^^^h^-' The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032780615 s losses whifh had thinned t inswered the S|krshaI,*'thesoIdiers.^|-thie. Third i Tenth L|jg;ibn was to Caesar.'^ " ; — A!bma.dy, in the emulation of the different corps, and the mutual know^ the officfers and n^en of ^ch» were to fee found the happy effects .of tfejt perina^ii|iargani2iation„1 '—'--- pm the aAcfent conquerors of tjie world. — Alison. ' "'' ''"'"' imuatei THE V" t. annitersjiry address BBUVEltRD BBPORB TUB Tlilftl) ARiy CORPS uiroN, ath MAl^, 1876, MaJ,-G«: ■*),<' ■ ,^1*6*." Honor! , , -c. . ^ • PUBLISHED ihr -AILANTIG PUBLISHING AND ENGRAVING CO,, 141 FULTON STEEET, NEW YORK. Wm THIED A£MY COEPS UNION. ^ 'ESTERDAY, 5th May,— the Anniversary of the Battle of Williamsburg," reads the New York Evening Mail, "this Association of Veterans celebrated its Twelfth Re-union. The business meeting was held at noon, when Major-General George H. Sharpe was elected President for the ensuing year. This was followed in the evening by a magnificent dinner at Delmonico's, in Fourteenth street. "As we have not space enough to chronicle all the good things said, done and sung, we must be content with presenting to our readers the address of Brevet Major-General J. Watts de Peyster, of N. Y., in response to the toast of " The Third Army Corps," *' the Diamond of the Army of the Potomac." It is a concise Sketch of its grand achievements and allusion to the noble soldiers who have illustrated it." " To night," in the words of a stout captain in the past, " we hold a soleqjn supper," and the honorable and agreeable duty has been assigned to me of presenting a succinct history of the "glorious old fighting Third Corps, as WE understand it" "the Diamond of the Army of the Potomac" — "the first in ad- vance, the last in retreat, the third only in name." An in- spiring theme, yet nevertheless, in some respects, a sad one, how- ever glorious. Besides, the sad's a sonroe of the sublime, Although, Trhen long, a little apt to weary us ; And therefore shall my lay soar high and solemn, As an old temple dwindled to a column. Indeed, I feel as if I was not speaking for myself alone, but for my eldest son and my cousin, brought up with me as a brother, once your comrades in your first fierce battle fought on this, your anniversary. The voice ot history and the thunder-tones of truth and justice can and will eventually make themselves heard in regard to the pre-eminence or prominence of the Old Third. Whether as an independent Corps, or as a Corps melted down into a Division, but still wearing the Diamond, its distinctive Corps badge, (white within red) — the " Eed (the Kearny) Patch," the original, or precursor of all badges — the Old Third constituted the steel lance-head of the Army of the Potomac, or of the Second Corps, after it was unjustly incorporated with an organization its superior in nothing but political or ofiScial influence. Wherever it was put in, the Third Corps was the lance-blade when it led off the advance, and the iron spike which shod the shaft when it was entrusted with the rear-guard — an iron shoe or shaft as deadly to the enemy as the hinder end of Abner's spear to Asahel. Nor does the force of this simile end here. Even as the just and justified slaying of Joab's wilful brother eventuated in the assassination of Abner by the ruthless survivor, even so the Third Corps, being hated for its straightforward independence, its force of opinion and its thoroughness of service, as well as of fight- ing, became the victim of those who had the power of life and death over it as an organization, in as great a degree as the selfish and remorseless son of Zeruiah over his noble rival in the affec- tions of the army and the nation. It is a very remarkable fact in modern military history that since the definite division of armies into corps, the Third Corps has been in every case the fighting corps of the army to which it belonged. As demonstrations of this, study out the achievements of the Third Corps under Davoust and Ney in the Napoleonic wars; of Sackens' Third Corps in Blucher's army of Silesia, which did most towards over-throwing the French Emperor in 1813-15; and Alvensleben's Third Corps in the Prussian armies, which, in 1870-'l, so fearfully punished his namesake and succes- sor. Napoleon III. In every case this, the Third, was the fighting corps of the army to which it belonged. In his heart of hearts, the speaker, following, with dictionary in hand, the bloody path of the famed body of "elect" soldiery in Cfesar's Commentaries, once his bore, and since his grateful fount of military information, has ever recognized in the Third Corps of the Army of the Potomac, the Tenth Legion of his boyish studies. Moreover, the number three has always been the SACRED number, and what is stranger still, the diamond or lozenge) has always been a pre-eminently sacred bmblek. These present to our eyes and those present to our hearts have made this number and this emblem sacred in the military annals of our country. Its union of veterans represented in the room realizes to the Speaker, as regards the vast majority of the Army of the Potomac, that glorious quintessence described by Byron : "A bottle of champagne ! Frozen into a very vinous ice, Which leaves few drops of that immortal rain ; Yet in the very centre, past all price, About a liquid glassfuU will remain ; And this is stronger than the strongest grape Could e'er express in its expanded shape." Nor should its rank and file be forgotten, who have repeated in the nineteenth century the marvellous lesson of the middle of the seventeenth, that an army of intelligent men raised, organized in the midst of a free nation, can be "mustered out" without danger, and dissolve as the ice dissolves imperceptibly in the spring, with- out deleterious influence, or dangerous results. We are told by a distinguished writer of the present day, that "when the troops of Cromwell were disbanded, fifty thousand men accustomed to the profession of arms were at once thrown on the world ; and experience seemed to warrant the belief, that this change would produce much misery and crime; that the discharg- ed veterans would be seen begging in every street, or would be driven by hunger to pillage. But no such result followed. In a few months there remained not a trace that the most formidable army in the world had just been absorbed into the mass of the community. The Eoyalists, themselves, confessed, that, in every department of honest industry, the disabled warriors prospered beyond other men ; that none were charged with any theft or robbery ; that none was heard to ask an alms and that, if a baker, a mason, or a waggoner, attracted notice by his diligence and sobriety, he was in all probability one of Oliver's old soldiers." Our Third Corps was the Fighting Corps of the Army of the Potomac. At first this mighty honor was refused to it; but even the most sceptical writer on the Slaveholders' Eebellion has been overcome by the weight of testimony accumulated through honest investigation. The facts proved too potent even for his strong prejudices ; and the pen which he assumed with reluctance for an attempt at mere justice was converted into an instrument for the most unlimited praise. On every battle-field of importance on which the Third Corps poured forth its life-blood, it more than did its duty ; and if it was not present on every battle-field, it was because, shattered and depleted, it was engaged at the time in rapid recuperation to perform services as worthy of commemo- ration as those in which it had been drained of its vitality. It fought and fought almost alone the first battle in which it was engaged — Williamsburg, the day of itg baptism of fire, selected as its anniversary — the first real battle of the Army ot the Potomac, proper, — with the Second. Corps, passive, like spec- tators, in support, and in conjunction with the Second Corps, active, as co-operators, it discharged its soldierly duty in the last real conflict in which that army was engaged at Cumberland Church, or on the Heights of Farnville, on Friday, the 7th of April, 1865. On the previous day, Thursday, the 6th, the com- bined Second and Third Corps had encountered, driven, pursued, fought and shattered the Army of Northern Virginia for eleven hours and over fourteen miles in line of battle. The report of Major General Humphreys as to this astounding feat is so re- markable that it is impossible to refrain from literal quotation: "A sharp contest with the enemy commenced at once, between 9 and 10 a.m., and he was driven rapidly before us until night put a stop to the pursuit at Sailor's Creek, near its mouth, a distance of about fourteen miles from Amelia Sulphur Springs, over every foot of which a rurming fight was kept up and several strong partially intrenched positions carried, the enemy using his artillery effectively. The country was broken, and consisted of open fields alternating with forests with dense undergrowth and swamps, over and through which the lines of battle followed closely on the skirmish line with a rapidity and nearness of con- nection, that I believe to be unexampled, and which I confess astonished me." And again : " When I compare the perform- ances of the Second and Third Corps in those closing scenes of the war with some of the great military operations of Europe, I confess I do not think they stand second." On this occasion the combined Second and Third Corps han- dled THE Army of the Rebellion, on the banks of the Appomat- tox, even more, roughly than the Third had already manipulated it three years before, on this, our anniversary between the York and the James. Nor is it exaggeration to declare that had it not been for the efforts of the Second-Third Corps on the memorable 6th April, 1865, the laurels of Little Sailor Creek would never have been wreathed into anadems for Sheridan and for Wright. The cap- tures which were made by the Sixth Corps and the cavalry were a split off from the main body of the enemy, owing to the pressure of our man Humphreys, who actually had a little finger in Wright and Sheridan's pie. Curious to relate, fearless McAllister had actually faced about to go to the assistance of the Sixth Corps and the cavalry, when an unfortunate order directed his move- ments in the contrary direction. In justice, the old Third has a claim to a share in the laurels of Ewell's capture. It came very near taking so active a part that no one could have denied to it the glory. The laurels of the Sailor Creek proper are the un- doubted property of " pure gold Humphreys " and his combined Second and Third Corps. ' The striking services of the old Third, although they termin- ated only with the surrender of Lee, nevertheless did not com- mence with Williamsburg. Let it not be forgotten that the first New York troops which arrived in Washington, to re-assure the national authorities after our misfortune at Bull Eun, in July, 1861, were a portion of Sickles' Excelsior Brigade, afterwards constituting a glorious fraction of Hooker's Second Division of the Third Corps. Moreover, the first advance or reconnoisance into Virginia on the Southern Potomac, prior to the 1st April, 1862, was made by Sickles, with 1,200 selected men of this same Excelsior Brigade. It is claimed for this bold movement to Stafford Court House that it pointed out the road to Fredericks- burg, and that McDowell's occupation of that city was based on information gained through this reconnoisance, and, subsequently, from Sickles himself on a trip to Washington. Another very remarkable fact connected with this movement is that a machine gun, somewhat like the mitrailleuse, was first used in the open field by these Excelsiors ; and even in its imperfect Btate demonstrated its efficiency. Our men then knew this instru- ment of destruction as the "coffee-mill gun." Between the two battles mentioned — Williamsburg, Monday, May 5, 1862, and Cumberland Church, Friday, April 7, 1865 — how many bloody fields bore witness to the constancy and courage of the Third Corps. The glories of the battle summer of 1862 be- long to it ; of Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks, May 31, — June 1, (the initiative of the slaughters around Eichmond); likewise the en- gagement at the Peach Orchard, or Oak Grove, June 25, follow- ing, on nearly the same ground as the first of the seven days battles, with this difference, that this one — oue fight — was ag- gressive and all the rest defensive. Scan its records, scrutinize them with the closest criticism, the most invidious severity. Though its enemies and the envious may attempt to cast a slur upon the deeds of the Third, actual and active demonstration will prove that the blur exists only in the eye and in the heart of the critic. At Savage Station, June 29, how splendidly the Third Corps covered the retreat. "General Sumner's, Heintzelman's and Franklin's Corps, under Sumner's command, had been left to guard the rear, with orders to fall back at daylight, and hold the enemy in check till night. A noble army for sacrifice, and some, oh ! how many, must fall to save the rest. The very slightest movement from the front was critical. At no point along the line were we more than three- fourths of a mile from the enemy, and in front of Sedgwick's line they were not over six hundred yards distant. The slightest vibration at any point was apt to thrill the rebel lines from centre to wings. But fortunately, by skillful secrecy, column after column was marched to the rear — Franklin first, Sedgwick next, then Richardson and Hooker, and lastly the knightly Kearny." (Rebellion Record, Vol. V. Doc, p. 243.) In the White Oak Swamp (30th Jane), how it preserved the army ! There, at Glendale, the night was made horrid by the rebel wails through the punishment inflicted by the Third Corps. At Malvern Hill, 1st July, 1862, it made itself felt with the same force as of an athlete; and the historian speaks of the gallant manner in which Sickles' Brigade pressed forward to the support of the hardly beset Fourth and Fifth Corps, and after a furious and destructive conflict greatly assisted in the repulse of the rebels ■who fell back utterly broken and despairing — in reality complete- ly routed. Eichmond lay open to the national army, which — ^by the orders of a commander who knew not how to advance — retreated from a victorious field. Then it was that Philip Kearny is reported to have expressed that famous opinion which is too well-known to need repetition here. After this, again, another, a fourth opportunity occurred for the Third to lead off into Richmond, when Hooker advanced to Turkey Hill. How completely a recent poet has caught the spirit of " our boys " in all these Peninsular fights in his verses to the originator of the Third Corps badge: When the battle went ill, and the bravest were solemn, Near the lone Seven Pines, where we still held our ground, He rode down the length of the fast crumbling column, And our hearts at his war-cry leapt up with a bound; He snuffd like his charger, the scent of the powder, His sword wav'd us on, and we answer'd the sign ; Loud our cheer as we rusk'd, but his voice rang the louder, " There's the devil's own fun, boys, along the whole line ! " How he sat his brown steed ! How we saw his blade brighten, In the one hand still left — and the reins iu his teeth I He laugh'd like a boy, when the holidays heighten, But a soldier's glance shot from his vizor beneath. Up came the reserves to the mel6e infernal, Asking where to go in, through the clearing or pine 1 " Oh, anywhere ! Forward ! 'Tis all the same, Colonel ; You'll find lovely fighting along the whole line 1 " The first to come in collision with the enemy in actual battle upon the famous Virginia peninsular, the first again to inaugu- rate the fight upon the Chickahominy, the Third Corps was the last to cross the river in retreat. It may justly claim to have protected the withdrawal of the Union forces from that pestiferous and fatal district. Nevertheless the diamonds of the Army of the Potomac were the first to succor Pope — yes, the first to succor Pope, in the true, honest, soldierly sense of the word — to pay the last full measure of a soldier's devotion; the first to drive the en- emy on a new and distant field, the first to prove that neither Stonewall Jackson, nor his lieutenants, nor his famous " foot cavalry" were either invincible or superior, or even equal to the "flying" or " winged" infantry annealed under the eyes of Kearny and of Hooker. The Third Corps was again to sow with its dead the banks of the affluents of the Rappahannock, supporting the out- numbered Army of Virginia, even as it had planted the corpses of so many of its heroes beside the James and the Chickahominy. The Rebel Fire-eaters met in our Red and White Diamonds 8 northern salamanders who could out-Herod their fire-swallowing propensities. The vaunted Thomas J Jackson found, in the Third Corps, a firmer wall than even himself had ever presented to an antag- onist in the wild exuberance of Southern ideology. He had broken other Corps and he had driven them, but the Third Corps broke even the legions of the Rebels Avatar, and absolutely drove the Confederate Mars. Bristow Station — scene of many a hard-fought fight — never witnessed a better one than when Hooker struck Ewell; and had others fought as Kearny and Hooker fought — mutually and instinctively supporting each other — at G-ainesville and at Man- assas, there would have been no need of a South Mountain and an Antietam, or any subsequent collision. In such scenes as these, exclaims Schiller, are the hearts of men tried. The coldest souls cannot tiaverse, without emotion, battle fields such as the plains of Manassas, which had been again and again swept and beaten with such fearful whirlwinds and rains of fire. He who fought at Chantilly could indeed realize the antithesis of Shakespeare : " Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, And Heaven's artillery thunder in the skies ? " At Chantilly ! — a momentous conflict in which the explosions of the battle-field found echo in the concussions of the elements, " As if men fought on upper earth, And fiends in upper air ! " the Solferino gloom of premature night was not more portentous than the gloom which enshrouded the army when the light ot Kearny was quenched. This field, on which Kearny died, saved the capital. Like Douglass dead, his name had won the field. From the bayonets of the Third Corps glanced off the pursuit of Lee and Jackson. There the charge of Birney shines as an im- perishable memorial of the organization represented here present. A "West Pointer of varied information and large practical experi- ence, a distinguished member of Congress, declared that if there was a decisive fight on the Atlantic slope — it was this engagement of Ox-Hill or of Chantilly. It was one of the decisive battles ot the war. It frustrated the plans of Lee, preserved Pope's "Army of Virginia," and saved Washington. The next three months was a period of recuperation, but not of repose, for the Third Corps. The shattered body of veterans ■which had suffered so terribly and fought so gallantly had been bled almost to exhaustion. While it was making new blood through fresh levies it was not supine. To it was confided the protection of the most important line and vital points; and when it moved again toward the battle-field, it proved that its wounds, which had been deemed mortal, were mere scratches on the shoulders of a giant. Hooker's white diamond Division now came into the hands of Sickles, the organizer of the Excelsior Brigade, who had already played so conspicuous a part in the Peninsula, but particularly at Malvern Hill. This half of the original old Third had been reduced to less than 4,500, by doing more than its share of the labors and of the fighting on the Peninsula, and under Pope. In less than two months, by a marvel of rehabilitation, Sickles brought up this almost fought-out power to the strength of 11,000 men. These were then reviewed by President Lincoln a;nd other distinguished officials, who were all astonished at the recu- perative power of this division, through the new life infused into it by its energetic commander. For the next two months Sickles, with the assistance of two squadrons of cavalry, protected the left of McOlellan's army, and maintained intact the whole line, not only of the Orange and Alexandra Kailroad, but also the telegraphic communication from Alexandria down to Warrenton, preserving, last but not least, the most important bridge across Cedar Creek. Such was his work, thoroughly performed, until the superse- dure of McClellan by Burnside gave a new turn to affairs, and with his division, Sickles rejoined the Third Corps, and the Army of the Potomac. The Third Corps, now for the first time com- plete, comprised Kearny's old red patch division, the first, under Birney; Hooker's original white diamond, the second, under Sickles, and the newly original blue lozenge under Whipple, and thus reconstituted, "as WE understand it," moved off southward to participate in the slaughter on the banks of the lower Eap- pahannock, i'fi ^ 3^ 5J& 3|f 4Jt 5S SIJ ^ ^fi Here it is impossible not to digress for a few minutes and con- eider briefly but forcibly the remarkable characteristics of Sickles, 10 so beloved by this organii:ation. He is a complete type of the American, per se, that is, a man formed by our institutions, and so developed by them and by their influences upon the basis of natural abilities as to be completely fit for every position to which he has been called by ordinary aad extraordinary circumstances. His career is an eminent proof of the reverse of the proverb, or the truth of one of the most striking exceptions to an acknow- ledged rule — that one who undertakes to shine in the most op- posite lines, cannot become a proficient in any. Sickles has em- braced the most contrary professions, and in each and all has been rewarded with such brilliant success as demonstrates that he pos- sesses a wonderful versatility, an extraordinary combination of innate, or instinctive, capacity, adaptability and comprehensive power. He has swung like a pendulum, passing with facility from the extremes of politics to soldiership, sweeping in like man- ner through the intermediate degress from common law to diplo- macy or statesmanship, and in each and every position assumed by self-confidence or imposed by the people upon him, through their faith in him, the individual of their choice, he has made his mark, and a shining one, in the history of the period which has elapsed since he obtained man's estate. He has not only served his constitutents and country with suc- cess and sagacity, but he has borne himself with such courteous dignity and mental force that he has made world-wide talk, and excited wonder at the lad who grew into the representative in Congress, the persuasive and (in that sense) eloquent orator, the reliable lawyer, the able soldier, the excellent general, and the accomplished diplomatist, capable in all these of matching himself against the brightest spirits of the age, in the halls of legislation or of justice; upon the rostrum or in the senaculum; upon the sub- lime battle-field, and amid the less grand but equally important preparations for the bloody struggle which tried and tested the manliest souls, and — last not least — at foreign courts. In his ver- satility he is well worthy this extended consideration, extended beyond proportion, perhaps, in this so circumscribed synoptical address. * w ■» e » % Sf * » » At Fredricksburg, although merely "put in," it was up to its old renown and lost heavily. Brig. Gen. Ward said that the hot- test fighting he had experienced during his three years' service 11 •with the Army of the Potomac, was ia this battle, although it is true the fighting only lasted for a short space of time. In the same sense, the sharpest work, he remembered, protracted for a long period, was at Gettysburg. In comparison to the little credit assigned to its devotion and the small fraction o^ the old Third which was under hot fire at Fredricksburg, its services were great, and as it had been the last in the presence of the enemy on the Peninsula, and in front of Washington, even so, again, it was the last in the presence of the enemy under the blood-drenched heights sloping to the Kappahannock. It came very near to be- ing the last, again, at Chancellorsfille. The crimson sunrise of the Third Corps at Williamsburg was followed by as brilliant and cloudless a noon on the Peninsula, and in Northeastern Virginia. And just as the sun is hotter, and most overpowering in the afternoon, even so the splendor of the old Third glorified its sinking and setting at Ohancellorsville and at Grettysburg. At Ohancellorsville it surpassed itself; and at Hazel Grove, its fighting there justified the application to this salient point of the Union line of the epithet of the "death angle," although the title is more particularly assigned to Spottsylvania. Hazel Grove de- served it, however, not only for the slaughter suffered by the old Third, but for the fearful punishment inflicted in return upon the rebels. One very distinguished Corps commander, once consider- ed as reluctant to do full justice to our dear old Corps, but not really so, spoke out in regard to this mutual butchery, and said that pretty much all the real fighting* done at Ohancellorsville proper — i. e. on the great Battle-Sunday, was accomplished by the diamond patches. Had Graham, constituting the lance-head of the corps and army, been properly supported, he would have transfixed Stuart, successor to Jackson, and to use a soldier's term, he would have "burst up" Lee. At Gettysburg} if not the first upon the field it was the first iu its efforts to preserve the key points on our left. Its unparallel- ed devotion and fearful suffering in the lowlands to their front, saved the Bound Tops. At the blood-drenched Peach Orchard •This remark does not ignore the manly service of Williams' division and other portions of the Twelfth or any other Corps actually engaged, nor have any reference to the contemporaneous battle of Salem Heights oi Fredericks- burg ii. 12 it proved that neither the disadvantages of position nor an out- numbering enemy could overcome its resolution to achieve success or die in the attempt From the Devil's Den to the Devil's Fur- nace, as that same Peach Orchard might well be termed, its pos- itions were designated by its dead. f» ff -s s- * * ft When I stood on the battle-field of Gettysburg, and, looking toward the Bloody Peach Orchard, surveyed the Kebel position and our own, and weighed the importance of those key points, the Bound Tops, I could not but ask myself why the Kebels did not turn our left, plant themselves upon our communications and cut us off from Washington. Thereupon the thought immedi- ately occurred, "Did not the astute mind of Sickles foresee all this, and, foreseeing this, seek to provide against the danger or to arrest it ? " Sickles moved forward. What a fearful controversy this discharge of a duty, pure and simple has occasioned. It was char- acteristic of his wonderful common sense, that common sense "the most uncommon kind of sense in its highest meaning, as applied to great affairs." Eye-witnesses and observers have endorsed this aggressive of Sickles. Grant said: "Sickles was right!" and experts have declared that if he had not made the forward movement, which bis immediate superior condemned, the failure to make it would have condemned Sickles. " Indeed," it has been remarked by one of the clearest-headed officers, then and there present, that " it would have been criminal in Sickles if he had not made it." An- other friend, who commanded a brigade and a division with credit, corroborated this; he said, that "if Sickles had not assumed the aggressive-defensive on that 2d July afternoon it is very doubt- ful if the battle would have been fought at Gettysburg, and, if any battle was fought (for the Eebels, had they turned us, would have avoided a battle), it must have been fought much nearer Baltimore or Washington." Longstreet perceived the value of the Bound Tops, and struck for them, and as lie struck, Sickles struck him, and so clung to him, and depleted him, that his corps or grand division did very little on the ensuing day. If Sickles lost his leg, Longstreet lost more, and the Bebel right was as crippled as if it had lost its right leg. At all events it made no more steps around the Union left. That problem was solved, there was no more strategy on the 13 Eebel side, but hard pounding, and, as at Chalons, and at Tours, and at Waterloo, the Northern races pounded longest and hardest. Here " Fighting Dan's " military career closed, but has he not even won brighter laurels in administration ? The regrets of the Third Corps followed him when he was compelled to relinquish its command; the regrets of the Ultra-Rebel Carolinas followed him, when their control with equal injustice, was taken from him by " an accident of an accident." Like his brother-in-arms, al- ready dwelt upon, Kearny, Sickles has shone in whatever he has undertaken. « ■» » » » « » On the second day of Gettysburg — on the real day of the battle at Grettysburg — the glory belongs to the Third Corps, even as it did already on the second, the day of the battle of Chancellors ville. There it lost its beloved chief. Sickles. There, in the front rank, fell, almost shot to pieces, his successor in command of the Ex- celsiors, Graham, lately the honored head of this association. Fatal day for the Third Corps ! There its glory culminated, and there its diamonds were sacrificed by chiefs jealous of its glory. This was the last grand fight of the Third Corps, "as WE under- stand it;" but not the last grand fight of the heroes who con- stituted its brains and its muscles — its fire and its back-bone. After the fatal hour when it was deprived of the commander "whom it understood — and who understood it," as Warren, the clear-sighted and bravely-spoken, testifies — clouds gathered around its orb, but not through any diminution of the power of the luminary proper. This was exemplified in Manassas Gap, and thoroughly appreciated by those whose experience enabled them to judge of cause and effect. Whereupon, deTrobriand, one of its brigadiers, exclaimed, with prophetic sadness : " Poor Third Corps, thy fortunate days are over ! " Yes, alas ! too true, but through no fault of the Third Corps. Two years from its organization had constituted the indepen- dent car'eer of the glorious Old Fighting Third, and its sun was about to set amid gloom as to hope, and heart-wrench as to feeling. Its individuality was to be destroyed as far as it was in the power of arbitrary injustice to accomplish the deed. It was assassinated by a stroke of the pen, that its warm and generous life-blood might be poured into the veins of a more fortunate organization, just as the tyrant diverts the tides of life from the 14 vigorous heart to prolong the existence of a favorite without intrinsic claims or necessity for such a sacrifice. The Third Corps was slain by the consolidation order of 24th of March, 1864 — that is, the body ; but the immortal soul continued to exist in all its wonderful identity exerting its power and influence to the very last day of the war — and still continues to exist ; and will survive in the Third Army Corps Union as long as there is a living member of that Association. They could kill the Third Corps, as a tyrant can slay a man ; but they could not q[uench its spirit any more than men can murder, or crush, or stamp out an idea. This (an idea) will live on for ever, unless the old Gothic superstition be founded in truth : that the time will come when even the original Northern gods, representing ideas or attributes, are smitten out of existence and the Eternal evokes a new creation. Stricken from the list of the victory-crowned Corps of the original Army of the Potomac, and combined with the Second Corps, the two divisions which represented the old Third were up to the full measure of the heroic days of 1862 and 1863. In the Wilderness, strewn with our dead and throbbing with our woun- ded ; at the Spottsylvania death-angle, where men were shot out of all semblance to humanity ; where a white oak tree, 18 or 22 inches in diameter, was clipped down by musket bullets, unex- ampled evidence of constant, concentrated, deadly fire — the old Third — if such soldiership were possible — surpassed itself Here occurred its last consolidation. Shattered to pieces and bled almost to extremity, it had risen as it were from the tomb to strike a deadly blow at Chancellorsville. There, it crowned its astonishing services of two years by its wholesale slaughter of the flower of the Rebel infantry, and the killing of Stonewall Jack- son, shot by a volley of the First Massachusetts Infantry, or of the 73d New York Volunteers (Col. Mickie Burns' regiment, the 4th Excelsior,) the flrst belonging to the 1st Brigade and the second to the 2d Brigade of Hooker's, now Berry's White Dia- mond Division. The fact that Burns claims the honor is almost sufficient proof of its correctness, so truthful and accurate is the memory of the Old Third's " right bower." " So died Earl Doorm by Mm he counted dead," for dead, indeed, seemed the Third Corps after Pope's unfortun- ate campaign. This volley of a regiment of the Third Corps de- cided the fate of the war at the East, and determined the event ol 15 the subsequent generally considered decisive battle — decisive aa to the turn of the tide and the ebb of the rebellion on the Atlan- tic slope. With its three divisions depleted and consolidated into two, it had met the deadly shock at Gettysburg. After this, its remnant of heroes did not equal in numbers the new division which was added to it under a leader foreign to its traditions. Again restor- ed to almost pristine vigor under two divisionaries it had learned to admire and to trust, five days under the blood-letting practice of Grant sufiSced to reduce it to the strength of a single division;* and as such it continued until the end of the war, always retain- ing, however, the distinctive Division and Brigade flags and the original Corps badge, the traditional diamond. But still the fast diminishing numbers of the original ruby, diamond and sapphire lozenges were ever to be found where the fight Was hottest and the peril the most deadly. Wronged by the military administration, it never revenged its wrongs by falsehood to the country ; and even to the very last, under Birney and Mott, the pupils of Kearny, it manifested the highest spirit developed by him and by his noble brother-in-arms — the genial, generous, magnanimous Hooker. In view of all the circumstances, why the full Third should have been combined with the Second and not have been sufiered, with its record and renown, to continue on as an independent or- ganization, is incomprehensible, unless motive is sought beyond the sphere of purely military expediency. That motive was en- gendered in envy, hatred and all uncharitableness, was the off- spring of policy, politics, rancor and vengeance. And so it was, even from the commencement to the end. The Third Corps did not love the Ring, the Cabal, which ruled or sought to rule everything, Eed-tape, Eegular, Eoutine, West Point, Engineer, etc., "et id omne genus," and it was made to suffer in consequence. Light and darkness have been and are ever opposed, and, at length, when a juster, clearer recognition of * This statement may seem exaggerated, but a single piece of testimony- will go very far to estabiisli its accuracy. In 1861-2 the Excelsior or Sickles Brigade comprised 5 full regiments, in all over 5000 men. When Lee surrender- ed, all that remained of it was a skeleton battalion of veterans under Col, M. W. Bums. This represented the original force as well as continued reinforce- ments and continued consolidations throughout four years. 16 facts began to exert its influence, the time to redress injustice had passed ; for the Third Corps in its unwavering fidelity to father- land had pounded itself to pieces. After Gettysburg — "the hottest battle, for the length of time that the fighting lasted, which the Third Corps veterans had yet experienced" (Brig. Gen. J. H. H.W.) — the Third Corps, mishand- led as much from mischief (according to its principal recorders, de Trobriand, Houghton and Blake) as from misconception, found it impossible any longer to shine with its accustomed brilliancy. The light was there as powerful as ever; but the glasses through which it had to shine were colored by prejudice, and blurred by an unrighteous dislike. The antagonism engendered through a righteous feeling on the part of the old Third, soon grew into a mutual dislike, grounded upon an application of the touchstone of Kearny, of Hooker, of Sickles, and their kith and kin in arms, to those through whom their successors were appointed. Those who veiled in silk and shrouded in sackcloth the calcium light of the Diamond Badge, had been weighed in the balance of the soldiers' unmistaking judgment, and had been found wanting. They had been fused in the crucible of veteran experience, and the metal had proved full of dross. The Third Corps had ideas, feelings, prejudices, of its own. — " Quoeris Alcidse parem ? Nemo est nisi ipse." — " None but himself can be Ms parallel." Warren, as before observed, one of the clearest headed individ- uals in the army, testified that the " Third Corps was compos- ed of a little different material from the others." In this state- ment he did not err in fact — he only erred in degree. Instead of a "a little," he should have said "entirely different material from the others." The Third Corps, as WU understand it, was the incarnate prin- ciple of the volunteer element, as opposed to caste, red-tape, re- gular, Washington, West Point, bigotry, prejudice, supercilious- ness, inherent atomy. Whatever is peculiar and original, however good, excites the meaner passions of ordinary men, run in the common old-fashion- ed mould, and therefore^ must be punished. The procrustian judgment must be applied to it. Its individuality was pernicious, and so the Third Corps as a 17 Corps was stricken from the book of army-life. But they could not kill it — the spirit. The soul survived to the end. It is alive to-day — "it has bitten " — and "it can bite." "A Russian officer, in martial tread Over a heap of bodies, felt his heel " Seiz'd fast, as if' twere by the serpent's head, And howl'd for help as wolves do for a meal — A dying Moslem, who had felt the foot Of a foe o'er him, snatch'd at it and bit, * * * nor relinquish'd it Even with his life — for (but they lie) 'tis said To the live leg still clung the severed head." It is impossible to do anything like justice to the fighting and suffering of our army from the moment that it entered the Wil- derness and was lost to sight in its gloomy recesses until it emerged from its entrenchments to join in that pursuit which ended in the capture of the "stag of ten " — ("La Royale" is the hunting term, in Venery) — as a rebel author has elected to symbolize Lee. To develop the ideas of a fearless participant, no description published or spoken begins to come up to the reality of the hard work and the hard fighting from the Eapidan through the Wil- derness, across the Peninsula to Petersburg. There is no exag- geration, no self-deception. It is an even fainter acknowledgment than the language of an eye-witness, a foreign officer of distinction present to observe the operations of the Army of the Potomac. He said that such fighting and digging, such winning and relin- quishing of lines won, simply to advance, to gain ground and throw up new works again to be abandoned, without the slightest hesitation, only to encounter new perils — all this repeated again and again, daily, was beyond the comprehension of Old World generals and troops, and almost unsusceptible of their belief. Many of the so-styled battles lasted through several days, and the almost uninterrupted fighting of several days and nights was sometimes styled "a battle." Many a hard-fought picket line fight, equal to a "battle proper," was not deemed worthy of men- tion where week succeeded week of carnage. This same remark applies to many breast-work fights. During Grant's overland campaign, that blood bath from the 18 Eapidan to the James ; that bloody sap ; that march cordnroyed •with corpses, tessellated with slaughtered heroes, absolutely re- alizing the vivid conception of the arch-poet, — " Who hold their way with falchion's force, Or pave the way with many a corse, O'er which the following hrave may rise, Their steppiug-stone the last who dies — " it was one battle day and night and night and day. No cessation ! No cessation ! Often we wished for the darkness to close around us that we might have rest. But alas ! with that darkness came not the rest so ardently desired — but work, fight, and march ! The flash of the rifles and muskets, as well as the cannon, to- gether with the fiery paraboles of the fuses and bursting missiles of the mortars would illuminate the heavens all around the battle- field. Thus the night struggles were frequent and arduous, and at times again we often wished for the return of the morning, but its return still brought no change from our toils of marching and working and fighting. Our thinned ranks told us the sad story of the deadly conflicts through which we were passing. The long lines of graves told the stranger the direction of our marches and the dispositions of our battles. At each morning roll-call fewer and fewer numbers responded to well-known names. Where are they ? The reply came from the newly-made graves. Hi i',f Ht Hi *.'- ifi i'i HS Hi Hie In this succinct commemoration, so absolutely restricted as to time, it is impossible even to mention by name our numerous battle-fields, from the Potomac to the James and Appomattox. At length, however, the nine month's siege of Petersburg- Kichmond was drawing to a close, and the first to make a decided movement to hasten the event was the combined Second-Third Corps. And even as the combined Second-Third Corps inaugu- rated the so-styled siege of Petersburg-Eichmond, 16th June, 1864, even so the combined Second-Third Corps struck the decisive blow that ended it. On the 5th of February, 1865, it pierced the Eebel line of works and established our own line beyond Hatcher's Eun — something which no corps had ever been able to effect. All that followed was only a culmination of disasters for the Eebels — all due to this initial success. On the 25th of March, following, it was again the first " to go for the enemy " " with a will," and by its co-operation with the Sixth Corps in the capture of the 19 entrenched picket line of tha Eebels, made the final "bursting up" of the main line a possibility. After that tremendous " battle-night, "or " witches' Sabbat," •when it seemed as though all the demons of war were let loose, a lovely dawn ushered in the beautiful Sabbath, 2d April, known as the "Battle Sunday." Before noon of this holy day the old Third was the first to effect a lodgment within the Rebel lines proper. Then it was that McAllister captured the entrenched picket line in his front, and was only restrained by peremptory orders from further and more important progress. As it was. Major Hartford, of the Eighth New Jersey, belonging to the Third Brigade of our dear old Third, was the first to plant the national ensign on the captured Burgess Mill redoubt — a point which had so long defied the boldest efforts of our army. Moreover, it is likely that the first informal proposal for the surrender of the Cockade City, on the 3d April, was made to the remnant of the Old Third — now acting with the Sixth Corps — un- der Maj. G-en. Mott, the veteran of two wars, who purchased every brevet and grade with a severe and crippling wound. What a galaxy of heroes rose from the ranks of the old Third! A galaxy of diamonds, indeed, they constitute a crown set thick, or rather encrusted with gems of the first water. Their brilli- ancy fiashes like summer lightning, and glows like a halo around the eagle head of its standard. Words fail to do justice to them. " The deeds of Coriolanua Should not be uttered feehly." The mere recital of their names is like telegraphic flashes, in- dicating messages of glory. Honest and fearless Heintzelman ; Paladin Kearny, " A braver soldier never couched a lance" — his valor has passed into the proverb, " as brave as Kearny," meaning as brave as a soldier can be; electrifying Hooker, (fourth Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Potomac, counting McDowell as the first) ; Sickles, equally great in every phase of military and civil life; marvellous Birney — " tete-de-fer," as the French have it, " sung-dil," heart of stone, as the Persians say- largely gifted with that greatest quality of a general, descriptive geometry; "pure gold" Humphreys; lamented Berry; willing Whipple; knightly Graham; reliable Mott, a type of the old Ro- man; acute and accomplished Sharpe; polished de Trobriand; dash 20 lEg Jameson; patriotic MoMichael, equally worthy as a representa- tive citizen and soldier; i^elson Taylor, unsurpassed in soldierly qualities: "Leonidas" Taylor; indomitable Alick Hays; stout Se- well, approved soldier; stalwart Hayman; Ward, fearless veteran of two wars; sterling Prince; tactician Morris; free-lance Farnham; reliable Tremain; indefatigable Welling ; lamented Calhoun ; Mindil, as ready with his pen as with his sword — a clear and able military critic in the closet, and a brave and ready soldier in the field; irrepressible Briscoe; faithful Fassitt; noble Shreve; John M. Cooney, the reliable company officer and the faithful, able, brave and sagacious adjutant-general or staff officer; devoted Bul- lard, a friend true as steel; practical, politic Wainwright; honest Clark; harmonious Cooney; determined, "carry or die" Kiddoo; stainless McAllister, purest type of the highest class of the soldier, a servant of God and devotee to duty, an exemplar of the Chris- tian soldier, Grod-fearing, and therefore of man fearless, to whose sleepless vigilance and untiring industry the historian owes so large a debt of gratitude. He was one of those " Soldiers," as says an old divine, "that carrying their lives in their hands, did carry the grace of God in their hearts." Nor could justice be done to the notabilities of the corps without a particular mention of its right and left "bowers" — our dashing "wherever you see a head hit it," Michie— respectfully Michael W.— Burns, (73d, N. Y.), or rollicking, joking Edwin R. Biles, (99th Penn.), who were worse than Job's boils to the enemy. But I must cease, for even only to continue to name our braves would consume the night. Would that I possessed the gift to realize the simile of the greatest English poet, and put all that I think and feel into one word, an epos, and that the word were lightning ! How I would flash all this upon you in a sentence or in syllables of fire ! The day will come when to illustrate the Third Corps it will be simply necessary — as before observed — to name it, like Davoust's and Ney's Corps, under Napoleon; or like Sacken's Corps under Blucher; or Alvensleben's Brandenburgers under the Red Prince, Frederic Charles; just as the mere mention of the Tenth Legion recalls the whole story of the best fighting done throughout the campaigns of Caesar. This too, although our greatest exemplars, whose grandeur, like the sun, in heaven, compels acknowledgement — as Bonaparte 21 said of the French Kepublic after its years of victory — are mostly dead, or were separated from us, or became the suns of vaster systems. Kearny, Birney (who died in command of the Tenth Corps), Berry, Whipple, Jameson, Taylor sleep the sleep of heroes. They cannot speak for us, although "Nearer to Heaven their virtues shine more bright, Like rising flames expanding iu their height ; The martyr's glory crown'd the soldier's fight ! " Hooker — hero of Lookout mountain, the famous "battle above the clouds " went from us to exercise mightier commands and achieve greater renown on fields which the old Third never trod, and Sickles' mightest efforts were in lines of thought and action, in which the brain, and not the sword achieved the grandest triumphs. " Pure gold " Humphreys — " noblest of living men " as' poor General Macy styled him — first as Chief of Staff of the Army of the Potomac, and then as Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, continued to add new laurels to those ac- quired with our white division in 1863, and with one-half of the whole, or all that remained of the Third Corps in 1 864-5. " Whilst any trump did sound, or drum struck up, His sword did ne'er leave striking iu the field." The rays from the gemmated coronal of our corps seem as if con- densed into a golden mist in which they float distinct as heaven- hung Assisi to the observer's eye, as he journeys, towards sunset, through such glorious scenery, northward, toward Perugia, — like Assisi sparkling in the sunshine — obscuring all nearer objects. The individuality which characterized the Third Corps, its manly independence, its very rough nobility of soul, its peculiari- ties, its instinctive appreciation oi character which led it to de- tect shams, it mattered not how many stars glittered upon or about them, made it deadly enemies. These used the whole power of the administration to obscure the light which they could not quench, the individuality which they could not drown even in the self-sacrificing prodigality of its own free-will offerings of blood and life. Like a city built on a hill, the glory of the Old Third cannot be hid. Another and a happier day will come "when every man's work shall be revealed by fire." The work of the Old Third has been revealed under fire, through fire, by fire, in fire ! The old Third was the aggregate expression of American soldier-citizenship. It was not alone in this. There were regi- 22 ments and brigades — and perhaps divisions — equally so elsewhere, bnt no corps; and thus, as a peculiar corps, it was the grandest material expression of the greatest immaterial idea — free thought in free men made soldiers, made ONE by discipline. " The Third Corps, as WE understand it"— or "understood it" was an IDEA invested with MORTALITY, exactly what Miche- let said of Turenne's famous army: "A Man-Legion."* The old Third need never fear the revelations of the historian nor the investigations of the most able nor of the most cynical *Why the. Third Corps should have been sacrificed ia favor of the Second is inexplicable on any other grounds but pure favoritism. It was not a run- down, a numerically weak, or an incomplete Corps. On the contrary, it was in prime condition, up in force and perfectly complete as to a three division or- ganization. These exalted claims of the Old Third are no " high-for-New- ton," or " highfalutin " euphuisms ; they are unanswerable arguments ; they are based upon stern fasts ; they are borne out by figures. At Williamsburg, the first real battle of the Army of the Potomac, the Third Corps lost 2,647 to about 300 in all the other forces engaged. McClellan's Eeport (folio 190) sets down Hancock's loss at " only 31 men ; " Hancock's own Eeport reads " 129 killed, wounded and missing." On the Peninsula, according to a careful estimate from MoClellan'd Eeport, for he does not furnish a summary, the Third Corps lost 6,114 to 3,365 in the Second. If there is any error in these figures, the writer hopes that he will be corrected, with reference, however, to authorities j ustiying the correction. Fearful as were the losses of the Second Corps, when it had three divisions, in the Maryland campaign, of September, 1862, (5209) they cannot proportion- ately exceed those of the two depleted divisions of the Third, which were in every battle with Pope, under Kearny and Hooker. These twins of Mars and Glory were the chief factors and actors in every engagement. The Second did not get under fire on this line. The fact that the Third Corps had to remain behind at Washington to rest, recruit, and reorganize, proves what is claimed for it — that it was wrought or fought entirely to pieces. At Fredericksburg the Third Corps, out of its few regiments " put in,"' lost 1,029. The Second, thoroughly subjected to useless slaughter, lost 3,388. ChanceUorsville restored every or any balance of casualties in favor of the Third. It lost 4,039 ont of 18,000, to the Second's 2,025 out of 15,000. At Gettysburg the consolidated Third returned a list fully equal to the Second's. Throughout the Fall of 1863 both did very well, but equally well. Still, the Second, uuder such a commander as General Warren, who had his Corps- Commander's spurs to win, ought naturally to have done much better than the Third, which, while willing and anxious to do its whole duty, was dissatisfied and bitterly aggrieved. In \ lew of all the circumstances, why the full Third should have been com- bined with the Second and not have been suiiered, with its record and renown, to contiuue on as an independent organization, is incomprehensible, unless mo- tive is sought beyond the sphere of purely military expediency. 23 critic. Even a sis months polar night has a correspondingly long and brilliant day, and amid the darkness of that night the aurora with its opalescent flames soaring to the zenith besiows a super- natural beauty upon the gloomiest place and hour. Even so the light rising from the graves of our mighty dead — dead in the day of trial — blends a brilliancy to the present night of national forgetfulness and municipal treason to the past. The light of renown emitted from the "detested, dark, blood- drinking pit " in which repose the lion brood of our illustrious dead, whether of those who were stricken down upon the battle- field, or of those who have paid the last full measure of devotion since the war and through the war — this light resembles the brilliancy of the fabled carbuncle to which Martins Audronicus alludes to "as lightening all tha hole " like an Etruscan lamp within a hero's monument. Or, like the f^till more famous ruby (carbuncle or alabandicus) set in the steeple of old Hanseatic Wisby, our diamond dead will serve as light-houses to all who in future times boldly adventure in the track of glory upon the dangerous sea of soldiership. In conclusion let us ever bear in mind that the Red Diamond, Lozenge or Patch of Kearny was the original designation of the leading division of the Third Corps on the peninsula, and still ap- pears in the badge of this Third Army Corps Union. This simple soldiery conception, eventually deemed worthy of imitation through- out all the national armies, was first reduced to a practical formula and applied throughout the Army of the Potomac by a brother hero, Hooker, who commanded the second and only other division of the original old fighting Third, "as we understand it." But even as the diamond, the ruby and the sapphire exceed in value and in brilliancy the carbuncle, or any other jewel, even so the lustre of our symboKc gems will yet outshine ail other emblems. Oh band of brothers, champions of the right, Whose deeds in arms made foal rebellion ceaae, Even as yon shone like diamonds in the fight Shine on our country's biightest gems in peace. jFTEE this Anniversary Address was delivered, the gallant veteran who, first, enjoyed the supreme honor of commanding the Third Corps, addressed a letter to its author, implying some regret that more stress had not been laid on the first battle of the Army of the Potomac— like the battle of Fair Oaks or Silver Pines, Slst May- 1st June, 1862; like the engagement of the Peach Orchard, 25th June, 1862 ; like the battle of Hazel Grove, the battle, proper, of Chanoellorsville, 3d May, 1863 ; and like the battle of the Peach Orchard, the hardest fightiogof the battle of Gettysburg, 2d July, 1863— the peculiar property of "the glorious old Fighting Third Corps, as WE understand it." Gen. Heiutzelman remarks, Williamsburg " was the first battle after the first Bull Eun panic, and our holding our ground and advancing iu the morning, was probably worth all it cost, ia its moral effect. I have always viewed it iu that light." No one could put a higher estimate than the author upon the results achieved at Williamsburg, on the 5th May, 1862, but their consideration was assigned to Brig.-Gen. William J. Sewell, of New Jersey, who responded to the toast— " Williamsburg, the day we celebrate!" Still, whatever glories inured to the Third Corps for their magnificent action upon this occasion, the members of this Corps never fell below the highest degree of soldierly excellence which they attained in their first battle with antagonists worthy of them. This they maintained throughout their service on the Peninsula, under Pope, under Hooker, at Gettysburg, under Grant, down to the latest minute of the war. One of the most careful and competent writers on the great rebellion, in dwelling upon the importance of the position preserved by the Third Corps on the 2d of July, 1863, says: " It was to Gettysburg what Hazel Grove — (the position held by the Third Corps) — was to Chancellorsville." The brunt of the fighting in both battles fell on the Third. Meade, who did not love it, testified that " the enemy threw immense masses upon Sickles' Corps, which advanced and isolated in this way, it was not in my power to support promptly." In other words, it was left to blast its way to safety by itself. The Third Corps went into battle on the 2d July, 1863, 11,898 strong, and became thoroughly engaged about 3J to 4 p. m. The fighting raged until night closed, and when the battle was over only 5,766 remained. The Third Corps had lost 6,182. In less than five weeks the Diamond Badges had been depleted to the extent of 12,234 out of 18,000. When French's command of 10,000 men was assigned on the 8th July, at Middleburg, in Maryland, as a new Third Division to " the Third Corps as WE understand it;" this accession, which never assimilated with the boys of Kearny and of Hooker, was very nearly double the veteran remnant of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. On the 24th May, after reading the preceding pages, Brig.-Gen. (l^rev. Maj.- Gen.) A. A. Humphreys, U. S. A., (the last Commander of the combined 2d-3d Corps (now Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.) than whom no more competent judge exists of soldierly qualities and soldiership — whom more than one of our noblest and best, aye, even the most prominent of the enemy, considered the man most fitted to command, then and now, our national army — wrote thus : " Yes, I read your Third Corps address aud was greatly impressed by the enor- mous amount of work the Corps had done — WORK, the evidence o/ power !" APPENDIX. (I.) (Page 1, Lines 1-4). THE THIRD AEMY CORPS UNION was inaugurated 2d September, 1863, at the Headquarters of Maj.-General David B. Birney, Penn., U. S. V. 1st Division, Third Army Corps. OFFICERS ELECTED: (1.) Pres., Maj.-General Daniel E. Sickles, (N. Y.,) U. S. V. Vice-Pres., Maj.-General David B. Birney, (Penn.,) U. S. V. Recording Secretary, Captain Jos. C. Briscoe, (N. Y.,) U. S. V. Corresponding Secretary, Maj. H. B. Tremain, (N. Y..) U. S V. Treasurer, Brig.-General Gershom Mott, (N. J.,) U. S. V. [General Mott has continued to hold the office ol Treasurer since the organization of the Union, 1863, (1863-'75.)] September 20, 1863, General David B. Birney was elected President and Captain J. C. Briscoe, Secretary, and both con- tinued as such up to January 5, 1864, when Assistant Surgeon J. Theodore Calhoun, (N. J.,) U. S. A., was elected Secretary; Maj.-General Birney still being the President. On February 5, 1864, Surgeon Edward L.Welling, (N. J.,) U. S. V. was made Corresponding Secretary, and Dr. J. Theodore Calhoun, (N. J.,) U. S. A-, Recording Secretary. (2.) July 4, 1864, Maj.-General Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. V. 26 was made President, with same Secretaries as before; Maj.-Gsn- eral David B. Birney, Vice-President. October 22, 1864, Assis- tant Surgeon J. Theodore Calhoun, U. S. A., Recording Secretary of the "Union," resigned his position, owing to change of duties, and Surgeon Edward L. Welling, U. S. V. was elected Eecording Secretary and Captain E. B. Houghton, (Me.)Brigade Inspector, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, was elected Corresponding Secretary. June 3, 1865, Maj.-General Daniel E. Sickles, (N. Y.,) U. S. V. was elected President, Maj.-G-eneral Gershom Mott, (N. J.,) U. S. V., was elected Vice-President, Maj. E. L. Welling, (N.J.,) U. S. V. was elected Recording Secretary. [Col. E. L. Welling has held the office of Secretary to the Union since 1864, (1 864-75.)] Col. Chas. P. Mattocks, (Me.,) U. S. V., was elected Correspond- ing Secretary. This was the last Election and Meeting of or during the war. ANNUAL RE-UNIONS SINCE THE WAR. 1st. Continental Hotel, Philadelphia, Penn., May 5, 1866. President, Maj.-General Gershom Mott, (N. J.,) U. S. V.; Vice-President, Maj.-Gen. Robert McAllister, (N. J.,) U. S.V.; Secretary, Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U. S. V. 2d. Trenton House, Trenton, New Jersey, May 5, 1867, President, Maj.-General Gershom Mott, (N. J.,) U. S. V.; Vice- President, Maj.-General Robert McAllister, (N. J.,) U. S. V.; Secretary, Col.. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U. S. V. 3d. Trenton House, Trenton, New Jersey, May 5, 1868, President, Maj.-General Daniel E. Sickles, (N. Y.,) U. S. A. and U. S. V.; Vice-President, Brig.-General William J. Sewell, (N. J.,) U. S. v.; Secretary^ Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U. S. V. 4th. Delmonico's 14th Street and 5th Avenue, New York City, May 5, 1869, President, Maj.-General Daniel E. Sickles, (N. Y.,) U. S. A. and U. S. V.; Vice President, Brig.-General William J. Sewell, (N. J.,) U. S. V.; Secretary, Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U. S, V. 5th. Parker House, Boston, Mass., May 5, 1870, President, Maj.-General Daniel E. Sickles, (N. Y.,) U. S. A. and U. S. V.; Vice-President, Brig.-General Charles P. Mattocks, (Me.,)U.S.V.; Secretary, Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U, S. V. 27 6th. Astor House, New York City, May 5, 1871, President, Maj.-General Charles JK. Graham, (N. Y.,) U. S. V.; Vice- President, Col. Clayton Macmichajl, (Penn.,) U.S.A. and U.S.V.;- Secretary, Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U. S. V. 7th. Guy's Hotel, Philadelphia, Penn., May 5, 1872, Presi- dent, Brig.-General Charles K. Graham, (N. Y.,) U. S. V.; Vice-President, Col. Clayton Macmichael, (Penn,,) U. S. A. and U. S v.; Secretary, Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U. S. V. 8th. Maison Doree, Union Square, New York City, May 5, 1873, President, Col. Clayton Macmichisl, (Penn.,) U. S. A. and U. S. v.; Vice-President, Maj.-General George H. Sharpe, (N. Y.,) U. S. v.; Secretary, Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J,,) U. S. V. , 9th. Newark, New Jersey, May 5, 1874, President, Col. Clayton Macmichfel, (Penn.,) U. S. A. and U. S. V.; Vice-Presi- dent, Maj.-General George H. Sharpe, (N. Y.,) U. S. v.; Sec- retary, Col. Edward L. WeUing, (N. J.,) U. S. V. 10th. Delmonico's, 14th Street and 5th Avenue, New York City, May 5, 1875, President, Maj -General George H. Sharpe, (N. Y.,) U. S. v.; Vice-President, Brig.-General William J. Sewell, (N. J.,) U. S. V.; Secretary, Col. Edward L. Welling, (N. J.,) U. S. V. (II.) (Page- 9, Lines 31-35). COMPOSITION OF THE THIED AKMY COEPS, COM- PLETE, OF THE AEMY OF THE POTOMAC. Major-General Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. V., Commanding. List of regiments serving in the Third Army Corps, created by the President's War Order, No. 2, March 8,- 1862. and announced in General Orders, No. 101, Army of the Potomac, March 13, 1862. This corps was discontinued March 26, 1864, and the troops transferred to the Second and Sixth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, (none to the Sixth, however, which belonged to the Third Corps, "as WE understand it," only those of French's division, (the Third) added to the Third Corps after Gettysburg). 28 THIRD {Kearny's famous Red Patch, afterwards Birney's) DIVISION. • {Name changed to First Divison in August, 1862.) FIRST BRIGADE. 57th Pennsylvania Vols., from March 13, 1862, to August 12, 1862, when transferred to Second Brigade, and back March 3, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 63d Pennsylvania Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 150th Pennsylvania Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 87th New Vork Vols., March 13, 1862, to August 23, 1862. 20th Indiana Vols., June 10, 1862, to March 23, 1862, when transferred to Second Brigade. 114th Pennyslvania Vols., September— , 1862, toMarch26, 1864. 68th Pennsylvania Vols., September — , 1862, to November — , 1863, when transferred to Third Brigade. 141st Pennsylvania Vols., September — ,1862, to March 26, 1864. 110th Pennsylvania Vols., transferred from First Brigade, Novem- ber—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. SECOND BRIGADE. 38th (J. H. Hobart Ward's) New York Vols., from March 13, 1862, to June 22, 1863. 40th (Thos. W. Egan's) New York Vols., March 13, 1862, to May — , 1863, when transferred to Third Brigade. 3d Maine Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 4th Maine Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. lOlst New York Vols., June 9, 1862, to November 16, 1862, when transferred to Third Brigade. 57th Pennsylvania Vols., transferred from First Brigade, August 12, 1862, to March 3, 1863, when transferred to First Brigade. 1st New York Vols., transferred from Third Brigade, August — , 1862, to September — , 1862, when transferred to Third Brigade. 99th Pennsylvania Vols., transferred from Third Brigade, Sep- tember—, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 55th New York Vols., transferred from Third Brigade, November 11, 1862, to December—, 1862. 20th Indiana Vols., transferred from First Brigade, March 3, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 29 86th New York Vols., transferred from Third Division, June — , 1863, to March 26, 1864. 124th New York Vols., transferred from Third Division, June — , 1863, to March 26, 1864. 1st United States Sharpshooters, (Berdan's), transferred from Third Division, June—, 1863, to September—, 1863, when transferred to Third Brigade. 2d United States Sharpshooters, (Post's), transferred from Third Division, June—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. THIRD BRIGADE. , 2d Michigan Vols., from March 13, 1862, to November 14, 1862. 3d Michigan Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 5th Michigan Vols., (Pierce's) March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 37th New York Vols., March 13, 1862, to June 7, 1863. Ist New York Vols., June 3, 1862, to August—, 1862, when transferred to Second Brigade, and back September — , 1862, to May 7, 1863. 99th Pennsylvania Vols. (Alick Hayes and Edwin R. Biles), July 5, 1862, to September — , 1862, when transferred to Second Brigade. 17th Maine Vols., October—, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 55th New York Vols., October—, 1862, to November 11, 1862, when transferred to Second Brigade. 40th New York Vols., transferred from Second Brigade, May — , 1863, to March 26, 1864. 110th Pennsylvania Vols., transferred from Third Division, June — , 1863, to November — , 1863, when transferred to First Brigade. 1st United States Sharpshooters, transferred from Second Brigade, September—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 68th Pennsylvania Vols., transferred from First Brigade, No- vember—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. ARTILLERY. Company Gr, Second United States, from March 12, 1862, to July 18, 1862. Company B, First New Jersey, March, 1862, to June 5, 1862, when transferred to Second Division, and back April — , 1863, transferred to Corps Artillery, May — , 1863. 30 Company E, First Khode Island, from March 13, 1862, to May — , 1863, when transferred to Corps Artillery. Company K, Third United States, from July 1862, to May — , 1863. Company F, Third United States, from Oct. — , 1862, to May — , 1863. SECOND (Hooker's White Diamond, afterwards Berry's, finally Mott's) DIVISION. FIRST BRIGADE. 1st Massachusetts Vols., from March 13, 1862, to Aug. — , 1863, and from Oct. — , 1863, to March 26, 1864 2d New Hampshire Vols., March 13, 1862, to Feb. — , 1863. 11th Massachusetts Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 16th Massachusetts Vols., June — , 1862, to March 26, 1864. 26th Pennsylvania Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 11th New Jersey Vols., Nov. — , 1862, to March 26, 1864. 84th Pennsylvania Vols., transferred from Third Division, June 2, 1863, to March 26, 1864. ; 12th New Hampshire Vols., transferred from Third Division, June 2, 1863, to July 26, 1864. SECOND BRIGADE. 70th (Sickles's, Dwight's, Farnum's) New York Vols., Excelsior Brigade, from March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 71st (Hall's) New York Vols., Excelsior Brigade, March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 72d (Nelson Taylor's) New York Vols., Excelsior Brigade, March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 73d (Brewster's, Mickey (Michael W.) Burns') New York Vols., Excelsior Brigade, March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 74th (Chas. K. Graham's) New York Vols., Excelsior Brigade, March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 120th New York Vols., Nov. — , 1862, to March 26, 1864. THIRD BRIGADE. 5th New Jersey Vols., from March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 6th New Jersey Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864, 7th New Jersey Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 8th New Jersey Vols., March 13, 1862, to March 26, 1864. 31 2d New York Vols., March 13, 1862, to May — , 1864. 115th Pennsylrania Vols., July — , 1862, to June 26, 1864. 2d New Hampshire Vols., June — , 1863 (previously was in First Brigade), to July ^6, 1863. AETILLEKY. Company K (Seely's), Fourth United States, from March 13, 1862, to May — , 1863, when transferred to Corps Artillery. Company B., First New Jersey, transferred from Third Division June 5, 1862, to April — , 1863, when transferred to First Division. Company H, First United States, March 13, 1862, to May—, 1863. Fourth New York Battery, March 13, 1862, to May—, 1863, when transferred to Corps Artillery. Company D, First New York, February — , 1863, to May — , 1863, when transferred to Corps Artillery. THIRD {Whipple's Blue Diamond) DIVISION. Organized November, 1862. (Consolidated luith the First and Second Divisions, June, 1863, after Chancellor sville.) FIRST BRIGADE. 122d Pennsylvania Vols., from November — , 1862, to May 15, 1863. 124th New York Vols., November — , 1862, to June — , 1863, when transfiBrred to First Division. 86th New York Vols., November — , 1862, to June — , 1863, when transferred to First Division. 84th Pennsylvania Vols , transferred from Second Brigade, Feb- ruary — , 1863, to March — , 1863, when transferred to Second Brigade, 6th New York Artillery, from July 13, 1863, to August 30, 1863. 151st New York Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 10th Vermont Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 14th New Jersey Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 32 SECOND BRIGADE. 84th Pennsylvania Vols., from November — , 1862, to February — , 1863, when transferred to First Brigade, and back March, 1863, to June, 1863, when transferred to Second Division. 110th Pennsylvania Vols., November — , 1862, to June — , 1863, wlien transferred to First Division. 163d New York Vols., November—, 1862, to January 17, 1863. 12th New Hampshire Vols., transferred Irom unassigned Jan- uary 17, 1863, to June, 1863, when transferred to Second Division. 1st United States Sharpshooters, fiom February — , 1863, to March 13, 1863, when transferred to Third Brigade. 2d United States Sharpshooters, February — , 1863, to March 13, 1863, when transferred to Third Brigade. 122d Ohio Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 6th Maryland Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 138th Pennsylvania Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. THIRD BRIGADE — Organized March 13, 1863. 1st United States Sharpshooters, transferred from Second Brigade, March 13, 1863, to June, 1863, when transfer- red to First Division. 2d United States Sharpshooters, transferred from Second Brigade, March 13, 1863, to June, 1863, when transfer- red to First Division. 67th Pennsylvania Vols., from July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 87th Pennsylvania Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 106th New York Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 126th Ohio Vols., July 13, 1863, to March 26, 1864. Not brigaded, 12th New Hampshire Vols., from November — , 1862, to January 17, 1863, when transferred to Second Brigade. ARTILLERY. Company H, First Ohio, from November — , 1862, to Maj' — , 1863. 11th New York Battery, November — , 1862, to May — , 1863. 10th New York Battery, November — , 1862, to May — , 1863. 33 AETILLEEY BRIGADE. Company E, First Rhode Island, transferred from First Division, May—, 1863, to March 26, 1864, when transferred to Artillery Reserve. Company D, First New York, transferred from Second Division, May — , 1863, to March 26, 1864, when transferred to Artillery Reserve. 4th New York Battery, transferred from Second Division, May — , 1863, to July — , 1863, wh n transferred to Artillery Reserve. Company K, Fourth United States, transferred from Second Division, May—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. Company B, First New Jersey, transferred from First Division, May—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 12th New York Battery, from July—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 4th Maine Battery, from July—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. 10th Massachusetts Battery, July—, 1863, to March 26, 1864. Keystone Pennsylvania Battery, July — , 1863, to August — , 1863. Company A, First New Hampshire Artillery, October — , 1863, to March 26, 1864. (III.) (Page 19, Line 18.) (Refer back to pages 4 and 5.) (COMBINED SECOND-THIRD CORPS, A. OF THE P.) Maj.-Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS, U. S. V., commanding Corps. THIRD DIVISION. Consolidated residuum of the Old Third Corps, "as we under- stand it!" present at Appomattox Court House, 9th April, 1865. Bkev. Brig-Gen. Regis db Trobriand (N. Y, Vol.), [vice Brev. Maj. G-en. Gershom Mott (N. J. Vol.), severely wounded on the 6th April, 1865.] FIRST brigade, Col. R. B. Shephard (Vol., Me.), 1st Maine Heavy Artillery, Commanding. 34 99th Pennsylvania Vols., Lieut.-Col. Peter Fritz. (Col. E. K. Biles' Eegiment.) llOth Pennsylvania Vols., Capt. J. B. Fite. 20tli Indiana Vols., Lieut.-Col. A. S. Andrews. 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Vols., Lieut.-Col. Zimro A. Smith. 40th New York .Vols., Lieut.-Col. M. M. Cannon. 73d New York Vols., Lieut.-Ool. M. W. Burns. (Original Ex- celsior Brigade consolidated.) 86th New York Vols., Major L. Todd. 124th New York Vols., Lieut.-Col. C. H. Weygant. SECOND BRIGADE, Brig.-Gen. B. K. Pierce (Vol., Minn, or Mich.), Commanding. 5th Michigan Vols., Lieut.-Col. D. S. Eoot. 57th Pennsylvania Vols., Major Samuel Bryan. 105th Pennsylvania Vols., Major James Miller. 14 1st Pennsylvania Vols., Lieut.-Col. J. H. Horton. 93d New York Vols., Lieut.-Col. H.'Gifford. 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Major N. Shatswell. 17th Maine Vols., Lieut.-Col. William Hobson. THIRD BRIGADE, Brev. Brig.-Gen. R. McAllister (Vol., N. J.), Col. 11th N. J Vols., Commanding. 7th Battalion New Jersey Vols., Col. Francis Price. 8th Battalion New Jersey Vols., Lieut.-Col. Henry Hartford. 11th New Jersey Vols., Lieut.-Col. John Schoonover. 11th Battalion Massachusetts Vols., Lieut.-Col. C. 0. Elvers. 120th New York Vols., Lieut.-Col. A. L. Lockwood. ARTILLERY, Brev. Lieut.-Col. John G. Hazard (Vol.), Commanding. Battery K, 4th U. S. Artillery, Brev. Capt. J. W. Eoder. Battery B, 1st New Jersey Artillery, Capt. E. P. Clark. 10th Massachusetts Battery, Capt. J. Webb Adams. 12th New York Battery, Capt. C. A. Clarke. 35 (IV.) (Page 18, Line 27.) Between Gettysburg, 1st, 2d and 3d July, 1863, and the burst- ing up of the Rebel lines before Petersburg, 2d April, 1865, the old Third was heavily engaged in the following battles: Manassas Gap, 24th July, 1863. McLean's Ford, 15th October, 1863. " The Races," as styled by the Rebels; (sarcastically termed "A , Campaign of Manoeuvres,") November, 1863. Kelley's Ford, 8th November, 1863. Jacob's Ford, ...26th November, 1863. Locust Grove, or Mine Run, 27th November, 1863, First Battle of the "Wilderness, 5th May, 1864. Second and Third Battles of the Wilderness, 6th May, 1864. Brown House, or First Spottsylvania, 10th May, 1864. Second Spottsylvania, 12th May, 1864. Third Spottsylvania, 15th May, 1864. At or about Spottsylvania, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th May, 1864. North Anna, 23d as well as 24th May, 1864. Tolopotamy River, 31st May and 1st June, 1864. Coal (or Cold) Harbor, 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th June, 1864. Barker's Mill, from 6th to 12th June, 1864. First Petersburg, 16th June, 1864. Second Petersburg, 18th June, 1864. (The 18th was particularly disastrous. This was termed the " Hare-House Slaughter," an abominable waste of life. The Third lost 636 killed and wounded in one regiment alone, the Ist Maine Heavy Artillery.) Fighting day and night, from the 18th to 24th June, or assaulting and skirmishing in front of Petersburg, from 16th to 24th June. First Deep Bottom, 26th to 30th July, 1864. Mine Explosion, 30th July, 1864. Second Deep Bottom, 14th to 18th August, 1864. (The hard fighting of our Corps, from 26th July to 18th August, was on the North side of the James.) First Weldon Rail Road, 25th August, 1864. Jerusalem Plank Road, 9th September, 1864. Assaulted and captured picket line in front of Fort Sedgwick, sometimes styled Fort Hell, 10th September, 1864. (Fighting constantly for several days, indeed, almost the whole month.) 36 Poplar Grove, from 1st to 5th October, 1864. Poplar Spring. Church, 25th October, 1864. Bpydton Plank Koad, or "First Bull " Pec, 27th October, 1864. (Here Acting Brigadier McAllister saved the old Second, under a Third Corpsman, Brig.-Gren. Egan, and our Brig.-Gen. Mott particularly distinguished himself.) Picket Line Fight and repulse of attack on Fort Morton, 5th November, 1864. Second Weldon Rail Road (and its destruction), (styled by the soldiers the " Apple Jack Raid.") 9 th December, in fact from 6th to 12th December, 1864. Hatcher's Run, or Second Bull Pen, 5th February, 1865, like- wise 6th and 7th. Armstrong House, fighting all day, 25th March, 1865. The grand and final movement commenced ...29th March, 1865. Fighting every day, advancing and extending the Union lines, until we broke the Rebel lines, 29th, 30th and 31st March, and Ist April, 1865. Cornell University Library E493.1 3d .D41 The anniversary 3''''''^S|fi,,|'|||'mi'i||nif|^^^^ ^^.^ 3 1924 032 780 615 ^^^^