'RED-LEGGED DEVILS' IN TRIBUTE TO DEAD
17 September 1923 Brooklyn Daily Standard Union Twelve Survivors of Fighting Fourteenth Honor Memory of Comrades of '61 Twelve survivors of Brooklyn's old "Fighting Fourteenth,"the "Red-legged Devils" of the early '60's, came into their own yesterday afternoon when 3000 persons gathered in Fort Greene Park to pay tribute to them and to the memory of their deceased comrades. The annual Sabbath service was held at the foot of the Memorial to Col. and Brevet-Brig. Gen. Edward B. FOWLER, the valiant commander who led the "Red-legs" in many a bloody battle. A company of the present 14th Regiment led by Col. Frederick W. BALDWIN, and preceded by the regimental band, marched to the Fowler statue, and after "assembly" had been sounded, stood at attention while Capt. Edward RIKER, one of the famous veterans, laid a laurel wreath on the memorial to his former chief. Col. BALDWIN delivered the address of welcome. Rear Admiral PLUNKETT, commander of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, roundly scored a certain section of the press for the pacifistic tendencies. "I am convinced," he said, "that the direct progeny of those individuals who seek to weaken the arm of Uncle Sam will, in the next conflict,be shot going to the rear." Col Adolph KLINE was present, but because of a sore throat, asked to be excused from making his scheduled address. Col. Edward A. SIMMONS, County Commander of the American Legion, referring to the public and party neglect in failing to suitably reward the services of a distinguished soldier and citizen like Gen. FOWLER. He declared it was the avowed intention of the American Legion to prevent, as far as possible, a repetition of such conduct toward deserving veterans of the World War. Charles J. DODD, district Attorney of King's County; Edward T. O'LOUGHLIN, deputy commissioner of markets, and William TAPLEY, State departmental commander, V.F.W., outlined the 75 years of useful service which the 14th has given to the nation, and emphasized the necessity of passing on the "flaming torch" to future generations. The 14th Regiment Band played several patriotic and reminiscent airs in honor of the veterans of three wars who were present. Mrs. Gertrude Gunston WERNER sang "Only An Honor Bearer". After the Rev. Harold S. MILLER, chaplain of the 14th, had said benediction, "taps" was sounded. A wordy altercation which ensued between Col. BALDWIN and two or three of the spectators as to whether or not hats should be removed while "America" is being sung threatened to mar the exercises. Although the affair was quickly smoothed over, the individuals, one of whom was a Civil War veteran, who disputed the colonel's insisting that headgear be removed, remained unconvinced. They maintained that one should uncover only during the rendition of the national anthem. The survivors of the historic regiment whose courageous leader was eulogized yesterday are: Edward RIKER,chairman of the Civil War Veterans' Association of the 14th Regiment; Raymond CARDONA, treasurer; John JELLY, George RICE, Edward ANTHONY, George Washington SMITH, William Z. SMITH, John WHITE, Michael McCARTHY, George SMITH, John NELLIS and John BOYCE. Transcribed by Joy E. Bold Back To MILITARY Main Back To BROOKLYN Main