Line.
Captains—Co. “A,” Michael J. Dwyer; Co. “B,” Edmond M. Dillon; Co. “C,” Felix J. McSherry; Co. “D,” John P. Everett; Co. “E,” John J. Scanlon; Co. “F,” Patrick J. Maguire; Co. “G,” Bernard F. Cummings; Co. “H,” W. Clayton Woods; Co. “I,” Charles Healy; Co. “K,’’ William J. Costigan.
First Lieutenants—Co. “A,” William B. Stacom; Co. “C,” T. Harry Shanton; Co. “E,” William E. Morris; Co. “F,” Michael A. Kelly; Co. “G,” Edward Kirkpatrick; Co. “H,” Thomas J. O’Reilly; Co. “K,” James E. Dillon.
Second Lieutenants-Co. “B,” Jeremiah A. O’Leary; Co. “C,” John E. Chicquette; Co. “E,” James L. Doyle; Co. “G,” John E. O’Brien.
Any sketch of the 69th would be incomplete if it failed to call attention to the Veteran Corps, an organization which has always kept in close touch with the regiment and has done much for its welfare throughout all these years. Not many of the heroic followers of Corcoran and Meagher are within its ranks today, but a few, thank God, are still happily left among us. Each year their diminishing ranks are being still further thinned by the inexorable ravages of time. They are but few indeed, and all the more for this reason we delight in honoring them. Brave veterans, may you long be spared to illustrate by your simple lives the virtues of patriotism and courage, and to inspire the soldier sons of the Republic with a desire to emulate your daring and sacrifice. Captain O’Connell, the President of the Corps, has kindly furnished me with the names of the survivors at present upon the roll of those who followed the colors from ’61 to ’65:
Captain James J. Smith.
Captain John O’Connell.
Captain Garrett Nagle.
Captain John R. Nugent.
Captain Thomas M. Canton.
Lieutenant Richard R. Bermingham.
Sergeant John Lonegran.
Private John Kevill.
Private Thomas Smith.
Private Thomas Burns.
Private Richard Keyes.
Private Richard Finnan.
Private Patrick Barrett.
Private Charles E. Neilson.
Private John Fallon.
For very many years the writer has been favored with the friendship of the 69th Regiment; it has conferred honors upon him, of which he is very proud. He had the privilege of delivering the oration upon the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone of the new armory, and was called upon to preside at the memorable ceremonies attending the formal opening of the completed building. The great consideration at all times shown him will be ever gratefully remembered, and it is his hope that this paper, prepared at the request of the American-Irish Historical Society, may serve in slight degree to perpetuate the well-earned glory of an historic and gallant corps, which we trust may long remain a notable and reliable unit in the military forces of the United States. Neither the elements of social disorder laboring from within to undermine the fabric of our Constitution, nor the international complications possible to arise, by which our people may be subjected to the perils of foreign war, can menace our beloved country with permanent danger as long as the manhood of the Nation is animated by the spirit and courage associated with the history and traditions of the 69th Regiment.
JOHN LOUIS SHEEHAN, LL. D.,
Of Boston, Mass.
Author of paper on Thomas Jonathan (Stonewall) Jackson.
Member of the Society.