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 /V BRIEF MEMENTO 
 
 CAPTAIN HENRY BROOIuS OllIELLY 
 
 OF THE FIRST EXrKLSIOU RKGIMIOXT, 
 
 WHO FELL IN THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG, 
 
 THE FIRST BATTLE OK THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC ON ITS MARCH FROM VORKTOWN TO RICHMOND, 
 
 M:AY G, 1HG3 
 

 '-"^ ^,m 
 
 A BRIEF MEMENTO 
 
 w 
 
 CAPTAIN HENRY BEOOIuS O^MELLY, 
 
 OF THE FIRST ExrELSIOR REGIMENT, 
 
 WHO FELL IN THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG, 
 
 THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC ON ITS MARCH FROM YORKTOWN TO RICHMOND, 
 
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 J^^^^ 
 
. 5 
 
 [From tlic lioche.ster Dailij Viiioii (iiul Advertiser, Mai/ '20, 1^<(t2.] 
 
 DIRGE FOR THE BRAVE : 
 
 SUGGKSTED BY TIIK 
 
 FALL OF CAPTAIN HENRY BROOKS O'llIELLY, 
 
 At the Battle of Williarusburt 
 
 OF THB HRSr EXCELSIOR REGIMENT, 
 
 -the first battle of the Army of the Potomac on its march between 
 Yorktown and Richmond. 
 
 By W M . H . C . H S M E R . 
 
 (The Captain fell in rallying his sohliers for another onset ajrainst the rebels, after having been for some hours 
 in the thickest of the battle— the losses in the Excelsior Brigade, especially in the First Excelsior Reitiment, 
 in which he was a commander, being almost unequaled in the history of warfare. His remains, disinterred from 
 the battle-field, were re-interred with military honors, by the Fifty-fourth Regiment and the Union Blues, at 
 Mount Hope, Rochester, Ne\v York— his native city.) 
 
 I. 
 
 Let the muffled drum bo heard. 
 While we liear him on his bier: 
 
 Let our hearts lie deeply, strongly stirred, 
 Wliile the bell of death we hear. — 
 
 First and foremost in the strife, 
 
 He offered up his life. 
 
 II. 
 
 The precious blood he shed 
 Will nurture Freedom's tree. — 
 
 Think of the true and early dead. 
 Who died to make us free ! — 
 
 Y^oung, but evermore renowned, 
 
 His grave is hallowed ground. 
 
 in. 
 
 Blest is the hnly ,.artli 
 
 Where his rem:iins repose ! 
 While gallant sons like him have birth, 
 
 We fear not foreign foes. — 
 Shameless traitcirs have no dfii 
 To hide them from such men. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Then let the miillled drum 
 
 And wailing life lie heard 1 
 His name, when eliKpience is dumb. 
 
 Will lie a rallving word.— 
 True and faitlilnl In the last, 
 His spirit heavenwar<l passed. 
 
 V. 
 
 Young hero, fare-thee-well ! 
 
 Historic fame is thine ! 
 I envy thee thy funeral knell — 
 
 A nameless fate is mine. — 
 Green be turf upon thy breast — 
 Rest, with Earth's noblest, rest ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 Like Korner,* of the past. 
 Lord of the Lyre and Sword ! 
 
 When loudest rang the bugle-blast. 
 Thy life-blood was outpoured. — 
 
 Eartli, that fieely drank thy gore, 
 
 Is holy evermore. 
 
 VII. 
 
 A storm of shot and shell 
 Rained on his little band ; 
 
 But foremost <if the first he fell- 
 Ills tried bhule in his hand.— 
 
 " Kiirward !— forward.!" was his call, 
 
 Wliensped the fatal ball. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Son of an honored sire ! 
 
 Marked out for early doom ! 
 How frail this offeiing of the lyre 
 
 On thy untimely tondi I — 
 Sadly rings the fiineral knell— 
 Y'oung martyr, fare-thee-well! 
 
 • Korner, llic CiTiimii |mih(, who was skilled in the n~e of the Iv 
 inspired one of the finest Ij ties of En^jliuid's sweeteot sonjisters, Mr 
 
 id who died nc.hly fiKlitin.,- for his Katherlnnd. His fall 
 
 An>n, Jfai/2r\ ISO-'. 
 
A BRIEF MEMENTO 
 
 OF 
 
 CAPTAIN HENRY P,ROOTvS O'RTELLY. 
 
 These pages contain a few of tlie many artk-U'S publislied l>y the New-Vork and Rochester journals concerning the 
 fall of Captain O'Kielly, with some facts not heretoOire printed. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. 
 
 [Frun the yeic-York Daily Tknes, of Maij 19, l^t«.] 
 
 The rxccUlor Brieado nt WIUIaniiiburit-Thclr 
 Heroic Flehtlne and Imnicniie Losk. 
 
 Correspondence of the Ken-York Timm. 
 
 In the Field, Sunday, May 11, 1SG2. 
 The Historic Muse will seldom have to record greater 
 heroism than that e.xhibited by what is commonly known 
 as the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiments of the 
 Excelsior Brigade (the t^eventieth, Seventy-second, 
 Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth N. Y. V.), on the field 
 of Williamsburg. [The Second Regiment of Excelsiors 
 were elsewliere, engaged on other duty.] Fatigued and 
 worn out with picket and trondi duty, they were the 
 tirst to raise the old flagon the battlements of Yorktown, 
 and were thrown forward to pursue the flying enemy. 
 
 They met him at Williamsburg. The First and Third 
 Brigades of Hooker's Division had been fighting with 
 great bravery for several hours, but at last by superior 
 numbers were driven back. Then it was that the Excel- 
 sior Brigade was ordered forward. 
 
 For an hour, they had been standing ankle deep in 
 mud. waiting whilst the dead and wounded of the other 
 brigades were being carried by them. At the word 
 " March !" they moved off as solid and steady as if on 
 parade. The field they were ordered into was covered 
 with felled timber. In front of it was Fort Magruder — 
 an immense earthwork : on their Hank was the enemy 
 concealed in the woods. 
 
 Their appearance was the occasion of an increase of 
 the rebel lire ; and as the Fifth filed out of the woods, 
 their red-breeched Zouaves wheeling into line excited 
 every energy of the enemy ; and while from his b;itlery 
 he belched forth showers of canister ami grai>e. from 
 the flunk be poured in a perfect hail of .Minnies. Not a 
 man faltered. Gen. Hkintzkuia.n, in his obi hat and 
 cloak, looked on in admiration, and exclainii'd, "They're 
 soldiers !" And soldiers they were. (ien. Hookkr 
 also looked on in admiration. With a wild "hurrah," 
 they went at their work. 
 
 Their ranks were thinned at every fire. Dsvkmit, Gol- 
 onel of the First, was down, shot through the groin, but 
 his regiment proved themselves worthy of so gallant a 
 leader. Oflieers were falling in every direction. The 
 deaii and dying lay in heaps. Yet stendily the remnant 
 kept up the fire. The enemy was checkeil and mad- 
 d. ned to desperation : he ndoubled his energies, but 
 the men stood firm, and the da.v was won. Reinforce- 
 ments came up, and what was left of the brigade re- 
 tired in good order. 
 
 But mix that the Ea'ceMor Rrir/ade that came had-f 
 — that comparatively little handful of men ? Look at 
 the depot for the wounded — look at the field ! Col. 
 DwiGHT and Lieut-Col. F.utNiM, of the First, are wound- 
 ed, while seven of its nine ("a])tains are/»>/w'» coiii/iat. 
 The gallant O'Rielly fell dead as he gave the order, 
 " Forward, march !" The Third is thinned out. Lieut.- 
 Col. Benedict, of the Four b, is niissiiiir, while the heroic 
 Captain of the Color Comi>any of thcKifth (Capt. Qiiak- 
 TEHJUN) lies on the field with five halls in his body (yet 
 a!ive), and the brave PuiiOY is shot through the shoulder. 
 The fire of the enemy was terrific. The First l{egi- 
 ment had 98 killed and' I'iO wounded ; the Third had 
 some '2(H) killed and woundeil ; the Fourth had Is killed, 
 and a proportionate number woundeil, while the Fifth 
 had 50 killed and 100 wounded. 
 
 Figures don't give the reader an idea of the nundier. 
 One does not comprehend what a hundred wounded 
 
 men are until he sees them lying on the ground before 
 him, mutilated, shattered, torn, or hears their cry for 
 " water for the love of Heaven " — sees the surgeons at 
 their bloody work — hears the shrieks of anguish, the deep 
 groan of pain. Then he realizes it; and when, above 
 the groans and cries he hears the din of battle, and the 
 loud shouts of the combatants, he realizes how feebly 
 the picture of it can be conveyed by pen and ink, or 
 types. It is a scene not to be described by language. 
 
 * * * Much indignation is manifested throughout 
 the whole of Gen. Hooker's Division at the different 
 brigades of the division not receiving the credit of the 
 heroic fighting they performed. The three brigades of 
 that division fought as well as men ever fought, although 
 opposed to overwhelming odds, and none did better 
 than the Excelsior Brigade. The returns of the killed 
 and wounded show who bore the brunt of the battle, 
 and the oHicial repoits of Gens. Heintzelman and 
 Hooker will no doubt be fully as conclusive. 
 
 You will see by the heading of this sheet that it is 
 written on the blank leaves of an old rebel clothing ac- 
 count book, belonging to the First Company of the Thir- 
 teenth Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers. 
 
 CEDMA. 
 
 The Battle of Williamsburg was fought on the 5th of 
 May, the day after the rebels evacuated Y^orktown. It 
 was fought under extraordinary circumstances, by a 
 comparatively small portion of the Union troops which 
 were most forward in pursuit of the rebels. 
 
 The rebels, occupying several strong earthworks, of 
 which F'ort Magruder was the central and strongest, 
 were also screened largely by the pine woods, and by 
 the trees fi-llcd over many acres, near Williamsburg — 
 which felled timber formed abatis, that rendered the 
 approach of the Uninn tniops extremely difficult. 
 
 The rebels, from lluir stioiig right wing, on the left 
 flank as well as in front of the Union troops, poured a 
 tremen<lous fire from the jjine woods, from the tree-tops 
 in which their sharpshooters were stationed, and from 
 behind and among the fclleil Irees and bushes which 
 formed Ihi' ahatis. while Furt Magnnhr and other forts 
 raiiu'd shot ajKl slndl also against, the Union forces. 
 
 TIh! contest was ahmst wholly coidined to the left 
 wing of the Union troops, confronting the right wing of 
 the rebel army. 
 
 Repeatedly and largely reinforced, the most desperate 
 efforts were made by the rebels in this quarter to over- 
 whelm the left Hank of the Union army, and thus to pro- 
 duce another " Rnll-Kun catastrophe;" especially as 
 our \f(l wing (or Hooker's Division, including the Excel- 
 sior r.rigade) was left without reinforcements till late 
 in Mil- afternoon. 
 
 The "brunt of the bittle"— the desperate strife and 
 great loss in |)reserving the Union army, from early 
 morning till late in the afternoon — fell upon Hookei's 
 Division, including the Excelsior Brigade— as truly stated 
 by the newspapers— which brave division heroically 
 withstood the tremendous fire and desperate onsets of 
 the rebels, until nearly four o'clock in the afternoon 
 —the great elfort of tlie rebels being to break or turn 
 the left wing of tin,- Union army— when Gen. Kearney's 
 forces came to the relief of Hooker's Division, ami tlie 
 victory was soon after won, but with immense loss pro- 
 portioned to the comparatively siBall number of Union 
 troops (Hooker's Division, including the Excelsior Bri- 
 gade) which withstood the galling fire of the rebels 
 through nearly the whole da.v. 
 
 The appearance of Kearney's reinforcements towards 
 the close of the contest, which had been so bravely fought 
 
A BRIEF MEMENTO OF CAPTAIN o'rIELLY, 
 
 by Hooker's Division, inclufling tlie Exoelsior Brigade, 
 substantially terminated the battle, as the rebels were 
 compelled to run from our reinforced left wing, before 
 Uen. Hancock's Brigade made a bayonet charge on the 
 extreme right of the Union line, where no serious resist- 
 ance was encountered, as Hancock's wliole Brigade did 
 not lose thirty men killed. 
 
 Admirable as was the conduct of the whole of Hook- 
 er's brave Division, the course of the Excelsior Brigade, 
 and especially the firm bravery of the First Excelsior 
 Regiment, commanded the admiration of Heintzelman, 
 Hooker, and other officers, who witnessed it through the 
 long hours of that bloody day— the " day of Williams- 
 burg," the old capital of Virginia — the chosen batt'e-field 
 of the rebels for the first struggle in defence of Rich- 
 mond after evacuating Yorktown. 
 
 So certain were the rebels of overwhelming Hooker's 
 Division, owing to the tardiness with which it was rein- 
 forced, that their shouts of " Ball's BlulT" and "Bull 
 Run " rang loud and often through the battle — especial- 
 ly at that most desperate period of the contest when the 
 rebel fire was chiefly concentrated against the First Ex- 
 celsior Rejiiment — when, as stated in the Neic- York 
 Times of May 19th, the gallant commanders (Col. 
 Dwight and Lieut. -Col. Farnum) were wounded, and 
 when Capt. O'Rielly fell, with so many of his brave 
 comrades, in rallying for another onset against the al- 
 most overwhelming rebel forces then thronging around 
 that heroic regiment. 
 
 [From the Rochenter Union tind AJre/iincr.] 
 
 Further Particulars of llic Death of Onpt. O'Klelly. 
 
 The following letter was received by Mrs. O'Rielly, 
 giving further particulars of the sad fate of Capt. 
 O'Rielly, a portion of whose company was recruited 
 here. Mrs. O'RiiiLLY is a sister of Mrs. Geo. Ellwangkk, 
 of this city. 
 
 Headquarters Hooker's Division, .'id Corps d'Armee, ) 
 
 Army of Potomac, Near Battle-Field, V 
 
 WilliamsburK, Va., May Uh, I8ti2. I 
 
 My Dear Mr. O'Riklly -.—The telegraph has ere this 
 announced the sad news winch it is my mournful duly 
 to speak of more in detail. 
 
 The same event which gave victory to our arms and 
 fame to our heroic regiment, deprived you of a beloved 
 son and his company of a noble commander. 
 
 Capt. O'Rielly was a true type of a generous hearted 
 man : his virtues and bravery were akin, endearing hini 
 to all who knew him. Endowed with a mind highly cul- 
 tivated for one so young, he lent a charm to tlie circle 
 in which he moved. To say that he inspiri'd his men 
 with enthusiasm on the field, is hut a slight tribute to his 
 memory. He fell gallantly, saying, " Jioi/s^Jof/oir me ! 
 — Foriiard ! " — words which will lollow his name while 
 history continues to record the daring and unlliiiching 
 courage of the regiment to which he behmged. 
 
 Called into the field as the ''First Excelsior" was, 
 when the tide was fast setting against our troops— con- 
 tending with a rebel brigade on the left and an unheard- 
 of fire from as many more on the front — they rushed 
 boldly on— pushing the enemy as they went — never leav- 
 ing their post till long after their ammunition had given 
 out, and they had succeeded in breaking the Confederate 
 lines three times at the point of the bayonet, and 
 the ground far in advance filled with their dead and 
 wounded comrades — they won the distinguished honor, as 
 expressed to them by Ceo. Heintzelman, of '^ Jul ring 
 decided the fate of the d it ij" — words substantially re- 
 peated to their wounded Colonel (Dwight) by McClellan 
 himself. 
 
 Such is a hurried sketch of what futin*e historians will 
 show in glowing colors of this uneiiualed regiment. 
 
 I was not with Henry when he fell, being away from 
 my comi)any — doing duty in another part of the field 
 with Gen. Hooker, to whose stalT I am attached. T saw 
 him leading his soldiers to the terrible conflict, firm in 
 step and noble in example. He dropped close to the 
 enemy, having received two wounds, wliile commanding 
 '■ Forward, m irch !" — words fit to grace the greatest 
 hero's tomb. 
 
 We have placed him for the present within sight of the 
 spot where he spilled his precious blood, intending to 
 bury him in the cemetery at home, where his friends can 
 visit his grave. 
 
 Assuring you that I will be always at your service, 
 with the friendship I bore my deceased friend still ripe 
 in my heart — 
 
 Sympathizingly j'ours, 
 
 Charles Young, 
 1st Lieut., Co. G, 1st Reg't Kxcelsior Brigade, 
 and Provost-Marshal of Hooker's Division. 
 
 THE FALL OF CAPTAIN O'RIELLY. 
 
 [From the liochenter Democrat and American of 
 May 12.] 
 
 The telegraph announced on Saturday afternoon that 
 Capt. O'Rielly, of the 1st Regiment in the Excelsior 
 Brigade, was among the killed in the Battle of AVilliams- 
 burg. This young gentleman was a native of Rochester, 
 though he has not resided here a great deal recently. 
 He was here, however, last summer, in company with 
 Lieut. Erickson, on recruiting service, and his quiet, 
 unobtrusive manners won greatly upon the esteem of all 
 with whom he was brought into contact. He was a son 
 of Hknry O'Rielly, Esq. The folloving, which we clip 
 from the New-York Commercinl Adcertiner, will be 
 read with interest: 
 
 "Among the killed at the Battle of Williamsburg, we 
 painlullv reail the name of Captain Henry Brooks 
 O'Rielly* 70th Regiment N. Y. S. V., the First Regiment 
 of the >ickles Brigade. The gallant young soldier whose 
 death is thus announceii was born in Rochester, N. Y., 
 and was about 2S years of age. He was the son of 
 Henry O'Kielly, Esq., and the grandson of General 
 Brooks, of Livingston County. Captain O'Rielly was 
 for a time connected with this journal as dramatic critic. 
 He also contributed a number of articles on various sub- 
 jects. [Early educated in Civil Engineering, he served 
 for two years, between his si.xteenth and eighteenth 
 year, in the Engineer Corps of Col. Guy Wells and E. R. 
 Blackwell, in the party of Wm. H. Civer, surveying the 
 Demoine River and Valley, west of the Mississippi* — and 
 his writings for the press were chiefly in the intervals of 
 other business, though, before the war commenced, he 
 had resolved to devote himself to editorial pursuits,t 
 and to the extension and improvement of the Telegraph] 
 Immediately on the outbreak of the war, he sought the 
 opportunity to serve his country. He was first conunis- 
 sioned as Second Lieutenant, but his many admirable 
 (lualilies, as a man and a soldier, gained him (piick pro- 
 motion. He loved his new profession most ardently, 
 aid with all the enthusiasm of youth, thirsted for the 
 battle-field, where he might win fame and gloiy. He 
 was a jierson of sitigular modesty of demeanor, and of 
 great ease and grace (if OKiinier. He was very affable 
 and amialile, and all his instincts and feelings were kind 
 and genial. His mental culture was good. He was a 
 man to love and admire. The men under his command 
 always found his ear open to their wants, and he gave 
 liherally of his pay to those who were in necessity. Few 
 braver or better men have laid down to die in defence 
 of the good old flag. Captain O'Rielly has place at once 
 upon the roll of our honored dead— the martyrs and 
 victims of this war for the existence of the country 
 which has nurtured them, and which will ever keep their 
 memory green. 
 
 " Since writing the above," says the editor of the Com- 
 mercial Advertiser, " we have received a letter from the 
 father of Captain O'Rielly, from which we quote : 
 
 " ' Yo\i will see my son's name among the list of Cap- 
 tains of the {•:x<'elsi'or Brigade who fell at the Battle of 
 Williamshurg. He fought and fell in a manner and in a 
 cause that luriii.sh all earthly consolation for a loss to 
 me that is inealciil.ihle. As' child, as boy, as man, he 
 never cost me a frown or word of d si)leasure— so well 
 balanced was his eliaract r. I write you this notice of 
 his death, as his last two lelters to me referred to a tro- 
 phy of the war, which he intended for you, fi'om his first 
 exi)edition in Virginia. 1 leave this afternoon for York- 
 tiiwn to liring home his remains. His great-grandfather, 
 David Brooks, i.f Cheshire, Conn., preached one of the 
 first sermuns favoring active resistance to British op- 
 luession in ITTl, in unison with his friend and kinsman 
 Gen. Wooster, who was one of the earliest martyrs of 
 the revolution. That Brooks was notcont-jnt alone with 
 
 ♦ \ide Statement of Mr. Civer, on 6th page, 
 t Capt. O'K. wrote for several publications. Vide "Cliapte 
 rele(;raph History," I vol. 8vo., &c., &c. 
 
 iof 
 
A BRifiF MEMENTO OF CAPTAIN O RIELLY, 
 
 preaching — but served as a soldier, too — as quaiter- 
 inaster and otherwise — equally resolute in Ids quiet way 
 in the i)Ulpit and in the battle-field. 1 said to my son's 
 superior otlicer, when he was entering the service, tliat 
 he would not prove unworthy of his lineage, llis fate, 
 heart-rending to me, proves that he remendiered my last 
 words to him, spoken and written, though his spirit re- 
 quired no stimulant. As his regiment was the first to 
 march for the defence of Washington, tlie morning after 
 the Bull-Uun disaster was known liere, I said to him / 
 was xure I irould never hear of /li.s xiirririiig .inch a 
 ./ielil, if' his life could aid in inserting another such 
 catastrophe.^ " 
 
 TRAITS OP CAPTAIN O'RIKLLY. 
 
 Captain O'Rielly fell on tlie field of Williamsburg— not 
 ^^ early in the action," nor "as he was leading his com- 
 pany into l)attle "^as erroneously stated in many of tlie 
 public journals — 1>ut after he ha<l been for about two 
 hours under the heaviest fire, where tlie battle raged 
 most fiercely, and when the most desperate eflorts were 
 required to withstand the almost overwhelming rebel 
 force which was at the time directing its tremendous fire 
 against that regiment — the losses in which regiment be- 
 ing almost unparalleled in the history of battles. His 
 regiment having been so long and so warmly engaged, 
 that the "ammunition had actually to be taken from 
 the cartri.lge-boxes of the dead and wouniled," the gal- 
 lant Cohmel Dwight resorted to all jiracticable ways of 
 sustaining the important ))osition his troops occupied, 
 till the long-ex])ected reinforcements should arrive — as 
 the tliiK'biiig of his regiment, in its peculiar position at 
 that critical period of the battle, would probably have 
 occasioned most serious detriment to the whole army. 
 It was about half-past two (2|) o'clock, or two hours 
 after his regiment had fought at its advanced post, 
 nearest the reliel lines, when fhe Colonel ordered that a 
 " forwaril movement shouhl be made by detachments of 
 twenty men from each company," or two hundred in all 
 — these detachments to rush forward, cheering loudly 
 and chargini; boldly on the rebels — to create an ini])res- 
 sion of strength greater than he actually possessed, and 
 to encourage the other men, in his and other regiments, 
 to continued effort in holding tlie important position till 
 reinforcements should ariive. It was at this critical 
 juncture, and for this desperate purpose, when the fate 
 of the day ajjparently depended on the "unflinching 
 bravery of this heroic regiment" — the First Excelsior — 
 th;.t, insteaii of sending a junior otlicer forward, Captain 
 O'liielly liiiiiself promptly headed his own detachment 
 on this "forlorn hope" — drew his revolver for close 
 iiuarteis with the rebels — and was about sjiringing across 
 the abatis against the fo •, who were insolently shouting 
 " Hall's BlulV" and " Hull Run," in confident anticipation 
 of another similar catastrophe, when he was struck by 
 a Millie b;ill, just as lie had uttered the command, 
 " Boys, fo/lou- iiie '. — Fonrard, march ! " — and ft II, to 
 rise no more. This was only a short time before Kear- 
 ney's gallant lirigaiie came to the rescue, and substan- 
 tially de<:ided the fate of the day, without reference to 
 General Hancock's operations, on the other wing of the 
 a my. 
 
 Althougli i)lundered of Ids arms when the rebels had 
 temporary possession of the ground, ('apt. O'R. was 
 not " hayonetted," as stated by an army correspondent, 
 whose error resulted from a reported outrage on another 
 ofticer, who fell in the same batth-. N..r was he "shot 
 in the mouth, ' though llic instant .trusion of l)loo.l from 
 his mouth, after the Minie ball raked through his breast 
 from side to side, occasioneil a sujiposition that he was 
 wounded in the face. 
 
 Though at first arranged for another regiment, Capt. 
 O'Rielly gladly complii-il with the " earmsf reijuest" of 
 the gallant Col. Dwiglit, by taking command of a compa- 
 ny in the " First E.xci Isior Itigiiiieiit," when (ien trickles, 
 on the morning following the news of the " Rull-ltun 
 shame," ordered that regiment to proceed, in advance of 
 the others in his brigade, for active field service, being 
 the first forces which man bed from this State for the de- 
 fence of Washington, after that sad disaster. "I had 
 seen him about the camp on Stateii Island," says the 
 wounded Colonel Dwight — " I had oliserved his atten- 
 tion to all his duties— I hail been struck with his bright, 
 intelligent face, and his very gentlemanly manner. It 
 was of such material that 1 earnestly desired the officers 
 
 of my regiment should be composed. I well knew liow 
 much I should have to depend on them for the instruc- 
 tion and conduct of the men. My confidence in Cajit. 
 O'Rielly was not misplaced. He fully equaled all I had 
 hojied of him. * * * Of his conduct everywhere, 
 nothing can be said l)ut in praise. And on that last 
 scene, most earnestlv to be desired bv the S(ddier, the 
 fieht ofh,ittl,'—-AUi\ in that happiest of .leaths. the death 
 of duty oil the /«/«/<;AV/(/— Captain O'Kielly fullilled all 
 that I had bo])ed and confidently expected of him. His 
 name is without reproach." 
 
 Writing in behalf of her gallant husband as well 
 as herself, Mrs. Farnum, wife of Lt.-Col. Farnuni, of 
 the First Excelsior Regiment (that officer being dis- 
 abled by his wounds), says to the mother of Captain 
 O'Rielly — "I sincerely sympathise with you, my dear 
 Madam, in the great loss you have sustaineil by the 
 death of your son. But he died nobly, like the brave, 
 gallant soldier we always l-neiv him to be. If in that a 
 mother's heart can find some consolation for the loss of 
 one who, from his amiable and sociable qualities, I am 
 sure must have been idolized at liouie, that consolation 
 is yours — for, from all reports, In- did his iluly, every 
 inch of it, as none but a man liki- him could have done. 
 My husband always considered him one of the gems of 
 his regiment, and sincerely iiiuuriis with you his loss. 
 lie could always relv ujinuhiin irhereier duty placed 
 him. I was three mouths on the Lower Potomac, at 
 'Camp Farnum,' when your son visited us frequently. 
 His happy smile was always welcome; and whenever we 
 wanted one to join us in an evening's amusement, we 
 always sent for him, as he was sure to make us all happy. 
 Many men and officers of the regiment have visited us, 
 and all unite in his praise. J/e iras always the first to 
 proffer his services, if danger was at hand — always 
 anxious to serve his country, at all hazards." 
 
 "Henry was a young man of rare promise and vir- 
 tues," says the Rev. Duncan Mann; "and no one who 
 knew him could doubt that he would make a brave and 
 accomi)lished soldier. The very geiitlenens of hi.\- dis- 
 position, and his extreme caution to avoid giving oll'inre 
 or injuring the feelings of any one, Intuk'eHed that lust 
 kind of courage which needs no bluster or braggadocio 
 to sustain it in the hour of tiial. It is most unfortunate 
 that the peril of our country demands sucli heavy sacri- 
 fices : but there is no nobler civil cause in which human 
 blood can be shed than that of striking down the hands 
 raised to destroy the best of human governments. — 
 Henry's name will hereafter be enrolled among the 
 brightest and purest of those who fell in defence of the 
 laws and liberties of a great country." 
 
 In the first expedition made by a portion of the Ex- 
 celsior Biigade, from Lower Maryland across the Poto- 
 mac into Virginia, to free fhe country from the rebels, 
 who were ranging between Dumfries and Fredericksburg, 
 the drafts made for filling other companies took away 
 most of Capt. O'Rielly 's men, and he was thus temporal il.y 
 left without a command, being a junior Captain. But. 
 equipping himself as a private soldier, with musket and 
 cartridge-bo.x, he passed across the Potomac in the 
 ranks of another company, and continued with it till it 
 returned from the hazardous service — being resolved, as 
 he said, that he would .thare erery danger that hefell his 
 men, even though his commission should be forfeited by 
 the iiifiirmality of his course. The manifestation of such 
 a spirit in the face of the enemy was properly appre- 
 ciated by his superior officers, as well as by the soldiers 
 of his own and other ciimiianies. 
 
 During the last iiiL'ht but one before that of the 
 evacuation of Yorktown, Captain O'Rielly commanded 
 the reserve (three companies) of the First Excelsior 
 Regiment, when on service in the trenches before York- 
 town : and he was ordered by Lt.-Col. Farnum to occupy 
 with his own company, and "hold nt all hazards," if he 
 was attacked, until reiiiforceiiuMits could reach him, the 
 extreme " advanced work of thf wlode position" — "a 
 new reiloubt, only partially comphted, and within three 
 or four hundred yards of the rebel lines." The rain of 
 shot and shell which assailed him while on this hazard- 
 ous service through the night (the rebels having signal- 
 ized their last nights at Yorktown by extraordinary fires 
 against our lines) is vividly described in the last letter 
 ever written by Capt. O'Rielly, the postscript to which 
 was dated on the 4tli May, just as his brigade was 
 starting from Yorktown in pursuit of the retreating 
 rebels; which poslscriiit was In these words: "The 
 
A BRIEF MEMENTO OF CAPTAIN RIELLY. 
 
 enemy have evacuated Yorktown ! Our flag is now fly- 
 ing over their batteries ! Our bands are playing for the 
 first time in three weelis. All around us there is great 
 enthusiasm. J wilf write again soo»." But he never 
 wrote more — falling, as he did, vext da)/, when leading 
 his company in one of the onsets against the rebels 
 during the most desperate period of the Battle of Wil- 
 liamsburg. 
 
 
 
 [From the Rochester Evening Express of May 21 , 1862.] 
 OBSEQUIES OF THE LATE CAPT. O'RIELLY. 
 
 The funeral services of the lamented Capt. Henry 
 Brooks O'Eiblly took place on Tuesday afternoon, at 
 St. Paul's Church. Long prior to the hour appointed 
 for the commencement of the exercises, every seat ap- 
 propriated to the congregation was filled, as well as the 
 aisles and slanding room, and a dense throng of people 
 occupied the front of the Church, unable to obtain ad- 
 mission. 
 
 The remains, on their arrival Monday evening, were 
 taken to the Church, and guarded by detachments of 
 the Union Blues till the hour of the funeral, and the 
 faithful discharge of the duties of the various guards, 
 ciimmencing at si.\ o'clock of the ])revious evening, ter- 
 minated only with the commencement of the impressive 
 service of the Church yesterday. 
 
 The remains of the deceased occupied an elevated 
 position in the chancel. The font, standing at the head 
 of the coffin, was filled with choice flowers, and the 
 coffin also was wreathed with evergreens and white 
 flowers, and partially draped with the American flag. 
 
 The services were conducted by the Rector of Grace 
 Church, the Rev. Mr. Foote, assisted by Dr. Ci.axton, of 
 St. Luke's. After the reading of the Lesson, 1 Cor., 
 XV., 20, the choir sang the peculiarly appropriate and 
 aifecting lines, beginning — 
 
 " How short the race our friend has run, 
 Cut down in all his bloom ; 
 The course but yesterday begun, 
 Now finished in the tomb. 
 
 "Thou joyous youth ! hence learn how soon 
 Thy years may end their flight; 
 Long, long before life's brilliant noon 
 May come death's gloomy night." 
 
 The text of the discourse by Rev. Mr. Foote, was, 
 "The trying of your Faith" (James). Only the intro- 
 ductory i)orlion was personal to the deceased, and it 
 embodied a fine tribute to liis excellent character — to a 
 courage that was founded in principle, love of right, 
 and the fear of God. lie was ihe first member of that 
 congregation who had fallen on the liattle-fiehl, and 
 God grant that he might be the last. The discourse was 
 brief, earnest, and impressive. At its idiiclusion prayer 
 was offered, and the services concluded with a solemn 
 dirge. The remains were then borni' to the hearse by 
 the oflicers of the Wth Regiment, and the funeral cortege 
 proceeded in the following order : 
 
 Detachment of Police. 
 
 Newman's Regimental Band. 
 
 Escort, Co. C, Capt. Force. 
 
 Heaksk, 
 
 Drawn by four white horses, led l)y members of the 
 
 (Jrays. Flanked by Bearers. 
 Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers of the 
 54th Regiment, marching in 
 Reverse Order. 
 Family and Friends of the Deceased 
 in Carriages. 
 The streets were densely crowiled with spectators 
 during the passage of the procession, and many hun- 
 dreds followed the remains to Mount Hope. The flags in 
 all parts of tlie city were at half-mast during the after- 
 noon, evidencing a general feeling of sympathy for the 
 beieaved, and genuine sorrow at the loss of one whose 
 sturdy patriotism, high personal worth, and unflinching 
 bravery, have reflected so much credit upon his native 
 city. 
 
 The Rochester Democrat adds, that "scarcely ever 
 has there been such a turn-out in our city, and both 
 civic and military honors were lavished on the memory 
 of him who had so nobly fallen on the battle-field." 
 
 EARLY ENGINEERING SERVICE. 
 
 (Referred to in extract on fourth page, from the New- 
 York Commercial Advertiser.) 
 
 As his early engineering education and hard practical 
 service in western surveying aided in qualifying him for 
 his recent military duties, the following letter, from the 
 Engineer in special charge of the branch of the survey 
 with which the young O'Rielly was connected, has a 
 direct connection with this Memento : 
 
 To the Editors of the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser : 
 
 Your editorial obituary notice of the death of Capt. 
 Henry Brooks O'Rielly, First Regiment of the Excelsior 
 Brigade, who fell at the head of his company on the 
 field of Williamsburg, has just met my view, and I can- 
 not let the occasion i)ass without paying a slight tribute 
 to his memory. 
 
 Probably few persons, others than the members of his 
 own family, can speak more intimately of his private 
 life than myself. For two years — from the fall of 1854 
 to 1856 — in his sixteenth and seventeenth yenn — 
 he was a member of an engineering party, engaged 
 under my charge in surveys for a public improvement — 
 of which Col. Guy Wells and E. R. Blackwell were suc- 
 cessively Chief Engineers. 
 
 During this time, I was his constant companion, ad- 
 viser and friend ; and the warm friendly intercourse 
 there commenced, was uninterruptedly maintained up 
 to the time of his departure for the seat of war. 
 
 The work upon which we were engaged was prosecuted 
 winter and summer, without cessation; and those resi- 
 dents of the West who remember the winters of 1854 
 and 1855, can testify to their extreme severity. 
 
 Our labors involveil the constant exposure to cold and 
 wet — eeen the daiti/ risl' of life, t-'ucctss depended not 
 so much upon the exercise id professional skill as upon 
 the active, energetic, untiring and un?hrinking discharge 
 of the simple duties that devolved upon each, attended 
 with unusual risks both to life and health. 
 
 That we did not pass the ordeal of cold and storm 
 unscathed, is attested by the fact that two of the mem- 
 bers of Ihe party of fifteen have since died — and several 
 of the remainder now suDTer from diseases either con- 
 tracted or aggravated by the severities of our camp 
 life — O'Rielly himself having for a time suffered from 
 the same causes. 
 
 During all this tirjie, O'Rielly's duties were none the 
 lightest, noi- least vesponsilile; and thev were always 
 faithfully and carefully discharged. 
 
 The cheerfulness with which he encountered priva- 
 tions, and encouraged others, in no small measure 
 secured the success of our labors. 
 
 Socially, he was the favorite, as he was the youngest, 
 of the ])arty. There was a humor and genial warmth 
 in his intercourse with all, that endeared him to his 
 associates. Gentle in his demeanor, high-toned in his 
 sentiments upon all subjects, he could not fail to impress 
 most favorably all with whom he came in contact. 
 
 The earnestness with which he grappled professional 
 duties then, he afterwards carried into other pursuits; 
 and few young men set nut in life with fairer prosjiects 
 of mastering all barrie s to success. 
 
 His father remarks of him, that, " as child, as boy, as 
 man, he never cost me a frown or word of displeasure ;" 
 and, f om my intimate knowledge of those gentle i|ual- 
 ities of character which so distinguished him, 1 am 
 assured that it could not well be otherwise. 
 
 Chivalrous in the defence of the right, his friends 
 were not surprised that he engaged in the service of his 
 country, in her hiun- of iieril; and, though grieved be- 
 yond measure at his loss, were less surprised that he 
 
 " Foremost fighting fell." 
 
 Very respectfully. 
 
 WM. H. CIVEU. 
 
A BRIEF MEMENTO OF CAPTAIN o'riELLY. 
 
 EXCELSIOR BATTLE-SONG. 
 
 Deiiicated to the P'ouiuki- of the brave Brigade. 
 The Provost-Marshal of Hooker's Division, Cliarles 
 Young, who is also an officer of the Excelsior Brigade, 
 in announcing the fall of Captain Henry Brooks O'Kielly, 
 of the First Excelsior Regiment, at the Battle of Wil- 
 liamsbvug (where Hooker's Division, incluiiing Sickles' 
 Excelsior Brigade, bore the brunt of the battle), says 
 that, " Called into the field, as the First Excelsior was, 
 " when the tide was fast setting against our troops — 
 " contending with a rebel brigade on the left and an 
 " unheard-of fire from as many more on the front — tliey 
 " rushed boldly on — pushing the enemy as they went — 
 " never leaving their post till long after their amniuni- 
 " tion had given out, and they had succeeded in break- 
 " ing the Confederate lines three times at the point of 
 " the bayonet, and the ground far in advance filled 
 ■' with their dead and wounded comrades — they won 
 "' tlic distinguished honor, as expressed to them by Gen. 
 ■• lleinlzelnian, of ' having decided the fate of the day ' 
 
 ■ —words substantially repeated to their wounded Col- 
 " onel(Dwight) by Mc»';hlliiii himself." * * "Captain 
 
 ■ O'Kielly," adds* the I'rovosl-Marshal, " was a truetype 
 " of a generous-hearted man. His virtues and bravery 
 •' were akin — endearing him to all who knew him. En- 
 dowed with a mind highly cultivated for one so young, 
 he lent a charm to the circle in which he moved. To 
 say that he inspired his men with enthusiasm on the 
 field, is but a slight tribute to his memory. He fell gal- 
 lantly, saying, '■Boifs^fotlmti me ! — Foruard .''—words 
 which will follow his name while history continues to 
 ■ecord the daring and unflinching courage of the regi- 
 ment to which he belonged." 
 
 One of the United States Military Telegraiihers, K. H. 
 ackinty, writes that he " accompanied Henry O'Kielly, 
 
 '• I'sfi., in disinterring his son. Captain Henry Brooks 
 •' )'KieUy, First Regiment of Excelsior Brigade." He 
 says — " We met on the battle-field three men of the 
 •' Captain's regiment — two of whom belonged to the 
 inie comjiany with Capt. O'Rielly— the third, .lolin 
 ">any, of New-Y'ork, who belongs to Capt. Denny 
 Company, stated to us that he stood on the 
 of his company, and on the right of Cai)t. 
 lly ; and just as Capt. O'R. cried 'Forward, 
 h!" for one of the last onsets, after being two 
 in the hottest of the battle, a ball struck him 
 and ~itA 'ell. Tliis man stooped, and asked Capt. 
 " O'Rielly "if he would be carried back from the field?' 
 " — when the Ca])tain replied, '■No—not while a man 
 '• ' of in;/ cowiiany remains alive on iJie field.'' " 
 
 "In regard to Captain O'iiielly," says Lieut. R. E. 
 Brewster, of the Fifth Regiment of the ExceMor Brigade, 
 in a letter to his (Brewster's) father, " an incident which 
 ■' possibly you have heard, is one that will bear repeat- 
 " ing, and is cherished up by our brigade among the me- 
 " mentos of our dear fallen brother. After receiving 
 " his death-wound, a fellow-officer came to his aid, and, 
 " raising his head, impiired, 'What word, my boy, liave 
 ■''you for your friends?' The only reply was, ' For- 
 " 'ward !' Again, after a little, he asked him, saying, 
 " 'Captain, do you know you are dying?' ' Yes,' was 
 "the reply. 'What, then, shall I say were your last 
 " ' words ?' ' Forward .'—foricard ." .-^aid the Captain — 
 " and thus died a true and noble patriot — one of God's 
 " noblemen. How much better to ilie thus — to meet such 
 " a glorious death - than live to see a stain on our 
 "glorious flag! ' Excelxior ^ is on our haniiera, and 
 "■the gallant, brave 0''liielly''s dying words are our 
 " icatc/iuords—' Fokward I — Forward !' " 
 
 I. 
 
 The warlike drum's wild battle-tones 
 
 Are rolling loud and far — 
 The bugles sound the bold " Advance I" 
 
 For Freedom and the War. 
 
 II. 
 
 "Excelsior" bright is blazon'd 
 
 On our banners waving high. 
 And brave O'Rielly's dying words 
 
 Our glorious battle-cry : — 
 " Forward I — forward ! — forward I" 
 
 Press on against the foe ! 
 " Forward ! — forward I — forward I" 
 
 To victory we go ! 
 
 III. 
 
 " Follow me, brave Soldiers 1" 
 
 Said the Captain brave and true — 
 
 " Forward I — forward ! now, Excelsiors ! 
 And rout the rebel crew 1" 
 
 IV. 
 
 The shot and shell rain'd thick and fast 
 
 Against our gallant lines ; 
 And the rebel troops were yelling 
 
 From their forts and forest-pines : — 
 
 yelling were those rebel hordes — 
 Bitter were tlieir taunting words — 
 
 Threafning furtlier " Jiull-Run shame ! "^ 
 But, witli leaders i Uoutin'g " forward," 
 Our brave soldiers, pressing onward, 
 
 Won that bloody field of fame. 
 
 VI. 
 O'Kielly fell 1 — but his dying W'ords 
 
 Will live in warlike story — 
 Nerving our arms for gallant deeds 
 
 On future fields of glory. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The Captain's thrilling dying words, 
 
 While his life-blood ebbed f.ist, 
 Were, "Forward ! — forward I — forward 1" — 
 
 Still warlike to the last I 
 
 VIII. 
 
 And " Forward ! — forward ! — f(jrward ! 
 
 Our war-cry still shall be, 
 While Excelsior's on our banners 
 
 And we battle for the free. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Again the drum's wild battle-tones 
 
 Are rolling loud and far, 
 .And bugles sound the bold "Advance 1" 
 
 For Freedom and the war. 
 
 X. 
 
 " E.xcelsior" bright is blazon'd 
 
 On our banners waving high. 
 And brave O'Rielly's dying words 
 
 Our glorious battle-cry : — 
 " Forward ! — forward ! — forward !" 
 
 Press on against the foe ! 
 " Forward I — forward ! — forward I" 
 
 To victory we go ! 
 
 \1. 
 Then, «ilh lianner, ball and Itaynnet, 
 
 Charge boldly on the foe ! 
 Let shot and shell rain iron hall — 
 For victory, hurrah ! 
 
 Let shot and shell rain iron hail ! — 
 
 For victory, hurrah ! 
 
 Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah I 
 
 For victory, hurrah I 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 002 791 489 5, 
 
] 
 
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