USA > Iowa > History of the Fifteenth Regiment, Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, from October, 1861, to August, 1865, when disbanded at the end of the war > Part 4
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George Pomutz was the first Adjutant. His history is given above.
ENSIGN H. KING.
ENSIGN H. KING was the second Adjutant. He enlisted as a private at Osceola, Clarke county, Iowa, in 1861, and was First
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
Sergeant of Company I, was in the battle of Shiloh, and his Com- pany officers being all killed or wounded, he commanded the Com- pany on Monday, April 7, 1862. He, with Sergeant McArthur of Company K, joined about ninety men under the command of Major Belknap, and fought on the left of Gross's Brigade of Nel- son's Division on the evening of Sunday, April 6. They were placed there by order of General Grant to Major Belknap per- sonally, Major Belknap having reported to General Grant and seeing him then for the first time. He became a Second Lieuten- ant on July 4, 1862, vice Hamilton killed at Shiloh, and became First Lieutenant on December 10, 1862, and on April 22, 1863, he was made First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He was in all the cam- paigns in which the Regiment took part. He especially distin- guished himself during the battles near Atlanta in 1864. In the charge of July 21, on the right of the Third Division, which enabled that Division of the 17th Corps to capture and hold " Bald Hill," which could not have been captured had not the Iowa Brigade made this charge, the loth Iowa, after its work was done, fell back into the earth works. It was soon discovered that Lieuten- ant-Colonel Hedrick, with three Companies of the Regiment, had not fallen back and were still under a heavy fire, and within close proximity to the enemy's works. Colonel Belknap ordered Adju- tant King to return and notify them. It was a hazardous and dan- gerous duty, but he did not flinch. Up he went through severe firing. He says himself : " It was about the severest trial I had during the war." But he did it well. On the next day when Lampley, the Colonel of the 45th Alabama, was captured, King brought in the youngster, Lee, who had so bravely stood by his Commander. Lampley died soon after.
Lee now lives at Clayton, Alabama, thoroughly reconstructed.
On October 27, 1864, Adjutant King was appointed Chaplain and he was as faithful and devoted in that branch of the ser- vice as in the other. As Adjutant he was prompt, accurate and
MAJOR M. A. HIGLEY. CO. A ISTH IOWA VOLS.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
reliable; he continued the work, most intelligently of Adjutant Pomutz on the Regimental Record, and the service he did will live to do him honor always. He was, as all truly religious men are, thoroughly brave and unostentatious, but still aware of his own rights and prompt to maintain them. Both as soldier of the country and soldier of the cross, he came up to the mark, and the men of the 15th Iowa will always have a pleasant word for King. He now is a Minister of the Gospel, connected with the Methodist Church and resides at Napa City, California.
WILLIAM C. STIDGER.
WILLIAM C. STIDGER was the Third Adjutant. He was a private in Company E, and rose rapidly through the various non- commissioned grades until finally, on December 16, 1864, he became Adjutant. He was a first-class soldier-ready to render obedience and prompt to demand it. In fact, the writer of this was early impressed by his manner and martial bearing and conduct. He behaved with bravery in action and did his duty faithfully. He died at Red Oak, Iowa, on July 21, 1880.
MORTIMER A. HIGLEY.
MORTIMER A. HIGLEY, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was the first Quarter-Master. He entered the Regiment, as did nearly all the others, as a private, and became Second Lieutenant of Company A, which was composed of a body of men equal to any company in the command. He was a very efficient officer-up by daylight or before, and watchful of the interests and necessities of the men. His ability as such was so promptly recognized that he was recom- mended for promotion as Captain and Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, to which position President Lincoln appointed him on November 28, 1862. He was as a soldier a real hero. In the battle of Shiloh, though his position did not call for it, he was
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
found in the midst of danger, rallying. the scattered men and re- gardless of peril, doing his work well. The writer of this recalls him especially on the afternoon of April 6, 1862, at Shiloh, when Lieutenant Higley pointed out General Grant, with whom my first acquaintance was then made. He resides now at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a lovely family. Prosperous in the world's ways, and prominent as a citizen, he is President of a National Bank and a leading business man of the city. Everybody honors, and not only likes, but loves him.
ELISHA W. ELLIOTT.
ELISHA W. ELLIOTT was the Second and last Quarter-Master. He was born in Ohio, and entered the Regiment from Knoxville, Iowa, celebrating his twenty-eighth birth-day by enlisting in Com- pany G at Keokuk, the rendezvous; he was assigned to duty in the office of Lieutenant Ball, U. S. A., Post Q. M., and was appointed Commissary Sergeant on September 8, 1862, in the field, and on February 3, 1863, he was appointed First Lieutenant and Quarter- Master by Governor Kirkwood.
He was on duty by order of January 31, 1864, with Colonel J. D. Bingham, Chief Quarter- Master Department of the Tennessee, and was there during the Meridian Expedition. He returned with the Regiment and served with it until mustered out. Faithfulness to duty was his characteristic, as it was of his associate officers, and he gained a solid and sure reputation. He now resides in White Lake, Dakota, and is a farmer.
HENRY C. McARTHUR.
FIRST LIEUTENANT HENRY C. MCARTHUR, of Company HI . was made Acting Quarter-Master on February 1, 1864, near Vicks- burg, Mississippi. While in that position he did his duty well and with the energy which characterized him in military or civil life.
WM. H. GIBBON. SURGEON 15TH IOWA VOLS. BREVET LT. COL.U.S.VOLS.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
He was an efficient and brave young officer, and was severely wounded on July 21, 1864, near Atlanta. But he returned to the command soon afterward, and was on the staff of the Brigade Commander until the end. He resides and is a prominent merchant in Lincoln, Nebraska.
SAMUEL B. DAVIS.
SAMUEL B. DAVIS was the First Surgeon . He took high posi- tion and his ability was promptly recognized by his professional associates. He was early detached as Medical Director of the Brigade and Division, and was appointed Surgeon of Volunteers on February 19, 1863, and was honorably mustered out on October 17, 1865. .
He resigned from the Regiment on March 1, 1863. He after- ward resided in New Mexico and died there.
The history of the Medical Staff, prepared by an abler hand than this, is given elsewhere, but mention must be made here of
WILLIAM H. GIBBON.
WILLIAM H. GIBBON, who was the First Assistant Surgeon, and became Surgeon on the resignation of Doctor Davis. Sur- geon Gibbon was a man of accomplished education, delightful manners, and courteous demeanor, faithful to duty and energetic on all occasions.
His success as a Surgeon and Physician showed that he was thoroughly " up" in the acquirements of his profession. Early and late, in field and fight, in camp or hospital, his genial manners made the sick feel better, and his complete knowledge of his work gave confidence and hope to the wounded and desponding soldier. He was mustered out on December 22, 1864, and no man ever left the Regiment more beloved and more regretted. The brevet
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
which he received from the President as Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers, on March 13, 1865, was but a slight recognition of his services. But no title which could be given him could equal the reward which he had won.
His name is a cherished one in every home where lives a soldier of the 15th Iowa. He resides in Chariton, Iowa, where he prac- tices his profession in honor and prosperity.
WILLIAM W. ESTABROOK.
WILLIAM W. ESTABROOK was the First Chaplain of the Reg- iment. He was an Episcopal Clergyman of character and educa- tion, who had left the profession of Medicine to become " a soldier in the Army of the Lord."
As the Regiment's first experience was at Shiloh, the services of the Chaplain were not more needed than were those of the medical officers who could be found. Doctor Estabrook was equal to the occasion. He prayed with the dying, he administered to the care of the wounded, and his medical knowledge made him most useful in those trying hours. In the active life of Regimental duty there were not opportunities for the performance of Chaplain's duties with the regularity of Sunday service at home. But the Chaplain was a man of sense; he devoted his time to the sick and suffering, and ministered to their physical as well as spiritual cares, and tied to him forever the men of the Regiment. They remember him as a benefactor and friend. On April 2, 1863, he resigned, and was on May 25, 1864, appointed Surgeon of the 45th Iowa Infantry. He now resides in Chicago, and as a physician has an increasing practice there.
ENSIGN H. KING was the Second and last Chaplain. His his- tory is given above.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
JESSE B. PENNIMAN.
JESSE B. PENNIMAN was the First Sergeant Major of the Reg- iment. He will be remembered as a blonde youth, tall, active, and a ready soldier. He was made Second-Lieutenant of Company A, and was killed in action at Shiloh on April 6, 1862. He was not mustered into the grade in which he served. But he was the first officer to fall in action, in this Regiment, and he fell in its first fight in the front.
ALEXANDER BROWN.
ALEXANDER BROWN was the Second Sergeant Major. He was a private of Company E; was wounded at Shiloh at the front; wounded at Corinth at the front; always behaved with great gal- lantry, and was discharged on February 5, 1863. He has filled positions of trust and honor since the war, and has behaved in civil life with the same true heroism which characterized him in action. He now resides at Keosauqua, Iowa.
AMOS D. THATCHER.
AMOS D. THATCHER was the Third Sergeant Major. In the battle of Corinth he acted, in the presence of the writer of this, with real bravery. Colonel Crocker, Brigade Commander, was near him, when a private of the Regiment took to his heels, and Thatcher went after him and brought him back. He may not remember this, but others do, and it will not be forgotten. He was promoted First Lieutenant, 8th Louisiana Volunteers, ( colored ) June 5, 1863, and now lives in Kansas, at Topeka.
WILLIAM C. STIDGER was the Fourth Sergeant Major, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company E. His history will be found above, among the Adjutants.
JAMES W. HENRY.
JAMES W. HENRY was the Fifth and last Sergeant Major. He was a thoroughly brave, active, and to some extent, reckless young
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
man: that is, reckless in disregard of danger. He was captured at Atlanta July 22, 1864. No information has been received about his later life beyond the fact that he is dead. He was a singularly attractive young man in many ways; when there was work to be done he did it if he could, and there were no bullets coming to the front which he avoided. This tribute is gladly given to his memory.
RUFUS H. ELDREDGE.
RUFUS H. ELDREDGE, the First Quarter- Master Sergeant of the Regiment, was afterward the First Lieutenant of Company K. He fell in action in the advance of his Company, at Corinth, in the presence of the writer of this. In all work he was prompt and faithful, and his bearing in battle could not be surpassed.
ANDREW MITCHELL.
ANDREW MITCHELL, of Company A, was the Second Quarter- Master Sergeant. For some misconduct, it is forgotten what, he was reduced to the ranks. But it could not have been a fault of high degree, because on May 11, 1865, he was made Captain of his Company. No one doubts his loyalty, bravery and merit. He resides at Norway, Iowa.
JAMES H. FLYNT.
JAMES H. FLYNT, of Company B, was the Third Quarter- Master Sergeant. He did his duty faithfully. He died at
ROBERT W. CROSS.
ROBERT W. CROSS was the First Commissary Sergeant, and he was promoted First Lieutenant 23d Iowa August 11, 1862, and Quarter- Master of the same Regiment.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
ELISHA W. ELLIOTT was Second Commissary Sergeant. His history is given above.
JAMES G. SHIPLEY.
JAMES G. SHIPLEY was the Third Commissary Sergeant. He was enlisted by the writer of this in 1862 at Keokuk, Iowa, and was promoted from private in Company K. He afterwards was promoted First Lieutenant in the same Company. He was a man of education and a good deal of ability, and in the performance of his duties, especially in the transportation of the 4th Division 17th Corps from Washington to Louisville via Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road, he showed singular and marked ability. His residence is not known.
WILLIAM W. COWLEY.
WILLIAM W. COWLEY was the Fourth Commissary Sergeant and was promoted from Sergeant of Company C. The writer of this did not serve with the Regiment then, and cannot state further concerning Sergeant Cowley's history .
HENRY T. FELGAR, LUCIUS BOUDINOT, CORNELIUS INGLE- FIELD and ALEXANDER McGILVERY were Hospital Stewards.
They must have been good ones, or Surgeon Gibbon would not have tolerated them for a moment. It is regretted that nothing of their history can be given beyond the fact that Felgar was from E Company, and died in Service. Boudinot was from Company B, and was discharged for disability. Inglefield was from Company K, and was mustered out March 27, 1865, and McGilvery was from Company G, and stayed until the end.
NATHAN A. LEONARD.
NATIIAN A. LEONARD was the First Drum Major. He was from Company B, and was discharged at Corinth on July 11. 1862.
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
His daughter now resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He had the early instruction of the Musicians of the Regiment and did very well, considering the insubordinate characters of the young devils over whom he had control. He died several years since. One of the "youngsters " above named, John S. Bosworth, is now in the office of the Adjutant General at Washington, and another, Major L. S. Tyler, prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, and formerly in Company H, is the compiler of this history of the Regiment.
HENRY METZ.
HENRY METZ, of Company G, was appointed Drum Major on March 15, 1862. He was a full-faced, bright-eyed, handsome boy, with ability for the position, had he the determination to control his band. Instead of running the band, the band ran him. He was brave and active, and ready to do his work, but his fault was that he did not try to run his machine. But he was so willing to be an obedient soldier that his failures to command his men were forgot- ten. He lives now in Winlock, Lewis County, Washington Ter- ritory.
TILGHMAN H. CUNNINGHAM.
TILGHMAN H. CUNNINGHAM, of Company K, was First Fife Major. And he was a good one. The boys called him the " boss whistler," and he was. He could rattle the music out with more noise and less effort than any Fifer in the Brigade, and he knew his business and did it. He was mustered out on December 17, 1864.
Although not in the ranks with a musket, he was faithful in his duties and thoroughly subordinate to those above him, and the writer of this has no hesitation in saying that he was the very man for the place.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
JOHN S. STRAIN.
JOHN S. STRAIN, of Company B, was his successor. He was in this position in the later days of the Regiment, and he was always ready when wanted, and capable.
I have thus given hurriedly, amid the pressing cares of business, my recollections of the Field and Staff of the Regiment. Omis- sions must have been made, I know, but the fault must be attributed to the failure of memory in passing years. It is difficult to signal- ize any one where all did their duty so well. But the members of the Field and Staff, as well as every officer and soldier of the Reg- iment, have my lasting regard. They bore so many hardships without murmur that, as I have often said, "the meanest man among them was a hero."
And they have no more fond and faithful friend and lover than their old Commander.
WILLIAM W. BELKNAP,
SECOND COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT, BRIGADIER-GENERAL OF VOLUNTEERS, BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL.
1420 New York Avenue, Washington, D. C., May 26, 1886.
4
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
PART II.
HISTORY OF
"A" COMPANY,
.
"B" COMPANY,
"C" COMPANY,
"D" COMPANY,
"E" COMPANY,
"F" COMPANY, .
"G" COMPANY,
"I" COMPANY, "H" COMPANY,
"K" COMPANY.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
A. COMPANY.
It was early in the fall of 1861. The war had already assumed large proportions, and President Lincoln's call for more troops to quell the Rebellion was everywhere being responded to, either by enlisting or by recruiting companies. Some soldiers that had served under the three months' call were at home, and still others on furlough, many of whom were active and anxious to do their part in the great work, and at the same time secure, if possible, positions as commissioned officers in the new Regiments that were to be sent to the field .
Thus it happened that during the first days of September, in the year mentioned, that Mr. John W. Raymond, a conductor on the C. & N. W. R. R., proposed to Mr. M. A. Higley, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to see Adjutant-General N. B. Baker, with whom they happened to be well acquainted, and see if they could get com- missions to raise a company. The proposition was accepted, but on account of family circumstances, however, Raymond had to give up the plan, and Mr. M. A. Higley continued his way, determined to enter the Army. Meeting General Baker on board of a steamer, going to Davenport, he was told by the General that J. W. Kittle, Sergeant Major of the 2d Iowa, then on furlough, and W. M. Swanson were on board also, for the purpose of getting permission to raise a Company for the 11th Iowa Infantry, and were advised by the General to consult them, and if possible unite with them. The General's plan was agreed upon by the three, and they received commissions from General Baker to raise said Company, where- upon Mr. Higley returned to Cedar Rapids where he recruited about thirty men. The first two, we think it proper to state here, that were enlisted for the Company, were Robert H. Whitenack, who a year later succeeded Captain Kittle in the command of the Company, and Patrick H. Kennedy, who was the first one called upon to lay down his life for the preservation of our glorious Union, on the memorable battle-field of Shiloh. The remainder
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
(excepting a few that came to the company after the organization ) were enlisted at Lyons, Iowa, by J. W. Kittle and W. M. Swan- son .
A sufficient number having been recruited the Company was soon organized by the election of J. W. Kittle as Captain, M. A. Higley as 1st Lieutenant, and W. M. Swanson as 2d Lieutenant. After being organized, the Company on September 17, 1861, went to Camp McClellan, at Davenport. On arrival they were assigned as Company B to the 11th Iowa, and immediately commenced building barracks for the Company under the direction of Hiram Price, Quartermaster-General of Iowa.
Soon after the barracks were finished Col. Hare came to Camp McClellan and assumed command of the Regiment. He brought with him Capt. Beach's Company, and asked the Adjutant-General to assign that company to the 11th Regiment in place of Capt. Kittle's. General Baker informed Colonel Hare that he could not do so, as Captain Kittle's Company was recruited for the 11th Regiment and had been properly assigned. Colonel Hare then made his request of Governor Kirkwood, who granted the same, and telegraphed General Baker to assign Captain Beach's Company to the 11th Regiment. General Baker replied to the Governor the same as he had to Col. Hare, and further informed him that if Captain Kittle's Company was to be removed he, the Governor, must come down and make the change himself. In a day or two orders came for Captains Kittle and Beach to present themselves at the Burtis House, as the Governor wished to see them. Captain Kittle being absent on business at Lyons, Lieutenant Higley went with Captain Beach to see the Governor, who informed them that Colonel Hare was very desirous that Captain Beach's Company should be assigned to his Regiment, and he had not yet determined which company he would assign to Colonel Hare's Regiment, but the company he did not assign to the 11th Regiment he would give the position of Company A, ( A, or the first Company, is regarded
4
JOHN T. GUNNING. CO.A 1518 IOWA. COLOR BEARER.
-
C. S. STEWART. CO. A 15TH IOWA VOLS.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
as the most desirable position in a Regiment), in either the 13th or 14th Regiments. Lieutenant Higley soon saw or inferred from the tone of the remarks that his Company was the one that would have to go, and politely said to the Governor that he would not consent to be assigned to either the 13th or 14th Regiments, as they were being recruited for garrison service, and his Company had enlisted for the field. The Governor then said: "I will assign you Company A, of the 12th Regiment, which is now being re- cruited at Dubuque." Lieutenant Higley at once accepted this proposition, and telegraphed Captain Kittle that the Company would go up on the first boat to Dubuque.
Soon after sending the dispatch to Captain Kittle, a committee of gentlemen from Keokuk, who were at Davenport to secure a Com- pany for a Regiment that Colonel Hugh T. Reid had authority to recruit, met Lieutenant Higley and urged him strongly to take his Company to Keokuk. General Baker also advised him to go there, saying: "If you take your Company to Dubuque, of course you will be assigned as Company A, as the Governor has promised, but the Company will be the last one to join the 12th Regiment, and then to have the first position there would naturally be con- siderable feeling among the other companies, and in the other case your company would be the first one at Keokuk, and consequently entitled to the first position."
Lieutenant Higley saw at once that the General's advice was sound, and again sent a telegram to Captain Kittle that he would leave for Keokuk that evening with the Company to join the 15th SUNDAY Iowa Infantry, where he arrived with the Company on Saturday morning, and at once marched to the Stannus Block, where they went into winter quarters, and were mustered into the United States service on November 16, 1861, by Captain Chas. C. Smith, 13th United States Infantry mustering officer .
MARINUS RHYNSBURGER,
Historian A Company .
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
TWO NARROW ESCAPES.
The Kansas City Journal of May, 1883, says: The escape of Captain J. W. Kittle, agent of the Louisville and Nashville Rail- way, from the recent Cyclone, was remarkable. Twenty-three years ago, ( June 3, 1860), Captain Kittle, then a Deputy United States Marshal, was in Comanche, Iowa, taking the census. While there a cyclone approached the town, and the Captain jumping upon a swift horse, made his escape from the falling buildings to the edge of the town, where he was lifted . from his saddle and flung across a wide field, turning up without serious injury. From the ruins of the town of Comanche Captain Kittle assisted in re- moving sixty-five bodies. Last Sunday he saw the deadly funnel drop and come. When the pillar of cloud by day crossed Grand Avenue he actually threw his wife and family into the cellar, and as he reached the bottom stair the house went to wreck over his head, while a timber came plunging through the cellar window and splintered against the wall within a foot of him. The family escaped without a bruise.
Captain Roger B. Kellogg was born in Burlington, Vt., and there learned the tinners' trade; then went South and remained several years; thence to Illinois, Missouri, and Fort Madison, Iowa. On the organization of the 15th Iowa, at Keokuk, he enlisted in Company A; was promoted Second Sergeant, First Sergeant and Second Lieutenant September 14, '62; First Lieutenant. November 28, '62, and Captain December 22, '64.
In reference to his death my best recollection is that he was serv- ing on the staff of General Giles A. Smith, as Picket Officer, and on the advance on Pocotaligo, S. C., Leggett's Division being in the advance developed the enemy pretty strongly, and formed line of battle on the edge of the salt marsh that covered the enemy's works at Pocotaligo. Leggett's line being rather long, and fear- ing that his left would be uncovered, asked General Smith to send
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
a Company to cover his (Leggett's) left. On Kellogg receiving the order from Smith, he selected his own Company " A," of which I was in command at the time, and deployed on left of Leggett's line, and joining an Ohio Regiment commanded, I think, by a Colonel Wilde. Kellogg and myself then went over to where Colonel Wilde was standing to get a view of the enemy's line and works. Colonel Wilde was behind a clump of bushes, and warned Kellogg and myself not to step out from the cover as a Sharp- shooter had fired at him several times at that point. Kellogg de- siring to get a better view, partially stepped from under cover and raised his field glass to his eyes, when the ball struck him a little to the right and under the navel. On being struck he made a right half wheel and grasped me by the shoulder, saying, " Bill, that's my muster out." He was sent to the hospital at Beaufort, and on the day following I was sent back to Beaufort, by order of General Belknap, and remained with him until his death, the next day. He was buried in the soldiers' cemetery at Beaufort, and I put up a wooden head-board with his name, rank, Company and Regiment. He was a very close and intimate friend of mine prior to the war and all through our service together, and a better or braver man God never made, and I think all of his Company will join in say- ing so.
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