New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-17
IIEUT..CGE. JOSEPH ERsDGA.AH
GiHTFS.

Among the many dead at the battle OF FRED
ericksburg, of whom there should be some
other recognition than to be merely gazetted IN
the long lists of killed aud wounded, is Lieut.
Col Curtis 1t is not only that his loss leaves
n vacancy in q large circle who loved and
honored him for character of.more than or
binary manly strength and beauty but that his
intelligent ard unhesitatng devotion to the
cause for which he laid down his life marks,
with more than usual significance, the
temper of the tmes. An earnest sense OF
duty to his country, and the clearest under
standing of the great issues at stake in this
war made him soldier. With ties OF en-
dearng strength to attach him to home,
and with an honorable post III the engineer
corps of the Central Park in this city, he
sought service early in the war, and found ii
in the 9th y. Y. Regiment, as Engineer, hardly
recognized position in Volunteer
regiment but one in which he soon
made himself indispensable TO its eff
cheney and thorough organization. Three
months later he was made Adjutant Of the 4th
Rhode Island, part OF the Burnside Expedi-
ton. His valuable qualities as an officer were
very soon made manifest, and he seized the
first opportunity, at Roanoke Island, to dis,in'
gush himself for GOODNESS and daring which
gained for him the respect and admiration Of
officers and men. Soon after he was ap'
pointed by Gen. Rodman as Assistant Adju
tant. General with tho rank of Captain, but
the soldicrly qualities lie displayed entitled
him, in the estimation of superior officers,
to higher post, and he was promoted, Of
Gen. Burnsde's request, 10 the Lieutenant
Colonecy of his old regiment the ith Rhode
Island The regiment joined the Army Of the
Potomac on the Peninsula, and he marched
with it through Maryland. AT the battle OF
Antetam, it was in front of the battle on the
left, md was so terribly cut up that it had to
be withdrawn from the field. But young
Curtis did not go with il. Unwilling
to be an inactive spectator, and filled
with the excitement OF battle, he seized
the mu.ket and cartridgc-box of a dead
soldier. fell into the ranks of Pennsy lyania
regiment, hurfllub 10 thc HVhi' anu uiu uu'!
a. a private 10 the end Of TIE fight. At Fred.
cricksburg, on SATURDAY., the command OF the
regiment devolycd on him, the Colonel being
disabled by wound mud he tell at the head
Of his men when leading them on with the
fcarlessncss that always marked his conduct in
the field md encouraging them by his brave
example. And no man fell that day, We are
sure, more lamented and more honorcd b.
thote who followed him.
Lieut.. Col. Curtis WAS only tweniy-sK years
OF ose. He was a son Of the late George
Curtis, President a, the time OF his death, of
the Continental Bank Of this city, and q
brother Of George William Curtis. He pos.
sessed qualities Of intellect and of character
that would have made. hin marked man had
he lived. But his early death on the field of
battle, aud his brief career as n soldier, have
given him n fame, aud let us hope, M inhu
encc upon his countrymen which Il long life in
times Of peace might uSt have gained. We
need to cherish the noble example of such
pure lives and such honorable deaths.