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MEMORIAL 
 
 FREDERICK LYMAN TREMAIN, 
 
 mtt a^icttt. (^ol of the 10th m, % (tnv^nXxx^. 
 
 WHO WAS 
 
 MORTALLY WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF HATCHER'S RUN, VA., 
 
 FEBRUARY 6th, 
 
 DIED AT CITY POINT HOSPITAL, 
 
 FEBRUARY 8th, 1865. 
 
 BY HIS FATHER. 
 
 ALBANY: 
 
 VAN BENTHUYSEN's STEAM PRINTING HODSE. 
 1865. 
 
 C^rW^ 
 
Si -/ ^ /; 
 
 
MEMOIE. 
 
 By the death of Frederick L. Tremain, my first born 
 child has been removed from my family, in the morning of 
 his life, and his name added to the honored roll of patriot 
 martyrs who have fallen in the present struggle for national 
 
 existence. 
 
 Having resolved to write an unpretending sketch of his 
 life and character, the occasion seems appropriate to 
 explain the reasons which have impelled me to perform 
 this work of affection and duty. 
 
 When one so brave and patriotic, so good and generous, 
 and, I may add, so talented and distinguished as the subject 
 of this memoir, gives his young life to his country, the 
 promptings of justice and patriotism alone, would require 
 that some record of his example and his services should 
 be preserved. 
 
 The voluntary testimonials to his virtues, and to the 
 estimation in which he was held by his brother officers in 
 the army, and by others, who knew him intimately, have 
 been so numerous and emphatic, and the expressions of 
 public sympathy and sorrow so extraordinary and general, 
 as to justify a more enduring memorial than can be 
 supplied by written letters, or the newspapers of the day. 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 Nor, as I believe, can this labor of love devolve on any 
 one more litly than on me. No earthly vanit}*, no vain 
 desire to obtain earthly fame for my gallant boy, exerts 
 any influence upon my action. How vain and empty are 
 earthly fame and worldly honors to him whose remains 
 are deposited in the tomb ! How hollow and unsatisfactory 
 are these to one crushed and prostrate nnder a blow so 
 severe and Ijewildering as that I have received ! 
 
 Were it not for other duties and obligations, often would 
 I have been disposed to use the mourning lamentation of 
 David for his dead son. 
 
 " O my son Absalom ! my son, my son Absalom ! would 
 God I had died for thee, O Al)salom, my son, my son." 
 
 But Absalom lost his life while he was euo;ao;ed in a 
 treasonable conspiracy against the government and author- 
 ity of his Royal Father, while my son offered his, in 
 obedience to the call of his country, and in the performance 
 of the highest duty that could rest upon him as a dutiful, 
 loyal, ol)edient and faithful son and citizen. 
 
 While so nnich of my happiness, my hopes, and my 
 heart lie l)uried witli my brave boy, it ma}- afford me some 
 solace — it is the very least tribute I can offer to his 
 memory — to perform the melancholy office of doing justice 
 to his career. This little narrative is intended, mainly, for 
 those who Avere interested in the deceased. 
 
 It may serve to remind my descendants of the household 
 monument which can be seen in my family so long as that 
 family shall exist. 
 
 It may serve to teach them the wickedness and sin of 
 treason against a Ijeneffcent government ! It may tend to 
 strengthen their love for a country, the preservation of 
 which has demanded so costly a sacrifice ! It may stimulate 
 them to take a higher view^ of their dut}' to their country 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 and tlieir God ! The ))riirht example of this young patriot 
 may nerve their arm, and strenjrthen their heart, to offer 
 any and all necessary sacrifices, even the sacrifice of life 
 itself, higher than which can no man give, for the preser- 
 vation of our country, our Union, and our free institutions ! 
 
 FuEDEPvicK Lymax Tkemaix was the eldest child of 
 Lyman and Helen Cornwall Tremaiu, and was born at 
 Durham, Greene county, X. Y., on the 13th of June, 1843. 
 He died at City Point Hospital, Virginia, on the 8th of 
 February, 18()5, from a gunshot wound received in l)attle, 
 near Hatcher's Run, on the Gth of Fel^ruary, being 21 years, 
 7 months and 24 days old, at the time of his death. 
 
 Of his ancestry, all that I propose to state in this con- 
 nection is, that he descended, both on his father's and 
 mother's side, from revolutionary stock. His paternal 
 great-grandfather, Nathaniel Tremaiu, was a soldier of the 
 Revolutionary War, who died, highly esteemed and res- 
 pected, at Pittstield, Berkshire county, Mass. His maternal 
 great-grandfather, Captain Dan. Cornwall, was also a soldier 
 of the Revolution, and a worthy citizen, who died at 
 Cornwallsville, Greene county, N. Y. 
 
 In his boyish career, there is little to record, which is 
 worthy of special notice. While he was by no means 
 precocious, he was a remarkably l)right, intelligent and 
 active boy. His nature was so o-enial and jjenerous that he 
 was always a favorite, not only with his youthful comrades, 
 l)ut M'ith all who were In-ought in contact with him. 
 
 He had a remarkable facility in the acquisition of 
 knowledge, and, apparently without effort, mastered what- 
 ever lessons were required of him, in and out of school. 
 Ill all boyish sports and athletic exercises, he was an acknowl- 
 edged leader. He displayed then, and through his subse- 
 quent life, an unusual degree of mechanical ingenuity. 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 There was one trait in his character which was developed 
 at a very early period, and which became, afterwards, 
 prominent and extraordinary. This was his wonderful 
 courage, coolness and self-reliance. Many instances to 
 illustrate this characteristic might be related, commencing 
 as early as when he was three years old, but I refrain from 
 giving them a place here, fearful that their publication 
 might be ascribed to an overweening parental fondness. 
 Quick in forming his conclusions, prompt in action, fertile 
 in resources, obstacles and difficulties served only to 
 stimulate him in the execution of his purposes, and rare, 
 very rare, was the instance, so rare, indeed, that no case 
 can be now recalled, in which he failed to accomplish, 
 successfully, whatever he undertook. 
 
 His religious education was carefully attended to, and, 
 at an early age, he received the holy rite of l)aptism, in 
 the Protestant Episcopal Church, at Oak Hill, under the 
 ministration of the Rev. L. A. Barrows. The following 
 extract is from a letter received from this faithful minister 
 and good man, written at Norfolk, St. Lawrence comity, his 
 present residence. " We feel to deeply sympathise with 
 you under the dark cloud which this sudden and unexpected 
 bereavement has thrown over you. Since such is the 
 melancholy fact that a dear child, a brilliant youth, in the 
 defence of his country, has been called from your paternal 
 embrace, let faith lift the veil, and view in a world of bliss, 
 future scenes more glorious than could have been won here 
 on battle fields. Feederick is gone. I placed the form 
 of the cross upon his forehead, and, as in life, so in death, 
 let us believe that he triumphed over the spiritual enemy 
 and is now rejoicing in the kingdom of God." Here let 
 me add, that, after his death, there was found in his camp 
 tent, carefully preserved, a copy of the Holy Bible given 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 to him by his dear mother, with a mark placed at chapters 
 five and six of Matthew, which contain that suljlime and 
 comprehensive epitome of man's whole duty, Christ's 
 sermon on the mount. 
 
 In November, 1853, he removed, with his father's family, 
 from Durham to the city of Albany, where he continued 
 to reside until his death. Here several years were passed 
 in faithful and diligent study, preparatory to his college 
 education. The schools he attended, in the city, were the 
 Albany Boy's Academ}-^, and, afterwards, the Classical 
 Institute, in Eagle street, of which Professor Charles H. 
 Anthony was Principal. Under the instruction of this 
 excellent and faithful teacher he spent between two and 
 three years of his life. Between Mr. Anthony and his 
 young pupil, relations of friendship were contracted, which 
 continued in full force to the end. The photograph of this 
 teacher of his boyhood was found, after his death, among 
 the valued memorials in his army trunk. Since his death, 
 Mr. Anthony has written to the author the following tribute 
 to the memory of the lad who was his scholar at the age 
 of twelve and thirteen years. 
 
 Albany, Feb. 25, 1865. 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain, 
 
 Dear Sir: I heartily thank you for the gift of a photograph of your gallant 
 son Frederick, representing him in appropriate military attire, just as he 
 appeared previous to the sanguinary conflict in which he poured out his life's 
 hlood in defence of our sacred Union. This portrait has a special interest 
 to me now, because I can place it, side by side, with one presented by his 
 own hands while he was yet a pupil under my charge. Frederick entered 
 the Classical Institute September 13, 1855. and pursued his studies there 
 until April 30, 1858, when he left for the purpose of attending an institution 
 more remote from city excitements, and, consequently, more favorable for 
 the mental culture which, at that age, he so much needed. A comparison 
 of the two portraits naturally suggests the question, ' did he, at the age of 
 thirteen, give any promise of the sterling manhood which was so strikingly 
 exhibited in his subsequent life? ' He certainly did so, if integrity of purpose, 
 ingenuousness in avowing, and firmness in maintaining what he conceived to 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 be right, afford any indications of a principle of heroism yet to be developed. 
 In tlie Divine economy, men are created and endowed with faculties appro- 
 priate to the stations they are destined to fill. May wo not hope that he who 
 was so dear to us, and whose earthly record was so illnstrious, has stood in 
 the lot assigned him by the All-wise Disposer of events, and that he was 
 permitted to finish his portion of the great work in which our Nation is 
 engaged, ere the fiat went forth that so suddenly withdrew him from our 
 gaze? I mingle my sympathies with the grief of the bereaved parents, and 
 commend to them the consolations 'which tlie great Comforter alone can 
 
 afford. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 C. H. ANTHONY, 
 
 In the spring of 1858, Fredeeick entered the Classical 
 school for boys, under the charge of Mr. James Sedgwick, 
 at Great Barrington, Mass. In this beautiful New England 
 village, he remained pursuing his studies, and attracting 
 the affectionate regard of teachers and schoolmates, for one 
 year. This excellent and experienced teacher pays the 
 following feeling tribute to the merits of his pupil. 
 
 Great Barrington, 3d March, 1865. 
 Mr. Tremain, 
 
 My Dear Sir: Your brave boy, the late Lieutenant Colonel Tremain, 
 entered my school in the spring of 1858, and remained one year. I am 
 grateful for the privilege, though a sad one, to bear testimony to the great 
 excellence of character maintained by him while with us. The school 
 records, and my distinct recollection, speak of his diligence as a scholar, of 
 his generous impulses and of his unswerving integrity in all his intercourse 
 both as a pupil and companion. If any one trait of character was particu- 
 larly noticeable above others, where all vi^ere excellent, it was his unselfish 
 disposition and high sense of honor, which inclined him to assume the 
 responsibility of an act to save others from censure or harm. 
 
 I have, hanging up in my hall, his miniature, with those of Masters Pruyn 
 and Delavan, noble boys all, whose early deaths excited our earnest sympathy 
 in behalf of the bereaved. 
 
 Your son has given his life for his country, a martyr in a cause in whose 
 triumphant success the well being of the race is identified. Would that he 
 could have been spared to see the fruit of his efforts. But he has gone to 
 the bosom of his God, no doubt a better appointment for him, and left as a 
 legacy for weeping friends, the memory of a well spent life. May I hope, 
 my dear sir, you so regard it, and that to your dying hour, when you shall 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 anticipate a speedy reunion with the loved but not lost, you shall take nuieh 
 comfort I'roni the retloction, that your own blood, in the pjrson of your son, 
 has been shed for the redemption of suffering humanity. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 JAS. SEDGWICK. 
 
 Ill the spring of 1859, Frederick l)ecaine a pupil in the 
 celebrated school for l)oys, under the charge of the Reverend 
 Thomas C. Rsed, D. D., at Walnut Hill, Geneva. He 
 continued in Doctor Reed's school until the summer of 
 1860, Avhcn several of his school companions were examined 
 for admission into Ilobart College, Geneva, and Frederick, 
 who had formed very strong attachments with them, also 
 applied, and passed his examination, and having been 
 found qualitied, was admitted into the Freshman Class and 
 entered that college, at the commencement of the college 
 year, in September, 1860. 
 
 It happened that in January, 1865, a few weeks before 
 his death, during his last visit hom3, Frederick again met 
 his old friend and former instructor. Doctor R3ed, on an 
 occasion of unusual interest. This was at the silver 
 Avedding of Mr. Pomeroy, a gentleman of wealth and 
 prominence, at Pittsfield. Doctor Reed had performed the 
 marriage ceremony for this gentleman and his wife twenty- 
 hve years before, and, on the present occasion, he again 
 attended their nuptials, when he delivered an address and 
 read a poem. Frederick attended the wedding, which 
 was equal in splendor and hospitality to anything ever before 
 known in this country, and, on his return home, related the 
 incidents of his visit with great delight, and, as usual, on 
 social and festive occasions, he seemed to have entered into 
 the spirit of this one with all the earnestness and ardor of 
 his nature. He spoke also, with lively satisfaction, of his 
 meeting with his old friend and instructor, Doctor Reed, 
 for whom he had always entertained a high regard. 
 2 
 
10 MEMOIR. 
 
 Ill the following extracts from a letter received from 
 Doctor lieed, since Frederick's death, he thus touchingly 
 alludes to his old siudcnt, and to his meeting him at 
 Pittslield. 
 
 " The deatli of Frederick, especially under the circumstances of our 
 last and recent meeting, was overwhelming, and I feel as if I had lost my own 
 son. I have attempted several times to write to you. I was prevented 
 from attending the funeral only by the failure of the train. If it had been my 
 privilege to be with you, I wished to make an address in the church. I 
 made his death and character the subject of my evening lecture the Sunday 
 after, and as there were some boys here who were his cotemporaries, and 
 many who used to see his winning face and graceful bearing, there was 
 much sympathy and satisfactory feeling manifested. 
 
 There is but this, my dear sir, to be said — " The Lord Omnipotent 
 reigneth." It is only in the infinite power, wisdom, and love of God, that we 
 can find rational comfort under the pressure of such a calamity as this. I 
 I)rayearnestly that He will be with you in the richest consolations of his grace. 
 
 I have lost many of my dearest pupils in this war, but the death of none 
 has come home to me as Fredericks has. He had got into the position 
 precisely for which he was fitted, and in which he was sure to be successful 
 and distinguished. I was very strongly impressed v\ith this on our visit to 
 Pittsfield, during which I saw much of him. 
 
 On luy return from Pittsfield to Albany, I had in my care a lady, a neice 
 
 of , who was entremely pleased with his appearance and manners. 
 
 Since his death she has written to me e.xpressing deep sorrow and admiration 
 
 Our j»assage in the cars was very pleasant. There were the young 
 
 and other boys from Albany, and they, with Frederick, were having a 
 merry time. During the fun, I asked Frederick when he was going to join 
 his regiment? "Next Saturday," he replied. " Then," said I, "you wiU 
 need your sword, and I will take care of your cane for you." In a way that 
 delighted the young lady who was with me, he said, " AVill you have the 
 kindness to accept of it, sir?" It is needless for me to say that the cane 
 will be a cherished memorial. 
 
 I write hastily to commune with you on a loss which I feel very little less 
 than it is felt by yourself and Mrs. Tremain, and Frederick's brother and 
 sister." 
 
 The two years, or nearly two years, of his college life 
 
 were marked hy no unusual incidents. Many warm 
 
 friendships Avere formed, and his genial and unseltish 
 
 character, as well as his excellent natural abilities, were 
 
 duly appreciated. 
 
MEMOIR. 11 
 
 Xor w;is ho haekwtird in porformiiig his full .sharciii the 
 miscliiet-h)viiig .scrapes in Avhich, from time immemoriiil, 
 boys in college have l)een accustomed to take part. Ho 
 was proud of the secret society of which he became a 
 member, and contril)uted, to the extent of his ability, to 
 promote its power and influence. In 1)rief, durin^r the 
 three years and upwards that ho was pursuing his studies 
 in this most l)eautifnl village, surrounded by the delightful 
 scenery which nature has lavished there with such bountiful 
 profusion, he was constantly acquiring that education which 
 enabled him, in after life, to master with facility the duties 
 of the responsible and arduous positions which he was 
 called to hold. 
 
 By the firing upon Fort Sumter, his patriotism was 
 aroused, and he experienced an ardent desire to become 
 a volunteer in the army of the Union. About this time, 
 the people of Geneva were engaged in organizing an 
 engineer corps, under the command of Mr. Charles B. 
 Stuart, formerly State Engineer and Surveyor. Frederick 
 desired to enlist, and applied to his father for his permission, 
 l)ut, there being at that time, no difBculty in procuring 
 volunteers, and his college career having commenced only 
 the fall l^efore, the paternal consent was then withheld, 
 not finally, Init for the present. 
 
 In December, 1861, the annual sophomore exercises in 
 public speaking took place, and Frederick was selected as 
 one of the thirteen speakers of his class to participate in 
 them. In a letter inviting his parents to attend he writes, 
 "I think you will not hear any bad speaking, but, on the 
 contrary, will hear nnich good speaking on the occasion." 
 The exhibition took place at Linden Hall, in the presence 
 of a large and intelligent audience, and he acquitted 
 himself quite creditably. In the Geneva Gazette, his 
 
12 MEMOIR. 
 
 performance was specially mentioned in complimentary 
 and flattering terms. 
 
 Frederick had always expressed the highest respect and 
 esteem for the Reverend Abner Jackson, President of the 
 college, and I take the liberty of making the following 
 extract from a letter written by Doctor Jackson to the 
 author, since his death. 
 
 *' I cannot refrain from assuring you and Mrs. Tremain of my sincere and 
 deep sympathy in this great and sudden affliction. The news of Frederick's 
 decease touched very many hearts in the college here, and in the village, 
 where he was so well known. From the moment he entered the army, I 
 anticipated for him a brilliant career. He had a manly and noble presence, 
 a quick apprehension, sound judgment, promptness of action, and those 
 qualities of heart and character which would endear him to both officers and 
 men. I was glad to hear of his merited promotion, and I felt shocked and 
 grieved when I heard of his early death Our consolation must be that he 
 gave his life for his country, and that he fell fighting in a noble cause. 
 
 God alone can sustain and comfort in such an hour. I pray that he may 
 pour the balm of his heavenly consolation into your wounded hearts." 
 
 During the summer of 1862, after the President's call 
 for more men appeared, Feedeeick, who had never for a 
 moment relinquished his desire to enter the army, again 
 urged his father to yield his consent. The author was thus 
 l)rought face to face with the stern reality of war, and he 
 was called upon to determine the question whether the 
 application of this loved son should be granted or denied. 
 He had, from the commencement of the great conflict, 
 labored, to the extent of his ability, to convince his 
 countrymen, that it was their duty to sustain the govern- 
 ment and overthrow the rebellion. He had exerted what- 
 ever influence he possessed, by public addresses, and in 
 various other modes, to induce men to take the field against 
 the enemies of the country. The conviction that it was 
 the solemn duty of every American citizen to sustain the 
 authority and preserve the life of the nation at any and all 
 sacrifices, was as full and complete as the human mind was 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 13 
 
 capable of entertaining. This conviction formed a part of 
 his very ho'mg, and he believed that, in this great crisis of 
 the nation's peril, his duty to his beloved country was 
 second only to his duty to his God. 
 
 Adherence to this conviction had already caused the 
 sundering of ties and associations cherished through life, 
 and thereby produced an amount of mental suffering 
 capable of being endured only by the consciousness of 
 duty performed. More than one year's terrible experience 
 in the sanguinary struggle, had revealed the dangerous 
 character of the conspiracy formed to overthrow the Union 
 and our Republican institutions, and to strengthen the 
 belief, that without universal self-denial and united action, 
 among the friends of the Republic, all would be lost, and 
 once gone, could never be regained. 
 
 Should he now refuse to make the sacrifice required, by 
 permitting that son to aid in the defence of his imperiled 
 country, a sacrifice which he had been asking others to 
 make? Should he withhold from the service of that 
 country one who possessed the ability and the desire to 
 make himself useful in the contest ? Should he be subjected 
 to the reproach of having urged others to send their sons, 
 brothers and relatives to the Avar, and yet shrink from the 
 application of the stern test of sincerity and patriotism in 
 the case of his own son ? 
 
 Should he compel that son to feel and, perhaps, to admit 
 in future times, that he was withheld from going forth to 
 fight against his country's enemies by his own father, and 
 that father one who had professed to be in favor of 
 prosecuting the war with all the power and resources of 
 the nation ? 
 
 After careful deliberation, aided by the best lights 
 which his imperfect human reason afforded, he resolved 
 
14 MEMOIR. 
 
 that his consent shonki no longer be withheld, and it Avas 
 granted. 
 
 And now, with the bright hopes and brilliant promises 
 that clustered around that gallant youth forever extin- 
 guished — now, with soul and spirit crushed l)y the traitorous 
 bullet which took his young life — now, with the prop on 
 which I had fondly hoped to lean, in my declining years, 
 shivered to atoms, the question comes home to me : Did I 
 right in yielding that consent? and down, doAvn from the 
 inmost recesses of my soul, the still small voice of conscience 
 whispers an affirmative response. 
 
 The consent of his mother followed, and Frederick 
 innnediately began his arrangements for the new tield of 
 duty, with great earnestness and energy. He had already 
 l)ecome a meml)er of company A, of the Zouave Cadets, a 
 uniformed company in the 10th Regiment of Militia, and 
 had been engaged in acquiring the drill and the necessary 
 military science. This company has l)ecome highly dis- 
 tinguished during the war. It can point, on its muster 
 rolls, to many names among the noblest, most gifted and 
 patriotic of the young men of Albany. It has already 
 sent more than ninety of its meml^ers to the held, each one 
 of whom has earned and ol)tained a commission, many of 
 high rank, and all of respectable position. 
 
 Having obtained from Hobart College, an honorable 
 dismissal, his attention was immediately devoted to the new 
 regiment of infantry, known as the 113th regiment of 
 New York volunteers, which was then in the process of 
 being organized in the city of AU^any. 
 
 For the purpose of organizing this regiment. His Excel- 
 lency, Governor Morgan, had designated a war committee, 
 embracing some of the most patriotic and influential citizens 
 of Albany, and the committee held daily sessions at the 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 15 
 
 Mayor's room in the City II:ill. It was resolved to inukc 
 this regiment one of the best that had been sent forth from 
 the State. The Governor had entrusted to the connnittee 
 the duty of recommending suitable persons to ol)tain 
 authorization papers, to recruit volunteers Avith reference 
 to having commissions, as lieutenants and captains, issued to 
 those who were able to recruit the requisite number of men. 
 Fredp:rick promptly applied to the couuuittee, and was 
 the tirst person who received from the Adjutant General, 
 on the recommendation of the committee, authority to 
 obtain recruits for the new^ regiment. He erected his tent 
 in front of Capitol Park, in State street, issued his posters, 
 associated with him young Orr and young McEwen, (the 
 former of whom has since lost his life, in the army, and 
 the latter is now Judge Advocate of the first division, 
 second army corps, having been for some time a prisoner 
 at Lib])y Prison, liichmond,) and proceeded, with vigor 
 and energy, to obtain volunteers. Indeed, the real man- 
 hood of his character was disjilayed from the moment he 
 felt the responsibilities of his position, and continued to 
 manifest itself, more and more clearly, in every subsequent 
 stage of his career. 
 
 The late Adjutant General, John T. Sprague, then a 
 Major in the United States army, was on duty for the 
 Government, at Albany, as an auditing and disbursing 
 officer. The Avar committee unanimousl\' designated him 
 as the Colonel of the new regiment. :md he accepted the 
 position. The Government at Washington, hoAvever, soon 
 after this, declined to relieve him from dut}' in the regular 
 army, and, hence, he was only enabled to act as Colonel 
 for a very fcAV days. During that time, hoAvever, discover- 
 ing the necessity of an Adjutant for the regiment, and 
 being acquainted with Frederick, Colonel Sprague kindly 
 
16 MEMOIR. 
 
 tendered him the position of Adjutant. It was accepted, 
 and his selection approved by Governor Morgan. 
 
 In the time that intervened prior to the period when the 
 regiment left Albany, which was about thirty days, the 
 whole duty of organizing it, and getting it into proper 
 working order, devolved upon the new Adjutant. The 
 Colonel (Morris) did not arrive until a very short time 
 before the regiment moved. No other tield officer was 
 selected until a day or two prior to that time, and the only 
 other officer, besides the Adjutant, was Doctor Pomfret, 
 Surgeon, whose duties were confined to the surgical and 
 medical department. 
 
 To the faithful discharge of these duties, Frederick 
 devoted himself, days and nights, dividing his time between 
 the headquarters in Broadway, and the barracks. How 
 readily he mastered those duties, and how well he performed 
 them, may l)e inferred from the letter of Doctor Pomfret, 
 the present Surgeon General of the State of New York, 
 published with this memorial, and from the frequent com- 
 pliments bestowed upon him by the committee, who Avere 
 superintending his movements, and who were surprised and 
 gratified by the qualities he exhibited. If any apprehensions 
 had been entertained, by reason of the Adjutant's youth, it is 
 believed they were entirely and speedily dispelled. 
 
 Lewis O. Morris, the Colonel who was selected to 
 command the new regiment, was a valuable and accom- 
 plished officer. His father, Captain Morris, lost his life in 
 the Mexican war. LeAvis had acquired much distinction, 
 by his capture of Fort Macon, while in command of the 
 artillery. He had been fifteen years in the army, and bore 
 an enviable reputation as an artillery officer. 
 
 About the 19th of August, 1862, the 113th regiment, 
 Avith 1,060 bayonets, left the city of Albany, under orders 
 
MEMOIR. 17 
 
 to report at Wushington. It was one of the first regiments 
 placed in the field, under the President's call, and received 
 a beautiful stand of colors, as well as the Springfield 
 muskets, which had been promised to each of the first four 
 regiments. A finer regiment, or one carrying with it so 
 many good wishes and so much interest, on the part of 
 Albanians, never left our city. 
 
 Of that noble bod}' of men how few, alas, now sui'\'ive ! 
 The brave jMorris fell, gallantly fighting at the head of his 
 regiment, at Spottsylvania Court House, in the summer of 
 1864. Between him and Frederick there soon sprung up, 
 and always existed, mutual esteem and regard. When 
 Frederick made his last visit home, he and Doctor Pomfret 
 were the only survivors of the field officers of that gallant 
 regiment, and now Doctor Pomfret alone remains ! Fred- 
 erick had, at home, a photograph of Colonel Morris, and 
 soon after his return home called for the picture, and on 
 seeino; it he evinced much feeling and addressed it as if it 
 were the Colonel himself. 
 
 When the regiment reached Washington, the ofiicer in 
 charge of its defences, knowing the skill of Colonel Morris 
 as an artillery oificer, procured the assignment of the regi- 
 ment to duty upon the defences of the cit}', where it was, not 
 long afterwards, converted into the 7th New York artillery. 
 
 The ensuing fifteen months were jiassed by Frederick, 
 with his regiment, near Fort Reno, about five miles from 
 Washington. lie applied himself, diligenth', to the acqui- 
 sition of the knowledge required in the artillery service. 
 Part of the time, he was engaged in teaching a school of 
 ofiicers in militaiy tactics. He devoted himself faithfully 
 to the performance of his official duties. Twice I had the 
 pleasure of visiting him there, and could not fail to discover 
 that he was a universal favorite with the ofiicers and men. 
 
18 MEMOIR. 
 
 He ])ecame thoroughly ftimiliar with his new profession. 
 A1)ont the time of leaving the regiment, he happened one 
 day to l)e engaged with a l)rother officer, in discussing 
 the subject of l)eing examined as to qualitications before a 
 military board in session at Washington, when FREDERicit 
 volunteered to be examined. His duties called him fre- 
 quently to Washington, and soon afterwards he presented 
 himself l>efore the board, and was sul)jected to a thorough 
 examination, the result of which was that he passed the 
 examination successfully, and was tendered, in a few days, 
 a Lieutenant Colonel's commission in a colored regiment, 
 but, meantime, he had received another appointment which 
 he preferred. 
 
 At one time he had a severe attack of typhoid fever, 
 produced hy the miasma of the Potomac, to which he was 
 exposed, in the discharge of his official duties, and under 
 the advice of his surgeon, he obtained a short leave of 
 absence and visited his home, l)ut soon returned to his 
 duties with renewed zeal and enerirv. In writins; to me 
 that he had deemed it best for his health to make a short 
 visit home, his surgeon says : 
 
 " The Adjutant was quite unwilling to listen to the suggestion, hut deem- 
 ing it best, I insisted, imperatively, and shall apply for a furlough to-morrow. 
 
 "Regretting the necessity which separates him, even temporarily, from 
 tho staff, on his own account, I should do myself injustice, as well as 
 injustice to my brother officers, if I omitted to state that we shall wait 
 anxiously to hear of his convalesence, and to welcome him again to the 
 regiment." 
 
 On the most elevated ground in the District of Columbia, 
 about six miles from the Capitol, stands Fort Reno, formerly 
 called Fort Pennsylvania. Within a short distance from 
 the fort, and upon a level plain, may yet be seen the little 
 village of log cabins, laid out into streets, which was built 
 for the accommodation of the 7th New York artillery. Upon 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 19 
 
 one side, near by, stand the hospital and the office for the 
 surffcon, as well as the house erected for the use of Doctor 
 Pomfret, and occupied by that skilful and n()l)le hearted 
 surgeon, with his family, during the fifteen months that 
 the regiment remjiined upon the defences of Washington. 
 
 On the other side arc a few otficcrs' cabins or huts, and 
 one of these, more tasteful than its neighbors, with a little 
 piazza at each end, was the "Adjutant's quarters," con- 
 structed for, and under the superintendence of, the subject 
 of this sketch. He thus describes the locality in a letter 
 to his sister. 
 
 "You would laugh, I imagine, if you saw my little cottage. It is made 
 of logs split in half with the bark outside, and the chinks plastered up with 
 mortar. It has two rooms in it, and you could put the whole building 
 inside of my old room at homo. The men of the regiment have little log 
 houses, about one lialf the size of mine, and four men live in a house. There 
 are regular streets running the same way, and the officers' houses are at the 
 end of the street, overlooking it. Our chairs are all home-made, but» are 
 very comfortable. * * * I have a little terrier dog that one of the 
 men gave me. lie is about the same size that Dash was. I would like to 
 send him to Lyman, Jr., if I could, he is so good natured." 
 
 Frederick was a universal favorite among the common 
 soldiers. He always treated them Avith kindness and 
 justice. Quick to discover real merit in a private, and 
 mingling much with the men, his opinions concerning 
 promotions had great influence with Colonel Morris, and 
 many a deserving soldier has been indebted for his promo- 
 tion from the ranks, to the aid and recommendation of the 
 Adjutant. 
 
 He began, after more than a year had elapsed, and still 
 no orders to move came, to desire more active service. The 
 conversion of his regiment into an artillery regiment, thus 
 placing it in a higher branch of service, had been gratifying 
 to him, l)ut he had not anticipated so long a continuance of 
 garrison duty, and, having reason to believe that the 
 
20 MEMOIR. 
 
 regiment might remain doing that duty for a long time, 
 and perhaps until the end of the war, his active spirit 
 began to chafe under the monoton}^ of his present life. 
 Animated by an honoral^le aml)ition, he could not enjoy a 
 life of inglorious ease. 
 
 He wrote several letters to the author, expressing the&e 
 feelings, and desiring his aid in obtaining a position where 
 he might have an opportunity to acquire distinction, and 
 strike a l)low at the enemies of his country. 
 
 In October, 1863, he wrote a letter from which I make the 
 following extracts, to show the state of his mind at that time. 
 
 " I am, of course, more or less ambitious. I have enlisted to serve my 
 country, and I want, while I am serving her, to make some small modicum 
 of fame for myself. The life that I lead here is far from satisfactory to 
 myself, althougli extremely pleasant. 
 
 '■ I feel myself competent, or rather I feel in myself the ability to make 
 myself competent, for almost any military position. I should, at any rate, 
 like to be tried in some place where opportunities for distinction can be had. 
 Our regiment is in garrison. Barracks have just been finished for them, 
 and there is every indication that this is to be a permanent garrison. General 
 H. has been relieved, and now our chance even for going to Texas is very 
 small. I desire a place where lean see some service, or, at least, where my 
 mind can be actively employed. 
 
 '' I am almost tempted, if I cannot go up in the service, to resign and come 
 home, to apply myself to other studies than military, although for an officer 
 to resign (unless on account of physical disability) places him in an unenvia- 
 ble position. 
 
 " The officers here are a jolly good set of fellows, but most of them are 
 quite contented to stay and lead an easy, jovial, convivial life. 
 
 " I would be perfectly satisfied to stay in this regiment, as Adjutant, if 
 we were to move, and all were put to the test, but I am honestly dissatisfied 
 with the way in which I am spending the best part of my life, 
 
 " I have now told you what has been troubling me for some time, and I 
 feel easier for it, for you are the only one to whom I can confide these feelings. 
 If the officers here were to hear me say that I was pot satisfied, they would 
 say I was foolish, that I had the most pleasant place in the regiment, new and 
 handsome quarters, almost unlimited personal libertj', more so than any of 
 them, and very little to do, but I feel something beyond that. Please write me 
 and tell me what you think of my aspirations and where I am wrong in them." 
 
Influenced by these appeals, the author applied for, and 
 in November, obtained, for Frederick, a Presidential 
 appointment as Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank 
 of Captain ; an appointment which was subsequently con- 
 firmed l)y the Senate. I was present when this appointment 
 was handed to him ])y that devoted patriot and able cabinet 
 officer, Edwin M. Stanton. He observed as he gave it, "I 
 trust I shall hereafter have the pleasure of conferring on 
 you higher honors ; " to which Frederick modestly replied, 
 "I hope my future conduct will give you no reason to 
 reo-ret the confidence reposed in me." 
 
 Frederick had learned of the reputation already acquired 
 by that brave and rising young General, Henry E. Dayies, 
 Jr., of the cavalry service, and he asked for and obtained 
 an order to report to him for duty. His departure from 
 the old 7th Regiment was the occasion for much regrets, 
 with officers and men, and with himself. The officers 
 assembled to l)id him an affectionate farewell, and the 
 regimental band serenaded him on the eve of his departure. 
 This noble regiment took the field the following spring 
 with more than 1760 bayonets, and of these brave men, 
 how few, either officers or men, are now surviving ! 
 
 On the 12th of November, soon after his departure. 
 Colonel Morris issued an order appointing his successor, 
 which was duly made public, and contained the following 
 handsome allusion to the late Adjutant. 
 
 " The Colonel commanding while he rejoices at the promotion of Captain 
 Tremain, regrets that it will send him to a new field of duty and sever his 
 connection with this regiment. 
 
 " He will bear with him the best wishes of the officers of the regiment for 
 bis future welfare and success." 
 
 Pursuant to orders, Frederick reported for duty to 
 General Davies, then commanding the first brigade in the 
 third division of the cavalry corps. The new field of duty 
 
22 MEMOIR. 
 
 thus opened to him, was specially suited to his taste and 
 feelings. It was the cavalry service, and the excitement, 
 life and dash of that arm of the service were peculiarly 
 adapted to his ardent and enthusiastic nature. He Ijecame 
 devotedly fond of the cavalry service ; the remainder of 
 his life was spent in it, and he became more and more 
 interested in and attached to it. An accomplished and 
 veteran officer who knew Frederick well, and who had 
 been for nearly a year in the same division with him, 
 remarked to the author recently, " Frederick Avas our Ijcau 
 ideal of a cavalry officer. Brave, generous and chivalrous 
 he attracted our admiration. We were all proud of him. 
 He had no enemy in the corps, and he achieved a reputation 
 for gallantry equal to that of any officer in the army." 
 
 When he first joined his ncAV brigade, he found it under 
 marching orders, and skirmishing between it and the enemy 
 occurred within a day or two afterwards, near Raccoon 
 Ford. His thanksgiving dinner Avas made up of hard tack 
 eaten Avhile the enemy's shells were l)ursting around him. 
 
 Being ever anxious to pass the holidays at home, Fred- 
 erick, this year, as he had done the year preceding, while 
 stationed at Washington, obtained a short leave of absence, 
 and spent Christmas and Ncav Years in Albany, His l)rief 
 visit, only too short, was the occasion of the most delightful 
 happiness to himself and every member of his father's 
 family. 
 
 Soon after his return, and about the 20th of January, he 
 Avas ordered by (jJeneral Pleasauton, then commanding the 
 cavalry corps, to leave the brigade with which he Avas 
 connected, which had another Assistant Adjutant General, 
 and report for duty to the first l^rigade and second division, 
 Avhich had recently lost its Assistant Adjutant General. 
 He assumed his new position about the middle of January. 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 This l)rigade was one of the largest and finest in the army, 
 and was then nnder the command of Colonel Taylor. It 
 was stationed at Warrenton, a pleasant village in Virginia. 
 In April following, General Davies was placed in command 
 of this brigade. Frederick remained with this brigade 
 nntil his death. In a letter written January 27th, he writes 
 of being pleasantly located, in a fine office, in the centre 
 of the village, which was formerly occupied by a Virginia 
 lawyer and judge, and adds, 
 
 "We surround this town with our picket lines, and they are attacked 
 nearly every night by guerillas, which kind of vermin abound in this region. ' 
 
 He writes from time to time, during the winter and in 
 March, al^out the gay times in the army, several balls 
 having been given, besides racing, sack racing, hurdle 
 racincr, a o-rand St. Patrick's day celebration by the Irish 
 brio-ade, and he speaks in the highest terms of the officers 
 with whom he was associated. The latter part of ^larch 
 the division received orders to l)e in readiness for a move, 
 at a moments notice, and he writes, March 21st : 
 
 '•' On Saturday we had a rumor that Stuart had crossed the Rapidan river 
 and was about to make a raid upon the railroad near here. Scouting parlies 
 were immediately sent out in pursuit of him, and we only ceased sending 
 them, to-day. I think he found it would not be practicable to go very far 
 through this country just now." 
 
 In the month of April commenced those grand move- 
 ments of the cavalry which have become already historic. 
 From that time, down to his death, the active military career 
 of Frederick may be said to have been accomplished. 
 He was an actor in those mighty military movements on 
 which depended the fiite of the Nation. He Avas a soldier 
 of the Repul)lic, in the great army whose tread shook the 
 continent of America, and whose heroic deeds have excited 
 the wonder and admiration of the world. 
 
24 MEMOIR. 
 
 To the pen of history belongs the noble task of recording 
 the military operations in which he had the honor to 
 participate during the ever niemoral)le campaign of 1864. 
 And yet, when we consider the bloody and obstinate 
 nature of the battles that were fought — the glorious and 
 unconquerable resolution which was displayed in con- 
 ducting the movements of the Union armies — the immense 
 loss of human life — the masterly combinations of those 
 armies — the vast extent of country which constituted the 
 field of their display — the numl^er of those brilliant raids 
 performed by the cavalry alone, through the heart of an 
 enemy's country, each one constituting an interesting 
 history of itself — the toil, the sacrifices, the fatigue, suffer- 
 ings and perils to which the heroic soldiers in those armies 
 were continually subjected, and to which, with unflinching 
 fortitude and cheerfulness, they submitted — when we con- 
 sider, too, the innumeral)le deeds of personal l)ravery, 
 performed both by officers and men — the holy and patriotic 
 purposes by which the great body of those armies was 
 prompted — the unselfish willingness they manifested to 
 sacrifice their lives for the preservation of the honor, the 
 integrity, and the unity of their country — and, finally, the 
 glorious and successful results of all these operations, we 
 may well doubt whether history will ever contain more 
 than an outline skeleton of them all. 
 
 My allusions to these movements must, necessarily, be 
 brief and imperfect. A few weeks before his death, 
 Frederick, at my request, declared his resolution to 
 prepare, at his first leisure moments, a record of the 
 battles in which he had been engaged, but alas ! that leisure 
 never came ! 
 
 His reports, as Assistant Adjutant General, giving a 
 history of these movements, are not yet accessible to the 
 
public, and I have derived no information from them. He 
 participated in no less than twent3^-tive battles and skir- 
 mishes during a period of ten months. My knowledge of 
 these is derived from his own letters, dashed otl* in the 
 midst of exciting scenes, from his conversations, and from 
 information cheerfully furnished by cultivated and intelli- 
 o-cnt army officers, who were associated with him, at 
 dift'erent periods of time during the campaign. 
 
 On the 22d of April, the Second Cavalry Division, which 
 included the Second Brigade, to which Frederick was 
 attached, moved from Warrenton to a place near the 
 Junction, the whole division being under the command of 
 JSIajor General David M. Gregg. Here it remained until 
 the 29th, when it advanced to Paoli Mills, and on the 2d 
 of May moved over to Richardsville.' 
 
 On the 4th of May the cavalry crossed the Rapidan, in 
 advance of the infantry, and the whole army of the 
 Potomac crossed soon after in pursuance of General 
 Grant's orders. This was the beginning of the general 
 movement of the army, the intelligence of which sent a 
 thrill of excitement throughout the country. 
 
 The famous battles of the Wilderness soon followed. 
 These commenced on the 5th, and continued for seven 
 days. They were fought without artillery, under great 
 disadvantages, in the woods, with varied fortunes ; and 
 during their continuance were displayed those wonderful 
 qualities of courage and dogged resolution for which 
 General Grant has become so distinguished, and also the 
 bravery and heroism which have covered with glory, the 
 Army of the Potomac. The loss of life was immense, but 
 the rebels w^ere driven from the ground, and our army 
 moved onward in its progress towards the walls of Rich- 
 
26 MEMOIR. 
 
 moncl, and towards the accomplishment of the great object 
 which current events seem so plainly to indicate must 
 ultimately be accomplished. 
 
 On the first day of these battles, the cavalry became 
 engaged with the enemy's cavalry and infantry, in the 
 vicinity of Todd's Tavern, near Corbin's Bridge. 
 
 Severe fighting was continued by the cavalry for several 
 days. This was the first time Frederick was " under fire." 
 His conduct on the occasion excited great admiration. He 
 displayed all the coolness of a veteran. His General, in 
 speaking of his gallantry soon afterwards, remarked, "that 
 he was one of the few men he had seen who did not seem 
 to know the meaning of fear." 
 
 On the first day the cavalry were mounted, and the staif 
 officers were much exposed. General Davies and Frederick 
 were in front, when the enemy charged in and broke our 
 skirmish line, nearly capturing both of them. This cavalry 
 eno-ao-ement is known as the battle of Todd's Tavern. It 
 was during the progress of this battle that Frederick 
 charged upon the enemy, at the head of a column, breaking 
 through their lines, and cutting his way back to the main 
 army. 
 
 In the evening of May 8th, an order was received, 
 commanding the cavalry corps to proceed to Richmond 
 and destroy the communications between Lee's army and 
 that city, and to form a junction with Butler's army. The 
 movement of the entire cavalry corps commanded hy 
 General Sheridan, commenced on the morning of the 
 9th. In the afternoon of that day the enemy attacked the 
 cavalry in the rear, and a severe fight occm-red in which 
 the rebels were repulsed with considerable loss. This 
 occurred at a place called Childsburg. The cavalry only 
 took with them on this march rations for four or five days. 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 27 
 
 On the 10th another attack was made by the enemy, 
 followed up by contmued skh-mishing and fighting. Our 
 cavalry succeeded, this day, in recapturing from the enemy 
 about 350 prisoners, who had been captured on the second 
 or third day of the light in the Wilderness. Among them 
 were two colonels and Captain Wood, a son of the Honor, 
 able Bradford Wood, of Albany. As may well be supposed, 
 they were delighted with the change in their condition. 
 They were on the point, when retaken, of being placed in 
 the railroad cars at Beaver Dam Station. Some of their 
 guard fled, and the rest were taken prisoners. Our troops, 
 on the same day, captured a large quantity of arms, about 
 a million rations, and destroyed three locomotives besides 
 three trains of cars. The night of the 10th they encamped 
 within twenty miles of Kichmond. 
 
 In the morning of the 11th, the First Brigade was 
 detached from the main l>ody and sent to destroy the 
 railroad at Ashland Station and the bridge over the South 
 Anna River. At Ashland the contents of a Post OiEce 
 were seized, and as a school for young ladies was located 
 here, the captured correspondence afforded some amuse- 
 ment to the captors. 
 
 Fredeeick accompanied the brigade, and after destroying 
 the railroad at Ashland, he was sent, with tAvo squadrons 
 of cavalry, (al)out one hundred men), to destroy the bridge, 
 when he was cut off from the main body of the brigade, 
 and was supposed, for some time, to have been taken 
 prisoner. He continued, however, on another route, des- 
 troying the railroad as they proceeded, until late in the 
 afternoon, when he succeeded in rejoining the main column 
 below, much to the satisfaction of his comrades, who had 
 despaired of seeing him and his little force again. The same 
 day a severe fight occurred at Old Tavern, with the enemy's 
 cavalry under the fiimous Jeb Stewart, who was killed. 
 
28 MEMOIR. 
 
 That night the corps marched all night, and on the 
 morning of the 12th reached the Chickahominy river, near 
 Meadow's Bridge. Here a terrific battle ensncd with the 
 whole of the enemy's cavalry force and infantry, v/hich had 
 been sent out from llichmond. The enemy greatl}" out- 
 numl)ered onr forces, and, during a considerable portion of 
 the time, our troops were surrounded, and lighting was 
 carried on around four sides of the square wdiere our 
 troops were placed, but, under the command of the 
 indomitable Sheridan, they broke through the enemy's 
 lines, and in the afternoon. General Custer having driven 
 the enemy from the bridge, our forces crossed the Chicka- 
 hominy, leaving no prisoners in the enemy's hands, except 
 those who were wounded. 
 
 In this battle the fragment of a spent shell was hurled 
 against Frederick's person, inflicting a pretty severe injury, 
 although he treated it lightly in his letter to his mother 
 describino; the raid. 
 
 It was during this raid that Frederick Avas sent in 
 advance to place a squadron on picket duty, and they came 
 so near the city of Richmond as to sec the lights and the 
 steeples, and to hear the bells of tlie city. This engagement 
 is known as the battle of Richmond Heights. The enemy 
 did not pursue, and that night the corps l)ivouacked at a 
 place beyond Mechanicsville. On the night of the 13th 
 the cavalry remained at Bottom's Bridge, and on the 14th 
 moved to Haxall's Landing, on the James river, where our 
 gun boats mistaking the advance guard for the enemy, at 
 first, fired upon them, but on being signalled the firing 
 ceased, and the tired and worn out troops formed the 
 contemplated junction with Butler's army. 
 
 Thus terminated one of the most extraordinary raids on 
 record. It will ever retain a place among the most 
 
MEMOIR. 29 
 
 brilliant achievements of the Avar. A force of cavalry 
 alone advanced through the heart of Virginia, to the very 
 gates of Richmond, cutting their way through all opposing 
 forces, breaking up the enemy's lines of communication, 
 removing forever all antiquated prejudices against the 
 cavalry, and establishing the efficiency and usefulness of 
 that arm of the service. 
 
 The successful accomplishment of this expedition seems 
 more like romance than sober reality. From that hour 
 the rising star of General ^Sheridan has been in the 
 ascendant, and a grateful people will ever cherish, with 
 gratitude and pride, the recollection of the feats performed 
 by him and his l)old raiders of the cavalry corps. 
 
 On his arrival at the James river, Frederick wrote a 
 'etter to his mother, in pencil, giving a graphic account of 
 the raid, which was published at the time in the Evenino- 
 Journal. In alluding to this publication, afterwards, he 
 wrote Avith characteristic modesty : 
 
 " I am sorry tluat any of my letters are published. I do not write them 
 for publication, and do not wish them published; I hope that no more will 
 be, for if they are, I shall stop giving any accounts at all.'- 
 
 To return to the cavalry : They Vdv at the James river 
 two or three days, to recruit the tired horses and men, and 
 then moved back, to rejoin the main army, crossing the 
 Chickahominy by night, at Jones' Ford, and rekirning by 
 Avay of the Baltimore Cross Roads and Coal Harbor. 
 Daily skirmishes took place with the rebel cavalry. They 
 then went to the White House, Avhere they ol)tained sup- 
 plies and rations, after Avhich they marched back and joined 
 the main army near Hanover Court House, on the 25th, 
 having successfully accomplished all that had been expected. 
 
 Immediately afterwards there was a general advance 
 of the army, and the cavalry moved doAvn to Hanover 
 
30 MEMOIR. 
 
 Town, on the Pamunkey river. After marching two days 
 and one night they met the enemy on the 28th near Haw's 
 Shop, when tlie most severe and obstinate cavalry fight of 
 the war occurred. It commenced at 10 o'clock in the 
 morning, and continued until six in the afternoon, the 
 fighting on our side being done principally by Gen. Davies' 
 Brigade, assisted towards the close of the battle by Gen. 
 Custer's Brigade, when the enemy were driven from the 
 field, leaving their killed and wounded in possession of 
 our troops. 
 
 Although Frederick distinguished himself in this battle, 
 as appears by the letter from one of the stafi'ofiicers, which 
 is pul)lished with this memorial, yet, in his letter home he 
 makes no allusion to his own conduct. In a letter written 
 to his father on the 30th, he had, for the first time, evinced 
 some depression of spirits, but in a subsequent one, dated 
 June 3d, he apologizes for it, and gives a brief description 
 of the fio;ht. He writes : 
 
 " I was feeling badly then, and the reason Avas, that on the 28th we lost 
 Lieutenant Wardell, of our staff. He was my tent mate, and for a long 
 time we had slept together and were very intimate, indeed. He was killed 
 instantly while riding at the General's side. The fight of Hanover Town on 
 the 28th is said to have been the most severe cavalry fight of the war. The 
 fighting was done principally by our brigade. We were in about eight hours 
 and lost 25 officers and 168 men, killed and wounded. 
 
 " The General was riding a white horse, and went up on to the skirmish 
 line with tw<5 staff-officers, two orderlies and one bugler. One staff-officer 
 was killed instantly, the other had his horse killed, and the bugler was also 
 killed. The General's horse was shot through the tail, and a bullet broke his 
 scabbard. It is my duty to be with the General always, unless sent away 
 specially, and fortunately for me, I was so sent to another part of the field, 
 and was looking for the General when this occurred, and in one minute more 
 would have have been in the same place, had I not met him coming out 
 when he stopped me. 
 
 " I send a rebel paper. You will see by it that they supposed our whole 
 cavalry force was engaged, together with two corps of infantry, while actually 
 there was only our brigade, assisted for the last three hours by General 
 Custer's brigade, but the brunt of the fighting was done by this brigade. 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 31 
 
 They say they only had one brigade, hut in another part of the paper they 
 admit having several detatchments of other brigades. Wc know from our 
 prisoners that their whole cavalry force was engaged, together with some 
 mounted infantry. We found on the field, after wc had driven them from 
 it, 166 dead rebels, and 40 wounded ones, and as there are usually eight or 
 ten wounded to one killed, their loss must have been immense. 
 
 " My horse was shot slightly in the neck. Since then we have had several 
 smaller fights, but I have not time now to mention them." 
 
 This battle is known as the battle of Haw's Shop, or 
 Bethesda Church. Between this time and the GordonsVille 
 raid, hereafter mentioned, there was considerable severe 
 lighting around Coal Harbor, at Barker's Mills and on the 
 Chickahominy, in which the cavalry participated. The 
 whole army moved down finally to Bottom's Bridge. 
 Before going to Bottom's Bridge the cavalry had a severe 
 engagement at Sumner's Upper Bridge, and while dis- 
 mounted held possession of it for some time, and until 
 relieved by the infantry. 
 
 We come now to another of those celebrated cavalry 
 raids which have given to General Sheridan and his famous 
 cavalry corps, a national and w^orld-wide reputation. 
 
 On the 6th of June the cavalry corps left Newcastle, on 
 the Pamunkey river, and after marching days and nights, 
 with only four hours in the twenty-four devoted to rest, 
 on the 11th met the enemy at Trevillian Station, near 
 Gordonsville, when a severe battle ensued, which continued 
 for two days, the enemy having the advantage of fighting 
 behind breastworks. We captured several hundred prison- 
 ers, but finding it impossible to break through their forti- 
 fications, our troops retired, and returned by w^ay of 
 Spottsylvania Court House, a circuitous route, to White 
 House, where our wagon train was, consisting of about 
 900 wagons loaded Avith supplies for the army. General 
 Grant had meanwhile changed his base of supplies from 
 
32 MEMOIR. 
 
 White House to James river, leaving the wagon train of 
 the cavalry corps at AVhite House. 
 
 The rebels, having the inside line, had also been 
 marching upon White House, hoping to capture this train 
 before the arrival of the cavalry corps, but in this hope 
 they were doomed to disappointment. Our troops arrived 
 a little in advance of the enemy, and on the 21st a sharp 
 tight took place at White House, in which the First 
 Brigade participated, which resulted in driving the enemy 
 from the field, and the occupation of the ground by our 
 victorious troops. 
 
 Our trains were forwarded to the army at James river. 
 On the .second day's march General Gregg having com- 
 mand of the second division, was detached with his division 
 to cover the right of the column. 
 
 Aljout six miles from the main column he met a very 
 heavy force of the enemy's cavalry and infantry at a place 
 called St. Mary's Church, when another sanguinary and 
 hard-fought l>attle took place, attended with severe loss. 
 This occurred on the 24th of June. 
 
 The fighting on our side was conducted by a single 
 division against the enemy's entire corps, our troops and 
 horses being tired and worn out by the Gordonsville raid, 
 as they had been allowed no rest whatever. 
 
 In this battle Frederick again distinguished himself by 
 his coolness and bravery, having been charged with im- 
 portant and perilous duties, and being exposed under such 
 circumstances that his commanding General afterwards 
 expressed his wonder that any mounted officer could survive. 
 He w{is charged with the order to bring off the 1st 
 Pennsylvania cavalry, and remained in the field until it had 
 left. 
 
MEMOIR. 33 
 
 The general description of this stubborn tight is con- 
 tained in the following letter, written from the tield, which 
 was published in a Philadelphia paper and sent to me by 
 Frederick : 
 
 '' About f(nir miles from tlie road the train was on, General Gregg met the 
 enemy, apparently in heavy force, but as his men and horses were completely 
 worn out he could not stand tight as long as his presence quietly kept the 
 enemy from the train. The enemy seemed to dread our presence, thinking 
 Sheridan's whole corps was before them. They spent the whole day 
 throwing up breastworks and intrenching themselves, until about 2 P. M. 
 Tiiey captured a despatch from General Gregg to General Sheridan, from 
 which they learned there was nothing before them but the one division. 
 They, on the contrary, having their entire corps (three divisions), imme- 
 diately set about to take advantage of our weakness. And then followed the 
 hardest cavalry fight any portion of our corps has ever experienced. As 
 usual the enemy were in thick wood, dismounted. To meet them our force 
 must dismount also. About four P. M. they commenced the attack. Con- 
 scious of their superior numbers they pressed on closer and closer, which 
 onlj^ effected a shorter range, for our men stood firm upon their first footing. 
 Charge followed charge, made by at least four times the number opposing 
 them, but our steady carbineers hurled them back each time with terrible 
 slaughter. 
 
 '' Battery A, Second United States Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant 
 D.^nisen here did splendid execution at short range, kept up a constant 
 stream of fire into their ranks, and met each charge with grape and canister. 
 For two hours the conflict thus raged, our force stubbornly holding them, 
 until by overwhelming numbers they were able to flank us both right and 
 left. The first Maine and first Pennsylvania cavalry, the first Maine com- 
 manded by Colonel Smith and Major Cilley, first Pennsylvania by Colonel 
 Taylor and Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner, were the last to leave the field. By 
 the stubborn tenacity of these two regiments our battery was kept upon the 
 field until they had exhausted their ammunition, and then brought safely 
 ofl". To no two regiments, perhaps, in the corps could this position have 
 been better assigned. The train was now safely passed, and fortunately 
 for it that it was, for at this juncture of atfairs General Gregg's divison 
 of cavalry was for the first time iu the history of its organization com- 
 pelled to retire, but in a masterly manner, leaving the field in the hands 
 of the enemy. Many of our men, to the number of one hundred and fifty, 
 exhausted by heat, want of water and fatigue of foot, fell into the hands of 
 the enemy. In the many battles in which General Gregg has fought his 
 division, always distinguishing himself by his cool bravery and high-toned 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 military ability, never has lie so covered himself and his command with 
 glory, and so fully established its fighting qualities, as on this occasion. 
 And never perhaps before have we so signally shown the superiority of our 
 cavalry over that of the enemy — one division of oura pitched against their 
 entire corps, and the contest almost equal. To-day we got our train safely 
 to the James, at Wyandotte Landing, where it is rapidly being transported 
 to the south side of the river." 
 
 During this battle Feederick rode Avithin a very short 
 distance of the enemy's skirmish line, and by discovering 
 their presence, was able to prevent General Gregg from 
 mistaking them for our own troops, and possibly falling 
 into their hands, as the dust by wdiich all the troops were 
 covered had already deceived him. 
 
 Soon afterwards the cavalry reached the James river at 
 Pine Oak Landing, and on the 26th Frederick wrote a 
 letter, covering four sheets, to his brother, from which I 
 make the following extracts : 
 
 " We arrived here about noon yesterday, very tired, very dirty and very 
 ragged, and immediately there commenced a general bathing, and after we 
 were washed our wagons had arrived, and our little American trunks trotted 
 out, and every man came out (that is the General and Staff) with a new suit 
 of clothes and a 'boiled' shirt, and then, for the first time in twelve days, 
 we had a regular meal and time enough to sit down and enjoy it, and enjoy 
 it we did, although you might think it scarcely fit to eat : Some ham, coffee 
 with milk, as we captured a cow yesterday, soft bread, (we have been living 
 on the hardest of the hard tack for twelve or fourteen days) and a few raw 
 onions, composed our dinner — Oh, yes, we had mustard besides, butter we 
 had none, and that 'aint the worst of it. Oh, well, it is jolly any way, and 
 is all for one's country. 
 
 " Dulct estpropatria etc.. youknow, and hunger is splendid sauce. That 
 bread tasted better, without butter, than any I remember to have tasted. 
 You see we were ordered to provide ourselves with teu days' supplies, and 
 we did so, expecting that we would be back in that time, and in fact it 
 would have been inconvenient to have carried any more. W^ell, the joke of 
 the whole aflfair was, that we were away just twenty days, and traveling 
 through the most poverty-stricken country on the face of the earth, hence 
 no subsisting on the enemy's country and mighty little to eat. 
 
 " Well, any way, after that dinner which took place about 4 P.M., the 
 General and Staff laid down to rest, and they rested, and every one of us 
 
MEMOIR. 6l> 
 
 slept from about five o'clock yesterday afternoon until this morning, and as a 
 natural consequence of sleeping and resting too long at once, every one's 
 arms and legs ache badly this morning. 
 
 '• "We are now all sitting on the grass in front of a large house, our head- 
 quarters, writing letters, with just enough on to cover our nakedness, and 
 that's all, for it is awful hot, and even boiling. The heat for the past week 
 has been almost unendurable, but we could, with an elFort, stand it — we 
 were obligL'd to, as we were in the saddle all the time, and to-day it has 
 reached the culminating point. If it does not rain soon your beloved brother 
 stands a good chance of just vanishing, leaving merely a greasy indication 
 of his former presence on this mundane sphere. 
 
 " We are expecting to remain still a few days. Our horses are entirely 
 played out and must have rest and feed and care. I have lost Black Dan 
 I suppose. He was shot at Haw's Shop on the 28tli ult., and I am afraid I 
 will have to shoot him, but can't tell yet. I am having him doctored now 
 and must await the result. 
 
 " Here I have written this long letter and scarcely told you anything about 
 the raid. Well, we left Newcastle, on the Pamunkey river, on the 6th, at 
 4\ A.M., and marched day and night, sleeping about four hours out of the 
 twenty-four for five days. On the 11th about 10 A.M. we met the rebel 
 cavalry corps and licked them like the old boy ; fought all that day — stopped 
 at dark. Our brigade was not in much on the 11th. but on the 12th at 
 about six the fighting commenced again, and our brigade was in. "We fought 
 all day and drove the enemy out of their breastworks, and about three miles 
 beyond them This was at or near Gordonsville. Our object in coming up 
 was, I suppose, to stop their cavalry that they were trying to push up to 
 help Imboden, who was fighting Hunter's forces in the Valley of the Shenan- 
 doah, but they did not push so much as before, as we did the pushing, and 
 pushed them back to near Richmond. 
 
 " Then we started back, having 370 rebel prisoners. We marched day and 
 night until we got to White House, on the 20th, and then we found that the 
 rebels had gone around one way while we had gone another, and both making 
 for the White House, where was our cavalry corps train. We got there a 
 little before they did and crossed over and gave them fight on the 21st, suc- 
 ceeding in driving them, when they made for the Chickahominy. We had 
 no chance of getting anything out of our wagons as we had to send them on , 
 and keep between them and the rebs., and so we marched until the day 
 before yesterday, when the train had got down to this river. 
 
 " Our division alone staid out about eight miles from here all the morning, 
 holding the whole rebel cavalry in check, fighting a little now and then 
 during the day until about 4 P.M., when the whole rebel corps of cavalry 
 pitched in and whipped us badly, in fact they just pushed us away by main 
 
force, and -we went away splendidly. I never saw such fighting in my life, 
 and General Gregg said he never saw men fight so. They ont-numbered us 
 four to one, it was just the hottest place ever you heard of They charged up 
 to within a few steps of Avhere I stood. Oh! I can't begin to tell yoii how the 
 bullets did fly. I was ordered to conduct the withdrawal of the last regi- 
 ment, and I never expected to come out; indeed I bade two or three of the 
 stafl" officers good bj'e and started. I got witliin five steps of the rebel 
 lines, and have a bullet hole in my hat which looks as if I was rather near 
 to them, but I succeeded in retreating with the last regiment in good order. 
 I lost two of my most intimate friends that day, one, a Captain Philips, on 
 General Gregg's Staff"; his leg was shot away near the hip. The shot that 
 did it went through his horse before it struck him ; he only lived an hour 
 or so, and night before last, I helped bury him in the middle of the night, 
 with no ceremony. 
 
 " Oh well, we retreated in good order, and about ten at night slept for 
 three hours, when we were reinforced, and went out yesterday after them 
 but they would not fight, but kept going back, so we having by that time 
 got our trains safe near the main army, stopped here to rest, and here I 
 think I had better stop — to rest." 
 
 The " Black Dan" he mentions was a favorite horse which, 
 while owned by Governor Morgan, had attracted his 
 attention and was purchased for his use. In a letter written 
 July 6th, he mourns his death, but adds : " Poor fellow ! 
 I was very sorry for him, but consoled myself by thinking 
 that as line a horse as he was, it was better him than me." 
 
 During the months of July and August several severe 
 skirmishes and battles took place, in which his brigade and 
 he participated, viz. : At Reams' Station on the 15th of 
 July ; at Malvern Hill on the 28th of July ; at Lee's 
 Mills July 31st ; at Gravel Hill on the 14th, 16th and 17th 
 days of August, and again at Reams' Station on the 21st, 
 22d, 23d and 25th days of August. 
 
 On one of these occasions. General Davies being absent 
 on sick leave, and the brigade under the command of Col. 
 Steadman, Feedeeick had been ordered to the hospital 
 on account of his health, and was being carried in an 
 ambulance. Hearing the firing of the guns he left the 
 
jinibulaiice and came to the nearest body of troops, which 
 proved to be the 10th New York Cavalry ; and here took an 
 active part in the battle, tiring with his own hand, cheering 
 the men, and exposing his person to the enemy's fire. His 
 conduct excited the enthusiastic admiration of the men in 
 the regiment, and aided in preparing them to give him the 
 warm welcome which he subsequently received from them 
 when he became the Lieutenant-Colonel of that regiment. 
 On being spoken to on the subject he remarked, that in 
 the absence of the General he felt that a peculiar responsi. 
 bility rested on the members of the staff ; that he knew 
 the eyes of the army were on the second brigade, which 
 occupied an advanced position, and had acquired a fine 
 reputation, and that he regarded his own honor as iden- 
 tified with that of the brigade. 
 
 The battle at Reams' Station, the latter part of August 
 was a sanguinary affair, and Frederick was then brought 
 alongside of his old regiment, the 7th New York Artillery. 
 I learn from Captain O'Brien, that Frederick volunteered 
 to deliver an important message to the officer commanding 
 a battery, which was done under a heavy fire. 
 
 He never returned to the hospital, but his health was so 
 much impaired that nothing but his indomitable resolution 
 enabled him to keep his saddle. In a letter to his father 
 dated August 31st, he alludes in terms of warm admiration 
 to the conduct of the old 7tli at Reams' Station ; naming 
 several former comrades belonging to it who Avere killed, 
 and others taken prisoners; mentions that the conduct of his 
 own brio-ade had received much credit in Gen. Hancock's 
 official reports ; remarks that there had been considerable 
 fio-htinff for the Weldon Railroad, in nearly all of which 
 he had the honor to participate, and thus alludes to his 
 own health : 
 
38 MEMOIR. 
 
 "You can have no idea of the excessive fatigue to which we have been 
 subjected this month, and especially for an A. A. G. I do not want to take 
 a sick leave unless I am actually obliged to, for it is not considered very 
 honorable to leave the field upon the plea of sickness, when one is only 
 about half sick. There are so many shoulder-strapped individuals that are 
 hiding under the shadow of a surgeon's certificate, that I don't want to be 
 ranked among that class." 
 
 Ill a letter to his sister dated September 3d, be says : 
 
 " Since writing to fiither. three days ago, we have marched nearly 40 
 miles, and have had quite a hard fight — I fortunately escaped. "VVe lost 
 quite severely, and this morning we returned and camped in nearly the same 
 place from which I wrote father. We cannot tell how long we will be 
 allowed to remain quiet; indeed since July 25th we have not been forty-eight 
 hours in one place, and as you may easily imagine, we have had but little 
 time to write, while the wear, tear and fatigue have been terrible. I have 
 been so tired at times that I would go to sleep on horseback. Only last 
 night I was so much worn out that I laid down under a tree and went sound 
 asleep while it was raining, and I had not a thing over me. I could not 
 help it. 
 
 " I write and tell you this, Nellie, so that you can have some slight idea of 
 the reasons for my not writing you in answer to your letters promptly, and 
 not because I am complaining at all. 
 
 " AVhen we do get a chance to stop any where I have a great many 
 written reports to make, and cannot neglect them, and after they are done 
 I am so tired that I generally try and go to sleep, for a little while, and 
 letter writing becomes next to an impossibility. lam not very well, but 
 am on duty, and shall remain so as long as I am able. 
 
 " I was very sorry to hear ofG's sickness, and glad to learn he was getting 
 better. He should congratulate himself that he was where he could be 
 taken care of— here, when one gets sick he gets very litle care I assure you. 
 They do the best they can, of course, but a tent, and the ground make but 
 an indifferent sick room and bed. 
 
 ''"We have had some very hard fighting over this Weldon Railroad, and 
 you can congratulate j'ourself that you still have a brother in the army. I 
 have several times made up my mind that you would not have long, but I 
 have been so far spared. I have not written you, Nellie, about anything 
 else than myself, but I know that I am the one that you want to hear about 
 and so shall offer no excuse." 
 
 Frederick's duties as Assistant Adjutant General were 
 congenial to bis tastes, and adapted to bis capacity, but 
 yet tbey bad been exceedingly arduous and lal)orious. He 
 
MEMOIR. 39 
 
 was cliicf of the brio-ade staff. His labors durino: a march 
 commeuced early and continued late. He thus explains 
 them in a condensed form, in answer to my inquiry on the 
 subject i 
 
 '"' To attend to all the details of a movement ; in battle, to remain with the 
 General, and if any orders are given, to give them to the aids for the regi- 
 mental commanders, or whomsoever they may concern ; to watch the lines, 
 and whenever, in my opinion, an advantage can be gained, to show it to 
 the General, if he has not already perceived it, and if the aids are all away 
 on duty, and an important order is issued, to carry it myself and see that it 
 is obeyed; sometimes to push on one tlank of the skirmish line while the 
 General is pushing on another, and in every way to watch the etfect Of 
 movements ordered, and in fact, to be an assistant to the General, (on the 
 field an order from me is the same as one from him), and after a fight to 
 camp the several regiments, to see, personally, that a proper picket line is 
 thrown out, to make official reports of operations, and returns of killed, 
 wounded and missing, damage done, &c., Sec.'' 
 
 Upon receiving the letters of August 31st and Sept. 
 3d, the author applied directly to the Secretary of War 
 for a brief leave of absence, wliich, having been promptly 
 granted, Frederick made a short but delightful visit to 
 his home in September. Eecovering his health and strength 
 he rejoined the army in time to participate in the battle of 
 Davis Farm, on the Vaughn Road, on the 1st of October. 
 
 For an account of his gallant bearing on that occasion I 
 refer to the letter from Major Thomas, who served on the 
 same staff. A description of this brilliant affair was friven 
 in the New York Herald. The first brigade were dis- 
 mounted, and bravely resisted an attack by an enemy 
 largeh' outnumbering them, and then, with a gallant 
 charge, routed and drove them from the field. 
 
 He also participated in the first battle of Hatcher's Run, 
 on the 26th of November, and in the movement in the 
 latter part of November, by which General Greo-o- and his 
 division advanced to Stoney Creek, destroying the brido-e 
 
40 MEMOIR. 
 
 and several pieces of artillery, capturing prisoners and 
 successfully accomplishing the object of the advance. 
 
 On the 6th of December orders were received for the 
 cavalry to move at three o'clock the next morning, with 
 six days rations. The movement was made when the 
 weather was very cold, and on the 9th a severe engagement 
 took place at Bellfield. Major Sargeant of the 1st Mas- 
 sachusetts Cavalry was shot while riding by the side of 
 Frederick during the fight, an event which produced a 
 serious impression upon his mind. It is understood that 
 the movement was eminently successful. 
 
 A full account of this afi'air was given in the Herald, 
 written by its army correspondent. In the official report 
 of the movement Frederick had the honor of being men- 
 tioned as " having behaved with the greatest gallantry and 
 zeal, and having contributed greatly to the success of the 
 brigade by valuable service." 
 
 The time was now approaching for severing his official 
 connection, as Assistant Adjutant General, with General 
 Davies and his brigade staiF — a relation cemented by their 
 common sufierings, perils and glories. A vacancy had 
 occurred in the Colonelcy of the 10th New York Cavalry, 
 by the withdrawal from that position of Colonel Irvine, 
 the present accomplished and patriotic Adjutant General 
 of New York. Lieutenant-Colonel Avery, being about to 
 be promoted to fill the vacancy, tendered the position of 
 Lieutenant-Colonel to Frederick. Colonel Avery had be- 
 come well acquainted with Frederick while he was 
 Assistant Adjutant General. Gen. Irvine informs me that 
 Gen. Gregg also advised the selection of Frederick, as it 
 would be an acquisition to the regiment. 
 
 Havino- ascertained that all the officers of the regiment 
 were in favor of his appointment, he resolved to accept the 
 
position, and witliont delay commissions were issued by 
 his Excellency Governor Seymour, for Colonel Avery and 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Tremain, but a brief delay in mustering 
 in became necessary to enable the regiment to become 
 recruited to the requisite number for mustering in the new 
 officers. 
 
 This position was peculiarly agreeable to Frederick. 
 It was placing him in the line of promotion in the cavalry 
 service, and in his old brigade, where he was so well 
 acquainted with officers and men. Colonel Avery, although 
 a veteran in service, having been in more than sixty Ijattles 
 and skirmishes, was young in years, and both being 
 influenced by similar tastes, ambitions and patriotic pur. 
 poses, a strong attachment existed between them. His 
 brother trnvino; written from Union Collesje a cono-ratu- 
 latory letter on his appointment, Frederick replies : 
 
 '•' I am, of course, much obliged to you for your congratulations, bnt 
 must correct some of your ideas. It requires more courage and secures less 
 reputation generally to be an active and useful staff-officer of a brigade, than 
 to command a regiment. A staff-officer is in every engagement, while a 
 regiment may, in some battles, be held in reserve. At times when the 
 officers and men of regiments are fighting on foot, a staff-officer has to carry 
 orders to them mounted, thereby exposing himself much more than it is 
 possible for a lieutenant-colonel to do. 
 
 " The difference is, that a staff-officer is only an adjutant or assistant, 
 w^hile a commanding officer shares, and almost, in fact, monopolizes the 
 reputation that his staff-officers and men have won. 
 
 '' Your congratulations are premature also, as I am not a lieutenant- 
 colonel until I am mustered into the United States service. • • « Now 
 that I suppose you have got over the temporary exultation, please do not 
 mention the affair any more until I am a lieutenat-colonel, and am entitled 
 to the uniform, and then I hope to make myself a name that you need not be 
 afraid to speak of, whether I shall be numbered among the living, or as one 
 of the fallen. 
 
 " Remember me to all the young ladies, but remember me to them, for 
 the present, as Captain Tremain." 
 
 6 
 
42 MEMOIR. 
 
 Frederick having resigned the office of Assistant 
 Adjutant General seized the occasion to pay a holiday 
 visit to his home. He arrived the evening before New 
 Year's, and passed a few weeks there in a visit which will 
 be cherished during life by every member of the family, 
 among: their most treasured recollections. 
 
 It was a subject of general remark that he had become 
 much matured by his experience in the army. While 
 cheerful and hopeful, he was yet grave and thoughtful and 
 fully impressed with the duties and responsibilities of his 
 position. 
 
 He returned to the army full of high hopes and expec- 
 tations. Fort Fisher had fallen ; Thomas had achieved 
 his great victory over Hood ; Sherman was advancing in 
 triumph, and he confidently believed that the end of the 
 rebellion was at hand. 
 
 On his return he met at Washington, in the Invalid 
 Corps, an old comrade of the 7th, and true to his nature, 
 which led him to promote the welfare of others, he wrote 
 a letter of introduction for him invoking the author's kind 
 offices in his behalf. This was the last letter I ever received 
 from him directed to me, and I give it as a fair revelation 
 of the kindness of his character. 
 
 " My Dear Father. — I have the honor to introduce to}'OU Lieutenant , 
 
 formerly of the 7th New York Artillery, and now of the Invalid Corps. He 
 was wounded in front of Petersburgh in the famous charge of June 16th, 
 of the 7th New York Artillery. The shell that struck him carried away the 
 left eye, and exposed the brain slightly, so that he can hardly do night duty. 
 He, th.erefore, wishes to be ordered on duty somewhere in New York State 
 where he can still do duty, but, if possible, to some place where he can sleep at 
 night, as the loss of sleep gives him terrible pains in the head on account of 
 the exposure of the brain. 
 
 " He is a gallant officer, and has won for himself a Lieutenancy from the 
 ranks as a private, and deserves all the favors that loyal men are able to 
 grant him. 
 
MEMOIR. 43 
 
 " If you in anyway can assist him in the accomplishment of his object, you 
 will be only rendering a gallant soldier what is justly due him. 
 " Your afFectionater son, 
 
 "F. L. TREMAIN, Lt. Col. 10th N. T. Cavalry. 
 " January 27th, 1865." 
 
 When he joined the 10th, and had been mustered in as 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, he wrote a letter to his mother 
 expressing his pleasure at his reception by his new regiment 
 and his gratification in being put in charge of an officer's 
 school for instruction in military tactics, which letter came to 
 hand on the day he received his fatal wound. I learn that 
 his home and his pleasant visit were the theme of his con- 
 stant conversation among his intimate friends. He was kind 
 and affectionate in his nature, and was devotedly attached 
 to every member of his father's family. " Sir," said his 
 tent-mate to the author, " I felt well acquainted Avith every 
 member of your family from Fred.'s description and fre- 
 quent conversation." 
 
 On the 7th of February, while engaged in court, I 
 received from Major Pease the following telegram. " Feb- 
 6th. — Fred, was seriously wounded to-day. It is thought 
 not dangerously." 
 
 The next train carried from Albany, on their way to him, 
 his mother. Dr. Pomfret, (who cheerfully consented to go 
 although he was home on leave) and the author. We 
 arrived in Washington the next evening, and immediately, 
 through the War Department, opened a telegraphic com- 
 munication with General Meade's headquarters. The first 
 answer was encouraging, but alas ! the next brought the 
 fatal intelligence that Lieutenant-Colonel Tremain died the 
 same evening (the 8th) at City Point Hospital, that his 
 remains would be embalmed, and forwarded north imme- 
 diately. 
 
44 M E M I R. 
 
 Here let me draw a veil over what follows. The agony 
 of spirit, the bewildering eifects of such a sudden and unex- 
 pected blow, the crashing out of hopes, the bitterness of 
 disappointment, the terrible reflection that we should never 
 see him alive, the extinguishment of light, and the dark- 
 ness and clouds that intervened, can be known or appreci- 
 ated only by those doting parents who have passed through 
 a similar furnace of atfliction ! 
 
 The circumstances attending his death may be soon 
 related. The movement which resulted in the battle of 
 Hatcher's Run w^as a general advance of the whole division 
 on the morning of February 5tli, pursuant to orders. They 
 were on the march all that day, and early the next morn- 
 ing, while the brigade were preparing for breakfast, the 
 enemy broke in upon them, and a battle ensued which 
 continued all day. 
 
 About 2 P. M., while near Dabney's Mills, Frederick 
 was leading his troops on the extreme left, in the skirmish 
 line, and was about to make a charge, the cavalry being 
 dismounted, when, General Davies having been wounded, 
 Colonel Avery was called to command the brigade and 
 had sent a mounted officer to notify Frederick that the 
 command of the regiment had devolved upon him. While 
 Frederick had turned around, partly, and was conversing 
 with the messenger, he received the fatal wound from a 
 Minie ball in his hip. 
 
 He left the field accompanied by two men, meeting on 
 his way Colonel Avery who describes him as looking pale, 
 and having a smile on his face. In the ambulance, he was 
 overtaken by his colored servant, and said to him, cheer- 
 fully, that they would soon visit Albany again. He, also, 
 at the same moment, recognized his cousin, Major H. E. 
 Tremaiu, of General Gregg's staff, while he was riding by 
 
with an important order from the general for reinforce- 
 ments, hailed him, remarking that he was hit, perhaps 
 seriously Init he thought not dangerously, and then urged 
 him to go on in the performance of his duty. 
 
 He walked into the field hospital, where General Davics 
 met him, placed him upon a bed in a room by himself, 
 and gave him some stimulants and a cigar. The surgeons 
 extracted the ball that evening, and pronounced it trou- 
 blesome only, but not dangerous. He was visited there by 
 Major Pease, Major Tremain and others, who, relying on 
 the surgeon's report, left him without serious apprehen- 
 sions. The next day he was sent to City Point Hos- 
 pital, fifteen or twenty miles, where he arrived, cold and 
 exhausted, attended by his servant. 
 
 He was in much pain, and not inclined to converse. The 
 following day, the 8th, alarming symptoms appeared. He 
 continued perfectly conscious, made his arrangements to 
 leave for home, but was not made aware of the fact that 
 his life was in danger, and about five o'clock, just as his 
 servant had given him some water, he died, without a 
 murmur or complaint having escaped his lips. 
 
 A post-mortem examination revealed the fact that the 
 wound was necessarily mortal, from the first. The ball, 
 after performing its course, had fallen l)ack, and its loca- 
 tion had deceived the surgeons who extracted it, and who 
 supposed it merely a flesh wound. 
 
 The intelligence of his death spread a deep gloom over 
 his entire brigade, ofiicers and men. A meeting of the 
 brigade ofiicers, (a rare compliment in the army,) was 
 called and attended b}' every oflicer not absent on duty, 
 at which the accompanying excellent resolutions were 
 adopted. 
 
46 M E M I R. 
 
 The remains were accompanied from City Point by Col- 
 onel Aver}'^, Major Tremain and Dr. Clark. His counten- 
 ance appeared natural and life-like. 
 
 A military funeral took place on the 16th of February, 
 with honors suitable to his rank, under the charge of the 
 10th New York, commanded by Colonel Chamberlain, the 
 Cadet Zouave Co. A acting as an escort. Everything that 
 affectionate sympathy could do to render honor to his 
 memory was done by his countrymen and countrywomen. 
 Flowers w^ere sent in bountiful profusion from numerous 
 male and female friends, and these were, by fair and 
 tasteful hands, beautifully arranged in the form of crosses, 
 wreaths, a trumpet and crown, while the coffin was fes- 
 tooned and covered with them in tropical abundance. 
 
 After appropriate religious services had been performed 
 at the author's residence, the public funeral took place at 
 St. Peter's Church, the Rev. AVm. Wilson and the Rev. 
 Wm. Tatlock officiating. His Excellency, Gov. Fenton, 
 accompanied by his staff in full uniform, honored the 
 funeral with his presence. The names of the military and 
 civil bearers who attended will be recognized as among 
 the noblest youth in Albany. Sweet and solemn music by 
 the choir filled the church. The citizens of Albany turned 
 out, en masse, filling the spacious church and the streets, 
 for long distances. A large concourse followed the remains 
 to the cemetery, where, after the soldiers had fired appro- 
 priate volleys over his coffin, it was consigned to the vault. 
 
 Thus lived and died my brave boy, around whom, for 
 twenty-one years, had clustered my cares, my anxieties, 
 my hopes and my affections 1 
 
 No longer can we look forward with inexpressible joy 
 to the termination of this war, as an event which will brinof 
 back, in safety and honor, the soldier we have furnished ! 
 
MEMOIR. 47 
 
 The sound of carbines and artillery can no more reach 
 him ! Henceforth, we must be content to gaze on yonder 
 mute memorials, his belt and sash, his spurs and sword, and 
 other precious relics, and to feed on the memory of his 
 virtues, his patriotism, and the noble record he achieved ! 
 He died young ; but how many of us who survive have 
 done more for our country and for humanity than he ? 
 
 My work is ended. I believe this little history to be 
 wholly free from coloring, but if parental fondness has 
 deceived me in this belief, the offence, I am sure, is par- 
 donable. 
 
 And now, may Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, 
 grant that this great sacrifice, although not "now joyous 
 but grievous may work out the peaceable fruits of right- 
 eousness," — that the blood of this young martyr may aid 
 in infusing fresh life into our free institutions ; — that this 
 rebellion may be overthrown, so certainly and effectually, 
 that in all future time, no second attempt will be made by 
 Avicked men to destroy our Union by treasonable force ; — 
 and may He hasten the day when the necessity for such 
 sacrifices of life shall cease, and our National Unity shall 
 become established on immutable and eternal foundations. 
 
RESOLUTIONS 
 
 AND OTHER TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 IIeadquahters 1st Brigade, 2d Cav. Division, 
 Army of the Potomac, 
 
 February 10, 1865. 
 
 At a meeting of the ofl&cers of the 1st Brigade, 2d Cav. Division, 
 called together on account of the death of Lieutenant Colonel F. 
 L. TiiEMAiN, 10th New York Cavalry, of which Colonel M. H. 
 Avery was President, and Captain T. C. Lebo was Secretary, a 
 committee was appointed of the following named officers, viz : 
 Lieut. Colonel W. C. Newbury, 24th New York Cavalry, 
 Major John Tewksbury, 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, 
 Major J. H. Hart, 1st New Jersey Cavalry, 
 Major H- S. Thomas, 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
 Bt. Major W. H. Dennison, 2d New York Artillery, 
 Captain James M. Reynolds, 10th New York Cavalry, 
 to prepare the following resolutions, which were unanimously 
 adopted by the meeting, and the Secretary directed to furnish a 
 copy to the family of the deceased, the New York papers and the 
 Albany Evening Journal. 
 
 It was further resolved, that the usual badge of mourning should 
 be worn on the left arm for thirty days as a mark of respect for the 
 memory of the deceased. 
 
 Whereas, Lieut. Colonel F. L. Tremain, 10th New York Cavalry, and 
 formerly Assistant Adjutant General, attached to this brigade, died on the 
 8th day of February, inst... of wounds received a few days previous while 
 leading his command against the enemy, at the battle of Hatcher's Run, 
 Va., and 
 
 7 
 
50 M E M I R. 
 
 Whereas, In the death of this gallant soldier his regiment and brigade 
 have suffered a loss of unusual severity, therefore, as the sense of the sur- 
 viving officers of the brigade, be it 
 
 Resolved, That in the purity of his life and character, in his unselfish 
 patriotism, his courteous bearing, his manly courage, his earnestness of 
 purpose, and high endeavors, which gave promise of a sure and glorious 
 fulfillment, our departed brother officer was a shining example to us all. 
 
 Resolved, That while we cannot forget the great loss sustained by his 
 friends, his country, and the army, we cannot but look upon his death as 
 another glorious sacrifice to the cause of Liberty and Union, and congratu- 
 late his bereaved family that he died with his face to the foe, bravely 
 fighting against treason and disunion. 
 
 Resolved, That it is with unspeakable sadness we acknowledge, that for 
 the bright spirit that has left us, for his loved ones at home, for his country 
 and his friends, we have nothing to offer now but the unavailing tribute of 
 this last mournful farewell. 
 
 M. H. AVERY, Col. 10th N. Y. Cavalry, 
 
 President. 
 
 T. C. Lebo, Capt. and A. A. A. G., 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Armory Albany Zouave Cadets, > 
 
 " A " Company, lUtli Regiment N. G. S. N. Y. 5 
 
 At a meeting of this company, held at their rooms on Monday 
 evening, February 13, 1865, Captain Lionell U. Lenox presid- 
 ing, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously 
 adopted : 
 
 Upon the altar of our common country, and in the defence of her consti- 
 tutional rights, a noble life has been offered ; in the vigor and freshness of 
 youth it has been accepted. In rem.embrance then of the patriotism which 
 characterized that sacrifice, it is fitting that the departed hero should 
 receive from us. his former companions, the earliest recognition which true 
 valor deserves from all ; therefore it is 
 
 Resolved, That the Albany Zouave Cadets have learned with the deepest 
 sorrow, of the death of Frederick L. Tremain, Lieutenant Colonel of the 
 Tenth New York Cavalry. As a member of this company, we point with 
 pride to his career as a soldier ; his genial and manly qualities as a citizen. 
 The recollection of his modest bearing and sincere friendship as an asso- 
 ciate ; hi.s love for his country as a patriot, and his bravery and efficiency 
 as an officer, are virtues around which our memories will love to linger. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender our most heartfelt sympathies to the family 
 and relatives of our deceased brother, and though this sad event calls forth 
 
M E M I R. 51 
 
 their deepest grief, the noble cause for which he yielded up his youthful life, 
 we trust may prove a solace in their affliction, and that the sustaining grace 
 of our common Father may comfort their broken hearts. 
 
 Resolved, That as a deserved tribute of respect to his memory we will 
 attend the funeral obsequies of our departed associate as a company, wearing 
 the usual badge of mourning. 
 
 Resolved, That an engrossed copy of these resolutioes be tendered to the 
 family of the deceased, that a copy be also forwarded to the officers of his 
 regiment, and that they be published in the daily papers of our city. 
 
 LIONELL U. LENOX, Captain. 
 
 A. McRoBERTS, 1st Serg't. 
 
 At a Speciil Meeting of the Xi Charge of Theta Delta Chi 
 Fraternity, at Hobart College, the following resolutions were 
 adopted : 
 
 Whereas, The Xr Charge of our beloved Theta Delta Chi having received 
 the intelligence of the death of our affectionate and esteemed brother, 
 Lieut. Colonel Frederick L. Tremain ; therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That while deeply deploring his untimely end, we submissively 
 bow to the decree of the Divine Will, confidently trusting that our tempo- 
 rary loss is his eternal gain. 
 
 Resolved, That we regard the removal from our midst of one so young, 
 so generous, so noble hearted, cut down as lie was in the vigor of manhood 
 and in the full tide of a brilliant career, with the deepest sorrow and most 
 poignant regret. 
 
 Resolved, That in the removal from our cherished circle of Col. Tremain, 
 not only does our Fraternity lose a most valuable member and earnest sup- 
 porter, but the country has lost a bright ornament that shone with conspicu- 
 ous lustre. 
 
 Resolved, That we shall ever cherish his memory as a man of exalted 
 character, and as a genorous and reliable friend, who had endeared himself 
 to us all by his manly conduct and unwavering devotion to our mutual 
 interests. 
 
 Resolved, That to the afflicted fixmily of the deceased we tender our most 
 profound and heartfelt sympathies in this sore bereavement. 
 
 Resolved. That our badges be draped in mourning for the requisite period, 
 and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased, 
 and be published in the public journals. 
 
 CHARLES C. BURNS, 
 GEORGE E. PRITCHETT, 
 
 AUGUSTUS C. MEANS, 
 
 Committee. 
 
52 MEMOIR. 
 
 At a meeting of the resident members of the Theta Delta Chi 
 Fraternity, held on the 15th inst., at the city of Albany, on motion 
 Major George Pomeroy, U. S. A., was called to the Chair, and 
 Clarence T. Jenkins was appointed Secretary. On motion of 
 Thos. Simons, the following preamble and resolutions were unani- 
 mously adopted : 
 
 Whereas, We have learned with the deepest regret of the death of our 
 brother, Frederick L. Tremain, of wounds received in the discharge of 
 his duty on the field of battle, and desiring to express onr admiration of his 
 brief but brilliant military career, our appreciation of the noble qualities of 
 mind and heart which distinguished him as a companion and friend, and 
 our heartfelt sympathy with those who arc called upon to mourn his loss, in 
 still nearer and dearer relations : 
 
 Resolved, That it becomes our fraternity, being mindful of his worth to 
 us in life, and of the bright example of his death, to add its tribute of 
 respect and affection for the memory of our departed friend. It is well 
 indeed for us that wo have this consolation in our sorrow, that his life was not 
 spent in vain, for though we cannot but feel the blow that has stricken him 
 from our number, it is with mournful pride that we shall yet answer for 
 liim, " Dead on the field of honor." 
 
 " Oh, fallen in manhood's fairest morn, 
 
 We will remember "mid our sighs, 
 He never yields his life too soon 
 
 For country and for right who dies." 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That the badge of our fraternity be draped in mourn- 
 ing for thirty days; that a copy of those resolutions be presented to the 
 family of the deceased, and other copies be furnished for publication and 
 for transmission to the several chapters of our fraternity. 
 
 GEORGE FOMEROY, Chairman. 
 
 Clarence T. Jenkins, Secretary. 
 
 At a meeting of the members of Xi Charge of the Theta Delta 
 Chi Fraternity, resident in Washington City, the following preamble 
 and resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz : 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in his infinite wisdom, to remove 
 from us our beloved brother, Frederick Lyman Tremain, Lieut. Colonel 
 of the 10th N. Y. Cavalry who fell mortally wounded, while gallantly rally- 
 ing his men at Hatcher's Run, on Monday, February 6, 1865 ; therefore 
 
 Be it resolved. That in the death of Colonel Tremain the country has lost 
 a noble defender and gallant soldier, and this fraternity an honest and 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 53 
 
 faithful member whose generous and genial nature endeared him to all his 
 brethren, and while, with humble reverence, we bow before tlie mandates of 
 an all-wise Providence, we can but deeply lament the loss we have sus- 
 tained. 
 
 Resolved, That while in this sudden and irretrievable calamity we recog- 
 nize how cold and unavailing must be all human sympathy, we tender to 
 his bereaved family our heartfelt condolence in this our common affliction, 
 and trust that the remembrance of his noble deeds and gallant death may 
 be permitted in some degree to soothe the intens'ty of our grief. 
 
 Resolved, That the badge of our fraternity be draped in mourning for the 
 
 customary period, and that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the 
 
 family of the deceased. 
 
 M. C. ADDOMS, Class of 1802, 
 
 P. C. GILBERT, Class of 1862, 
 
 E. O. GRAVES, Class of 18G4. 
 
 Committee. 
 
 Washington, D. C, Feb. 13, 18G5. 
 
 Washington, D. C, Feb. 16, 1865. 
 Honored Sir : Wc have the honor to enclose herewith a eopy of 
 resolutions in regard to the death of your lamented son Frederick, 
 adopted at a meeting of his brethern in the Xl Charge of the 
 Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, resident in this city. We trust you 
 will excuse this intrusion on your grief, when you remember that 
 we were poor Fred's intimate friends, and at one time daily com- 
 panions, and that the calamity which has cast so deep a gloom over 
 your household has saddened many other hearts, bound to his by 
 fraternal ties — less sacred only than those of relationship. Yet 
 even at such a time as this, it gives us a sad pleasure to bear tes- 
 timony to his many virtues, the gentleness, geniality and gene- 
 rosity of a nature that seemed completely happy only when it had 
 secured the complete happiness of those around it. We were most 
 intimate with him in his college days and sadly recall him as a 
 noble, amiable and light-hearted friend and companion, whose 
 worst faults were an excess of generosity and boyish spirits, fail- 
 ings that might truly be said to " lean to virtue's side." He was 
 first in every enterprise of daring or merriment, and the life of 
 every social gathering. Noble youth ! True even in death to the 
 
54 MEMOIR. 
 
 character of his life, falling foremost in the fray, where the blows 
 
 fell fastest and the strife was hottest, he has gone on high to add 
 
 another heroic spirit to the sainted band of freedom's martyrs ! 
 
 AVith great respect. 
 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 M. C. ADDOMS, 
 
 E. 0. GllAVES. 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain, 
 
 Albany, N. Y. 
 
 An extract from the proceedings of the Albany Soldiers' Relief 
 Society : 
 
 That besieging army lying at the gates of Richmond is but gathering its 
 energies for another desperate struggle for the occupancy of that city. When 
 the struggle comes, how broad will be the field of labor which will open to 
 us ! Already the heavy shadow of that impending conflict has fallen in our 
 midst, and that ardent young spirit, which went out from us so lately, 
 instinct with life and hope, comes back to us to-day a dead hero, enshrined 
 forever in his country's heart. 
 
 Albany is indeed rich in her historic roll of heroes; let her be rich also in 
 her record of those humbler services of patriotism that are within the reach 
 of us all. 
 
 By order of tlie Executive Committee. 
 
 Mrs. REUBEN E. FENTON, Pres't. 
 
 The late Lieut. Colonel Tremain. 
 
 General Headquarters, State of N.ew York, ) 
 Adj. General's Office, Albany, Feb. 16, 1865. y 
 
 Special Orders, No. 62. 
 
 In compliment to the liigh character and gallantry of Lieutenant Colonel 
 Frederick L. Tremain, Tenth Regiment of Cavalry, New York State Vol- 
 unteers, who died of a wound received in the late battle of Hatcher's Run, 
 Va., His Excellency Governor Fenton, with his Staff", will attend the fune- 
 ral of the deceased, to take place at St. Peter's Church, in this city, on the 
 16th day of February, instant at 3 o'clock p. m. 
 
 By order of the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 WM. IRVINE, Adjutant General. 
 
MEMOIR. 55 
 
 General Orders, No. 1. 
 
 Headquar'ers 10th Regiment, N.G. S. N. Y. ) 
 Albany, February 15, 1865. \ 
 
 I. Commandants of Companies are hereby directed to assemble their 
 commands at their respective Armories on Thursday, February 16th, at 
 1^ o'clock p. M. 
 
 II. The Commandants will report with their companies in Regulation 
 Uniform and Overcoats to Lieut. E. H. Merrihew, Acting Adjutant, on 
 Pearl street, opposite Regimental Headquarters, promptly at 2:45 o'clock 
 for the purpose of attending the funeral of the late gallant Lieutenant Col- 
 onel Frederick L. Tremain, who so nobly devoted a life, bright with hope 
 and full of promise, to the cause and service of our common countiy. 
 
 III. Lieut. Col. D. M. "Woodhall will take command of the Parade. 
 
 By order of 
 
 Col. FRANK CHAMBERLAIN. 
 E. H. Merrihew, Lieut, and Acting Adj't. 
 
EXI'RESSIO?(S OF THB PUBLIC PRESS. 
 
 From the Albany Evening Journal. 
 Death of Lieut. Col. Frederick L. Tremain. 
 
 Another of our noble youth has fallen a sacrifice to this " cruel 
 war." Another household has been invaded, and other hearts 
 have been made desolate. Lieut. Colonel Frederick L. Tre- 
 main died at City Point on Wednesday, of the wounds which he 
 received in the advance upon Hatcher's Run, near Petersburg, on 
 Sunday last. The first report of his wound foreshadowed this 
 result, but a subsequent despatch gave hope that he might survive. 
 This hope was not realized. After three days of suffering, his 
 young life went out, and with it the brightest light of a once happy 
 but now saddened family circle. We know that in such an hour 
 of terrible sorrow, human sympathy, however heartfelt and sincere, 
 can do but little toward assauging the bitterness of parental grief. 
 But this sympathy is all that those who knew and loved the brave 
 boy, can proflFer those whose hearts have been crushed by this sad 
 bereavement. They must look elsewhere for that " comfort where- 
 with they are comforted," who recognize in every dispensation, 
 the hand of One who " doeth all things well," and who alone can 
 give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the 
 spirit of heavyness." 
 
 Col. Tremain went to the field in the fall of 1862, as Adjutant 
 of the Seventh Volunteer Artillery. Not relishing the monotony 
 and inactivity of garrison life— to which duty the regiment was 
 assigned — he sought and obtained a transfer, and was detailed to 
 Staff service in the field, with G-en. GrREGG, in the cavalry corps of 
 
58 M E M I R. 
 
 Gen. Sheridan. And here he found abundant opportunity for 
 the display of his high soldierly qualities. He was foremost in 
 every battle in which that corps engaged, and which has rendered 
 it and its heroic leaders famous in the annals of the war. He was 
 in that ever memorable ride from the Rapidan to the James, dur- 
 ing which a score of battles were fought, millions of the enemy's 
 property destroyed, the outer fortifications of Kichmond entered, 
 and prodigies of valor displayed by every member of the heroic 
 band. On the James, he joined in most of the cavalry reconnoi- 
 sances and raids which have passed into history as among the most 
 dramatic of the war, and fell while engaged in driving back the 
 Rebel force which attempted to check the resistless progress of our 
 troops. 
 
 Colonel Tremain was a young man to be admired and loved. He 
 combined, with a noble presence, winning manners and attractive 
 social qualities. As a soldier he was prompt and fearless. He was 
 a brave rider, and coveted nothing so much as perilous adventure. 
 He early attracted the attention of his superior oflicers by his manly 
 bearing and gallant deeds, and earned his several promotions by 
 his heroic achievements. 
 
 It is only a few days since he left home, after a brief furlough, 
 with his commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth Cavalry. 
 He had not had time to formally enter upon his new duties when 
 he fell. It is sad to follow to the tomb one so young, and whose 
 future was so full of promise. But his memory will ever be grate- 
 fully revered, and his name will live, through all coming time, as 
 that of one who gave his young life for his beloved country. 
 
 Although the deceased had been nearly three years in the ser- 
 vice, and had attained to the distinction of a Lieutenant Colonel, 
 he was but a few months past twenty-one years of age. He was 
 born in Greene county, and graduated at Geneva College in ^862. 
 His father. Judge Lyman Tremain, left for City Point last Mon- 
 day evening, but he could not have reached that place in time to 
 close the eyes of his brave boy. This will add to the poignancy of 
 his sorrow, and intensify the sympathy which his fellow citizens 
 feel for the family in this dark hour of their sad bereavement. 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 59 
 
 From the Atlas and Argus. 
 
 Death op Lieut. Colonel Tremain. 
 
 Wc, in common with all our citizens, were made sad by the 
 announcement of the death of this brave officer. He was wounded 
 while in the discharge of his dangerous duty in the advance upon 
 Hatcher's Kun, near Petersburg, last Sunday, and although an 
 encouraging report had been sent on to his relatives and friends 
 here, there was reason to fear from the first that it would prove 
 fatal. 
 
 Colonel Tremain joined the service in 1862, as Adjutant of the 
 Seventh Volunteer Artillery, one of the best and largest Regiments 
 sent from Albany. It was assigned to duty in the Forts near 
 Washington, but in the course of a few months Colonel Tremain, 
 anxious for a more active military life, sought and obtained a posi- 
 tion on the Staff of General Greog, in the cavalry corps of Major 
 General Sheridan. Educated, young and chivalrous, he speedily 
 won the confidence of his superiors, and promotion soon followed 
 the development of the soldierly accomplishments which distin- 
 guished him in the many battles in which he participated. No 
 better evidence of his merits as a soldier need be cited than the 
 fact that he earned the rank of Lieut. Colonel at the early age of 
 twenty-one. The history of this war, participated in by so many 
 of the youth of the country, a.id offering unprecedented opportu- 
 nities for promotion, affords but few instances of one so young 
 attaining this distinction. 
 
 There is added another bright name to the long list of gallant 
 young Albanians who have been lost in the war. 
 
 From the Albany Morning Express. 
 Death of Lieut. Colonel Tremain. 
 We were pained to learn at a late hour last evening of the death 
 of Lieut. Colonel Frederick L. Tremain. The sad event occur- 
 red at the City Point Hospital day before yesterday. Upon the 
 first intelligence that he was wounded in the battle of last Monday, 
 his father, Hon. Lyman Tremain, went on to see him, but he 
 
60 MEMOIR. 
 
 had only arrived at Washington when the sorrowful intelligence of 
 death filled the cup of his anguish. The first report of the Avound 
 represented it as serious, but the hearts of the gallant young ofiicer's 
 friends became more buoyant when, a day later, more favorable 
 intelligence was received, and now the fatal blow falls upon them 
 with appalling eff"ect. 
 
 Colonel Tremain was young in years to hold so high a position; 
 but though youthful in appearance he was distinguished for manly 
 attributes. Entering the service as Adjutant of the Tth Artillery 
 Regiment, he rose to the rank which he held at his death. He was 
 kind, genial and brave, beloved by all who knew him, endeared 
 alike to officers and men. Animated and vivacious, gifted with 
 social virtues and a culture rare in one so young, he was a delight- 
 ful companion and a true friend. As a soldier, his rapid promotion 
 is the best evidence of his zeal and patriotic pride in the perform- 
 ance of his duty. The bitterness of death is partially assauged by 
 the consciousness that he nobly died in the service of his country. 
 He acted honorably his part in that service, and has left it only to 
 embark upon Ihat illimitable sea on which 
 
 Ships are drifting with their dead, 
 To shores where all is dumb. 
 
 From the Albany Knickerbocker. 
 Death op Lieut. Colonel Tremain. 
 The death of this young and gallant officer makes the fifth who 
 had served on the stafi" of Colonel Morris, of the Tth Artillery, 
 while he was in command of a brigade. Colonel Tremain went 
 out as Adjutant of the 113th Regiment, which was afterwards 
 changed to the Tth Artillery, and acted as Acting Assistant Adju- 
 tant Greneral on the staff of Colonel Morris about eighteen months, 
 when he was promoted to Captain on the staff of General Davies, 
 commanding a brigade of cavalry then under the gallant Kilpa- 
 TRICK. He joined his brigade just in time to participate in the 
 affair at Mine Run, in the latter part of November, 1863. This 
 was the hardest and severest march the Army of the Potomac ever 
 underwent. The cold was so intense that our pickets were frozen 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 61 
 
 on their posts, and for four days the officers scarcely tasted food. 
 Colonel Tremain stood this hard task equal to an old veteran. 
 He went through all the perils and glories of General Sheridan's 
 cavalry raid which was made on Richmond last spring. Colonel 
 Tremain participated in every fight and skirmish which the cav- 
 alry took part in from the time he was assigned to the staiF of 
 General Davies till he was killed. Last December he was pro- 
 moted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 10th New York Cavalry, and 
 at the time he was wounded was in command of his regiment. No 
 young man was more thoroughly posted or studied harder to 
 acquaint himself in military knowledge than Colonel Tremain. He 
 was at home in the saddle, and of all the perils of a soldier's life 
 this was what he most coveted. As a soldier he was prompt and 
 fearless, and in his death the cavalry loses an experienced, brave 
 and skillful officer, and a large circle of relatives and friends are 
 bereaved of one of whom they were justly proud. His funeral will 
 take place to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, from the residence of 
 his father, on State street above the Capitol, on which occasion the 
 remains will be escorted by the 10th Regiment, Colonel Cham- 
 berlain. 
 
 A Correspondent in the New York Times. 
 Lieut. Colonel Tremain. 
 Among the killed at the battle of Hatcher's Run, last week, was 
 Frederick L. Tremain, eldest son of Hon. Lyman Tremain, 
 of Albany, and at the time of his death Lieutenant Colonel of the 
 Tenth New York Cavalry. He was born in Greene County, in 
 this State, in June, 1848. His character as a boy was distin- 
 guished by those qualities of generosity, firmness and courage that 
 marked him as a man, and endeared him to all who knew him. 
 After careful preparation at the school of JJr. Reed, at Geneva, 
 in the fall of 1860 he entered Hobart College, with the highest 
 hopes and the highest prospects. There he remained until the 
 summer of 1862, when, unable longer to resist the promptings of 
 patriotism, he was made Adjutant of the Seventh Regiment of 
 New York Heavy Artillery. He accompanied the regiment to 
 
62 MEMOIR. 
 
 Washington, where, much to his regret, it was detailed for the 
 defences of that city. Although constantly engaged in his duties 
 as Adjutant, and in the acquisition of military knowledge, Colonel 
 Tremain was ever eager for active service in the field. At last, 
 in September, 1863, he was appointed by the President Assistant 
 Adjutant General, with the rank of Captain, with orders to report 
 to General Davies, of the cavalry, of the Potomac Army. He 
 was assigned to the staff of that officer, then commanding a brigade 
 in Kilpatrick's division. He was transferred to the staif of the 
 First Brigade, Second Divison, then under the command of Colonel 
 Taylor, after and now by General Davies. He remained on 
 this staff, distinguished himself by his bravery in many engage- 
 ments, by the courtesy of his manner, and the prompt and intelli- 
 gent discharge of every duty until December last, when he was 
 commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth New York Cav- 
 aby. He ever won the affectionate regard, as he always secured 
 the respect of his superior officers, and the warm friendship of his 
 companions in arms. 
 
 In the battle of Feb. 6, at Hatcher's Run, the command of his 
 regiment had just fallen to him, when he was struck by a musket 
 ball in the hip. This wound, though not considered serious at 
 first, resulted in his death on the night of the following Wednesday. 
 Thus lived and died one of our youngest and bravest officers. At 
 school, at college, in all the different positions he occupied in the 
 army, his abilities commanded respect, his kind and genial quali- 
 ties won him love. He was eminent for the gentleness and purity 
 of his character, his bravery in action, his devotion to his country's 
 liberties, and that Union for which he so freely gave his young and 
 noble life. 
 
 He leaves a bereaved family, whose pride he so justly was, and 
 many sorrowing friends, to mourn his loss, whose consolation it 
 will be, when time has assuaged the pangs of separation from one 
 so loved, that he fell in the discharge of the highest, noblest duty 
 of man, battling for his country and life. 
 
 " How sleep the brave who sink to rest, 
 By all their country's wishes blest ! 
 
MEMOIR. 63 
 
 When Spring, witli dewy fingers cold, 
 Returns to deck vheir hallowed mould, 
 She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
 Than fancy's feet have ever trod. 
 By fairy hands their knell is rung; 
 By forms unseen their dirge is sung; 
 There Honor d.-mes a ])ilgrim gray, 
 To bless the turf that wraps their clay; 
 And freedom shall awhile re])air, 
 To dwell a weeping hermit there !" 
 
 From the New York Tribune. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Tremain, of the 10th New York Cavalry, 
 and son of the Hon. Lyman Tremain, of Albany, was among the 
 slain at the battle of Hatcher's Kun. Colonel Tremain was born 
 in Greene County, New York, in June, 1843 ; entered Hobart 
 College in the fall of 1800, and remained till the summer of 18G2, 
 when unable longer to resist the calls of patriotism, he entered the 
 army as Adjutant of the 7th New York Heavy Artillery. He 
 served with distinction in the defenses of Washington, and subse- 
 quently as Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Captain, 
 on the staff of General Davies of the cavalry in Kilpatrick's 
 Division of the Potomac Army. In this position he distinguished 
 himself by his bravery and the prompt and intelligent discharge of 
 his duties. In December last he was commissioned Lieutenant 
 Colonel of the 10th New York Cavalry, in the command of which 
 regiment he was wounded at Hatcher's Kun in the battle of Feb- 
 ruary 6, and died on the following Wednesday. Colonel Tremain 
 was distinguished for an unusual degree of generosity, firmness 
 and courage, great ability and entire devotion to the cause of his 
 country. His bereaved family and very many attached friends 
 will long cherish his memory with affectionate sorrow. 
 
 From the New York Times. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Frederick L. Tremain, of the Tenth 
 Cavalry, and son of Judge Tremain, of Albany, badly wounded 
 before Petersburgh on Monday, died on Wednesday. Colonel 
 
Tremain joined the service in 1862, as Adjutant of the Seventh 
 Volunteer Artillery, one of the best and largest regiments sent 
 from Albany. It was assigned to duty in the forts near Wash- 
 ington, but in the course of a few months. Colonel Tremain, anx- 
 ious for a more active military life, sought and obtained a position 
 on the staff of General Gregg, in the cavalry corps of Major Gen- 
 eral Sheridan. He speedily won the confidence of his superiors, 
 and promotion soon followed the development of the soldierly accom- 
 plishments which distinguished him in the many battles in which 
 he participated. No better evidence of his merits as a soldier need 
 be cited than the fact that he had earned the rank of Lieutenant 
 Colonel at the early age of twenty-one. 
 
 From the Albany Standard & Statesman. 
 Funeral op Lieutenant Colonel Tremain. 
 The funeral of Lieutenant Colonel Tremain will take place 
 from his father's residence, in State street, to-morrow afternoon. 
 The remains will be escorted by the 10th Regiment, Colonel Cham- 
 berlain. Lieutenant Colonel Tremain died from the effects of 
 a wound received while gallantly leading his regiment at the late 
 battle at Hatcher's Run. Colonel Tremain entered the service 
 as Adjutant. From this position he advanced to the Lieutenant 
 Colonelcy in about two years. As an officer, he was brave, active 
 and enterprising. As a gentleman, he was courteous and obliging. 
 No officer in the service was more admired. No death in the ser- 
 vice will be more regretted. He lived a patriot and died a hero. 
 We condole with his parents in their great affliction. 
 
 From the Catskill Democratic Journal. 
 Death of Colonel Frederick L. Tremain. 
 With deep regret we learn the death of this young and patriotic 
 soldier. Colonel Tremain was but a few weeks since promoted 
 to his present rank for gallant and meritorious conduct in battle. 
 He received his death wound at the battle before Petersburg last 
 week. He was a brilliant, fearless and dashing officer, and met 
 his death like a hero, fighting for his country. He had but just 
 
MEMOIR. 65 
 
 arrived at the years of manhood, although holding the high rank 
 of Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment, a position he had won by his 
 brave conduct. Colonel Tremain was born in Durham, in this 
 county, and a son of the Hon. Lyman Tremain, now of Albany. 
 The tcrri])le blow will fall with crushing weight upon his fond and 
 devoted parents. 
 
 From tlie Catskill Examiner. 
 Death of Lieut. Colonel Tremain. 
 Among the killed at the late battle of Hatcher's Run, was 
 Frederick L. Tremain, son of Hon. Lyman Tremain, of Al- 
 bany. He was wounded in the hip by a musket ball, while in 
 command of the Tenth New York Cavalry, and though the wound 
 at fii'st was not considered dangerous, it resulted fatally on Wed- 
 nesday the 8th inst. Colonel Tremain was extremely young for 
 one occupying his position, though he displayed in the discharge 
 of his duties the calm judgment and courage of a veteran soldier. 
 He was born in this county in 1843, and in his early youth gave 
 abundant evidence of the noble qualities which distinguished him 
 as a man, and procured for him the rapid military advancement 
 which was due to his superior intelligence, courage and generosity. 
 In all his different relations through life, from the district school 
 to the college and the army, he won the esteem and love of all 
 with whom he was associated. He was a brave and accomplished 
 officer, and his devotion to his country, for which he freely gave 
 his young life, will secure his name a place among those of the 
 heroes who will be hereafter most honored for their valor, their 
 patriotism, and their public services. 
 
 From the Geneva Gazette. 
 
 Obituary. 
 
 It is our sad duty to record the death of Lieutenant Colonel 
 
 Frederick L. Tre^siain, who died at City Point hospital from 
 
 the effects of a wound by a musket ball, received at the battle of 
 
 Hatcher's Run on \yednesday of last week. Mr. Tremain, it 
 
 9 
 
66 MEMOIR. 
 
 will be remembered, was a student at Hobart College, a member of 
 the class of 1864, and at the termination of his Sophomore year 
 left college to sustain the honor of the nation, and assert her 
 authority at the hazard of his own life, which we see now resulting 
 so fatally. Mr. Tremain entered the army as an Adjutant of an 
 Albany regiment, from which position he was soon promoted to 
 Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Captain on General 
 Davies staff. Having shown prominent valor and firmness, he 
 was this winter promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 10th New 
 York State Cavalry. We can imagine how he longed for an oppor- 
 tunity to show his regiment that he, a young man of twenty-two 
 years of age, would be a courageous leader, and Avhen occasion 
 required, how he plunged madly into the fearful scene of carnage, 
 riding at the head of his battalion ; how with upraised sword and 
 the command " charge" upon his lips, he fell. The fatal ball 
 lodged in his thigh, and after lingering till the following Wednes- 
 day, he died. It hardly seems possible that it can be a reality ; 
 and only when we think that the "place which once knew him 
 shall know him again no more" — when we miss his genial face and 
 generous heart, his brilliant vivacity and noble spirit — do we con- 
 vince ourselves of the truth, and submissively yield to the wisdom 
 of the Almighty. Farewell, thou noble son of a noble country ! 
 Where the darkness of the grave enshrouds him, there let him 
 sleep. The earth is his mother, and the soil of Columbia his tomb. 
 
 Army correspondence of the Associated Press. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Tremain, wrongly reported as Major Tre- 
 MAiNE of General Grant's staff, and of the Tenth New York 
 Cavalry, who was badly wounded in the engagement of Monday, 
 died last evening. He was a gallant officer, and much respected 
 and loved by his comrades in the service. 
 
 From the Albany Knickerbocker. 
 
 Honor to the Dead. 
 
 On the morning of the 10th inst., the officers of the 1st brigade 
 
 of the 2d cavalry division, in the Army of the Potomac, held a 
 
 meetinsr relative to the death of Lieutenant Colonel Frederick 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 67 
 
 L. Tremain. a series of resolutions to the memory of this young 
 and gallant officer were adopted. They paid a proper tribute to 
 the purity of his life and character, to his unselfish patriotism, 
 courteous bearing, manly courage and earnestness of purpose, all 
 of which gave promise of a bright future for this much lamented 
 voun"- man. His loss is deeply mourned by his brethren in arms. 
 
 From the Journal and othor Albany Papers. 
 
 Funeral Ceremonies of the late Lieutenant Colonel 
 Frederick L. Tremain. 
 
 One of the most imposing funerals that has yet taken place in 
 our city was that of Lieutenant Colonel Frederick L. Tremain, 
 which took place yeterday afternoon. After the services had been 
 performed at the residence of his father, Lyman TremaiN, in 
 State street, the corpse was conveyed to St. Peter's Church under 
 the escort of the Zouave Cadets, to the tap of the muffled drum, 
 followed by the relatives of the deceased. Opon reaching this 
 edifice the corpse was conveyed by the following pall bearers : 
 Lieut. Colonel Clarence Corning, Lieut. Colonel William 
 Corning, Lieut. Colonel Charles M. Strong, Major Rufus 
 W. Peckham, Jr., Major Dudley Olcott, Major George L. 
 Pomeroy, Messrs. Billings P. Learned, Jr., Bradley Mar- 
 tin, Edw. Hun, Hamilton Van Vechten, Andrew Greene, 
 Amasa J. Parker, Jr., M. H. Avery and Wm. R. Vernam. 
 Reaching the porch, they were met by the Rector and Assistant 
 Rector, Rev. Messrs. Wilson and Tatlock, and proceeding up 
 the aisle, the Rector read the introductory sentences as given in the 
 order for the burial of the dead. 
 
 The edifice was thronged and many an eye was dimmed with 
 tears as the lifeless remains of this young officer were borne up the 
 broad aisle and placed in front of the chancel. It was a solemn 
 spectacle, and the plaintive notes of the deep-toned organ, as they 
 blended with the voice of the Rector, penetrated the heart of the 
 most careless observer. This was followed by the choir chanting 
 in response the 30th and 90th Psalms. The Rev. Mr. Tatlock 
 read a portion of the 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians, and the con- 
 
68 MEMOIR. 
 
 eluding services were performed by the Rev. Mr. Wilson. The 
 services in the church being concluded, the corpse was received 
 by the 10th Regiment N. Y. S. N. Gr., under command of Lieut. 
 Colonel WooDHULL, and conveyed to the cemetery. 
 
 The 10th Regiment, preceded by Schreiber's Band, acted as 
 escort, and the Zouaves as a guard of honor. The coffin was cov- 
 ered with roses, and behind the hearse the horse of the deceased, 
 with all his accoutrements reversed, was led by a groom. The 
 cortege was large and imposing. Among those present, and as 
 military mourner, was Colonel Avery, who was in command of 
 the reo-iment when young Tremain fell. The Rectors of St. Peter's 
 accompanied the remains to the burial ground, where they per- 
 formed the last sad rites over the body of the lamented young 
 soldier. 
 
LETTERS. 
 
 Omitting numerous letters from private citizens full of kind 
 and feeling tributes, I select a few written by military officers 
 whose position as military men brought them into close and inti- 
 mate relations with the deceased. 
 
 War Department, Feb. 10, 1865. 
 My Dear Sir : I am unable to tell how deeply my heart sym- 
 pathises with you and Mrs. Tremain in the great calamity that 
 has fallen upon you in the death of your son. That he has fallen 
 upon the field of battle, fighting gallantly for his country, and 
 given his life as a sacrifice for national existence, may hereafter be 
 some consolation when time has embalmed his memory and assuaged 
 the present agony of bereavement. I pray you, my dear friend, 
 accept the assurance of my commisseration, and I trust that you 
 will find support and comfort from that Divine Providence that has 
 called your gallant son from the field of battle to a haven of rest. 
 Yours, truly, 
 
 EDWIN M. STANTON. 
 Hon. L. Tremain. 
 
 Headquarters 2d Cav. Division, ) 
 Army of the Potomac, March 1, 1865. ) 
 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain, 
 
 My Dear Sir : I take the first opportunity of being able to use 
 my pen to express to you my sincere sympathy on the great loss 
 you have sustained in the death of your gallant son, Lieutenant 
 Colonel Tremain. 
 
70 MEMOIR. 
 
 I know that I can say nothing that will alleviate the suffering 
 caused by a blow such as that you have sustained, but while you 
 mourn his loss it will be at least some consolation to know that he 
 fell fighting for the good cause, and that his name will be ever 
 remembered among those of the gallant men who have given up 
 all, even to life itself, for the honor and safety of the country. As 
 a brave and gallant officer, one who already in his extreme youth 
 had won high military honors, and had before him a brilliant career 
 of hope and promise, his early death is deeply and sincerely regret- 
 ted by all his fellow officers and by none more than myself. For 
 a long period he had served upon my staff, and had always deserved 
 and obtained high praise for his knowledge of duty, his cheerfulness 
 and untiring assiduity and the conspicuous gallantry he had dis- 
 played upon every battle field. When he was promoted to a higher 
 position I regretted much that our intimate personal relations shoiild 
 be disturbed, but I was well aware of his high deserving and knew 
 that his promotion was but a just recognition of his many good 
 qualities. 
 
 During the short period he served with his regiment he had 
 deserved the highest praise, and I looked upon his future advance- 
 ment as secure and saw that if his life should be spared he had 
 within his reach the highest honors of the profession of arms. 
 
 This, however, was not to be, and on the 6th of February, while 
 leading his regiment with gallantry and judgment surpassed by 
 none, he fell before the fate that has already cut off so many of our 
 best and bravest men. 
 
 While we mourn his loss we must remember that his death was 
 as glorious as his life had been distinguished. 
 
 In the vicissitudes of war should it be my fate to fall I could 
 ask no death more distinguished than his ; to fall at the crowning 
 point of a success to which his gallantry and good conduct had 
 greatly assisted, and to know that his farewell from earth and wel- 
 come above would be the same — "Well done thou good and faith- 
 ful servant." 
 
 With the most sincere regards and the assurance of my heartfelt 
 sympathy in your aflliction, believe me 
 
 Very truly yours, H. E. DAVIES, Jr., Brig. Gen. 
 
MEMOIR. 71 
 
 Headquarters, 10th N. Y. Cavalry, 
 Before Petersburg, Va., March 11, 18G5. 
 
 My Dear Sir : Although more than a month has elapsed since 
 the battle of Hatcher's Run, the last engagement in which your son, 
 our gallant associate, participated, and in which his young life was 
 laid upon the altar of his country, we, his comrades, are but the 
 more frequently reminded of the vacant place in our little circle. 
 Though his connexion with the regiment had been recent, yet, as 
 Assistant Adjutant Greneral of the Brigade, we had met him in 
 social intercourse, and also marked his conspicuous bravery on the 
 field. From the highest to the lowest he received an earnest wel- 
 come, not as a stranger, but as one who had been identified with 
 us, of whose name and fame we were proud, and whose reputation 
 was hereafter to belong more exclusively to us as a regiment. His 
 honorable and unselfish ambition was particularly gratified that his 
 promotion had been effected without detriment to the individual 
 interests of any of our officers, and which was enhanced by his pre- 
 vious refusal of a proffered appointment, which if accepted would 
 have compelled the overslaugh of a competent and deserving officer. 
 
 He came among us with an earnest intention to contribute the 
 whole of his ability and energy towards improving the morale and 
 effectiveness of the organization with which he had become identified. 
 At timos I could not refrain from smiling at the very earnest man- 
 ner in which he endeavored to impress upon me the fact of his 
 being young, — accustomed to habits of study and application ; — his 
 expressions of desire to share in the responsibility of command, 
 and that it would be but necessary to merely indicate any duty 
 which it were desirable that he should execute. 
 
 A few days before the movement a system of evening recitations 
 of the officers in Tactics and the Regulations had been instituted 
 under his charge. To this he devoted himself in the same earnest 
 and conscientious manner in which he performed every task. 
 Among other lessons was that of acquiring a new manual for the 
 Carbine, just introduced into the division. In this, to the surprise 
 of all, he became remarkably proficient after a few hours practice, 
 his previous experience as executive officer of the Brigade having 
 led me to imagine that he would be found wanting in the practice 
 
72 M E M I R. 
 
 necessary to an expert manipulation of the piece, bnt to this as all 
 other duties of his profession, he had devoted apainstakingattention. 
 There was no trait of Lieutenant Colonel Tremain's n>ilitary 
 character more prominent than an earnest purpose to contribute 
 his every eifort towards the success of our cause, and which was 
 evinced on trifling occasions as well as in the crisis of an engage- 
 ment. On the morning of our first days march, after a sleepless 
 night, owing to the had condition of the roads, wagons and ambu- 
 lance were continually being mired, thus delaying the column. 
 Although not under his charge he labored assiduously in the mud 
 and water, and when extricated, made sport of the plight in which 
 he found himself, with the consoling remark " That he had earned 
 his pay for that day at least." 
 
 We were preparing our breakfast on the morning of the 6th, 
 when the engagement suddenly opened, he immediately preferring 
 the request to be allowed the post of danger in command of the 
 skirmish line. Knowing his thoughts, I requested him not to 
 unnecessarily expose himself, with the reminder : that " The 
 Tenth " had too often seen him under fire to require needless 
 evidence of his bravery in this his first battle as their Lieutenant 
 Colonel. Our regiment, at first held in reserve, was afterward 
 moved forward upon the line, soon after which, owing to the wound 
 received by General Davies, I was notified that the command of 
 the brigade had fallen to myself. I then despatched a staif-officer 
 to apprise Colonel Tremain of his being in command of the regi- 
 ment, and while receiving the message he was struck by a Minnie 
 ball, and a moment afterward passed me, supported by two men. 
 I shall never forget the pale face, but cheery voice which replied to 
 my anxious inquiry regarding his injury : " That it felt rather deep, 
 and that the blood was running down into his boots." 
 
 I could not then realize that it was the last time in life that I 
 was to look upon the face of one who had become near and dear to 
 me, and whose irreparable loss was henceforth to be mourned by an 
 entire regiment. 
 
 We should be only too happy to contribute in any way to assuage 
 your deep grief, but in such affliction, words are very, very empty ; 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 and in enumerating the noble, manly characteristics of the lost one, 
 and while we look forward to the future, we are but reminded of 
 its brilliant prospect, had he but been spared for its development. 
 Yours, with sincere sympathy, 
 
 M. H. AVERY, 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain, Col. 10th N. Y. Cavalry. 
 
 Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Headquarters 11th U. S. Infantry, ) 
 
 In the Field, near City Point, Va., Feb. 10, 18G5. ^ 
 
 My Dear Judge : It becomes your duty to bear with resignation 
 the sorrows incident to this Rebellion, now drawing rapidly to a 
 close. Your son expired on the 8th inst., the particulars of which 
 have already been communicated ; but I thought my brief note 
 might not be unacceptable, as expressive of my regret, and in sym- 
 pathy with your afflictions. He received his death wound on the 
 field, at the head of his troops, on the 6th inst., at Hatcher's Run, 
 in one of the sharpest conflicts of the war. Having appointed him 
 Adjutant of the Seventh New York Volunteer Artillery, of which 
 I had been designated as Colonel, I had followed him with inter- 
 est, in and out of the field, in the belief that his extreme youth 
 would ripen into an early manhood of usefulness and distinction. 
 In the capacity of Adjutant, and in the duties of an Assistant 
 Adjutant-General, and in his last commission as Lieutenant Col- 
 onel of the 10th New York Volunteer Cavalry, he has fulfilled the 
 expectations of his friends, and left a proud record for his fiimily. 
 Always cheerful and buoyant in the midst of trials and dangers, he 
 imparted to his companions his untiring energy, and won from his 
 followers their confidence and esteem. It has been gratifying to 
 me to hear the praise bestowed by officers of rank for his con- 
 duct in the action on the 6th inst., and the regrets that the service 
 should be so soon deprived of one so distinguished for devotion to 
 the cause. His blade was as keen and as bright as his principles, 
 and in his fall there is a brilliant example, as well as an instruc- 
 tive lesson to his countrymen. You may sorrow while the loss 
 .bears heavily and freshly upon your household ; but, in the future, 
 10 
 
you will find ample reward in the conviction that he actively parti- 
 cipated in the restoration, as well as the promotion of our country. 
 I am, very truly, your friend and obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN T. SPRAGUE, 
 Hon. Lyman Trematn, Lieut.-Colonel U. S. A. 
 
 Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Albany, February 10, 1865. 
 
 My Dear Sir : I know that, at this time, no words of mine can 
 mitigate the sorrow of the sad bereavment which has overshadowed 
 you ; yet I feel that I should do myself injustice — should do injus- 
 tice to the uninterrupted and close friendship which always 
 existed between myself and your dear son — should I refrain from 
 writing to you, or fail to give expression to my regard for him as a 
 man, an officer and a friend. 
 
 We entered the service together in July, 18G2, under the call of 
 Governor Morgan, which provided that the Adjutant and the 
 Surgeon of the regiment should be mustered into the service prior 
 to the enlistment of the men, and it thus happened that we spent 
 nearly a month together, the only officers of the regiment. We 
 were constantly associated during his service as Regimental Adju- 
 tant, and when he was assigned to duty on the Brigade Staff as 
 Assistant Adjutant General, it was my good fortune to be still 
 with him, being Surgeon-in-chief of the Brigade. When subse- 
 quently he entered the Adjutant General's Department, and was 
 assigned to duty on General Davies staff, I met him often. I 
 feel, therefore, that as a man and as a military officer I knew him 
 well. 
 
 There is, besides, another reason which impels me to write. Of 
 the regimental staff which left Albany in the 113th regiment, and 
 participated in the sanguinary campaign of last year, I am the only 
 surviving member. This is true also, with one exception, of the 
 brio-ade staff, on which we served together. Death has claimed them 
 all. Morris, Orr, Springsteed — how tenderly and eloquently 
 would they have written ! Alas ! that \ve should have only the 
 silent eloquence of mingled blood and united deaths in our coun- 
 try's common cause, of friends so noble, brave and true. 
 
MEMOIR. 75 
 
 I well remember the favorable impression he produced by the 
 earnestness with which he entered on his duties as Adjutant of the 
 regiment, the facility with which he mastered the details of his new 
 position, and the promptness and unwearied diligence with which 
 he met the numerous demands made on him in enrolling and mus- 
 tering the regiment — an impression but deepened when, our organ- 
 ization completed, on his young shoulders rested the responsibility 
 of duties so new, so various, and so important. And when, subse- 
 quently. Colonel Morris appointed him Assistant Adjutant Gen- 
 eral of his brigade, his new and higher duties were as readily mas- 
 tered and as satisfactorily filled. The discrimination and judg- 
 ment he expressed on the various questions submitted to him, and 
 the clear, concise and forcible statement of the matters embraced 
 in his reports, bear honorable testimony to the strength of his 
 understanding, and the exactness of his culture. 
 
 But his intimate and comprehensive acquaintance with military 
 duty was not the only nor the chief source of his popularity. His 
 personal qualities endeared him alike to ofiicers and men. Above 
 all petty jealousies — honorable, generous, fair-minded — he was 
 sought as a counsellor and trusted as a friend. Universally popu- 
 lar, his departure from our command was as universally regretted. 
 
 And when, in the hour of battle, his coolness, his decision and 
 his daring shone out above all these qualities ; although he no 
 longer belonged to our regiment, yet his success was our own, and 
 we shared every honor with him. 
 
 But his work is done. On the line nearest the enemy he gave 
 his young life for his country. And no more noble sacrifice has 
 Albany laid on the altar of her patriotism. 
 
 I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 
 
 To Hon. L. Tremain, JAS. E. POMFRET. 
 
 Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Camp First Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry, ) 
 Near Petersburg, Ya., March 8, 1865. \ 
 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain, Albany, N. Y. : 
 
 My Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
 
 your letter of the 2d inst., asking for dates and incidents of the 
 
76 ME MO IE. 
 
 military history of your son, the late gallant Lieutenant-Colonel 
 F. L. TremaiN, 10th New York Cavalry. 
 
 It will afford me much pleasure, so far as I am able, to furnish 
 you with any information relative to the short, but brilliant career 
 of one so brave and so heroic, cut down in his early manhood, and 
 who has so patriotically offered his young blood a sacrifice to coun- 
 try and to liberty. 
 
 I was intimately associated, by the closest ties of friendship, 
 with Colonel TremaIn, while on the brigade staff, and I am happy 
 to say that I have always found him, in every respect, a true 
 American soldier, willing to do and dare anything for the good 
 of the cause and the service. Cool, brave, and self-reliant in 
 action — social, hopeful and cheerful in camp and bivouac- — he was 
 a model soldier, and an accomplished gentleman. Ever prompt, 
 earnest, active and soldierly, he stood high in the estimation of his 
 brother officers of the First Brigade, for gallantry and heroism on 
 the field of battle. 
 
 The following are the battles and skirmishes in which Colonel 
 T REMAIN took part, and was actively engaged : 
 
 BATTLES. 
 
 Todd's Tavern, May 5 and 6, 1864. 
 
 Childsburg, " 9 
 
 Richmond Heights, " 12 
 
 Haws' Shop, " 28 
 
 Cold Harbor, June 1 
 
 Barker's Mills, " 2 
 
 Trevillian Station, " 12 
 
 "White House, " 21 
 
 St. Mary's Church, " 24 
 
 Malvern Hill, July 28 
 
 Lee's Mills, " 31 
 
 Gravel Hill, August 14 
 
 Ream's Station, " 25 
 
 Davis' Farm, October 1 " 
 
 Hatcher's Run, " 26 
 
 Stony Creek, November 27 " 
 
 Bellfield, Weldon Railroad,. . December 9 " 
 
 Dabney's Mills, February " 
 
MEMOIE. 77 
 
 SKIRMISHES. 
 
 Ashland, May 10, 1864. 
 
 Ream's Station, July 15, 1864. 
 
 Gravel Hill, August 16 and 17, 1864, 
 
 Yellow House, Weldon Railroad, August 19, 1864. 
 
 Ream's Station, Weldon Railroad, Aug. 21, 22, 23, 1864. 
 
 Garrett's Station, Weldon Railroad, December 10, 1864. 
 
 INCIDENTS. 
 
 At Todd's Tavern he distinguished himself by charging at the 
 head of a column on the advancing enemy, penetrating their lines, 
 and cutting his way back through them again. 
 
 At the battle of Haws' Shop, one of the hardest fought and most 
 severely contested actions in which the Cavalry Corps has been 
 engaged, he showed great heroism in carrying ammunition on his 
 horse to the skirmish line, under a heavy fire. 
 
 He displayed signal bravery at the battle of St. Mary's Church, 
 June 24th, in passing beyond and between the opposing lines, 
 while acting in the discharge of his duty as a staff-officer. 
 
 At the battle of Davis' Farm, October 1st, the Brigade was 
 attacked by more than double its number of the enemy, and the 
 line beginning to waver under the pressure, he seized a battle-flag, 
 and waving it over his head, rode along the battle-line, reassuring 
 the troops, by his fearless gallantry and undaunted bravery, amid 
 a withering fire. 
 
 At the battle of Hatcher's Run, Oct. 26th, he resolutely stood 
 at his post, under a very heavy artillery fire, cheering and encour- 
 aging the men by his presence and example. 
 
 At Dabney's Mills he fell nobly in the discharge of his duties, 
 meeting a soldier's glorious death, as became his fervent zeal, his 
 generous patriotism, and heroic character. Requiescat in pace, 
 and may the grass grow green above his early grave. 
 
 With many kind wishes to yourself and family, and my deep 
 sympathy in your bereavement, 
 
 I remain, your obedient servant, 
 
 H. S. THOMAS, 
 Major Commanding 1st Penn. Yet. Cavalry. 
 
 L.ofC. 
 
78 MEMOIR. 
 
 Headquarters Army or the Potomac, 
 February 14, 1865. 
 
 My Dear Sir : It is with the most heartfelt sympathy in your 
 great bereavement that I undertake a reply to your note of the 
 10th inst. Fred was like a brother to me — the dearest friend I 
 had in the army ; my heart is loaded witli grief as I think that he 
 has gone. 
 
 Upon heai-ing that Fred had returned from home, I rode over to 
 his regiment, which was then near Hatcher's Run, and found him 
 about taking lunch, which he shared with me ; and we had a long 
 talk of mutual friends. Shortly after we separated, the cavalry 
 were ordered to advance, in conjunction with the infantry, when 
 your son was wounded. The immediate particulars of his fall I 
 presume you have heard from Colonel Avery. As soon as I heard 
 that he was wounded, I obtained permission to go to the hospital, 
 where I found him upon a comfortable bed in very good spirits : 
 his wound had not been examined thoroughly, and the surgeons 
 were unable to state whether it was of a dangerous character. 
 Fred would not listen at first to my suggestion to telegraph to 
 you, but finally thought better of it, whereupon I forwarded my 
 first dispatch. Dr. Page, the Acting Medical Director of the army, 
 examined the wound, and informed me that he did not consider it 
 dangerous, although it would undoubtedly prove a very painful 
 one. Upon his statement I immediately telegraphed you again to 
 this effect. The next intelligence we received here Was of his 
 death. My friend, Dr. Asche, attended him at the City Point 
 Hospital. I inclose his letter, giving particulars of the immediate 
 causes of the unexpected end. Had I had the slightest intimation 
 that there was danger of the injury proving fatal, I should have 
 spared no pains to have been with him. Major Tremain took 
 charge of his effects, and was granted leave of absence to accom- 
 pany the body home. If there is anything left undone here, I 
 shall consider it a favor for you to commission me to execute it. 
 In closing permit me to renew the assurances of my sympathy ; his 
 many friends here will long remember his beloved form, and miss 
 him at the social gathering, where he was the life and soul of the 
 
party. Brave, gallant, generous, he offered up his young life upon 
 his country's shrine — he died a soldier's death. 
 
 •' Green grow the grass above thee friend of my youthful days, 
 None knew thee but to love thee, nor named thee but to praise." 
 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 CHARLES E. PEASE. 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain. 
 
 Headquarters, Ist Division 2d Army Corps, > 
 
 In Field, near Peteusbuugh, Va., Feb. Hj, 1865. ^ 
 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain, Albany, N. Y. : 
 
 Sir : From a letter received last night I was pained to learn of 
 the death of your son Fred., at the same time my warmest friend. 
 I was aware of his being wounded, as I was on the field at the 
 time, but was told it was a slight one. I could not find him then 
 to see him, and came back here, intending to go to the depot and 
 wait his arrival, but on my arrival I was immediately sent back to 
 the left with a regiment to be put in an important position. On 
 my return I found he had gone to City Point. I then tried to get 
 a pass there, but could not, owing to the movement. I am sorely 
 grieved to hear of his sudden death. With him I first entered the 
 service, and with him my relations were always of the most friendly, 
 almost brotherly character, and now to think of his death almost 
 unmans me. His loss will be deeply felt in the 7th N. Y. Artillery, 
 but none more deeply than yourself. Permit me to extend to 
 yourself and family my sincere and heartfelt sympathy in your 
 great and sorrowful afiliction. I trust that the knowledge of his 
 having died in the faithful discharge of his duty, nobly fighting for 
 his country, will tend to soothe your wounded spirits and relieve 
 your grief of its bitterness. I, for my part, will never place a 
 battery, brigade or regiment in position to repel or make an attack 
 without thinking of Fred. I saw Fred, the Saturday afternoon 
 before his death, as he came up to see me. He said he was going 
 to write you, and also that you expected to come down. I told him 
 I expected to go home soon, and he desired me to call on you and 
 
80 MEMOIR. 
 
 relate the interview. I cannot but mourn the loss of such a friend 
 and desire to extend my sympathies. Trusting you may not mourn 
 as one without hope, but that you may be comforted, 
 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN S. McEWAN, 
 Captain and Judge Advocate, 1st Division. 
 
 Headquarters 3d Brigade. 1st Division, 
 5tli Corps, Va., Feb. 17, 1865. 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain : 
 
 Dear Sir : That " death loves a shining mark," has never, in the 
 progress of this war, been more painfully manifested than in the 
 death of your son Fred. A better and braver officer, and one 
 more respected and loved by all his associates in the army, never 
 drew sword in behalf of the country in whose noble defence he has 
 so gallantly fallen. INIourning hearts here mingle tears of regret 
 and condolence with mourning hearts at home — at that fireside 
 where he was so loved — at that home of which he was a proud 
 ornament. He fell in battle — fell as a true soldier would wish to 
 fall. I know this is some consolation to you all ; but never can 
 the clouds of sorrow be wholly dispelled, and in the long coming 
 years of the future there will be the vacant chair, and his manly 
 form will be missed. I loved him as a brother, as did all whose 
 pleasure and pride it was to enjoy his friendship and intimacy. I 
 mourn him as a brother, as do all who knew him, for none knew 
 him but to love him. I wish it was in my power (but it is not,) to 
 write or say something that could lighten this great affliction that 
 has fallen on your household, and lessen your grief for this irrepar- 
 able loss of the best and purest of sons, and most aflfectionate of 
 brothers. 
 
 The first news that reached me of Fred's being wounded was 
 that it was not mortal ; next came the sad intelligence of his death. 
 I immediately made inquiries as to the care of the body, with a 
 view to having it embalmed and forward it to you, with the inten- 
 tion of accompanying it home ; but in this I had been anticipated. 
 There is nothing I would not have have done for him living — there 
 is nothing I would have left undone for him dead, that could lessen 
 the grief of yourself and your household. 
 
MEMOIR. 81 
 
 He has gone from you and us ; you never can cease to mourn 
 him ; we never shall look on his like again. 
 
 Please accept these few lines as a slight assurance of my heart- 
 ful sympathy for you and your family in this your great and trying 
 bereavement. 
 
 I have not the power or heart to say more. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEORGE H. WEIR. 
 
 Headquarters 6th Regiment ^ew York Artillery, ) 
 Defences of Bermuda Hundred, Va., Feb. 21st, 1865. \ 
 Hon. Lyman Tremain : 
 
 Dear Sir : A few days since I heard, with great regret, of the 
 death of your son, Lieutenant-Colonel Tremain, in the recent 
 engagement at Hatcher's Run. Although my acquaintance with 
 him was not intimate, yet the few occasions on which I met him 
 since he entered the service were sufficient to impress me with the 
 fact that he was earnest and sincere, and performed his duties in a 
 manner equally creditable to his talents and conscience. I not 
 unfrequently heard of him, and from my acquaintance with yourself, 
 I naturally was much interested in him, as well as because I heard 
 nothing but good reports of him, whether from officers or men. 
 Amiable, genial and intelligent, he was a favorite with all who 
 knew him, and no less was he respected as a gallant officer than 
 admired as a pleasant companion. His death occasioned many 
 sad hearts in the army, where his memory will long live as that of 
 a good man and a true soldier who died for his country. 
 
 I beg to offer to you and your family my most sincere sympathy 
 in your great affliction. 
 
 I am, with great respect, yours sincerely, 
 
 CHAS. H. PORTER. 
 
 Headquarters 89th New York Yol. Infantry. ) 
 In the Field, Va., Feb. 16th, 1865. ^ 
 
 My dear Uncle : By the paper of the 13th inst., which reached 
 
 us to day, I learned of your great affliction, and hesitate to write; 
 
 well knowing how futile and ineffectual will prove any poor words 
 
 11 
 
82 MEMOIR. 
 
 which I may offer to alleviate the sorrow which this sad blow must 
 cause. I cannot express the heart felt sorrow and sadness which 
 the announcement of cousin Fred's, death has occasioned. I 
 sympathise with you most sincerely and tenderly. Another of us 
 has gone, and if it must be so, there is to my mind the melancholy 
 satisfaction of knowing that he fell, as I think he would have wished, 
 amid the rattle of his ' carbines ' and the roar of battle, while nobly 
 and gallantly contending against the foes of his country. To you 
 I fear there is very little satisfaction in this, but to us who 
 hold our lives by the slightest thread, if it is our fate to die, let it 
 be, as was Fred's, sword in hand. I assure you, that during the 
 coming campaign, I shall not forget the one who has just gone from 
 us, but that his memory will, in battle, make my nerves steadier 
 and my arm stronger, and, should chance offer, he shall be avenged 
 most fully and fearfully. 
 
 With a heart full of sympathy and condolence for you and my 
 dear cousins, to whom the loss of their brother must be a terrible 
 blow, I bid you farewell, and subscribe myself 
 
 Your affectionate nephew, 
 
 F. W. TREMAIN. 
 
 The author of this letter, a son of William Tremain, of 
 Lanesboro, Pennsylvania, was promoted, subsequent to its date, 
 to the Majority of the 89th New York. Attached to the 24th 
 corps, it became his duty to lead his regiment at a charge made 
 near Petersburgh, pursuant to General Grant's order for an attack 
 along the whole line, April 2d, 1865, when he was shot in the head 
 and killed instantly. He was a noble and gallant officer, and died 
 at the early age of twenty-one. 
 
 Four cousins, differing but little in age, entered the service at 
 about the same time, all bright and promising young men, prompted 
 by the highest sentiments of patriotism and duty. Of these, three 
 have lost their lives in the service of their country. Their names 
 are: Lieutenant Walter Tremain, Lieutenant-Colonel Fred- 
 erick L. Tremain, and Major Frank Tremain. 
 
 Major H. E. Tremain, brother of Walter, and son of Edwin 
 Tremain, of New York city, having passed through numerous bat- 
 tles, and perils innumerable, after being taken prisoner at the second 
 
MEMOIR. 80 
 
 battle of Bull Run, and confined in Libby prison for a few weeks, 
 was exchanged, and participated in all the recent battles under 
 Sheridan. His fate has been for many days involved in doubt, 
 but a letter just received by his father, written by him at Burkes- 
 ville, conveys the gratifying intelligence that he is alive and 
 unharmed. 
 
 735 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. 
 February 10, 1865. 
 Hon. L. Tremain : 
 
 My Dear Sir : With much surprise, and with feelings of deep 
 regret, I learned of the death of your son. To me he was as a 
 brother, and I shall feel his loss sadly. 
 
 Our acquaintance commenced in July, 1862, and during our 
 long companionship on the staff of the lamented Colonel Morris, 
 we were constantly together, and I found Fred a true friend and 
 gentleman — generous, honorable and brave. 
 
 You and your family have my warmest sympathy in this your 
 affliction, and while our hearts bleed at his loss, let us look above 
 for that consolation which "the world cannot give," rememberino- 
 that he cheerfully gave up his life for his country — a noble sacrifice 
 on the altar of liberty. 
 
 In view of our warm friendship, and our close military connec- 
 tions, allow me to offer my services in any way I can lessen your 
 sad burdens, and honor his memory in this your hour of deep 
 sorrow. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. H. TREADWELL, 
 Late Captain 7th N. Y. Vol. Artillery. 
 
 1st Brigade, 2d Div. Cavalry, 
 February 9, 1865. 
 
 My Dear Sir : I little thought, when I last saw your son, that I 
 should so soon be called upon to sympathize with you in your sore 
 bereavement, and to lament with you the sad and sudden tern'ina- 
 tion of his brilliant career. 
 
84 MEMOIR. 
 
 We served together on General Davies' staff for eight months, 
 and were thrown together in especial intimacy during the raid to 
 Richmond and the first week of the battles of the Wilderness. It 
 was then that I learned to admire as well as love him. His per- 
 sonal character was truly noble, manly and honorable ; and as a 
 soldier his gallantry and dash were especially conspicuous. He 
 f-eemed, indeed, not to know what fear was, and carried his bravery 
 almost to the point of recklessness. 
 
 Every one esteemed him, as indeed they could not help doing, 
 while his genial, generous temperament, his loyal and devout 
 enthusiasm for the cause, won the admiration of all who watched 
 his behavior. 
 
 His delight in the active duties of his profession was rare and 
 ardent, amounting often to an absolute enthusiasm. As I write 
 I well remember, in illustration of this, his just indignation, and 
 almost grief, at the demoralization observed among a pack train, 
 at what might have been a critical moment, when our rear was 
 attacked on the 9th of May. 
 
 No officer in the army had a future of more promise than he, or 
 anticipated it with more glowing hopefulness. Young as he was, 
 he had already won for himself a reputation which any soldier 
 might envy, and which will be very slow to perish. 
 
 Of my personal attachment to him I dare not suffer myself to 
 speak, nor is this the place to do so. It will live in my mind forever, 
 associated not only with the profession so dear to us both, but with 
 all that is brave and beautiful. 
 
 The loss, too, which you have sustained I feel that I can but 
 imperfectly estimate. Yet knowing what he was to his friends, I 
 can appreciate, in some slight degree, what it must have been to 
 lose so noble, so gifted, and so loving a son. 
 
 It is your high privilege, however, in thinking of the end of his 
 
 young life — the life he risked so often and yielded up so heroically 
 
 — to know that the country so dear to you and to him, he counted 
 
 abundantly worthy the costly sacrifice he made. 
 
 I am, my dear sir, very truly yours, 
 
 JAMES NEILSON POTTER, 
 Hon, Lyman Tremain. Capt. and C. S. Vols. 
 
LINES 
 Ox THE Death of Lieut. -Colonel Frederick L. Tremain. 
 
 BY ALFRED B. STREET. 
 
 Song for the young and brave ! 
 A pean for his bright though brief career ! 
 
 But a low dirge above his warrior grave, 
 The sudden closing to his opening year. 
 Grief twines with glory. While his morn was red 
 His Alma Mater's bowers all greenly spread 
 Joy in his heart, fair fortune at his side, 
 Home with its joys and friends that loved with pride, 
 He turned from all to stem the battle-tide 
 For his loved land, and for that land he died. 
 Amid the roaring rain of musketry, 
 
 And thunder-shock of volleys, the keen play 
 Of bayonet-lightning, his slight form we see 
 
 Full in the front, and where death's awful way 
 "Was wildest ! Woe that he should perish there 
 
 In his fresh strength while sweeping upward road 
 With his good sword, to where Fame, bright and rare 
 For one so young, stood holding high in air 
 
 The laurel wreath. In strife how fiercely glowed 
 His heart ! in rest how full of love and mirth ! 
 Blue shone the sky, and flowery smiled the earth, 
 
 For toward all human kind his heart in gladness flowed. 
 
 The saddle was his throne, and he a king 
 
 When the flerce squadron dashed in thundering might 
 A cataract of swords and shots — a wing 
 
 Of rushing Havoc — a quick cleaving flight 
 Of deadly levin ! Lo, a glorious raid ! 
 
 And the galloping steeds and the rush and the clang 
 Of the ride over mountain, through forest and glade 
 
 And the keen thrilling peals of the trumpet 1 How sprang 
 The hamlet in terror while on came the burst 
 Of the troopers and cheering and flame told the worst. 
 
86 MEMOIR. 
 
 As they swept up the harvest and dashed down the wall 
 
 And, laden with spoil, skimmed away one and all. 
 
 "While the night rang with clash and deep thunder of bound 
 
 And flushed wide with torch-flame, and day heard the sound 
 
 From field and from village of wailing and wrath 
 
 And the foe bought in vain to block Sheridan's path. 
 
 And mid them our eager young hero ! no toil 
 
 Too great for his striving ; no battle-turmoil 
 
 Too fierce for his daring ; no duty undone 
 
 Till the goal of the striving and daring was won. 
 
 Oh, long lament for him, the youthful dead ! 
 
 The bravest of the brave ! most kind and true ! 
 The blossom scarce to perfect life had spread 
 
 The sun had scarcely climbed the morning blue. 
 And yet so firm he looked at coming death 
 "With eye so dauntless, such untrembling breath 
 It seemed a mark of scorn. The bullet sped, 
 And hours rolled onward, while with creeping tread, 
 The shadowy foe approached ; and when the dart 
 "Was reared to reach his young, warm, generous heart, 
 "With tenderest love of friends upon his lips 
 He entered, undismayed, life's dread and dark eclipse. 
 
 Song for the young and brave ! 
 Long as the land shall live he died to save 
 Shall Honor cast fresh wreaths upon his grave. 
 Not lost his bright career; it shines a light 
 To kindle other hearts with patriot might, 
 And when strife calls again, a beacon to the fight. 
 
 And not alone home's fractured altar shows 
 A shrouded radiance, a great nation knows 
 Her darkened orbs, and keeps them in her heart 
 And when the frowning clouds of War depart 
 Her grateful love will kindle them anew 
 And constellate their rays forever in her view. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 013 704 971 5 
 
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