The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-08
WHO is THE GENERAL IN COMMAND AT
CAIRO!

CAIRO!
BRlGADIER GENERAL rRxNTIss, OF THE FIRST BRi-
GADE OF ILLINOIS TROOPS.
Tire most conspicuous parsonage among many notable
men, civil and military General Prentiss, in
and Of the Union forces at Cairo, H. he has history
OF whic, more prominent men East might be proud
Our correspondent 1t Cairo sends II, as follows
Brigadier General Benjamin NAyberry Prentss, COM
mandipg the First brigade Illinois state Militia born
in the town Of Bellvie, Wood county Va on tho 23d
day Of Nov ember 1919, and resided there until 1885,
when he with his parents removed to the State Of Mis-
souri,, where he remained until the autumn Of 1870.
Then attaining his majority he emgrated TO and settled
in the village Of Quincy Ill his present home Hav-
sooner found himself freeman than he set himself
about organizing military company In his new home,
ary genius. This fine company under the tuorshp Of
Captain Prentis obtained honorable notoriety and
ensampe for The guidance and discipline Of many Of the
companies since demo minated the crack companies" OF
the West Captain Prentiss spent perhaps too much Of
his time and limited means with his new command, for,
being decidedly poor young man, he did not pay 30
much attention his future worldly condition the
wants of his family and himself demanded; his military
ardor actually kept him empty of pocket
When, in 1S46, the war with Mexico was preciptated
upon the nation, Captain Prentss wered the call OF
mand; it was received and demo minated Company l.,
First regiment illinois volunteers, and mustered
into service; new officers were appointed to com
mand at the request Of Captain Prentiss, and he
was rendered ana accepted the position OF Atju-
tant in the staff OF Colonel Hardin It-may be well
to state that the company Of Captain Prentss was the
first one rendered to The President from the state Of
Illinois. When the amy of General Taylor reached Sal
tlo the captancv Of the company became vacant, and
at the unanimous request OF its members Prem
tss again took command and ut the battle OF Buena
Vista The comps0y awarded the POST of honor Of
garrison,ng the town OF Sati0 Captain Prentiss and
bis command were iavortes Of General WOOL and were
assigned many important trusts not one Of which wac
ever dithnortd.
At the close Of the the Quincy boys returned and
receved with every manifestation Of delight, and
hoorca BY all sorts Of demons.rations that could
show the appreciation Of loyal people for its brsvest
defenders and Captain Prentts retired TO the quietude
Of home though honored with the tender OF an i'm
portan post the government service He studiousy
avoided any conspcuty a civilian, and refused Pc
remptorly to accept sry political emolument or promo
publican candidate for Congress in the fifth I) dis
trct, against Colonel VIM A. Richardson, Douglas demo-
crat Though defeated the very attering vote Captain
Prentss received showed conclusively that the esta
tiOn In which he held not infer or TO that OF
any other man running upon the game ticket.
Soon after President Lincoln was installed in his
position CAPTAIN Pentiss set about re0rganiZug his mil
tary command and when the proclamation OF the Pres
ident reached Illinois calling for volunteers, the requs
tbn met at by the tender Of company Of two
hundred and FIVE men from Quincy, under Captain Prem
ties the command accepted and within ten hours Of
the time when notice Of their acceptance reached them
the Quincy Volunteers route for Cairo. Captain
Prentiss thus, for the second tme the first In his
State outside OF Springfield TO offer his services and those
of his command to his country. This company af
forwards divided into two, and they form part OF
the Sever tn regiment at Cairo.
Upon the formation OF the Seventh regiment Captain
Prentiss unanimously elect colonel and when the
Cairo forces organized into a brigade, he was
chosen to the Brigader Geperashp without dissenting
voice among the commissioned officers with whom he
associated and he received his commission the
10th of May, 1861.
General prentlss persona, appearance by means
presents the capacity or character OF the mar He'll
only about five feet eight and half inches in height,
slim built but muscular rather angular features has
mild gray eye very erect and soldery carriage and
weighs about one hundred and forty five pounds.
he married in 1888 Miss Sodowsky, of Missouri, who
died in August last He has raised large family Of
children is strictly temperate having yet TO taste the
first drop OF intoxicating liquor and such s his robust
constitution and regular habitg he scarcely knows by
pericnce what sickness ia. In conversation General
Prentiss s aable and pleasant has fund of recherche
sayings applicable to every occasion; loves lvelness
but frivolity is calm and cool under all crcum
stances; has a keen perception OF human ma
tqre; is strict dicplinarian but has a way OF
making his subOrdnates do their duties without
oetenation. If he has in his composition "weak-
ness' it is In that department OF his organism
which Professor Fowler would call "benevolence''-he
gives with prodga hand and s proverbial for his acts
of kindness TO the poor.
The General s uneasy and chaes at the necessity OF
remaining in Cairo he wishes TO be on the march down
the river but the powers at Washington hold him back
eee he would entertain his officers at dinner In Memphis
within two dhys--at least he says. Cool cautious,
resoute daring and intrepid he combines all the essen
tias Of successful commander with the virtues OF an
honorable man and such being his attributes he is hon.
0red and loved alike by his officers and men, and those
who know his excellencies in private life