Category / Company D

by Old Guard History

Battle of Fredericksburg – December 13, 1862

In the unsuccessful 1862 Northern campaign to capture the Southern capital of Richmond, Union and Confederate armies clashed at the small town of Fredericksburg, Virginia. As part of the Army of the Potomac, The Old Guard served in the division of U.S. Regulars commanded by General George Sykes.


Excerpt from Lieutenant Dangerfield Parker, Company D, 3rd Infantry:
“At Fredericksburg the 3rd with the Division it was attached to [2nd Division, 5th Corps] acted as support to the fruitless attack on Marye’s hill. It took up position at dark in the cemetery and during the night was ordered out upon the plank road taking up position behind a tannery which was immediately upon this road and from the windows of which the entrenchments of the enemy could be commanded – they being but a stone’s throw off. Skirmishers were thrown out on the right flank from the 3rd and 4th Infantry and in the morning at early dawn it was, of course, necessary to relieve them. In doing so our losses were heavy from the fire of the enemy’s sharp-shooters. Our men ran to cover behind the tannery as quickly as possible, but some were killed and others wounded within a few feet of cover.”


In the battle of Fredericksburg, the Regiment lost 3 men killed and 12 wounded.

On December 15, as the Union forces retired, the 3rd Infantry was the last unit to cross the pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock River out of the devastated town of Fredericksburg and back to safety. The 3rd Infantry would go on to fight at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg before moving to New York City to recruit and rest, while also assisting to quell the draft riots.
by Old Guard History

Wounding of President McKinley – September 6, 1901

On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was shot by an anarchist while visiting the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley died of his wounds on September 14. He was buried September 18 at the Westlawn Cemetery in Canton, Ohio.


The U.S. Army provided a guard of honor at McKinley’s Tomb, which at various times, included members of the 3d Infantry Regiment. A 36-man detachment from Company M maintained the vigil from December 1902 through July 1903.


On December 31, 1903, the 3rd Infantry again provided guards for the detail. Captain Paul Giddings oversaw the Company D detachment, which would remain at its post until March 1904. On a side note, Captain Giddings later commanded the 3d Infantry Regiment from 1919 to 1921.


Another detachment, fielded by men from multiple companies of the Regiment relieved Company D, but rejoined the Regiment at Fort Thomas, Kentucky a month later.


The tomb guard mission was reduced in 1909, as a domed tomb was completed and opened to the public.
by Old Guard History

Christmas Menu 1964 – Company D

 
Twelve Days of Christmas #5

This menu is from Company D, Christmas 1964. Inside was not only the menu for the day, but a list of command groups throughout the unit and greetings from Regimental Commander Joseph B. Conmy and MDW Commanding General Philip Wehle. See the entire menu here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oldguardmuseum/albums/72157660210932913

by Old Guard History

Battle of Fredericksburg – December 13, 1862

In the unsuccessful 1862 Northern campaign to capture the Southern capital of Richmond, Union and Confederate armies clashed at the small town of Fredericksburg, Virginia. As part of the Army of the Potomac, The Old Guard served in the division of U.S. Regulars commanded by General George Sykes.


Excerpt from Lieutenant Dangerfield Parker, Company D, 3rd Infantry:
“At Fredericksburg the 3rd with the Division it was attached to [2nd Division, 5th Corps] acted as support to the fruitless attack on Marye’s hill. It took up position at dark in the cemetery and during the night was ordered out upon the plank road taking up position behind a tannery which was immediately upon this road and from the windows of which the entrenchments of the enemy could be commanded – they being but a stone’s throw off. Skirmishers were thrown out on the right flank from the 3rd and 4th Infantry and in the morning at early dawn it was, of course, necessary to relieve them. In doing so our losses were heavy from the fire of the enemy’s sharp-shooters. Our men ran to cover behind the tannery as quickly as possible, but some were killed and others wounded within a few feet of cover.”


In the battle of Fredericksburg, the Regiment lost 3 men killed and 12 wounded.

On December 15, as the Union forces retired, the 3rd Infantry was the last unit to cross the pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock River out of the devastated town of Fredericksburg and back to safety. The 3rd Infantry would go on to fight at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg before moving to New York City to recruit and rest, while also assisting to quell the draft riots.