Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-22


Lieut.. Col. Wilder Dwight, whose death
was announced on Saturday, was born in
1888. He was fitted for college at Phillips
Exeter Academy, and entered at Harvard in
1919, where he at once acquired high rcpu-
tation for both scholarship and general ability.
He graduated with distinction in 1858, in the
same class with John d. Washburn, Esq,
William S. Davis, Esq, and Rev. George
Sturgis Paine, of this city He studied law
at the law school in Cambridge, in the office
of judge +. r. Hoar, and also in that Of at
torney general Caleb Gushing at Washington.
He made the customary European tour, trav-
cling through Spain in company with expires
ident Fillmore. He began the practice of the
law in Boston, and Immediately gave promise
OF future eminence in his profession. AT this
time it was the opinion of one of our senators
IN congress, and of Maj. Gen. Banks, then
governor, that in ahigher degree than any other
young man in the circle of their acquaint-
ance, he possessed those qualities which,
when strengthened and fused by experience,
form the basis of the statesman's character AT
the outbreak of the civil war he resolved to de-
vote himself to the military service of his
country, and with Col. Gordon organized the
I'd Mass. regiment, one of the two first regi-
iments which entered the field under the pres
ldents original call for three years men. He
was commissioned as major, and served
through the labOrious campaign of last winter
and spring, on the Potomac. The I'd Massa.
chusetts, under Col. Gordon, covered the dis
astrous retreat of Gen. Banks down the She
nandoah. At Winchester, after display of
individual courage, and admirable presence of
mind, Major Dwight was taken prisoner. but
Immediately paroled. When Col. Gordon,
for his distinguished services, was promoted
to the rank of brigadier general, Maj. Dwight
became lieutenant colonel of the regiment
After his exchange, he returned to active SER
vice. and in the recent battles near Washing |
ton received his mortal wound.
From an early age Col. Dwight was distin-
gnished for singular independence of charac-
ter. His thought was clear and well defined,
his statement lucid, his convictions strong. In
the various college literary societies to which
he belonged, he showed business and breadth
OF view, an aptness of information, and, above
all, precision of expression which excited
the admiration of his fellow students. The
same rare traits adorned his short profession
al career, and, seconded by other shining
qualities, enabled him to achieve areputation
as military officer beyond that of most civil
ians. His clearness of insight, his prompt
ness of execution, his decision of character,
his insensibility to fear, and his dignifed ia
miliaFity, won the confidence, the admiration,
and the love of his command.
The last time the writer saw Col. Dwight
was at the anniversary of the Phi Beta Kappa
society, at Cambridge, in July of the present
year, while he was waiting for the completion
Of the arrangements for his exchange. Brig.
Gen. Devens had made telling after-dinner
speech, and was presently followed by Col.
Dwight, in strain at once eloquent, simple
and impressive. '1You think, gentlemen"
he said, ''you think you love the old time
worn, tme-houored banner. But, gentlemen,
you cannot know what it is to love it until
you have felt the humiliation of sleeping, as
have done, under that wretched rag of seccs-
SION
Ifthe value of an honorable peace is to be
estimated by the price we pay for it, very pre-
cious will it be to this old commonwealth.
Putnam, Grout, Lowell, Cass, Kinks, Web
ster Wyman, Dwight! While Massachusetts
can crown herself with such starry memories,
her beaming forehead shall not press the dust!