Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-04-18

miles this side of Strasburgh, he turned
away from the road, down the creek to
the river, tied his horse to bush, went
to the rivers brink, drew the fatal weap-
on, sent bullet through his forehead,
and fell into the water, where his Adju-
tant, Edgar Pitkin of Burlington, VT,
found him but a few moments before his
last breath was drawn.
His connection with the regiment had
been short-not more than month but
he had 80 attached to himself the SYM
pathies of his men in that time, that they
are now cast into deep gloom, not only
from personal attachment to their colonel,
but for the fear that in this important
crisis which now seems pending, they
may not find another who will fill the
place of the one they have lost. The act
was the result of melancholly-of insan-
ity, perhaps; for the lamented colonel had
ON several recent occasions, shown the
strange condition of mind which is often
the premonitor of such deed; and upon
the very hight before, his chaplain, Rev.
J. H. Woodward, had remarked in him
the most singular bearing which he had
ever witnessed in any man.
So great was the anxiety which he had
manifested for some time past, that some
of the officers were not surprised at this
sad calamity. Upon the previous evening
there was occasion for some one to notify
a farmer who lived four miles away, of
their intended departure upon the follow
ing morning, to enable him to secure his
receipts for forage which had been taken
as there would be some danger in the
undertaking. Ashby's cavalry having
been seen in that direction during the
day, the colonel was in dilemma be-
tween exposing his own men to danger
and the farmer to loss Of dues. Chaplain
Woodward volunteered himself for the
service, and with two soldiers, started
through the darkness. This seemed to
be cause Of anxiety to the colonel, who
said that he han acted contrary to his
judgment. For some time past his mind
has been in this sensitive condition.
which rendered him victim to this act of
sclf-destruction.
He was born in Central New York, was
graduated at West Point in 1851, where
he took high position, and those who
knew him bear warm testimony to his
excellent qualities as man and as SOL
der. He was thirty years of age,
and gave promise of prominence and use
fitness. So short a time connected
with the First Vermont Cavalry, he had
gaided firm hold upon the hearts of Off
GERS and soldiers, and was held in the
universal regard and respect of the whole
regiment, who mourn the loss of a man
whose place they fear will not be easily
filled. This is particularly felt by them
now, believing, as they do, that they are
just on the eve of action.
The following verdict was rendered by
the court of inquiry, to inquire into the
cause and circumstances attending the
death:
"That the deceased J. P. Holiday,
late Colonel First Vermont Cavalry. came
to his death from bullet wound, made
by some person or persons unknown, but
from the evidence adduccd the court is of
opinion the act was committed by his own
hand. JOEL B. ERHARDT,
Judge Advocate.
"Wm. D. Collins Major First ver-
mont Volunteer Cavalry; Capt S. G. Per-
kins, First Vermont Cavalry; Capt F
Moore, First Vermont Cavalry"
A detachment of Go. A. commanded by
Lieut.. Erhardt, were detailed to accom-
pany the body to Winchester as an escort,
where it will be placed upon the cars and
taken to New York in charge of Capt. E.
B. Sawyer, Company I.
O. - y /,