Delta Kappa Epsilon - University of Alabama

6 Delta Kappa Epsilon FROM THE HISTORIAN substantiation was essential to our being able to further determine whether the story of the dying Rogers being cared for by a Psi Confederate soldier was also true. We were also able to establish the basic true circumstances of Rogers' wounding and death. However, we were still short of our immediate goal of establishing that Rogers had been encountered by a fel- low Southern DKE, and of our ultimate goal of identifying that individual as a member of the Psi chapter. So, as we went to press on the Spring Sighs of Psi, we had further research to do to solve our remaining questions about Rogers death, as well as his burial, there being not one, but rather two marked graves purporting to hold his remains. Armed with maps and other resources generously provided by the National Park Service, plans were made to visit the Cold Harbor battlefield. Additional plans were made for a fact-finding mission to Edwin Rogers' hometown of Patten, Maine. Before those plans got underway, however, we obtained the most important account to date of Edwin Rogers' fate. Another, more important, "Smoking Gun" In the course of researching our Spring Sighs article, I had the good fortune, honor and privilege of mak- ing contact with the family of Edwin Rogers. It was through the generous and enthusiastic assistance of these Rogers family members that I obtained a copy of the "War Record" of Luther Bailey Rogers (1840- 1927), older brother of Edwin S. Rogers. Luther and Edwin were the sons of Dr. Luther Rogers and his wife, Hanna Bailey Rogers. Like, Edwin, Luther also served in the Union army during the "Late Unpleasantness." However, unlike Edwin, who enlisted late in the war in early 1864, just a few months before he was killed, Luther had enlisted soon after the outbreak of hostili- ties, in the summer of 1861. He saw extensive service as a Lieutenant with the 8 th Maine Infantry Regiment over the next three years, until he was mustered out after being wounded by three bullets in the fighting in front of Petersburg, Virginia, in the summer of 1864, subsequent to Edwin's death at Cold Harbor. Many years later, sometime between 1925 and his death in 1927, and at a rather advanced age, Luther wrote his "War Record," being his account of his military service, which includes his account of Edwin's death. Like Edwin, Luther Rogers and the 8 th Maine Infantry fought at the Battle of Cold Harbor, and participated in General Grant's failed "grand assault" on Robert E. Lee's army on June 3, 1864. In his War Record, Luther writes of seeing his brother Edwin for the last time shortly thereafter, just prior to Edwin's death: A day or two later I wanted to see my brother Edwin who was about a mile to the right along the firing line. It was a side hill back of our entrenchments and my way lay along this side of the hill. Of course as soon as I got to my feet I was a target for what seemed to be the whole rebel army…. I found Edwin and while we stood talking a shell exploded near us. If I had been alone I should have dodged behind something and probably he would have done so also. We didn't want to be seen dodging by our family relations so we stood by our guns. Two days later he came to see me. I can recall him now as we said good-bye and see the look on his face. It was the last time I ever saw him. I will later give his story…. 1 Since Edwin was wounded and captured on the morning of June 7 th , 1864, the initial visit described by Luther probably took place on June 4 th , and the following visit by Edwin "two days later" seems to have occurred on June 6 th , the day before Edwin died. Luther then gives the following account of Edwin's demise: Edwin Searls 2 Rogers Junior in Class of 1865 at Bowdoin was mustered March 12, 1 st Lieutenant into the 31 st Reg[imen]t Infantry 1864. The Regiment was sent immediately to the front, was in the battle of the Wilderness and in all the following engagements of the army of the Potomac including Cold Harbor. Although commissioned as Lieutenant he had command of his company during all that time. We exchanged visits while the battle was in progress. After it was over 3 he and his Co[mpany] were doing picket duty. A troop of rebels dressed in Union Coats came up in the rear. They had come around through a gulch which was held by a Penn[sylvani]a Dutch regiment. The pickets supposed they were the relief and only found their mistake when the rebels opened fire. Lt. Rogers was mortally wounded and taken with the other men prisoners to Richmond, he being unable to ride was left at a rebel field [hospital] 4 the same day, June 7. This much was learned from a wounded man in an Annapolis hospital and from the exchange of prisoners. It was nine years before we knew anything more about him, then, Dr. Rogers, his father received a letter from a man whose son had been a surgeon in the Confederate army. He said his son would write and send a pin which Edwin had given him. The son wrote the particulars of his death. He discovered this wounded soldier among the wounded and knew at once he had but a few hours to live. He also discovered by a pin he was wearing that they belonged to the same college fraternity. He did everything he could to make him comfortable and finally buried him, placing at the head of his grave, a board inscribed with his name, rank and regiment. He said he published the account in such newspapers as he thought would be most likely to reach Edwin's friends. I visited his grave Edwin S. Rogers, The Battle of Cold Harbor And The True Story Behind "Brothers in DKE" PART II (Continued from page 5) 1 The original spelling and punctuation from the typed copy of Luther Rogers' War Record has been retained. 2 Different sources variously spell Luther's middle name as "Searle," "Searls" or "Searles." 3 Luther refers to "the" battle here as Grant's failed "grand assault" of June 3, 1864. 4 The word "hospital" is omitted from the typed copy of Luther's War Record, but seems to be applicable. Luther Bailey Rogers, older brother of Edwin S. Rogers. (Photo courtesy of Alice Sheppard) Luther Bailey Rogers in later life. (Photo courtesy of Alice Sheppard)

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