Special references to some of the officers of the regiment. Remarks
upon prominent questions before the country. Finis.
Of some of those who were my companions during the progress of the
war I have made mention, but in the final review of narrative I am
reminded of many others whom I have omitted, to whose worth I could
testify with earnestness and feeling. I am conscious, also, of not
having given sufficient prominence to the social life in the army. Our
duties were oftentimes severe, trying, and perilous; but it was not
all duty, and my intercourse with many if not most of the officers
whom I met was both elevating and stimulating, especially within
our own regiment. I remember well my first introduction to Captain
(afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel) Strickland. He was officer of the day
when I made my first application to be admitted to the camp at Fort
Hamilton. "What are you here for?" he asked, to which I replied that
I hoped to become an officer of the regiment. "Impossible!" said he,
"and I advise you to take yourself off as quickly as possible, as
every officer has been selected, and there isn't a ghost of a chance
for you." Further explanation, however, effected an entrance to the
camp; and before the guard was relieved I had been regularly mustered
into the service, as second lieutenant of Company G. Notwithstanding
the brusqueness of his first salutation, I found him to be an educated
gentleman, and my relations with him while he remained in the service
were intimate and most agreeable. Of Lockwood I have already written,
but have only faintly expressed the constant pleasure which I enjoyed
in his companionship. Hurst and Edwards, both sacrificed at Wagner,
although of diverse habits and tastes, contributed their full share to
the social life of the regiment, while Carleton, Miller and Bodine are
all living to enjoy the memory of their faithful service in camp and
field. Among the younger officers was Dr. J. Mott Throop, assistant
surgeon. I could not forget him; for, while lying in the hospital,
stricken down with fever, he brought me the welcome papers which made
me free again. Better than medicine had been his friendly offices;
but better than all else combined was the release from army life when
there could be no hope of restoration to health, and consequently no
further efficient service. In all the world he could find no lovelier
scenes than now surround him in his home among the Berkshire Hills.
As he goes his daily round of ministration to the sick and suffering,
may the beauty which appeals to him from hill and mountain side and
peaceful valley minister to his soul continual comfort and joy, is the
sincere wish of his friend and former comrade. Now, having told my
story and rendered these forgotten tributes, I seem to hear the patient
reader who has followed me to this point say: Why don't he add the
finis and have done. So perhaps I should. But may I not be indulged in
a few reflections which seem to claim a relationship with the events
herein narrated? Since the surrender at Appomattox, another generation
has arisen, and many of those who were too young to participate in,
or even understand, the questions involved in the war have grown to
manhood and are occupying places in the State and National councils.
The war is indeed over, but to these, and to all others who aspire to
official positions,--yes, and equally to the people at large,--there
remain duties to perform, difficulties and perils to encounter. Not so
great, it may be, as those here narrated, but such as shall test the
loyalty and patriotism as surely if not so severely as in the scenes
herein depicted. The colored people of the South have been endowed with
the full rights of citizenship under the law; but the task remains of
fitting them for the exercise of this great privilege, and protecting
them against injustice and wrong. Under the influence of a discontented
and vicious class of emigrants from the old world who have brought from
its oppressions and want a spirit of rebellion against even the most
necessary restraints of society, serious divisions have been created.
The poorer and those who call themselves the laboring class have
arrayed themselves in organized antagonism against those more sagacious
and more successful than themselves. The cry of the communist of Paris
is being repeated here and must be heeded, or the most unhappy results
may follow. May we rest, then, in blind security, or shall the men of
this and coming generations rather emulate the spirit of their fathers
who, with true devotion to principle and duty, freely offered all, even
life itself, on the altar of their country? Let the questions which now
occupy the minds of the people be settled on the broadest principles of
justice. Let every wrong that now disturbs the peace and well-being of
society be met and adjusted, with the fullest regard for the welfare
of the humblest and most dependent, and may the spirit which animated
the "Saints" be the promise and fulfilment of the hopes and prayers
of those who sought these shores whereon to found a government which
should guarantee to all men freedom, justice, and equality.