USA > Missouri > Recollections of the 26th Missouri Infantry, in the war for the union > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
TO U. S. SENATOR WILSON.
HEADQUARTERS 3D DIV. 15TH A. C. OFFICE OF A. C. OF MUSTERS. SAVANNAH, GA., Dec. 27th, 1864. Hon. H. Wilson, U. S. Senator, Washington, D. C .:
MY ESTEEMED FRIEND :- I write this for the purpose of introducing to you a friend and brother officer, Col. Benj. D. Dean, 26th Mo. Vol., whom I have mustered out, be- cause his regiment was, only, and who comes to Washing- ton with papers of a very truthful ( though flattering, to him ) character, and the request contained in them I hope may be
1
78
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
granted. It has been my good fortune to know him for some months and to have done business with him, I have also seen him under the fire of the enemy. In the office, he is quick and apt, as to the details of business, courteous and gentle- manly,-under fire, cool, brave, courageous, with his heart in the work, and the request made for him, if granted, could hardly fall on worthier shoulders. I am as ever,
Yours dutifully,
GEO. W. HILL, Capt. 13th Inf.
FROM GEN. JOHN E. SMITH.
HEADQUARTERS 3D DIV. 15TH A. C. SAVANNAH, GA., Jan. 10th, 1865. Col. B. D. Dean, 26th Reg. Mo. Vol. Inf .:
COLONEL :- Your term of service having expired, and your command mustered out, permit me to express my re- grets that the United States loses the service of so valuable an officer as you have proven yourself. Efficient and faith- ful in the discharge of your duties and gentlemanly in your intercourse, you leave regretted by the whole command, and take with you my best wishes for your future welfare. Trusting that we may yet have the pleasure of welcoming your return to the service. I am truly yours,
JOHN. E. SMITH, Brig .- Gen.
MEMOIR
OF BRIG .- GEN. GEORGE B. BOOMER,
BY HIS SISTER
MRS. A. B. STONE.
Among the names of those who have followed the for- tunes of our bleeding country, and who have died for it, is that of Brigadier-General Boomer, who was born in the town of Sutton, Worcester county, Mass., July 26, 1832.
George Boardman Boomer was the youngest child of Rev. Job Borden Boomer, who, at the time of his son's birth, had labored for nearly twenty years in the church of which he was the beloved pastor.
A visit to the parsonage, during the first few weeks of the life of young Boomer, by the Baptist Missionary, George Boardman, decided his name; and many were the silent prayers offered to the wise Disposer of all things that the mantle of this self-sacrificing Christian man might, in future years, rest upon his infant namesake.
The early surroundings and influences of this child were of such a character as to refine the taste and elevate the heart. The pure, healthful atmosphere of the country cra- dled and nourished his infant years,-the glorious country,
"Where every element conspires to bliss." .
At the early age of three years he was allowed to follow his own inclinations in attending the village school; but it
80
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
was not until a subsequent period that he at all distinguished himself as a scholar. When eight years of age, he was placed at the academy in Uxbridge, at that time one of the best institutions in the country, and it was there, at his first examination, that the quiet, thoughtful child made his first impression that he was a boy of bright, interesting talent.
At that period he displayed but trifling ambition for study, knew nothing of the spirit of rivalry, cared little for a task, and applied no particular energy to it. Still his lessons were well learned and understood, -an unceasing wonder to all who were familiar with his apparently indolent habits. With a retentive memory, and an ability to grasp the reasons of things, the conclusions were self-evident.
It was objected by his parents at that time that he should commence the study of Latin, on the ground that he was too young to comprehend it, and that the task would be too diffi- cult; but his teacher, who understood his capacities better, overruled the matter, and after a few faithful efforts, the dry Latin seemed to yield to his will as easily as his more simple studies.
The four succeeding years of his lite were spent in the beautiful village of East Brookfield. the family having moved, where he had the same opportunity to enjoy the lovliness of nature that was afforded him in the place of his birth. Scarcely had the new pastor established himself with his con- gregation, ere his bright little boy, sitting in the front pew with a careless air and merry countenance, was the observed of all, and much attention was given to the child.
During his residence in that place the young people of the community formed themselves into a society for mutual improvement. They issued a paper, which was read at
81
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
their gatherings. Young George felt that he could not al- low his capacities of ten years to remain dormant while such a field of mental effort was suggested to him; so, calling the little boys of his own age together, they organized them- selves into a society. based upon the same plan which was adopted by their seniors.
While pursuing his studies here, he made rapid pro- gress ; his ambition was stirred: the school was advantag- eous; and, added to that, he could not but reap great bene- fit from coming in contact with the highly cultivated mind of his brother-in-law, Mr. Daggett.
These school days bore the first evidences of mental discipline, which served the desired purpose of awakening more and more the thirst for study. He seemed also to be roused by the first impulses of manhood, to feel how much there was in life, "how brief man's earthly span," and how precious the moments were as they passed.
A few months subsequent he was placed at the Wor- cester Academy.
The first months of these school days seemed the very acme of happiness to young Boomer. Filled with all the ardor of youth, impressed with an unflinching desire not to study merely but to advance, enthusiastic to a fault. resolute in his plans, sanguine for the future. he naturally looked di- rectly forward, and saw only a straight road, along which he felt strong enough to walk, defying any crooked lines which might appear, and battling with the "lions in the way."
When finishing his preparatory course, with the goal in sight, he began to suffer from pain in his eyes; but thinking them only overtasked. he allowed them a few months' res- pite, and commenced using them with renewed zeal.
82
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
This trial was followed by another disappointment. Still, as he gave no intimation of yielding his design to pur- sue a course of study, his friends urged him to give up, for a year, the idea, and engage in some healthful out-door oc- cupation. as he was then very young to enter upon his col- legiate course. An opportunity soon presented itself for travelling in the northern parts of Vermont and New Hamp- shire. which he gratfully accepted. For a time this disap- pointment seemed only "a blessing in disguise," affording a delightful exchange from the close confinement of the school- room to the beautiful scenery of the Green Mountains. Na- ture often proves to be man's best teacher,-"she unseals the eye, illumes the mind, and purifies the heart."
After a year thus spent he returned to his books again, with his mind and heart in fine condition for the accomplish- ment of his long-expected plans; but bitter the decree-the nerves of his eyes were so affected that they could not be used for consecutive study, for years.
He was at this time seventeen years of age, with a mind remarkably mature, uncommonly disciplined, and well stored with general information. All his wishes and plans and thoughts had been given to study. Hopeful in his disposi- tion, he had not dreamed that such an apparently slight diffi- culty could triumph over so healthy a body which contained so strong a will.
This was a crushing event, the great sorrow of his life, and at that time bowed him to the earth. It seemed too much for him to bear. Life, his life, was denied him. The medium through which he looked into the future was dark. the road he had designed to walk was closed to him forever. What could he do? Whither could he turn? Ar-
S3
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
dent, earnest enthusiastic, with the soul of a poet, how could he yield all his tastes, his own heart's longings, for what seemed to him, at that time, the wearisome pursuits of busi- ness men?
He was poor and knew the necessity of personal effort. He felt its dignity and gloried in the fact that every man was most a man when carving his own name in the world; but he had read his future through the discipline of study, and was not prepared to make so great a sacrifice as to abandon it.
This was a struggle. a terrible conflict, which lasted for months. He battled against his own reason. against the tes- timony of medical men, against the advice of those who loved him best; but the strength of his purposes was such that it was not easy to surrender what he had so determin- edly marked for his earthly career: and when at last he saw the folly of wasting time in regrets, and felt how important it was that he should acquire a knowledge of business, it was that he might ultimately, in some way, gratify his early am- bition for study.
Notwithstanding this severe shock, this great trial of his character, yet the important fact of life, with all its relations and connections, stood out before him, and this discipline, which called for patience and endurance, so requisite for the future struggle, was not unheeded.
In the winter of 1851 Mr. L. B. Boomer, an elder brother, and Mr. A. B. Stone, a brother-in-law, entered upon an ex- tensive business of bridge-building throughout the Western and Southwestern States. The headquarters of this new firm was established at Chicago, Ill .; yet some important cou- tracts in Missouri made it necessary that they should open
1
$
84
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
an office in St. Louis; and it was in the charge of this de- partment that Mr. Boomer first entered upon his business career. at the age of ninteen years.
This was a great event in his history, and fraught with many forebodings. He had been reared in the atmosphere of religious sentiment. and the associations of his home had been such as to stir within him a loving humanity, sanctified by the holy convictions of religious truth. He had always preferred the quiet fireside of his home. by the side of his mother. to the common pastimes of his boyhood; and to make the great change. to launch into the world of men. so far from all that had hitherto surrounded him, to make for himself a new world, was an unanswered problem.
After he had decided the question, to go or not to go. in his own mind. he submitted its final decision to his mother whose judgement he had always trusted, and who, at great cost, with many prayers and tears, bade her son depart. trusting that the protecting power of an all-wise God would do more towards guiding his steps aright than earthly father or mother.
In leaving the home of his childhood for one of his own making. Mr. Boomer was manly and full of courage. But that he had given thought and reflection to the subject. and that with such thoughts and reflections success would cer- tainly crown his efforts. is evident by the following truthful ideas :. -
"But why quarrel with my fate ? Nay, why quarrel with God's plan, so much better than mine ? I have my own individual life, my personal existence. with all the thoughts, feelings, wishes and emotions of a man. There- fore I am not poor. I am not impoverished. On the other
$
S5
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
hand, I have great possessions-more than I can possibly comprehend.
"But this great wealth of life and being impose upon me responsibilities. . My physical and mental existence are. in a great measure, at my own disposal. I am to work with them; and if I refuse to bear the yoke in my youth, what can I expect to be the condition of my mental and moral character in mature years ?
"There are many weeds which spring up in the garden of the mind. and if the soil is fertile, strong labor will be re- quired to eradicate them. Man is a strange commixture of good and ill, and he is often short-sighted in his tendencies to good. In my disappointment, then, I must not presume to defy my fate. I must yeild my own will when it seems plainly overruled by the great Omnipotent; for I cannot lift the veil which links my present existence with my earthly fu- ture, leading on, as it does. to the eternal vears.
"Man's thirst for knowledge is often another name for ambition, a disguise for power. which degenerates into the weakest vanity, and ruins the whole character; whereas the truly great is often made so by the discipline arising from contending with the greatest difficulties and surmounting the greatest obstacles.
"There is a philosophy, as weak as it is unjust, award- ing no true greatness to moral heroes; passing coldly by those noble souls who do not find 'their paradise under the shadow of swords.'
"Thank Heaven there are but few such philosophers ; the world is more just, and places, generally, a better, truer estimate upon the grandeur of moral actions."
1
ARRIVAL IN MISSOURI.
In the month of February, 1852, Mr. Boomer arrived at the city of St. Louis.
He describes the morning of his arrival there as dark and gloomy. He was weary with a long journey, having travelled by way of Cincinnatti and Louisville, and met with several detentions on the way.
He was emphatically a stranger, with a single letter of introduction-a stranger to his new duties, which imposed upon him responsibilities far beyond his years-and with the burden of his disappointment still upon his heart. These circumstances made the issue of this unsolved problem doubtful.
Of his journey to his new home, he says :-
"My anticipations concerning the West have not been disappointed, neither have they been precisely realized; in fact, it is different from what I have supposed, without be- ing worse.
"The thriving and fresh appearance which all western towns are supposed to possess is in many instances sadly wanting, I assure you, and, in some cases, not only the ap- pearance, but the essence of business is deficient. This is particularly the case with the river towns, many of which, both on the Ohio and Mississippi. have been laid out on a
1
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
supposition that they were to become places of great impor- tance, and failing that. have very decidedly an old and di- apidated look. The river towns of Indiana. Southern Iili- nois, Missouri, and some of the Kentucky towns, are of this class. with a few exceptions. of course.
"The general appearance of the land. or the scenery. on the Ohio, after leaving Louisville. is very monotonous. 35 is the case for about two-thirds the distance between Cincin- natti and the latter place. The land is not always low. bu: always in tables of flats. and invariably covered with an old and luxuriant-looking growth of wood. commonly water-oak.
" The scenery on the Mississippi, from the mouth of the Ohio four hundred miles south, as that is all I could vouch for. is alternately bluff and flats. and is rather agree- able. that is. when the weather is such that you can view it from the deck of a boat. The flats are extremely low, and, in high water, flooded: but you will, in almost all instances. And opposite these the bluffs. In going up the river, some time since. I had the good fortune to descry a large fire on one of these, extending nearly a mile on the river. and it was truly a magnificient sight. Viewed from a distance it appeared like some vast freworks."
After a few days Mr. Boomer located himself at the Planters House. fixing his place of business directly oppo- site. This first step being accomplished. the next thing for him to decide was his place of public worship. which was the Second Baptist Church.
This step brought him into contact with William M. McPherson. Esq., who took at once a great interest in the young stranger: and occupying. as he did. a prominent posi- tion in the city. both in business and social relations, he of-
88
TWENTY-SIXTH MISSOURI INFANTRY.
fered him such kindness and attention as to forever fill Mr. B.'s heart with gratitude and love.
The following letters will give some idea of his first im- pressions of Missouri, and also of the manner in which his time was spent:
"ST. LOUIS, March 9, 1852.
"DEAR SISTER :- This morning I came in from the coun- try, where I had been into the interior of the State one hun- dred and twenty-five miles. My journey was not altogether pleasant, although, to a person disposed to take it so, there was plenty of romance: but for my part I was disposed to make a reality of living on what the natives call 'hog and corn,' sleeping six or eight in a room, getting lost in the woods twice in a day, and going without clean clothing for a fortnight. The beauties of the country are said to be incon- ceivable; they were to me, as I dared not look about very much, for fear I should fall off my horse; therefore I am unable to describe anything which would interest you.
"Since my return to the city we have had snow, which fell last Sabbath and remained till Wednesday. Since then it has been as warm and pleasant as September, and the frost is nearly out of the ground. I think we are exactly at the point where the warm and cold climates are contending for the supremacy ; and we have abundant evidence that neither obtains it for a long time. Nevertheless, climate aside, St. Louis is a fine city. There is a tone of health, vigor and enterprise about it that I did not expect to find ; an order and propriety about all the customs of business, etc., which is charming to see.
"I am very well, except something like bronchitis, that prevents me from singing. In fact I have been obliged to
1
1
1
89
MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
stop altogether, as the least effort affects me very sensibly. I regret it, for I was flattering myself on a great improve- ment in that way. At least 'one more unfortunate'-bad eyes, bad throat.
"You speak truly of the passion with which many are carried away, that is, money-making, and I shall be obliged to confess that I have some of it myself; but I can assure you that. although it is in some cases a sad failing, it is a very easy one to fall into. I can say, however, that it is not my only ambition to make money; and, in fact, I have not much of any sort, and certainly would not desire such am- bition to destroy anything which contributed to the enjoy- ments of true life.
A few weeks later he writes :-
"I am quite contented and happily situated; have just moved my room to one of the pleasantest localities of the city-an office room and sleeping room connected. I have them furnished with plain, good furniture, and you must imagine that their appointments do me much credit, espec- ially my private sitting-room, as a gentlemen yesterday said that he knew I would be a bachelor, for the reason that I displayed so much taste and order in the arrangement of my rooms.
"Here I have my piano, which you may think a bit of extravagance, but it has this good moral answer, of amusing me evenings. I shall be more likely to stay at home, and as I cannot read, on account of my eyes, I must have something to keep me there during the long hours.
"I am also giving a part of every evening I am in town to
1
90
MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
learning French. There are fine opportunities of mastering the language here, and it is much spoken in the best society. . You are aware that most of the original citizens of this place were French, and being proprietors of real estate at the time when the rapid growth of population and consequent rise of landed property commenced, they were immediately constituted the aristocracy of the place. Thus, in that soci- ety, French was, and is still, very common.
I have not yet made many acquaintances, and do not intend to do so, as living with large circles of acquaintance is a great consumer of time, and necessarily expensive.
"My business goes on prosperously. It occupies me during the day; and in that I am content. In the evening I read a very little, think about it a good deal, play some, and in fact, make the most use I can of my leisure hours."
Of the resources of his new home, either in city or coun- try, Mr. Boomer said nothing for some time. This was a study-a book which he was able to read at his own pleasure.
Whatever struggles he passed through during his early residence there, were known only to his own heart; but it soon became evident that he was determined to succeed in what he had undertaken, if by energy and perseverance he could accomplish it.
This being plunged into an entirely new atmosphere, coming into contact with a class of people whose customs and habits were strange to him, with the reputation of the new firm entrusted to his hands, as well as his own personal success to accomplish, without anyone to lean upon, was, in the end a great blessing. It drove him to his own resources, developed within him powers of which he had hitherto been
6
-
91
MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
unconscious, and trained him, by this sharp, healthy discip- line, to energy, courage, decision, and self-confidence.
He says that there was enough in his business to absorb and interest, enough mental effort to plan and arrange, enough obstacles to overcome. The greatest difficulty to contend was in gaining the confidence of the people. The habits of thought among the St. Louians were such as inclined them not to trust at once a young man of nineteen, and a stranger with important business contracts. Mr. Boomer saw the justice of this, and felt that he must be guided by the strict- est rules of honor, good sense, and propriety, and that time must develope his right to be trusted.
"The time will come," he said, "when, doubtless, I shall wish to turn the hand backward upon the dial of my life, and bid the years recede; but now, for my present con- venience, I would like to put it forward.
"It is shocking for a man to be too young, and short too. Oh, combination of evils ! I cannot impress upon the minds of these conservative people that I am the man who has in charge the building of bridges for the State of Missouri, although they are too well bred to say so; yet their countenances brand me with a significance that savors of Young Americanism.
"I am relieved, to-day, in having had the opportunity- of boldly asserting my manhood. While writing at my desk, a fine-looking gentleman bowed himself into the office, and asked 'Is Mr. Boomer in now?' The clerk replied, .Yes sir,' when I accordingly stepped forward.
"After exchanging the commonplaces of the day, which, on his part, was done with rather a puzzled air, he said, 'My business was with Mr. Boomer, sir,' to which I replied that
1
92
MEMOIR OF GEN. G. B. BOOMER.
I should be most happy to serve him; but he persisted, 'Are you not Mr. Boomer's son ?' 'Certainly, sir,; my father's name is Boomer, but as he is at this time probably engaged in some parish duty in one of the quiet towns of New Eng- land, your interview cannot be with him."
The first months of his life here were spent entirely in his new business; all his energies were absorbed in it; and, during that time, he wrote little of what he was thinking or doing.
One delightful feature of his life was the study of char- acter. Some of its phases here were new, and necessity as well as pleasure prompted him to the task. On this subject in after years, he said, "As man is God's crowning work, as he possesses a spark of the divine, and as he has been placed to have dominion over all inferior creation, it seems to me that his character is the highest study of this earth.
Perhaps the first year of Mr. Boomer's residence in St. Louis was the happiest one of his life; for in that time he had succeeded in establishing for himself a reputation far beyond his years, or even his most sanguine expectations, and which he owed entirely to his own merits. Under his faithful management the business grew rapidly, and in con- sequence he was admitted as a partner in the firm.
. AS A BUSINESS MAN.
While pursuing the necessary details of his business, travelling about the State, always willing to drop the dis- tasteful for the agreeable, Mr. Boomer's attention was at- tracted by the beautiful scenery of the Osage River. His love of the artistic and poetical gave a peculiar charm to that part of the scenery which bore no traces of man's handiwork.
The native forests which covered the winding banks of this beautiful stream were, in many instances, untouched by the woodman's axe. These he could not sufficiently admire ; and in the year 1854 he undertook an enterprise which af- forded ample scope for his love of romance.
It seemed expedient, in carrying out successfully the bridge-building of the firm, that they should manufacture their own lumber; and for this purpose, mainly, Mr. Boomer bought of Government a township of heavily wooded land eligibly located on the banks of the Osage River, fifteen miles from its mouth.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.