The Evening Star, July 12, 1904, Page 7.
MONUMENT UNVEILED
To Memory of Dead of 122d New York Volunteers.
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY
SITE OF FORT STEVENS.
Speeches of Survivors of Contest of Forty Years Ago — Col. Bingham's Oration.
The long, clear notes of Bugler Wilfred Gaudet, chief trumpeter of the 15th United States Cavalry Band, sounding “Assembly” at Battle Ground cemetery this afternoon at 3 o'clock was the signal for the unveiling ceremonies of the monument to the dead of the 122d New York, erected by the survivors. A most distinguished audience greeted the presiding officer, Capt. George H. Casler, president of the Regimental Association, and one of the largest ever gathered in that cemetery.
On the platform were many survivors of the battle at Fort Stevens, including Col. James M. Gear, Col. O. V. Tracey, Capt. Robert M. Moses, Capt Martin Ryan, Col. George H. Casler, Caius Weaver, William J. Anderson, W. A. Burlingane and Hubbard Mauzer. As guests of the association were Gen. John C. Black, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, and staff; Col. Abram Hart, commander of the Department of the Potomac, G. A. R., and staff; Col. John McElroy, past senior vice commander-in-chief; Auditors Rittman, Andrews and Brown, Dr. Charles V. Petteys, president of the Associated Survivors of the 6th Corps; Dr. Reuben Burton, Mrs. Ida L. Chase, president of the Department of the Potomac, W. R. C.; Gen. George H. Harries and a large number of others who had been carried directly to the grounds in a special car.
The picture spread out before the audience was fair to look upon. Much fairer in every way than it was forty years ago.
A Striking Contrast.
Forty years ago, this day and this date, barring the year, the people of the city were awakened by the thunder of guns at the walls of Washington, and then indeed was there “mounting in hot haste the steed, the mustering squadron and the clattering car,” for the enemy's objective point was the national Capitol building and the national archives, and it was well known to the people of Washington that it was practically defenseless!
This morning the song of birds in the beautiful parks and the distant boom of the sunrise gun at the fort over on Arlington Heights was the harshest sound that fell on slowly awakening senses. Out beyond the city limits on the northeast line of the District, where grass-covered parapets and flower-grown embrasures mark the lines of forts and fortifications which forty years ago were thrown up to protect Washington, flags are flying, laurel wreaths are hung and rose garlands wreath the monuments which stand like sentinels at the gateway to the one memorable battlefield of the great civil war which lies within the confines of the District of Columbia.
Forty years is more than half of the average lifetime, yet many of those gathered at Fort Stevens today to dedicate to their undying memory the monument erected by survivors to the dead of the 122d New York were not boys when they fought in that battle to save Washington. One was there who lost his good right arm almost on the spot where he unveiled the monument and drew aside the flag which he nearly gave his life to save and which is hallowed to him by the lives of seven of his comrades, five of whom sleep beneath the low green tents In Battle Ground cemetery.
Others were there who shed their blood upon that battlefield and were left for dead when the smoke of battle had rolled away to the northwest, yet after forty years to the day and almost to the hour bands were playing and handsomely gowned women, children with flags and men wearing the badges of veteran organizations which had their birth in the armies of both blue and gray were gathering to dedicate a monument to the memory of the dead of a northern regiment, and peace smiled above them all, while the mocking birds in the tall trees sang reveille, requiem and rejoicing.
The sky was blue and the sun bright at Fort Stevens today, but not as cloudless nor as brassy as it was forty years ago, declared some of the survivors. “It was an awful day,” said Col. Tracy; “hot as it ever gets in this vicinity, and clouds of dust and smoke filled the air to suffocation.”
Today at Fort Stevens.
Today the air was clear as crystal, and off to the right the flag at Fort Stevens floated out against the azure of the sky like a thing of life. Under the trees at Battle Ground cemetery there were hundreds of flags, big and little. The platform was covered with a canopy and drapery of them, and they hung among the trees in beautiful festoons. It was cool and pleasant under the big oaks and maples, which was fortunate, for the immense crowd would have suffered with the heat, even though a little wind was stirring.
The 15th Cavalry Band, Charles Burger, leader, never played to greater advantage, and the inspiring strains of the martial airs of the war were received with enthusiasm. This is also true or Prof. Jasper McFall's singing. He sang two favorites this afternoon, “The Veteran's Last Song” and “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground,” accompanied by his daughter, Miss Marian McFall.
The invocation was pronounced by Rev. W. G. Davenport. Col. Tracy then presented the monument. Col. Tracy said:
Col. Tracy's Opening Speech.
The 122d New York Volunteers was organized entirely in the county of Onondaga in the summer of 1862, and was mustered in the United States service under the command of Col. Silas Titus at Syracuse, N. Y., August 28. 1862.
We were sent forward to Washington August 31, 1862, and after a few days in camp were ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, for Lee, having overwhelmed Pope at the second battle of Bull Run, was just entering upon the invasion of Maryland and additional troops were sorely needed.
We were fortunate in being assigned to the 6th Army Corps, and to Cochran's Brigade, soon to be commanded by that gallant soldier, Gen. Alexander Shaler, to whom our regiment has always felt greatly indebted for the splendid training he gave us and the soldierly qualities with which he inspired us.
As part of that splendid corps under the command of Generals Franklin, Sedgwick and Wright, we took part in all the battles and campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, from Antietam to Appomattox, besides serving under Sheridan in the brilliant campaign of the Shenandoah valley, where, defeating Early in three battles fought within a month, he won his stars as major general in the regular army.
Col. 0. V. Tracy.
Of all the services rendered by our corps and regiment in their three years of service perhaps none were more important than the defense of Washington on this field on July 12, 1864. Gen. Early's troops having been turned from Baltimore by the gallant defense of Gen. Wallace at Monocacy, in whose command was included the third division of our corps, on the morning of July 11, 1864, came within sight of the dome of the Capitol, and learning that the works were feebly manned, he anticipated an easy entry into Washington.
It is almost impossible to conceive what would have been the disastrous effect of his occupation of the city even for a brief period, and the irreparable damage that would have been done to the Union cause. Realizing that no time was to be lost he ordered Rhodes to bring his division into line and move into the works. But the 1st and 2d divisions of the 6th Army Corps had been ordered to Washington and the advance reached the 7th street wharf early in the morning of July 11. Never was there a more opportune arrival. Dr. Geo. T. Stevens, the historian of the 6th Army Corps, has thus described our march to the front:
“The column was formed and we marched up 7th street past the Smithsonian Institute, the patent office and the post office, meeting on our way many old friends and hearing people on the crowded sidewalks exclaiming, ‘It Is the old 6th Corps.’ ‘These are the men who took Marye's Heights.’ ‘The danger is over now.’
“Washington an hour before was in a panic, now as the people saw the veterans, wearing the badge of the Greek cross, marching through their streets, the excitement subsided, confidence prevailed. We made our way to the north of the city, the sound of cannonading on our front stimulating and hastening our men.”
Before Rhodes had been able to get his division in line the advance of our column had reached the works.
What must have been Early's disappointment as he saw disciplined troops move out in front forming a heavy skirmish line, and recognizing the banners bearing the Greek cross of the 6th Army Corps, he realized that his opportunity of entering the city had passed.
Our regiment lay that night in rear of the fortifications near Fort Stevens and at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of July 12 General Wright ordered General Wheaton to drive back the confederate line, which was then within rifle shot of Fort Stevens, and to occupy the wooded heights held by them.
General Wheaton ordered Bidwell's brigade, consisting of the 43d , 49th, 77th and 122d New York, 7th Maine and 61st Pennsylvania, to make this attack.
Just as we were about to move out President Lincoln rode past, and went into Fort Stevens, where he remained during the battle, constantly exposing himself, despite the remonstrances of General Wright. Realizing that the President was a spectator, was it any wonder that the confederate line was quickly driven back by our brigade and the position they had occupied taken and held. That night Early retreated and Washington was saved.
The members of our regiment have long felt that the spot where our comrades are buried and Lincoln's presence at the battle had made historic ground should be marked by an appropriate monument.
On behalf of the committee having the matter in charge it is my pleasant duty to present to the regiment and the Fort Stevens Battlefield Association this monument. which has been erected through the generosity of the survivors and some devoted friends of the regiment, in memory of our comrades who here gave up their lives in the service of their country, of those other comrades, living and dead, who were wounded on that memorable day, and also in honor of a regiment that never failed of its duty in its three years' service in the glorious 6th Army Corps.
Col. 0. V. Tracy.
Col. O. V. Tracy enlisted as a private in the 122d New York Regiment, and because of bravery and meritorious service was rapidly promoted to sergeant major, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, adjutant and captain. He was brevetted major for conspicuous gallantry in the Shenandoah valley campaign, including the battles of Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar creek.
Later he was brevetted lieutenant colonel for his conduct in the final campaign and the battle of Sailor's creek. During the battle of the Wilderness, May 6. 1864, Col. Tracy was taken prisoner, but later he escaped from Lynchburg in a rebel uniform, and reached the Union lines at Harper's Ferry June 1, 1864.
Accepted by Capt. Casler.
The monument was then accepted by Capt. G. H. Casler, who spoke as follows:
“On behalf of the Veteran Association of the 122d New York, of which I have the honor to be president, and in the name of that association, I accept this beautiful monument, which will ever stand as a memorial of the love and affection of the surviving members of the regiment for the memory of their comrades who were killed and wounded on this battlefield forty years ago today, and to mark the spot where the regiment, in the presence of the immortal Lincoln, in the very fore front of the battle, helped to beat back the army of Gen. Early as it surged up to the very gates of the Capitol.
“And Col. Tracy—permit me to congratulate you and through you the members of the committee for the success which has attended your efforts in securing so fine a monument to mark this historic spot; It is creditable alike to the patriotism of the members of the regiment and good judgment of the committee.
“The motives which have prompted us to assemble here today are among the most sacred that spring from the human heart: we have no thought of worldly gain or honor. We have laid aside our worldly cares for a brief time and given ourselves up to a touch of sentiment, which can but lift us up and make us appreciate our country more and serve her better. We simply wish to preserve and honor the memory of our comrades; they lie peacefully sleeping in the bosom of the land they loved; they gave up their precious lives that the country might live, and for a cause which was eternally right.
“I have thought if they could only know to what great heights the country they died to save has risen. If they could only know that all bitterness and hatred between the north and south had passed away; that we were once again a united country. If they could only know that our country had taken her proud place among the nations of the earth a beacon light to a higher civilization, and that the glorious old stars and stripes now floats over land and sea; known and respected the world over as the chosen banner of a free people, a symbol of liberty and power.
“When we think of the wonderful growth and development of our country since the close of the civil war our bosoms can but swell with pride and satisfaction when we think that when our country called for help we placed our all, our lives if need be, on our country's altar and helped each in his humble capacity to bring to a successful close that great struggle for the life of the nation. Our country needed soldiers then and it needs the influence of the old soldiers now. It is one thing to save a nation and another to maintain and preserve it. But the same spirit of self-sacrifice which animated the young men from 1861 to 1865 will always carry us safely through any emergency. It requires as high an order of courage and patriotism to live for one's country as to die for it; the former is sometimes, I think, the more difficult.
“And as we unveil and dedicate this monument to our fallen comrades let us do so with a higher and greater appreciation of the sacrifices they made, and as we leave this place let us renew our obligations of loyalty and devotion to this our beloved country—the land of freedom and opportunity—the highest type of civilized government known to mankind.”
The Monument Unveiled.
As the last words were spoken the monument was unveiled amid prolonged applause and the booming of the battery stationed east of the grounds.
The unveiling of the monument was performed in harmony with the idea that the draping American flag should never fall to the ground after unveiling, but on the contrary should be carried above and allowed to float in the breezes.
The arrangement and general scheme for the unveiling and decorations were designed by Fred. D. Owen, and were simple and appropriate. Nothing but American flags were used.
The beautiful gray Barre granite shaft was wrapped in the folds of a large new American flag covering for the time being the appropriate inscriptions, names of Abraham Lincoln and the illustrious defenders who were wounded in the famous engagement on this ground, together with the great seal of the state of New York.
At the moment of unveiling Capt. Caius Weaver, who lost one arm in the battle which took place on this very spot forty years ago, drew the lacing cord which released the folds and the flag immediately opened and revealed the monument in all its charms, at the same time the flag began to ascend to a stretcher run above, where it took its position like other large flags, among the spaces between the trees, in incircling and protecting those gathered in the audience, and at the same time forming a beautiful background.
The monument is a beautiful memorial to the dead, and the work was done by J. F. Manning of the District under the personal superintendence of Col. B. F. Bingham.
Dr. Thomas Calver, medical director of the Department of the Potomac, then presented an original poem, “The March of the Gallant Sixth Corps.&rdqou;
Col. Bingham's Address.
By urgent request of the survivors of the 122d New York, Colonel Benjamin F. Bingham, past commander of the Department of the Potomac, G. A. R., and chairman of the committee on arrangements for the dedication of the monument, delivered the principal address. Colonel Bingham's address was fully descriptive of the movement upon Washington, and of the battle, and is important historically because of his active participation in it. He said, in part:
“On the dome of yonder Capitol stands the statue of Freedom, and on the globe upon which it rests is cast in imperishable bronze the words, ‘E Plurlbus Unum,’ which most fittingly represent our great Union. The sentiment for today is, then, ‘Saving the Union.’
“When Abraham Lincoln was on his way to Washington to be Inaugurated President of the United States, at 6 o'clock in the morning of February 22, 1861, he stood in old Independence Hall, where he made that remarkable address, and in opening said: ‘I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing in this place, where were collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle from which sprang the Institutions under which we live. * * * All the political sentiments I entertain have been drawn, so far as I have been able to draw them, from the sentiments which have originated in, and were given to the world from, this hall. I have often pondered over the dangers which were incurred by the men assembled here who framed and adopted that Declaration.’
Purpose of the Monument.
“Forty-one years have gone into eternity since Vicksburg—that boasted stronghold of the confederacy and Gibraltar of the Mississippi, surrendered to General Grant and was occupied by the Army of the Tennessee. It is forty-one years and eight days ago today that the battle of Gettysburg. Pa., was lost to the invading army of Northern Virginia under General Lee, and the greatest victory achieved by the Army of the Potomac under General Meade was announced to the world. And forty years ago today was fought the battle of Fort Stevens District of Columbia, which had much to do in helping Mr. Lincoln carry out his great purpose of saving the Union, and will for all time be regarded an important event in American history. In this battle, mainly participated in by the 6th Corps, the 122d Regiment, New York Volunteers, bore an honorable part, and eighteen of its men were wounded and seven went down to death. The survivors and friends of the regiment, from Onondaga county, N. Y., are here today—the fortieth anniversary of the battle to fittingly commemorate that event by dedicating the monument which they have here erected to the memory of the fallen and the valor of the regiment. Several of those who were in the Fort Stevens' battle are present, and Comrade Weaver, who unveiled the monument, lost his good right arm on this historic field.
“We are glad of the privilege of erecting our monument on that portion of the battlefield which was consecrated forty years ago by the government as a suitable place for the remains of the forty youthful soldiers who gave their lives to help save the capital of the United States and who now forever sleep beneath the green, sod of this well-known cemetery, which will be better known in the years to come. For many years it has been the earnest wish of the survivors of the regiment to see placed here a memorial to those brave and loyal sons of Onondaga county, N. Y., who died and were wounded, and today sees the culmination of that earnest purpose.
Col. Benjamin F. Bingham,
Past Department Commander.
“It hardly seems forty-three years have rolled by since the firing upon Fort Sumter and the call ‘to arms’ was heard in our land.
The Attack on Washington.
“In June, 1864. General Lee decided for a third time an invasion into the northern states, making the Shenandoah valley the highway of his marching columns. His purpose being, as he later said in his official report, ‘to repel the force of General Hunter which was threatening Lynchburg.’ And ‘by threatening Washington and Baltimore General Grant would be compelled either to weaken himself so much for their protection as to afford an opportunity to attack him or that he might be induced to attack us.&rsqu; Orders were issued June 12 following to General Jubal A. Early to move with an army into the Shenandoah valley, and going by way of Winchester, Va., Hagerstown and Frederick, Md, threaten Baltimore and Washington. This invading army of some 25,000 veterans dashed proudly on through the garden of Virginia and into the ripening harvest fields of western Maryland on their errand of duty to their chief and the confederate cause—then badly needing a stimulus of unusual force and effect. In less than a month, meeting with little resistance from the Union forces, Early and his army were in Maryland, the hopeful and defiant troops firmly believing that their purpose would be accomplished.
“In the meantime the authorities at the capital had apprised General Grant of Early's northward march, and later that he was threatening Washington. July 10 the President telegraphed General Grant ‘that we have absolutely no force here fit to take the field. Wallace, with some odds and ends, and part of what came up with Ricketts, was so badly beaten yesterday at Monocacy that what is left can attempt no more than to defend Baltimore. Now, what I think is that you should provide to retain your hold where you are, certainly, and bring the rest with you personally, and make a vigorous effort to destroy the enemy's force in this vicinity.’
“Thus I have shown the danger felt in Washington by the President and his advisers. In reply to the President's call for help, at 10:30 p.m., July 10, General Grant telegraphed that ‘he had sent the 6th Corps, commanded by an excellent officer, besides some 3,000 other troops and one division of the 19th Corps.’
“At this time the garrisons in the forts about Washington were made up of heavy artillery, hundred-day men and detachments from the invalid corps, convalescents from the hospitals and clerks in the departments and citizens. To meet the approaching danger of an attack upon Washington, General Grant dispatched the 3rd division of the 6th Corps, under General Ricketts by way of Baltimore into Maryland, where it arrived July 8. On the 10th General Wright, the corps commander, left the army of the Potomac with the 1st and 2d Divisions, going down the James and up the Potomac river to Washington.
“General Early's guns were heard at Frederick on the 8th, and the 9th our forces were defeated at Monocacy. Md., under General Lew Wallace, where the 3rd Division of our corps played a conspicuous part in staying for twenty-four hours the advance of General Early&apo;s army. No doubt this battle, in which our losses were heavy, especially in the old 3d Division, prevented the capture and sacking of Washington, on the 10th, or morning of the 11th of July, 1864. All honor, then, I say to the bravery and power of resistance of this brave division of the 6th Corps and other troops as displayed at the battle of Monocacy in holding back for a day, at that critical period, General Early and his army of 25,000 trained soldiers, experienced in war and survivors of many fierce battles.
“No wonder the President felt alarmed and wanted some of Grant's veterans to meet the enemy, then approaching the gates of the capital city. The troops in the forts and trenches, the old soldiers and the new recruits, convalescents and department clerks were not enough to stay the oncoming enemy, then only a few miles distant. ‘Oh! for help. Where are the veterans from the army of the Potomac which General Grant promised the President and Secretary of War he would send to save Washington?’ It is Monday morning, July 11, when General McCook wired General Auger: ‘The advance cavalry pickets, two and a half miles beyond fortifications, report the enemy advancing in force on the Leesburg road. My force is small, but will do my best;’ and again at 12:30 p.m., the commanding general sent this dispatch: “The enemy is advancing on my front with cavalry, artillery and infantry.’ The signal officer, stationed at the Emery House, wired: ‘The enemy is within twenty rods of Fort Stevens.’
But shortly after noon of that day the head of the column was seen coming up 7th street and marching to the rear of the line of defense, at Fort Stevens and Fort DeRussy. Cheer after cheer rent the air. No troops were more welcome than the veterans of the 6th Corps, none ever received a greater ovation in their march through Washington, and none were more needed when they arrived, at the north line of the chain of forts surrounding the city, early on the afternoon of July 11, 1864. Not an hour too soon had they come, for this very day the enemy's picket line was advanced within a quarter of a mile of the salient of Fort Stevens, and his lines of battle and batteries were visible on the ridges less than a mile from the fort. The victors of many battles were then on the verge of ordering the charge, ‘and move into the works,’ if they could, as their intrepid leader says was their purpose, and flushed with their victory gained over our troops at Monocacy, how confident and hopeful they must have been.
Work for the 6th Corps.
“But there was work for the 6th Corps boys, and they were not long in finding it, for nearly one thousand were that evening placed on the skirmish line, under General Frank Wheaton, where they remained for the next twenty-four hours. Upon its arrival General McCook placed it on the reserve, but seeing the effectiveness of the work already done by the skirmishers, the next day he decided to put the corps in the front line. The enemy still held the Rives and Lay houses among others, from which points their sharpshooters and pickets continued to annoy our forces. About 5 o'clock Tuesday evening, July 12, General Wheaton's brigade (first, of the second division) was ordered to advance and take possession of the enemy's skirmish line.
The 3d Brigade of the division, Colonel D. D. Bidwell, commanding, was directed to form under cover, in the rear of the skirmish line, for an assault and for this purpose he designated the 7th Maine, 43d and 49th New York Volunteers. At a given signal the skirmish line and charging column of the three regiments moved forward in good order. The confederates being found much stronger posted than was expected, the remaining three regiments of Bidwell's brigade— 77th New York, 122d New York and 61st Pennsylvania, volunteers— were brought from the reserve and placed on the right of the three already engaged. The battle was decisive, ending in our holding the positions gained, and no more fighting occurred after 10 o'clock. In the report General Wheaton says: ‘General Wright directed me not to attempt more than the holding of the position I had gained, as the object had been accomplished, and the important points captured and held. This whole attack was as gallant as it is successful, and the troops never evinced more energy and determination. The losses were severe, the brave Colonel Bidwell losing many of his most valuble regimental commanders.’ In this battle my own regiment, 122d New York Volunteers, had seven men killed and eighteen wounded, General Wheaton, in his report, gives the losses of the 2d Division as fifty-nine killed and 145 wounded, total, 204.
“The morning following Early's defeat General Halleck telegraphed General Grant; ‘The enemy fell back during the night. From the most reliable estimates we can get of the enemy's force, it numbers 23,000 to 25,OOO, exclusive of cavalry. They state that a part of Hill's corps is coming to reinforce them, and that without them, they would have captured Washington if the 6th Corps had not arrived.” After what has been said it can be safely affirmed that the timely arrival of the 6th Corps saved Washington from being captured by Early's command. What if he had succeeded? The cause of the Union would have received a severe blow, to say the least, and had the confederate flag been hoisted on yonder Capitol the independence of the confederacy might have been recognized by England and other foreign powers. What then?
On the evening of July 12 President Lincoln stood on a parapet in old Fort Stevens by the side of Gen. Wright, commander of the 6th Corps, and watched the battle. Twenty-nine years afterward the latter rode out of the fort and identified the spot. It was there that a rebel bullet struck a surgeon standing near them, and Gen. Wright says that he then “ordered” the President to get down from his dangerous position.
In the Presence of Lincoln.
As soldiers of the 122d New York Volunteers, we are justly proud of this incident in our soldier life, and there is a commendable pride we always feel in saying that from a parapet In the old fort, still in good preservation, stood Abraham Lincoln and witnessed the battle in which our regiment engaged, and there should be placed a monument to his memory.
We have thought this fact worthy of having cut out in granite, so that it shall not be lost to posterity and may be read by thousands, many of whom will here learn the incident for the first time for upon the front face of our monument is this inscription:
of
Onondaga County. New York.
Who fought on this field
July 12. 1864.
In defense of Washington,
and in the presence
of Abraham Lincoln.
More than this. The Fort Stevens battle was the only battle fought in the District of Columbia, as it was the only battle witnessed by President Lincoln during the war of the rebellion.
Great indeed was Abraham Lincoln in all his acts as President—great as a statesman and great as the commander-in-chief of our army and navy, and no man in all history stands in such resplendent colors, save the Saviour of mankind, as this good sad-faced man; but never was he nobler or greater than the day when he stood in old Fort Stevens inviting the enemy's bullets, and witnessed the battle which saved Washington and perhaps—perhaps—saved the Union!
To have been a soldier in the 122d New York Volunteers, raised in response to Mr. Lincoln's call of July, 1864, for 300,000 volunteers, is an honor, but to have served in the 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac, beginning at Antietam and participating in those terrible battles which followed, under generals whose names are well known, and close a three-years' service at Appomattox, where the rebellion received Its final defeat, added new honors. Still, to have belonged to an army corps which was specially selected by Gen. Grant to go to the defense of Washington and receive the credit for saving the city from capture, then follow Early in his retreat into the Shenandoah valley under the invincible and always victorious Sheridan, are additional honors that we are proud to wear, and glad that we had so creditable a service in the war of the rebellion.
This national cemetery, in which stands our monument, was authorized by the War Department immediately after the battle, when “one acre” of ground embraced in the battlefield was purchased and appropriately named “Battle Ground cemetery,” the name and date of establishment, July 12, 1864 are on a United States bronze tablet placed on the wall of the veranda of the superintendent's lodge.
The number killed in the Forst Stevens fight were buried where they fell, but soon thereafter nearly all were removed to this spot by the government, and here lie forty of the defenders of the nation's capital, five of whom were members of the 122d Regiment, New York Volunteers, and that number is one-eighth of all. Twenty-three of those brave boys belonged to the 3rd Brigade and six to the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 6th Corps, and eleven to seven other organizations.
I should be remiss to duty if I did not in behalf of my comrades of the 122d Regiment. New York Volunteers, speak of the work done in the years past by the officers and members of the Brightwood Citizens' Association, as well as the men and good women and children residing in this section for centering an interest in this national cemetery, in keeping before the public the stirring events which took place about here in July, 1864, reciting the patriotism of the 6th Corps, and that it was due to their timely arrival that General Early failed to capture Washington. I note also that the citizens of this locality have done much to make the several past Memorial days impressive and instructive, and for all they have done they have the sincere appreciation of the comrades for whom I speak.”
Capt. Robt. H. Moses.
Capt. Robert H. Moses, 122d Regiment, New York Volunteers, enlisted as a private, was promoted to sergeant, then major, and was serving as such at the battle of Fort Stevens. July 12. 1864 later he was promoted to adjutant and was brevetted captain for meritorious conduct in the Shenandoah valley campaign under Gen. Sheridan.
Capt. Moses was fortunate enough to be in every battle and skirmish the regiment engaged in during the three years' service, without receiving an injury sufficient to take him from the field. His record is that of a faithful, splendid soldier and shows that he did good service for his country during the three years it needed good, brave men.
Since the war Capt. Moses has been a merchant in New York city. He has an elder brother living in this city and also his mother, who is in her eighty-ninth year. Capt. Moses has been a strong advocate for the monument on the Fort Stevens battlefield.
Monument Unveiled, The Evening Star, July 12, 1904, Page 7. (PDF)