USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume II > Part 9
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John L. Willis, Straughn. Private, Company A. 2nd Infantry, U. S. A. Mnstered in September 1. 1897. Died July 3. 1898. account of wounds at San Juan Hill, Cuba, July 1. 1898.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Mark E. Winings, Asbland. Embalmer. Entered the service July 10, 1901. Served on U. S. Army Transport Mcclellan between New York City and the Philippines. Dis- charged March 20, 1903, by reason of U. S. Army Transport going out of commission.
Frank Woodward, Knightstown. Private, Company L, 31st Infantry, U. S. V. Mus- tered in July 24, 1899. Mustered out May 18, 1901.
Isaac H. Wrightsman, Mooreland. Private, 12th Battery, U. S. A. Mustered in De- cember 9, 1901. Appointed Corporal. Mustered out December 8, 1904.
HENRY COUNTY SOLDIERS WHO WENT TO OTHER STATES TO ENLIST DURING
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
Charles H. Barr, New Castle. Enlisted at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michi- gan. Private, Company 1, 33rd Michigan Infantry. Mustered in May 16, 1898. Appointed Quartermaster Sergeant. Mustered ont January 7, 1899.
Arthur C. Bernard. Knightstown. Enlisted at Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. Pri- vate, Company E. 1st Ohio Infantry. Mustered in April 26, 1898. Mustered out October 25, 1898.
John C. Bright, Cadiz. Enlisted at Horton, Brown Connty, Kansas. Private, Com- pany G, 22nd Kansas Infantry. Mustered in May 6. 1898. Mnstered out November 3, 1898.
Lemuel D. Cummins, Sulphur Springs. Enlisted at Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Private, Company B, 20th Kansas Infantry. Mustered in May 9, 1898. Appointed Corporal and Sergeant. Mustered out October 28, 1898.
Percy Donaldson, New Lisbon. Enlisted at Columbus, Ohio. Bugler, Company K. 3rd Tennessee Infantry. Mustered in July 4. 1898. Mustered out January 31, 1899.
'William E. Myers, Henry County. Enlisted at San Francisco, California. Private, Company C. 1st Tennessee Infantry. Mustered in June 29, 1898. Mustered ont Novem- ber 23, 1899.
MISCELLANEOUS.
RECAPITULATION.
Sergeant Major
2
Ordnance Sergeant.
1
Quartermaster Sergeant
3
First Sergeant. 1
Sergeant
12
Corporal
19
Regimental Band
1
Musician
1
Bngler
Artificer
Regimental Clerk.
1
Hospital Corps
1
Embalmer
1
Incomplete
2
Ship's Barber (Navy )
1
Second Class Baker (Navy)
1
Privates 80
Total
142
DEDUCTIONS.
Soldiers from other counties who have moved to Henry County since expiration of service 6 Duplication of names by reason of promotions and transfers 42 48
1
Apprentice (Navy )
Machinist (Navy )
Total of soldiers and sailors in the Regular Army and Navy since the Civil War .... 94
CHAPTER XXXIII.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR-WAR OF 1812-15.
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR-SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812-15.
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION IN HENRY COUNTY.
From the close of the War of the Revolution in 1783 until the lands in Henry County, Indiana, were placed on sale by the Government, a period of about forty years had elapsed. Many of the younger patriots, who had taken part in that struggle, were still living and it is definitely known that some of these came into the county soon after its settlement began and here found their last resting place.
Below are given in alphabetical order, the names of soldiers of the Revolution. known to have settled in the county, with the facts of their personal history, so far as known. Others, doubtless, located in Henry County, but by reason of the lapse of time, their names have not been obtainable.
Richard Conway. Settled in Liberty Township in 1821, where he afterwards en- tered government land. From what Colony he served in the Revolutionary War is not definitely known.
Rhoderick Craig. Settled in Harrison Township. Remains said to be buried in the Reynolds Cemetery, near Cadiz. From what Colony he served in the Revolutionary War and at what time he came to Henry County are not definitely known.
Hubbell. Settled in Liberty Township. Remains said to be buried in the Wisehart Cemetery, near New Lisbon. From what Colony he served in the Revo- lutionary War and at what time he came to Henry County are not definitely known.
Andrew Ice. Settled in Prairie Township in 1832. Lived to an advanced age and left behind him a long line of descendants, a number of whom are now prominent citi- zens of the township. He served in a Virginia regiment, during the Revolutionary War, and was the father of Colonel Jesse Ice, a soldier of the War of 1812-1815.
Isham. Settled near the present site of Knightstown, Wayne Town- ship, where he lived and died. From what Colony he served in the Revolutionary War and at what time he came to Henry County are not definitely known.
Christopher Long. A pioneer of Liberty Township. The remains of this venerable soldier of the Revolutionary War, together with those of his wife, lie buried at a point about four and a half miles, south of east, from New Castle, in Liberty Township, near what is known as the "Boyd Schoolhouse", and close to the southeast corner made by the crossing of the two turnpikes. Marking the grave, stands a marble monument, nine feet and six inches high, surrounded by an iron railing, four feet in height, and twelve feet long, north and south, hy nine feet wide, east and west. On the west side of the monument, in plain view of the passing traveler, is the following inscription:
"CHRISTOPHER LONG. "A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION.
"DIED AUGUST 14, 1829. AGED EIGHTY-THREE YEARS AND THREE MONTHIS.
"SARAH, HIS WIFE, DIED SEPTEMBER 11, 1822, IN HER 66TH YEAR."
699
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
On the base of the monument is another inscription, containing this appeal:
"POSTERITY PRESERVE THESE GRAVES."
Jacob Parkhurst. Settled in Greensboro Township, where he lived and died. From what Colony he served in the Revolutionary War and at what time he came to Henry County are not definitely known.
Orr Scovell . An early settler in Henry County. Served in a New Jersey or Con- necticut regiment, during the Revolutionary War. At the time of his death, he lived on what is now known as the Graham Farm, near the "Old Stone Quarry Mill", in Spiceland Township. He was the father of Elisha Scovell, who was the father-in-law of John Mor- ris, of Wayne Township, and therefore the great grandfather of John M. Morris, the present judge of the Henry Circuit Court.
John Shadlow. An early settler in Henry County. Remains are buried in White Union Cemetery, Fall Creek Township. From what Colony he served in the Revolu- tionary War and at what time he came to Henry County are not definitely known.
James S. Stinson. Settled in Henry Township in 1822. He served in a North Caro- lina regiment, during the Revolutionary War.
SOLDIERS OF THE.SECOND WAR ( 1812-1815) WITH GREAT BRITAIN IN HENRY COUNTY.
From the time of the treaty of peace in December. 1814, in the second war between the United States and Great Britain, until William Owen had entered the first tract of land in Henry County, but little more than seven years had elapsed. This first entry of land by Owen bears the date of February 4, 1821.
The great majority of the veterans of that war were young men and many of them secured grants of land by reason of their military service. A number sought and found homes in Henry County. One of the most considerable of these was Colonel Jesse Ice, who was a Captain in the army of General Harrison, and who subsequently was promoted to the rank of Colonel, for gallant and meritorious conduct.
The names of all these defenders of the Republic, who came to Henry County, so far as known, are given below, classified by townships. The list is not, perhaps, full and complete, but it contains the names of all that could be found by most diligent search. The sources of information from which this list is compiled are former publications relating to Henry County, lists on file in the different Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, and personal investigation by the author. The list of soldiers of this war for Wayne is probably more in- complete than that of any other township in the county.
BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
Abraham Corey, Joseph Corey, Jacob Jones, Samuel Marshall, William Moore. Jonathan Pierce, George Rinard.
DUDLEY TOWNSHIP.
Benjamin Dennis, John Jacoby, William Riadon, Merriman Straughn. John Van Buskirk.
FALL CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Solomon Bowers, Isaac Cooper, Charles Cummins, John Fadely, David Fleming, Wil- liam Graham, Joseph Gossett, Samuel Huston, Henry Isenhour . John Keesling, Reuben
700
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
McConnell, Charles Mitchell, William Prigg, Henry Richman, Anthony Sanders, Jacob Shedron, Thomas Windsor. Thomas Wisehart.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. Jacob Lawson, David Messick, Samuel Templeton. GREENSBORO TOWNSHIP.
Henry Camplin, Jacob Elliott, John Englerth, John Judge. HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
Thomas Allen, Israel Jackson, John McCormack, Peter Spencer.
HENRY TOWNSHIP.
David Bowers, Henry Fitch, Alexander Johnson, William McDowell, David Phillips. .Levi Shackle. Asahel Woodward.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Aaron Ballard, Samuel Beavers, John Cummins, John Hayes. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Isaac Baker, John Collingsworth, William Grosc, John Nicholson, Hiram Perry, Moses Robertson, George Thornton, Ashbury Wood.
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
Michael Brannon, Joseph Cowgill. James Dodd, Robert Downs, Absalom Harvey, Benjamin Harvey, William Hazelton, George Howk. Jesse Ice, William Longfellow, Philip Shively, Alexander Winders.
SPICELAND TOWNSHIP. Levi Butler, Christian Fout, Jesse L. Smith, STONY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Andrew Blount, Bissell Burr, Edward Daugherty, Isaac Daugherty, Peter Davis. Daniel Heffner, John Moore, Jonathan Ross, Nathaniel Thalls, Daniel Trowbridge.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Waitsel M. Carey, Major William Doughty, Daniel Mason. MISCELLANEOUS.
The author has been unable to classify the following hy townships: Jacob Chrest- ner. Enoch Hoglin, David Landis, Martin Oder, David Porter, Humphrey Sutton, James Walters.
Asahol Woodward
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR-PAPERS RELATING TO THE MEXICAN WAR BY CAPTAIN PYRRHUS WOODWARD- ROSTER OF MEXICAN WAR SOL- DIERS NOT MENTIONED BY CAPTAIN WOODWARD COMPANIES ORGANIZED IN HENRY COUNTY FOR THE MEXICAN WAR, NOT CALLED INTO ACTIVE SERVICE -PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MEXICAN WAR BY DAVID BEARLEY- GEORGE BURTON-RECAPITULATION.
During the administration of Governor James Whitcomb the war with Mexico occurred, which resulted in annexing to the United States vast tracts of land in the South and West. Indiana contributed her full ratio to the troops in that war, and with a remarkable spirit of promptness and patriotism adopted all measures to sustain the general Government. These new acquisitions of ter- ritory re-opened the discussion of the slavery question, and Governor Whiteomb expressed his opposition to a further extension of the "national sin."
The causes which led to a declaration of war against Mexico in 1846, must be sought for as far back as the year 1830, when the present State of Texas formed a province of New and Independent Mexico. During the years inme- diately preceding 1830, Moses Austin, of Connecticut, obtained a liberal grant of lands from the established Government, and on his death his son was treated in an equally liberal manner. The glowing accounts rendered by Austin, and the vivid picture of Elysian fields by visiting journalists, soon resulted in the influx of a large tide of immigrants, nor did the movement to the Southwest cease until 1830. The Mexican province held a prosperous population, comprising 10,000 American citizens. The rapacious Government of the Mexicans looked with greed and jealousy upon their eastern province, and, under the presidency of General Santa Anna, enacted such measures, both unjust and oppressive, as would meet their design of goading the people of Texas on to revolution, and thus afford an opportunity for the infliction of punishment upon subjects whose crime was industry and its accompaniment, prosperity. Precisely in keeping with the course pursued by the British toward the colonists of the Eastern States in the last cen- tury, Santa Anna's Government met the remonstrances of the colonists of Texas with threats ; and they, secure in their consciousness of right, quietly issued their declaration of independence, and proved its literal meaning on the field of Gonzales in 1835, having with a force of 500 men forced the Mexican army of 1,000 to flee for refuge to their strongholds. Battle after battle followed, bringing victory always to the Colonists, and ultimately resulting in the total rout of the Mexican army and the evacuation of Texas. The routed army after a short term of rest
702
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
reorganized, and reappeared in the Territory, 8,000 strong. On April 21, a division of this large force under Santa Anna encountered the Texans under General Samuel Houston on the banks of the San Jacinto, and though Houston could only oppose 800 men to the Mexican legions, the latter were driven from the field, nor could they reform their scattered ranks until their General was cap- tured the next day and forced to sign the declaration of 1835. The signature of Santa Anna, though ignored by the Congress of the Mexican Republic, and con- sequently left unratified on, the part of Mexico, effected so much, that after the second defeat of the army of the Republic all the hostilities of an important nature ceased, the Republic of Texas was recognized by the powers, and subsequently became an integral part of the United States, July 4, 1846. At this period General Herrera was president of Mexico. He was a man of peace, of common sense, and very patriotic ; and he entertained, or pretended to entertain, the great neighboring Republic in high esteem. For this reason he grew unpopular with his people, and General Paredes was called to the presidential chair, which he continued to occupy until the breaking out of actual hostilities with the United States, when General Santa Anna was elected thereto.
Captain Pyrrhus Woodward, a soldier of two wars, having served in the Mexican War, as Orderly Sergeant. Company H. 5th Indiana Infantry, and in the Civil War, as Captain, Company C. 36th Indiana Infantry, a full biographical sketch of whom is published in this History (Chapter XVII). left, among his papers relating to the Mexican War, in three parts, a full account of "Henry County's contribution to the history of that sanguinary contest."
Captain Woodward was the paternal uncle of the author of this History, and it was at his house that the latter was making his home when the Civil War began. and became a soldier in the company commanded by Captain Woodward.
The papers relating to the Mexican War, prepared by the last named, have been furnished to the author for publication in this History by the daughter of Captain Woodward, Mrs. Belle Springer, of New Castle, and here follow in their several parts.
PART I.
The admission of Texas, which had previously declared its independence, into the Union in 1845, was the beginning of unfriendly relations between the United States and Mexico. The western boundary of the new State was in dispute. and its annexation to the United States was regarded as an unfriendly act by our neighboring Republic. Our Government sent General Taylor into the newly acquired territory with an army of occupation. On the 28th of March, 1846, General Taylor took up his position on the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoras. On the 12th of April General Ampudia, the Mexican General, notified Taylor to retire beyond the Nueces River, which the Mexican Government claimed was the western boundary of Texas. General Taylor did not heed the notice, but sent a force of sixty three dragoons to ascertain whether the Mexican troops had crossed the Rio Grande. A strong Mexican force fell upon this small body of troops and after killing and wounding seventeen of them, forced the Americans to sur- render. This was the first act of bloodshed, and when the news of the affair reached the United States, the excitement rose to a high pitch.
On May 8. 1846, General Taylor fought the battle of Palo Alto and on the
703
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY-
clay following the battle of Resaca de la Palma. These battles were fought upon Texas soil and in both engagements, the American troops were victorious. On May 16. Congress formally declared war. General Taylor crossed the Rio Grande on May 18, and in September following defeated the Mexicans at Mon- terey. On the 23d of February, 1847, the American Army, under Taylor, en- countered the Mexican Army, commanded by Santa Anna, at Buena Vista, and although the American forces were outnumbered four to one, won a decisive victory, which gave the Americans the possession of the northeastern part of Mexico.
The second American Army consisting of about 13,000 men, under the com- mand of General Scott, landed near Vera Cruz on March 9. 1847, and after a short siege of the city, captured the strong fortress of San Juan de Ulloa on March 27. The Army of General Scott pressed forward towards the City of Mexico, two hundred and sixty miles from the coast, successfully fighting the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco. Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec. and on the morning of September 14, the victorious American army entered the City of Mexico and the American flag floated over the National Palace of Mexico.
Under the act of Congress, approved May 13, 1846, providing for the organi- zation of volunteer troops, Governor Whitcomb had issued a proclamation calling for volunteers and the First. Second and Third Regiments of Indiana Volunteers had been organized in 1846, and had promptly gone to the seat of war. The popu- lar sentiment of the North was by no means imanimously favorable to the war. for its was believed by many that its ultimate object was the acquisition of ter- ritory in the interests of slavery. And while the sentiment of Henry County was not strongly favorable to the war, yet early in 1847, a company composed of about sixty members was recruited at New Castle and vicinity. As my grand- father. Thomas Woodward had served in the Revolutionary Army and Asahel Woodward, my father, had been a soldier in Captain Sloan's company, from Ohio, in the War of 1812, it was, perhaps, only natural that I should desire to enter the army, for I was then quite a young man, and I took an active part in recruiting this company, and I might say that I was in about as much danger, on one or two occasions, from angry wives and mothers who thought I was trying to persuade their husbands and sons to volunteer. as I afterwards encountered in Mexico. This company organized by electing, ås Captain, Mathew S. Ward, a bright young lawyer of New Castle, who afterwards removed to Mississippi and became a Major of artillery in the Confederate army. Henry Shroyer was elected First Lieutenant and I was chosen Second Lieutenant. The services of the com- pany were not accepted because at the time the State's quota was full.
The Fifth Regiment of Indiana was organized in October, 1847. Captain Ebenezer Cary of Marion had recruited about forty men in Grant County, and on October 4. 1847. this body of men came to New Castle in wagons, en route to Indianapolis. At New Castle, the following persons from Henry County joined Captain Cary's company : Finley Adams, Elam Armfield, James N. Cary, Harvey Copeland. Charles Fifer, Norviel Fleming. Jeremiah Gossett; David Harker. Chapman Mann, William Mann, Abner Phillips, William H. Roby. James A. Schuman. Henry Shank, George Tarkleson, George W. Thompson, David Warner. Richard Webster. Pyrrhus Woodward.
704
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
The greater number of those who enlisted in Captain Cary's company, from Henry County, were from Fall Creek Township. George W. Thompson and David Harker were from Harrison Township; James A. Sehuman from Prairie Township; Elam Armfield from Greensboro Township; Abner Phillips and Harvey Copeland from Henry Township; James N. Cary was from Knightstown. Richard Webster and myself were from New Castle. Amos Brown, a bright young colored man, twenty three years of age, and nearly white, from Fall Creek Township, also joined the company in the capacity of officer's cook. The ages of the men who enlisted from Henry County, as shown by the muster-out rolls now on file in the office of the Adjutant General at Indianapolis, and which have been consulted in the praparation of this article were as follows : Finley Andrews, 20: Elam Armfield, 25; James N. Cary. 24: Harvey Copeland, 19; Charles Fifer, 24: Norviel Fleming, 18; Jeremiah Gossett, 32: David Harker, 19: Chapman Mann. 22 ; William Mann, 24; Abner Phillips, 21 ; William H. Roby, 40; James A. Schu- man, 18; Henry Shank, 29: George Tarkleson, 43; George W. Thompson, 21 : David Warner, 21 ; Richard Webster, 21 ; Pyrrhus Woodward, 25.
Dr. James M. Montgomery, of Lewisville, well known to the older citizens of Franklin Township, had enlisted in another company of the Fifth Regiment and William D. Schuman, of Prairie Township, and a brother of James A. Schuman had previously enlisted in another regiment.
Captain Cary's company remained in New Castle over night, and on October 5. departed for Indianapolis in wagons, going by the way of Knightstown and Greenfield. With the addition of the Henry County recruits the company had about sixty members. On the first night after leaving New Castle we stopped at Greenfield and were taken to the home of the citizens. The next day we reached Indianapolis, where we took the train for Madison, Indiana, going by the new railroad, which had just been completed. Here we went into camp where several companies had preceded us.
The commissioned officers of the company had been selected before the com- pany'left Marion and were as follows : Captain, Ebenezer Cary ; First Lieutenant. Thomas F. Marshall; Second Lieutenant, David Shunk; additional Second Lieu- tenant. Joseph W. Holliday. At Madison, about twenty recruits from Jefferson County were assigned to our company which now had its full complement of men. The non-commissioned officers of the company were selected at Madison and I was chosen second, or duty, sergeant and Henry Shank third duty sergeant. Captain Cary's company was mustered into the service of the United States on October 14. 1847, as Company H, of the Fifth Regiment of Indiana Foot Volunteers, as the regiment was designated on the records of the Adjutant General's office. The members of the various companies were in the main young men, and imbued with a lofty spirit of patriotism. The stern realities of war had not yet worn off the glamour which surrounds a soldier's life and every company in camp had chosen a name, illustrating at once the ardor as well as the light hearted en- thusiasm of new troops, and by these names the different companies were designated upon the rolls. The Indiana Guards, from Vernon, commanded by Captain Horace Hull, were mustered as Company A; Captain George Greene's Rough and Ready Guards from Charlestown became Company B; the Covington Guards from Madison, commanded by Captain Robert M. Evans, became Com-
705
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
pany C; the Hancock B'hoys from Greenfield, commanded by Captain James R. Bracken, were mustered as Company D; the Shelbyville Hards from Shelbyville, commanded by Captain Samuel McKinsey, became Company E; the Centre Guards from Madison, commanded by Captain John McDougall, became Com- pany F; Grabbers No. 2, from Lawrenceburg, commanded by Captain Aaron C. Gibbs, were mustered as Company G. Our own Company H, was known as the Washington Guards. The Montgomery boys from Crawfordsville, commanded by Captain Allen May, were mustered as Company I and the Wayne Guards from Madison, commanded by Captain David W. Lewis, as Company K.
The organization of the Fifth Regiment was completed at Madison and our regimental officers were James H. Lane, Colonel ; Allen May, Lieutenant Colonel ; John M. Myers, Major; James Baker, was Regimental Quartermaster ; James S. Athon, Surgeon and John M. Lord Adjutant. Colonel Lane had entered the army as Captain of the Dearborn Volunteers and had seen service in the Third Regiment, before he became Colonel of the Fifth. He was thirty three years old, a handsome man and a gallant soldier. His subsequent brilliant but stormy career in Kansas and Missouri is well known. Captain May of Company I. re- cruited at Crawfordsville, was promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel and Lieutenant Mahlon D. Manson, afterwards a distinguished officer in the Civil War became Captain of the company. John M. Myers, Major, was twenty-seven years of age. and a very competent officer. A few of the companies were not full and according to E. D. Mansfield's History of the Mexican War, the roster of the Fifth Regi- ment showed 973 men. The First, Second and Third Regiments of Indiana had enlisted for one year, but the enlistment, of the Fourth and Fifth Regiments was for the war.
We remained in camp at Madison about three weeks where we received our uniforms, which were of dark blue cloth, something like those worn in the late war, and we wore caps. The light blue overcoats worn during the late war, were very similar to those issued to our regiment. A letter bearing date October 15, 1857, in the New Albany Democrat and reproduced in the Indiana State Sentinel of October 23, gives a view of the Fifth Regiment at Madison as follows: "Nine companies have arrived and been mustered into the service. The last one, Captain Cary's company from Grant County, was mustered in last evening. All the companies are now in camp and comprise in all something like 700 men, and recruiting for the various companies is going on rapidly. Every one about the camp is in the highest spirits. Every volunteer is elated with the hope of soon leaving that they may aid their fellow soldiers in subduing our treacherous and obstinate foe and share in the revels in the halls of the Montezumas-that all ab- sorbing desire of the volunteer that is now being realized in the City of the Aztecs. The clothing of the different companies is going on rapidly and will be completed by the last of next week at farthest." A contemporary notice of the Fifth Regiment in the Madison Courier is as follows: "During the time this body of men have been encamped here, they have conducted themselves with great propriety, and their conduct has reflected credit on the character of the volunteer. Take them all in all, they are a fine looking body of men and appear competent to do good service in the field."
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