised, then the State was appealed to and the Legis- lature appropriated $5,000. With these amounts the finest monu- ment erected on any battlefield in this country by the survivors of those who fought, was completed and erected upon Antietam's field, and was dedicated with appropriate services on September 17, 1896, the thirty-fourth anniversary of the great battle.
A preliminary meeting of the survivors and their friends was held in Washington the day before-that is on September 16-as a reunion of the Blue and the Gray, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and a Camp Fire in the evening, at which General D. H. Hastings, Governor of Pennsylvania; ex-Governor General. James A. Beaver; Mayor Charles F. Warwick, of Philadelphia ;ยท General Jas. W. Latta represented and spoke for the North and General Wm. A. Hemphill, of Georgia and Colonel Wm. R. Aylett, of Vir- ginia, for the South. Miss Louise N. Orndorff, of Baltimore, sang the song, " The New Rosette," and Miss Virginia F. Boyle, of Tennessee, recited a poem written for the occasion. The Asso-
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DEDICATION OF MONUMENTS
ciation was welcomed to Washington by Colonel Geo. Truesdell, and Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, spoke on " A Reunited People ;" so that two very interesting, enthusiastic meetings were held, which did much to assist to verify that the reunion of the Blue and the Gray was a fact.
The following are the officers of the Association and the mem- bers of the Committee on Monuments :
PHILADELPHIA BRIGADE ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
JOHN W. FRAZIER, Commander.
EDWARD THOMPSON, JOSEPH R. C. WARD,
Vice-Commander. Quartermaster.
CHARLES W. DEVITT, Adjutant.
ANTIETAM MONUMENT COMMITTEE
FRED. MIDDLETON, 72d, Chairman.
JACOB WILDEMORE 72d
JOHN W. FRAZIER 7Ist
EDWARD THOMPSON 69th
JNO. F. MCNAMARA 69th
JOHN E. REILLY 69th
Jos. R. C. WARD 106th
ROB'T MCBRIDE 72d
RICHARD N. SOMERS 7Ist
ELIJAH CUNDEY 7Ist
JAMES BAIN 7Ist
SYLVESTER BYRNE 72d
PAUL A. LEVIS 72d
ROB'T E. BRETT
72d
CHAS. C. WARTMAN 72d
THOS. FUREY 69th
ALONZO A. SCHANK 106th
BENTON O. SEVERN 72d
H. B. NEWMAN 7Ist
JOSEPH L. WILSON 7Ist
WILLIAM G. MASON 7Ist
HARRY L. FRANKS 7Ist
JOSEPH E. GARRETT 69th
JOSEPH McCARROLL 72d
JOHN REED 72d
FRANCIS X. KEFFER 7Ist
HENRY NEAMAND 106th
JOHN BOWERS 72d
A. P. MECARNAHEY 72d
SAMUEL W. ARBUCKLE
106th
Arriving at Antietam early on the morning of September 17, the veterans scattered all over that famous field, single and in groups, going over the old grounds and calling to mind and tell- ing of personal incidents brought fresh to mind, as they tramped over that field or sat in the shade near where they received their wound or where their comrade fell at their side, and towards noon all began to assemble at the monument.
The Association had purchased eleven acres of ground in the
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
centre of that famous battlefield, over which they and their com- rades charged and fought on that fateful morning, in the centre of which was erected that magnificent monument of solid granite, reaching up over seventy feet, that would stand for centuries to tell all of the noble work done by that brigade and the fearful loss they sustained. The following is a description of the monument:
The total height of the monument is 70 feet and 6 inches. The first base is 14 feet square and weighs 32 tons; second base, II feet and 6 inches square and weighs 23 tons; third base, 9 feet and 6 inches square and weighs 16 tons; fourth base, 9 feet and 2 inches square and weighs 19 tons; die course, 6 feet square and weighs 18 tons; plinth, 5 feet and 8 inches square and weighs 5 tons; cap, 8 feet and 2 inches and weighs 18 tons; second plinth weighs 5 tons; section of lower shaft, 27 feet long, 4 feet and 2 inches square at bottom and weighs 311/2 tons; upper shaft, 19 feet and 6 inches high and weighs 13 tons; weighing in all 180 tons; entire cost of the structure, $15,000. The inscriptions on the monument which are inscribed on the parts highly polished, are as follows :
On each of the four sides of the third base in large, deep cut letters is the following: "Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac."
On the die course-north side: "The Philadelphia Brigade was mus- tered into the U. S. Service in 1861 under the first call for 300,000 three- year volunteers. Total enrollment, 1861-1865, 5320 men." South side: " The Philadelphia Brigade took part in the operations, battles and skirm- ishes of the Army of the Potomac from Ball's Bluff to Appomatox during term of service, 1861-1865. Total loss, 3409 men." East side: "The Philadelphia Brigade fought here Sept. 17th, 1862. Loss 545 men." West side: "The Philadelphia Brigade Organization, Sixty-ninth, Seventy- first, Seventy-second and One Hundred and Sixth Regiments, Pennsyl- vania Infantry." See cut on opposite page.
The Brigade Association was accompanied by many friends and relations of the survivors and by some who lost their rela- tives in that battle, also veterans from the South, so that Penn- sylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia were represented, including General D. H. Hastings, Governor of Pennsylvania, and Hon. Lloyd Lowndes, Governor of Maryland, and their respective staffs in full uniform.
Owing to the necessity of Governor Hastings getting away early, as he was to speak in Ohio, the services were held earlier than intended and began about 12.30 P.M.
The large audience surrounded the monument and was called
PHILADELPHIA BRIGADE MONUMENT.
On Antietam's Field. West of the Hagerstown Road, North of the Dunker Church.
On plot of ground of eleven acres purchased by the Philadelphia Brigade Association.
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DEDICATION OF MONUMENTS
to order by Comrade John W. Frazier, Commander of the Asso- ciation, with an appropriate address.
Rev. John W. Sayers, Chaplain, Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic, opened with prayer.
Governor Lloyd Lowndes, of Maryland, extended an official and cordial welcome to Governor Hastings, the veteran and their families and friends.
Governor Hastings responded.
Captain John E. Reilly, of the 69th Regiment, the orator selected, was then introduced and gave a fine address on the his- tory of the Brigade, its service and especially the noble work it did upon that historic field.
Rev. Jacob I. Peterson, of the 72d Regiment, presented the monument to the Association.
Colonel Jos. R. C. Ward, of the 106th Regiment, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, received the monument on behalf of the Brigade Association and turned it over to Governor Dan'1 H. Hastings, of Pennsylvania, who received it on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania and turned it over to Governor Lloyd Lowndes, who received it on behalf of the State of Maryland and turned it over to -, who received it on behalf of Battlefield Memorial Association of the United States as the representative of the War Department.
Colonel Ward, in receiving the monument, spoke as follows:
ADDRESS OF COLONEL JOS. R. C. WARD (Late Corporal Company I, 106th Regiment, P. V.)
In accepting on behalf of the Philadelphia Brigade the Brigade Monument on the Battlefield of Antietam, September 17, 1896
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades and Friends :
I am somewhat embarrassed at the position in which I am placed to-day, to stand here as your representative to receive this handsome monument, a duty that was assigned to another, who at the last moment was unable to attend and, on the train here, I was called upon to take his place and speak for you, and in your name accept this monument as chairman of your Board of Trustees, in whose care it is to be left.
I am certainly glad to perform this most pleasant duty, as this
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH REGIMENT
is one of the times, or one of the occasions, when if a man can speak he ought to do so, and standing upon this historic ground, with so many memories crowding upon us, there ought to be no lack of inspiration, if he can only command the words to give expression to the thoughts that that inspiration encourages, but with me, I feel I have not the words to satisfactorily give expres- sion to the thoughts that come crowding upon me; hence I say I am embarrassed.
I suppose I have been called upon because I am a representa- tive of the 106th Regiment, the only Regiment of the Brigade that has not been assigned some part in the dedicating services of to-day, and also because of having been appointed by the Presi- dent of our Brigade Association, as chairman of your Board of Trustees, and therefore the proper person to receive at your hands, Sir, this imposing monument.
I am especially pleased, Comrade Peterson, to receive it at your hands, bearing, as you do the marks on your body of two wounds received on this battlefield, while you were so faithfully and heroically doing your duty as a member of our Brigade. It must indeed, Sir, be a great satisfaction to you, who like so many of us have taken such an active part in all the efforts taken to make the services of this day a certainty, as well as a great success, to see them so gloriously consumated. And I am glad I have been so honored as to be selected to represent and speak for such an organization as the "Philadelphia Brigade" and in their behalf receive this beautiful monument.
And you, my Comrades, must certainly feel most grateful and proud to stand once more upon this historic ground, where thirty- four years ago you took such a prominent part in that great and bloody battle, grateful to our Heavenly Father, that He has spared your lives and cared for you during all those long years since we stood upon this field at that time, and proud of the valuable services rendered and the heroic sacrifices made upon this battlefield by the Brigade to which you belonged.
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