Island, New York, reporting to General Roe. On arrival at that point tents were pitched and the work of drilling and equipping the regiment for active service was begun. The roster of the officers of the regiment at this time was as follows: Edward Duffy, Colonel. Joseph L. Donovan, Lieutenant-Colonel. Thomas F. Lynch, Major First Battalion. Michael J. Spellman, Major Second Battalion. Frank L. R. Tettamore, Assistant Surgeon. COMPANY A. Michael Lynch, Captain. Patrick M. Haran, First Lieutenant. William F. Guilfoyle, Second Lieutenant. COMPANY B. Edward T. McCrystal, Captain. John J. Henry, First Lieutenant. Mortimer M. O'Sullivan, Second Lieutenant. Captain. COMPANY C. Thomas J. Quinn, First Lieutenant. Patrick McKenna, Second Lieutenant. COMPANY D. James Plunket, Captain. Christopher H. R. Woodward, First Lieutenant. James J. Tuite, Second Lieutenant. COMPANY E. John E. O'Brien, Captain. Nicholas J. Ryan, First Lieutenant. John F. Bolger, Second Lieutenant. COMPANY F. Thomas J. Griffin, Captain. Philip E. Reville, First Lieutenant. James H. Little, Second Lieutenant. COMPANY G. John E. Duffy, Captain. James M. Cronin, First Lieutenant. Bernard F. Cummings, Second Lieutenant. Hugh J. Barron, Captain. William J. P. McCrystal, First Lieutenant. Francis J. Cronin, Second Lieutenant. COMPANY M. John J. Roche, Captain. John J. Kennedy, First Lieutenant. John P. Devane, Second Lieutenant. During the next twenty-two days much was accomplished, notwithstanding the unprecedented inclemency of the weather. For the season of the year the cold and almost continuous rain was unparalleled in the history of the vicinity, and, consequently, worked many hardships that were entirely unexpected at that time. That no serious illness resulted from the long exposure proves the hardiness of the command, and that its numerical strength never lessened gives additional evidence that in case of need its services to the country would be such as to sustain its noble traditions. On Monday, May 16th, the first list of recommended promotions while in the field was sent to Governor Black, being intended to fill vacancies in the field and staff of the regiment. This list read as follows: First Lieutenant John J. Kennedy to be Captain of Company C. First Lieutenant John J. Ryan to be Captain of Company E. Second Lieutenant Edward P. Gilgar to be First Lieutenant and Battalion Adjutant. Second Lieutenant John F. Bolger to be First Lieutenant of Company E. John P. Devane to be First Lieutenant of Company M. Sergeant-Major John P. Scanlon to be Second Lieutenant of Company E. First Sergeant L. J. F. Rooney to be Second Lieutenant of Company M. On Thursday, May 19th, the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States by battalions amid the greatest enthusiasm of officers and men, an especial pride being shown in the fact that every member of the regiment who had passed the Surgeon's physical examination answered his name as the Mustering Officer called it and took the oath of fealty to the Government. The Mustering Officer on this occasion was Captain Schuyler, United States Army. After the ceremony of mustering on May 19th the regiment was presented with a handsome stand of colors by "The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick," of the city of New York, the presentation address being made by Judge James Fitzgerald, of New York city. The stand consisted of the National and State emblems and the historic green flag of Ireland. On Friday, May 20th, the regiment received with enthusiasm the order to proceed to Chickamauga, and report to General Brooke, U. S. Army, and on Tuesday, May 24th, it moved, passing en route through the streets of New York city from the Thirtyfourth street ferry on the East river to the Twenty-third street ferry on the North river. During this parade the citizens of New York city showed by their many marks of appreciation that the course of the regiment in volunteering so unreservedly was valued to the full extent. The demonstrations of approval, it must be said, had not been equalled since the Civil War, and officers and men again determined that the Empire State should not be disappointed in its faith in the Sixty-ninth. Embarking on Baltimore and Ohio cars at Jersey City, the regiment started forward in three sections. En route it passed through Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wheeling, W. Va.; Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lexington, Ky., the citizens of Lexington and Cincinnati especially receiving the regiment with many honors. On Friday, May 27, the regiment arrived at Chickamauga National Military Park and reported to General Brooke and was assigned camp site at about two miles from Lytle Station on the Southern Railroad. Here tents were pitched the same evening, the men showing remarkable proficiency in caring for themselves, considering that many of them had been in the field but three weeks. During the six days' stay at Chickamauga Park the regiment improved greatly, special attention being given to the extended order drill. The regiment was here equipped with a wagon train, consisting of thirty wagons and 121 mules. While at Chickamauga the Sixty-ninth was attached to the Second Divis ion, Third Army Corps. From this point I again sent to Governor Black a list of names for promotion as follows: Captain Edward T. McCrystal, Company B, to be Major, original. Second Lieutenant Edward F. Gilgar, Company K, to be First Lieutenant (Battalion Adjutant), original. Second Lieutenant John P. Scanlon, Company E, to be First Lieutenant (Battalion Adjutant), original. Sergeant-Major William G. Massarene, to be First Lieutenant (Battalion Adjutant), original. Second Lieutenant Peter W. Maguire, Company H, to be Captain Company B, vice McCrystal promoted. Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant Bernard J. Glynn, to be Second Lieutenant Company E, vice Scanlon promoted. First Sergeant Michael O'Connell, to be Second Lieutenant Company K, vice Gilgar promoted. First Sergeant William W. Bryant, to be Second Lieutenant Company H, vice Maguire promoted. |