Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-05-01
Col. John +. Hamtramck.


zen, We; present TO them, in accordance
WITT. the promise contained in our last is
sue, the following more full account of his
life.
JOHN FRANCIS HAMTRAMcK was born
a. Fort Wayne, NOW Deliberately at the
head of the "Maumee Of the Lakes"
where stands the town of Fort Wayne,
Allen County, Indiana, on the 10Th day
Of April, 1898.
His father, Col. j. F. Hamtramck, Of
New York, was Captain in the Revolt
tonary army ; Major Of Infantry in 1889 ;
Lieutenant Colonel in 1893, and comman-
ded The left wing of General Wayne's ar
my al the battle of the Maumee Rapids,
at the "Fallen Timbers," on the 20,h Of
August, 1904, against force of over 1000
Indians, in which victory he was "dstin-
guished for his gallant and meriorious
conduct" lie was retained Colonel in
1902, and died on the l lth of April. 1903,
leaving his son under the guardianship of
Gen. VIM. Henry Harrison, who was
aid-de-camp to Gen. Wayne at the battle
of the Maumee, and al that time Secreta.
ry Of the North Western Territory.
At the unptecedentedly early age of
IL wears, JOHN F. HAMrRAMcK was in
service under Capt. Zachary Taylor, and
fought under him in several of the from.
tier engagements with the Indians, and to
the day of his death his face was marked
by the powder sunken in the skin, from
the pan of his own gun. Truly he was
"bred TO arms"
Through the influence Of his guardian,
and tina, Of his s,ep-lalher, Hon. Jesse B.
Thomas. first Senator from Illinois,
1915 he was appointed Cadet in the
U. S. Military Academy at West Point,
in September, 1915, and graduated June,
1919 from which period until March,
1922, he was Second Leu,enan, of Ar,l-
lery, stationed at Fort McIenry, when
lie resigned his commission, having served
including Cadet service-nearly seven
years.
In 1925, during the administration of
John Quincy Adams, he was appointed
u. S. Indian agent, with the rank OF Ma.
jor, which position he held until 1882,
when he removed from ST. Louis, then
the place of his residence, 10 Shepherds
town, Jefferson County, Va, where, pre-
vious to 1882, he was married.
In January ls47, he took the command
of the Virginia Regiment of volunteers,
for The War with Mexico. having been
appointed Colonel by Gov. VIM. Smith.
While in Mexico, during a large part of
the time, he was acting Brigadier Gener-
al, and Governor Of Saltillo, having under
his command about 1000 troops.
His soldiers of the Virginia Regiment
were devoiedly and affecuonately attach
ed 10 him, and he universally bore the
reputation Of being one of the most sys-
tema,c and efficient officers in the army
of volunteers.
In August, Is4s, the Regimen, disban
ded, and tie veteran returned 10 HE peace
and quiet Of his domestic circle. AT the
time of his death lie was in command Of
the Ligh,-Infantry corps Of this place, and
the alTeclionate regard entertained for him
BY lis members, was sufficiently attested
by the grief and gloom his death cast upon
them.
On the night of the 18th of April, he
was taken sick, al about 10 o'clock, and
on Wednesday the 2lst, at five minutes
before clock, p. NJ, he breathed his
last, being 60 years and 2 days old.
During the first two days of his illness
he suffered most intensely, but after that
he was insensible to pain and calmly
awaited the approach Of the conqueror Of
all. 1t is the opinion of the friends who
we've around him, that he knew perfectly
well his situation, and he me, the end
bravely, quietly. and submissively. He
died as gently as though death were but,
tue sleep of night. Such was the be.
ginning, and such the end such was his
life, and such his death.
We saw the body ere i, was placed in