QUOTE OF THE DAY.... Surrender! Never! I don’t relish Libby Prison! Let’s cut our way out! –Lt. Harry Hidden, 1st NY Cavalry, March 9, 1862, command to his men at Sangster’s Station. Hidden was killed in action the same day. [Among the gallant deeds of the present war, should be remembered that performed by the late HARRY B. HIDDEN, of New York City, First-Lieutenant of the Lincoln Cavalry. In anticipation of the advance of our forces upon Centreville and Manassas, LieutHIDDEN was ordered upon a reconnoissance. After several days scouting, and with his command reduced to a sergeant and twelve men, on Sunday, the 9th, he fell in with the pickets of the enemy, a score in number, and drove them in, till finally he was suddenly surrounded by a hundred and fifty of the enemy. The alternative was to cut his way out, or to surrender at discretion. Will you follow me? said the unshrinking officer. To the death! was the unanimous reply; and through the rebel ranks they hewed their way, turning not to right or left, till they emerged from the forest at Sangsters Station, the enemy either fleeing or laying down their arms before them. After this daring action, and while making their way to the camp, with thirteen prisoners, one to each man, when one of the skulking assassins, who had laid down his arms, seized his musket and shot the retiring officer dead upon the spot. The ball entered the back, near the top of the shoulder, and passed out through the neck under the chin, severing numerous blood-vessels, whose profuse bleeding soon closed the career of one of the most promising men in the army. Lieut. HIDDEN was possessed of the most manly beauty, beloved by all who knew him, and by none more than his companions in arms. Gen. KEARNEY has stated that this charge has not been surpassed in gallantry by any during the war, and it is the general theme of conversation among those cognisant of it in Washingtion and Alexandria. The remains, which had been most carefully tended by Gen. KEARNEY and Mrs. SPRAGUE, wife of the Adjutant of the regiment, were brought to this city, yesterday morning, by his brother, EDWARD HIDDEN, and his brother-in-law, WM. H. WEBB, Esq. The following letters, relative to the death of Lieut. HIDDEN, who fell while charging so gallantly on the rebels at Sangsters Station, Va., explain themselves: CAMP KEARNEY, FAIRFAX SEMINARY, Tuesday, March 11, 1862. DEAR COLONEL: I have just reached camp. The news of HIDDENs death touched my feelings deeply. His body has been carefully laid out, and covered with the flag of his country. I am aware that the regiment was just leaving camp for the forward movement when his remains were brought in, and that as many of them as can, should be got together, and suitable resolutions expressive of their love and attachment for the brave young man who fell so nobly. Be assured such expressions, coming from his fellow-officers, could not fail to carry that consolation so much needed to the hearts and minds of his many relatives and friends in New-York. Very respectfully, your friend, F.C. ADAMS, Captain. Col. MCREYNOLDS reply: HEADQUARTERS FIRST NEW-YORK CAVALRY, FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, Va., March 11, 1862. MY DEAR ADAMS: I received your favor, and feel much obliged for your kind suggestions. We all regret that the exigencies of the service compelled us to forget, for the moment, the observance (by action) of that respect due to the noble young fellow who fell so gloriously under his flag, for the higher duty our country demanded in the field. But I assure you none of us felt the loss of the brave and gallant HIDDEN the less on that account. His charge at the head of twelve men against 150 of the enemys infantry, and the capture of more than their own number of prisoners, including a lieutenant, a West Point cadet, was one of the most brilliant dashes on record. Gen. KEARNEY says it was one of the boldest dashes he ever witnessed; and what more could be said, coming from his lips. Our officers are so much separated on duty -- some at Manassas, some at Centreville, some on duty here, &c. -- that it would be impossible to get them together at this time. You are deputed to draft resolutions as their sentiments; and I can assure you that you cannot speak in too strong language of the deceased. He was the perfection of honor, chivalry and courage -- a gentleman in every sense of the word in all his relations, and his death, though he died so nobly, and in such a glorious cause. is a matter of the most profound regret to all officers and men of my regiment. I feel, individually, that I have lost a true and reliable friend in the field, and his country one of her noblest sons and soldiers. You are also deputed to accompany the remains to New-York as the representative of the regiment. His relatives command our most heartfelt sympathy, but it is their consolation to know he died the noblest of deaths under the flag of his country. I am just going to see guard mount, and therefore am compelled to close, feeling assured that you will fitly represent the regiment. I am sincerely yours, ANDREW T. MCREYNOLDS, Colonel Commanding First New-York Cavalry. Due notice will be given of the funeral. [Published in The New York Times newspaper March 14, 1862] cafepress/Civil_War_1861_to_1865 cafepress/CivilWar1861to1865Part2
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:47:21 +0000
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