e
was an ardent advocate of temperance. Like all green troops, the
Sixty-Third had some reckless members, who frequently took a "dhrop" too
much. Before leaving for the seat of war, at the conclusion of a
powerful temperance discourse, he proposed to the assembled regiment
that every man and officer take the temperance pledge, "for the war."
One thousand uplifted hands responded, and while he slowly read the
words of the pledge the men repeated them; and this was how the
Sixty-Third became "a temperance regiment."]

[Footnote 10: Here is Gen. Porter's tribute to the part taken by the
brigade in the terrific struggle at Malvern Hill: "I sent an urgent
request for two brigades. Sumner read my note aloud, and fearing he
could not stand another draft on his forces, was hesitating to respond,
when Heintzleman, ever prompt and generous, sprang to his feet and
exclaimed: 'By Jove! if Porter asks for help, I know he needs it.' The
immediate result was the sending of Meagher by Sumner, and Sickles by
Heintzleman. This was the second time that Sumner had selected and sent
me Meagher's gallant Irish Brigade, and each time it rendered invaluable
service.... It was at this time, in answer to my call for aid that
Sumner sent me Meagher, and Heintzleman sent Sickles, both of whom
reached me in the height of battle, when, if ever, fresh troops would
renew our confidence and insure success. While riding rapidly forward to
meet Meagher, who was approaching at a double quick step, my horse fell,
throwing me over his head, much to my discomfort, both of body and
mind.... Advancing with Meagher's brigade, accompanied by my staff, I
soon found that my forces had successfully driven back their assailants.
Determined, if possible, satisfactorily to finish the contest,
regardless of the risk of being fired upon by our artillery in case of
defeat, I pushed on beyond our lines into the woods held by the enemy.
About fifty yards in front of us, a large force of the enemy suddenly
arose and opened with fearful volleys upon our advancing line. I turned
to the brigade, which thus far had kept pace with my horse, and found it
standing like a stone wall, and returning a fire more destructive than
it received, and from which the enemy fled. _The brigade was planted._
My service was no longer needed, and I sought Gen. Sickles, whom I found
giving aid to Couch. I had the satisfaction of learning that night that
a Confederate detachment, undertaking to tur