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From a Photo, by W. H. Tipton.

SURVIVORS OF BATTERY I FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY.
Dedication of their Monument on East Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg, May 20th, IE

A RECORD

Battery I, First N. Y. Light Artillery Vols.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS

WIEDRICH'S BATTERY

DURING THE

WAR OF THE REBELLION, i86i-'65.

THIS BATTERY PARTICIPATED IN OVER FIFTY ENGAGEMENTS AND
BATTLES DURING ITS PERIOD OF ENLISTMENT, MOST NOTABLE
OF WHICH WERE THOSE OF CROSS KEYS, THE SECOND BULL
RUN, CHANCELLORSVILLE, GETTYSBURG, LOOKOUT MOUN
TAIN, RESACA, KENNESAW MOUNTAIN, CULP'S FARM,
ATLANTA, ETC., ETC., CULMINATING AT RALEIGH,
N. C, WHEN GEN. JOSEPH E. IOHNSTON SURREN
DERED TO GEN. WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN.

IT WAS THE ONLY SEPARATE COMMAND ACTIVELY ENGAGED,
REPRESENTING THE CITY OF BUFFALO, IN THE BATTLE OF
GETTYSBURG, JULY 1, 2 AND 3, 1863, WHERE IT HELD THE
IMPORTANT POSITION ON EAST CEMETERY HILL, AND
WAS MAINLY INSTRUMENTAL IN CHECKING AND
DEFEATING THE CELEBRATED CHARGE OF THE
"LOUISIANA TIGERS," AT THAT POINT, ON
THE EVENING OF THE SECOND OF JULY.

COMPILED FROM RELIABLE SOURCES
By CYRUS KINGSBURY REMINGTON.

buffalo, n. y.
PRESS OF THE COURIER COMPANY.
l8ql.

Co ,tfye HTcmory

OF THOSE "WHO DIED UPON THE FIELD OF HONOR," AND
THEIR SURVIVING COMRADES OF
Batterg I, $trst IT. IJ. light Ctrnlkrij Vols.
IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, WHO, IN COMMON WITH
OTHER PATRIOTS, SUFFERED GREAT HARDSHIPS
DURING THAT EVENTFUL PERIOD,
Qjis Hecorb,
WHICH HAS BEEN FOR THE COMPILER A LABOR OF
LOVE, IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

INTRODUCTION.

To the Surviving Members of Wiedrich's Battery:
In compliance with a promise made a short time since, I
now present you with as full an account of the history of the
Battery as I have been able to obtain ; dating from its for
mation and incorporation into the service of the United States
in 1861, to the mustering out in 1865.
It has been a peculiarly difficult organization for the histo
rian to record, from the fact that the company was formed
upon a fighting basis, and consequently the fame of its doings
has only been heralded by those outside its membership ; for
during the full period of its enlistment, — three years, — there
is not, as far as known to me, upon the records of the daily
press of this city, with the exception of two or three letters
to the Democrat, any communication from the company to the
public, of the battles in which they were engaged ; nor is
mention made of the heroism of an individual member of the
Battery. Such facts are, however, undoubtedly, on record,
and will only require, in the future, some one to give them to
the public. This is in contradistinction to the many letters
printed from members of other military organizations sent
from this city at that period. These do not militate as
against such ; on the contrary, if Wiedrich's Battery had had
among its members a skillful writer, much historical matter
would have been saved, and would have greatly facilitated the
present pleasant task.*
* Since the above was written, Mr. Frederick Smith, of the Battery, has sent me
an interesting memorandum kept by him during the famous "march to the sea."
It is placed in at page 113.

6 INTRODUCTION.
In order to give you this meagre record, the files of the
daily papers, for items ; printed War Records of the
Rebellion ; the Report of the New York Board of Com
missioners of Gettysburg Monuments; Story of the March to
the Sea, by Maj. Nichols, of Gen. Sherman's staff; Gen. W.
T. Sherman's full report of the march; Gen. H. V. N. Boyn-
ton in United States Service Magazine ; Guides to Gettysburg;
information from the lips of survivors, who, after a lapse of
twenty-five or more years, are not expected to remember full
details of those stirring days ; and lastly, a personal examina
tion of the famous battle-field of Gettysburg, has given the
writer a realizing sense of its importance in the War of the
Rebellion, and of the advantage gained there, in which was
truly foreshadowed the " beginning of the end."
This little work is for the present use of the members. It
is the intention to continue the gathering of material which
may be embodied in a memorial volume, to be placed finally,
with others of a similar nature, in the archives of the His
torical Society of this city.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Buffalo, N. Y. , February 16, 1891.

CONTENTS.

Page.
Record of Wiedrich's Battery  ... . . g
Battle of Gettysburg, .... . ... . . 15-31
Battles near Chattanooga, . . -33
Last Assault at Chickamauga, . • • 37
Roster Army of the Cumberland  . • . 53
Extracts from Notes kept by Col. Wiedrich, . 57
Dedication of Monument at Gettysburg, . . . 61-97
Address at Dedication by Cyrus Iv. Remington, . .... 79
The Heights of Gettysburg. Recitation by Miss Nettie Wied
rich, .... ... .... 82
Restoration. A Poem by Jerome B. Greene, M. D. ... 84
List of Subscribers to Dedication Fund, ... 96
First Reunion,  • . . . . . . 97
Address at Reunion by Cyrus K. Remington,  99
Lookout Mountain. Recitation by Miss Nettie Wiedrich, 107
Second Reunion, . . ....... 112
Extracts from Notes kept by Sergeant Smith, . 113
Roster of Battery I, First New York Light Artillery (Wied
rich's Battery), .... .... 121
Appendix, . . . ... 135

MICHAEL WIEDRICH,
Captain of Battery I, First New York Light Artillery.

A RECORD OF
WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.

THE Act of Secession, as adopted by the Southern States,
was made under the pretense that State Sovereignty
was still a good plea for their attempt to withdraw from the
Union and to maintain slavery ; but, happily, that theory is
now forever exploded. The United States of North America
still exists, arid will continue to if in the future, as in the past,
every patriot will do his duty.
When President Lincoln made the call for 75,000 volunteers,
the German element of our citizens were among the first in
offering their services to the Government, and during the war
following we had many distinguished foreigners with com
mands, notably Generals Schurz, Sigel, Steinwehr, Blenker,
Willich, Osterhaus, De Trobriand and others, and many who
did not attain to a command, but were conspicuous for
bravery and self-denial ; the latter are the heroes of unwritten
history. The Act of Secession by the South was consummated early
in January, 1861, and on the 18th of the same month the
Battery, commanded by Captain Michael Wiedrich, attached
to the 65th Regiment, N. Y. S. Militia, this city, at a meeting
held at the Armory, unanimously resolved to offer their ser
vices and hold themselves in readiness to serve their adopted
country. Such resolutions were sent the Governor of this State,
and in due course of time the following reply was received :

IO WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
State of New York, Adjutant-General's Office,
Albany, January 21, 1861.
Captain M. Wiedrich, 65th Regt.:
Sir— The Commander-in-Chief directs me to thank you and
your command for the tender of their services to aid in enforcing
the laws and protecting the Union. Your letter of the 22d inst.
informing him of such tender by a unanimous vote of the com
pany, will be placed on file to be referred to if the services of the
military of the State should be required for that purpose.
Yours, etc.,
D. Campbell,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
When President-elect Lincoln passed through this city on
his way to Washington, D. C, for his inauguration, this com
pany was ready to be summoned for duty. On the day of his
inauguration, March 4th, while the Battery was firing a salute
in honor of the event, a member of the company was
seriously injured by the premature discharge of one of the
guns. On the 26th of April, the Battery reported 100 men fit and
ready for duty.
During the following months the men were actively engaged
in perfecting arrangements and organization ; but it was not
until August 2 ist that the General Government sanctioned
their request to be assigned to the command of Gen. Fremont,
then in Missouri. Col. William P. Carlin, formerly of this
city, and at that time in command at Pilot Knob, Mo.,
hearing of this decision, and knowing its commander well,
forwarded an urgent request that the Battery be sent to him ;
this was not, however, to be, as on the 25th of October an
imperative order was received from Albany, N. Y., to report
immediately to Adj.-Gen. Hillhouse, at that place; and
within twenty-four hours after the order had been received,
the Battery was well on its way to the Capital. The prompt-

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. I I
ness on the part of the Battery at the first, in offering their
services, their readiness to depart at a few hours' notice,
was one of the distinguishing characteristics which governed
it through the long years that were to come to them as an
organization. The Express of October 25th, 1861, says:
Major Wiedrich received orders yesterday from Adj.-Gen. Hill-
house to report with his artillery company immediately at the
Albany Military Depot. The company will accordingly leave our
city this afternoon, taking the 5 p. m. train, New York Central road.
It will start from the camp at Fort Porter, at 3 p. m., and march
to the depot, attended by Miller's Band. We have not learned
whether any of the home military organizations propose to tender
an escort, but we sincerely trust that such an honor will be paid to
the departing company, if the suddenness of its orders permit the
making of arrangements. It certainly deserves a farewell demon
stration of some sort, for no company has been raised here in
which Buffalo can take more honest pride. It is composed of a
splendid set of men, stout, intelligent, soldierly-looking German
citizens, and has attained a proficiency in drill and experience in
the handling of its artillery that fit it for immediate service in the
field. It is undoubtedly destined for the seat of war at once, the
order to Albany being manifestly a preliminary movement only,
with view, perhaps, to perfect its equipment.
In the next issue appeared the following:
Captain Wiedrich's Company of Light Artillery left town yester
day afternoon under an escort by the Eagle Zouaves, under com
mand of Adjutant Louis Krettner, and the Tigers, Captain J. F.
Ernst, Jr. The parade was very fine, and the departing company
made a superb appearance. They are a noble body of men —
every one every inch a soldier. The Zouaves had preceded to
Fort Porter, and escorted the company to Niagara square, where
the escort was joined by the Tigers on the right, thus proceeding
through the principal streets to the depot. On leaving, those
remaining gave the departing troops three hearty cheers and a
tiger.

12 ' WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
The next day's issue of the Rochester Democrat, in noticing
the passage of the Battery through that city, said :
They are a splendid-looking lot of men, all hale and hearty,
most of them above medium size. Many have seen active service
in Europe, and will be found to be good soldiers in America. The
company occupies two cars and are accompanied by a fine military
band. The train remained fifteen or twenty minutes in the depot
and they seized the opportunity to give some of the songs of the
Fatherland, which were rendered with fine effect in the spacious
depot. They sang in German three pieces, which were received
with applause. They passed out of the depot still singing, which
was drowned by the cheers of those who witnessed their departure.
Upon arriving at Albany they went into camp preparatory
to being called upon for active service.
While in Albany, in November, they acted as escort, upon
their arrival, to the Stoneman Cavalry Regiment, which was
recruited in Chautauqua County, under the immediate super
vision of George Stoneman, a native of that vicinity, and who
afterwards became famous as a cavalry officer, and after the
war was Governor of California.
November 15th the Battery left for Washington by the
Hudson River steamers Hendrick Hudson and Knickerbocker,
accompanied by artillery recruited at Rochester, Lockport
and Syracuse. Arriving at Washington the Battery was
attached to Gen. Blenker's division, and remained in camp
at that place during the winter. In the following December
they were ordered to Hunter's Chapel in Virginia.
Their "baptism by fire" was at Cross Keys, on June 8th,
in which engagement they suffered a loss of three killed and
six wounded. Thence they went to the Rappahannock,
where at Waterloo Bridge, August 22d, they lost one killed
and three wounded. At White Sulphur Springs, Warrentown
and other places, they were always "where duty called them."
And on August 30th, at the second Bull Run, they sustained

JACOB SCHENKELBERGER,
Lieutenant Battery I, First New York Light Artillery.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 1 3
a great loss, thirteen men being wounded besides Lieut.
Jacob Schenkelberger, who was deprived of one of his legs.
The same shot struck Sergt. William I. Moeller, taking off
one of his arms.
Mr. Moeller informs the writer that as he lay upon the field
wounded he was taken prisoner by the Confederates, and that
his wound was not properly dressed until eight days after ; he
was paroled, and for a long time was in the hospital at
Washington, D. C.
In this engagement the Battery was almost entirely dis
abled ; one gun only out of the six was fit for duty and
several of the carriages had to be left upon the field, but by
desperate exertions the disabled guns were rescued. The
company was so completely used up, as to necessitate their
returning to Washington for recuperation and new outfit.
Although not taking an active part in the Battle of Fred
ericksburg, they were there under Gen. Burnside, in position
on the line of skirmishers, and eventually fell back in good
order upon Gordonsville.
On May 2d, the next year, at Chancellorsville, the Battery
again made a good record, and when compelled to fall back
were obliged to leave two of their guns, one of which had
been limbered up ready for removal — at one gun all the men
had been disabled but one ; 47 men were wounded and four
of their horses killed.
The official account, as given by Captain Wiedrich, of the
action at Chancellorsville, is as follows :
Camp near Stafford Court House,
May 10, 1863.
Sir — I have the honor to forward the following report of the
part taken by my Battery in the action on the evening of May
2d inst.
Late in the evening of the 30th ult. we arrived near Dawdell's
Tavern, when I was directed by Col. Buschbeck, commanding ist

14 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
Brigade, to take a position south of the plank road leading from
Fredericksburg to Gordonsville, joining with his brigade. On the
evening of May ist I received orders from Maj. -Gen. Howard to
place one section of my Battery in rear of his headquarters, which
I did. When, on the evening of the 2d, the firing commenced on
our right we were for some time prevented from opening fire ; first,
on account of the thick woods some distance in front of the
Battery, which prevented us from getting sight of the enemy ;
second, when the enemy got in sight, our infantry while retiring
rushed in such masses in front and past the Battery, prevented us
for some time in opening fire, but as soon as the infantry were out
of our way opened with canister with good effect and checked the
advance of the enemy for a short time, but he soon advanced again
and in greater numbers. Seeing that they were getting in our left
flank I gave the order to limber up and retire ; in the act of limber
ing all the cannoneers but one of one piece were wounded, and we
were compelled to leave it on the field ; and on another, after being
limbered and in the act of driving away, the three horses and one
saddle horse were killed and we were obliged to leave this gun
also ; on another two horses were killed, but by the exertion and
good behavior of the men we succeeded in bringing it off with two
horses only.
In this action I had one man killed, ten wounded and two
missing. We retired to near White House, where I refitted the
remainder of the Battery as well as I could for further action.
I am happy to say that all officers and men behaved well during
the engagement. Very respectfully your obedient servant,
M. Wiedrich, Captain.
Brig.-Gen. A. von Steinwehr, Com'g 2d Div., nth Corps.
Only occasional official reports of the several actions in
which the Battery was engaged have been at our disposal;
such have been inserted in as nearly the proper places as
possible.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 1 5
If we are obliged to recount the old story of the Battle of
Gettysburg, in which this Battery played an important part,
those who wish may pass it over, but they must recollect that
the contest at that place was an important factor in, or turning
point of, the war; also, that we are writing for those who come
after-us. We are recording events which lovers of this country
cannot read too often.
Gen. Hooker being obliged to give way before the advance
of Gen. Lee of the Confederates, a stand was made at or near
the village of Gettysburg, where during the three memorable
days of July the Battery made for itself a name for stubborn
bravery that will be appreciated more as the years pass by ; it
was at Cemetery Hill that the Battery was posted after the
first day's fight and the death of Gen. Reynolds, and was in
Steinwehr's division of Howard's Corps, with Geary's division
of Slocum's Corps upon their right, resting upon Culp's and
Wolf's Hills, that they helped successfully to repel Early's
division of Ewell's Corps.
In order to understand more clearly the situation of the
Battle of Gettysburg, we will go back to the 30th of June,
when the First Corps of infantry, not exceeding 8,000 men,
under Gen. Reynolds and the Eleventh Corps under Howard,
encamped on the right bank of Marsh Creek, four miles south
west of Gettysburg. The Confederates, Hill's Corps of three
divisions, namely: Heath's 10,000, Pender's 10,000, and
Anderson's 15,000, were moved to the vicinity of Marsh
Creek. The same day Longstreet's Corps followed, consisting
of McLaw's 12,000, Hood's 12,000, whilst Pickett's of 7,000
was delayed in order to protect the rear and the wagon-trains.
Two divisions of Ewell's Corps, namely, Rodes' and Early's,
10,000 and 9,000 men respectively, encamped nine miles from
the village, while Johnson's 12,000 were at Carlisle. Thus
were situated on the 30th of June, 29,000 men of the Union,

1 6 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
and those named above of the Confederates, ready at a short
notice to engage in deadly conflict.
At 9.30 A. M., July 1st, skirmishing began between Buford's
dismounted cavalry and the Confederates, and at 10 A. M. the
artillery was brought into action. Half an hour later the
First Corps under Gen. Reynolds arrived and his men moved
over the fields from Emmitsburg, and rested under cover of
Seminary Hill. The extreme right rested on the Chambers-
burg turnpike, the left on the Hagerstown road. For two
hours these 8,000 men opposed the powerful force brought to
bear against them, two to one, but were enabled to hold their
own and beat back the enemy in its fearful charges. It soon
became apparent that our right was the main object of the
enemy's attack. At 10 A. M. the division of Rodes and Early
moved within a short distance of our right, forming in a
suitable manner in a valley, under cover of a hill, for the
purpose of supporting Heath, and of making a flank move
ment on our force. Rodes' division being in advance entered
the fight at noon ; Early at 2 P. M. Our small force being
hard pressed were about to give way on our right, when a
portion of the Eleventh Corps, which had been detained,
came to its support. At 1 P. M. Schurz and Barlow's division
passed through the town, and took position on our extreme
right. By this timely support the tide of battle was stayed
until Early's division was engaged. The other division of the
Eleventh Corps under Gen. Steinwehr, by the forethought of
Gen. Howard, was at once sent forward to occupy Cemetery
Hill, at the south of the town ; here the infantry and artillery,
including Wiedrich's, did such faithful work that to them
may be attributed in a degree the favorable results of the
following days.
After Early's division had entered the fight it became
evident that our right would be turned, and that we must

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. I 7
either retire, be killed, or captured, as it was evident that the
first two divisions of the Eleventh Corps, amounting to about
18,000 men, could not stand before the 40,000 of Heath,
Pender, Rodes and Early. Gen. Howard, therefore, antici
pating the natural result of this, had ordered the heavy
artillery to be removed to the position on Cemetery Hill and
a proper disposition of Steinwehr's division with a view to the
support and protection of our retiring columns, and as the
pressure of the advancing column of the enemy became great,
our force was obliged to yield. The First Corps fell back and
took position on the left and rear of Steinwehr, and the
Eleventh passed through Baltimore street to the Hill, in front
and on the right center. Being crowded in passing through
the streets of the village, and being unable to repel the
enemy, as a consequence 2,000 of our men were made
prisoners. In the beginning of the engagement, west of the
Seminary Hills, Gen. Reynolds, as stated, fell a victim to the
rifle of a sharpshooter of the enemy. After his fall Gen.
Doubleday assumed the command until the arrival of Gen.
Howard, about 11 A. M.
The duration of the first day's fight was from 9.30 A. M.
to 4 P. M., and our killed and wounded exceeded that of the
enemy. They were encouraged and proclaimed it a victory,
but, considering the disparity of numbers and condition of
our men, they had little reason to boast. Ewell's Corps
occupied the town, forming a line southeasterly to Rock
Creek. Rodes' division lay on their right, west to Seminary
Hill; Early on the southeast, and Johnston, arriving Thurs
day, forming the extreme left to the east. Hill's Corps were
in position on the Seminary Ridge as follows : On the left
was Heath, next Pender, then Anderson ; on the right was
McLaw's and Hood's division of Longstreet's Corps. This
was the position of the Confederate force, July 2d.

1 8 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
It had been reported that when the Confederates had been
informed that their Gen. Archer with 1,500 men had been
taken prisoners, they replied : " To-morrow we will take all
those back again; and having already taken 5,000 ( !) prisoners
of you to-day, we will take the balance of your men to-mor
row." Having been well fed and rested, they were in good
spirits, and were assured that success awaited their efforts on
the morrow.
You may, therefore, imagine the feelings of our little band,
which as yet consisted of only two corps; without reinforce
ments it would seem as though they might make good their
boast. While our brave boys were retreating through the
town all was confusion, but when they fell into position upon
the Cemetery range of hills, and found themselves supported
by the battle lines of Steinwehr, and a sufficiency of artillery
in place, of which Wiedrich's formed a portion, then they had
the satisfaction of seeing their late pursuers brought to a
stand by the raking fire from these lines on the hill.
Gen. Lee's (Confederate) position at daybreak on the 2d day
of July was as follows:
Gen. Ewell's entire corps was drawn up on the battle-field,
with Johnson on the left, resting on Rock Creek, upon Ben-
ner's Hill ; Gen. Early in the center, facing the ridge which
connects Culp's Hill with Cemetery Hill ; Gen. Rodes on the
right, at the foot of Cemetery Hill, his main force occupying
the town of Gettysburg, while his right formed a connection
with the Third Corps on Seminary Ridge.
Gen. Slocum arrived with the Twelfth Corps before mid
night, and upon him developed the chief command, until the
arrival of Gen. Meade early the next morning, who approved
of the action of Gen. Howard in the selection of their position.
Gen. Slocum then placed his corps on the right flank ; the
second division under Gen. Geary on Culp's Hill ; the first

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 1 9
under Williams near Spangler's Spring ; and the third across
Rock Creek to Wolf Hill.
The Third Corps, Gen. Sickles, arrived shortly after, and at
6 A. M. came Gen. Hancock with the Second and the Reserved
Artillery. Gen. Sickles moved his corps to the extreme left of
our line, resting on the ridge just north of Round Top, known
as Little Round Top. In the afternoon came the balance of
the Fifth Corps under Gen. Sykes, and two brigades of the
Pennsylvania Reserves under Gen. Crawford. Later on came
the Sixth Corps under Gen. Sedgwick, with Lockwood's
brigade of Maryland troops.
The arrival of these several corps was noticed by the Con
federates, and they began to think that the prospects were not
so cheery as they had anticipated ; for they commenced to
erect barricades in the village streets, and to remove obstacles
that would hinder the advance of their forces, for they per
ceived that hard work was upon them.
The morning of July 2d was pleasant, the air was calm and
the sun shone mildly through a hazy atmosphere, and nothing
suggested the sanguinary struggles that were to close the day.
During the early part of the day the enemy had remained
comparatively quiet for the purpose of perfecting his plan, but
about 4 P. M. they began the contest by opening a terrific
artillery fire upon our guns, and immediately after by an
infantry attack upon our left.
Suspecting, from some indication, that the enemy intended
an attack at this point, Gen. Sickles prepared to frustrate the
scheme. As the cannonading became general along our left
and center, responded to by the one hundred or more guns of
the enemy from Seminary Ridge and the hills to the east,
Sickles' Corps, supported by a portion of the Second, with a
determination to meet and engage the advancing enemy, en
countered them on the Emmitsburg road near Sherfy's peach-

20 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
orchard, and engaged them in a terrific struggle. Both fought
with a determination to win, and at last Sickles' men began
to give way. Rallied by him in person they arrested the
advancing column for a short time, but finding themselves
opposed by an overwhelming mass of the enemy, comprising
Anderson and McLaw's division of about 26,000 men, they
gave way.
This was a very critical period for us, as the point aimed at
by the enemy was to break our left and flank us. This they
would have been enabled to do if the Fifth Corps of Gen.
Sykes had not at this juncture been brought into action from
the Taneytown road at Sherfy's peach-orchard, and passing to
the north of Little Round Top. So desperate were the Con
federates, notwithstanding this and other re-enforcements that
were sent from our right, they came near being successful.
The enemy having driven our men before them were endeav
oring to come in between Round Top and Little Round Top,
and succeeded in gaining the summit of the latter, when at
this time, 6 P. M., Gen. Crawford's division of the Fifth Corps,
consisting of two brigades of Pennsylvania Reserves, which
until this time had been held back, went into the charge with
a terrific shout, driving the Confederates down the rocky front
of that hill into the woods, forcing the whole column to retire.
Thus our left was saved and the fight on that part of our
lines ended favorably for the day. Our line had, it is true,
receded about a third of a mile from that of the morning, but
the enemy had been foiled, and we held that natural fortress,
Little Round Top. The front of this was immediately covered
with a network of breastworks, upon the summit of which were
placed twelve thirty-pound Parrott guns. The Pennsylvania
Reserve, one company of which was from Gettysburg, fought
in sight of their homes, and held this stronghold until the
termination of the battle. The fighting ended at this point

CHRISTOPHER SCH MITT,
Lieutenant Battery I, First New York Light Artillery.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 2 1
at 6.30 P. M., but scarcely had it ended on the left but it was
renewed on the right. Previous to that time there had been
some sharp fighting on this part of the line, but it had ceased.
Gen. Ewell, who, it is said, had sworn that he would take and
hold at all hazards the hills east of the Baltimore turnpike,
on which our right was resting, began to mass his men in that
vicinity. Rodes' division was hurried forward from the west
end of the town and united with Early's and Johnson's and
at 7 P. M. Ewell was ready for action.
During the assault upon Round Top and Little Round Top,
Gen. Meade called upon Gen. Newton to weaken the force
on Cemetery Hill, in order to assist Gen. Humphreys upon
the line of the Emmitsburg road. Accordingly, with others,
Lieut. Christopher Schmitt of Wiedrich's Battery with two
guns was stationed on the opposite side of the road leading to
Taneytown and facing Seminary Ridge within the inclosure of
the old cemetery, where he with his two guns assisted during
the assault upon Little Round Top, and also took part in that
historic artillery duel, resulting in the defeat of the celebrated
charge" of Pickett's division. Lieut. Schmitt remained at this
position during the remainder of the three days' contest.
Gen. Ewell (Confederate) had directed a similar attack to be
made at the same hour against the Twelfth Corps in the rear
of Culp's Hill, through a valley leading up from Rock Creek
toward Spangler's Spring. They may have anticipated an
easy conquest here, but two divisions of the Twelfth Corps
formed the right flank, west of the creek, and the Second
under Gen. Geary occupied Culp's Hill. Only one brigade,
the Second, under Gen. Green, remained of Geary's division,
the other two, the First and Third, not having returned from
the conflict on our left.
Under the cover of the forest and darkness, the enemy con
fidently advanced as to the accomplishment of an easy task,

2 2 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
but they were sadly mistaken. With a desperate courage
Green's brigade received them, literally covering the slope of
the hill, in front of our works, with the wounded and dead,
and the scarred timber in the vicinity attested the obstinacy
and effectiveness with which our men fought. In comparison,
the enemy's loss was eight to one of ours. Never did men
fight with greater determination. From 7 to 9.30 P. M. the
roar of musketry was so continuous as to make the very earth
tremble. With some minor attacks, this virtually ended
Thursday's fight, with decided advantage to the Union
Army. On the part of the enemy, there was some readjusting of
their lines during the night. Pickett's division, which had
arrived during the evening, was placed to the left of Anderson,
and directly opposite our left center; Rodes moving his
division to join Ewell's Corps on our right, in order to be
ready by dawn to improve the temporary advantage gained
the evening before and attempt to obtain possession of Culp's
Hill and the Baltimore road. Ewell thus designed to throw
his whole force upon our right and break it. This was appar
ently the programme for our right, while Longstreet was to
perform a similar work on our left center.
We now come to the third and last day of this fight, which,
for carnage and stubborn resistance, has rarely been equaled.
It virtually blocked the attempt of the enemy to invade the
States further to the north, as undoubtedly it was their inten
tion originally. On the evening previous a portion of the
Twelfth Corps, which had been sent to the left to support
Sickles at Little Round Top, returned to the right, and
Shaler's brigade of the third division of the Sixth Corps was
transferred to the same vicinity, as was also Lockwood's Mary
land brigade. Such was our preparation on our part to resist
the expected attack.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 23
At dawn our artillery opened upon the enemy at the point
where they had made an attack and penetrated our lines, and
at sunrise was followed by a general infantry attack, which
was maintained with desperate obstinacy on both sides. At
eight o'clock a short cessation was had, after which it was
renewed with greater earnestness. From 4.30 to 10.30 A. M.,
with terrible slaughter, the enemy was repulsed and driven
over our breastwork with great effect and entirely broken to
pieces. A battery placed on a commanding height threw shell
over into the enemy's camp. This cannonading lasted for an
hour and a half. At 10.30 A. M. the fighting had nearly ceased
upon our right, after which it was not renewed on that part of
the line. From 11 A. M. to 1 P. M. there was a lull, each party
apparently waiting to see what the other was about to do and
at what point the attack might be made.
At last this portentous silence was broken. Probably not
less than 150 guns on each side sent forth missiles of death,
and producing such a succession of thundering sounds, such
as perhaps were hardly equaled by the most terrific thunder
storm ever witnessed by mortals. The air was filled by con
tinuous lines of whizzing shells and solid shot. The enemy
had placed his guns on the hills near the Bonaughtown road,
near the York road, the Harrisburg road, and upon the
Seminary Ridge, and along its whole line to a point opposite
and south of Round Top, subjecting our artillery on Cemetery
Hill to a circle of cross-fires, in order to dismount and destroy
them, and by this means to break our front center.
Gen. Lee, having reconnoitered our position, had arrived at
the conclusion that our left center was the weakest of our lines
— Anderson and McLaw's division having failed to turn our
left flank the previous evening. Ewell had also failed to
capture Culp's Hill and cemetery, and to turn our right, and

24 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
now some other point must be assailed, and he concluded to
try the point held by Hancock.
At 2.30 P. M. the enemy made a most determined effort to
accomplish this result so important to their interests. At this
time Pickett's division of Longstreet's Corps, consisting of the
brigades of Garnett, Kemper, and Armistead, was seen to
emerge from the wooded crest of Seminary Ridge, to the
south of McMillan's orchard, and to move in two long and
massive lines over the plain toward our left center. This
division was supported on the left by Pettigrew's brigade of
Heath's division, and on the right by Wright's and Wilcox's
brigades of Anderson's division. When this mass of men had
moved over about one-third of the space between the two
opposing lines, our batteries, which were placed in a grove near
Bryan's house, opened upon them, and threw shells and grape
into the advancing column; for a few moments they seemed
to hesitate ; then with a terrific yell they rushed forward. In a
moment a tremendous roar, produced from a simultaneous dis
charge of thousands of muskets, shook the earth ; then, in that
portion of the line nearest us, a few, then more, and again still
more of the enemy, in all not exceeding 200, were perceived
moving back toward the point from which they lately had so
defiantly proceeded — and at last several men supporting a
battle-flag followed the fugitives. The wounded and dead
were strewn thickly among the grain and upon the earth,
whilst a few men could be seen bearing away upon stretchers
a comrade or some favorite commander.
The few officers who survived, for a moment contemplated
the scene with amazement, then suddenly and rapidly made
their way back to the shelter of the Seminary Ridge. The
rank and file of the enemy had been made to believe that they
were making a charge upon the Pennsylvania militia, but their
belief in this matter was rudely shaken by their first repulse, but

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 25
still they pressed on. Gen. Gibbon had ordered the infantry
to fall back, so as to enable the artillery to use grape. On
they came to the cannon's mouth and at the first discharge
were blown or cut down by hundreds. Seeing the enemy
waver, Gen. Wells cried out, " Boys, the enemy is ours," and,
rushing upon them with his brigade, captured 800 prisoners.
Stannard's brigade took as many more, and others completed
the task, swelling the number of prisoners to 3,500. Fifteen
stands of colors were taken, and so sudden and complete was
the slaughter and capture of Pickett's men, that it is said that
one of the officers who fell wounded in the first charge, and
who characterized it as a mad and foolish scheme, said that
when, in a few moments afterwards, he was enabled to rise
and look about him, the whole division had disappeared as if
blown away by the wind. In this mad charge of the enemy
Gens. Kemper and Armistead were wounded and Garnett
killed. Of our force Gens. Hancock and Gibbon were
wounded. While this was happening at this point the enemy was not
inactive on his extreme right, and showed considerable vigor
opposite Little Round Top. Hood's division was repulsed in
attempting to drive our force from that stronghold. To com
plete our victory upon the line the Pennsylvania Reserves
were called upon to make a charge upon a battery just in
front of them. The Reserves took the battery, 300 prisoners,
and 5,000 stand of arms, and drove them half a mile beyond
the line they had occupied during the day.
This virtually ended the Battle of Gettysburg, which has
been given in some detail to enable the reader to under
stand its general features and the stubborn resistance shown
by our brave men, of which our own city furnished many.
From this Battery three of its members were killed and ten
wounded, which, notwithstanding the desperate fighting, was

26 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
more than the average of the losses sustained by the other
batteries from this State in that action ; and, to sum up, the
total loss of the New York State troops was: Officers. Men.
Killed  77 8.38
Wounded  298 3,737
Missing  69 1,708
A total loss of  6,777
We conclude Gettysburg with an extract from the report of
the commission: "By common consent this famous battle
field has been chosen to signalize the patriotism, valor and
fortitude of the defenders of the Union in the great Civil War
of 1861-65. It was a decisive victory, won at a moment when
defeat might have been ruinous to our cause. The assaults
upon our lines at Gettysburg were made by the most powerful
army ever encountered by the Union forces, and 307 com
mands in the Army of the Potomac officially report losses at
Gettysburg amounting in the aggregate to 22,990 officers and
men, and of these the eighty-seven New York commands in
this battle lost 6,777, nearly one-third of the total number of
casualties." The defeat, therefore, of Gen. Lee and the
Southern forces upon this field was the beginning of the end
culminating at Appomattox.
Some extracts, only, from a very full report of Gen. O. O.
Howard of his command during the battle of Gettsyburg
are given as follows :
.... And that Gen. Hancock should further arrange the dis
position of the troops, while I should take the right of the same,
and in a very short time we put the troops in position, as I had
previously directed, excepting that Gen. Wadsworth's division was
sent to occupy a height to the right and rear of our position. In
passing through the town we lost many prisoners, but the enemy,
perceiving the strength of our position on the height, made no
further attempt to renew the engagement that evening.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 27
About 7 p. m. (July ist) Gens. Slocum and Sickles arrived at
the cemetery. A formal order was at the same time put into my
hands, placing Gen. Hancock in command of the left wing. But
Gen. Slocum being present, and senior, I turned my command over
to him and resumed the direct command of the Eleventh Corps ;
whereupon Gen. Hancock repaired to the headquarters of Gen.
Meade. The eventful day was over. The First and Eleventh Corps,
numbering less than 18,000 men, notably aided by Buford's division
of cavalry, had engaged and held in check nearly double their
numbers from ten o'clock in the morning until seven in the evening.
They gave way, it is true, after hard fighting, yet they secured and
held the remarkable position which, under the able generalship of
the commander of this army, contributed to the grand results of
July 2d and 3d.
This day's battle cost us many valuable lives. Major-Gen. Rey
nolds, a noble commander and long a personal friend, fell early in
the action. Lieut. Bayard Wilkeson,* a young officer of exceeding
promise, was mortally wounded while in command of Battery G,
Fourth United States Artillery. Brigadier-Generals Barlow and
Paul were severely wounded. For mention of other distinguished
officers killed and wounded, I would refer you to reports of corps,
division and brigade commanders.
Major Osborn, commanding artillery of Eleventh Corps, reports
that his artillery dismounted five of the enemy's guns, which were
left on the field.

On the morning of July 2d, about 3 a. m., the commanding
general, who had previously arrived, met me at the cemetery gate,
questioned me about the preceding day and rode with me over the
position then held by our troops. I expressed my opinion strongly
in favor of the position. The general replied that he was glad to
hear me speak thus, for it was too late to leave it.
The Eleventh Corps was disposed with its center near the Balti
more pike ; the first division, Gen. Ames, on the right ; third
division, Gen. Schurz, in the center, and the second division, Gen.
* Lieut. Wilkeson was a nephew of Mr. John Wilkeson of this city.

28 wiedrich's battery.
Steinwehr, on the left. The batteries of the First and Eleventh
Corps were united, being put in position with regard to the kind
of gun. Col. Wainwright, chief of artillery First Corps, took
charge of all batteries to the right of the pike; Major Osborn, of
the Eleventh, of all batteries in the cemetery grounds to the left of
the pike. Very little occurred while the other corps were coming
into position until about 4 p. m. Just before this, orders had been
issued to the division commanders to make ready for battle, as the
enemy were reported advancing on our left. Now the enemy
opened from some dozen batteries on our right and front, bringing
a concentrated fire upon our position. The batteries of Wain
wright and Osborn replied with great spirit. Artillery projectiles
often struck among the men, but in no case did a regiment break,
though suffering considerably.
About 6.30 p. m. I sent word to Gen. Meade that the enemy's
batteries on our extreme right had been silenced or withdrawn.
After the cannonading had ceased, and the enemy's infantry
attack upon the left had been repulsed, another attack, said to be
by Rodes' division, commenced between 7 and 8 p. m., beginning
between Gens. Slocum and Wadsworth, and extending along in front
of Ames to the town of Gettysburg. A brigade of Gen. Schurz's
division was ordered to support Gen. Ames. Another brigade of
Gen. Schurz pushed to the support of Gen. Wadsworth upon his
right. Afterwards Gen. Greene, of the Twelfth Corps, came to
thank me for the good service done by this brigade.
The attack was so sudden and violent that the infantry in front
of Ames was giving way. In fact, at one moment the enemy had
got within the batteries. A request for assistance had already
gone to headquarters, so that promptly a brigade of the Second
Corps, under Col. Carroll, moved to Ames' right, deployed and
went into position just in time to check the enemy's advance. At
Wiedrich's Battery, Gen. Ames by extraordinary exertions arrested
a panic, and the men with sponge-staffs and bayonets forced the
enemy back. At this time he received support from Gen. Schurz.
Effective assistance was also rendered at this time by a portion of
Gen. Steinwehr's command, at points where the enemy was break
ing through. This furious onset was met and withstood at every
point, and lasted less than an hour.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 29
From the report of Maj .-Gen. Carl Schurz, commanding
Third Division, to Maj.-Gen. Howard, commanding Eleventh
Corps :
.... At nine o'clock the enemy was repulsed at that point.
and no further demonstration made. While this was going on,
between 8 and 9 p. m., we suddenly heard a rapid musketry fire on
eminence immediately east of the cemetery, where Captain Wied
rich's Battery stood. You ordered me to take two regiments across
the road to the aid of that battery. This order was executed by
two regiments of the second brigade, the One Hundred and
Nineteenth, and Fifty-eighth New York, headed by Col. Krzyra-
nowski, commanding second brigade. I at once hastened with
my whole staff toward the threatened point, driving back stragglers
with our swords as we went. To my great surprise, we found a
general melee in the battery itself, the enemy's infantry having already
gotten possession of some of the guns. The cannoneers were
defending themselves valiantly. Our infantry made a vigorous
rush upon the intruders, and, after a short and very spirited hand-
to-hand fight, succeeded in driving them down the hill. I cannot
refrain from speaking of the conduct of the officers and men on
that occasion with the greatest satisfaction.
From the report of Emil Koenig, Captain, commanding 58th
Regiment, New York Volunteers:
About 4 p. m. (on July 2d), the rebels opened a murder
ous fire upon our division from three or four batteries in different
positions, which was briskly responded to by the batteries of
Captains Wiedrich and Dilcher, on the right and left of the
division. . During all this time my men exhibited great
courage and coolness. About 8 p. m. our regiment was ordered
ahead, and to the left of the brigade, behind a stone fence, where
we were exposed to a severe artillery fire, which, however, did us
no damage. Suddenly we were ordered to the right, where a
column of the enemy, coming up under cover of the darkness, had
tried to storm Captain Wiedrich's Battery, but was repulsed before
we arrived. At six o'clock in the morning we were ordered
to the right of the road leading to Gettysburg. WTe were posted
behind a stone fence to the left of Captain Wiedrich's Battery.

30 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
An omission to report by its commanding officer, a captain,
for some unexplained reason, has had the effect of throwing
out on paper, during the assault of the "Tigers," July 2d,
the 73d Pennsylvania Regiment, which was a part of the
second division, first brigade, under Col. Coster — which brigade
was composed of the 134th New York Volunteers, the 154th
New York Volunteers, the 27th and 73d Pennsylvania Volun
teers. In the several reports of that day, I cannot find any
mention made of the 73d Pennsylvania, although attached as
above. This regiment, I am' assured by Col. Wiedrich, was on his
left and assisted in this repulse— honor to whom honor is due.
The 73d have erected upon these heights their monument,
which would not have been allowed if not deserved.
Gen. Steinwehr, says: "I placed the first brigade, Colonel
Charles R. Coster, on the northeast end of the hill, in support
of Wiedrich's Battery, which was there in position."
The 27th Pennsylvania Volunteers are specially mentioned.
Here follows the casualties of that regiment, and also of the
73d Pennsylvania, which may prove that the latter also saw
service at Gettysburg:
27th Pennsylvania — killed, 2 officers, 4 men ; wounded, 3 officers,
26 men ; missing, 1 officer, 75 men ; total, 111.
7 jd Pennsylvania — killed, 7 men ; wounded, 27 men; total, 34.
Deducting the 75 missing men of the 27th Pennsylvania,
there is only a difference in their favor of two men lost.
Extract from a fragment of a diary, without date or signa
ture, now in Col. Wiedrich's possession :
July 1, 2 and 3, Gettysburg. — On arriving near Gettysburg, Pa.,
about 11 a. m., July 1, we were ordered to a position on Cemetery
Hill, north of the Baltimore turnpike, which position we held until
the close of the battle, on the evening of July 3d. During the

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 3 1
three days' fighting we had three men killed, two officers and nine
men wounded. The dead were buried in the Cemetery of Gettys
burg, and the wounded sent to Baltimore, Md.
Extract of a letter to the New York Times, written by Mr.
L. L. Crounse, its correspondent:
. . The formation of the ground on the right and center
was excellent for defensive purposes. On our extreme left the
ground sloped off until the position was no higher than the
enemy's. The ground in front of our line was a level, open
country, interspersed here and there with an orchard or a very
fine tract of trees, generally oak.
Gen. Howard occupied with his corps a beautiful cemetery
on a hill to the south of Gettysburg. Cannons thundered, horses
pranced, and men carelessly trampled over the ruins of the dead.
From this hill a beautiful view could be obtained of the
valley, and also of goodly portions of the enemy's line of battle.
.... A great and manifest feature of this battle is the splendid
use of artillery. Casualties of this Battery at Gettysburg.
Killed — Jacob Kimmel, Mathias Kussenberger and Edward
Sonnenborg. Wounded — Lieut. Nicholas Sahm, Lieut. Christian Stock, William
Hartmann, Albert Brauner, Philip Mathis, Jacob Weller, Jacob
Willig, John Kappel and Andrew Zimmer.
Under date of September 30th, it is stated that letters have
been received announcing that Wiedrich's Battery has been
ordered to join Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanooga, "as it has
proved to be one bf the most serviceable artillery organiza
tions of the Army of the Potomac, and will, if an opportunity
offers, gain fresh laurels at the West."
From a dispatch dated Chicago, October 5th, it states that
the nth and 12th Army Corps, Gens. Howard and Slocum,
were passing through that city fpr three days, and destined

32 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
for Nashville, Tenn, but the Battery, with a portion of the
Eleventh Corps, to which it belonged, went by way of Indian
apolis. Later, in speaking of the enemy: "It is supposed
they will concentrate their artillery at Missionary Ridge ;
many of their pieces are heavy and all seem to carry well.
They hold both Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
We have several lines of intrenchments and extensive earth
works. The plan of the enemy appears not to make an at
tack in the front, but compel us to abandon Chattanooga, by
simply holding us in our present position, with their army in
our front, annoying us with their artillery and by breaking
our lines of connection, by cavalry raids in our rear."
While at Chattanooga, a pleasant incident occurs in which
is shown, that while one may be deeply afflicted, yet, truly
sympathetic, loses no opportunity of attempting to lift the
cloud of sorrow from others.
Mr. James E. Murdock, whose son was killed upon the field
of Chickamauga, was at this place for the purpose of obtaining
the body, and while awaiting the movements of the officials
in the matter, deemed it his duty to administer to the comfort
of those in the hospitals. He spent, therefore, much of his
time reading to the sick and giving entertainments to the
able-bodied ones. These kindly acts were fully appreciated
by the veterans.
February 10, 1864: "We learn that Captain Wiedrich has
been promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 15th New
York Heavy Artillery. The Colonel if he has not sought the
bubble reputation, has earned the ' Eagles,' even in the can
non's mouth, and none more worthy to wear them than he."
February 16th, we find "that Captain Wiedrich is at home
with Lieut. Sahm, and sixty-four of his gallant men, all of
whom have re-enlisted. They arrived Saturday night from
Bridgeport, Alabama. As a majority of the Battery have

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 33
re-enlisted, enough to place it on a maximum footing, prob
ably a recruiting office will not be opened."
On Monday, the 14th of March, a number of the friends of
Captain Wiedrich assembled at Gillig's Hall, and presented
the Battery a beautiful silk flag, made by the lady friends of
the Battery, and was presented in a fitting speech by Police
Commissioner Jacob Beyer, and responded to by Captain
Wiedrich. The flag is now in the custody of the State of
New York, at Albany. An attempt was made at the time
of the dedication of the monument at Gettysburg to obtain it
for that occasion, but refused by the Adjutant-General. A
duplicate was made and used.
THE BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA.
A description of the scenes and incidents of this campaign
would be incomplete, probably unsatisfactory, without a brief
sketch of the locality, and a sufficient outline to assist the
comprehension of movements which led up to the situation of
armies and the culminating battles of November, 1863.
Protestant missionaries were here laboring among the Creek
and Cherokee tribes in 1817, the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury being
the pioneer. He was shortly joined by co-workers, and mis
sionary stations Brainard and Elliott were established.
The name Mission Mills needs no interpretation. The
origin of Missionary Ridge is equally plain.
Soldiers of the Union Army abbreviate the name to
Mission, ex-Confederates refer to it as Missionary Ridge.
The name Chattanooga is derived from two Indian words,
Chatta, place of, Ooga, rocks. It is now many years since the
Government decree to remove the Indians from this vicinity
was enforced. How, may be inferred from the statement
subsequently made, that more than five thousand aged persons

34 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
and children perished by the way. Those Indians who clung
to their old homes were forced out by the soldiers, and whites
who defended them were punished by law for their crime.* It
is said that John Howard Payne was among those who suffered.
Chattanooga, then Ross Landing, grew from a settlement to
a village. In 1861 it was a town of considerable population,
evidencing enterprise, and a point towards which the attention
of commanding officers of both the Union and Confederate
armies was early directed. The vicinity of Chattanooga was
reached by Union troops but no occupation was effected until
September, 1863, when Gen. Rosecrans skillfuly manoeuvred
Gen. Bragg's forces out of the town and immediate vicinity.
After referring to the difficulties of transportation which
beset the accumulation of ammunition sufficient for advance,
plans for which Gen. Rosecrans had already matured, Gen.
Boynton mentions with some comment Gen. Halleck's impera
tive orders telegraphed persistently from Washington.
Gen. Rosecrans pushed his preparations, and as he could
not obtain forage for the animals, or transport it in quantities,
he waited till the corn had ripened, and when it had, having
in the meantime accumulated twenty-five days' rations and a
liberal supply of ammunition, he gave orders for the advance.
By a brilliant feint, extending through the mountains north
of Chattanooga toward Buckner's forces in East Tennessee,
the appearance of four brigades opposite the city, on the line
from Kingston above to the mouth of Lookout Valley below,
and of a division in the Sequatchie Valley east of the first
range of the Cumberlands, he had wholly deceived Bragg as
to the movement, and the entire army effected a crossing in
the vicinity of Bridgeport without special opposition.
* The compiler of this work feels a personal interest in this locality ; also the
subsequent place in Mississippi to where those Indians were removed, as his parents
were, in 1821, appointed to the Mission under the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, of whom
he also is a namesake.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 35
The facts of the crossing show that Rosecrans had moved
at the earliest possible moment. He did not even take time
to bring up sufficient bridges. Brannan's division crossed
at the mouth of Battle Creek on rafts and in canoes which the
men cut out for themselves. In fact, those who could swim
well did not wait either for rafts or canoes, but put their guns
and clothing on a few fence rails and pushed these before
them over the wide stream. The artillery was ferried on a
single pontoon, which would not carry a piece and its limber
at the same time. Another division was taken over at Bridge
port in small boats. The crossings began on the 28th of
August, the river being, at the points selected, 1,200 feet at
the narrowest and 2,700 feet at the widest point. In spite of
the very limited bridge facilities for any portion of the troops,
and the fact that some divisions were without any, at the end
of seven days the army was on the south bank, ready for its
mountain marches.
Once across, the columns moved with expedition. They had
before them, and between them and the valleys that led from
the south into Chattanooga, the precipitous Sand Mountains
and Lookout ranges. These were of the general height of the
Cumberland Mountains, very steep, with rock palisades along
the summits. The trails which crossed them were narrow
and exceedingly difficult for teams, in fact impassable for
loaded trains, except where, as in any army, there is unlimited
command of horse and man power. The teams were doubled
both for baggage wagons and artillery, and, in addition, at the
steepest points, ropes at which entire companies pulled were
also attached. An idea of the difficulties of ascending these
mountains will be gained by a knowledge of the fact that it
required from sundown to sunrise for the artillery and moder
ate train of a single brigade, thus assisted, to reach the
summit of the first range. But by utilizing every trail, and

36 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
working day and night, at the end of the fourth day, namely,
September 8, the whole army had crossed Sand Mountains and
descended into Lookout Valley, and the heads of its columns
had gained the summit of Lookout at two points, one 25 and
the other 42 miles south of the river, from which positions
they looked down upon Bragg's communications. Crittenden's
corps had moved down the valley toward the north point of
Lookout, where it occupied the position of an observing force
near Chattanooga.
When Gen. Bragg found the Union Army on the south
bank of the river threatening his supplies, he evacuated Chat
tanooga, withdrawing to Lafayette, 25 miles southeast, to
await reinforcements from Mississippi, and the arrival of Long-
street from Virginia.
On the 9th of. September, Crittenden's division passed
around the point of the mountain into Chattanooga. It was
this appearance of one division in the city which gave rise
to the report, still generally believed, that the Army of the
Cumberland had occupied Chattanooga without a battle, had
moved thence to attack Bragg, had been overwhelmed at
Chickamauga, and driven back again in confused and dis
astrous retreat to Chattanooga. But Crittenden only left a
brigade in the city, and passed through, following Bragg's
retreat for purposes of observation and to join the rest of the
army then emerging from the passes over Lookout into the
valley far south of Chattanooga.
The probable reasons why General Rosecrans did not con
centrate his army about Chattanooga, are given at length by
General Boynton, the principal being that the position of his
corps was unfavorable to such a movement in the face of so
wary a foe as General Bragg, and misleading information as
to reinforcements.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 37
The Battle of Chickamauga occurred on the 19th and 20th
of September, ten days subsequent. The conflict to the last
was desperate, as the following will show.
THE LAST ASSAULT AT CHICKAMAUGA.
" Longstreet's last assault began shortly before five o'clock
and lasted two hours. In preparing for it he asked Bragg for
reinforcements from the right, but was informed, as Long-
street reports, ' that they had been beaten back so badly that
they could be of no service to me.' Preston's fine division of
four brigades, which up to that hour had not been in the
battle, were given the advance. Behind this line were Ker
shaw's troops, and Johnston's and Hindman's and Stewart's
divisions. All these, with yells and a mighty momentum,
once more rushed up the slopes of the range. An army was
assaulting three thin divisions. There were ten Confederate
brigades in front of the four which Brannan and Granger had
in line, and four of these in Longstreet's column were veterans
who had not fired a gun in the battle. The assaulting force
before Wood was about in the same proportion. But Granger,
Brannan and Wood stood immovable. To those present on
either side, the memory of those hours is of the severest
musketry of their experience. It never slackened, except as
ammunition ran low at times on the Union side, and in place
of firing came the cheers of the charging lines as they rushed
down with the bayonet upon the ascending column. Hind-
man, from the Army of Northern Virginia, declared he had
never seen Union soldiers fight as well, and never saw Con
federate troops fight better. Seen from the base of the range,
its summit was sheeted with fire and smoke, or gleamed with
its hedge of steel. Pressing up its slopes, line followed line
from below, and from above came line after line torn, bleeding,

38 wiedrich's battery.
dying, tumbling over on those behind, while on the crest the
contracting Union lines closed over their wounded and their
dead, and stood unmoved in their places under the flag till
the sun went down and the road for which they had con
tended was won.
"Just before dusk Steedman was withdrawn from Brannan's
right, leaving Vanderveer's Brigade the right of the army for
the closing half hour of the fight, as it had been the left of
the line when the battle opened on the first day. And here
the 35th Ohio, of this brigade, which the first day received
the brunt of the final rebel effort on the left, drove back a
line of Longstreet's men, which had gained the ridge when
Steedman's withdrew, and fired the last volley of the day.
Brannan's division had formerly been General Thomas' own
command, and Vanderveer's brigade in Thomas' division as
far back as Mill Springs. He well knew both brigade and
division, and made of both his flying forces for use on all
parts of the line."
No description can convey more than an idea of the stead
fast valor and the terrific onsets of that field. Only the
strength of defensive position and furious, never- flinching
fighting saved Thomas' lines from the magnificent assaults of
Bragg's forces. When the sun went down the second day
30,000 killed and wounded attested the courage, the devotion
and effective fighting of those engaged. The campaign was a
success for Rosecrans. The battle was the full revelation of
Thomas — the most perfect military character of Union his
tory — and the matchless fighting along his lines glorified the
private soldiers who held them steady and saved an army.
General Cist states, " that General Rosecrans had on the
field 55,000 effective men, opposed to Bragg's 70,000 troops
in line, and that Rosecrans' losses aggregated 1,687 killed,
9,394 wounded, 5,255 missing; total 16,336. Bragg's losses,

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 39
in part estimated, were 2,673 killed, 16,274 wounded, and
2,003 missing, a total of 20,950. A full report of rebel losses
was never made."
Chattanooga was converted into a fortress, the outer lines of
which extended from the bluffs on the river above to the bank
of the river below the town, which was encircled and covered
from all land approach. These works, a little more than
three miles in extent, were strengthened wherever possible,
by special fortifications. Forts Wood and Negley, Batteries
Sheridan, Rosseau, Cheatham, were among these within this
line. Other works were built, all finally covered by the fort
on Cameron Hill. To an assault, Chattanooga was practically
impregnable. The question of forage and rations was the
problem to be solved. General Bragg with his army occupied
Missionary Ridge, from which to Lookout Mountain a strong
line of rifle-pits crossed Chattanooga Valley. Lookout, a for
tress in itself, had been strengthened by rifle-pits. The only
possible route for supplies was forty miles long, across moun
tain ranges, over roads which were such in name alone. Day
by day the starved battery horses fell dead at the picket
ropes, and rigid economy of food was everywhere practiced.
Matters grew more and more desperate. The road over
Waldron's Ridge was fringed with dead mules. Soldiers had
unsoldered their canteens, and with nails improvised graters,
with which to provide meal when ears of corn could be
obtained. The bark of young Cottonwood trees sustained
such mules as had perforce acquired an inclination for it.
These were starvation times in Chattanooga, and, to add to
the hardship, the weather was unusually severe for that region,
and fuel difficult to obtain.
With the situation as outlined, it would seem impossible
that the morale of the army should be what it was. The
troops were cheerful, and confident as to the future. The

40 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
relief of General Rosecrans occasioned unquestionable regret,
but the confidence of the army in General Thomas was
unbounded. The transportation of General Hooker with the Eleventh
and Twelfth Corps from the Army of the Potomac to Bridge
port, was under the personal supervision of Col. Thomas A.
Scott, with such lieutenants as Frank Thomson as aids. Gen
eral Grant reached Chattanooga on the night of October 23d.
Plans already in progress to open and control the navigation
of the Tennessee River were examined and ordered executed
under the supervision of General W. F Smith, Chief Engineer
of the Army of the Cumberland. Under cover of darkness
fifteen hundred gallant men of Hazen's brigade floated from
Chattanooga down the Tennessee to Brown's Ferry.
The enemy's pickets an'd batteries were passed without
discovery, and at dawn on October 27th the lodgment at
Brown's Ferry was complete, being held by Hazen's and
Turching's brigades, protected by ample fortifications. The
same afternoon Hooker's advance occupied Wauhatchie in
Lookout Valley, and at night repelled a vigorous attack made
by Longstreet's men who were driven back to their camps at
Lookout, after a short but determined engagement. Hooker's
occupation of Lookout Valley settled the question of supplies,
and Chattanooga was presently filled with the stores of food
and ammunition. Heavy ordnance replaced field batteries in
the fortifications, and much needed clothing was provided for
the soldiers.
For the safety of Burnside's position at Knoxville there was
apprehension which became grave from the fact that Long-
street's command, reinforced by troops from Bragg's immedi
ate army, was marching toward East Tennessee. But Sher
man was close at hand. After a march of 400 miles, his
leading division reached Brown's Ferry, November 18th.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 4 1
Two of his divisions crossed and moved along concealed
roads, through the woods and behind the hills to a point on
the north bank of the river eight miles above the town, near
the mouth of the North Chickamauga and opposite Bragg's
position on the northern extremity of Missionary Ridge.
Here they were camped out of sight. The breaking of the
bridge at Brown's Ferry prevented the crossing of the third
division. On the 22d of November the Eleventh Corps, under
Howard, composed of Schurz's and Steinwehr's divisions, was
brought over the bridge, from Hooker's position, marched into
the town, and given prominent position in the line, to convey
the impression to the enemy watching from the heights that
the town was being reinforced by the troops passing on the
bridge, and thus direct attention from Sherman's movements,
and the preparations for the crossing at the North Chicka
mauga. The first contest opened on the Union side with what the
enemy mistook for a grand review, but which suddenly and
unexpectedly developed into a battle worthy of the initial
move in the series to follow. In front of Fort Wood and its
adjacent batteries, located in the eastern limits of the city,
and looking out over the plain towards Missionary Ridge, the
ground at first descends rapidly, and then rolls gently away,
furnishing abundant space for a great review. About noon of
November 23d, this portion of the plain and the open country
to the right and left of it began, under orders from General
Thomas, to fill with troops. First Wood's division moved out
and deployed. Sheridan followed and took position farther to
the right and slightly to the rear. Howard's Corps, massed by
divisions and brigades, marched with the precision of a review
into place in rear of Wood and Sheridan. Baird moved out
of the works to the right of the latter, and formed in echelon
in his rear, while Johnston's division stood to arms in the

42 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
intrenchments in rear of the center. For a brief time, while
the various commanders were receiving their orders, this grand
pageant of twenty thousand men, ready for a spring on the
enemy's advanced line, stood motionless as if for review. The
rebel pickets leaned lazily on their guns, enjoying the spec
tacle. Groups of Confederates could be seen on Lookout, on
Orchard Knob, and along the ridge, watching the display.
Even the forward movement of the leading deployed divisions
did not dispel the illusion until the Union picket-line ad
vanced, firing. Wood, followed by an army on his flanks and
in rear, moved rapidly on Orchard Knob, a mile and a quarter
to the front, sweeping away pickets and reserves, and carrying
the Knob and hill on the right. Sheridan swiftly moved upon
and grasped the positions still farther to the right. Howard's
two divisions deployed to the left, and after sharp fighting
occupied the rebel line in his front. Before night the vast
drill ground, over which an army under guise of a review had
moved to the attack with the precision of parade, had been
extended until the entire advanced line of the enemy, two
miles in length, was in the possession of these very practical
columns of review. Seldom had troops moved under more
inspiring circumstances. On the Union side, Grant and
Thomas, with crowds of staff officers, the population of a city,
and thousands of their comrades, looked down upon them
from the town. From the enemy's line a large part of the
Confederate army on its many heights was watching them.
The heavy guns from the forts covering the movement called
universal attention to their imposing advance and gave the
added inspiration of a tremendous cannonade. Thus incited,
the quiet but magnificent pageant developed into the swift
advance and speedy victory of an army. The captured line
afforded distinct views of the rebel works along the foot of
the Ridge beyond, and the exact character of the ground

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 43
before them, and formed an excellent base for the final
assault which two days later closed the battle and gave victory
to the Union arms.
While this movement was in progress Sherman was laboring
hard to concentrate his forces for crossing the river, but the
bridge at the ferry breaking again, while one of his divisions
was still on the south bank, the plan of battle was changed for
the second time, and Hooker was ordered to move at daylight
and attack Lookout. For this he had Geary's division of the
Twelfth Corps, the delayed division of Sherman's column,
under Osterhaus, and two brigades of Cruft's division or the
Fourth Corps ; troops which thus first met each other while
advancing in actual battle.
It was a busy night on both sides. Believing that an assault
on Lookout was the least likely of all, and that the next blow
would fall on his right, Bragg during the night withdrew an
entire division from the mountain to strengthen the Ridge.
All night long the rebel signal torches were waving in the
sight of both armies from all the heights, busily writing their
mysterious characters of fire against the sky. Hooker, in
Lookout Valley, was preparing his forces to move at daylight,
against the craggy heights above him. At midnight, far away
on the other flank, one hundred and sixteen boats, carrying
General Giles A. Smith's brigade of Sherman's men floated
silently out of the mouth of North Chickamauga, and shot
rapidly to the south bank of the Tennessee. The enemy's
pickets were surprised, and a landing made near the mouth of
South Chickamauga Creek without serious opposition. At
daylight two divisions were over, a strong bridge-head had
been constructed, the bridge itself was well advanced, and
Sherman's forces stood facing the strongly fortified right flank
of the Confederate position. Wood and Sheridan used the
night for strengthening their lines, and placing batteries on

44 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
the hills they had captured. As the light grew strong enough
to reveal positions, the enemy's attention was mainly fixed on
Sherman's threatening position. Bragg's expectation of an
attact on his right seemed about to be realized, as three
divisions moved forward and slowly deployed a little more
than a mile away. But the real mysteries of this second day
were veiled by the fogs on Lookout. Under the impenetrable
curtain Hooker was arranging his lines for an assault which a
few hours later was to present to the hosts of both armies, on
the plains and lesser ridges below, a drama of battle played
on such lofty summits, and so wrapped in cloud-effects of fog,
as to seem more like a contest raging in the skies than one
borne upward on the solid mountain.
A brief preliminary sketch of the position, somewhat more
in detail than the general view already presented, is needed to
fix the features of the wonderful scene in mind. Advancing
toward Chattanooga from the south, along the crest of Look
out Mountain, the road traverses a gently broken table-land of
very considerable width, terminated on each side by high
precipices. For two miles before reaching the point of the
mountain, which looks down upon the city and is fourteen
hundred feet above it, this table-land narrows to a width of
half a mile, and the precipices on either side are about one
hundred feet in height. From the base of those sheer rocky
walls the mountain slopes on the right to Chattanooga Creek,
on the left to Lookout Creek, and directly under the point
downward to the Tennessee. These slopes of the mountain
are something over a mile in extent, and the streams, both in
the eastern and the western valley, require bridges. Except
on the portions facing the town, which had been partially
cleared for farming, the ground was everywhere crossed with
ledges of rock, strewn with detached masses from the preci
pices above, tangled with fallen timber, and studded with

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 45
sufficient forest to conceal defensive works and forces. The
only road to the summit led up from Chattanooga Valley
from a point within the Confederate lines. These apparently
impracticable slopes had been heavily fortified against ap
proach from Hooker's position, and, after the withdrawal the
night before of one division, were still held by six brigades,
which, counting the immense strength of positipn and works,
almost equaled as many divisions for offensive purposes.
At eight o'clock in the morning of the 24th, Geary crossed
Lookout Creek, about two miles up the valley, with his own
division and Whittaker's brigade of the Fourth Corps, and
under cover of the fog marched directly up the western slope
of the mountain till his right rested at the foot of the pali
sades, his left reaching the base of the mountain below. Mean
time a brigade had forced the passage of the creek half a mile
above the rebel intrenchments, and planted artillery to enfilade
one portion of their line. Guns had also been dragged to the
tops of several high hills in the valley, while batteries were
brought close to the enemy's lines at a bridge near the mouth
of the creek, where the division of Osterhaus confronted the
rebel works. A section of twenty-pounder Parrotts was
hauled to an elevation that would enable them to reach the
camps on the upper slopes, and the heavy casemated guns of
Brannan, on Moccasin Point, across the river, were made ready
to open on the front of the mountain.
All these preparations to strike had progressed under cover
of the night and the morning fog, and had only provoked
brisk picket-firing, which was inaudible in the main Union
lines. While the sounds of general movement rose through
the fog, its character could not be ascertained by the enemy
above till the blows began to fall ; and the distance to Bragg's
headquarters on Missionary Ridge and the impossibility of
signaling prevented any notification of the great stir in Look-

46 wiedrich's battery.
out Valley reaching him, and so he continued to give chief
attention to Sherman's demonstration. At eleven o'clock,
Geary's line, sweeping the slope from palisades to base, reached
the forces posted with the enfilading artillery. Here, while
the Union lines were being re-arranged and reinforced for their
great swing against the rebel works and around the point of
the mountain, nature's vast curtain of fog began to rise upon
the opening scenes of the great drama.
Suddenly the Union batteries opened on the mountain, call
ing the enemy's attention away from Sherman's threatening
movements, and announcing unexpected battle around the
crags of Lookout. Except where Sherman was advancing,
silence fell along the many miles of opposing lines, from every
part of which the Confederate works on the front of the
mountain could be seen. From the valley beyond these, and
so behind the mountain, came the sound of the volleys of
Geary's advance. More than a hundred thousand spectators
stood motionless, listening intently, with gaze fixed on the
points where the storm of battle, roaring down the western
valley, might be expected to burst over the front of the moun
tain. Just before the contending lines came into view the fog
lifted still higher, and a scene such as battle-story cannot sur
pass was clearly revealed. Its appearance was announced by
the crashing shot of many guns and the cheers of charging
infantry, which drove the Confederates from their lower works
and forced them back to their main lines. The Union line
could be plainly seen in its advance, its flags dotting the front
at intervals, from the precipices above to the river bluff below.
The heavy batteries on Moccasin Point continually burst their
shells in front of this line ; the rebel artillery flamed in its
very face, and volley after volley rained on its advancing, but
never-halting, veterans. As the sharp contest for the rebel
line in the open space went on, the Union forces in the plain

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 47
below cheered, seemingly as soldiers never could have cheered
before, and all the bands along that front of many miles played
on and on, while Hooker's lines, ten thousand strong, swept
around the mountain, pushing the enemy from its front, and
forcing him southward along its eastern slopes.
At two o'clock the heavy fighting was done, and the lower
stronghold of the mountain had been wrested from the enemy.
Carlin's brigade from Chattanooga marched with supplies of
ammunition up the mountain to Hooker's right, under the pal
isades, and did good service at the close of the day. All night
the flash of rifles from the outposts shone through the fog ;
and when morning broke it had not yet been determined
whether the enemy had withdrawn from his unassailable posi
tion on the top of the mountain.
The day dawned clear. All eyes in the Union bivouacs
were strained towards the summit. Gradually it grew purple
with the strengthening light ; and just as the sun broke over
it a squad of men walked out on the rock overhanging the
precipice at the point of the mountain, and, in the view of the
watching and breathless thousands, unfurled the Stars and
Stripes. Once more cheers and music swept along the plain,
and an army of veterans looked long through its tears at this
mute announcement of a second victory.
Then came the closing scene and fitting culmination of the
three days' pageant. While Hooker's assault on Lookout was
at its height, Sherman moved unmolested, and at 4 P. M. had
apparently carried the northern extremity of Missionary
Ridge. The mystery of this failure to oppose him was
explained by the discovery that the elevations he had occu
pied were not a part of the continuous Ridge, but that Bragg's
strongly fortified flank rested on the next hills to the south.
At this point the heavy fighting of the closing day began in
Sherman's effort to carry the rebel right.

48 wiedrich's battery.
The cheering of the flag displayed on Lookout, at sunrise
on the 25th, had scarcely died away before Sherman moved
to the attack, and the sounds of action turned universal
attention away from the mountain to the Union left. Hooker
also moved at daylight through Chattanooga Valley, driving
before him the rear-guard of the column retreating from
Lookout. On reaching Rossville, after sharp fighting, he
ascended Missionary Ridge, and, forming his lines across it,
threatened Bragg's left. He had, however, been much delayed
by the necessity of bridging Chattanooga Creek, and Sherman
on the right had been furiously fighting many hours before
Hooker gained position. The entire rebel army was now con
centrated upon Missionary Ridge, covering its crest for about
six miles. Four divisions of the Army of the Cumberland
faced three miles of this position, occupying the works which
had been carried in the first day's advance. Howard's Corps
of the same army, still farther to the left, confronted the
Ridge to a point within a mile of Sherman. During the
forenoon Confederate troops could be plainly seen moving
along the summit, strengthening their center, and massing
heavily against Sherman.
The plan of battle made Sherman's advance the guiding
movement. His center was to carry the northern extremity
of the Ridge, while his. wings swept its western and eastern
slopes. The Army of the Cumberland, closing to the left, was
to join Sherman's right, and, moving southerly with his line,
clear the Valley to the base' of the Ridge and aid in the flank
attack on the lower line of works.
The battle opened early by three brigades of Sherman's
troops descending the hills they had occupied the day before,
which had at first been supposed to be a part of the con
tinuous Ridge, and assaulting the works of Bragg's right on
the next heights beyond. These rested not only across the

GEORGE F SCHWARTZ,
Lieutenant Battery I, First New York Light Artillery.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 49
Ridge, but extended along lateral spurs, which gave abundant
room for strong works, and the operations of a heavy defend
ing force. The moment Sherman's leading brigade moved
out of the cover of woods on the hills, and began to descend
into the gorge separating them from the enemy, they were
exposed to a murderous fire ; but after reaching the valley
they rushed upward to the attack, and seized and held a spur
within a hundred yards of the rebel works. From this point
assault followed assault, the Union line being constantly
swept back by the concentrated fire of the Confederate lines
delivered almost in their faces. Howard's Corps was sent to
Sherman from Thomas' left as early as ten o'clock, and six
divisions were then engaged in the attempt to capture the
extremity of the Ridge. Still, every front assault, though
made on all parts of the line with the utmost courage, was
hurled back, and the same fate met the flank attacks on the
eastern and western slopes.
The terrible pendulum swings of Sherman's troops against
the heights — more terrible because seemingly fruitless — were
plainly seen from Orchard Knob, where Grant, Thomas and
Sheridan stood watching the contest hour after hour, with an
intensity of interest and a growing impatience which were
inseparable from the situation. The sun was nearing the
western ranges, Hooker's guns had not been heard on the
right, and Sherman was unable with all his force to make
further impression on the left. Baird was hurried to his aid.
He then had seven divisions, or over half the Union Army,
but there being no room for Baird to operate, he returned to
the center, and had just formed again on the left of the Army
of the Cumberland, when the grand spectacular movement
began which closed the fight.

50 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
THE STORMING OF MISSIONARY RIDGE.
It came from a sudden change in the plan of battle,
demanded by the exigencies of the field. Thomas was ordered
to move directly against the Ridge. It was three o'clock in
the afternoon when he received the order to advance. Four
of his divisions, with a front of about two miles and a half,
stood facing the Ridge, at a distance of a mile and a quarter
from its base. Johnson held the right, Sheridan and Wood
the center, and Baird the left. The ground between them and
the Ridge was a plain, broken with shallow streams, and thinly
covered with patches of thicket and forest. The rebel works
along the foot of the hills could be plainly seen, the ground
before them having been well cleared to give effective play to
the guns. Half-way up the slope was' a second line, while the
crest was strengthened with continous field-works carrying fifty
guns, and defended along the line of Thomas' assault by four
veteran divisions.
At half-past three o'clock, at a signal of six guns from
Orchard Knob, twenty thousand men, in four lines, swept
forward over the plain, deploying somewhat as they advanced,
so as to cover three miles of the Ridge. Fifty guns rained
shot and shell upon them as they started, and sprinkled them
with deadly sleet over all the way. There were many
dead and wounded, but no stragglers, as those magnificent
waves of battle rolled on. In fifteen minutes they were within
range of the galling infantry fire from the lower line of works;
in fifteen more they had swept over them along their entire
front, and the rebel troops not captured were in full retreat
towards their second line above. The orders for the move
ment contemplated a halt in the first line of works for slight
rest, and a re-forming of lines for forward movement ; but
impatient under the galling fire from above, elated by success,

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 5 I
anxious and determined to play their full part in the day's
pageant, the front line scarcely halted at the lower works, but,
springing over and out of them, began to climb the rough face
of the Ridge.
It was five hundred yards to the summit. The general
elevation was five hundred feet, and from a point a short
distance within the works at the base the slope became pre
cipitous. It was broken by ravines, tangled with fallen
timber, strewn with masses of rock, and covered at points with
loose stone from the ledges on the crest. Spurs projected from
the face of the Ridge at intervals, serving for natural bastions
from which field artillery and riflemen swept the intervening
curtains of the slope with an enfilading fire. But nothing less
than the palisades of Lookout could have stopped that Army
of the Cumberland, though Bragg and his thousands above
still deemed their position impregnable. All heights were
fringed with spectators of that wonderful assault. The guns
in the Union works which had covered the first advance were
necessarily silent. The sun shone clear on the slopes, and the
advancing flags and glittering bayonets marked the rush of
the swift ascent. Under the fire of sharp-shooters, color-
bearers fell at every point of the line, only to be relieved by
other hands eagerly bearing the colors forward. This deadly
fire gradually drew each regiment towards its flags, and soon,
far as the eye could reach along the slope, the line was trans
formed into countless wedge-shaped masses, with a flag at the
point of each, cleaving their way upward, following the head
long push of the guards bearing the colors. The rebels that
had been hurled back from the lower lines were soon driven
out of the second parallel, and thence pursued so closely to
the summit, that retreating Confederate and the Union flags
poured over the whole extended line of works together.
There was a sharp hand-to-hand fighting at points, after the

52 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
crest was gained, and the battle of much spirit on the left,
where columns of the enemy, hurrying from Sherman's front,
undertook, but without success, to drive Baird back. Bragg
and Breckenridge in person barely escaped Sheridan's troops
when they crowned the summit. Fort)' guns and several
thousand prisoners were taken in the works. From the first
it had been an advance almost wholly without firing. Each
successive line of works and the summit were carried with the
bayonet. In an hour from the sounding of the signal guns,
Bragg had been swept from these dominating positions of a
great natural fortress, strengthened by every engineering art,
and the sun, which at its rising lighted up that one flag on
Lookout, rested at its setting on the countless banners which a
stormy army had planted along the crest of Missionary Ridge.
At nightfall Bragg, hotly pursued, was in full retreat, leav
ing Chattanooga, the most important stronghold in the West,
in Union control.
Gen. W. T. Sherman, in closing his report, says :
In reviewing the facts, I must do justice to the men in my com
mand for the patience, cheerfulness, and courage which officers and
men have displayed throughout, in battle, on the march, and in
camp. For long periods, without regular rations or Supplies of any
kind, they have marched through mud and over rocks, sometimes
barefooted, without a murmur. Without a moment's rest after a
march of over four hundred miles, without sleep for three succes
sive nights, we crossed the Tennessee, fought our part of the battle
of Chattanooga, pursued the enemy out of Tennessee, and then
turned more than a hundred and twenty miles north, and compelled
Longstreet to raise the seige of Knoxville, which gave so much
anxiety to the whole country. It is hard to realize the importance
of these events without recalling the memory of the general feeling
which pervaded all minds prior to our arrival. I cannot speak of
the Fifteenth Army Corps without seeming vanity ; but as I am no
longer its commander, I assert that there is no better body of
soldiers in America than it. I wish all to feel a just pride in its
real honors.

ROSTER ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND
November, 1863.

Major-General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding.
4th Corps. — Major-General Gordon Granger.
14th Corps. — Major-General John M. Palmer.
Cavalry Corps. — Brigadier-General W. L. Elliott.
Artillery Brigade. — Brigadier-General John M. Brannan.
Major-General JOSEPH HOOKER, Commanding.
nth Corps. — Major-General O. O. Howard.
12th Corps. — Major-General H. W. Slocum.
FOURTH CORPS.
first division.
Brigadier-General CHARLES CRUFT.
First Brigade. — Col. D. A. Enyart, 1st, 2d Kentucky, 31st, 29th, 81st Indiana,
90th, 101st Ohio, 21st, 38th Illinois, at Bridgeport, Ala.
Second Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. Walter C. Whitaker, 96th, 115th Illinois, 35th,
84th Indiana, 40th, 51st, goth Ohio, 8th, 21st Kentucky, with Gen. Hooker.
Third Brigade. — Col. William Grose, 9th, 30th, 36th Indiana, 59th, 75th, 84th
Illinois, 24th Ohio, 77th Pennsylvania, with Gen. Hooker.
Artillery. — Battery H, 4th United States, Battery M, 4th United States, 5th
Indiana. SECOND DIVISION.
Maj. -Gen. PHIL H. SHERIDAN.
First Brigade. — Col. Frank Sherman, 36th, 44th, 74th, 73d, 88th Illinois, 24th
Wisconsin, 22d Indiana, 2d, 15th Missouri.
Second Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. G. D. Wagner, 100th Illinois, 15th, 40th, 57th,
58th Indiana, 26th, 97th Ohio.
Third Brigade. — Col. C. G. Harker, 54th, 65th, 125th Ohio, 22d, 27th, 42d,
51st, 79th Illinois, 3d Kentucky.
Artillery. — Battery G and M, ist Missouri, ioth Indiana Battery.
THIRD DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. THOS. J. WOOD.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. A. Willich, 15th Wisconsin, 8th Kansas, 25th, 35th,
89th Illinois, 32d, 68th Indiana, 15th, 49th Ohio.
Second Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. W. B. Hazen, 1st, 6th, 41st, 93d, 124th Ohio, 5th,
6th, 23d Kentucky, 6th Indiana.
Third Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. Sam. Beatty, 44th, 79th, 86th Indiana, 13th, 19th,
59th Ohio, 9th, 17th Kentucky.
Artillery. — 26th Pennsylvania, 6th Ohio, Bridge's Illinois Batteries.

54 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
FOURTEENTH CORPS.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. R. W. JOHNSON.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. W. T. Carlin, 104th Illinois, ioth Wisconsin, 15th
Kentucky, 38th, 42d, 88th Indiana, 2d, 33d, 94th Ohio.
Second Brigade. — Col. W. L. Stoughton, 1st and 2d battalion 15th United
States, ist battalion 16th United States, 1st and 2d battalion 18th United States,
ist battalion 19th United States, 69th Ohio, 19th Illinois, nth Michigan.
Third Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. J. C. Starkweather, ist, 21st Wisconsin, 78th, 79th
Pennsylvania, 24th Illinois, 21st, 74th Ohio, 37th Indiana, in works at Chatta
nooga. Artillery. — Battery H, 5th United States, C, ist Illinois, A, 1st Michigan.
SECOND DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. JEFF. C. DAVIS.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. D. Morgan, ioth, 60th, 16th, 101st Illinois, ioth
Michigan. Second Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. J. Beatty, 3d, 98th, io8th, 113th, 121st Ohio,
34th, 78th Illinois.
Third Brigade. — Col. O. F. Harmer, 85th, 86th, noth, 125th Illinois, 52d Ohio,
with Gen. Sherman.
Artillery. — Battery I, 2d Illinois, 2d Minnesota Battery, 5th Wisconsin Battery.
THIRD DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. ABSALOM BAIRD.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. John B. Turchin, nth, 36th, 31st. 89th, g2d Illinois,
17th Ohio, 82d Indiana.
Second Brigade. — Col. Ferd. Vandeveer, 75th, 87th, 101st Indiana, 35th, 89th,
105th Ohio, 2d Minnesota.
Third Brigade. — Col. E. H. Phelps, 4th, ioth, 18th Kentucky, 14th, 38th Ohio,
ioth, 74th Indiana.
Artillery. — Battery I, 4th United States, 7th Indiana Battery, igth Indiana
Battery. Reserve Artillery.— Batteries A, B, C, F, E, G, M, ist Ohio, Battery E, ist
Michigan, Battery A, ist Tennessee, 18th and 20th Ohio Batteries, 3d, 8th and
ioth Wisconsin Batteries, 4th, 8th, nth Indiana Batteries, Battery C, 1st Wis
consin.
CAVALRY CORPS.
FIRST DIVISION.
Col. ED. M. McCOOK.
First Brigade. — Col. A. P. Campbell, 2d Michigan, 9th Pennsylvania, ist East
Tennessee. Second Brigade. — Col. O. H. LaGrange, 1st Wisconsin, 2d, 4th Indiana, 2d
East Tennessee.
Third Brigade. — Col. L. 1). Watkins, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th Kentucky, 18th Indiana
Battery.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. .55
SECOND DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. GEO. C. CROOK.
First Brigade. — Col. W. W. Lowe, 4th Michigan, 7th Pennsylvania, 4th United
States, 3d Indiana, 5th Iowa.
Second Brigade. — Col. Eli Long, ist, 3d, 4th, 10th Ohio, 2d Kentucky.
Third Brigade. — Col. A. O. Miller, 17th, 72d Indiana, g2d, 98th, 123d Illinois
Mounted Infantry, Chicago Board of Trade Battery.
ELEVENTH CORPS.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. A. von STEINWEHR.
First Brigade. — Col. Bushbeck, 27th, 73d Pennsylvania, 134th, 154th New
York, 33d New Jersey.
Second Brigade. — Col. O. Smith, 73d. 55th Ohio, 33d Massachusetts, 136th
New York. THIRD DIVISION.
Major-Gen. C. SCHURZ.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. H. Tyndall, 45th, 153d New York, 82d, 61st Ohio,
101st Illinois.
Second Brigade. — Col. W. Krzyranowski, 26th Wisconsin, 58th, 119th, 141st
New York.
Third Brigade.— Col. F. Hecker, 80th, 82d Illinois, 75th Pennsylvania, 68th
New York.
Artillery. — Battery I, ist New York, G, 4th United States, I and K, ist Ohio,
13th New York Battery, with Gen. Sherman.
TWELFTH CORPS.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. A. S. WILLIAMS.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. J. F. Knipe, 5th, 21st Connecticut, 123d, 145th
New York, 3d Maryland, 46th Pennsylvania.
Second Brigade. — Broken up.
Third Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. T. H. Ruger, 27th Indiana, 3d Wisconsin, 2d
Massachusetts, 13th New Jersey, 107th, 150th New York.
Artillery. — Battery F, 4th United States, M, ist New York, B, 2d Kentucky,
9th Ohio Battery. Along communications. SECOND DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. JOHN W. GEARY.
First Brigade. — Col. H. Patrick, 5th, 7th, 29th, 66th Ohio, 28th, 147th Penn
sylvania. Second Brigade. — Col. G. A. Cobham, 2gth, 109th, nith Pennsylvania.
Third Brigade. — Col. D. Ireland, 60th, 78th, I02d, 137th, 149th New York.
Artillery. — Battery E, Pennsylvania, Battery K, 5th United States, with Gen.
Hooker. Engineer Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. W. F. Smith, 18th Ohio, ist, 21st, 22d
Michigan.

56 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
MAJ.-GEN. WM. T. SHERMAN, COMMANDING ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.
FIFTEENTH CORPS.
Major-General FRANK P. BLAIR.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. P. J. OSTERHAUS.
First Brigade.— Brig.-Gen. Chas. R. Woods, 13th Illinois, 3d, 12th, 17th, 27th,
29th, 31st, 32d Missouri, 76th Ohio.
Second Brigade. — Col. James A. Williamson, 4th, 9th, 25th, 26th, 30th, 31st
Iowa. Artillery.— Capt. N. N. Griffiths, Chief of Artillery, ist Iowa Battery, 1st
Missouri Horse Artillery, 4th Ohio Battery, with Gen. Hooker.
' SECOND DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. MORGAN L. SMITH.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. Giles A. Smith, 55th, 116th, 127th Illinois, 6th, 8th
Missouri, 57th Ohio, 13th United States (1st Battalion).
Second Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. J. A. J. Lightbourne, 83d Indiana, 30th, 37th,
47th, 54th Ohio, 4th West Virginia.
Artillery. — ist Illinois Light Artillery, Batteries A, B, H.
THIRD DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. JOHN E. SMITH.
First Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. Ralph P. Buckland, 114th Illinois, 93d Indiana,
72d, 95th Ohio.
Second Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. J. A. Mower, 47th Illinois, 5th Minnesota, nth
Missouri, 8th Wisconsin.
Third Brigade. — Col. James L. Geddes, 8th, 12th, 35th Iowa.
Artillery. — Capt. N. P. Spoor, Chief of Artillery, 1st Illinois Light Artillery,
Battery E, 6th Indiana Battery, 2d Iowa Battery.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Brig.-Gen. HUGH EWING.
First Brigade. — Col. John Mason Loomis : 26th Illinois, Lt.-Col. R. A. Gil-
more ; 90th Illinois, Col. T. O'Meara; 12th Indiana, Lt.-Col. Albert Heath;
100th Indiana, Col. Rube Williams.
Second Brigade. — Brig.-Gen. John M. Corse : 40th Illinois, Major Hiram W.
Hall; 103d Illinois, Col. Willard A. Dickerman ; 6th Iowa, Lt.-Col. Alex. J.
Miller ; 15th Michigan, Col. John M. Oliver ; 46th Ohio, Col. C. C. Walcutt.
Third Brigade. — Col. Joseph Iv. Cockerill ; 48th Illinois, Lt.-Col. Lucien
Greathouse ; 97th Indiana, Col. Friend S. Rutherford ; ggth Indiana, Col. Robert
F. Catterson ; 53d Ohio, Col. Wells S. Jones ; 70th Ohio, Lt.-Col. D. W. C.
Loudon. Artillery. — Capt. Henry Richardson, Chief of Artillery : ist Illinois Light
Artillery, Battery F, Capt. J. F. Cheeny ; Ist Illinois Light Artillery, Battery I,
ist Missouri Light Artillery, Battery D, Lieut, B, Callender,

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 57
To illustrate the accuracy that events are recorded at the
time of occurrence, also the value of such memorandum and
the pleasure and help it would have been to the compiler in
preparing this memorial, if the notes which follow could have
been as accurately depicted during the Battery's term of ser
vice as they are here, in the few happily saved. Colonel
Wiedrich kept, up to the time of arriving at Chattanooga, a
full diary, but losing it during that campaign, its loss is
greatly to be regretted. Extract From Notes.
Aug. 22, '62. — At Freeman's Ford ; was in the center 10 a. m. to
4 p. m. One man killed and four wounded. The one killed was
buried near the battle-field ; two of the wounded were sent to
Alexandria, Va.; two were left in hospital at Harrison Camp, and
subsequently taken prisoners.
Aug. 24. — Near Sulphur Springs, from 11 a.m. till 2 p. m. ; no loss.
Aug. 25. — At Waterloo Bridge ; position near the bridge, from
early in the morning until dark. One man slightly wounded, who
was sent to Alexandria, Va.
Aug. 29-30. — Battle of Bull Run. 29th, were in position on the
right of the Gainesville turnpike from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m., when our
ammunition became exhausted, and were obliged to retire for a fur
ther supply. This day one officer (Lieut. Schenkelberger) and
one enlisted man (Wm. I. Moeller) wounded.
Aug. 30. — The Battery was in reserve until 2 p. m., when we were
ordered into a position on a hill to the left of the Gainesville pike.
Soon after taking this position the enemy made a desperate charge
on our lines, compelling us to fall back to the next hill. This day
we had three men wounded, who were sent with the others to the
hospital at Alexandria.
May 1, '63. — Battle of Chancellorsville. Went into position on
the left of the plank road leading from Fredericksburg to Gordons
ville, near South Grove Church, with the ist brigade, second divi
sion, Eleventh Corps ; where about 4 p. m., May 2d, the enemy
made a sudden attack with overwhelming forces on our right, con-

58 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
sisting of the first and third divisions of the Eleventh Corps, which,
yielding, was repulsed in disorder, carrying the second with them,
until we reached the rifle-pits, which had been built during the
afternoon, near Dawdell's Tavern. This day we lost one man killed
whom we were obliged to leave upon the field, ten wounded, and two
missing ; the wounded were sent to Washington, D. C.
May 3-4. — We were in the position near the road leading from
Fredericksburg to Germania Ford, with the First Corps. No loss
sustained these two days. We then left the field on the evening of
the 5th, and returned to Brooks station.
Nov. 24. — Battle of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. On the 9th
inst. we took a position on the summit of a mountain near and west
of Lookout Mountain, which position we fortified by building
bomb-proofs ; during which time the enemy kept up a continued
shelling of our position, but without any effect or loss to us, until
on the 24th, at 10 a. m., when Gen. Geary's division, Twelfth Army
Corps, made the attack on Lookout Mountain on our extreme right.
We opened fire on the enemy's rifle-pits near the foot of the moun
tain with good effect, driving the enemy from their works and up
the mountain. This engagement lasted about four hours.
Nov. 25. — We removed the Battery across Lookout Creek, where
we took a position at the foot of Lookout Mountain, where we re
mained several days.
May 15. — Resaca, Ga. Were engaged about two hours without loss.
June 2. — Had two men wounded in a skirmish near Dallas, Ga.
On the 16th, 17th, and 18th of June we were heavily engaged with
the enemy at Golgotha, Ga.; had one man killed. On the 22d of
June, were engaged for about two hours near Culp's house ; had
one man badly wounded.
June 27. — Were engaged all forenoon near Kennesaw Mountain ;
had one man killed. June 28th, all day without loss.
July 20. — Battle of Peach Tree Creek. Were engaged for sev
eral hours; one man killed and three wounded.
On the 22d of July, at evening, we took a position at about 1,100
yards from the enemy's works in front of Atlanta, under a heavy
lire of artillery ; had one man wounded during the night. Early
in the morning of July 23d, heavy artillery firing commenced, also
some skirmishing, when the enemy made an attempt to break

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 59
our lines, but was handsomely repulsed. The day closed with slow
artillery firing. From July 24th to August 24th the Battery was
firing at intervals, throwing shells into the city and the enemy's
works, during which time we had one officer killed and three
men wounded.
Nov. 9. — We had a short skirmish with some of the enemy's
cavalry, who retired after firing a few shots, and without damage
to us.
Dec. it. — The Battery took a position on the Savannah River;
and on the morning of the 12th, two gunboats of the enemy, the
Mason and the Samson, with the tender Resolute, loaded with provi
sions, came down the river. As soon as they came in range of our
guns, we opened fire. After a half hour's firing, they steamed up
the river again, leaving the tender in a disabled condition, which
was captured by us.
March 16. — Engaged from early in the morning until night with
the enemy at Averysboro, N. C, without loss. Also on the 19th,
at Bentonville, from 10 a. m. until night, when we had two men
captured. Subsequent to the battle of Lookout Mountain, the record
of the Battery may be summed up as follows, — as the official
records from the War Department have not at this date been
published :
The Battery was assigned to a division of the Twentieth
Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1865, and accompa
nied Gen. Sherman in his famous " March to the Sea,'' partici
pating as usual in every contest of any importance in the
Atlanta Campaign, May to September, 1864. They were in
the engagement at Mission Ridge, November 25 ; operations
about Rocky Face Ridge, Tunnel Hill, and Buzzard's Roost,
May 5-1 1, 1864; battle of Resaca, May 13-16; Cassville, May
19-22; battles in the vicinity of Dallas, Pumpkinvine Creek,
and Allatoona Hills, May 25 to June 4; New Hope Church,
May 27-28; Ackworth Station, June 3-4; operations against
Kennesaw Mountain, June 9 to July 2; Pine Mountain, June

60 wiedrich's battery.
14: Lost Mountain, June 15-17; Golgotha, June 16; Culp's
Farm, June 22; Assault at Kennesaw, June 27; Marietta, July
3-4; Ghattahoochie River, July 6-17; Peach Tree Creek, July
19-20; Siege of Atlanta, July 22 to September 2 ; March to
the Sea, November 15 to December 10 ; Milledgeville, Novem
ber 22-23 ; Buffalo Creek, November 25-26; Ogeechee River,
November 29; Siege of Savannah, December 10-21; Cam
paign of the Carolinas, January to April, rS6j ; Roberts Mills,
S. C, February I ; Salkehetchie, February 2-3 ; Orangeburg,
February 12-13; Columbia, February 16-17; Chesterfield,
March 2 ; Averysboro, N. C, March 16 ; battle of Bentonville,
March 19-21 ; occupation of Goldsboro and Raleigh; Bennett's
House, April 26; Surrender of Johnston; March to Washing
ton, D. C, via Richmond, Va. ; Grand Review at Washington,
D. C, May 24; and Mustered Out at Buffalo, N. Y., June
23, 1865.
Extract from the Express, June 10, 1865 :
The arrival of Wiedrich's Battery in this city yesterday morn
ing was expected when the dispatch was received from it the
previous night. Miller's Band was in waiting for it at the depot,
but no general reception was given it, as it was impossible to do so
from the brief notice given us of its coming. The members of
Taylor Hose Co. No. 1, and Citizens' Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2,
had been out to the fire earlier in the morning, formed an escort
and accompanied them to Fort Porter, preceded by Miller's Band,
— an act of courtesy which calls forth universal commendation.
The Battery numbers 146 men, and they seem in appearance all
that their reputation has represented — efficient and brave. Their
officers are as follows :
Lieut. W. L. Scott, commanding,
Lieut. I. Adle.
Lieut. S. M. Hood.
Captain C. Winegar, upon whom the command devolved after
the promotion of Col. Wiedrich, is on detached service, consequently
Lieut. Scott commands the Battery.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 6l
Previous to the report of the Gettysburg Monument Com
missioners of this State, the members of the Battery had
taken no active measures to keep up an organization. But in
August, 1888, as will be seen by the following circular, a call
for a meeting was had, to take measures for the dedication of
their monument at Gettysburg:
Wiedrich's Battery — A Meeting to Arrange for the Ded
ication of a Gettysburg Monument.
Headquarters Society of Battery I,
First Regiment New York Light Artillery,
Buffalo, August 8, 1888.
Dear Comrades — By an act of the Legislature of the State of New
York, an appropriation has been made for a monument for each
command, regiment, or battery who fought in the battle of Gettys
burg in July, 1863, in honor of the surviving members of said
regiments or batteries, and in memory of those who met their death
on the battle-field.
Accordingly, our (Wiedrich's) Battery has ordered a monument,
which is under construction at the present time, and which has to
be placed at Gettysburg in the month of May, 1889, the date not
being fixed yet.
We therefore have called a meeting to be held in Buffalo, N. Y.,
September 20, 1888, at Metropolitan Hall, 551 Main street, for the
purpose of making suitable arrangements for the dedication of said
monument on the battle-field of Gettysburg in May next.
In order to enable us to make the necessary arrangements in
regard to transportation, etc.,' we kindly request you to signify your
intention and willingness to participate at the dedication, either by
attending this next meeting or by forwarding us a letter.
As this is the first reunion of the members of our Battery since
the war, we hope and would be pleased to see every comrade, who
is able, present at this occasion, as it may perhaps be the last
meeting. Col. M. Wiedrich,
Lieut. J. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. C Schmitt,
A. Schell.
J. Hehr, Secretary.
Address, 306 Carlton St., Buffalo, N. Y.

62 wiedrich's battery.
Between this date and that of the following March, several
meetings were held regarding the matter of dedication.
Major John M. Farquhar, a gallant soldier of the war of the
Rebellion, and our Representative in Congress, consented to
deliver an oration upon the occasion.
The means for the transportation of the survivors of the
Battery was next in order, and accordingly a petition to the
Common Council of this city was decided upon, asking for a
sufficient sum to defray the expense. It was presented at the
meeting of March 18th, and was duly referred to the Commit
tee on Finance : Buffalo, March 18, i88g.
The undersigned, members of Wiedrich's Battery Association,
having been appointed a committee to solicit from your Honor
able Body an appropriation of there hundred dollars to enable
the indigent members of our Association to be present at Gettys
burg on the 20th day of May next to take part in the services
of unveiling the monument erected by the State of New York on
the site occupied by our Battery during the Battle of Gettysburg,
July i, 2, and 3, 1863, do earnestly request that you grant their
petition. The position held by us during those three memorable days was
on Cemetery Ridge, near the cemetery overlooking the town. Gen
eral Howard in his official report makes special mention of our
achievement, and says : " These guns did most excellent service.
At 4.30 p. m. the columns of the enemy reached Cemetery Hill.
He made a single attempt to turn our right, ascending the slope
northeast of Gettysburg. His line was instantly broken by Wied
rich's Battery, in position on the heights."
It will be a great pleasure to all the survivors of this noble old
battery, if they are again permitted to visit the spot where many of
their comrades gave up their lives in defense of their country that
this Nation might live, and we sincerely hope your Honorable Body

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 63
will make it possible for all to be present, and cannot but think
your action will meet the approval of your several constituencies.
Respectfully sumbitted, Col. M. Wiedrich,
j. schenkelberger,
Philip Bachert,
Jacob Hehr,
Adam Schell,
Committee.
Referred to the Committee on Finance.
On the 2 ist of the same month, at the next meeting of the
Council, the following report was submitted and adopted :
Reports of Standing Committees.
Aid. Hutchinson, from the Committee on Finance, reported in
favor of the adoption of the following resolution :
That a warrant be directed drawn on the Fourth of July Fund
in favor of Col. M. Wiedrich, for the sum of three hundred dollars,
to defray the expenses of the indigent members of the Wiedrich
Battery Association to Gettysburg, on the occasion of the unveiling
of the monument in memory of said battery.
Adopted. Of course it was not proper to vote this sum to any de
serving charity out of a fund set apart to any particular
purpose, and if it were allowable, the precedent would not
be a good one.
The Express of March 25th had the following editorial :
, Patriotic But Improper.
The Common Council has appropriated three hundred dollars to
aid survivors of Wiedrich's Battery to revisit Gettysburg.
Mayor Grover Cleveland got almost his first start in public life
by vetoing just such a patriotic but improper scheme as this. If
there is no legal fund for the celebration of Decoration Day, of
what avail is the Council's gratuity to the old artillerymen ?

64 wiedrich's battery.
The Evening News of the 27th had the following communi
cation, which was handed in early on the 26th :
It Is Patriotic, Anyway.
Editor Evening News — In the Express of this morning you may
read the following : " patriotic but improper.
" The Common Council has appropriated three hundred dollars
to aid survivors of Wiedrich Battery to revisit Gettysburg.
" Mayor Grover Cleveland got almost his first start in public life
by vetoing just such a patriotic but improper scheme as this. If
there is no legal fund for the celebration of Decoration Day, of
what avail is the Council's gratuity to the old artillerymen ?"
Wiedrich Battery was recruited in this city in 1861. It was the
first military organization of this city to offer its services to the
Governor for defense of the State, and although it was recruited
from among the German element of this city, it was scarcely
mentioned by the local papers until its departure in October of that
year for the seat of war.
Beside other engagements, it took part in that memorable con
test of the first, second and third of July, 1863, at Gettysburg, and
was the only battery in that contest representing the City of Buffalo.
In Steinwehr's division on Cemetery Hill, under General Howard,
it helped the defeat of Early's division, and which repulse was so
disheartening that that point was abandoned and the attack was
made more to the west, threatening the divisions of Hancock and
Sedgwick, and also assisted by its guns in repulsing the famous
charge of Pickett's division.
The State of New York, in appreciating its services, have donated
the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars with which to erect a
monument to their heroism. If the action of the Council is an
illegal one, I am sure the survivors of that gallant battery would
not wish to touch a cent of the amount donated them in order to
convey its disabled members to that historic field, and I will guar
antee, provided the same is declined by them, to raise a sum equal
to that donated, so that, as in the former time, no obligation need
be had, and also that the Fourth of July money may not be diverted
from its legitimate design, namely : for fireworks and boat-racing.
Cyrus K. Remington.
Buffalo, March 26, i88g.

PHILIP BACHERT,

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 65
The following is from an editorial in the Commercial of
March 26th : Raise It By Subscription !
While the Council is justified, and will be supported by public
sentiment, in appropriating money for the relief of veterans of the
late war who are unable to take care of themselves, it is not justified
in appropriating money for excursion expenses. Yesterday three
hundred dollars were appropriated to assist survivors of Wiedrich's
Battery to visit Gettysburg. We sympathize with the patriotic
objects of the excursion ; at the same time this is not a legitimate
purpose to which to apply the public money. The old soldiers,
or the G. A. R., have no warmer or devoted friend than is the
Commercial, but when they ask the Council to provide money for
excursion expenses, we think they are going a little too far. This
money should be raised by public subscription. The Commercial
will cheerfully contribute twenty-five dollars for the purpose.
Next! At the meeting of the Common Council April 8th, the fol
lowing communication was received from the Mayor:
City and County Hall, in Common Council,
Buffalo, Monday, April 8, 1S89, at 2 o'clock, p. m.
Present — William Summers, President of the Council, and
Aid. Adams, Baldwin, Barnum, Beck, Bradley, Cannon, Davy,
Denner, Drake, Fisher, Franklin, Hutchinson, Kennedy, Knepper,
Kreitner, McMaster, Ramsperger, Scheu, Spang, Trautmann, White,
Williamson, Wurtz, Young — 25.
Absent — Aid. Busch — 1.
The minutes of the last session were approved.
from the mayor.
Buffalo, April 8, 1889.
At a meeting of your Honorable Body, held March 25th, a
resolution was adopted, upon the report of the Committee on
Finance, directing a warrant drawn on the Fourth of July Fund in
favor of Col. M. Wiedrich for the sum of three hundred dollars
to defray the expenses of the indigent members of the Wiedrich
Battery Association to Gettysburg, on the occasion of the unveiling
of the monument in memory of said battery.

66 wiedrich's battery.
The Fourth of July Fund, so called, is a fund created by plac
ing in the annual estimates and raising by general tax a sum not
exceeding five thousand dollars for the celebration of the Fourth
of July and the reception of distinguished persons.
Section 8, of Title XVI. of the Charter, provides that "when the
city shall borrow or raise money for any particular purpose it shall
be applied only to that purpose ; and every alderman who shall
vote to appropriate it to a different purpose, and every officer who
shall knowingly assist in a misappropriation of such money, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be
disqualified from holding any office in the city."
Aside from this legal obligation, we are bound by the duties of
our respective offices, as servants of the City of Buffalo, to disburse
its money only for the purpose of government and a proper main
tenance of the dignity of the city ; and with all due respect to the
surviving members of Wiedrich's Battery, and the patriotic occasion
for which this money is asked, we have not in my opinion the right,
nor is it proper, that we should thus appropriate any sum out of
the city treasury.
The resolution is therefore returned without approval.
Philip Becker, Mayor.
Received and filed. Buffalo, N. Y., April 8, 1889.
Dear Comrade : You are hereby requested to attend a meeting
to be held in Buffalo, April 17, 1889, at 7.30 p. m., at Miller's
(Harmonia) Hall, 264 Genesee street, for the purpose of making
arrangements for the Dedication of the Monument to be erected for
Wiedrich's Battery at Gettysburg on May 19, 1889.
In order to make the necessary arrangements, we kindly request
you to attend this meeting, or signify your intention by forwarding
us a letter, as it is necessary to know the exact number of com
rades who will participate.
Colonel Wiedrich.
Lieut. J. Schenkelberger.
Lieut. C. Schmitt.
A. Schell.
Jacob Hehr, Secretary.
Address, 306 Carlton street, Buffalo, N. Y.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 67
April 9th, in the editorial of the Express, is the following
appeal : Come, Fellow-Patriots !
Of course Mayor Becker has vetoed the grant of three hundred
dollars to the poor survivors of Wiedrich's Battery who want to
revisit Gettysburg. He could not lawfully do otherwise, and every
alderman who voted for the appropriation knew as much. The
Council's action was not prompted so much by charity or patri
otism as by a desire to put the Mayor in a hole.
But no member of that gallant command who wishes to see the
monument of its achievements, which has been set up on that
glorious field, should be denied the privilege. Let us have a public
subscription to raise that three hundred dollars and as much more
as may be needed ! The Express will contribute its share, and
will also take charge of other contributions.
To keep the ball rolling, this from the Commercial, same
day : Following the "Commercial's" Lead.
Two weeks ago to-day the Commercial said : " While the
Council is justified, and will be supported by public sentiment, in
appropriating money for the relief of veterans of the late war who
are unable to take care of themselves, it is not justified in appro
priating money for excursion expenses. Yesterday three hundred
dollars were appropriated to assist survivors of Wiedrich's Battery
to visit Gettysburg. We sympathize with the patriotic objects of
the excursion ; at the same time this is not a legitimate purpose
to which to apply the public money. The old soldiers, or the
G. A. R., have no warmer or more devoted friend than is the
Commercial, but when they ask the Council to provide money for
excursion expenses, we think they are going a little too far. This
money should be raised by public subscription. The Commercial
will cheerfully contribute twenty -five dollars for the purpose. Next!"
Mayor Becker is only too happy to take a hint from the
Coimnercial, so he yesterday sent to the Council a veto of the above
appropriation. The money will be easily raised. The Commercial

68 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY. »
headed the list with twenty-five dollars, and the amount wanted
will be on hand in a few hours. This is the proper way of raising
the fund, and to have raised it by appropriation would have been
a bad precedent. The Mayor acted wisely in complying with the
Commercial's suggestion, and he will doubtless be only too happy
to follow the Commercial's example also in subscribing twenty-five
dollars. Again from the Express, April ioth:
For Wiedrich's Battery — Its Poor Survivors will be Pro
vided with Funds to Go to Gettysburg.
The Express of yesterday contained the following editorial
article :
" Of course Mayor Becker has vetoed the grant of three hundred
dollars to the poor survivors of Wiedrich's Battery who want to
revist Gettysburg. He could not lawfully do otherwise, and every
alderman who voted for the appropriation knew as much. The
Council's action was not prompted so much by charity or patriot
ism as by a desire to put the Mayor in a hole."
" But no member of that gallant command who wishes to see the
monument of its achievements, which has been set up on that
glorious field, should be denied the privilege. Let us have a public
subscription to raise that three hundred dollars and as much more
as may be needed ! The Express will contribute its share, and
will also take charge of other contributions."
Cyrus K. Remington has been industriously circulating an appeal,
with this result to date :
Cyrus K. Remington  $ 10
John Greiner  10
Charles Greiner  10
Philip Becker  20
James D. Warren's Sons  25
The Morning Express  25
E. G. Spaulding  25
P. P. Pratt  10
George Bleistein  10
George W. Hayward  5
E. A. Georger  5

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 69
An afternoon paper yesterday said : " The Mayor acted wisely
in complying with the Commercial's suggestion, and he will doubt
less be only too happy to follow the Commercial's example also in
subscribing twenty-five dollars." In point of fact, the Mayor
subscribed before the Commercial did.
Other gifts may be left with Mr. Remington, the Express, or at
the Erie County Savings Bank, where the money is deposited.
From the Courier, April 15th:
Wiedrich's Battery — The Effort to Send Indigent Mem
bers to Gettysburg — History of the Battery during
the Civil War — Names of the Gallant Survivors who
Live in Buffalo — Three Hundred Dollars Raised thus
far, but More Needed.
The citizens who have collected subscriptions to aid in sending
the indigent members of Wiedrich's Battery to Gettysburg this
spring have been successful in obtaining about three hundred
dollars. A call has been issued for a meeting of the survivors of the
Battery, to be held April 17, at 7.30 p. m. at Miller's Hall, to make
arrangements for the dedication of the monument.
Wiedrich's Battery was formed in August, 1861, as Battery I
of the First New York Artillery, but during a greater part of the
war it acted as a separate organization. It was composed entirely
of men of German birth or parentage. At its organization it had
one hundred and forty men, and was officered as follows : Captain,
Michael Wiedrich, who had been captain of the battery attached
to the 65th Regiment ; first lieutenants, Nicholas Sahm and
Diedrich Erdmann ; second lieutenants, Christopher Schmitt and
Jacob Schenkelberger.
The Battery left Buffalo for Virginia October 16, 186 1. It was
attached to Blenker's division and was in camp near Washington
during the following winter.
In the campaign of 1862 it was severely tried. At the battles of
Cross Keys, June 8, and Freeman's Ford, August 22, it lost several
men, killed and wounded. Second Bull Run was its first hard
fight. Lieut. Schenkelberger and thirteen men were wounded out

70 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
of the one hundred engaged. Five of the six guns in the Battery
were disabled, and two of the carriages had to be left on the
field. By desperate exertions the guns were saved. During the
remainder of the year the Battery was in minor engagements.
At Chancellorsville, the following year, the Battery distinguished
itself. When Hooker was obliged to fall back, Capt. Wiedrich
had to leave behind two of the guns. At one of them all the men
but one had been shot down, and at the other four horses were
killed. Four men were killed and fourteen wounded.
The Battery never seemed to miss a battle. At Gettysburg
three men were killed, and Lieuts. Sahm and Stock and seven men
were wounded.
In September it was sent to Nashville and to the vicinity of
Chattanooga. It was present at the bloody battles of Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge in November, but escaped loss.
Early in the following February Capt. Wiedrich was promoted
to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery.
Lieut. Sahm died soon after his promotion to be captain of the Bat
tery, and was succeeded by Capt. Charles Winegar. The Battery
was with Sherman on his great march to the sea, and thence north
ward, and participated in nearly every battle on the route. At
Lost Mountain, June 4, 1864, two men were wounded; at Ackworth
Station one was killed ; at Kennesaw Mountain one was killed and
one wounded ; at Peach Tree Creek, July 20, one was killed and
five wounded ; at the siege of Atlanta, Lieut. Henchen was killed
and two men were mortally wounded. In 1865 the Battery was
mustered out.
There are about forty-five survivors of the Battery living in
Buffalo and vicinity. They are : Col. Michael Wiedrich, Lieut.
Jacob Schenkelberger, Lieut. Christopher Schmitt, Lieut. Warren
L. Scott, Lieut. Diedrich Erdmann, Philip Bachert, Jacob Hehr,
Jacob Hirt, Adam Schell, John Stortz, Cirach Diebold, Peter Kehl,
John Kappel, James Winspear, Samuel Vogel, Joseph Debel, Chris
topher Fahrnholz, Henry Fuerschbach, Jacob Gabel, John Garbe,
Wellington Miner, Philip Strang, Francis Herrman, Henry Kraner,
George K. Frazier, William I. Moeller, Charles Schwartz, Charles
Schmidt, John Horn, Henry Wise, George Schreier, Nicholas Stahl,
Philip Stemler, Louis Vetter, William Snearly, George Burghard,

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 7 1
Philip Uebelhoer, Philip Arras, Christian Horni, Robert Burger,
John Messinger, Nicholas Mangold, William Braun, Charles Buch-
lieter, Matthew Keller, Gustav Gabel, Peter Brandel, George Bair,
Michael Duffner, Michael Pflug, Christian Schmidt, Fred Smith,
Fred Schlerri, John G. Schneider, Andrew Seifert, Andrew Zimmer,
Joseph Lechtenberger, George Volk, John Weber, Jacob Klipfel,
John Zuber, George F. Schwartz, Charles Segor, Jacob Schmidt,
and Henry Klee.
From the Daily Courier .
The Mayor yesterday vetoed the resolution of the Council voting
three hundred dollars to enable indigent members of Wiedrich's
Battery Association to attend the unveiling of their monument at
Gettysburg. In these circumstances certain of the Aldermen yes
terday afternoon did a very graceful thing. Acting on a suggestion
made by Aid. Hutchinson some weeks ago, Aid. Beck circulated in
the Council Chamber a subscription paper which before the adjourn
ment of the meeting footed up over two hundred dollars of the
required sum. The paper itself points a moral, for it shows that
those who talk the loudest for veterans are not the most ready with
needed cash. Seven Democratic Aldermen signed with alacrity,
but only four Republican councilmen could be induced to subscribe.
The list is headed by Aldermen Hutchinson, Beck, Scheu, and
Drake with subscriptions of twenty-five dollars each ; the other
subscribers of smaller sums include Aldermen Cannon, Kennedy,
Summers, Davy, Kreitner, Knepper, and Denner. The names of
the Hon. Jacob Stern, Mr. Reimann, Commissioner of Public
Buildings, and City Engineer Mann also appear on the list. The
veterans need not be alarmed about getting the sum asked. With
out such aid it is stated that only four or five of the Battery would
be able to attend the unveiling of the monument which has been
erected to perpetuate the memory of their valor.
The writer, pending the veto, had offered his services in
assisting to raise the necessary funds to enable all the mem
bers to attend the dedication of their monument. They were
accepted, and he was also requested to prepare a historical
account, to be read at that time.

72 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
From the Express, of April 18th:
They Will All Go.
Survivors of Wiedrich's Battery held a meeting at Miller's Hall
last evening, the purpose being to see how many would attend the
unveiling of the monument at Gettysburg next month. ' There
were thirty-five survivors present who had announced their inten
tion to go anyway, and after considering the matter it was decided
that the money for the remaining five would be raised. The secre
tary stated that he had received letters from members living in
other parts of the country, stating that they would meet their old
comrades at the old battle-ground. The Battery will leave here on
Sunday, May 19th, and will dedicate their monument on Monday.
Congressman Farquhar and Cyrus K. Remington will be the orators
on that occasion.
From the Express, May 12th:
The Wiedrich Excursion to Gettysburg.
Arrangements for the excursion of Wiedrich's Battery and their
friends to Gettysburg for the purpose of unveiling and dedicating
their monument are now completed. The excursion will leave Buf
falo on Sunday, the 19th inst., and go via Harrisburg and Carlisle,
arriving at Gettysburg at ten o'clock Monday morning.
The dedication will take place that afternoon about two o'clock,
after which the party will go over the field in carriages in charge of
Capt. James T. Long, the battle-field guide, who will explain all
points of interest. There are now over two hundred memorial
shafts or tablets, all works of art, erected on the field, marking
positions held during the three days of the fight, by the different
regiments and batteries. The exercises will take place on the field
of Gettysburg, the monument, having been erected on the spot
occupied by Wiedrich's Battery during the famous engagement.
The programme will include an oration by the Hon. John M. Far
quhar, an address by Cyrus K. Remington of this city, and the
formal presentation of the monument to the Commission by Col.
Wiedrich.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 7 3
Following is a list of the members residing in this city intending
to visit Gettysburg the 20th inst.:
Colonel Michael Wiedrich ; Lieutenants Christopher Schmitt,
Jacob Schenkelberger, George F. Schwartz, and Diedrich Erd-
mann ; Sergeants John Garbe, Philip Bachert, Cirach Dieboldt,
and Jacob Hirt ; and Privates John Messinger, Adam Schell, Jacob
Hehr, John Stortz, Henry Feuersbach, Philip Strang, Frank Herr
mann, Philip Stemler, George Burghard, Philip Arras, Nicholas
Mangold, William Brown, Matthew Keller, Jacob Schmitt, Andrew
Siebert, Andrew Zimmer, Joseph Lichtenberger, George Baer,
Henry Klee, Charles Buchleiter, Louis Vetter, Henry Kramer,
Christian Horni, Nicholas Stahl, George Knorr, George Volk, and
William Miller.
Three other members, residing respectively in Michigan, Penn
sylvania, and South Carolina, have signified their intention to be
present at the ceremonies. There will also be quite a number
of friends, among whom are Aid. Beck and family, ex- Aid. Miller,
Col. Wiedrich's daughter, and others who have signified their inten
tion of going if possible.
The friends of the Battery have responded very liberally to the
call for help, but still need a little more to help them out. This
being the last call, it is hoped our citizens will respond.
From the Express, May 1 9th :
Going to Gettysburg — Survivors of Wiedrich's Battery
will Leave To-day for the Battle-field.
To-day the gallant survivors of Wiedrich's Battery will leave
Buffalo for the purpose of unveiling and dedicating their monument
on the battle-field of Gettysburg. They will go via Harrisburg and
Carlisle, reaching Gettysburg at ten o'clock to-morrow morning.
From the Express (editorial), May 20th :
Where Once They Stood.
More than a quarter of a century ago a stalwart body of brave
young men left Buffalo for ihe fair Southern country. They were
going where the sweetness of summer is not cut short by the rigor
ous winter of our lake country, and where sunshine and flowers

74 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
and the warmth of the generous South offer a genial welcome to
the visitor from the colder North. But little thought those young
Buffalonians of such things. Their errand was a dreadful one.
They went to spread fire and blood through that fair region.
They went to serve grape and canister and shell and solid shot to
the brazen dogs of war that growled and howled and roared all
through four years of fratricidal strife. They went, not because
they loved to see humanity mangled by shrieking missiles, or to
witness the burning of homes and the desolation of the land, but
because from that Southern country had come tidings that the flag
which stands for all we hold dear in America had fallen before the
cannon of those who were sworn to uphold and protect it. And
though many of that particular group of young men were born
under a foreign standard, there rushed not to the front in those
dark days any more patriotic little band of Americans than those
who formed Wiedrich's Battery.
The sons of many of those men are older to-day than their
fathers were then. The years that dragged so heavily by during
that momentous struggle have sprung forward since with ever-
hastening steps. History has been made at lightning speed, and
with strong, bold strokes. But nowhere upon its scroll is carved a
more worthy roster or a fairer record than that of Wiedrich's
Battery. And thirty-two bent, grizzled and wrinkled men marched
away from Buffalo yesterday — the remnant of that noble corps — to
find once more the spot where their gallant battery stood during
the awful three days at Gettysburg, and to mark it, that it may not
be forgotten when they are gone. Perchance, too, the old men of
Wiedrich's Battery shall find the names of well-loved comrades
marking certain lowly green tents in that quiet hillside camp where
an august host sleeps in undisturbed peace, awaiting the only re
veille that can awaken them. And, if so, they will not be forgotten
when their surviving comrades — only thirty-two of them — gather
where once all stood together and served their smoking guns.
Nor will Buffalo forget them. Our city has many memorials on
that field. Her sons sleep there. They went from home at various
times and in different commands. But, so long as " the mystic
chords of memory '' stretch from battle-field to hearth, the Buffalo
dead at Gettysburg will never be forgotten.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 75
From the Courier, May 20th :
Off for Gettysburg — Departure of Wiedrich's Battery for
the Famous Battle-ground.
To the sound of patriotic airs, played by Young's Band, the
gallant remnant of Wiedrich's Battery marched to the Central-
Hudson station yesterday afternoon and took the train for Gettys
burg. There were but thirty-three of them, but Lieut. Schmitt
walked as proudly at their head as if he had been leading a
brigade. Col. Wiedrich did not appear till just before 3.30 o'clock,
when they were ready to start.
" We are going to unveil our new monument at Gettysburg," said
Lieut. Schmitt to a reporter. " We will go down on the Pennsyl
vania road through Harrisburg, and will reach Gettysburg at 9.30
o'clock to-morrow morning. At two o'clock the monument will
be dedicated. Congressman Farquhar will deliver an oration, to
which Mr. Cyrus K. Remington will add a fitting speech. The
monument is a beauty and stands on the spot where we made it
lively for the Johnnies.
"After the dedication we will go over the whole battle-field in
carriages, guided by Capt. Long.
" We will put up at the Yuengling House, and the most of us
will be back Wednesday evening, though a few may go on to Wash
ington and spend a week or ten days reviewing the Capital.
" Quite a number of our friends, as you can plainly see, are
going with us, and if the weather is fair, we expect to have a great
time." From the Freie Presse, May 20th :
The survivors of Wiedrich's Battery started yesterday for the
battle-field of Gettysburg, in order to unveil the monument which
has been erected in memory of their comrades fallen there. This
morning at ten o'clock they arrived there ; at two o'clock this after
noon the ceremony takes place. Maj. John M. Farquhar delivers
the oration, supplemented by Cyrus K. Remington with an historical
paper. In addition to the members who live here and accompany
the party, three members who live in Pennsylvania, Michigan and

76 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
South Carolina, respectively, are expected to be present at the
ceremony of dedication. Many friends of the Battery also accom
pany the party.
The veterans marched, with Young's Band at their head, to the
depot of the New York Central Railroad, taking Genesee and
Main to Exchange street, the band playing patriotic airs on the
way. Col. Wiedrich and Lieut. Schenkelberger were in a coach,
Phil Bachert commanded, John Garbe carried a new flag, a fac
simile of the one used by the Battery. The veterans looked well
and seemed intent on having a good time.
From the Express, May 20th:
Gone to Gettysburg — The Gallant Old Survivors of
Wiedrich's Battery left Yesterday Afternoon.
About thirty-two survivors of Wiedrich's Battery left yesterday
afternoon for Gettysburg to unveil and dedicate a monument on
the battle-field. The veterans, headed by Young's Band, marched
to the Central station, and though the step of the gallant ex-
fighters were not as firm or elastic as when they left Buffalo during
the war, their hearts were lighter, and vivid recollections of dark
days and hard experiences at Gettysburg induced a lively gait for
men of their age, as they marched down Main and Exchange
streets to the music of "Marching Through Georgia."
Capt. Michael Wiedrich was with his boys, though he was obliged
to ride in a carriage with Lieut. Schenkelberger and give Phil
Bachert the honor of commanding. Sergt. John Garbe carried a
handsome new silk standard of white and blue, bearing the name
of the Battery and being a fac-simile of the standard which the
Sergeant carried subsequently in many battles.
"It don't look much as our standard did when we left down
there," said the Sergeant, and the member recalled how the stand
ard was riddled by bullets, and laughed as he said that the buffalo's
head painted on it was pretty well shot up. " I'm glad that I'm to
carry this new standard," said the Sergeant, "and that I'm able to
go with the boys to again look over that field." The veterans
began to recall incidents and story-telling was rife while they were
waiting for the call " all aboard," and in more than one pair of

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 7J
eyes there was noted a mist, and down more than one wrinkled
cheek a tear sped as a hearty grasp of the hand or some recalled
event awoke memories of events, in which those present took a
part, or in which some one of the boys' was engaged, but was left
behind on the field.
Several of the veterans had their wives or other members of their
families with them. Aid. Beck and wife were also in the party.
The Battery will reach Gettysburg in time for the dedication, which
is to occur this afternoon. The Hon. John M. Farquhar is to
deliver the oration and Mr. C. K. Remington will also deliver an
address. Accompanying the veterans were the following friends :
Alderman August Beck and Mrs. Beck, Henry J. Fox (late
21st N. Y. Vols.) and Mrs. Fox, W. E. Litz and Mrs. Litz,
Mrs. John Kappel, Mrs. Adam Schell, Miss Nettie Wiedrich,
Miss Wilhelmina Schmitt, Miss Elizabeth Bachert, Warren A.
Woodson, M. D., late of Muhlenberger's 4th U. S. Artillery at
Battle of Gettysburg, John Irlbacker, late Captain Co. F, 65th
Regt. N. G.,- in campaign of '63, John McAnally, late Captain
Co. I, 155th N. Y. Vols., in campaign of '63, Wm. P. Gorges,
U. G. Mease, Edward Schuesler, John Messinger, Jr., and
Cyrus K. Remington ; all of this city, with the exception of
Mr. and Mrs. John Kappel, now residing at Milwaukee, Wis.,
and Mr. Geo. F. Schwartz of South Carolina.
From the Daily Times, May 20th :
On the Battle-field — the Survivors of Wiedrich's Battery
Return to Gettysburg to Unveil the Monument to
their Dead Comrades.
Wiedrich's Battery left yesterday for Gettysburg to unveil their
new monument at that place. They expect to arrive at Gettysburg
at 9.30 this morning and will dedicate the monument at two o'clock
this afternoon. Congressman Farquhar will deliver an oration and
Cyrus K. Remington will read an address. The members expect
to return to Buffalo on Wednesday evening.

78 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
From the Buffalo Courier :
The surviving members of Wiedrich's Battery, which was raised
in this city in 1861, known later as Battery I, First New York Light
Artillery, numbering thirty-two, and accompanied by friends, mak
ing the total forty-eight, left Buffalo on the afternoon of Sunday,
May 19, by the New York Central railroad to Canandaigua ; thence
by the Northern Central railroad, in charge of B. P. Fraser, General
Contracting Agent for the company, for Gettysburg, for the pur
pose of dedicating the monument lately erected upon the place
occupied by the Battery on Cemetery Hill during the memorable
days of July, 1863.
The weather, which had been unusually warm, changed about
one hour previous to the departure to a violent storm of rain,
which followed the excursionists to Gettysburg, and stuck to them
while there.
Upon arrival near Gettysburg, the party was met by Major
Long, an official guide of the battle-field, accompanied by
Doctor Jerome B. Greene, who was attached to the division as
Surgeon. At the second Bull Run battle to him was assigned
the painful duty of amputating the leg of Lieut. Schenkel
berger at that time ; also the arm of Sergt. William I. Moeller,
which was shattered by the same shot.
Major Long advised the immediate performance of the
dedicatory services, on account of the uncertainty of the con
tinuance of fair weather then prevailing. It was fortunate
that his advice was taken, as in the afternoon the rain was
incessant. The monument dedicated stands upon East Cemetery
Hill, in the space between the four lunettes of the Battery,
and is one of the finest positions upon this portion of the field.
The material is of granite with cap-stone, surmounted by five
cannon-balls ; at corners pillars of polished stone. In the
front facing the west a large bronze tablet is inserted, repre
senting a gun in action, surrounded by artillerymen and

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 79
officers. It has above in the apex an oval bronze with the
coat-of-arms of this State, also the corps badge. On the east
side a tablet records the casualties during the action. The
monument is about twelve feet in height, and nobly reflects
upon the generosity of the State of New York.
Jr Col. Wiedrich having formed the veterans in line on the east
of the monument facing the west, the ceremonies of the
occasion were opened by the following address by Cyrus K.
Remington :
Friends and Comrades :
We assemble here to-day from distant portions of this great
country to dedicate the monument erected by a generous State to
the memory of those who contended for a grand principle.
The silent witnesses which we behold around us rest upon the
places cemented by the life-blood of nearly a thousand of the sons
of the Empire State, and more than twenty thousand in addition
from other loyal States of the Union tell eloquently of the grati
tude of a re-united people and of the obligations due from them
to true heroism. Here to-day, in the name of freedom and
equality, we give thanks for the inestimable privileges enjoyed by
us as a Nation.
Comrades, twenty-six years ago you stood upon this hill, this
very spot, to repel an enemy who was seeking to destroy this Union
— brother against brother, a fratricidal contest. Those who yielded
up their lives rest peacefully here. Well may we envy them their
glory, for it is imperishable, and their memory shall be held in
grateful remembrance.
No Cassar returning from his conquests could have vied with you,
for in after years the Nation will say of you : " He was at Gettys
burg," and your badges will become more honored and cherished
as the years roll by.
Comrades, I have an interest in this victorious army. My only
brother was the Adjutant of the Third Michigan Infantry, and in
that division which successfully opposed the famous charge of Gen.
Pickett.

80 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
A recital of your gallant deeds has lately been given through the
press. Let me briefly recount it :
Your baptism by fire was at Cross Keys, then at Waterloo Bridge,
the second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, and at this place ; and when
in that desperate charge of Gen. Early's, who had sworn that he
would take and hold these- hills, did he with his " Louisiana Tigers"
accomplish the feat ? And after the guns were so heated by rapid
firing that you were unable to use them, what did you do ? Run
away ? No ; you stood your ground, beating back the foe with
ramrods and whatever came to hand — a not very artistic style of
fighting, but effectual. These same men you had met at Chancel
lorsville a short time previous, and after this repulse they were
heard to say that you must have been the same Dutchmen of the
Eleventh Corps that they had encountered at that place. Do you
recall the "Battle in the Clouds" upon Lookout Mountain? At
Allatoona, where Gen. Corse with a few gallant men held at bay a
large force of the enemy, and when Sherman heard of his situation
he said : " If Gen. Corse is in command he will hold it — I know the
man," and immediately signaled him to " Hold the Fort ;" at Lost
Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ackworth Station, Kennesaw Moun
tain, Peach Tree Creek, Louisville, Millen, Savannah, Fayetteville,
Bentonville, Goldsboro, and Raleigh ; through plains and swamps,
across streams and over mountains, you followed your great leader
to the finish.
All honor to you and all soldiers of the Union. Providence has
generously lengthened your days that you might behold this joyous
occasion. You now hear no roar of hostile cannon or call to
repeated assault, see no mixed volumes of smoke or flame, no dead
or dying. All these you have witnessed, and now a company of
sincere friends greet you and thank you in the name of liberty for
these heroic deeds.
In the past ages of the world's history the admiration of the
people for their military heroes has sought expression in costly
monuments. Now the disposition is to commemorate the virtues
and services of its citizen soldiery, upon whom the brunt and bur
den of our Civil War mainly fell, and the corner-stone of that
fabric which the leaders of the rebellion sought to erect on human
bondage is forever crushed, and bright days of a glorious future are

ADAM SCHELL,
Battery I, First New York Light Artillery.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 8 1
before us to make us a happy nation. These columns will turn to
dust, time will with its finger erase all impress from this crumbling
stone, but the fame of those heroes remains evermore.
Comrades, it would have befitted the occasion had you been per
mitted to have with you the colors you carried in that campaign ;
but their custodian, the State of New York, has so honored them
that by an act passed by the Legislature it took charge of them,
and, to insure their safety, a clause was inserted which forbids their
ever leaving its custody. Thus in honoring your banner they honor
you. To-day a duplicate of it waves over this impressive scene.
The dedication of the National Cemetery here took place Novem
ber, 1863, and after an eloquent oration by the Hon. Edward
Everett, Abraham Lincoln, then President of these United States,
spoke as follows : " Four-score and seven years ago our fathers
brought forth on this continent a new Nation, conceived in liberty,
and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great Civil War, testing whether that
Nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long
endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have
come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for
those who here gave their lives that that Nation might live. It is
altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a
larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot
hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who strug
gled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or
detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we
say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us,
the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which
they who fought here have thus far nobly advanced. It is rather
for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us —
that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that
cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that
we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain
— that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom —
and that government of the people, by the people, for the people,
shall not perish from the earth."
For me to add to these immortal words would be presumptuous,
but I can urge all true patriots to treasure up in their hearts the
noble sentiments contained therein.

82 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
The Hon. John M. Farquhar, M. C, our Representative
from this district, was then introduced, and delivered an
eloquent and impressive address, in which he argued that the
cause of the war, as advocated by the South, was not tenable ;
that capital owning the labor, that is human slavery, which
was in fact the foundation of the Rebellion, was the most
complete example of such ownership — thus tarnishing the
fame of all who fought for its retention. That the perpetuity
of this Union remains, and those who hold the proposition,
that each man has freedom in the sense of equality, only is
a friend of this Union. Major Farquhar dwelt upon the
heroic work accomplished by the Battery during its period of
enlistment, especially that action of July 2, 1863, the scene
of the repulse of the " Tigers," being the spot marked by the
monument now being dedicated. That notwithstanding the
fact that he was a soldier in this war, yet he would claim it
as a special privilege if he could say that he had belonged to
Wiedrich's Battery.
Miss Nettie Wiedrich, daughter of the colonel, was then
introduced, and read a short poem entitled " The Heights of
Gettysburg," embodying the supposed recitation by a member
of the Battery of his experience while there before and during
the action. , The young woman recited the verses with such
grace and expression as drew from the veterans the most
hearty applause. The Heights of Gettysburg.
From Chancellorsville to this fair hill,
Where the peaceful dead lie sleeping,
Our Battery came, and we a faithful watch were keeping ;
Thus we waited, waited, for the day,
Upon these heights of Gettysburg.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 83
We heard all day those Rebel guns,
Their roar was never ceasing ;
Our brave men faltered not, their tireless step still keeping,
Upon these heights of Gettysburg.
The evening came, with it our men
Who fought that fight 'gainst odds ;
All marching firm and true, on they came
Near to these heights of Gettysburg.
Now press they on, the dreaded foe ;
We saw them take our men, when
Crowding through the narrow street ;
Near to these heights of Gettysburg.
" Steady, my men, be true,"
Our Captain said, with mien that bode
Sure death to those who followed ours
Up to these heights of Gettysburg.
" Fire ! " and then the roar of cannon
Startled the rushing throng ;
As shrinking from those shot, they fled
Far from these heights of Gettysburg.
East and West, to North and South
We held the foe at bay ;
Thrice were they driven those fatal days
From these fair heights of Gettysburg.

And now we here, upon this field,
Renew our patriot vows, and pray
That never more will brethren meet as foes
On these fair hills of Gettysburg.
Jerome B. Greene, M. D., of Providence, R. I., surgeon of
the regiment of artillery to which this Battery was attached,
was present, and read the poem entitled " Restoration," which
he had written and dedicated to the Battery, as follows :

84 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
Restoration.
BY JEROME B. GREENE, M. D.
The theme of our dreaming rests in things of the past,
Which float as a vision, like a wisp on the blast.
While visions and fancies like the mist pass away,
These dreams seem more real than the things of to-day.
Loud the bugle was sounding its war-note, to arm ;
Then gaily waved banners, with loud cheering and song,
Wild music, rude marching of an armed awkward throng.
Then came the departure, with the hearty good-bye,
Wives, mothers and sweethearts, with a tear-moistened eye ;
Long suspense, then the battle, then news of the fray,
Then a year seemed as ages, — seems now but a day.
Now we see on these hillsides the dying and dead,
Strong hearts pressing forward with firm, martial tread,
Through the rifle's sharp rattle roars deep booming gun ;
Hear the clash of the sabre, gleaming red in the sun,
Hear whir of the minie and screech of the shell,
See the charge (fatal folly), hear ear-piercing yell ;
See the line as it wavers, hear drums' hurried beat,
Hear recall of bugle, see the rout and retreat ;
See the bronzed, fearless veterans that led on that day,
Like the mist on the meadow by the wind swept away.
By a brook fringed by willows in the alder's cool shade,
Maimed men, without murmur, felt the surgeon's keen blade.
Will to do, tanned veterans, once ready and strong,
Waiting, fighting misfortune with story and song ;
First the truce, then the parole ; then in long broken line
Came the train for the wounded through the shaded ravine.
None too soon, thrice welcome was the train on that day,
Still a few silent comrades were not borne away.
With the truce came a detail armed with pickaxe and spade,
Christened "sextons," "grave-d-iggers," "the shovel brigade.
Beyond on the hillside, there our dead comrades lay,
A few spades of gravel were thrown on their clay.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 85
Where an old comrade entered the woods hedged with vine,
There the foe lay in ambush on strong picket line ;
Now we hear the sharp challenge, "Halt! halt! who goes there?"
No watchword, but the rifle's sharp crack on the air.
Killed, missing, who was he ? covered deep in the leaves ;
The gleaner of trophies there shall find in the sheaves
One canteen, a belt-clasp, tarnished buttons a few,
Marked U. S. shreds of clothing tinged with old army blue ;
One rusty Sharp's rifle, with a fragment of lock,
With doubtful initial rudely carved in its stock ;
Leaden ball, jagged and flattened, a buckshot or two,
Crumbling bones, scraps of leather, an old army shoe ;
Knife and fork, old buckles, spoon, a few trifles more,
With Greek cross of metal, signed C. S. Fifth Corps.
Though visions and phantoms like the mist pass away,
Such scenes are as real as the things of to-day.
Where the trumpet-vine twines by the palmetto's shade,
Where the sunlight and shadows with twilight had played,
Where the moccasin glides, where the jessamine blooms,
Where the magnolia casts its sweetest perfumes,
The cardinal's note is the herald of day;
Here the mocking-bird chants his long roundelay,
Here, too, paced the lone picket on his silent beat,
Here, too, rest his ashes in this dreary retreat.
Half hid by the herbage and by moss overgrown,
Here smoulders the ashes of the missing, " Unknown."
But the grass grows the greener, and ranker the vine,
While the long weeping tendrils more tenderly twine ;
The birds sing more sweetly and the wild roses bloom,
The wild grass waves gently as the dead warrior's plume.
Dreams, phantoms and visions like the clouds pass away,
But the grief for the missing lives with things of to-day.
As the waves of the ocean recede but to flow,
So the tide of the conflict would ebb to and fro ;
Here the flood-tide of folly, and valor and pride,
Was stayed and turned backward as drift on the tide ;

86 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
The mariner is warned by the surf's surging roar
Of the rocks, of the shoals, by the wrecks on the shore ;
Let the victors and vanquished throughout this broad land
Learn lessons of wisdom from the wrecks on this strand.
Hail ! The conflict is over, day of peace dawned at last,
The sunshine seems brighter after storm-clouds have passed.
Through the war-clouds of conflict, disaster or woe,
Now the sunlight of gladness and friendship shall flow ;
Where the moss-covered tablet marks this stained hallowed ground,
Where tall shaft with signet with immortelles are crowned,
Here sons of bronzed veterans, both the Blue and the Gray,
Can sport on these hillsides in the sunshine of May.
The bugle and rifle now hang high on the wall
Where the battle-flags droop from the dust of the hall ;
Now the sword to its scabbard cleaves hard of its rust,
Flag and staff, spurs and saddle must mingle with dust.
As the girdle and bridle, all worn in the fray,
So the war-horse and rider are passing away.
Now the moth-eaten garments, soiled, mouldered and worn,
Sash, signet and gauntlet all are tarnished and torn.
And the plowman deep down in'the furrow has turned
The old smouldering embers where camp-fire had burned.
Now the blood of the carnage, on valley and plain,
Paints the tints on the roses and strengthens the grain.
May the grass on these hillsides grow greener to-day,
And the birds sing more sweetly in the sunshine of May.
Shall the gleaner glean grapes of the thistle or thorn ?
Shall the tares yield in harvest full rich golden corn?
The deeds of our fathers yielded fruits which we see ;
The seeds we are sowing, showing fruits yet to be.
Now the children to be in the future shall know,
By the fruits which they glean of the seeds which we sow.
Words and deeds of to-day, all well said, all well done,
Are but seeds that the father has sown for the son.
And the dark crimson willows by the brookside to-day
Seem blood-stains of heroes of the Blue and the Gray.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 87
Grant the heart of the South felt its cause to be just,
So the heart of the North was as true to its trust.
Now let hand join in hand that was tried on the field,
Sustain the same ensign, stand firm as its shield.
Let the blade in its scabbard cleave hard of its rust,
Let the moth-eaten garments all moulder in dust.
Rekindle the embers of the old altar fires
Long ago fanned to flame by the breath of our sires.
Turn deep in the furrow envy, malice and fear,
Sing aloud the one anthem, giving cheer upon cheer ;
The conflict is over, chime the bells loud and long,
Keep step to the Union with loud huzza and song ;
Since the soldiers and sailors clasped hands long ago —
In the North and the South they clasped hands long ago—
Sing aloud the grand pa?an, the watchword shall be :
One purpose, one country, one flag and 'tis free.
At its conclusion, Dr. Greene was heartily applauded. Col.
Wiedrich had prepared the following to present to the repre
sentative of the Battle-field Association ; but none being
present, this part of the ceremony was omitted, but to pre
serve it, it is incorporated with the exercises :
To you, sir, as the representative of the State of New York and
as a Commissioner in charge of these monuments, which a grateful
State has erected, and in behalf of the members of Battery I, First
New York Light Artillery, I return you grateful thanks, and now
place into your care and keeping this memorial to their memory,
and of the occasion which led to its erection. Ever keep it in
order, so that the generations to come that visit this spot will ever
remember that upon this ground was fought the Battle of Freedom.
This ended the exercises proper, after which Tipton, the
photographer, took a view of the members of the Battery and
the friends accompanying. After dinner a drive was attempted
over the battle-field, between the frequent showers. It proved
clear until the party reached the vicinity of Little Round Top,

88 wiedrich's battery.
when the flood-gates opened with such impetuosity that
instead of going up higher, they came down as gracefully as
the circumstances and rough roads would permit.
It was expected that the 73d Pennsylvania Regiment, which
supported the Battery upon the left and helped repel the
"Tigers," would have their dedication at the time, but that
has been postponed until September.
John Kappel of Milwaukee, Wis., George F. Schwartz of
South Carolina, former members of the Battery, were also
present, accompanied by ther wives.
Col. Wiedrich and daughter, Miss Schmitt, Lieut. Jacob
Schenkelberger, Aid. Beck and Mrs. Beck, Mr. and Mrs.
Adam Schell, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. W.
,E. Litz, Miss Bachert, and John Messinger and son left the
party at Harrisburg for a few days' sight-seeing in Wash
ington. This ended a most delightful trip and season of great
enjoyment to the surviving veterans, which but for the
generosity of the patriot citizens of this city they could not
have participated in.
From the Philadelphia Press, Tuesday, May 21, 1889:
Dedication at Gettysburg — The Survivors of Wiedrich's
New York Battery I meet on the Field.
Gettysburg, May 20 [Special]. — The survivors of Wiedrich's
Battery I, First New York Artillery, to-day opened the season of
'89 with the dedication of its monument on this battle-field. The
party, numbering about fifty, arrived from Buffalo, New York, this
morning and proceeded at once to their monument, where the
exercises were held. Colonel M. Wiedrich, who commanded the
Battery during the fight, presided, and introduced Hon. John M.
Farquhar, who delivered the oration. Cyrus K. Remington gave a
brief account of the part played by the command during the war.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 89
Two poems were read, one by Miss Nettie Wiedrich, entitled " The
Heights of Gettysburg," and one by Surgeon J. B. Greene and
dedicated to the Battery.
The monument stands on East Cemetery Hill, some distance
north of the observatory, and has one of the finest positions on the
field. It is massively built of granite, with the cap-piece sur
mounted by cannon-balls. In the front of the die is a bronze
plate, representing a piece in action, surmounted by the artillery
men. The whole is about twelve feet high and bears suitable
inscriptions. The Battery was engaged in one of the bloodiest charges made
during the battle. It was in the center of the Union line which
repulsed the " Louisiana Tigers," when they assaulted the hill on
the evening of the 2d. The Battery's loss in this assault was three
killed and nine wounded.
From the Buffalo Commercial :
The Old Soldiers at Gettysburg.
A dispatch from Gettysburg last night says : Wiedrich's Battery
I, First New York Artillery, dedicated its monument here to-day.
It is on the summit of East Cemetery Hill close to the observatory
and is of granite about twelve feet high. It is massively built and
bears on its front a bronze plate of a cannon in action. Balls orna
ment the corners of the cap-stone.
The exercises were conducted by Colonel Wiedrich. The Hon.
John M. Farquhar delivered the oration, Cyrus K. Remington gave
a short history of the command, and poems were read by Miss
Nettie Wiedrich and Surgeon J. B. Greene.
From the Sunday Telegram, Providence, May 26, 1889:
At Gettysburg — Dedication of the Wiedrich's Battery
Shaft — A Poem by Dr. J. B. Greene — The Old Redans still
Standing— An Old Gunner.
Dr. Jerome B. Greene of this city read an original poem on the
occasion of the dedication of the monument to Battery I, First
Regiment New York Light Artillery, at Gettysburg, Pa., last Mon-

90 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
day. The poem was retrospective and descriptive, in nine stanzas,
and was a vivid word-picture of one of the greatest battles the
world has ever known, while the lessons of the terrible strife were
touchingly alluded to by the poet. Two of the stanzas are here
given : ******
Now we see on these hillsides the dying and dead.
Strong hearts pressing forward, with firm, martial tread,
Through the rifle's sharp rattle roars deep booming gun ;
Hear the clash of the sabre, gleaming red in the sun,
Hear whir of the minie and screech of the shell ;
See the charge (fatal folly) hear ear-piercing yell ;
See the line as it wavers, hear drums' hurried beat,
Hear recall of bugle, see the rout and retreat ;
And the dark crimson willows of the brookside to-day,
Seem blood-stains of heroes of the Blue and the Gray.

Where the trumpet vine twines by the palmetto's shade,
Where the sunlight and shadows with twilight has played,
Where the moccasin glides, where the jessamine blooms,
Where the magnolia casts its sweetest perfumes,
The cardinal's note is the herald of day ;
Here the mocking-bird chants his long roundelay,
Here, too, paced the lone picket on his silent beat,
Here, too, rest his ashes in this dreary retreat,
Half hid by the herbage, and by moss overgrown,
Here smoulders the ashes of the missing, " Unknown."
But the grass grows the greener, and ranker the vine,
While the long weeping tendrils more tenderly twine ;
The birds sing more sweetly and the wild roses bloom,
The wild grass waves gently as the dead warrior's plume.
Dreams, phantoms and visions like the clouds pass away ;
But the grief for the missing lives with things of to-day.
"wiedrich's battery."
Battery I, alluded to above, was generally known as " Wiedrich's
Battery," taking its name from its captain, and was one of the
fighting batteries of the war. It served through the entire War of
the Rebellion, but of its 250 members who went into the field only
thirty-five survivors could be mustered last Monday. It was at
the second battle of Bull Run, at Lookout Mountain, Gettysburg,
Atlanta, and in Sherman's famous March to the Sea. Dr. Greene

BATTLE MONUMENT ON EAST CEMETERY HILL, GETTYSBURG.
Dedicated May 20, 1889.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 9 1
was connected with it from the early spring of '62 to the winter of
'63, and was in all its campaigns up to the battle of Gettysburg,
just before which he was commissioned Surgeon of the Fifth
Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, and went to North Carolina. Wied
rich's Battery was composed mostly of Germans from Buffalo, the
majority of whom were quiet, brave men, like their commander.
Among these were Lieut. Schenkelberger and Sergt. Moeller, both
of whom were wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, Dr.
Greene amputating a leg for the former and an arm for the latter.
The lieutenant, now a pension agent, was present at the dedicatory
services Monday, but the sergeant is an invalid and was absent.
In the battle of Gettysburg the Union line, Barlow's division,
commanded by Gen. Ames, lay along the stone wall at the base of
the hill. Wiedrich's Battery was posted behind the redans north of
the cross-wall ; Stuart's Battery B, Fourth United States, stood
towards the cemetery, in the field and road ; Rickett's Pennsyl
vania battery was on the south of the wall, with Reynolds' New
York battery still further down the hill. The redans behind which
Wiedrich's Battery performed such valiant work, and did not sur
render, are still standing to-day, in exactly the same shape as in the
battle, except for the heavy growth of green now on their crests
and sides. Parrott guns, like those used in the action, are at the
redans, and veterans can pick out many precise spots there which to
them seems hallowed ground. The monument is to the extreme
right of Cemetery Hill, close by the original works. There for
three long days the awful tide of battle ebbed and flowed ; with
clubbed muskets the opposing lines fought at times, and it is
reported that of the 1,700 Confederates who charged at this one
point only 400 returned. the monument's dedication.
The dedicatory services at the monument on Monday were
begun with an address by Veteran Cyrus K. Remington. Then
followed an oration by Congressman Farquhar of the Buffalo, N. Y.,
district, the poem by Dr. Greene and a poem by Miss Wiedrich, the
" daughter of the regiment," who, Dr. Greene says, is as modest and
unassuming as her father, and who delivered her poem in tones as

92 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
clear and harmonious as those uttered by a stray mocking-bird
which had ventured as far as Gettysburg, and which warbled in the
tree-tops during the recitation by the young lady. Afar off, on hill
and valley, could be seen masses of flowers and living green, while
the grass on the old battle-field grew tall and rank from the soil
which had been enriched by the bodies of thousands of the bravest
wearers of the Blue and the Gray.
From the Courier :
Buffalo Veterans — Members of Wiedrich's famous Battery
at the White House — Not after Offices — The Brave old
Boys in Blue coming Home to-day.
Washington, May 24 [Special]. — A number of the veterans of
Wiedrich's Battery, including Col. Wiedrich, have been in Wash
ington during the past twenty-four hours, having come from
Gettysburg, where they dedicated the monument recently erected
to commemorate the gallant deeds performed by the Battery at
the battle there. They were introduced yesterday to the President
by Congressman Farquhar, who made a speech on the battle-field
during the ceremonies.
Special dispatch to Buffalo Commercial :
At Washington — A Buffalo Delegation at the White
House — The Gettysburg Monument to the Wiedrich's
Battery.
Washington, D. C, May 24. — There was another Buffalo dele
gation at the White House yesterday afternoon. Congressman
Farquhar headed an excursion party, which simply wanted to shake
hands with the President. The little crowd has been at Gettysburg,
dedicating the monument to the Wiedrich's Battery, the battery
that held the key at Gettysburg right alongside of Rickett's. The
party consisted of Messrs. Philip Bachert, Adam Schell, Alderman
Beck, TIenry J. Fox, Edward A. Schusler, William W. Litz and
W. P. Gorges ; Mrs. Adam Schell, Fox, Beck, Litz and Schmidt,
and the Misses Bachert and Wiedrich.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 93
From the Express, May 26th :
Not the least interesting of the week's doings was the trip of
surviving members of Wiedrich's Battery and their friends to
Gettysburg. The party, numbering forty-eight, left Buffalo last
Sunday in the rain, traveled all night in the rain, and on Monday
held their exercises on the battle-field, also in the rain. But not
even the most persistent of showers could dampen their ardor or
rob the occasion of its interest. Col. Wiedrich formed his veterans
in line near the monument, which stands on East Cemetery Hill,
in one of the finest positions upon this portion of the field.
Addresses were made by Mr. Cyrus K. Remington and the Hon.
John M. Farquhar of this city ; and Miss Nettie Wiedrich, the
" Daughter of the Battery," read a poem entitled " The Heights of
Gettysburg," in which a member of the Battery recites his experi
ence during the great engagement. We may be sure that the
veterans present did not fail to show their appreciation of Miss
Wiedrich's contribution to the occasion. Dr. Jerome B. Greene of
Providence, R. I., surgeon of the regiment to which the Battery
belonged, closed the exercises by reading a poem entitled
" Restoration." The monument thus dedicated is a modest shaft of granite
twelve feet high, surmounted by cannon-balls, and bearing a bronze
tablet representing a gun in action, surrounded by artillerymen
and officers.
The occasion was worthy of greater public attention than it
received, and those Buffalonians who shared in its observance were
most commendably engaged.
It will not do to forget Gettysburg. Yet — only think of it ! —
the War is a tale that was told, a part of this country's varied back
ground, to millions of the men and women of to-day. How soon
those tragic four years, with eight or ten other years scarcely less
tragic, have slipped away up the shrinking perspective of time !
It was no mere page of history to those who shared in it; nor can
the surviving veteran of to-day ever lose his supreme regard for
war-time events.

94 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
The National Memorial Day is at hand. To the average citizen
— who is always a busy man, little inclined to cultivate sentimental
memories, and not at all inclined to do so at personal cost to him
self — the day does not bring any very ardent emotion, nor is the
impulse to share in its observance strong enough to lend much zest
to his participation. The Government orders the observance of
the day, and the average citizen, perforce, acquiesces. If it were
left to him, the 30th of May would soon cease to be a marked day
in the calendar.
Happily, it is not left to him. There are yet in the land — and
may there be, lo these many years ! — enough surviving veterans of
the War to guarantee a proper tribute one day each spring to the
heroes who sleep.
Happily, too, the schools have made the day their own. That
teacher is worthily employed who aims to fill the hearts of his
scholars with the full significance of this floral and funereal cere
mony. If the teachers do their duty in the teaching of American
history, there will be guaranteed to the Nation, as long as it
endures, patriotic citizens who will see that the fit observance of
Memorial Day shall not be forgotten among the people.
From the Express ;
The Survivors Give Thanks — They are Grateful to All
who Aided in Making Their Dedication a Success.
At a special meeting of the Committee of Arrangements of the
survivors of Wiedrich's Battery, held last Friday, the following
preamble and resolutions were adopted :
Whereas, the State of New York, by a commission duly appointed
to examine and suggest recommendations regarding the perpetuity
of the memory of its patriotic sons who fell upon the sanguinary
field of Gettysburg in 1863, made report that in their opinion a
monument to each separate command or battery in that contest
should mark such position, and that an appropriation should be
made for suitable tablets ; and
Whereas, Wiedrich's Battery, then known as Battery I, First New
York Light Artillery, held an important position upon Cemetery

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 95
Hill during the three days' struggle, and a monument under the
commission named has been lately erected there, and was dedicated
by appropriate ceremonies on Monday, May 20, 1889 ; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the hearty thanks of the members of this Battery
are hereby tendered to those patriotic citizens who so generously
subscribed to a fund enabling the survivors to attend a reunion at
the dedication ; and to Alderman August Beck and Mr. Cyrus K.
Remington for their efforts in obtaining subscriptions.
Resolved, That their thanks are also tendered the Hon. John M.
Farquhar, our representative in Congress, for his patriotic oration
upon that occasion ; also to Miss Nettie Wiedrich and Dr. J. B.
Greene of Providence, R. I., late surgeon of the Battery, for poems ;
and Mr. Cyrus K. Remington for an address at that time.
Resolved, That our hearty thanks are tendered to the daily press
of this city for valuable space given and notices of the movements
of the Battery ; without these valuable aids the excursion would
not have met with the success that it did.
Resolved, That our thanks are duly tendered to Mr. B. P. Fraser,
General Traveling Agent of the Northern Central Railway Com
pany, for his attention and care during our trip to Gettysburg; and
to Major Long, the official guide of the battle-field, for assiduous
attention.

From the Evening News :
A relief train is making up at Charleston, S. C, which will be
loaded with provisions and clothing for the sufferers by the awful
Pennsylvania floods. The train will represent the charity of
Charleston and of the town along the railway. That will be an
invasion from the South in marked contrast to the one which gath
ered at Gettysburg, and it will be memorable in the history of the
country.

96

WIEDRICH S BATTERY.

The following is a list of subscribers to the fund for enabling
the surviving members of the Battery to attend the dedication
of their monument at Gettysburg, May 20, 1889. It is sup
posed to be correct ; however, an omission or two may possibly
be discovered :

Morning Express  $25 .00
Buffalo Commercial  25 .00
Hon. E. G. Spaulding  25 .00
August Beck  25 . 00
Edward H. Hutchinson  25 .00
Solomon Scheu, Jr  25 .00
Marcus M. Drake  25 .00
John Miller  25 . 00
Philip Becker  20.00
Henry W. Box  20.00
Alphonse J. Meyer  20.00
Gerhard Lang  20 . 00
John Greiner  10 . 00
Charles Greiner  10.00
Cyrus K. Remington  10.00
Pascal P. Pratt  10.00
George Bleistein  10.00
Hodge Brothers  10.00
George Urban, Jr  10.00
Josiah Letchworth  10.00
Joseph Metz  10.00
Irlbacker & Davis  10 . 00
Henry Quinn  10.00
George W. Hayward  5 .00
Eugene A. Georger  5 . 00
George Denner  5 .00
John Kreitner  5 . 00
William Summers  5 .00
Jacob Stern  5 . 00
Frank J. Trautmann  5 .00
John J., Kennedy  5 .00
Joseph Krumholz  5 . 00
Stephen Reimann  5 . 00
W. J. Conners  5 .00
Charles E. Williams  5 .00
John A. Holloway  5 . 00
Philip Steingoetter  5 .00
William H. Albro  5 .00
Joseph E. Barnard  5 .00
Philip Wurtz  5 .00

James F. Crooker  $5.00
William F. Worthington  5 .00
Francis J. Kraft  5 .00
Henry Moest  5 . 00
Christian Klinck  5 . 00
Buffalo Demokrat  5 .00
Oliver J Eggert  5 . 00
John Schusler Brewing Co  5.00
Charles A. Orr  5 . 00
Alexander Martin  5.00
Lautz Bros. & Co  5 .00
George Rochevot  5 . 00
Henry Breitwieser & Bro  5.00
William Hengerer  5 .00
J. W. Tillinghast  5 .00
S. M. Clement  5 .00
Norris Morey  5 .00
Alfred H. Sendker  5 .00
C. & F. Georger  5 . 00
John Gisel  5 . 00
Fuchs Bros  5 .00
Wm. F. Wendt  5 .00
John Welker  5 .00
Gowans & Stover  5.00
George Denner  5 . 00
John H. Knepper  5.00
H. L. Kreuder  5 .00
Thomas M. Shields  5 .00
Samuel J. Dark  5 .00
John H . Connor  5 . 00
John Davey  5 .00
A. D. McConnell  5 .00
Fred Deming  5 .00
George E. Mann  5 .00
Charles F. Bishop  5 . 00
Frank M. Giese  5.00
John H. Ludwig  5 .00
James S. Murphy  5 .00
Michael Callahan  5 .00
Thomas F. Crowley  5 . 00

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY.

97

Oliver A. Jenkins  $5 .00
Beyer & Rupprecht  5 . 00
John A. Barth  5 .00
Peter Eby  '  3 . 00
Adam Rehm  3 . 00
John Howell's Sons  3 . 00
Sahlen & Roland  2 . 00
A. Miller  2.00
Thomas McGreevy  2.00
J. J. White  2.00
Julius Haas  2 . 00
Potter & Williams  2 . 00
John Schus  2 . 00
Edward G. Becker  2 .00
Andrew Richard  2 . 00
Conrad Machemer  2.00
Matthias Storck  2 . 00
Augustus Spitzmiller  ' 2.00
Robert F. Atkins  ,  2.00
Peter A. Vogt  '  2 .00
Joseph Timmerman  2 . 00
Henry Koons  2 . 00
Herman Storck  2 . 00
John Johnson  2 . 00
Jacob Ginther  2 .00
Gus. C. Zabel  2.00
W. Bowen Moore  2 . 50

Samuel G. Dorr, M. D  $t . 50
Peter Mergenhagen  1 . 50
Patrick Carmody  1 .00
Dingens Bros  1 . 00
Joseph Mergenhagen  1 .00
John Beierlein  1 . 00
Frederick Bissinger  1 .00
John Yox  1 . 00
B. B  1. 00
Geo. Schier  1 . 00
Eugene Klein  1 . 00
William H. Jaeger  1 .00
John Moest, Jr  1 .00
Mackey & Williams  1 .00
Leroy S. Oatman  1 .00
Charles P. Hohlstein  1.00
Gleason, Eacker & Co  1 .00
Rea & Powell  1 .00
Baker & Crouch  1 . 00
A. E. Makely  1 .00
James W. Duncan  1 .00
Batterson & Co  1 . 00
George Dittly  1 .00
Robert Moeller  1 .00
Frank Sippel  50
J.S  50
A. B   50

At a meeting of the survivors of the Battery held in July,
it was on motion resolved to hold a reunion of the members
on August 19th proximo. A committee was appointed to
complete arrangements, which were as follows :
The reunion to take place at Eagle Park, Grand Island, on
the day above named ; the members and their families only
invited ; to take a barge at foot of Mill street, at Black Rock,
in the morning and make a trip around Grand Island, stop
ping at Sour Spring Grove and finally at the destination, with
the following programme, which was fully and successfully
carried out :
Overture  By The String Band.
Roll Call and Address of Welcome... By Col. M. Wiedrich.
Address  By Cyrus K. Remington.
Recitation  By Miss Nettie Wiedrich.
Music  By The Band.

93

WIEDRICH S BATTERY.

The following veterans answered to the call :

Col. Michael Wiedrich,
Lieut. Jacob Schenkelberger,
Philip Bachert,
John Stortz,
Henry Fiierschbach,
Christ Horni,
Francis Herrmann,
John Messinger,
Frederick Smith,
Andrew Seibold,

Lieut. Christopher Schmitt,
Adam Schell,
Jacob Hehr,
Cirach Diebold,
Chas. Buchleiter,
Philip Strang,
Philip Stemler,
William Braun,
Jacob Schmitt,
William I. Moeller.

The following are the names
the total, as known, forty-five :
Diedrich Erdman,
Henry Klee,
Nicholas Mangold,
Anton Zimmer,
George Baer,
John Zuber,
Nicholas Stahl,
Louis Vetter,
Wellington Miner,
George Knorr,
John Horn,
John Schneider,
Martin Schmitt,

of the absent members, making
John Garbe,
Jacob Hirt,
Matt Keller,
Louis Strang,
George F Schwartz,
George Schreier,
John Kappel,
George Fischer,
George Burckhard,
Samuel H. Booth,
Peter Brandel,
Jacob Seibold,
Adam Seifert.

Joseph Lichtenberger was with the Battery at
the dedication of the monument at Gettysburg ;
but has since died.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 99
Col. Wiedrich having formed the veterans, in a few and
fitting words addressed them and welcomed all to a first
reunion ; and invited all the friends accompanying to par
take of refreshments after the exercises. After which he
introduced the speaker, Cyrus K. Remington, who delivered
the following address :
Friends and Comrades :
The Committee of Arrangements of this Reunion of Company I,
First New York Light Artillery, which was generally known during
the late Civil War as Wiedrich's Battery, have requested me to
make a short address upon the occasion ; and the most appropriate
subject for me to speak upon is, I think, that of Patriotism.
Implanted in every breast, no matter where the country, state of
its civilization or progress in arts or sciences, all who are to the
manner born, cherish a warm affection for the home of their child
hood ; and, if perchance, separated from that home, at the first
opportunity take the advantage offered to return and view again
those scenes, recounting to others facts so dear to their childhood
and the loves of their early days.
You who have borne the burden in protecting and upholding the
honor of your native — or, it may be, your adopted — country in her
hour of danger, doing noble service in this or other States of this
Union, and having revisited some of those stubbornly contested
fields, now assemble near the place where your Battery was organ
ized twenty-nine years ago, to recount those trials to us, with the
happy assurance that the Union is safe and prosperous ; and at the
same time to show your children, and your children's children, the
benefits they are receiving from your efforts, which under God's
protection you have secured for them. None but a soldier knows
or can appreciate the difficulties encountered by you during those
years of service ; yet I am forced to say that many who now reap
these inestimable privileges gained by your valor, are among those
who begrudge the pittance due for disability. It must also be said,
and which I believe to be a fact, that no true soldier has ever con
sented to receive this stipend as a gift, or to make a false claim for
disability upon that government which he so readily stood forth to

IOO WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
sustain during those dark days of 1861 ; for what compensation is
two, four, or even eight dollars per month to a man who at that
time left a good business or situation, with ordinarily fair prospects,
in order to serve his country and to become, by the fatigues inci
dent to that war, so disabled as to be almost if not entirely inca
pacitated for manual labor thereafter ? No ; to an honest soldier
the pittance is too small; to a dishonest one or a bounty-jumper too
large ; and from the latter and his abettors it should be entirely
withheld. And while speaking of pensions, I will say that I am in
favor of granting pensions only to those who are in any manner
disabled during the war or from its effects. The reckless manner
of granting pensions, especially to men who came from the army in
good health, but who had a very good hospital record, is not justice
to the true and modest men who, if wounded slightly, would rather
conceal their injuries than to obtain such a record. To an honor
ably wounded and disabled soldier a pension cannot be too large.
Washington, in his farewell address, among other important
advice, warns us as a people " to beware of foreign entangling
alliances;" and to this time we have followed his advice. But
although a free and independent people, without such alliances with
other nations, yet we are apt to imitate some of their foolish fancies.
When we shall have become thoroughly American it will be a happy
day for this country. All are true Americans who swear allegiance
to the Stars and Stripes, born here or in foreign countries.
In the war of the Revolution many of the prominent commanders
were from the countries of the Old World. Having fought there
the battles of freedom — in many instances, it is true, without suc
cess — but being imbued thoroughly with its principles, they offered
to this young nation themselves and their swords in her struggle
against despotism. They served well, and peace was accorded ;
and after, when war had again become necessary, their descendants
aided us in the contest of 181 2 ; and still a generation later, helping
a sister republic in her distress — and successfully, for she is to-day
one of the most southern, largest and richest States of our Union.
Now we approach a period within our memory.
When the Southern portion of these United States saw fit to
attempt a separation, then it was that the echoes of those guns
which were turned against this government upon Major Robert

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. lOI
Anderson's command at Fort Sumter by the State of South Caro
lina — like the shot which, at Concord in 1775, "was heard around
the world," — echoed through this country from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, startling the people as does the lightning from the
clouds, and which for a period apparently dies away ; but as the
thunder which follows awakened the people to a realizing sense of
insecurity, and to the fact of the determination of the South to
sever, if possible, the bonds uniting them to the North.
Loyalty was not confined to the native-born Americans ; for the
German element, with other nationalities, vied with each other in
offering their services to uphold the government.
At this time the Battery connected with the Sixty-fifth Regiment,
N. Y. S. M., was under the command of Captain Michael Wiedrich,
and, by a resolution, offered, on the 18th day of January, 1861, their
services to the Government of this State. This was accepted on
the 2 ist, three days later ; and although they were not then called
upon, later they were, under another designation, and noble was the
duty performed. This tender was seventy eight days previous to
President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers.
The time allotted me will not suffice to dwell upon the record of
the Battery, only to say that the volunteering, mustering in and
departure for the seat of war, was in every respect a credit to all ;
and in those battles in which it participated it made itself a name
for stubborn valor.
Will you ever forget those desperate conflicts and minor skir
mishes in which you were engaged, during those years from Cross
Keys to the surrender of Johnston at Raleigh ? These names are
not yet inscribed upon your colors, but are upon the roll of fame ;
and in the near future, the pages of history that are to be written
will have your records engraved upon them as in letters of gold,
which will shine forth to posterity as stars of the first magnitude.
I wish to mention one incident at the battle of Gettysburg, relat
ing particularly to this Battery.
Gen. Ewell of the Confederates was stationed near Rock Creek,
upon the eastern line of the battle-field, near and opposite to East
Cemetery Hill, upon which was planted Wiedrich's Battery. Ewell
had been waiting for some time for the sound of Longstreet's guns
as a signal of attack, and it was not until 5 p. m. that the signal

102 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
came to him, when he immediately opened six batteries from Ben-
ner's Hill as a support to Johnson's attack upon Culp's Hill, which
is a little to the east of Cemetery Hill ; but after an hour's firing
these guns were silenced by the Federals. Finding an attempt
impossible on the north and northeast sides of Culp's Hill, Johnson
determined to attack the Federals in the very gorges of Rock
Creek. At half-past six o'clock he opens fire, and now the battle is
in progress along the front of both armies.
While Johnson was thus pushing the right of the line on Culp's
Hill, those who were defending East Cemetery Hill were about to
face one of the historic charges of that famous three days' fight,
namely, that of the " Louisiana Tigers."
Just as the sun was disappearing in the west, and while the soft
and delicate shadows of twilight were gathering and gently cover
ing the hostile armies, the sentinels upon Cemetery Hill beheld
emerging from a valley a dark line of infantry formed for assault ;
and while those who beheld wondered and waited to see what its
meaning was, this mass of infantry moved steadily upward. On
it comes with the precision of veterans. Nearer it approaches, and
through the fast disappearing daylight are distinguished the vet
erans of Hoke's and Hay's division — all led by a brigade that never
until this hour had known or acknowledged defeat ; as the regi
ments composing the " Tigers " had made themselves such a name
that but its mention spread terror, and whenever they had been
called upon for a charge, conquered. But the moment they came
within range of our riflemen and artillery, they tasted of that death
which they so often had made others to feel. The batteries of
Wiedrich, Ricketts and Stevens, with infantry of Steinwehr's divi
sion, opened upon them with vengeance, and the slaughter was
terrific. With Wiedrich and Ricketts fronting them, and Stevens'
enfilading fire plowing their ranks — through all this terrible reality
they pressed steadily on. The mass of infantry at the lower stone
wall, and Howard's upon the heights, poured into their ranks leaden
messengers of death. Decimated as were now their numbers, it
would never do to retreat — death was preferable ; so on they come,
bounding as veritable tigers for their prey ; but they meet a foe
worthy of their steel. They leaped upon and over Wiedrich's guns,
until Federals and Confederates were so inextricably mingled that

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. IO3
Stevens was obliged to cease firing for fear of killing friends, while
Wiedrich's were forced from their guns by overwhelming numbers.
At this juncture they reached the first gun on the left of Ricketts'
battery, where the scene is one of intense interest ; for Ricketts
pours into their ranks his canister, and by the incessant working of
his remaining guns checks in a degree the onward movement of the
enemy, until the arrival of Carroll's brigade and of Pennsylvania
infantry. With this support, Wiedrich's men rallying, with ramrods,
sponge-staffs, and rocks from the adjacent wall, repulse the now
thoroughly disheartened " Tigers '' — now only so in name— and
who, driven back and down the hill, disappear in the darkness,
being heard of no more in history as a separate command ; leaving
upon that hill nearly a thousand of their number.
One year ago the 20th of May last, through the kindness of
friends, to whom we here return grateful thanks, the surviving
members of the Battery were enabled to revisit that famous battle
field in order to dedicate, upon the spot where the Battery was
posted during those memorable days, a monument generously
donated by the State of New York to the memory of her gallant
sons. The roll of glory ! all for country fell ;
Their country's favorites, the nation's pride as well ;
Untitled ye, the brave of veteran rank and file,
Your fame is lasting as is Egypt's Nile.
You fought the battles, you the victory gained ;
Knowing your rights, these sacred rights maintain ;
Your grateful country shall revere your deeds,
And for the fallen wear eternal weeds.
Gen. Howard, in an official report of the battle of Gettysburg,
thus speaks of the battery July ist : " One battery of the enemy,
a little more than a mile north of the cemetery, near the Harris
burg road, could be distinctly seen, and as I had a battery of
3-inch rifled guns, under Wiedrich, near my position,. I directed
him to fire. He did so, but his shells for the most part fell short.
The reason of this irregularity was the poor quality of the ammu
nition there used. Subsequently these guns did most excellent
service." Again: "At 4.30 p. m the columns reached Cemetery
Hill, the enemy pressing hard, and made a single attempt to turn

IO4 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
our right, ascending the slope northeast of Gettysburg, but his line
was instantly broken by Wiedrich's Battery, in position on the
heights." In speaking of the assault by the "Tigers," he says:
" At Wiedrich's Battery, Gen. Ames, by extraordinary exertions,
averted a panic, and the artillerymen, with sponge-staffs and
bayonets, forced the enemy back . . This furious onset
was met and withstood at every point and lasted less than an hour.
Were I to accord praise to individuals, I would hardly
know where to begin or where to end. Also Major
Osborn, commanding the artillery, and his battery commanders,
and commend them for bravery, faithfulness and efficiency in the
discharge of duty."
Gen. Von Steinwehr says : " About 9 p. m. the Louisiana
Brigade (' Tigers ') made a vigorous charge on the First Brigade of
my division, and Wiedrich's Battery, Col. Coster's brigade, and par
ticularly the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania Volun
teers, repulsed them. Some succeeded in reaching Wiedrich's
Battery, but were driven back by the cannoneers themselves."
Maj.-T. W. Osborn, commanding the artillery of the Eleventh
Corps, says : " Between 7 and 8 o'clock in the evening a rebel
brigade charged from the town upon the hill and upon Capt.
Wiedrich's Battery. The charge was very impetuous and the
infantry at first gave way and the Battery was held for a moment
by the enemy, when the cannoneers rallied with the infantry and,
seizing upon any weapons they could reach, threw themselves upon
the enemy and assisted to drive them back."
Now notice the modesty of the report of your captain. In his
official report he says; "About 8 p. m. the enemy charged on
the Battery with a brigade of infantry, which succeeded in turning
our infantry, and got into the intrenchments of my Battery. After
they were repulsed by our forces I opened on them again with
canister with good effect. . . . I am happy to say that all
the officers and men behaved well and with a determination not
to be excelled."
Would any one imagine that this was the official report of the
repulse of one of the most desperate and historic charges of the
war ? Such was the modesty of the Battery all through the
campaign.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 105
Let me quote the editorial of the Express' 'of May 20, 1889, the
day upon which the Battery dedicated their monument at Gettys
burg. It seems the most fitting tribute to the Battery that has
come under my notice.
"Where Once They Stood.
" More than a quarter of a century ago a stalwart body of brave
young men left Buffalo for the fair Southern country. They were
going where the sweetness of summer is not cut short by the rigor
ous winter of our lake country, and where sunshine and flowers
and the warmth of the generous South offer a genial welcome to
the visitor from the colder North. But little thought those young
Buffalonians of such things. Their errand was a dreadful one.
They went to spread fire and blood through that fair region.
They went to serve grape and canister and shell and solid shot to
the brazen dogs of war that growled and howled and roared all
through four years of fratricidal strife. They went, not because
they loved to see humanity mangled by shrieking missiles, or to
witness the burning of homes and the desolation of the land, but
because from that Southern country had come tidings that the flag
which stands for all we hold dear in America had fallen before the
cannon of those who were sworn to uphold and protect it. And
though many of that particular group of young men were born
under a foreign standard, there rushed not to the front in those
dark days any more patriotic little band of Americans than those
who formed Wiedrich's Battery.
" The sons of many of those men are older to-day than their
fathers were then. The years that dragged so heavily by during
that momentous struggle have sprung forward since with ever-
hastening steps. History has been made at lightning speed, and
with strong, bold strokes. But nowhere upon its scroll is carved a
more worthy roster or a fairer record than that of Wiedrich's
Battery. And thirty-two bent, grizzled and wrinkled men marched
away from Buffalo yesterday — the remnant of that noble corps — to
find once more the spot where their gallant battery stood during
the awful three days at Gettysburg, and to mark it, that it may not
be forgotten when they are gone. Perchance, too, the old men of
Wiedrich's Battery shall find the names of well-loved comrades
marking certain lowly green tents in that quiet hillside camp where
an august host sleeps in undisturbed peace, awaiting the only re-

106 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
veille that can awaken them. And, if so, they will not be forgotten
when their surviving comrades — only thirty-two of them — gather
where once all stood together and served their smoking guns.
" Nor will Buffalo forget them. Our city has many memorials on
that field. Her sons sleep there. They went from home at various
times and in different commands. But, so long as "the mystic
chords of memory " stretch from battle-field to hearth, the Buffalo
dead at Gettysburg will never be forgotten."
The total enlistments of the Battery were 305 ; of these 12 were
killed and missing, 58 died, 58 discharged for disability, n trans
ferred to the Invalid Corps, 18 (I am sorry to say) deserted, and
148 were honorably mustered out in 1865, and of these Col.
Wiedrich informs me that only 45 men are all that can now be
located. Of this remnant only 20 meet to-day for your first an
nual reunion, and it is indeed a great privilege granted me to-day
to have the honor to address you upon the occasion. May you all
live to keep many of them, and when the time arrives for you to
put off this mortality may you all reap the reward of just and
good men.
It may be urged by some that now the Civil War is over that
these reunions and recounting of heroic deeds should cease and
the matter be forgotten ; but I hold that the only way to keep alive
the spark of patriotism in the mind of the nation is in these re
unions, and it is to be hoped that the indomitable spirit which
possessed our fathers shall descend to us ; for why
Should familiarity, as has been said,
Breed contempt for oft-told tales ?
Our patriotic hearts should never tire
Of listening to our sire's story —
Deeds of heroism, crowned with glory.
Though years have sped
Since all these deeds were done,
The blessing thro' the father has descended to the son ;
The fruit of all their toil and pain
Are now our just and precious gain.
O ye who bask in freedom's light,
Maintain these gifts so rich and bright
In all their purity and might ;
Forget not all thy sires have done
And keep in trust that guerdon won.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. IO7
Miss Nettie Wiedrich, daughter of Col. Wiedrich, was then in
troduced and gave a spirited recitation of the piece entitled
" Lookout Mountain," one bf the best-known war lyrics of the late
George H. Boker, and which was received by the veterans with
great enthusiasm. It was, perhaps, the most appropriate piece that
could be read, as the Battery fired the first gun in that en
gagement.
Lookout Mountain.
" Give me but two brigades," said Hooker, frowning at fortified
Lookout,
" And I'll engage to sweep yon mountain clear of that mocking
rebel rout ! "
At early morning came an order that set the General's face aglow ;
" Now," said he to his staff, " draw out my soldiers. Grant says
that I may go ! "
Hither and thither dash'd each eager colonel to join his regiment,
While a low rumor of the daring purpose ran on from tent to tent ;
For the long roll was sounded in the valley, and the keen trumpet's
bray,
And the wild laughter of the swarthy veterans, who cried, " We
fight to-day ! "
The solid tramp of infantry, the rumble of the great jolting gun,
The sharp, clear order, and the fierce steeds neighing, "Why's not
the fight begun ? " —
All these plain harbingers of sudden conflict broke on the startled
ear ;
And, last, aro'se a sound that made your blood leap — the ringing
battle cheer.
The lower works were carried at one onset. Like a vast roaring
sea
Of lead and fire, our soldiers from the trenches swept out the
enemy ;
And we could see the gray coats swarming up from the mountain's
leafy base,
To join their comrades in the higher fastness — for life or death
the race !

108 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
Then our long line went winding round the mountain, in a huge
serpent track,
And the slant sun upon it flash'd and glimmer'd as on a dragon's
back.
Higher and higher the column's head push'd onward, ere the rear
moved a man ;
And soon the skirmish-lines their straggling volleys and single
shots began.
Then the bald head of Lookout flamed and bellowed, and all its
batteries woke,
And down the mountain pour'd the bomb-shells, puffing into our
eyes the smoke ;
And balls and grape-shot rained upon our column, that bore the
angry shower
As if it were no more than that soft dropping which scarcely stirs
the flower.
Oh, glorious courage that inspires the hero, and runs through all
his men !
The heart that fail'd beside the Rappahannock, it was itself again !
The star that circumstance and jealous faction shrouded in envious
night,
Here shone with all the splendor of its nature, and with a freer
flight !
Hark ! hark ! there go the well-known crashing volleys, the long-
continued roar,
That swells and falls, but never ceases wholly, until the fight
is o'er.
Up towards the crystal gates of heaven ascending, the mortal
tempest beat,
As if they sought to try their cause together before God's very
feet !
We saw our troops had gain'd a footing, almost beneath the
topmost ledge,
And back and forth the rival lines went surging upon the dizzy
edge.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. IO9
Sometimes we saw our men fall backward slowly, and groaned in
our despair ;
Or cheer'd when now and then a stricken rebel plunged out in
open air,
Down, down, a thousand empty fathoms dropping, his God alone
knows where !
At eve, thick haze upon the mountain gathered, with rising smoke
stain'd black,
And not a glimpse of the contending armies shone through the
swirling rack.
Night fell o'er all ; but still they flash'd their lightnings and roll'd
their thunders loud,
Though no man knew upon what side was going that battle in
the cloud.
Night! what anight! — of anxious thought and wonder; but still
no tidings came
From the bare summit of the trembling mountain, still wrapp'd
in mist and flame.
But towards the sleepless dawn, stillness, more dreadful than the
fierce sounds of war,
Settled o'er Nature, as if she stood breathless before the morning
star.
As the sun rose, dense clouds of smoky vapor boil'd from the
valley's deeps,
Dragging their torn and ragged edges slowly up through the tree-
clad steeps,
And rose and rose, till Lookout, like a vision, above us grandly
stood,
And over his black crags and storm-blanch'd headlands burst the
warm, golden flood.
Thousands of eyes were fixed upon the mountain, and thousands
held their breath,
And the vast army, in the valley watching, seem'd touched with
sudden death.

I IO WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
High o'er us soared great Lookout, robed in purple, a glory on
his face,
A human meaning in his hard, calm features, beneath that heavenly
grace.
Out on a crag walk'd something — What ? an eagle that treads yon
giddy height ?
Surely no man ! But still he clambers forward into the full, rich
light ;
Then up he started, with a sudden motion, and from the blazing
crag
Flung to the morning breeze and sunny radiance the dear old
starry flag.
Ah ! then what followed ? Scarr'd and war-worn soldiers, like
girls, flush'd thro' their tan,
And down the thousand wrinkles of the battles a thousand tear
drops ran ;
Men seized each other in return'd embraces, and sobbed for very
love ;
A spirit which made all that moment brothers seem'd falling
from above.
And, as we gazed, around the mountain's summit our glittering
files appear'd ;
Into the rebel works we saw them marching ; and we^we cheer'd,
we cheer'd !
And they above waved all their flags before us, and join'd our
frantic shout,
Standing, like demigods, in light and triumph, upon their own
Lookout !
From the Express, August 19th:
The annual reunion of Company I, First Light Artillery, New
York State Volunteers, better known as Wiedrich's Battery, will
be held at Eagle Park to-day. Addresses will be delivered by
Captain Wiedrich, Cyrus K. Remington, and others. Miss Nettie
Wiedrich is to recite, and the veterans expect to have a jolly time.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. Ill
From the Express, August 20th :
Twenty Were There — A Score of Men who Fought with
Wiedrich Come Together.
About one hundred members and friends of Company I, First
Light Artillery, New York State Volunteers, better known as Wied
rich's Battery, assembled at Curtiss' boat-house yesterday morning,
taking the tug Matt Wagner and barge for a trip down the river,
stopping at Sour Spring Grove, and also at Eagle Park, the objec
tive point. At this place the reunion exercises were held. They
consisted of an address of welcome by Col. Wiedrich, the calling
of the roll of veterans ( to which only twenty responded ), an
historical address by Cyrus K. Remington, and the recitation by
Miss Nettie Wiedrich of George H. Boker's best-known war lyric,
entitled " Lookout Mountain," which was quite appropriate, as this
Battery fired the first shot of that battle of the clouds. After these
exercises lunch was served, and at 5 p. m. the party left for home,
all agreeing that the first reunion was a decided success.
The address of Mr. Remington was able and interesting, and
was one of the chief features of the programme. He spoke in
highest terms of the patriots of the late war, and recalled some of
the many stirring events in its history. He related how Wiedrich's
Battery on January 18, 1861, volunteered its services to the
Governor of this State, which were accepted three days later ;
how afterward it had been called upon to do battle for the cause
of the Federals, and how it had promptly responded, and entered
nobly into the fray, taking gallant part in some of the events most
conspicuous in the history of the Civil War. During the course
of his remarks Mr. Remington took occasion to quote an editorial
which appeared in the Express on May 20, 1889, which he desig
nated as the most fitting tribute to the Battery that had ever come
under his notice. He recalled the fact that the number of men
who had originally composed the Battery was two hundred and
ninety-six. Of these, he said, it was reported that forty-five were
all that could now be located. In conclusion the speaker expressed
himself as proud to have been selected to address the handful of
members, who were now assembled upon the occasion of their first
annual reunion, and hoped they would live to have many more
such events, which he believed were a means of keeping alive the
spark of patriotism in the hearts of the nation's citizens.

112 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
From the Courier, August 20th :
Wiedrich's Battery Survivors.
The regular annual excursion of the survivors of Wiedrich's
Battery was held yesterday in spite of the rain. The members and
friends embarked at Curtiss' boat-house, at the foot of Mill street,
in the morning and went to Eagle Park, where the exercises were
held. The roll-call showed that but twenty veterans were present.
A poem, called " Lookout Mountain," was recited by Miss Nettie
Wiedrich, and after listening to an historical address by Cyrus K.
Remington the party sat down to luncheon. They returned about
five o'clock in the afternoon, somewhat damp but still happy.
From the Evening News, August 20th :
Only twenty veterans responded to the roll-call of Wiedrich's
Battery at the annual reunion yesterday at Eagle Park. Friends
swelled the party to one hundred. Cyrus K. Remington's historical
address was a very able one.
The Second Annual Reunion of the survivors of the Battery
was held on Wednesday, August 26, 1891, at Eagle Park,
Grand Island, N. Y., they taking the boat Vision, Captain
O'Brien, from the foot of Main street at nine o'clock, A. M.,
accompanied by their families and friends, steamed down the
Niagara, touching at Sheenwater and Navy Island, thence to
the destination, where an address of welcome was made by
Colonel Wiedrich, after which the roll was called, when
twenty-one veterans answered as follows :
Colonel Michael Wiedrich,
Lieut. Christopher Schmitt, Lieut. Jacob Schenkelberger,
Philip Bachert, Adam Schell,
John Messinger, John Stortz,
Frederick Smith, Philip Strang,
Cirach Diebold, William I. Moeller,
Jacob Hehr, Philip Stemler,
Charles Horni, Charles Buchleiter,
William Brown, Matt Keller,
John Snyder, A. Seifert,
Henry Fuerschback, Jacob Schmitt.
Peter Kehl died since last reunion.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. I I 3
The assembly was then addressed by Major the Hon. John
M. Farquhar with one of his admirable patriotic speeches,
which was listened to with great interest, and at the close was
given a rousing approval ; after which the veterans adjourned
to the grove, where they enjoyed themselves during the after
noon. At 5 P. M. the party returned to the city, all agreeing
that these reunions were very enjoyable affairs.
The following, taken from the diary kept by Sergeant
Frederick Smith, will be found interesting :
September 24, 1863. — We left Catlett's Station, Va. (where we
had been camped since returning from Gettysburg), and marched
to Washington, where we arrived the 26th, and loaded our battery
on fiat cars and left the same evening for the West on the Balti
more & Ohio Railroad and passed through Bellair, O., Columbus,
O., Xenia, O., Dayton, O., Richmond, Ind., Indianapolis, Ind.,
arriving at Louisville, Ky., on the 4th of October. Were well
treated along the route by the citizens of the different towns
through which we passed and stopped, particularly at Xenia, O.,
and Richmond, Ind. At the latter place the citizens were called
upon by the Mayor to provide for us, as we had no rations with us,
and they responded handsomely. In passing through Louisville
one of the limbers exploded in one of the principal streets of the
city, killing John Fix, the corporal of the piece.
October 5th. — We arrived at Nashville, Tenn. An incident of
our stay here was when a detail was made from the Battery to
go to the corral, on the outskirts of the city, to get the mules
for our baggage train. We went out early in the morning and the
negroes at the corral hitched up the mules to the wagons with con
siderable cursing and clubbing and we were ready to start for camp
(which was about two miles) with four men to each wagon, one to
drive and the other three to lead, one to each pair of mules, there
being six mules to each wagon. But as the mules had never been
broke in you can imagine the trouble it was to drive them. Some
would back up, others would lie down, and sometimes the six mules
in a team would get so tangled up in the harness that it would take
an hour to get them in shape again. We finally got into camp

114 WIEDRICH S BATTERY.
when it was pitch dark, and we had orders to unhitch and unhar
ness the mules and tie them up securely ; but instead we left them
just as we brought them, not wishing to be kicked to death by a
mule in trying to unhitch him. The consequence was the next day
the city was running full of stray mules.
October 12th. — We left Nashville and passed through La Vergne,
Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Tallahoma, Cowan's Station, and arrived
at a place called Tantallon Station, in the Cumberland Mountains,
on the 1 8th, where we had good times in fishing with hooks made
of bent needles, hunting and foraging. On the 2d of November
we left here and arrived at Bridgeport, Ala., the same day. We
drew new clothing, etc., and left the next day for Lookout Valley,
where we arrived on the 5th. During our stay here we were nearly
starved. At this time the battles of Missionary Ridge and Look
out Mountain were fought, November 23, 24, 25. The Battery did
not take part in the former as a battery. Our horses were nearly
all useless from starvation, the few that were fit for duty were sent
with their drivers to other batteries in the corps and therefore took
part in the battle. We were engaged, however, at the storming of
Lookout Mountain on the 24th. During our stay here we were in
position on a hill under Lookout Mountain, and the rebels used to
shell us every day from the top of Lookout but without doing us
any harm further than scattering somebody's dinner to the winds
once in a while by a piece of shell flying into the frying pan.
December 20th. — We loaded our guns on a flat-boat and floated
down the Tennessee River to Bridgeport, Ala., where we arrived
on the 23d, and went into winter quarters and into the cooper
business, being employed for several weeks in making staves for
clapboarding and shingling a barn about 300 feet long and about
30 feet wide for our horses. Here, also, the men who had served
two years or more were given a chance to re-enlist, and a large
number took advantage of it, and on the 7th of February, 1864,
they left for home on a thirty days' furlough.
March 19th, '64. — We left Bridgeport for Lookout Valley, where
we arrived on the 20th. On the 21st our vets returned from their
furlough, each of them being well supplied with tin cans and bot
tles, tobacco, watches, etc., and a good time was had generally as

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. 115
long as the fire-water lasted. During our stay here we were prin
cipally occupied in drilling and target practice and fishing in the
Tennessee. Lieut. Sahm and Private Armbruster died here. The
lieutenant's body was sent home and the private was buried in the
valley. May 4th. — We broke up camp and started on to Atlanta, we
having now an entirely new set of officers, only one of whom was
a member of the Battery before, i. e., Lieut. Frank Henchen. On
this march we camped at Gordon's Mills ; Ringgold, May 5th ; Buz
zard's Roost, 7th. Battle here but not engaged.
May ioth. — Left this Roost and arrived at Resaca the 15th and
were engaged ; no loss. 16th left the battle-field.
May 20th. — Arrived at or near Cassville.
May 23d. — Left this position and continued march toward Dallas,
and were in position for action a great part of the time but did not
become engaged, as our infantry drove the Rebs out of their posi
tions without our help.
June ist. — Marched to the left and took position. (Place un
known to me.)
June 2d. — Fired one round in battery, and up to the 15th were
marched from one position to another.
June 16th. — Engaged a Rebel battery in our front. Andrew
Klee killed. Left this position and marched toward right flank,
one section being with the skirmishers.
June 22d. — At Culp's Farm Gen. Hood advanced on us in two
lines of battle. They came out of the woods and had to cross an
opening to reach us, but they did not get very far, as our Battery
and two other batteries of our corps opened on them with shrapnel
or case-shot and drove them back with heavy loss. In this engage
ment we had no infantry support outside of the skirmishers in our
front. Frank Heringer was wounded. (This engagement was
illustrated in one of the weeklies, either Frank Leslie's or Harper 's
Weekly.) June 26th. — Marched to right toward Kennesaw Mountain and
took position and were engaged ; very heavy artillery and infantry
firing here. William Warner killed and H. Fuerschbach and F.

I 1 6 WIEDRICHS BATTERY.
Hubacher wounded. We now continued our march toward the
Chattahoochee River, coming into position for action every day
but not engaged. The weather very hot.
July 17th. — We crossed the Chattahoochee River, and on the
20th we fought the battle of Peach Tree Creek, which was a very
desperate fight, the Rebs making six different charges on our line
without gaining their object ; 1 killed, 3 wounded.
July 22d. — Rebs retreat and we advance to a position about a
mile outside the city of Atlanta under heavy fire from the Rebs,
and started to fortify ourselves by building very strong breast
works for our guns and shelling the city at intervals day and
night. July 27th. — Lieut. Frank Henchen was shot in the head by a
minie ball and he died about half an hour after.
August 5th. — George Baer was wounded.
August 13th. — Louis Vetter wounded.
August 1 8th. — John Schell, our blacksmith, was wounded in the
foot by a spent shell and died a few days after.
August 25th. — We left the position i* front of Atlanta and fell
back to the Chattahoochee River.
August 27th. — We crossed the river and went on picket, where
we staid until the 2d of September, when we got orders to enter
Atlanta, as the Rebels had evacuated. We entered the city the
same afternoon. Our corps (20th) was the first to enter. The
enemy had destroyed nearly everything to prevent it from falling
into our hands. We, however, got considerable tobacco, which was
just what we wanted most, next to something to eat. We remained
in the city over two months and had a good time attending min
strel shows and dancing parties. Our corps had the material for
two minstrel companies and they gave performances every night in
two of the city's theatres to crowded houses. Our boys also got
well acquainted with some of the Atlanta girls, and one of our
number (Philip Cook) being a violinist and another (Val Wagner)
an accordeon player, dances were held about twice a week in the
houses of some of the girls. When our musicians were not thus
engaged they played for stag parties in our own camp.

FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. I 1 7
October 29th. — We received eight months pay. During our
stay here the election for President took place, Abraham Lincoln
being the Republican candidate and George B. McClellan the Dem
ocratic, and those of the boys who were entitled to vote could do
so by proxy.
November 15th. — We broke camp and started on the march to
the sea and by noon had reached Decatur, Ga., and camped at
Stone Mountain at night.
November 16th. — We broke camp and marched till 2 o'clock in
the morning, and had hardly got rested when we started off again
and marched all day and camped at night.
November 19th. — Passed through Madison, Ga.
November 21st.— Passed through Eatonton, Ga.
November 2 2d. — We camped at Milledgeville, then the capital of
Georgia. November 24th. — We left Milledgeville and continued the march,
sometimes camping at night and sometimes marching all night,
passing through Sandersville, RiddleviUe, Louisville and other
small villages, nothing of interest occurring except that the for
agers, or " Sherman's Bummers," as they were called, had frequent
brushes with the Rebel rear-guard and Rebel bushwhackers. Two
of our boys fell into the hands of the bushwhackers on this march,
viz., William Hurly and Valentine Wagner, and it is supposed they
were killed, as they never returned and were never heard from
since. As we had to live on the country it was necessary to send
out foragers every day to supply us with rations, and a detail was
made for that purpose, but about three-fourths of the members of
the Battery went out every day independently and foraged on their
own hook. Sometimes we lived like kings, when we passed
through a rich district, and at other times like beggars. Nothing
escaped the Bummers' keen sight and smell, no matter how and
where concealed. Turkeys, chickens, fresh pork, beef, mutton,
smoked ham, bacon, sweet potatoes and corn-meal was our princi
pal food. This was about the daily routine until December 9th,
when one section of the Battery was ordered into position, the
first division of our corps being engaged.

I 1 8 WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.
December ioth. — We camped about five miles from Savannah ;
heavy skirmishing and cannonading on the right.
December nth. — We marched to the banks of the Savannah
River and took position.
December 12th. — We were engaged with a Rebel gunboat and
two transports, which came down the river from Augusta. The
firing was very hot for about an hour, when the gunboat with one
transport retreated up the river, leaving the other transport [Reso
lute) in our possession. No one of the Battery was injured in this
engagement, although the Rebs' guns must have been 100-pound
rifles, judging from the reports and exploding shells. Nearly all
the shots passed over our heads. Some would strike the water in
front of us and make a few skips and then pass over us to explode
in our rear, where they may have done some execution.
December 20th. — We got orders to take a position at night
within about 200 yards from the Rebel line of works, alongside the
road leading into the city of Savannah. We were to exchange our
guns (10-pounders) for four 32-pounders, Parrott rifles. The
Rebels had two 64-pounders, smooth bores, planted behind heavy
works in the road, with enough grape and canister piled up around
the guns to last them for a day's firing. The ground around there
was perfectly flat and thinly wooded by young trees and afforded
no protection. The engineers had dug pits for our guns for pro
tection, but how to reach them without noise and attracting the
attention of the enemy was a question with us. But as the Bat
tery was always lucky our luck did not forsake us on this occasion,
for the Rebels evacuated that night and we entered the city the
next day (the 21st), and as we passed through their works we saw
then what would have been in store for us in case we would have
had to take the position to which we had been ordered. We re
mained in Savannah till the 17th of January, 1865, nothing of im
portance happening. On the above date we crossed the Savannah
River and camped at Hardeeville, S. C, same night, and the Caro
lina campaign was begun. We remained at the above camp till the
29th when we started the march again. I have no record of any
thing now until March 16th when we were engaged all day and

FI.RST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY. I 19
also the next day. Do not know the name of the place but it was
near Goldsboro, N. C. We arrived there on the 17th and remained
till the ioth of March.
April 1 2th. — Arrived at Raleigh, N. C. Here we heard of Lee's
surrender to Gen. Grant and also of the assassination of President
Lincoln. While here the Rebel Gen. Johnston surrendered to Gen.
W. T. Sherman, but the terms did not suit Gen. Grant, and on the
25th we received marching orders to go for Johnston again, and we
marched to a place called Holly Springs. On this march, which
took all day, we met large numbers of Johnston's army returning
to their homes in squads of ten or fifteen, all going in the opposite
direction to us.
April 28th. — We marched back to Raleigh again ; had a review
before Gen. Grant (who was here now and attended to the surren-
render of Johnston) and Gen. Sherman.
April 30th. — We left Raleigh for Washington via Richmond.
We had only four horses or mules to a gun on this trip instead of
six, and sometimes a horse and a mule hitched together.
May ist. — Crossed Tar River.
May 3d. — Passed through Winsboro.
May 5th. — Crossed Roanoke River.
May 7th. — Crossed Appomattox River.
May nth. — Passed through Richmond and crossed the James
River. May 1 2th. — Crossed South Anna and Little Rivers.
May 14th. — Crossed the North Anna.
May 15th. — Passed through the Wilderness and Spottsylvania
battle-fields and also passed near Chancellorsville battle-field.
May 16th. — Passed Hartwood Church.
May 24th. — Arrived at Washington for the grand review.
June 2d. — We turned in our guns and equipments at the Arsenal
at Washington and on the 6th we left for Buffalo, where we arrived
on the morning of the 9th.
P. S. — The last battle in which we were engaged was, I think, at
Bentonville, N. C, on the 16th or 17th of March, 1865.

ROSTER

OF

WIEDRICH'S BATTERY.

ROSTER BATTERY I, FIRST NEW YORK LIGHT ARTILLERY (WIEDRICH'S BATTERY).

Name.

Michael Wiedrich.

Nicholas Sahm

Jacob Schenkelberger,
Diedrich Erdmann . . .
Christopher Schmitt . .
Ciarach Diebolt 
Peter Kehl 
John Kappel 
Louis Fickert 
James Winspear 
Valentine Neber 
Christoph H. Pfeifer .
Christian Stock 
Jacob Bock 

Rank.

Captain, 40

Lieutenant, 27

37
Ord'ly Sergt., 32
2d Sergeant, 41

3d
4th

41 29

5* " 34
ist Corporal, 18
2d 39
3d "
4th " 18

5th

24

When Joined. Where Enlisted.

Aug. 8, '61, Buffalo, N. Y.

Aug. 14, '61, Lancaster, N. Y

Oct. 18, '61, 'Buffalo, N. Y.

Aug. 8, '61,
Aug. 9, '61,

Bv Whom.

Capt. Carlin,

Capt. Wiedrich,

Aug. 24, '61,
Aug. 26, '61,
Aug. 9, '61,

Sept. 2, '61,
Sept. 7, '61,
Sept. 13, '61,
Aug. 11, '61,
Sept. 3, '61,
Aug. 24, '61,

Lancaster, N. Y
Buffalo, N. Y.

Lieut. Sahm,
Capt. Wiedrich,

Remarks.

Mustered out March 21, '64 to accept Lt.-Col. of
15th New York Heavy Artillery — discharged on
account of wounds received in battle of the
" Wilderness."
Wounded in leg at Gettysburg, July '63 — pro
moted to Captain, April 1, '64 — died of typhoid
dysentery, May 1, '64 at Lookout Mountain,
Tenn.
2d Lieut., Jan. 23, '62 — duty defences of Wash
ington till March '62. continues service till
wounded in battle 2d Bull Run — leg amputated
— discharged Nov. 17, '62 at Washington, D. C.
Resigned September 16, '62.
Promoted Feb. 10, '62 to 2d Lieut. — promoted
Oct. 20, '62 to ist Lt. — resigned Mar. 15, '64.
Discharged at Brooks' Station, Va., June 5, '63,
for disability.
Discharged at Atlanta, Ga. , expiration of service.
Wounded in arm at Gettysburg, Pa., July '63 —
transferred to Invalids' Corps, G. O. War Dept.,
Nov.- 13, '63.
Promoted to Sergeant — died at Buffalo, N. Y.,
Oct. 1, '62.
Mustered out at Germantown, Va. , Dec. 6, '62 to
accept commission.
Discharged at Fort McHenry, Md., Aug. 29, '62,
for disability.
Promoted to Sergeant — transferred to Vet. Vols.,
G. O. 191, '63.
Promoted to Lieut. — wounded in leg at Gettys
burg, July '63 — transferred to Co. M, ist N. Y.
Lt. Arty., special order No. 94 from headquar
ters, April 16, '64.
Died at Alexandria, Va., Sept. 19 '62, of wounds
received at battle of Freeman's Ford, Va.

George J . Schaef er . .
Paul Fischer 

6th Corporal, 32
7th " 35

John Dietsch.

8 th

Christoph Boiler .
Samuel Vogel . . .
Frank Hoenig . . ,
John Schell 

Joseph Berger 
Andell, Charles. . . .
Almendinger, Antony,
Armbruster, Francis. .

Arras, Philip ,

Adle, Joseph W
Austin, James . .

Baer, Jacob 
Becker, John ....
Baut, Joseph ....
Bergmann, Andy
Brandell, Pierre . .
Becher, Nicholas
Bachert, Jacob . .
Burgen, Gustav. .
Booth, Samuel. . .
Bachert, Thilip . .

25

Bugler,
Harnessmkr. ,
Farrier,
Blacksmith,

39 3435

Wagonmaker,
Private,

32

"

31
40

Braun, William.

Burkhardt, George . .
Bolder, Louis 
Barghes, Christian . .
Bender, Anton 
Broecht, Gustav ....
Brauner, Albert ....

33

352730 2620 19
292123

213140 3S
21 19

Sept. 3, '61,
Sept. 23, '61,
Aug. 16, '61,
Sept. 3, '61,
Aug. 23, '61,
Sept. 3, '61,
Aug. 8, '61,
Aug. 17, '61,
Sept. 3, '61,
Mar. 11, '64,
Sept. 12, '61,
Oct. 29, '61,
Sept. 12, '61,
Sept. 2, '61,
Sept. 16, '61,
Sept. 19, '61,
Sept. 2, '61,
Sept. 2, '61,
Aug. 23, '62,
Aug. 19, '62,
Aug. 23, '62,
Aug. 29, '62,
Aug. 16, '62,
Aug. — , '61,

Buffalo, N. Y.

Aug. 18, '62
Oct. 1 8, '61
Sept. 5, '61
Dec. 18, '62,
Aug. 12, '62
Aug. 16, '62,
Aug. 16, '62,1

Amherst, N. Y.
Oswego, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.

Capt. Wiedrich,

New York City,

S. S. Clapp,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lieut. Sahm,
Lieut. Scott,
Capt. Wiedrich,

Sergt. Fischer,

Lieut. John,
Capt. Wiedrich,

Lieut. John,

Promoted to Sergt. — reduced Nov. 13. '64 — trans
ferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191. '63.
Promoted to Sergt. — wounded at Cross Keys, Va.,
June 8, '62— discharged at Elmira, N. Y., Sept.
30, '64, expiration of service.
Promoted to Sergeant, Feb. 10, '65— Vet. Vols.,
G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Discharged for disability — date unknown.
Died near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 27, '64, of wounds
received near Atlanta, broken foot.
Died at Alexandria, Va., Oct. 4, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Died at Lookout Valley, Tenn., Jan. 18, '64, of
typhoid fever.
Discharged by order of Gen. Blenker at Hunter's
Chapel, Va., March io, '62, for disability.
Promoted to Lieutenant.
Promoted to Corporal, Feb. 10, '65 — Vet. Vols.,
G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Discharged for disability — date not known.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.

Promoted to Corporal and to Sergeant, transferred
to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Promoted to Corporal, Dec. 28, '64 — mustered out
with Battery, June 25, '65.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.

Absent, sick, since June 10, '63 — place unknown.
Wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, '63.

Name.

Becher, Frank 
Bollig, Henry J 
Berlinbach, Emanuel .
Blum, Jacob 
Baere, George 
Broombacher, Martin,
Brown, Justus K . . . .
Boehmer, Wolfgang. .
Buerger, Robert 
Brack, Jacob 
Buchleiter, Charles . . .
Bergen, Herman 
Cook, Philip 
Coethan, Alfred 
Cards, Bernhardt
Debel, Joseph 
Deuberich, Herrman .
Derse, John 
Dischenger, Jacob . . .
Dufner, Michael 
Diehl, John F 
Doulin, Frederick. . . .
Dowitsch, Robert. . . .
Donis, Joseph 
Engels, Edwald 
Eifert, Henry 
Ehm, Otto 
Ehrle, Frederick 
Enz, Charles 
Erlich, Adam 
Eberle, Frederick ....

Age.

Private,

When Joined.

35: Mar. 9
19' Feb. 27
36 Nov. 12
Feb. 26
Dec. 14
Aug. 25

36( Sept. 2
22: Dec. 3
44' Jan. II
25 Nov. 5

32 Aug. 22
20. Dec. 15
Aug
26 Sept
19 Nov

21373335 19
40 3726263134272727 18

Sept.
Nov. Dec.

Aug. 19
Aug. ig
April 27
Jan. 3
Aug. 9
Oct. 8
Sept. 26
Dec. 11
May 2
Nov. 24
July 5
Aug. 25
Nov. 30

Where Enlisted.

Buffalo, N. Y.
Clarence, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.

Rochester, N. Y.
Lancaster, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,
Lancaster, N. Y
Albany, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Rochester, N. Y
New York City,

Bv Whom.

Sergt. H. Day,
W. F. Rogers,
J. Stellwagen,

R. Hart,
Lieut. Sahm,
Lt. Schenkelberger,

Sergt. Fischer,
Lieut. John,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lieut. John,
Lieut. Sahm,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Sergt. Fischer,

Corp'l Smith,
Lieut. John,
Sergt. Fischer,
Lieut. John,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. John,
J. Stellwagen,
W. F. Rogers,
R. Hart,
Lieut. John,

Remarks.

Sick since May 4, '64.

Died at Buffalo, N. Y., June 26, '65.
Died at Strasburg, Va., June 13, '62, of typhoid
fever.
Died at Strasburg, Va., June 22, '62, of typhoid
fever.
Discharged at Ft. McHenry, Md., Aug. 7, '62, for
disability.
Discharged by order of Maj. -Gen. Howard at
Stafford C. H., Va., April 15, '63, for disability.
Promoted to Corporal, Dec. 28, '64.
Discharged with Battery, June 25, '65.
Trans, to Invalid's Corps, date of order unknown.
Deserted at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 24, '64.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Absent, sick, in hospital from Dec. 18, '64 to
April 25, '65.
Absent, sick, at Alexandria, Va.
Absent, sick, in hospital since Sept. 26, '63.
Absent, sick, at New Albany, Ind., since May 4/64.
Transferred to Invalid's Corps, Oct. '63.
Received commission in the 15th N. Y. Hy. Arty.
— date of discharge from Co. unknown.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.

Farnholtz, Christoph .
Fuerschbach, Henry. .
Fliedner, Theodore . .
Fine, Louis 
Frank, John 
Fix, John 
Fischer, George 
. Feldtmann, Casper...
Freeman, George W. .

Fritzche, John H . . .
Geyer, Frederick. . . .
Gabel, Jacob 
Greber, Joachim ....
Grundberger, Conrad
Glass, Peter 
Gall, Joseph 
Grass, John Conrad .
Goechler, Michael. . .
Grosskopf, Julius . . .
Gavater, William. . . .
Goebel, Gustav 
Germain, Philip 
Garbe, John 

Henchen, Francis.
Hubacher, Jacob .

Private,

40 372S27
44 2121

21 19
22252927

32

25

Aug. 28,
Sept. 21,
Oct. 24,
Sept. 5,
Nov. 9,
Aug. 23,
Aug. 23,
Jan. 27,
Mar. 15,

Feb. 29,
May 5,
Aug. 17,
Aug. 21,
Jan. 3,
Aug. 25,
Sept. 20,
Mar. 7,
Dec. 9,

Sept. 26,
Sept. 6,

Oct. 18, '61
Sept. 3, '61

Sept. 12, '61.
Aug. 17, '61.

Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Albany, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Lancaster, N. Y
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,

Buffalo, N. Y.
Elma, N. Y.

Buffalo, N. Y.

Capt. Wiedrich,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lieut. John,
Gov. State of N. Y

W. F. Rogers,
Corp'l Smith,
Lieut. Sahm,

Lt. Schenkelberger,
Sergt. Fischer,
Lieut. John,
W. F. Rogers,
J. Stellwagen,

Lieut. John,

Lt. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. Sahm,

Capt. Wiedrich,

Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191,
Wounded at Kennesaw Mountain.

'°3-

Died at Harrisonburg, Va., July 24, '62, from
wounds received at battle of Cross Keys, Va.
Discharged at Washington, D. C, Nov. 16, '62,
for disability.
Died at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 5, '63, by the explo
sion of a limber.
Wounded at Bull Run, left wrist — served till '65 —
transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Received commission in the 15th N. Y. Hy. Arty.,
date unknown.
Promoted to ist Lieut, on detached service, special
order 283, Adj.-Gen. Coffin, Washington, June
6, '65.
Never joined the company.
Absent, sick since June 10, '63 — place of residence
unknown.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Absent, sick since May 22, '64.
Absent, sick since June 10, '63 — place of residence
unknown.

Joined company for duty, April 5, '65 — no mi
or descriptive list.
Deserted at New Haven, Conn., Oct. 20, '63.

Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Promoted to Corporal — struck by spent bullet at
Chancellorsville — promoted to Sergeant, Dec. 28,
'64 — to ist Sergeant June 12, '65 — transferred to
Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Promoted to 2d Lieut. — killed in action, Atlanta,
Ga. , July 27, .'64.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63— left
sick at Savannah, Ga., Jan. 12, '65.

Hoff, John 
Herrmann, Francis
Hartmann. Frank. .
Haut, Ernst 
Horn, John 
Herringer, Frank . .
Holzschlag, Charles
Horni, Christian. . .
Hartmann, William
Herzer, Charles ....
Hessel, George C . .
Hirt, Jacob 
Heil, Theobald....
Hoenes, Henry. . . .
Haag, John 
Holz, Alexander . . .
Hubig, John 
Hurley, William . . .
Holch, Henry 
Hafler, Frederick . .
Hahn, Sebastian...
Harn, Christian. . . .
Holz, Louis 
Hart, Philip 
Hartwicke, Henry .
Hehr, Jacob 
Hood, Samuel 
Jourdain, Julius . . .
Jansen, Peter 

Rank.

Private,

2124
232336
31 23
2132223327
414028 27

31
29383528 19
21
26 26
22

When Joined.

Sept.

6,

'61,

Sept.

21,

'61,

Dec.

7,

'61,

Dec.

30,

'61,

Aug.

22,

'62,

Aug.

25,

'°2,

Aug.

18,

'62,

Aug.

26,

'62,

Sept.

12,

'62,

Sept.

14,

'62,

Nov.

23,

'62,

Sept.

23,

'6l,

Jan.

26,

'64,

Aug.

10,

'bi,

Jan.

iS,

'62,

Aug.

28,

'61,

Aug.

13,

'62,

Dec.

23,

'62,

Sept.

8,

'62,

Aug.

22,

'61,

Jan.

4.

'62,

Nov.

21,

'61,

Dec.

16,

'61,

Aug.

23,

'62,

Aug.

3",

'61,

Aug.

22,

'62,

Sept.

3,

'61,

Sept.

9,

'61,

Dec.

18,

'62,

Where Enlisted.

Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,

Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,

Buffalo, N. Y.

Lancaster, N. Y.
New York City,

Bv Whom.

Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Sergt. Fischer,

Lieut. John,

J. Stellwagen,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lieut. John,

Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,

Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Sergt. Fischer,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. Sahm,
Lieut. John,

Remarks.

Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63..
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63 — absent,
sick since May 4, '64.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Died at New Creek, Va., June 2, '64 of typhoid
fever — wounded near Kennesaw Mountain.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, '63.
Sick since June 10, '63 — place of res. unknown.
Left at Raleigh, N. C, April 28, '65.
Commissioned 2d Lieut., 15th Heavy Artillery,
May 22, '65.
Left sick at Savannah, Ga., Jan. 12, '65.
Discharged by order of Gen. Rosecrans at Win
chester, Va., July 11, '62, for disability.
Discharged at Ft. McHenry, Md., Aug. 30, '62.
Discharged at Alexandria, Va. , Feb. 26, '63.
Discharged at Indianapolis, Ind. — injured in line
of duty Jan. 29, '64.
Died at Chancellorsville, Va., May 6, '63, from
wounds received in battle at that place.
Deserted at Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 3, '61.
Deserted at Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 4, '62.
Deserted at Albany, N. Y. , Jan. 21, '62.
Deserted at Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 3, '62.
Transferred to V. R. C, date of order un
known.
Promoted to Corporal, September, '64.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.

Jandison, Theodore . .
Karl, John 

Kramer, Henry. .
Klee, Henry
Kuhn, George. . .
Kuemerle, Jacob.
Klipfel, Jacob . . .

Kehl, John 
Kirchenmeir, Frank.
King, Andrew 
Kuntz, Albert 
Kerm, Philip F 

Kreuser, Louis

Kabo, Frederick.
Knorr, George . . .
Klein, Louis
Klee, Andrew . . .
Knoch, Florian. .
Knorr, Charles . .

Kimmel, Jacob ....
Kussenberger, Mathias
Kohl, Charles 

Kenschler, Joseph
Koch, Xavier ....
Keller, Matthew . .
Kalt, William ....
Lortz, Charles ....
Lieber, William . . .

Private,

33
2429302925 iS19
392120 27
43 222124 203436372222

Dec.Sept.
Aug Oct.Aug.
Sept.Aug. Oct.

31, 4,
• 3°, 18,
¦ 24, 3,
19.

II,
Jan. 9,
Aug. 25,
Aug. 25,
Dec. 7,

Sept. 5,
Aug. 26,
Sept. 20,
Jan. 14,
Aug. 18,
Aug. 16,
Dec. 16,
Sept. 23,
Aug. 13,
Aug. 9,

'61,
'61,
'61, '6 1,
'61,'61,
'62, '62,•64,'"4.'64.'61,'61, '6i,'°t,'62,'62, '61,'62, •62,
'61, '61,

Dec. 23, '62,
Feb. 18, '61,
Aug. 25, '62,
Dec. 27, '62,
Sept. 3, '6
Aug. 18, '6

Buffalo, N. Y.

Rochester, N. Y,
Buffalo, N. Y.

Lancaster, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,

Lt. Schenkelberger,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Sergt. Fischer,
G. A. Scroggs,
R. Hart,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lieut. Sahm,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lieut. John,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,

Lieut. John,
J. Stellwagen,
Sergt. Fischer,
Lieut. John,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lieut. John,

Discharged at Washington, D. C, Feb. 16, '63,
for disability.
Discharged by order of Maj. -Gen. Howard at
Stafford C. H., Va., April 15, '63, for disability.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Left sick at Raleigh, N. C, April 21, '65 — reported
and discharged at Ft. Porter, July 31, '65.

Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Discharged by order of Maj. -Gen. Howard, April
15, °3, f°r disability.
Discharged by order of Maj. -Gen.
1, '63, for disability.
Discharged at Atlanta, Ga. , Sept.
tion of service.
Discharged at Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 30, '64, expira
tion of service.
Discharged at Cheves House, S. C, Jan. 17, '65,
expiration of service.
Wounded at Chancellorsville — killed in action,
June 16, '64, near Marietta, Ga., Culp's Farm.
Died at Freeman's Ford, Va., Aug. 27, '62, from
wounds received in that battle.
Died near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 7, '64, of chronic
diarrhcea.
Killed in action, July 2, '63, at Gettysburg, Pa.
Killed in action, July 2, '63, at Gettysburg, Pa.
Discharged at Goldsboro, N. C. , G. O. War Dept.
No. 98, March 26, '65 — appointed Hospital
Steward, United States Army.

Howard, April
30, '64, expira-

Promoted to Corporal, June 12, '65.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Deserted at Centreville, Va., June 17, '64.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.

Name.

Rank. Age.

Whei.

Joined.

Where Enlisted.

By Whom.

Remarks.

Lamp, Frederick . ; . .

Private,

Aug.

13.

'62,

New York City,

Lieut. John,

Absent, sick since June 10, '63 — place of residence
unknown.

Lammert, Frederick. .

34

Mar.

14,

'64.

Buffalo, N. Y.

W. H. Topping,

26

Jan.

20,

'64,

"

G. A. Scroggs,

Loeffler, Charles 

18

Nov.

26,

'61,

Lt. Schenkelberger,
Died at Winchester, Va., May 24, '62, of typhoid
fever.
Lother, George 
20
Sept.
16,
'61,
"
Capt. Wiedrich,
Deserted at Thoroughfare Gap, Va., Nov. 16, '62.
Linneman, Anton. . . .
22
Oct.
I,
'61,
Discharged at Washington, D. C. , Dec. 20, '62,
for disability.
Lichtenberger, Joseph,
36
Aug.
25.
'62,
Sergt. Fischer,
Discharged at Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 6, '62, for
disability.
Moeller, William ....
32
Sept.
3,
'61,
"
Capt. Wiedrich,
22
Sept.
3,
'61,
"
' '
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. igi, '63.
Martz, Gottfried 
24
Sept.
3,
'61,
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. 0. 191, '63 — mus.
out with Battery, June 25, '65.
McGibney, Alexander,
21
Sept.
3,
'61,
"
1 '
Transferred to Ve't. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Meyer, John 
30
Sept.
3.
'61,
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63 — mus.
out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Menge, Henry 
27
Jan.
12,
'63,
New York City.
Lieut. John,
Left sick at Goldsboro, N. C, Jan. 14, '65.
Mufs, Peter 
24
Aug. Aug.
¦2,17.
'62,'64,
Lancaster, N. Y.
W. F. Rogers,
Miller, Charles T 
Moeller, William I . . .
34
Dec.
3,
'61,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Promoted to Sergeant — Discharged on account of
wounds received at 2d battle of Bull Run, Aug.
29. '62 — left arm amputated — date of discharge
unknown.
Mahner, Joseph 
25
Sept.
2,
'61,
"
Capt. Wiedrich,
Discharged — date unknown.
Mathis, Philip 
39 0tt-
25,
'61,
"
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Discharged at Washington, D. C. , Oct. 27, '63, on
account of wounds received at Gettysburg, Pa.,
July 3, '63— arm amputated.
42
Nov.
12,
'61,
Discharged at Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 11, '64 — expira
tion of service.
33
Dec.
15.
'62,
New York City,
Lieut. John,
Transferred to Invalids' Corps, Aug. 28, '63 — date
of order unknown.
27
Aug.
31.
'61,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Capt. Wiedrich,
Died at Strassburg, Va., June 28, '62 of typhoid
fever.
Died at Baltimore, Md., July 11, '62, of typhoid
Muller, Peter C 
27
Sept.
17,
'61,
'
fever.
Metzger, Andrew ....
Michael, Frederick . . .
McCauley, John C . . .
Michael, Joseph 
Meyer, Joseph 
Miller, Anton 
Miner, Wellington . . .
Moessinger, John ....
May, John. 
Mangold, Nicholas. . .
Nohe, Henry 
Neff, William 
Noll, Ignatz 
Newkirk, Edward ....
Noyes, George B . . . .
O'Brian, Michael
Oherholz, Henry 
Paschke, Frank 
Preis, Martin 
Pabst, Alexander
Pietermann, John G.E.
Pflug, Michael 
Pierre, John B 
Plaw, John 
Rohe, Gustav 
Roller, George 
Rick, Carl 
Rosenberg, William. .
Reitz, Adam 
Runzicher, Oscar

Private,

27

Dec.

4,

'62,

33

Sept.

3,

'6l,

27

Dec.

27,

'62,

35 242827

Sept.
Jan. Sept. Oct.

19. 3, 3,
IS,

'6l,'62,'6l, '6l,

26

Aug.

20,

'62,

24

Sept.

2,

'6l,

2326

Aug.Dec.

25. 22,

'62,'62,

2340

Mar.Dec.
Sept.

7,
27, 12,

'64,'63,'6l,

22

Dec.

6,

'62,

26

Sept.

9.

'6l,

21

Sept.

21,

'6l,

3530

Sept.Sept.Dec.

3,3,
18,

'6l,
'6l,'62,

38 18

Dec.Mar.

15, 8,

'63,'64,

45 30

Aug.
Jan.

22, 3,

'61, '62,

3i 3238

Sept.Sept. Nov.Nov.

8,
9,
25,25,

'62,'62, '62,
'62,

19

Nov.Dec.

!2,
27,

'64.'62,

Buffalo, N. Y.
Lancaster, N. Y.
New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.

Oswego, N. Y.
New York City,
Lancaster, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,

Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,

Lt. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. Sahm,
Lieut. John,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
W. F. Rogers,
J. Stellwagen,
Lieut. Fitzhugh,
Lieut. John,
Lieut. Sahm,
Capt. Wiedrich,

Lieut. John,
L. B. Smith,
W. F. Rogers,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. John,

W. H. Topping,
Lieut. John,

Died in hospital, Oct. 5, '62.
Died at Franklin, Va., June 13, '62, while prisoner
of war.
Died at Lookout Valley, Tenn., June 24, '64, of
typhoid fever.
Deserted at Albany, N. Y., Sept. 8, '62.
Deserted at Buffalo. N. Y., Jan. 8, '62.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Discharged May 8, '62, on Surgeon's certificate, on
account of wounds received at Malvern Hill.
Promoted to Corporal, June 24, '62 — mustered out
as Sergeant.
Received com. as 2d Lieut. — assigned to " M" Co.,
ist N. Y. L. Arty. — Goldsboro, Ga., May 10, '65.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Absent, sick at Alexandria, Va., since Sept. 23. '63.

Transferred to "M" Co.
Artillery, Oct. 30, '64.

ist New York Light

Discharged at Ward's Mill, Va., May 5, '62, by
C. M. , for dishonorable conduct.
Discharged at Fairfax C. H., Va., Oct. 8, '62, for
disability.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.

Discharged at Fairfax Seminary, Va., for disability.
Discharged at Washington, D. C, Nov. 20, '62,
for disability.

Transferred to V. R. C, G. O. 174, War Dept.,
service '64, April 30, '64.

Name.

Rank. Age.

When Joined.

Where Enlisted.

Bv Whom.

Remarks.

Reuss, Conrad 

Private, 33

Aug. 28, '62,

New York City,

Lieut. John,

Transferred to V. R. C, order of War Dept., Jan.
10, '65.
Deserted at Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 21, '61.

Randell, Edward ....

29 Sept. 13, '61,

Buffalo, N. Y.

Capt. Wiedrich,

Seifert, Andrew 

21 Mar. 1, '64,

"

W. F. Rogers,

Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.

Schmittberger, Frank.

38 Mar. 10, '64,

"

Staub, Joseph 

" 27, Dec. 12, '63,

' '

L. B. Smith,

Schreier, John 

' 38; Feb. 19, '64,

"

J. Stellwagen,

Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63 — left

sick at Raleigh, N. C, April 28, '63.
Schaller, Joseph 
43
Jan. II, '64,
1 '
Schell, Vinzenz 
37
Feb. 19, '64,
1 '
"
Schaefer, Christian . . .
32
Aug. 13, '61,
' '
Capt. Wiedrich,
Discharged — place and date unknown.
" 23 Sept. 2, '61,
' '
Discharged at Ft. McHenry, Md., Sept. 1, '62, for
disability.
Smith, Martin 
" 38 Aug. 16, '61,
1
1
Discharged at Ft. McHenry, Md., Sept. 1, '62, for
disability.
Shirk, George 
42 Aug. 23, '61,
' '
22 Sept. 9, '61,
Lancaster, N. Y.
Lieut. Sahm,
Discharged at Washington, D. C, Sept. 21, '62,
for disability.
Schell, Adam 
' " 26
Aug. 22, '62,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Sergt. Fischer,
Transferred to Invalids' Corps, G. O. 365 War
Dept. Service, Nov. 13, '63.
Sorg, Louis 
" 18 Sent. •}. '6t.
*<
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Killed in action, July 2, '63, at Gettysburg, Pa.
Sonnenberg, Edward .
Dec. 4, '62,
New York City,
Lieut. John,
Schick, Simon 
23
Mar. 11, '64,
Buffalo, N. Y.
G. H. Stewart,
Killed in action, July 20, '64, at Peach Tree Creek,
near Atlanta, Ga.
Schwitzke, Otto 
33
Aug. 29, '62,
Sergt. Fischer,
Killed in action, May 2/63, at Chancellorsville, Va.
Swanson, Joseph W. .
29
Aug. 14, '61,
Lancaster, N. Y.
Lieut. Sahm,
Schmittholz, Herrman,
Dec. 24, '62,
New York City,
Lieut. John,
Deserted at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, '63.
Schmitt, Alfred 
30
June 12, '63,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Corp'l Smith,
Never joined the company.
Schmidt, Louis 
19
April 29, '63,
"
"
Never joined the company.
34
Sept. 12, '61,
Lancaster, N. Y.
Lieut. Sahm,
Discharged at Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 30, '64 — expira
tion of term of service.
30
Sept. 16, '61,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Capt. Wiedrich,
Discharged at Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 30, '64 — expira
tion of term of service.
Strang, Louis 
21
Jan. 17, '62,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Discharged at Cheves House, S. C, Jan. 17, '65 —
expiration of term of service.
Schmitt, George 
25
Sept. 3, '61,
"
Capt. Wiedrich,
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Schwerin, John 
27
Sept. 3, '61,
"
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Name.

Umerle, Henry 
Ulrich, Charles 
Vetter, Louis 
Vandebrook, Anton . .
Volkner, Arthur 
Volk, George 
Vandervelde, John . . .
Voitt, Lawrence 
Vordemeier, Christian,
Weller, Jacob 
Willig. Jacob 
Wiedemann, Louis...
Wilson, Walter 
Weber, Louis 
Wolter, Gottlieb 
Weber, John 
Woodward, James D .
Wagner, Jacob 
Weitze, Henry 
Wagner, Valentine...
Welle, Edward 
Wildies, Albert 
Walter, Henry 
Winegar, Charles E. .
White, Stephen B 
Young, Charles 

Age.

Private,

Private,

3829262321
38

31
34 23 21
3622 [8
2126

IQ

When Joined.

Dec.May

Sept. 3
Sept. 3
Nov. 25
Aug. 18
Aug. 24
Jan. 11
Aug. 19
Aug. 18

Nov. 20
Sept. 3
Sept. 3
Aug. 18
Sept. 3
Aug. 18
Feb. 23
May 27
Sept. 3
Aug. 25
Oct. 28
April 22
Aug. 23
Sept. 18
Aug. 28
Mar. 8

Where Enlisted.

New York City,

Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Lancaster, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.

New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Lockport, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.

Bv Whom.

Lieut. John,

Capt. Wiedrich,

Lieut. John,
Sergt. Fischer,
Lieut. Sahm,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. John.
Sergt. Fischer,

Lt. Schenkelberger,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Sergt. Fischer,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Sergt. Fischer,
W. F. Rogers,
Corp'l Smith,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Sergt. Fischer,
Lieut. John,
Corp'l Smith,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Capt. Cothran,
Lieut. Sahm,
J. A. Dey,

Discharged on order of Surgeon's certificate, May
22, '63.
Transferred to Veteran Vols., G. O. 191, '63 —
wounded at Savannah, Ga.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Promoted to Corporal, June 24, '63.
Died at Sperryville, Va, Aug. 7, '62, of typhoid
fever.
Deserted at Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 20, '62.
Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, '63 — lost an arm
— transferred to Invalids' Corps, G. O. 24 War
Dept. Service, Jan. 16, '64.
Wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, '63 — discharged
at Louisville, Ky. , Nov. 17, '63, for disability.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Discharged at Madison, Ind., Oct. 4, '64 — expira
tion of term of service.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.

Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63.
Killed while foraging in Georgia.
Died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 19, '64, of
chronic diarrhoea.
Never joined the company.
Discharged at Cumberland. Md., Aug. 28, '62, for
disability.
ist Lieut. Battery "M" — promoted to Captain —
transferred to Battery I.
Killed in action, May 2, '63, at Chancellors
ville, Va.

Zinnan, Peter  Private

Zimmer, Andrew ....
Zimmermann, Felix . .
Zimmermann, Albert .
Zimmermann, Charles,
Zimmermann, John . .

Zann, Peter .

Zahn, Guenther A . . .
Zubet, John 

34 Sept. 3, '6 1

21 20 1934
44

44 20

Aug. 23,
Aug. 21,
Aug. 19,
Sept. 5,
Nov. 21,

'62, '62.'62 '6i'61

Aug. 14, '62.

Sept. 11,
Aug. 22,

'61'62

Buffalo, N. Y.

Lancaster, N. Y.
Buffalo, N. Y.
New York City,
Buffalo, N. Y.

Capt. Wiedrich,

Sergt. Fischer,

Lieut. Sahm,
Lt. Schenkelberger,
Lieut. John,
Capt. Wiedrich,
Sergt. Fischer,

Transferred to Vet. Vols., G. O. 191, '63— left
sick at Raleigh, N. C„ April 21, '65— reported
later at Ft. Porter.
Wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July, '63.
Mustered out with Battery, June 25, '65.
Died at Lynchburg, Va., while prisoner of war.
Discharged at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 27, '64— ex
piration of term of service.
Transferred to Invalids' Corps, G. O. 358, War
Dept. Service, Nov. 6, '63.
Transferred— date and number of order unknown.
Promoted to Corporal, June 12, '65. 

Honorary Members.-

-Elected October 1, 1890: Aid. August Beck, Hon. John M. Farquhar, Cyrus K. Remington.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

Governor David B. Hill of this State, in his message to the
Legislature this year, among other pertinent matters, thus
speaks of the action of Congress regarding the National Mili
tary Reservation at and near Chattanooga :
Executive Chamber,
Albany, Jan. 6, 1891.
To the Legislature .
The Congress of the United States has provided for purchasing
the battle-field of Chickamauga, and obtaining the roads along Mis
sionary Ridge and over Lookout Mountain, and establishing thereon
a National Military Park. The State of Georgia has ceded to the
United States full jurisdiction over the Chickamauga field, and the
authorities of Tennessee have ceded the roads already mentioned.
New York was largely represented on these remote fields in the
storming armies which carried Lookout Mountain and Missionary
Ridge. Twenty New York organizations took part in these
operations. A National Commission is now engaged in preparing historical
tablets to mark all the lines of battle on both fields. The act
establishing the park authorizes the States which had troops in
these campaigns to erect monuments upon the Government grounds
to honor their fighting.
New York has already made most liberal provision for commem
orating the deeds of her sons at Gettysburg. I recommend that
like action be taken by the State, through the necessary legislation,
to preserve the history of New York troops on these celebrated
fields about Chattanooga.

138 APPENDIX.
As this Battery was closely identified with the battle of
Lookout Mountain, the recommendation of Governor Hill is
a consummation devoutly to be wished.
The storm of rain that commenced the afternoon the
Battery left the city, followed the party to Gettysburg, and
terminated in one of the most dreadful floods ever known
in Pennsylvania, namely that known as the Johnstown or
Conemaugh disaster.
From the Troy Times .
Worse than War — The Conemaugh Flood More Destruc
tive than Many Great Battles.
How great the loss of life in the Conemaugh disaster will never
be known. The probability is, however, that it will exceed 10,000.
All that can be done is to compare the survivors with the estimated
number of people living in the valley before the disaster, which of
course will not insure an accurate computation. Furthermore, con
fusion reigns. Many of the unfortunate inhabitants who lived
through that terrible night have left the locality, never to return.
An estimate, then, of the living and of the dead is alone possible.
But 10,000 assumed as a near representation of the mortality,
who can adequately imagine the full significance of such a destruc
tion ? The records of war, of modern war at least, reveal no such
slaughter in any single battle. Ten thousand slain implies four and
five times that number wounded. Altogether 110,070 Union-sol
diers were killed during the entire War of the Rebellion ; but the
loss in the Conemaugh Valley is one-eleventh of that number.
Suppose that 200,000 men on both sides laid down their lives on
the 2,200 battle-fields of the great contest. There were swept
away in one night at the scene of the late disaster more than one-
twentieth of the number. The Germans lost 28,274 men in their
last struggle with France, the engagements including such terrific
conflicts as Gravelotte and Sedan. Yet the total was little, if any,
more than double the number of the killed in Johnstown and its
vicinity.

APPENDIX. I39
But a glance at some special features of this character will more
emphatically impress the reader with the extent of the Conemaugh
disaster. Gettysburg was the greatest battle of the Civil War.
There the Union slain was 3,070, or less than one-third the number
of persons who perished in the flood. Add to these figures the loss
on the part of the Confederates, and the aggregate is still consider
ably less than 10,000.
A comparison made with some of the other leading engagements
of the war presents a still more marked disparity. At Spottsylvania
there were 2,725 Unionists killed; at the Wilderness, 2,246; at
Antietam, 2,108 ; at Cold Harbor, 1,844 ', at Shiloh, 1,754 ; at Man
assas, 1,747 ; at Stone's River, 1,730, and at Petersburg, 1,688. If
all of these statistics were doubled, in order to approximate to the
entire number of killed on these various fields, it would still be easy
to see at a glance how far any one of them fell short in mortality of
the terrible loss inflicted by the waters of the Conemaugh Valley.
Take all of the wreck and agony of any single great conflict like
Waterloo or Gettysburg ; they cannot compare with the awful
destruction and suffering to body and soul involved in the disaster
in that Pennsylvania community.
Echoes of War Times — Why General Sherman Went to
Savannah instead of Augusta.
Augusta, Ga., Aug. 26, 1890. — The question, " Why didn't Gen
eral Sherman come to Augusta instead of going to Savannah, when
he made his great march through Georgia ?" has been so often
asked and commented upon, and without satisfactory solution,
that P. A. Stovall, editor of the Chronicle, recently wrote General
Sherman on the subject, and now prints the General's reply as
follows :
"My Dear Sir — The 'march to the sea' from Atlanta was resolved
on after Hood had got well on his way to Nashville. I then de
tached to General Thomas a force sufficient to whip Hood, which
he in December, 1864, very handsomely and conclusively did. Still
I had left a very respectable army, and resolved to join Grant at
Richmond. The distance was one thousand miles, and prudence
dictated a change of base at Savannah or Port Royal. Our enemy

140 APPENDIX.
had garrisons at Macon and Augusta. I figured on both, and
passed between to Savannah. Then starting northward, the same
problem presented itself in Augusta and Charleston. I figured on
both, but passed between. I did not want to drive out their garri
sons ahead of me at the crossings of the Santee, Catawba, Pedee,
Cape Fear, etc. The moment I passed Columbia the factories,
powder mills, and the old stuff accumulated at Augusta were lost to
the only two Confederate armies left — Lee's and Hood's. So if you
have a military mind you will see I made a better use of Augusta
than if I had captured it with all its stores, for which I had no use.
I used Augusta twice as a buffer ; its garrison was just where it
helped me. If the people of Augusta think I slighted them in the
winter of 1864-5 by reason of personal friendship formed in 1844,
they are mistaken ; or if they think I made a mistake in strategy,
let them say so, and with the President's consent I think I can send
a detachment of 100,000 or so of 'Sherman's Bummers' and their
descendants, who will finish up the job without charging Uncle Sam
a cent. The truth is, these incidents come back to me in a humor
ous vein. Of course the Civil War should have ended with Vicks-
burg and Gettysburg. Every sensible man on earth must have then
seen there could be but one result. The leaders of the South took
good care not to ' die in the last ditch,' and left brave men like
Walker, Adams, Pat Cleburne, etc., to do that.
Yours truly,
W. T. Sherman."
Judge John P. Altgeld in the Forum, February, 1890:
How the Immigrant Saved the Nation.
But for the assistance of the immigrant the election of Abraham
Lincoln would have been an impossibility ; and had the cry of
" America for Americans " prevailed at an earlier period of our his
tory, the nineteenth century would never have seen the great free
Republic we see, and the shadow of millions of slaves would to-day
darken and curse the continent. The total population of the States
in i860 was 31,183,744, of whom 4,099,152 were foreign born, and
of the latter only 216,730 were to be found in all the eleven States
which seceded. The remaining States had a total population of

APPENDIX. 1^1
22,313,997, of whom 3,882,422, or'a little over one-sixth, were act
ually foreign born. In every State carried by Lincoln there was a
large foreign population, which was mostly, and in some States
entirely, Republican, and which continued to be Republican down
to a very recent date ; and if the vote of this class had been omitted
in i860, it would have reduced Lincoln's vote to such an extent as
to defeat him in most of the States which he carried.
It is an indisputable fact that the vote of the naturalized citizen
and of his son has been a most powerful and indispensable factor
in giving the Republican party the control of the government ; and
even to-day its power and popularity are greatest in those States
in which there is a large naturalized vote. The eleven States which
in 1861 hoisted the flag of secession had a population of 8,726,644.
Of these only 216,730, or about 2J4 per cent., were foreign born,
and they were subsequently found to be Unionists.
I do not wish in any manner to belittle the great achievements of
the native Americans of the North ; I am simply directing attention
to the fact that standing alone they could not have elected Lincoln,
could not have successfully resisted Southern aggression, and could
not have put down the rebellion.
General Henry L. Abbot in the Forum, March, 1890:
Recent Progress in War.
The feeling prevails among us that the knowledge acquired by
our veterans in their field service is quite sufficient for the needs of
the nation now or in the immediate future. What they do not
know about war is supposed to be not worth knowing. But the
military world has been moving forward during our twenty-five
years of slumber, and such improvements have been made in all
kinds of warlike material, that, on a modern battle-field, one of our
veterans would feel like a Rip Van Winkle.
Smokeless Powder.
Bordeaux, Sept. 16, 1890. — At the conclusion of the maneuvers
here General Farron, commander of the Eighteenth Army Corps,
issued an order of the day, in which he says the use of smokeless
powder will make no change in defensive tactics, but will render

I42 APPENDIX.
offensive tactics more difficult. It is, therefore, imperative that
commanding officers display great intelligence in choosing position
for an attack.
About Equal.
Some statistician has just figured that the total number of people
killed and injured on the railroads of the United States during the
past year is almost exactly equal to the total loss of killed and
wounded Union and Confederate forces at Gettysburg in the War
of the Rebellion.
From the Buffalo Commercial, May 5, 1890:
Valor and Skill in the Civil War.
Two articles in the May Century discuss the relative merits of
the Blue and the Gray in the trials of battle. General Theodore
A. Dodge writes to the question, "Was either the better soldier ?"
and Charles A. Patch asks, "Which was the better army?" In
conclusion, General Dodge says that his list of fifty battles gives
twenty victories to the Confederates, ail equal number to the
Federals, and leaves ten which may fairly be called drawn. In
these fifty battles, at the point of fighting contact, the Confederates
outnumbered the Federals by an average of about two per cent.
As regards brilliant assaults upon regular works, the Confederates
were never called on to show such devotion as was manifested by
the Federals at Fredericksburg, the several assaults at Vicksburg
and Port Hudson, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Few
trials of fighting qualities, in any war, go beyond some of these.
As will be seen from the table of forces, after the winter of
1863-64 the Union forces so vastly outnumbered the Confederate,
that comparison of the merits of actual fighting becomes more
difficult. We can deduce little from the battles except stanch pur
pose on the Federal, and brilliant courage, coupled with marvelously
able military management, on the Confederate side. But if one will
take the pains to tabulate the numbers actually engaged during ail
but the last months of the crumbling away of the Confederate
armies, there appear plainly two facts : first, that the Confederates,
by superior management and better position, opposed to the
Federals fully equal numbers at the point of fighting contact ;

APPENDIX. 1 43
and secondly, that of the combats during the entire struggle the
Federals had their full share of the victories.
It is certain that the statistics of the war rob the wearers of the
Blue and the Gray of the right to boast one at the expense of the
other. Neither can claim superiority in actual battle. The case
bears enough semblance to Greek meeting Greek to satisfy the
reasonable aspirations of either " Yank " or " Johnny. ''
And in this connection it may not be amiss, once more, to give
our national self-esteem a bonne bouche in the following table :
Table of Losses in Sundry Battles of the Eighteenth and
Nineteenth Centuries.
Percentage of killed and wounded of number engaged.
Prussians — Up to Waterloo, in eight battles  18.42
Prussians — At Koniggratz  3 . 86
Austrians — Up to Waterloo, in seven battles  11 . 17
Austrians — Since in two  8.56
French — Up to Waterloo, in nine battles  22.38
French — Since in nine  8 . 86
Germans — Since 1745, in eight battles  H-53
English — In four battles  10 . 36
Federals — In eleven battles  12.89
Confederates — In eleven battles  14. 16
From this table it is manifest that, excepting only the troops of
Frederick and of Napoleon, the American volunteer has shown
himself equal to taking the severest punishment of any troops upon
the field of battle. The wonderfully pertinacious tactics of those
two great captains, rather than the discipline of their troops, ex
plains the excess of loss of their battles. And while the capacity
to face heavy loss is but one of the elements which go to make up
the soldier, it is perhaps of them all the most telling.
Prof. N. S. Shaler in North American Review :
American Honor — No Betrayal of Trust in the Civil War.
The surprising part of our Civil War — perhaps the most sur
prising feature in that marvellous contest — was that from the
beginning to the end there is no case in which an officer of any
grade is known to have gone over to the enemy. Desertions of
private soldiers from one side to the other were relatively rare.

144 APPENDIX.
There were occasional cases in which men forced into the army on
either side took the first chance which offered to range themselves
in the army to which their principles attracted them. I have been
unable to find a case in which such action was ever taken by any
military unit — a company, regiment, or larger corps. Although,
under the sting of defeat, a number of our officers of the Federal
Army were accused of half-heartedness or treachery, the sober
verdict of history has always been in their favor. It was the most
satisfactory feature of the Civil War that in the worst mischances
of lost battles and unsuccessful campaigns the men never lost their
confidence in the moral integrity of their chiefs. Although in the
curious freedom of speech which characterized our armies the men
frequently condemned their leaders as fools, they never seemed to
question the trustworthiness of their motives. I had an oppor
tunity to mingle more or less with soldiers who had suffered a
succession of overwhelming defeats, and to hear their camp-fire
talk concerning the conditions which led to the disasters they had
been compelled to endure. I have heard many expressions of
indignation directed against the stupidity of their leaders, but never
a suggestion that they were traitors. Most commonly, even in the
very extremity of disaster, the tone of criticism was characteris
tically jocose. The men, as is the good American fashion, took
their vengeance in fun. I have heard of the case of a Confederate
soldier just captured through the rash conduct of his regimental
commander, who, though weeping at the mischance which had
befallen him, managed to help himself to a better frame of mind
by a characteristic mot. He remarked that " that 'ere colonel of
ourn was that venturesome, he would walk across hell on a rotten
rail for ten cents."
Henry Latchford in the Chicago Journal :
Lincoln at Gettysisurg.
Early in the summer of 1875 I was sitting one afternoon beside
a barrister friend who was engaged in a chancery suit before one
of the English Vice-Chancellors in Lincoln's Inn, London. Some
American visitors sat near us, and, in the course of conversation,
said that they belonged to Massachusetts, but were anxious to see
Judah P. Benjamin, who was to appear in some case during the day.

APPENDIX. 145
They were specially interested, because Benjamin was a Jew him
self and was engaged to appear against an influential firm of Jewish
money lenders. The incident is introduced here as leading
up to a discussion about Abraham Lincoln which took place that
evening at chambers in the Temple, to which place several lawyers
and others had been invited to meet the American visitors. The
discussion started on Lincoln early in the evening's proceedings
and never wandered away from that subject until we separated in
the small hours of the following morning. I remember being
struck by what a very scholarly Oxford man said about Lincoln's
oration at Gettysburg. He said that at the time it had been deliv
ered Oxford men thought it must have been based upon, or at least
suggested by, some one of the ancient Greek orations delivered
upon a similar occasion. Accordingly the young men went to their
books and, of course, turned up the famous speech, quoted by
Socrates for Menexenus, that Aspasia composed and Pericles de
livered after a great battle. But Lincoln had evidently not found
his inspiration there. Some great funeral orations of antiquity
and the Middle Ages were ransacked, but with the same result.
" President Lincoln's few words," said the scholar, " formed a
nobler utterance than all the recorded funeral orations delivered
through the ages."
Gen. Henry L. Abbot in March Forum :
The Revolution in Infantry Arms.
In future wars (1) the bullets will have much greater penetrative
power, and will therefore be less readily stopped by covering
obstacles, whether natural or artificial. (2) The trajectory is flat
tened ; that is, the bullets at decisive battle ranges rise less above
the ground, thus not only widening the dangerous space and reduc
ing the number of misses due to a defective estimate of distance,
but also extending point-blank range, and thus in a measure doing
away with adjustment of the sights under heavy fire. (3) The
power of firing a few rounds with excessive rapidity when needful,
will make charges more bloody than ever before. Every rush in
the close approaches to a position defended even by a thin line of
skirmishers, will be met by volleys more intolerable than the
heaviest five of a line of battle twenty-five years ago. (4) The

I46 APPENDIX.
reduction in weight of ammunition will enable the soldiers to carry
about double the number of rounds, and to receive fresh supplies
in action with correspondingly greater ease. (5) The use of
smokeless powder will make it more easy to overlook the ground
in front, by reason of the absence of the clouds of smoke that
heretofore have spread a merciful veil between modern armies in
the death struggle ; but, on the other hand, the readiest mode of
detecting the precise position of the enemy — his puffs of smoke
— will be lacking, and surprises and unexpected movements of
skirmishers will probably be more frequent than of old. There will
be no longer a curtain to hide the ghastly spectacle immediately
around them. Experience has proved that many men who fight
steadily in battle, turn faint and sick in a field hospital ; how will it
be when the two experiences are to a certain extent combined ?
From the Albany Journal :
General Hancock as a Poet.
written in an autograi>h album.
To my Friend :
Wreathe thy garlands, fairest one ;
Ere the beams of day are gone,
Soon will close each fragrant flower
Blooming in the garden's bower,
While the midnight dews are shed
O'er each sleeping flow'ret's head.
Wreathe thy garlands, fairest one ;
Soon will summer's reign be gone,
Tempests come with chilling breath
Sweeping o'er the barren heath
And stern winter's fearless band
Stalk in fierceness o'er the land.
Wreathe thy garlands, fairest one,
Soon will set life's glowing sun,
Youth's gay dreams too quickly fade,
Loving hearts are soon betrayed ;
Wreathe thy garlands ere thy bloom
Fade around thy earthly tomb.
\V. S. Hancock, December 9, 1839.

APPENDIX. 147
From the Chicago Times :
The camera will get well down to the front in the next struggle.
It will be out on the skirmish line. It will be in the menaced
battery. It will take its chances side by side with the colors in
the imminent deadly breach. It will move up with the cavalry.
Wherever army is hurled at army in the future this sleepless,
unforgetting eye will be vigilantly watching, ready to record the
truth, ready to carry away the story of heroism or cowardice, of
victory or defeat, and to tell it so as to compel conviction.
From, the New York Sun :
The Serpent of War — They Struck With Deadly Effect
When There Was No Enemy in Sight.
My company lost thirteen men killed and five wounded at the
battle of Fair Oaks. If this percentage had been followed out
through every company engaged in that battle the total loss would
have horrified the world. It wasn't that we lost four or five men
in this fight, three or four in that, from two to six in a third, that
finally worked a complete metamorphosis in our company and
regiment. It was the fangs of the serpent of war ; the deadly bite
of the dreaded reptile which never rests after the alarm of war has
sounded. We went to the front one hundred and four strong. Before we
had even seen a confederate in uniform we had lost seven men.
A week after the seventh was buried not one of us could recall
how nor where the seven had passed away. The serpent had struck
and fever had followed, one had gone insane, one had crept away
into a jungle on the Chickahominy and blown out his brains ;
death had come as surely as if sent from the cannon's mouth, but
yet it was insidious. A private soldier in a great army is one of
the grains of sand on the seashore. He answers roll call to-night ;
to-morrow morning he is not in line. If his absence is remarked
it is soon forgotten. He drifts away to the hospital, dies, is buried,
his name is dropped from the muster rolls, and in a few weeks he
is out of mind.
We lost eleven men between Fair Oaks and Antietam, only one
of whom died with uniform on. The other ten were bitten by the

I48 APPENDIX.
unseen serpent of war as they lay on the damp earth, as they drank
the waters of the swamps, as they stood guard with the vapor of
typhus fever floating around them like smoke. One by one they
were marked "absent" at roll call; one by one they drifted out
of the whirlpool to die in their beds at Harper's Ferry, Charleston
or Washington. Between McClellan at Antietam and Burnside at
Fredericksburg the serpent of war struck his poisoned fangs into
four more of our men. They had been foremost in the rush upon
the guns ; they had been first at the enemy's breastworks ; they had
been praised and complimented for their bravery. The serpent
crept among them at midnight, and never an ear heard its move
ments. He struck them at high noon in the presence of thousands,
and never an eye caught sight of his loathsome form. We missed
them for a day ; hardly longer.
Now and then a man who had been struck did not die. He fled
away — deserted — the victim of sordid melancholy, a soldier whose
actions were guided by the vagaries of lunacy. We did not
remember him with contempt. Every one of us could feel how it
was with him. And others withdrew to the swamps and jungles
and there lay down to die alone or to put a sudden end to the
sufferings which had become unbearable. We remembered these
men with gentleness and sympathy. There were times when each
of us had to fight back the same power which they could not resist.
And the serpent crept among us, no matter where we were
encamped, and he demanded his victim, no matter who was taken,
and so it came about before we sat down in front of Petersburg
that our returns read :
Killed in action  24
Wounded and discharged  17
Deserted  3
Sick and discharged  7
Bitten by the serpent of war  48
Thus we had only five men left of the original band, and before
the surrender three of these had fallen in action. We had three
different captains, two first lieutenants, four second, four first
sergeants, and the two sole survivors of the original company, who
went out as privates, had shoulder-straps a year before the war
closed. After the first year we never numbered over ninety men,

APPENDIX. 149
and at no time did we ever fall below sixty. Recruits kept coming,
but the serpent never rested. The missiles of war would have left
us almost half the old company. The fangs of the serpent were
less merciful than the heat and turmoil of battle.

On The Death of Lincoln.
O Captain ! my Captain ! our fearful trip is done ;
The ship has weathered every rock, the prize we sought is won ;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring.
But, O heart ! heart ! heart !
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain ! my Captain ! rise up and hear the bells ;
Rise up — for you the flag is flung — for you the bugle trills ;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths — for you the shores
a-crowding :
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning.
Here, Captain ! dear father !
This arm beneath your head !
It is some dream that on the deck
You're fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still ;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will ;
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done ;
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won.
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells !
But I with mournful tread
Walk the deck — my Captain lies
Fallen cold and dead. — Walt Whitman, 1865.

150 APPENDIX.
From the Chicago Tribune :
"Smokeless powder " would be death to the battery men. They
are accustomed to load their guns under "the cloud of smoke"
and drop to the ground before the sharpshooters of the enemy can
see to pick them off. The smoke is their protection as every
artilleryman can testify. It was said by the Confederates of a
celebrated Union battery from Chicago during the war, " It was
manned by one man," as never more than one was in sight when
the smoke cleared away.
From the United Service Review :
A Real Battle — Little Opportunity for Display of
Heroics or Poetic Glory.
A battle does not consist, as many imagine, in a grand advance
of victorious lines of attack, sweeping everything before them, or
the helter-skelter flight of the unfortunate defeated. The historian
must so present it in his descriptions, the artist in his paintings.
Even the writer of an official account must limit himself to the
presentation of such moments as demand special treatment, or
to such episodes as involve important and instructive tactical
movements. All those events which are less striking, which pass more quietly,
but which, nevertheless, contribute .to the final result, cannot be
reproduced without too much expansion. Those incidents which
no account of the battle, official or unofficial, takes any note of —
the thousand and one events observed only by the participants,
the innumerable cases in which the direction and control of affairs
glide out of the hands of the officers — these are the little drops
of water that make the mighty ocean of battle and determine
victory or defeat.
The opening of the day of a great battle is generally very
prosaic. After an uncomfortable night passed in a wet or cold
bivouac, where the men, wrapped in their overcoats, have been
gathered shivering about the camp-fire, trying in vain to get warm ;
after the simplest of breakfasts, of which the draught of pure cold
water was the only palatable constituent, the soldier goes forth to
battle. There he may never even see the enemy ; indeed, unusually

APPENDIX. 151
long halts, uncomfortable standing still under shrapnel fire, or
apparently useless camping in mud and under small-arm fire await
him. The feeling of being exposed to the invisible missiles of the
enemy, mingled with the uncertainty as to what is going on to the
right and left, often produces in the best of troops great depression
and a consequent falling off in offensive strength, even when the
battle in general is making splendid progress. In such moments
tactics are exhausted, and it is only a question of grit and sense
of duty.
Sheridan tells us : " Indeed, the battle of Chickamauga was
something like that of Stone River, victory resting with the side
that had the grit to defer longest its relinquishment of the field."
Still more pressing is the appeal to the morale of the troops when
an unfortunate termination of the battle forces an army which has
done its duty to retire. Exhausted to its last gasp, its resistance,
pushed to the highest pitch, gives way, and with frightful reaction
the resistless mass plunges to the rear. This is to-day no longer
an organized retreat from position to position, as our predecessors
taught and practiced, but an uncontrollable current, like the moun
tain torrent, which, fraught with havoc and disaster, overflows its
banks. Woe to the land that can oppose no other dams to this
stream than strategy, tactics and the instruction of the troops.
These will be washed away like sand heaps by the roaring waters.
From the Portland Telegram .
He Saw the Guns at Gettysburg.
During the National Encampment in Boston, an old comrade with
silvery hair was led into the Cyclorama of Gettysburg by a bright-
faced little miss. The old man sat down while the child described
to him the features of the picture. Occasionally he asked her a
question, and slowly shook his head as if in doubt of the accuracy
of her account. She had described to him, in her own way, the
on-rush of picket-men and the hand-to-hand conflict at the stone
wall, where the Maine Veterans met the charge of the Southerners,
when he asked :
" But where's the artillery, May ? "
" Oh, you mean the big guns ? They're over there on the hill, in
a row."

I52 APPENDIX.
" All in a row ?" he asked.
" Yes," she replied.
He shook his head.
" Look around," said he. " There must be some more that are
not in line."
" Yes," she said, " there are some more down here, but they are
all upset ; I guess they're busted."
" Is that where the men are going over the wall ?"
" Yes, Grandpa."
" Is there a grove of trees ?" •
" Yes ; it seems to be full of men, but- the smoke is so thick you
can't see them."
"Oh, I see them," he cried.
It was then noticed by several comrades who were standing near
him that he was blind. The little girl replied :
" Oh, no, Grandpa, you can't see them.''
"Yes, I can," cried the old soldier; "I can see the men, the
grove, and the broken cannon lying about."
The child looked at him in innocent surprise, and said, " You are
joking, Grandpa."
" No, my dear," replied the old man. " No. That was the last
thing I ever saw on earth. There was a caisson exploded there just
this side of the stone wall, and that was the last terrible picture I
ever saw, for it was then I lost my eyesight, and I have never got
the picture out of my mind."

APPENJDIX. 153
The foregoing material was ready for the press, when we
were greatly pained to learn of the death of General William
T. Sherman. Words are inadequate to. express our sorrow at
the dispensation ; and in place of anything we can offer at this
time, the following tribute from the Express of Sunday, Feb
ruary 15, 1891, happily coincides with our feelings. We also
subjoin a historical sketch of the General, from the same
source. William Tecumseh Sherman.
Grim and childlike, stern and simple, gruff and warm-hearted.
These are the ill-mated words which come to mind at the thought
of the great General who passed away so peacefully yesterday
afternoon. Of William Tecumseh Sherman, the warrior, one can judge by
the story of his brilliant achievements printed on another page, and
by the history of the Civil War, in which his name holds a place
scarcely less prominent than that of the other great soldier whom
he rejoined yesterday — Ulysses S. Grant. But General Sherman
was singularly close-mouthed. He drove the newspaper men from
the ranks during the War, and has been on poor terms with them
ever since. " He doesn't mean to be discourteous," his distin
guished brother once explained. "It's his way. He is as kind-
hearted as any man living." So it was that the public knew very
little of General Sherman, the man. One or two of his letters,
written during the War, tell volumes of his personality
General Sherman's Life — The Story of His Rise until He
Became One of the World's Great Generals.
William Tecumseh Sherman was born at Lancaster, O., on Febru
ary 8, 1820. His father, who was a prominent lawyer and Judge
of the Supreme Court of Ohiov died when William was nine years
old, leaving a widow with eleven young children, of whom William
was the sixth and John the eighth. William was taken into the
family of Thomas Ewing, afterward Secretary of the Interior under
President Taylor. He was sent to school at Lancaster till he was

154 APPENDIX.
fifteen years old,' when he received an appointment to West Point.
He was graduated sixth in a class of forty-two, one of whom was
George H. Thomas.
He received his commission as second lieutenant on July i, 1840,
and was assigned to the Third Artillery, doing duty in Florida.
The next year he was made a first lieutenant. He served in differ
ent parts of the South until the outbreak of the Mexican War in
1846, when he was sent with troops around Cape Horn to Califor
nia, where he acted as adjutant-general to General Kearney, Col
onel Mason, and General Persifer F. Smith. For his services here
he was brevetted captain, and on his return to the East he was com
missioned a captain in the Commissary Department.
On May 1, 1850, Capt. Sherman married Ellen Boyle Ewing, the
daughter of his early benefactor. He resigned from the Army on
September 6, 1853, and engaged in banking, representing a St.
Louis firm at San Francisco and afterward at New York.
While a lieutenant in 1843 ne had begun the study of law in con
nection with his military duties ; and he was now admitted to the
bar, and for two years he practiced at Leavenworth, Kansas. In
1859 he was appointed Superintendent of the State Military Acad
emy at Alexandria, La., where he remained until the State seceded
from the Union, when he returned to St. Louis.
At the first call for troops Sherman offered his services to the
Government. He was commissioned Colonel of the Thirteenth
Regular Infantry. General Scott fully appreciated the value of
men of Sherman's type. He gave him command of a brigade in
Tyler's division of the army that marched to Bull Run and fought
that first disastrous battle of the War. Sherman took a prominent
part in this battle, and soon after he was commissioned Brigadier-
General of Volunteers and sent to Kentucky. For a short time he
was in command of the Army of Kentucky. He was succeeded by
General Buell.
Just after the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson by General
Grant, Sherman was assigned to command a division in the Army
of Tennessee. His first distinguished military service was in the
battle of Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh, on April 6, 1862. Sherman
was in the very thickest of the fight at Shiloh. His division lost

APPENDIX. 155
2,034 men. He was himself wounded in the hand in the first day's
battle, but he refused to leave the field.
General Grant made special mention of General Sherman in his
official report, saying : " To his individual efforts I am indebted for
the success of that battle." General Halleck also declared that
" Sherman saved the fortunes of the day on the 6th and contributed
largely to the glorious victory on the 7th.''
From that time Sherman was looked upon as one of the leading
generals in the Army. He took part in the capture of Corinth, was
commissioned Major-General of Volunteers, and in July was sent to
fortify and take command of Memphis. In the siege of Vicksburg
he was Grant's ablest lieutenant. For his gallant conduct he was
made Brigadier-General in the Regular Army, to date from July 4,
1863. In October of that year he marched with his division to get
Rosecrans out of Chattanooga, and he took part in the battle of
Mission Ridge. In December he relieved General Burnside, who
was hard pressed by Longstreet.
For his services at Knoxville in the Chattanooga campaign he
received the thanks of Congress. The following spring he was
made commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi, and
moved upon Atlanta, which he captured after nearly five months of
brilliant maneuvering and almost constant fighting.
He was commissioned Major-General on the 12th of August.
Then he began his famous March to the Sea. His army reached
Savannah, a distance of three hundred miles, in twenty-four days,
and the city was easily taken.
He then turned northward, captured Charleston and Columbia,
and finally received the surrender of General J. E. Johnston at
Greensboro on the 14th of April, two days after Lee's surrender
at Appomattox. For the terms he granted to General Johnston he
has been harshly criticised, and his action was not sustained by the
authorities at Washington. Undoubtedly he exceeded his author
ity, but it cannot be disputed that his motives were the highest.
After the close of the War, General Sherman commanded the
Military Division of the Mississippi until 1869. He received the
rank of Lieutenant-General on July 25, 1866. After Grant became
President he was made General. He made a professional trip

I56 APPENDIX.
through Europe in 1871 and 1872. On February 8, 1884, he was
placed on the retired list with full pay and emoluments.
General Sherman was the last of the great generals of the War to
pass from this life. He was second only to Grant as the greatest
soldier who fought on the Union side. Like Grant, he rose by his
merits. His promotions were always for gallant conduct on the
field of battle.
His long services in the South prior to the War might have
turned the sympathies of a less patriotic man toward that section ;
but he believed firmly in a united country. He was one of the few
men who saw at the outset the serious nature of the War, and
entered the service with the full expectation that it would be a long
and bloody struggle.
He dies at the allotted three-score and ten, after performing ser
vices for his country and receiving honors such as fall to the lot of
few men. His is one of the names that will live in history so long
as the story of the United States shall be preserved.