The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-10-22
Letter nr.. =. G. Ru...ll.


The following letter from T. G. Russell to Mr.
Kerr ue are Permi; ted to publish, - we think it
will be Of interest TO the numerous friends Of
Lieut. Whitman, and our readers generally:
WASHINGTON, Oct 3, 1862.
JoHx A, KERR, EsQ,-Dear Sir :-Having
jus; returned FROM the battle field Of Autietam
whittier l went to procure the remains of the
gallant Whitman, hasten to lay before you
oriet report Of my action in the premises.
Last Friday Judge Edmords hanGsd me the
letter which you addressed to him. took the
afternoon train and arrived in Frederick at y p.
n. After securing metallic case, aud having
made my arrangements with DR.. G. r. Wells
for disiniecting the body. left Frederick for
Antietan. Arrived on the battle ground at 8
P. m. on SATURDAY.. passing over the bloody field.
where Gen Hooker fought so 6ercely. l oh.
served hundreds of graves, many with head.
boards, but was unable to lad the resting place
of brave Jack. Night having come on, render
ing 1t Impossible TO push investigations for the
tine, sought supper and lodging near the field
Sunday morning early. the man whom I had
engaged to transport the body to Frederick,
brought cut his horse and wagon. aud We hur-
ried off to Sharpsbarg. Inquiriag at a hospital
| in this ball ridiled and shell shattered town.
ascettained the Whereabouts Of the 18th Mich.
regiment. l Immediately proceeded to their
camp, two miles from Sharpsourg, and hear the
headquarters Of Gen. Porter. Found Lieut..
Weber. who Informed me that the I'd Sharp
Shooters were encamped about a mile further
north. Saddling a couple of horses, he escorted
me to the encampment Of the regiment. Saw
the members Of Jacks company at once, stated
the object OF my visit; when a Captain and three
men, W. Denny, Orlando Wheelock, j. c. Gal.
| lup, and L. ID, Ward we're detailed 10 assist ME
in disinterring the body. We proceeded TO a
little cemetery near Keedysville, Two miles north
OF Sharps6urg, where, we'll buried in good pop.
lar coffin, We found the remains OF the Leuten.
ant The body was already very much decoc,
posed; not feature wss natural. Had the re
mains transferred to the metallic case. and ,beu
hurried back to Frederick, where arrived at .
p IN On Monday, it being impossible to embslm
the body, OH account Of the advanced state o.
decomposition. had il disnfected, scaled up il
the 'setallc case, and prepared for transportation
to Lansing Monday evenin. sa~ the bod,
aboard the cars, aud en- route for home.
| lean assure you. it afforded me pleasure to d,
Mrs. Whitman aud yourself SO great favor. bu
is saddehed M to be under the painful neceseit,
OF forwarding TO you the nutiIaied remains OF >,
excellent friend. 50 brave an officer, ~ noble
hearted patriot as Lieut.. J. j. Whitman.
1t may be we'll for me to state that Jacks com
pany almost idolized him. HE genial, amiabl,
disposition, his familiarity, and frank, Cheerful
department towards them. gained the affections
OF his men, and secured the respect of his fellow
officers. In the early part Of the battle on tn,
18th, Lieut.. J. J. Whitman Was struck by
piece Of shell, which tore of the knee Dan .
the left leg, but did not materially iDjurs tb,
large bones. He was Immediately removed from
the held to private house in Keedysvi.le. Al
though no absolute necessity therefor, lis lie,
was amputated about half way between the lei
and hip. The reckless, butchering, villainou
surgeon failed to take up all the arteries. Abou
six hours after the operation OF smputs.ion ha
been performed, it was discovered that the mai
artery OF the leg bad not been taken up. IL
bad nov become very weak from loss of blood
He fingered along till 20 minutes past l o'cloc
on the morning OF the 18th, when hi. nobi
spirit took it's fight to the better world.
1t is fearful to see our brothers, fathers, hus
bands aud friends fall a sacrifice TO the inhuusu
ity OF rebels and traitors, bu. il is ex.speratin
70 See them made the victia,s Of Les. tess. un
skil'tul, careless surgeons. Il il time some nea.
are vas adopted TO prevent young, brainless STU
dents Of medicine from hacking to pieces Oh
brave soldiers of the Republic.
Yours truly, f. G. RUSSELL.