NH Civil War Hero Angling For Promotion
from Manchester Union Leader



CONCORD - More than 140 years after his death, a Civil War soldier from New Hampshire is a step closer to getting a promotion.

Col. Edward E. Cross, Civil War commander of the 5th New Hampshire Regiment, was honored yesterday, on what would have been his 172nd birthday. Supporters say Cross was promised a general's star 141 years ago but didn't live to get it - he was shot at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and died the next day.

Gov. Craig Benson signed a resolution calling on Congress to promote Cross to brigadier general. Benson decided to arrive at a ceremony outside the Statehouse on horseback, but looked a bit out of place in his navy business suit among other riders dressed in Civil War uniforms.
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"Fourteen years I've been at this," said Harvey Griff, 57, of Waltham, Mass., a Civil War enthusiast who spoke at the ceremony. "He's like a forgotten soldier. Even though his portrait hangs in the Statehouse, I think he's largely been forgotten."

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Widely considered a hero for his battle skills - he was wounded at Antietam, Fair Oaks and Fredericksburg - Cross' reputation as a sharp-tongued Democrat in the era of Republican Abraham Lincoln did not win him fans politically. That may explain why he was overlooked for so long.

"That's the way of politics. He was on the losing side, politically speaking," said William Copeley, the New Hampshire Historical Society's librarian.

"He was a friend of Franklin Pierce (New Hampshire's only president) and Franklin Pierce was kind of soft on the issue of slavery," Copeley said.

Like many gathered on the lawn, state Rep. Robert Letourneau quoted what was believed to be the exchange between Gen. Winfield Hancock and Cross before the battle at Gettysburg.

"This day will bring you a star," Hancock told Cross.

Cross, sensing otherwise, replied it would be his last battle.

Hours later, a marksman shot Cross in the abdomen, and he died in a hospital.

"He was a leader right to the end," said Letourneau, who co-sponsored the bill to honor Cross.

Fans of Cross said the recognition was long overdue.

posted by prof_booty | 11:00 AM