One of the most cheering thoughts experienced by the soldier in the field was the fact that his friends at home cherished and loved him, and proved their affection by their prayers and sympathy; and the letter sent from home containing perhaps but a few words traced by the hand of affection, and the simple wish expressed for his safe return, mingled with the “God bless and keep you,” did more to encourage the soldier to endure the hardships and privations than all the promotions that could be offered. He could work better, struggle harder, and fight with a purer zeal, if he could but realize that the prayers of affection, sympathy and love went up to the great Commander of the universe for his safety. The members of the Sixth enjoyed the confidence of all the corps and division commanders under whose leadership they were chanced to be placed, and in many difficult and trying places the old regiment was called upon to aid the enterprise. They always strove to acquit themselves like men, and true soldiers of the Union, never allowing a victory, however great, to elate us too much, knowing full well the great sacrifice of life it ofttimes cost to gain it; nor would we allow a defeat, however disastrous, to shake our faith in the righteousness of the cause in which we were engaged; but, humbly trusting in Divine Providence to lead the army to battle for the cause of liberty and equality to all in our country.
We would not forget those who went forth at the Nation’s call, eager to do battle for the right and to shield their loved ones against an invasion of the foe. We would speak with reverence of those who did not return with us from the field; heroes are they, leaders on field and staff, leaders in line and rank, they offered up their lives for the country’s good. They sealed their patriotism with their blood; many of them unknown to fame, fell amid the strife, not with their names emblazoned high as great commanders of the corps, yet they fill honored and patriotic graves, and the surviving members of the Sixth cherish their memory. The dead of the Sixth sleep in Washington, as well as in the sandy soil of the Carolinas. The palmetto groves and the jungles of Georgia, together with the river banks of Florida and the soil of Virginia hold the ashes of those who will ever be sacred to our memory. They have passed from our sight; their mission has been accomplished, and many long years will elapse ere we can forget our departed heroes. We would offer a prayer for the widow and the fatherless, that He would temper the winds to the shorn lamb, and that His infinite goodness may be round and about them in all their heart sorrows and afflictions, and that they may be united again in that better world when the Master shall call.
APPENDIX.
The members of the Sixth always entertained and cherished a feeling of deep friendship for one another, and when we were discharged it seemed like breaking up a household, so closely were our sympathies united; and it was resolved to organize an association, at no distant day, to perpetuate and keep alive those friendly interests which united us so closely during the dark days of the war. Therefore, pursuant to a call, the members of the Sixth assembled at the old State House in New Haven, on the 16th of May, 1868. The meeting was called to order by Brigadier General Alfred P. Rockwell, who stated that the object of our assembling together was to keep alive and fondly cherish the varied memories of the service, to perpetuate the friendly relations established in the field, and also to preserve a record of the regiment. By a vote of the members present the following were appointed to draft the articles of the Association:
Brig. Gen. Alfred P. Rockwell, New Haven.
Lieut. Rudolph Kost, Bridgeport.
Sergeant Andrew Paul, Waterbury.
” George A. Staples, Bridgeport.
Com. Sergt. Fred. E. Callender, New Britain.
The committee reported that the organization should be called the “Association of the Sixth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers,” and the membership to consist of all honorably discharged soldiers who had served with the Sixth. The officers of the association were to consist of a President, ten Vice Presidents (one from each company), a secretary, who should also be Treasurer, and a Regimental Historian. The President, Secretary and three Vice Presidents shall constitute the executive committee for the transaction of business. The ballot was taken, and the choice of officers for one year resulted as follows:
For Pres., Sergt. Geo. A. Staples, Bridgeport.
For Sec. and Treas., Augustus F. Bull, New Haven.
For Historian, Charles K. Cadwell, ”
The Vice Presidents were chosen, one from each company, and the association voted that the Annual Reunion be held on the second Wednesday of September in each year, and the first Annual to be held on Sept. 9, 1868, at Bridgeport, Conn. After the
usual hand-shaking and congratulations, the association adjourned.
The association met in Bridgeport, according to agreement, and enjoyed the hospitality of the soldiers’ friends, and at this our first annual the soldiers were extremely gratified to find so much interest taken in these Reunions. Many who were unable to be present wrote us encouraging letters, and we voted that these reunions should be maintained. On motion it was voted that the regiment contribute towards a proposed monument for our lamented Col. Chatfield, that the regiment should give its pledge for $500, and that a collection be taken at each of our reunions for this object. Edwin L. Cook, of Waterbury, was elected treasurer of the monument fund.