The city of New York, the great centre to which so many enterprising young men hasten, soon attracted young Alden, and he proceeded to it with a warm letter of introduction from his employers in Troy to E. J. Brown & Co., of that city, who gave him immediate employment, and were so pleased with his ability and qualities, that they continued their connection with him till his departure for the war.

During the course of the year 1860, he became a member of the famous New York Seventh Regiment, joining the second company, then commanded by Captain Shaler. He was highly esteemed by his fellowsoldiers for his zeal, efficiency, and the modesty of genuine merit. In the political struggle of the year, he took an active part for the Union, and was the corresponding Secretary of the Young Men's National Union Club, during the political campaign which resulted in the election of Mr. Lincoln to the presidency. He was also a captain of the minutemen, a quasi military organization of the epoch, which has since furnished gallant soldiers for real service.

When the war broke out, he was no less ready to serve the Union in the field than he had been in the peaceful struggle of the ballot-box. He readily marched with his regiment to defend the city of Washington from unhallowed hands. The services of that regiment have been chronicled by an able hand, now lost to his country. We have followed it in other sketches. The Seventh did not, indeed, take part in any engagement, yet of that noble band who moved down the crowded streets of the great city, amid the intense feeling of all, this volume contains tributes to three-Winthrop, Farnham, Alden-already numbered among America's glorious dead.

On the return of the Seventh Regiment to New York, Alden immediately sought an opportunity to serve the cause of the Union, for he

One of the Union Defence
Tammany Regiment, which

was already in heart enlisted for the war. Committee offered him a lieutenancy in the Colonel William D. Kennedy was forming. As modest as he was brave and capable, he at once accepted the proposal, and was received; as the process of organization went on, however, his military knowledge was so apparent, that the colonel had him made captain of the company, on the 28th of June. In organizing new regiments, little difficulties. frequently occur. To meet one of these, it is said that Captain Alden, ever anxious for the general good, gave up his company, and accepted the command of the tenth.

The Tammany Regiment was first encamped at Great Neck, on Long Island, but leaving it July 18th, reached the capital of the Union on the 20th. It encamped on Kalorama heights, and here Colonel Kennedy, two days later, expired, a sacrifice to his country by his over exertion in the labor necessary to bring forward a regiment on which his hopes and laudable ambition centred. And in the manner of his demise well deserves a place among the Fallen Brave. The regiment was soon after transferred to the division commanded by Brigadiergeneral Stone, on the Potomac, near Edward's Ferry. Here Captain Alden was for six weeks engaged in arduous picket duty, near Conrad's Ferry. When General Stone received the order to make a demonstration on Leesburg, on the 20th of October, the Tammany Regiment was one of those sent by him to Conrad's Ferry, opposite Harri-. son's Island, to be in readiness for action. A single rebel regiment appeared, but retreated from the shells of the American troops. After passing the night at Conrad's Ferry, the Forty-Second was added to Baker's Brigade, as part of the force with which he was to cross the river. When Colonel Baker, in the morning, heard the firing, and.

becoming anxious to support Colonel Devens' Massachusetts men, crossed in a small skiff, he ordered the Forty-Second to follow him. The regi ment was instantly in motion. Colonel Cogswell wished Alden 、、 remain with the reserve, but he came up asking to lead the advance or, if his company did not go, to be in the advance even as a private His enthusiasm was not to be resisted; he led the advance of the regi ment, and, being officer of the day, was in full uniform, with his scar over his shoulder. Before crossing, he addressed his men, telling them that they were going into action for the first time,-to behave like men. "Keep cool," said he, "obey my orders, follow me, and follow that”— drawing the elegant sword just presented to him by his company.

After reaching the Virginia shore, he again addressed those who had been able to cross, not more than fifty in all,-repeating his former admonitions, and bidding them avenge him, if he fell. Colonel Cogswell led his men up the hill, and on, past the Fifteenth Massachusetts, who cheered them as they went through the open field, encircled by woods, where the enemy were posted. A body of troops appeared coming from the Leesburg road: the officer in advance calling out, "Baker's Brigade," misled the Forty-Second, who supposed them Americans, but when they were within a hundred yards, they saw their error. A regiment of rebel Mississippi rifles were upon them. The FortySecond gave a volley, and when it was returned, Captain Alden fell dead, shot by a sharp-shooter in a tree, the ball striking him on his right breast, severing the main artery, and passing out at the left hip. His men, led by R. M. Seabury, second lieutenant, dashed on to avenge him, charging at the point of the bayonet; while a well-directed shot from the Nineteenth Massachusetts, sent his murderer plunging down in death from his elevated post.

The Americans were, however, outnumbered and surrounded, and Colonel Cogswell ordered the retreat. The men fell back, fighting steadily, but compelled to leave the body of their gallant captain on the ground. The disasters of that retreat, from the insufficient transportation, are too well known. Many were drowned by the sinking of the boats, or were shot in the water by the enemy.

On the day after the battle, Colonel McGurk, of Mississippi, appeared on the shore, and asked why the Americans did not cross to bury their dead. Captain Vaughn, of the Third Rhode Island Battery, immediately went over, with ten men of the Twentieth Massachusetts, and began the pious task, although first tempted, and then detained by the rebels. He found Captain Alden's body where he fell; but his lifeless remains showed the cruelty and rapacity of the foe. He had been killed on the spot, yet his right side showed three bayonet thrusts, which had been dealt upon his lifeless body. His cap, sword, sash, buttons, belt, and shoulder-straps were gone, his pockets rifled: the lining of his waistcoat, marked with his name, alone enabled Captain Vaughn to ascertain who he was.

On hearing of his death, Mr. W. K. Comstock, a devoted friend and fellow-member of the Seventh, hastened to the camp of General Stone to endeavor to obtain Captain Alden's body. The permission of the War Department was needed to send a flag of truce. This obtained, General Stone, on the 30th, sent a flag of truce to General Evans to obtain permission to remove the body of Captain Alden, and also to send letters and refreshments to the sick and wounded prisoners. After a delay caused by his consulting his superiors, General Evans, on the 6th of November, dispatched Colonel Jenifer to signify his permission for a party to cross on the following morning. Mr. Comstock accordingly