USA > Ohio > Concise history of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry : from the date of organization to the end of the rebellion ; with a complete roster of each company, from date of muster ; battles and skirmishes participated in, lists of the killed, wounded and missing, and other incidents of the camp and field > Part 14
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Mustered in at Camp Steubenville, Ohio, September, 1862. Company I was not mustered till some days after the former Com- panies.
RECRUITS.
Private, ...... Barton, Wm. H.
S Drafted. Captured in battle, July 9, 1864. Died of disease in rebel prison at Danville, Va., Oct. 24, 1864.
Blake, Ludwick a
Drafted. Missing in battle Monocacy, July 9, 1864.
Conway, John ..
Drafted. Deserted at Washington, D. C., July 25, 1864.
Fitzer, Jas. H x
Drafted.
Fields, Geo. W. a
Substitute. Missing in battle Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864.
203
COMPANY ROLLS.
Paul, Wm. x .
Ashbaugh, Jas. R. a
Christ, Wm. H. a
Page, Bennett F.
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY I-Continued.
Private, ...... Gabie, John.
Gross, Lawrence.
Hardinger, Peter x ..
Leffler, Peter.
Lewis, James ..
Drafted. Deserted at Berryville, Va., Aug. 11, 1864.
Drafted. Captured in battle Monocacy, July 9, 1864.
Drafted.
Drafted. Died of disease at Washington, D. C., July 27, 1864.
Substitute.
Substitute.
Drafted.
Young, Andrew J x
Substitute. Killed Sept. 21, 1864, in battle Fisher's Hill.
[ Drafted. Discharged March 25, 1865, at York, Pa., for wounds received in battle, Sept. 19, 1864.
Drafted. Wounded Sept. 19, 1864.
Drafted. Died of disease in rebel prison at Danville, Va., Nov. 19, 1864. Captured in battle, July 9, 1864.
Lewis, Alex. M. x McEldowney, John &
Marsh, Samuel W. Nelson, Edwin, C. a
Roy, Richard x Beed, Nicholas x
Drafted.
204
COMPANY ROLLS.
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K, 126th OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
EXPLANATION.
Names marked " a" were absent from the Regiment at the muster out. Those absent were in hospitals or parole camps, or were on detached duty. Names marked " x" were mustered out with the Regiment, June 25th, 1865.
Captain, ...... Reuben Lampton .. Killed May 9, 1864, in battle of Spottsylvania.
1st Lieut., ... Joseph M. Shaffer
2d Lieut., .... William G. Williams.
1st Sergeant,Benj. A. Bowman x
2d Edwin C. Lewis
3d P. A. Anderson a ..
4th John Lantz ..
5th James F. Lawyer x
1st Corporal,.David Rank &
2d Alfred Zartman x
3d Wm. H. Garloch.
4th Wm. T. Stevens a .
5th John Roderick.
1
6th 66 John J. Garvey x
7th James A. Southard.
Died at Martinsburg, Va., Feb. 18, 1863.
[ Promoted 1st Lieut. Feb. 9, 1863. Captain Aug. 2, 1864. Major, Dec. 31,1864. Wounded Sept. 19, 1864.
Wounded at Spottsylvania May 12, 1864; again Sept. 19, 1864, at Opequan.
Promoted 2d Lieut. Discharged by sentence of G. C. M. July 15, 1864. Discharged from Hospital.
Died of disease Feb. 10, 1863, at Cumberland, Md.
With Regiment through entire service.
f Promoted Sergeant May 1, 1863, and 1st Sergeant Nov. 1, 1864. Wounded May 12, 1864, at Spottsylvania, again Sept. 19, 1864, at Opequan. § Discharged Jan. 15, 1865, for wounds received in battle Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Nov. 1, 1863.
§ Wounded May 6, 1864. Died April 17, 1865, of wounds received in battle Petersburg, March 25, 1865.
Taken prisoner in battle Monocacy, July 9, 1864.
Discharged for disability Dec. 6, 1862, at Cumberland, Md.
COMPANY ROLLS.
205
206
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K-Continued.
8th Corporal, Frederick Nysnander x ... Musician, ..... Robert A. Forgrave x ... 1
Solomon Rousculp x
Wagoner, .... James Mc Vey x 1
Private, ...... Albert, Amos a .
Albert, Aaron
Baker, Jonathan N.x
Basore, David F. x
Binckley, James K. a
Binckley, Josiah. Broceus, Simon a Bower, Emanuel M. - Promoted Corporal Dec. 1, 1863. Died July 27, 1864, at Alexandria, of disease. Bowman, Melancthon .. Bowman, George D .. Killed May 6, 1864, in battle of Wilderness. Fell overboard from Transport on Chesapeake Bay, and drowned, Dec. 4, 1864. Wounded at Monocacy, Sept. 19, 1864.
Boyer, George x Cheesman, Albert x'.
Colegrove, Abram C. a
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Oct. 19, 1863. Discharged for disability March 12, 1863, at Cumberland, Md. Promoted Corporal May 25th, 1865.
Wounded May 12, 1864, in battle Spottsylvania. Discharged for disability Nov. 5, 1863, at Washington, D. C.
COMPANY ROLLS.
f Wounded July 9, 1864. Color bearer. Transferred to V. R. C. March 1, 1865.
Promoted Sergeant July 1, 1864.
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K-Continued.
Private, ...... Compton, Emanuel.
Cotterman, Isaac x 1
Crist, Alfred.
Dennison, Joel M.
Flood, George a .
Flowers, William.
Flowers, Simon x
Foster, James S. a
Haroff, Wm. T. x Harbaugh, John M. x ..
Hardwick, Daniel x Hatfield, George W. 1
Hill, Levi G x
Hitt, Joseph R ..
Hitchens, James. Kintz, Patrick J. x
Leckrone, James ..
Killed May 6, 1864, in battle Wilderness.
Killed May 6, 1864 in battle Wilderness.
( Promoted Corporal. Wounded May 6, 1864. Discharged Jan 15, 1865, for wounds received in battle of Opequan, Sept. 19, 1864.
Wounded by accident May 9, 1864.
Missing in action in battle Wilderness, May 6, 1864-Captured.
Wounded in battle Wilderness, May 6, 1864.
Promoted Corporal Sept 1, 1863. Transferred to V. R. C. Nov. 1, 1863.
COMPANY ROLLS.
Wounded Sept. 19, 1864.
" Taken prisoner July 9, 1864. Died in Rebel prison at Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 11, 1864.
Wounded in battle of Monocacy July 9, 1864.
Missing in action in battle of Wilderness, May 6, 1864-Captured. Discharged Feb. 1, 1863, for disability, at Cumberland, Md.
Discharged for disability Feb. 1, 1863, at Cumberland, Md.
207
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K-Continued.
Private, ...... Lentz, Wm. P. a ..
McDougle, William T.
Middagh, Enos Middagh, Simon. Miller, Benj. F.
Miller, Jacob
Moyer, Jeremiah a
Perrin, Charles x Pherson, James.
Randolph, Nelson.
66 Ritter, William L.
Roar, Cebastian x
Roderick, William. Rousculp, William.
Rousculp, Noah x
Rousculp, Simon x ..
Sain, William L. a
Promoted Corporal Aug. 1, 1863. Wounded in battle Monocacy July 9, 1864. Promoted Corporal June 1, 1864. Wounded in battle Wilderness, May 6, '64. [ Promoted Sergeant. Discharged Jan. 15, 1865, for wounds received in battle May 12, 1864.
Mustered out May 29, 1865. Wounded May 6, 1864.
Promoted Sergeant Sept. 1, 1863. Discharged for disability Nov. 1, 1863. ( Taken prisoner in battle, July 9, 1864. Died of disease Oct. 27, 1864, at An- napolis, Md.
Transferred to V. R. C. Jan. 1, 1865. Wounded May 9, 1864.
Promoted 2d Sergeant. Captured in battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864. Died in rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C., Feb. 24, 1865. Taken prisoner at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864.
Discharged Feb. 20, 1864, for disability, at Brandy Station, Va. Died of disease Nov. 26, 1862, at Cumberland, Md.
Wounded May 12, 1864, at battle Spottsylvania.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Nov. 1, 1863. Wounded at battle Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864.
208
COMPANY ROLLS.
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K-Continued.
Private, ...... Smith, Peter W. a
Shreeves, James H. x.
Still, Henry H. x
Strohl, Samuel.
Swinehart, Enos E.
Killed May 12, 1864, in battle of Spottsylvania.
Swinehart, Noah x ... Voorhes, William a, .
Promoted Corporal Jan. 16, 1865. Wounded May 6, 1864.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Aug. 1, 1863.
Promoted Corporal March 18, 1865.
Taken prisoner in battle Monocacy, July 9, 1864. Promoted Sergeant. [ Promoted Corporal May 24, 1865. Wounded in battle Fisher's Hill, Sept 21, 1864.
Wilson, Samuel x Wolf, Lewis H.
Wounded in battle July 9, 1864, at Monocacy.
Died May 16, 1864, of wounds received in battle Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. Promoted Chief Musician Jan. 1, 1865, and transferred to Non-Commission- ed Staff of Regiment.
Young, Michael C x 7
Young, Joseph Da
Wounded May 9, 1864, in battle Spottsylvania.
( Discharged May 24,1865, at Little York, Pa., for disability, resulting from wounds.
Zartman, Henry ..
1
Zartman, Noah a
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Nov. 1, 1863.
( Discharged May 14, 1865, at Danville, Va., for disability, resulting frou wounds received May 12, 1864.
209
.
Zartman, Simon. 1
Promoted Corporal Nov. 1, 1862. Wounded at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. Wounded at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864.
14
Taken prisoner at Martinsburg, June 14, 1863; also at Monocacy July 9, 1864. Killed Sept. 19, 1864, in battle Opequan.
COMPANY ROLLS.
Walters, John a Whitmer, Thomas H. a.
Westall, George W x.
210
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K-Continued.
Private, ...... Samuel Basore x
Zartman, Daniel 2' .. 1
King, Frank C. a
Gillhart, Geo. W
( Promoted Corporal Nov. 1, 1862. Wounded at battle Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864; also wounded May 6, 1864. 1 Killed May 12, 1864, in battle Spottsylvania.
Mustered in at Camp Steubenville, Ohio, September, 1862. Company K was not mustered till some days after the former Com- panies.
RECRUITS.
Private, ...... Edyington, John .c. ...
Garwood, Robert J. x
Harper, Wm. H.r. Irwin, Jas. L.x.
Lee, Wm. H. x .
Drafted. Drafted. Drafted.
McCarren, Frederick .x.
Masker, Martin V.x Nixon, Thos. a. ...
Drafted. Substitute.
Donavan, Wm. a. Kennett, Andrew J. a .
Substitute.
Drafted. . . Moore, Robert &' .
Drafted.
Drafted. Wounded Sept 22, 1864.
Drafted. Taken prisoner in battle Monocaey, July 9, 1861.
Drafted. Captured in battle Monoeacy, July 9, 1861.
COMPANY ROLLS.
MUSTER ROLL OF COMPANY K-Continued.
Private, ...... Webley Wm. W. x - Graffen, Joseph.
Allen, Thomas N. Hodgison, Benj ..
Saulter, John P. Athey, Thos. M.
Antonio, Folio.
Ross, Jeremiah a
Pierce, Thos. x Williams, John.
Vanshultz, Robt.
William, John.
Substitute. Substitute. Deserted. Substitute. Deserted.
Williamson, John .. White, John.
Substitute. Deserted. Substitute. Deserted.
Substitute .- Deserted.
Wilkins, John. Wells, Geo. C
Substitute. Deserted.
Graber, Joseph.
Drafted. Wounded Aug. 19, 1864, in battle Smithfield, Va.
- Substitute. Killed Sept. 19, 1864, in battle of Opequan.
" Drafted., Taken prisoner July 9, 1861. Died in Rebel prison at Danville, Va., Nov. 25, 1864.
Drafted. Died of disease July 26, 1864, at Annapolis, Md.
( Substitute. Died of disease in field Hospital near Strasburg, Va., Sept. 28, 1864.
Drafted. Deserted at Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864.
Substitute. Deserted at Monocacy, July 8, 1864.
Drafted. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, March 1, 1865. Substitute.
COMPANY ROLLS.
Drafted. Died of disease - 1864.
211
APPENDIX.
Poem-Biographical Sketches-Letter from Col. McKinnie-National Cemeteries.
POEM.
The following poem, composed by Rev. J. K. Andrews, Chap- lain of the Regiment, was called forth by the great sickness and mortality of the Regiment during the winter of 1862 and '63, at Martinsburg, Virginia. It is given to the public substan- tially as it was then and there written at leisure moments in his tent. No sentiment or verse has been added or taken out. It personifies the grass growing in the hospital tent as replying to the sick soldier's questioning, why and for what it was growing there. The Chaplain, in his introduction to the poem, says, "during the winter of 1863, our hospital tent near Martinsburg, Virginia, was crowded with sick, deaths occurring almost every day. The grass began to grow under the cots soon after the hospital was occupied, and by the middle of February it had grown so high that it almost touched the bottom of the beds. A sick soldier said to me one day, 'Chaplain, I have been thinking about this grass; it's a strange place for it to grow.'" His words suggested the poem.
N. B .- The words "held erst by other hands," &c., on page 213 refers to the Rebel General Jackson's forces, which had camped on the same ground late in the autumn of 1862. The language "and free the slaves," &c., on page 215, refers to the emancipation proclamation, which had been issued a few weeks before it was written.
THE SICK SOLDIER'S TALK WITH THE GRASS GROWING IN THE HOSPITAL.
BY REV. J. K. ANDREWS.
Strangely out of time and place ! How came you here ? Why thus appear ? Come you forth to chide and blame, Crimson mortal cheek with shame, Or bring you cheer ?
Winter's scepter rules the hour ; Fierce winds blow, The drifting snow Wildly careers. E'en the ground Lies ice-locked close around Where now you grow.
Peering first a slender blade Up from the sod, And hardened clod, Held erst by other hands, Made hard by hostile bands That here have trod.
Wrested now from foeman's grasp, The canvass spread And soldier's bed Shelter you from frost and snow ; Keeping guard 'gainst friend or foe, Or careless tread.
214
APPENDIX.
Fragile, tender, beauteous thing ! Encircled so By scenes of woe ; Tainted by the fevered breath ; Tortured by the moan of death ; Yet still you grow.
Not the hard and heavy tread Of foeman's foot That crushed your root ; Not the winter's killing breath Wilts, or blights, or dooms to death, Your tender shoot.
Higher, stronger, still you grow ; As though the while Ye would beguile Thoughts away from piteous moans, Sickening sights, and dying groans, By life's sweet smile.
Hast thou, stranger, tongue and message? Then speak, for lo ! My soul would know
From thee, prophet thou, or preacher, Heavenly, or earthly teacher, Why all this woe?
Sufferer, I have a message, Hear it thou ; "Tis heaven's presage Both you, and I Are doomed to die And lowly lie. Yet when life's o'er, And I'm no more, You immortal, shall survive. On, still on, the soul must live Forevermore.
215
APPENDIX.
And dying christian, for your ear Heaven sends this word of cheer : Your home's on high, To dwell with yonder ransomed throng, And ever sing the ransomed's song, Beyond the sky.
Soldier ! wan, and wasted now, Death-dew gathering on the brow, Catch these whispers soft and low: 'Tis not in vain, Not for a name
Or empty fame,
You dare to brave Death and the grave, You die to save-
Save a periled nation's life,
End a nation's bloody strife, And free the slave.
Patriot ! Listen ! I've for thee Gladdening words of prophesy. As in the dust By foeman crushed,
Downtrodden, I
Did helpless lie,
And yet not die ;
With sickening moans,
And dying groans, And fevered breath,
And taint of death
Poisoning the air ;
Green, fresh and fair Before your eyes You see me rise, So now, alas ! in heaven's sight,
216
APPENDIX.
The cause of freedom and of right By treacherous blow Of traitor foe Lies smitten low. Cruel war, and dangers rife, Do imperil the nation's life. Yet know ye still By heaven's will,
No boding ill,
Or deadly thrust
Her hopes have crushed,
Or drawn'her trust
From God and right,
And Freemen's might.
Who'll dare, despite
The foemen strong,
To press still on,
With hearts still brave,
Through God to save Her from the grave.
Ere is righted all this wrong,
Ere your dreary winter's gone,
Ere peace angels coming sing,
Beauteous, blooming, lovely spring ; While traitor's mouth, Both North and South,
And traitor's hand All o'er the land Are leagued together The States to sever ; While horrid war Spreads wide and far O'er all the nation Sad desolation,
Longing eyes begin to see
ROBERT HILLES IST LIEUT. CO. B. 126TH REGT. O.V.I.
-
217
APPENDIX.
Springing germs of liberty. Crocus-like, so cheeringly Growing, as though No wail of woe, No sighs or tears, Or doubts or fears, Or desolation Swept o'er the nation. These appalling, weighty woes Are not freedom's dying throes. These boding fears, These flowing tears,
All this wailing,
This heart-failing
Are sent to try
And purify. These sufferings dire,
Baptism of fire, Are sent to scourge, And sent to purge. Heaven-sent, this bloody strife,
Hastes to save a nation's life, 'Mid clang of arms, And dread alarms, Comes borne along The joyous song Of jubilee. 'A nation's free ! Labors that your father's wrought, Battles that your fathers fought, Will not, cannot come to naught. That banner bright, By heaven's might, Before the world Which they unfurled,
218
APPENDIX.
Still on shall wave
Over the brave, But not the slave. Then patriots, cheer ! Away, each fear ! The right defend ! Hope to the end !
CAMP MARTINSBURG, Va., Feb. 27, 1863.
-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
COL. AARON W. EBRIGHT.
Col. Ebright was born in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, June thirteenth, 1822. He was married to Minerva Ricketts, December twenty-eighth, 1843, at the residence of her father, in Fairfield County. He was engaged in the occupation of farming until 1856, when he was elected sheriff of Fairfield County. He served two terms (four years), as sheriff, and was considered an honorable and efficient officer. In 1861 he went to California with horses. He returned from California in the summer of 1862. Shortly after his return, he was appointed and commissioned by Gov. Tod as Major of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment, and joined the Regiment in Octo- ber, 1862, soon after his appointment. He was an efficient and faithful officer, and took part with his Regiment in all the battles and campaigns of the summer and autumn, 1863. Major Ebright was promoted Lieut. Col. vice Lieut. Col. Wm. H. Harlan, who had resigned February sixteenth, 1864. He re- ceived his commission from Gov. John Brough, on the twenty- fourth day of February, 1864. At the reorganization of the army in March, 1864, Col. B. F. Smith was assigned to the com- mand of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps. Lieut. Col. Ebright was thus left in first command of the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Regiment, which position he continued to hold until the time of his death.
In the battle of the Wilderness, he led his men into action calmly and bravely, encouraging them by voice and action, his lion courage aroused, the light of battle in his eyes, a soldier ter- rible in his splendid bravery. In that fatal assault on the en- emy's works on the morning of the sixth of May, he had his horse shot dead under him. In the terrible battle of Spottsyl-
220
APPENDIX.
vania C. H. he especially distinguished himself by his gallant conduct. In this battle Col. Ebright was slightly wounded in the head, but fortunately was not so badly disabled as to be ob- liged to leave his Regiment, and soon after resumed command. At the battles of North Ann, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Monocacy, his services and conduct were ever deserving of the highest honors. At the battle of Opequan, September nine- teenth, 1864, Col. Ebright again led his men into action with more than usual coolness and courage. It was to be his last battle. While bravely leading the Regiment in a charge on the enemy's lines, he was stricken down by a minnie ball, and soon expired. The following letter, written by Chaplain Andrews to his grief stricken wife and children, explains the circumstances of his death and burial :
WINCHESTER, VA., SEPT. 21ST, 1864. Mrs. Ebright :- You will doubtless have learned through a dispatch I sent to-day to Mr. Embick, of Lancaster, of the sad intelligence of your dear husband's death. And I write you now, the first opportunity I have had, to give more particulars than I could by telegraph. We broke up camp at three A. M. Monday, advanced on the enemy, met them about eight or nine o'clock. The fight soon became general and severe, and our Brigade became engaged. The Colonel drew up his Regiment, I learn, with more than his usual coolness, sent back his horse and led the men on in the charge on the enemy's lines. While doing this he fell mortally wounded-struck by a minnie ball in the breast, I believe. He was borne back a little. Being busily en- gaged taking care of the wounded in the hospital, I did not hear of his fall for a time. As soon as I could I started in search of his body, to see if there was any possibility of sending his re- mains back to Harper's Ferry, where Lieut. Lamb was and where it could be embalmed. This I found impossible, even Gen. Russell's remains could not be sent back. He was in the meantime carefully interred, in a way that he could be taken up and his grave marked. When we advanced here, I found I
221
APPENDIX.
could get an undertaker here to make a good coffin, enclosed in a rough box, and have his remains brought up to Winchester, Virginia, and interred in a cemetery, where they will rest in peace and security till such time as they can be sent to you. I employed this undertaker, and soon after I did so Lieut. Lamb arrived. He approved of what I had done, as the best we could do under the circumstances. I enclose the undertaker's card, and you can correspond with him at any time, in reference to the dis- position you wish made of the remains, provided Lieut. Lamb or myself should not be here.
Your dear husband, you have the consolation of knowing, was a good officer, and had during this campaign won the confidence and esteem of his Regiment as a brave commander. He falls in his country's cause, and dies as many a brave and good man has fallen. But all this will not prevent you from feeling your sore bereavement. I sympathize with you in this, and you will have many who will do so. But it is to Him who is the widow's stay and the afflicted's friend, that I commend you. Go tell Him your sorrow and cast your cares on Him. Two other officers, Capt. Hyatt and Lieut. Ricksecker, fell on the same field, and a number of worthy privates. We have had a valuable victory.
Yours, in sympathy and kindness, J. K. ANDREWS, Chaplain.
About two weeks after Col. Ebright's death, his body was re- moved to the East End Cemetery at Lancaster, Ohio.
The death of Col. Ebright produced the most profound sorrow in the Regiment. In his death, the Regiment had lost the ser- vices of a most faithful and beloved commander. Col. Ebright's family consisted of two sons and two daughters. The eldest son died at four years of age. The youngest son, ten years old, was thrown from a buggy and killed the fall before his father's death. The eldest daughter died in 1866, and his wife died May twenty- ninth, 1870. Mrs. Lizzie Ustick, who furnished this sketch, is the youngest daughter and only surviving member of the fam- ily. Her residence is at Washington C.H., Fayette County, Ohio.
REV. CAPT. JONATHAN S. MCCREADY.
Extract of sketch prepared by Rev William Wishart, New Athens, Ohio.
Capt. McCready, the son of Hugh and Nancy McCready, was born near New Galilee, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, April fifteenth, 1828. He was the oldest of a family of six children, of whom only three-one brother and two sisters-yet survive. His grandparents on his father's side, Stewart and Anne McCready, were of Irish descent: those on his mother's side, John and Mary Sharp, were of Scotch descent. On both sides they were in moderate circumstances with regard to the wealth of this world, but highly respectable and religious-all being members of the Associate Presbyterian Church. His father, Mr. Hugh McCready, still lives, and is at present a worthy and esteemed member of the United Presbyterian congregation of Darlington, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. His mother, who departed this life, May twentieth, 1851, is said to have been a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and piety. Being the child of such parents, Mr. McCready enjoyed in early life the advantage of religious instruction, discipline, and example. His parents having dedicated him to God in baptism, early and dili- gently taught him the fear of the Lord, and in him we have an instructive example of the efficacy of parental and especially of maternal influence, as instrumental, under God, in moulding the character of children for good.
Mr. Hugh McCready is a farmer, and having intended his son for the same occupation, he brought him up to labor on the farm; but, as young Jonathan grew up towards manhood there was developed in his mind an earnest and increasing desire for knowledge. He eagerly and perseveringly thirsted for an edu- cation. This love of knowledge was a prominent trait in his
223
APPENDIX.
character as long as he lived; and it was, no doubt, conferred by God as a means of preparing him for his future work, and as an eminent qualification in this work. At that time, however, his prospect of gratifying this desire was very dark and gloomy. His father had no other help on the farm, and was therefore unwilling to send him to school, and he would not go without his father's consent.
Accordingly, in these circumstances, an occurrence took place which serves to illustrate the wisdom of God in opening up a way for the accomplishment of his purposes, and at the same time shows how those dispensations of his Providence, that are seemingly adverse, really conduce to our advantage. But we shall give the reader an account of this occurrence in his own simple and interesting language: "In the spring of my nine- teenth year I thought much about going to school; my desire in- creased. About the last of harvest an accident happened, which I knew was sent of God, to change the course of my life. I had the misfortune, as I thought, to get my shoulder dislocated. It did not mend rapidly. My father reluctantly consented to my going to school that winter, saying that I might come back in the spring, if I chose, and inwardly hoping that I would. Here I would set up my pillar and write npon it-Ebenezer. I feel bound upon every remembrance of it to thank God for the sad day this painful incident occurred and for the results He brought out of it."
Thus our brother's course for life was changed. His earthly father had intended him for a farmer; but his heavenly Father intended him for a higher and holier calling; and how easily He frustrates man's purpose and works out his own blessed design. Capt. McCready was now sent to an academy at Darlington, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where, with the exception of one short term in which he attended an academy at Poland, Ohio, he continued to prosecute his studies till he was prepared to enter the junior class in college.
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