The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-09-24
GEN. Jesse Z. RENO.


the Rebels in their strong position on the
nights commanding the Hagerstown Road,
on Sunday last, the telegraph brings US
the meager but sad announcement of the
death of Jesse L. Reno, Major General
of Volunteers, Captain in the Ordnance
Department, and one OF the most gallant
and able officers in the United States
Army.
The record of Gen. Reno'a military life,
although only extending over the brief
period of sixteen years-brief in compar-
isou to the records of such men as Gems.
Scott, Wool, and Summers both bril-
liant and honorable, and his loss cannot
fail to be severely felt, not only by the
brave troops under his command, but by
those companions of his academic career
with whom he fought and bled in the
sanguinary contests Of Corro Gordo and
Chapultapec.
Jesse L. Reno was born in Virginia
in about the year 1926, and was conse-
quently in the very PRIME Of Efe, when
his name was added to the already too
long list Of victims of this disastrous
Rebellion He entered the West Point
Military Academy in 1912, and, after
four years patient and most successful
study, graduated the eighth in bis class
Capt. Chas. S. Stewart of the Corps Of
Engineers being the first, Major Gen
George 3. Mcclellan the second, and
Brig.-Gers. j. c. Blunt and j. G. Foster
the third and fourth The following
Generals were also classmates of Gen
Reno: Innis n. Palmer, George Stone
man, George II. Gordon, Truman Sey-
mour, D. N. Couch, and s. D. Sturgis
The redoubtable Rebel, Gen. StonewalI
Jackson, was also fellow cadet with
these. On the lst of July, 1915, Gen.
Reno was appointed Brevet Second Lieu
tenant in the Ordnance Department,
being the only cadet of his years appointed
to that Department. His appointment
is credited to Pennsylvania. On the Sd
of March, 1917, he received his commits
sion as full Second Lieutenant.
In the mean time, however, war had
been declared between the United States
and Mexico, and Lieut.. Reno was in the
field, where he was soon distinguished as
the possessor of soldierly qualities of a
very high order. AT the battle Of Cerro
Gordo, April Is, 1917, his conduct was
such az to merit special distinction, and
be was accordingly brevetted First Lieu
tenant for galianta and meritorious conduct.
st the storming Of Chapultapec, he com
nanded a battery and rendered effective
service; while at the battle of Chaputa-
pee, September l3, 1917, REPETITION Of
the gallant and meritOrious conduct for
which he had been honored at Cerro
Gordo was still further rewarded BY the
brevet rank of Captain. In this engage
ment he was severely wounded, and had
to retire for while from active service.
After his health and strength were suf.
iciently recruited, he was assigned to
duty at the West Point Military Acad.
emy, where be remained from January to
Juiy, 1919, acting as Assistant Professor
OF l!athematics. After this he returned
to the ordnance Department; and remained
there performing the customary duties
connected With this important Depart
meDt, until April, 1854, he assisted il
the United States Coast Survey, when
he lef: that field of duty, to build mill,
tary road from the Big Sandy River to
St. Paul. From 1854 to 1857 he was
stationed at the Frankfort (Ky.) Arsenal
as Second Ordnance Officer, and after
ward was Chief Ordnance Oficer, of the
Utah Expedition, when he had the COM
mand of battery. Returning in 1859,
he was sent to the Montgomery Gala }
Arsenal, and subsequently, By JEFF DAVIS,
to Leavenworth.
Such was the blowGess Of promotion 10
the Ordnance Department in the time Of
peace, thai although q Brevet Captain IN
1917, Gen. Reno did not get his commits
sion as full First Lieulenan? until March,
1858, and it was not until seven years
after this, viz. in July, 1860, that he re-
ceived the full rank Of Captain of Ord !
nance, rank which he had already held
by breyet for over fourteen years.
In the Fall of 1861 he vas recalled to
Washington, and commissioned q Briga-
der General OF volunteers, and ordered
to report to Gen. Burnside, who was at
Annapolis fitting ous his North Carolina
expedition: He ser7ed with distinction
at Roan6ke Island, Newbern, Beaufort,
and other places, and was cor. missioned
Maj Genera! Of volunteers. his rank
in the regular service being Captain.
About the lst Of August last, with Gen.
Burnside's Army Corps, he fastened to
the relief of Gen. Mcclellan after he had
reached Harrison's Landing, and subse-
queDtly proceeded with his command to
the Potomac. Participating in the san