Major James Cavanagh's Antietem Report |
HDQRS.
69TH REGT. N.Y. S. VOLS., IRISH BRIG., GENERAL: Agreeably to request, I
herewith transmit to you the following report of our participation in
the late battle of the 17th instant: As you are aware, Lieut. Col.
James Kelly had command of our regiment up to the time he was wounded
and borne from the field, which I deeply regret happened to so brave an
officer, the fight being yet, so far as our regiment was concerned, only
a short time in progress. The command thus devolving upon your humble
servant, the control of the regiment was in the hands of myself, ably
assisted by the adjutant, Lieut. James J. Smith. I may here mention the
sorrow I felt, which extended to the whole of my command, when I heard
that our acting major, Capt. Felix Duffy, had been mortally wounded in
the early part of the engagement. Ably assisted by such of my line
officers as had been spared me, we used our best endeavors to maintain
our reputation and uphold the prestige of our flag. We remained upon the
field in the front line until we had expended the last round of
cartridges, and only left it when the fire of the enemy had ceased and
the brigade was relieved by that of General Caldwell. I hardly know in what terms to
express my appreciation of our regiment, both officers and men, and in
making any particular mention of bravery on the field, I speak of those
who actually came under my own observation. Capt. James E. McGee, of
Company F, most particularly distinguished himself by his coolness and
bravery during the whole engagement, and while in the heat of battle,
after his command had been almost entirely decimated, picking up the
green flag, the bearer of which had been carried from the field wounded,
and bearing its folds aloft throughout the battle. Capt. James Saunders,
of Company A, and Capt. Richard Moroney, Company I, I am proud to say,
acted most bravely, cheering on their men, and encouraging them
throughout the battle. Lieut. Terrance Duffey, of Company G, and First
Lieut. John T. Toal, of Company H, I am also happy to say, throughout
that trying hour did all that could be expected in rallying their
commands, which had become so greatly reduced in numbers. Of the many
officers who entered the field, the above whom I have mentioned are all
that were left me, the remainder having been either killed or wounded
during the engagement. I cannot forbear mentioning the
deep sorrow that has been cast over our regiment by our great loss in
officers and men. Those that were of us, and who are now numbered among
the gallant dead, I can speak of as having been good soldiers, and an
honor to our race--Capt. Felix Duffy, Lieut. Patrick J. Kelly, Lieut.
Charles Williams, and Lieut. John Conway. I feel that our regiment has
sustained a great loss, and one the recollection of which will be ever
green in my memory. For those officers who have been wounded, and are
for a time prevented from rejoining their commands, I can only speak as
I have of the few that are left with me. Good soldiers, brave men, I
cheerfully recommend for your consideration all of them, who in this
fight stood nobly up for their country, and only left the field when
borne away wounded. Among them I will mention the brave Captains Shanley
and Whitty, both disabled for the second time, and Lieutenants Nagle and
Patrick Kearney, who, until wounded, did the regiment good service by
their gallant conduct. Among the non-commissioned
officers who particularly distinguished themselves on the field, I take
occasion to mention the following as being most worthy of your
consideration for promotion to a commission, viz: First Sergts. Murtha
Murphy, Company C; Michael Brennan, Company B; Bernard O'Neil, Company
C, and Soucoth Mansergh, Company II. Among the privates who also
distinguished themselves during the action, I also recommend Patrick
O'Neil, of Company C, and John Kelly, of Company--; and of the
non-commissioned staff, Sergt. Maj. Patrick Callahan, who on the field
behaved with great gallantry. In conclusion, I beg to call
your attention to the fact that we had with us in the
battle some forty-odd new recruits, who, considering all things, behaved
well, and were of great assistance to us. Congratulating you on your many
narrow escapes from time to time during that memorable day, I have the
honor to be, respectfully, yours, JAMES
CAVANAGH, Major,
Comdg. Sixty-ninth Regt. New York State Vols. Brig.
Gen. THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, Commanding Irish Brigade, Sumner's Corps.
|
HOME PAGE | ARMS & EQUIPMENT |
CAMPAIGNS | COMMANDERS |
MEDAL of HONOR | IRISH BRIGADE HISTORY |
ITEMS of INTEREST | LINKS |