John D. Billings, The history of the Tenth Massachusetts battery of light artillery in the war of the rebellion

[337] mand, let one of the enemy tell the story as he saw it acted. May 10, 1890, the Hon. Charles M. Stedman of Wilmington, N. C., delivered a Memorial Day address on the life and character of Gen. William MacRae. It will be remembered that MacRae's brigade formed a part of the charging body, and incidentally the orator gives a sketch of the battle of Reams Station. Toward the conclusion he says:

‘In truth the Federal infantry did not show the determination which had generally marked the conduct of Hancock's corps. Not so with the Federal artillery. It was fought to the last with unflinching courage. Some minutes before the second assault was made Gen. MacRae had ordered Lieut. W. E. Kyle with the sharpshooters to concentrate his fire upon the Federal batteries. Many men and horses rapidly fell under the deadly fire of these intrepid marksmen. Yet still the artillerists who were left stood by their guns. When MacRae's brigade crossed the embankment a battery which was on his right front as he advanced wheeled to a right angle with its original position and opened a fire of grape and canister at close quarters enfilading the Confederate line. General MacRae immediately ordered this battery to be taken. Although entirely abandoned by its infantry support it continued a rapid fire upon the attacking column until the guns were reached. Some of the gunners even then refused to surrender and were taken by sheer physical force.’ Those were the cannoneers of the Tenth Massachusetts Battery.

The following letters are of interest in this connection although anticipating by some time the dates on which they were issued.

War Department, Washington, December 2d, 1864.

Sir,—You are hereby informed that the President of the United States has appointed you, for gallant services at the batthe