Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-04-17
FROM THE CAVALRY REGIMENT
DEATH OF COL. HOLIDAY
THE VERDICT OF THE COURT
OF INQUIRY.
T From the Worlds Correspondence.
Edenbvrg, Va, April 6.

~ aA'
T From the Worlds Correspondence.
Edenbvrg, Va, April g.
That which to-day enlists the attention
of most, is the melancholy suicide of Col.
Jonas P. Holiday, Vermont Cavalry,
who this morning shot himself on the
bank of the Shenandoah. Arriving at
the stone bridge, which | alluded to in
my hast letter, which crosses a narrow
creek few miles this side of Strasburg,
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 weapon, sent a bullet through his
forehead, and fell in the water, where his
adjutant, Edgar Pitkin, of Burlington,
Vt, found him but few moments before
his last breath was drawn.
His connection with the Regiment had
heen short-not more than month--but
he had so attached to himself the sympa-
thies of his men in that time, that they
are now cast into deep gloom, not only
from personal attachment to their colonel,
but for 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 re-
suit of melancholy-of insanity, perhaps !;
for the lamented colonel had, on several
recent occasions, shown that strange con-
dition of mind which is often the Fremont
tor of such deed-and upon the very
night before, his chaplain, Rev. w. 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 even
ing there was occasion for some one to no.
tify a farmer who lived four miles away,
of their intended departure upon the fol-
lowing 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 ha-
wing 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 the loss of dues. Chap
lain Woodward volunteered himself for
the service, and with two soldiers started
through the darkness. This seemed to
be a cause Of anxiety to the colonel, who
said that he had 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 self
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 a man and q
soldier, He was IS years of age, anG
gave promise of prominence and useful.
ness, So short time connected with the
lst Vermont Cavalry, he had gained 8
firm hold upon the hearts of officers an(
soldiers, and was held in the universal re-
gard and respect of the whole regiment
who mourn the loss of man whose place
they fear will not be easily filed. Thu
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 til,
cause and circumstances attending the
death -
That the deceased, J. P. Holiday
late Colonel of LIST Vermont Volunteer
Cavalry, came to bis death from a bulle
wound made by some person or persons
unknown, but from the evidence adduceC
the court is of opinion the act was com
mitted by his own hand
JOEL b. ERHARDr,
Judge Advocate.
| "Wm. ID. Collins, Major First Vernon
Volunteer Cavalry Capt. S. G. Perkins
First Vermont Cavalry Capt. f. Moore
First Vermont Cavalry"
A detachment of Co. A. commadneS
by Lieut.. ErhaFdt, were detailed to ac
| Al. l. l.