The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-18
Captain Winiam H. Aclker Killed in
Battle.

Battle.
] Hon. HENRY ACKER received dispatch,
from Lieutenant E. A. OTIs, Of this city,
now on General JoHNsoN's staff, announcing
the sad intelligence that his son, Captain
WILLIAM HENRY AcKER, of the 10th Reg
ular Infantry, was killed at the battle of
Pittsburg, Tennessee, on Sunday, tbs 9th
instant. .,..--,....-. s.....-
No personal casualty of the war has Gre
ated more universal grief in st. Paul than
this. The announcement came too late for
p publication in the papers, but the news
spread rapidly from mouth to mouth, and
the sorrowful countenances everywhere met,
and the fearful sympathy everywhere ex.
pressed for the venerable parent, gave the
best evidence of the public loss, and of the
manly and endearing qualities of the de.
ceased. o..
Captain AcKER was born at Clyde,
Wayne county, New York, December 5,
1888. He received a commercial educa-
ton, and came to Minnesota in 1854, and
was employed for several years as a book.
keeper. He early developed decided
taste for military studies, and much of bis
leisure was devoted to the science.
In 1856, with few associates, he founded
the first uniformed military company in the
State, the Pioneer Guard, and was one of
it's officers, and subsequently its captain.
In 1859, he was appointed Adjutant
General of the State. The routine duties
of the Office at that time were not labo.
rious, but be devoted himself with much
ardor to the task of exciting public inter.
est in the volunteer militia system. and pur.
suing, at the same time, his favorite studies.
At the time secession was first practical
ly exhibited to the nation, he expressed the
opinion that it would have to be put down
by military force, and from the moment be
held himself ready to volunteer bis aid.
When the call from the President came
for regiment from Minnesota, he hung
out the Stars and Stripes, and splen-
did company rallied under his command.
He resigned the Office of Adjutant General,
and devoted himself ardently to the in
struction of bis company, and succeeded so
well that it ranked among the best in our
Minnesota First"
At the disastrous battle of Bull Run, on
the 2lst of July, be was among the fore
most in the advance upon the enemy, and
narrowly escaped with bis life. The vizor
of his cap was struck with buckshot,
which, gla0cing, spent it's remaining force
upon bis eyebrow. The wound was trou
blesome and painful, but he soon recovered.
His gallantry and military predictions
and capacity coming to the knowledge of
the President, be was appointed Captain
in the Regular Army. his regiment being
the 10th Infantry, with commission dat
ing from the l4th Of May preceding. AT.
ter few months spent in recruiting his
company, he joined his regiment in Ken
lucky, which was attached to General BU-
ELLIS division, and RossEAU's brigade. Of
the circumstances OF his death we cannot
speak, for nothing but its bare announce.
ment has been received.
His father, Hon. HENRY AcKER, started
yesterday for the battle field, and will
doubtless succeed in recovering the remains
of bis son and bringing them to st. Panl,
when all our citizens will have an opportu-
nifty of paying funeral bonors to the memo.
ry of the fallen hero.-Daily, 18th.