USA > Missouri > Recollections of the 26th Missouri Infantry, in the war for the union > Part 11
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A deputation was immediately sent from St. Louis to recover all that remained of him who had nobly made his last offering for his country ; and on Sunday morning, June 2Ist, his body reached that city. It was conveyed at once to the Planters' House, where it lay in state until the funeral obsequies. which were observed the following day.
Loving hands shrouded the casket in which he lay with "a magnificent national banner of silk ; over the head lay a well-earned chaplet of classic laurel, on the breast a large wreath of evergreen and white flowers, in the center of which appeared a single white floral star, and at the foot a beautiful cross formed of the same pure white material."
At half-past one the body was transferred from the Planters' House to the Second Baptist church, where as a mere youth, on entering that city years before. he first found a home in the public worship of God.
At the church, in front of the altar, a beautiful arch of evergreens and white flowers had been arranged with great taste, and underneath it his coffin was placed by those who had loved him faithfully in life. The religious exercises were conducted in the presence of a very large and attentive audi- ence, in a most solemn and impressive manner by Dr. Post and the Rev. J. P. Schofield.
At the close of the service the choir sung Montgomery's beautiful hymn,
"Go to the grave in all thy glorious prime, In full activity of zeal and power."
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
"At the conclusion of the religious services the body was received by the military escort, consisting of the Ninety- first Illinois Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Smith commanding, and two squadrons of the Fourth Regular Cavalry, the en- tire escort commanded by Colonel Day.
"The cortege moved with slow and measured tread, led by Boehm's splendid band, thundering the awful notes of a grief-inspiring requiem, which, as it swelled to a per- fect diapason, embodied at once the prayers and sorrow for the dead.
"Along the streets traversed by the cortege the side- walks were lined in many parts with citizens, for the people loved the name of General Boomer for the bravery and goodness he was animated with in his lifetime; and as the boat pushed out from the wharf, transporting his honored dust from the soil of his adoption forever, many a sigh went up, and tears were shed from eyes all "unused to the melting mood.' "
General Boomer's remains were conveyed to the home of his father, in Worcester, Mass., for interment, and it was the design of his family to quietly place them in their final resting place. But the loyal citizens of Worcester remon- strated against this plan, and strongly urged that they might have an opportunity of showing their gratitude, in a public way, to one who had so generously suffered and died to maintain a common cause. This wish being acceded to, every honor was most generously paid to the dead by the kind hearts of that city.
On Sunday, the 28th June, his funeral obsequies were observed in Worcester, at the Third Baptist Church.
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
Long before the hour of service the church was filled to its utmost capacity.
The religious exercises on this occasion were conducted with great earnestness and sympathy by the Rev. J. Ban- vard.
"He gave a brief sketch of the more prominent points in General Boomer's career, and paid a merited tribute to his eminent worth, closing with an urgent appeal to the men of the North to rise in the majesty of their whole might, to crush out the rebellion, and save their country, for which so much blood had already been shed."
This deeply interesting service was closed by the chant- ing of that exquisitely tender hymn-
" Into the silent land, ah! who shall lead us thither?"
The casket which contained the remains of the de- ceased was again draped with the national banner, again profusely decked with bouquets and wreaths of flowers, and escorted to their last repose, in the Rural Cemetery, by the State Gaurds and the Highland Cadets, accompanied by the Worcester Cornet Band.
The throngs that crowded the streets to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of him who in his turn had passed into " the silent halls of death," gave an affecting testimony to the fact that the great heart of the North beat in sympathy with the honest soldier.
But he to whom these honors were paid had passed be- yond the reach of human praise. His work was done, his voice was silenced, his eye obscured, his arm paralyzed- but not until they had each and all been uplifted for the cause
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
he loved; not until he had done something for the progress of the world's civilization, in which he felt a deep interest.
On the death of such a man, the patriot and the friend might justly pause to shed a tear, and say with truth-
" His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world-This was a man!"
In this hour of our country's gloom, when clouds roll on clouds, when woes cluster on woes, when every cup is full of bitterness. every prospect is draped in black, how precious the record of such lives ! This gigantic rebellion furnishes an innumerable host, to be gathered from every camp and hospital and battle-field.
How delicious the fragrance of such unfading memo- ries ! How full of consolation such imperishable legacies !
The spirit of these fallen "brave" shall never die. "It shall outlive the ruins of empires and of eras, and, passing through the web of time, it will weave the bright colors of virtue, self-denial, and loyalty to God and liberty, into the mighty fabric of human souls, which shall be unrolled at the judgement, and then hung up as the golden tapestry of heaven."
One of the most brilliant pages of history records the fact that the world-renowned Cæsar, ". in dying, first gazed on the marble brow of Pompey, and then arranged his robes to lie with becoming dignity in death." On another page, of equal lustre, the record is made of Nelson, before his last battle-Trafalgar-saying, "Now for a peerage or Westminster Abbey !"' But how much loftier and purer the spirit of our brave warriors, who, with an entire abnegation
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of self, accept the most trying agonies of death upon our battle-fields, knowing that their names and deeds will be alike unknown to history or to fame !
"In that wreath which a grateful nation twines around her brow, the most brilliant and imperishable flowers will be those gathered from the hallowed graves of the men who have freely offered up their lives on the altar of their coun- try."
But a far more enduring and glorious reward awaits our Christian soldiers than that bestowed upon them by any earthly homage. Passing through the dark river of death, they are bidden to enter the pearly gates of the New Jerusa- lem, whose foundations are built of precious stones. In that better country there are no envyings, no strifes, no wars nor rumors of wars. The mild reign of the Prince of Peace beams over all, and transplanted to those everlasting gardens of God's love, where angels walk, angelic hands shall crown their spotless brows with unfading diadems.
TESTIMONIALS.
From the many testimonials by General Boomer's friends in St. Louis, the following extracts are made :-
"General Boomer came to this city when a mere youth, with a business upon his hands that required the judgment, good sense, and experience of mature years. These traits of character he soon developed in an extraor- dinary degree, and by them he won the confidence of all who had business connections with him. He took at once an enviable position as a man of integrity and real worth- a position which he always maintained.
It was evident to all who knew our dear departed Boomer, that he was governed by no common aims in life -that he had a high standard of manliness, ripened by much thought and reflection. One of the prominent traits of his character was his justice. Whatever he said he would do, he did. No one doubted his motives, or believed that they were covered by any cloak of policy, or that any selfish end was sought. He was unflinching in his principles, but kind in maintaining them; just and generous, the soul of honor and truth. These traits made him greatly beloved, because he could be entirely trusted. · .
" General Boomer possessed the highest order of talents, and rarely has any young man, thrown into a world of
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strangers dependent upon himself, accomplished what he did. He won a reputation, both in this city and in the coun- try where he was known, that no man of his years has ever excelled or equalled in the State of Missouri. So great was ' his popularity in the country, that it was the wish of the people in the district to which his town of Castle Rock be- longed to send him as their representative to Washington.
"In the death of this brave soldier the State of Mis- souri has lost one of its brightest gems. He was a young man whose high-toned moral character, whose activity and enterprise, whose ambition to use his time and talents to the best possible advantage, were well worthy the imitation of our young men. All who knew him loved him, for they be- lieved in him. He had a keen knowledge of character, was sound in judgment, always kind and magnanimous.
"Too much cannot be said in praise of the brilliant rec- ord he has left behind, and although he lived but few years. yet it was a long life in noble deeds and manly action. The people of Missouri will long love and honor his name."
"OSAGE CITY, MISSOURI, July 10, 1863.
"I have been intimately acquainted with General Boomer for the last six years, and have always been advised of the estimation in which he was held in the community. His ac- quaintance was extensive, and among all his numerous busi- ness connections in the country, he was always regarded as a man of sterling and unswerving integrity.
"Since the breaking out of the rebellion his popularity has greatly extended and increased, through the universal attachment and devotion of the members of the Twenty-
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sixth Regiment, whose letters to their friends at home have been filled with descriptions of the sayings and doings of their noble commander. One old gentlemen, living in this place, whose son was a captain in the Twenty-sixth Regiment shed tears upon reading the announcement of General Boom- er's death.
"There has never been any man in this community who was so universally beloved and esteemed, nor any one whose loss could be so generally felt or so deeply regretted as his."
"CASTLE ROCK, September 18. 1863.
"As a man of business in this place, General Boomer pleased and satisfied all with whom he had any transactions. He was remarkable in possessing the desirable faculty of pleasing every one, on account of his justness and kindness. Free from excitement, generous to a fault, energetic, and given to detail in his business relations, manly and consider- ate, he was beloved by all who knew him.
"All who knew Boomer loved him. There was a
. strength and tenderness in his nature that made him a uni- versal favorite wherever he went. He was noble, generous. and true, and his loss falls heavily upon the people of this community. It will never be made up to them."
"BEFORE VICKSBURG, June 14, 1863.
"MY DEAR MRS. S -:- Though no words of mine can assuage the grief or fill the place made vacant by the loss of a dearly loved brother, still it is with a feeling of pride that I can bear testimony to his exalted character, his signal ability, and his patriotic devotion to his country, for the sake of which he lost his life in an attempt to storm this stronghold of the enemy on the twenty-second ult.
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
"Though he has been taken from us, his spirit still lives and animates his surviving comrades-'it can never die.'
"While he was my friend and companion in arms, he was more than a friend-he was a support, one in whom I placed the greatest confidence, and whom I had learned to love as a brother."
"The last written communication I had from him was the day before the assault, in which he had said he had dis- covered a good route leading nearly up to the enemy's works, where troops could be marched under cover from their fire. I went down, and we talked the matter over, examined the grounds, and concluded the plan was feasible. The next morning he led his column to the assault; but before the final assault was made. the Seventh Division, to which he belonged, was sent to the assistance of General McClernand who had asked General Grant for reinforcements, and it was in front of his line that he lost his life.
"Very sincerely your friend, "J. P. McPHERSON, "Major-General." " ROCHESTER, N. Y., June. 26, 1863. " MRS. S -.
" MY DEAR MADAM :- I saw and conversed with your brother and my friend several times on the sad and eventful day when he gave his life for the country which he had served so long and so well. Though exposed the whole day, he was unharmed until my division was detached from Gen- eral McPherson's and ordered to the support of General Mc- Clernand's corps, in the afternoon. The three brigades of the division were then sent to different points, and I was not near your brother when he fell, but one of his aids re-
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ported the event to me soon after it occurred. He had formed his brigade to make a charge on the enemy's works, and was instantly killed as he was moving forward to give the final orders.
"I saw his body just before dark, after it had been brought from the field, and was impressed by the natural and composed posture and expression of the face. There was no distortion, and but little disfigurement, so that it was difficult to persuade myself that he was really dead, and not sleeping after the fatigue of the day.
" My acquaintance with General Boomer began in the early part of December last, and from that time up to the moment we were called to mourn his loss, he was in com- mand of the Third Brigade of my division. A better man and a braver officer, a more warm-hearted disinterested friend, in short, a more noble man than he, I have yet to find. I conceived for him the strongest friendship from my first acquaintance, which was strengthened and cemented by an unreserved social and official intercourse.
" While it must be gratifying to you to know the high estimate in which your brother was held, and it may per- haps somewhat soften your sorrow. it cannot console you for his loss; nor do I presume that my own sorrow and heartfelt sympathy will do much to lessen your affliction.
"I regret that it was impossible to comply with your brother's wishes-to have his remains, in the event of his death, sent to you. The attempt was made by his aid-de- camp, but he was compelled to bury them at the landing on the Yazoo River, with the intention of forwarding them as soon as possible.
"I am, madam, with much sympathy and respect, "Truly your friend, "J. F. QUIMBY."
MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER. 167
The following is an extract from a letter of C. A. Dana :-
VICKSBURG, May 30, 1863.
" I have met with few persons in life for whom I have felt such an instinctive sympathy as Boomer. He was brave, manly, affectionate, and sincere, keen in perception and sound in judgment. Of the many good soldiers who have fallen in this magnificent campaign, his death is the only one which has caused me direct personal sorrow."
From General Crocker :- -
ST. LOUIS, June 5, 1863.
" It is due to the memory of General Boomer to say. that there was no man of any rank in the whole army of the Tennessee more universally beloved than he. No officer has been more conspicuous than he in this magnificent cam- paign, and no generalship has excelled that which he dis- played at Champion Hills. To him, in a great measure, we owe that victory. No man was rising so fast in distinction, as Boomer, and no death has been more generally deplored than his."
From a soldier in the Third Brigade, Seventh Division, Seventeenth Army Corps :-
" VICKSBURG, May 30, 1863.
" Alas! our beloved Boomer has fallen! He had been fighting all day, and late in the afternoon was sent to rein- force McClernand, and instead of being kept as a reserve he was ordered to the front ranks. He said to a friend that he thought this unjust; but still he obeyed every order. and cheerfully went in to take charge of his column in person.
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
" Just as he had drawn up his troops in line of battle, a bullet from the enemy's sharp-shooters pierced his head, killing him instantly, just as the sun was setting.
" He was the moving spirit of the division, the bravest of the brave, and has ' gained an imperishable renown.' "
" WALNUT HILLS, NEAR VICKSBURG, May 28, 1863.
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" But our sky is not cloudless. Dark shadows have cast their gloom over our hearts; the darkest was the death of poor Boomer.
"I cannot tell you what he was-you knew and loved him so well-but I can tell you that his loss is more gener- ally deplored than that of any officer who has fallen in this campaign.
" On our march to Hard Times I was with him most of the way, and our intimacy increased until I felt towards him like a brother. Personally I could almost feel the bullet in my heart that pierced his head.
"He died at the head of his brigade, with his face to the foe.
" Vicksburg would be bought at a heavy price if no other life than his was paid.
" W. S. HILLYER, General Grant's Staff."
HEADQUARTERS 7TH BRIGADE, 7TH DIVISION, 17TH ARMY CORPS, VICKSBURG, July 27, 1863.
" MRS. S ---.
" DEAR MADAM :- Had I known positively your name and address. I should have done myself the honor of writ-
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
ing you a letter of condolence at the time of your brother's death, knowing as I did from his own remarks, that you were more to him than any other living being.
"It is indeed true that I am familiar with his military career, and it is all bright and all glorious; so that it would be a most difficult task to recite facts or incidents that would have peculiar significance or interest. His whole life as a soldier, and all the incidents of it, seem equally interest- ing.
"His mind was adapted to the service in every respect ; and when he knew what movements our army was about to make, he was never at a loss to know what the movements of the enemy would be. For three long and tedious cam- paigns, namely, against Corinth, against Vicksburg by the Central Mississippi Railroad, and against Vicksburg by the river, comprising almost every variety of movement and strategy, all of which were discussed and considered, no movement was made the effect and result of which he did not exactly foretell before it was commenced.
" When a large portion of our army below Corinth was sent forward to General Buell in Cincinnati last summer, I recollect how confident he was that we should be attacked on that line at an early day. You will remember how soon the battles of Iuka and Corinth followed.
" Again, last December, when we were below Oxford, on the Tuscony Patafyty River, he constantly discussed the great danger we were in of having our supplies cut off by a raid upon the road, and came one day to request me to go with him to Grant's headquarters and urge the necessity of the army being supplied immediately with twenty or thirty days' rations of hard bread and coffee, so that, in case the
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road was destroyed, the army could march on down to Vicksburg and open communication by river, and thus no delay be incurred in reducing the place by any movement of the enemy in the rear. Subsequent events, which came speedily upon us, proved how well founded his opinions were.
" When the last spring campaign opened we were or- dered to land about fifteen miles above Lake Providence, and open a way for boats above Bayou Macon, with the view of going through to Red River to reinforce General Banks at Port Hudson, and clearing the river as far up as Warrenton. The distance to be travelled through these narrow, crooked bayous and small rivers, through the enemy's country, would have been at least four hundred miles. Your brother at once took the most decided stand against the pro- gramme, and when the division gave the usual military reason for carrying it out, namely, ' that it was so ordered,' he went so far as to say that such orders must not be obeyed until a full consultation was had upon them, and the whole matter reconsidered. He immediately took a boat and went in person to Lake Providence, to have a private inter- view with General McPherson on the subject, and im- pressed him so strongly with the insurmountable obstacles to a successful campaign thus ordered, that the General made a trip to Young's Point to see General Grant on the subject, and the whole plan was dropped.
" We were ordered down the Tallahatchie River by the Yazoo Pass, which was also a movement in which your brother had no confidence, and he often remarked, before we sailed, that the campaign would be immensely expensive. and result in no advantage to the Government; and so it proved.
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
" But when the last movement was commenced, by way of Brunisburg, he was filled with confidence and hope, and often remarked that he could forsee its certain success.
" In battle your brother conducted himself with as much calculation, deliberation, and calmness, as in the most com- mon occurrences and affairs of life, and he dared to do what he saw clearly was best without orders, and even against orders in an unquestionable case.
" At the battle of Iuka, after the enemy's skirmishers were drawn back to the main line by a portion of his regi- ment and a fire received from nearly the whole line of the enemy, Boomer applied to me for an order to bring in his skirmishers at once, to form the whole regiment into line of battle, and be ready for an advance of the enemy, which was evidently about being made. I told him my orders from General Rosecrans were, to have the skirmishers hold their line, or advance if possible, and bring the whole body of infantry forward to their support. He said the line the skirmishers were on could not be maintained a moment, and if I did not choose to take the responsibility of ordering the skirmishers in, he would bring them in without orders, and accordingly did so; and I obtained an order to the same effect while he was doing this. Hardly had a moment elapsed after he accomplished this before the whole line of the enemy came forward like a tempest, and almost swept away the imperfect formation we had made.
" Your brother was not overcome at all or disquieted by this shock, his regiment being in reserve, and he, having full discretion as to the point where and the time when he should move, personally led to the front line, where it was most weakened, and where the fire was inost destructive,
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with four of his best companies; and seeing at a glance that all our reserve forces were needed there, he attempted to bring them up. While doing this he was shot, and fell, as was then supposed, mortally wounded.
" While laboring under the pains of what he supposed. with all his friends ( except his surgeon,) was a mortal wound, his courage and spirit did not fail, and he was only anxious for the issue of the battle. His only regret was that he was not able to complete the movement he had com- menced, which he felt confident would have relieved the whole line in a great degree.
" At Jackson. Champion Hills. and before Vicksburg, he exhibited the same judgment. calmness, determination, and zeal. He was following my brigade to the right of our line at Champion Hills. when he received an order to move back quickly and support General Hovey's division, then being engaged and overwhelmed by superior numbers in the center. It was but a few minutes before the whole center of the enemy's line was falling back before him.
"The enemy was speedily reinforced at that point, and even commenced driving back the thinned ranks of Colonel Boomer's brigade. He came to me and spoke as calmly and coolly as on any occasion, saying, 'Sanborn. the enemy are too strong for my brigade where I am, but with two more regiments I can clear that part of the field. Can't you let me have the Fifty-ninth and Forty-eighth Indiana from your Brigade?' When I assured him that my troops were all en- gaged, but that the Second Brigade was close up, and I had heard General Grant order it at once to his support, he re- sponded, 'That is all I want,' and rode off as cheerfully as if it were a holiday.
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MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
"In less than a half hour that part of the field was cleared, and clearing that really cleared the whole; so that your brother performed a most conspicuous part in that batttle.
". When the general order was given for the army to assault the enemy's works on the 22d of May, Boomer was disposed to favor it, and to believe it would be successful. and not attended with very heavy loss. He based this belief on the fact that the enemy had been recently defeated in several engagements, and was consequently demoralized, and would not make a strong stand.
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