Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-09

Co.. H. Ward, who was buried yes
terday, was one of those patriotic, noble, and
heroic officers of our army, whose memory
should be kept green and fragrant. He en-
tered the army from a sense of duty and a
consciousness that he could render useful SER
vice; and he continued in it under circum-
stances that would have constrained many
others to retire; for he was much disabled by
the loss of his leg at Balls Bluff, the stump Of
which had not become entirely sound when he
returned to his regiment. While at Falmouth
(he had such serious trouble with it as com
PEELED him to go to Washington and remain
Tor time under surgical treatment.
Col. Ward was a well trained and skilful
older before he went to the war with the tit-
zenith regiment. For years he had given his
4tention to military matters. He was an &C.
] Q and leading member of the Worcester
City Guards, an organization that las given
other able and accomplished soldiers to the
service; and, having served in our volunteer
militia in various positions, he was one of its
brigader generals at the time when he was
commissioned lieutenant colonel of the ff-
teenth. Our cadets at West Point become
well instructed in engineering, artillery prac-
tice, and other specialties of the science of
Oar; but they do not become better instructed
in the matter OF handling men on the fieE~
than the best and most assiduous of theSficers
oil our volunteer militia; for, wbi11e their stud
les give them no more instruction in this mat
ter, they have much lesS<Sractical experience
OF the handling of .Egiments and bripades.
ne" '"e war 1gSke out none of the younger
Umeers o. tne Regular army were better quail
ned 10 command regiment than Col. Ward;
and, certainly, many of them were much in
ferior to him. He was an able, accomplished,
and most gallant officer.
When the fifteenth regiment was organized,
Col Ward rendered Jealous and effective SER
vice. He went with it to the seat of war as
its Lieutenant Colonel He was unweared in
his endeavors to give it the most effective dis
cipline, and make it what it has been, one of
the very best and most effective regiments in
- the army In this respect Col Devens found
him most faithful and valuable coadutor.
While the regiment was stationed at Pooles
vile, Nd, it won most enyiable reputation
among the people for discipline and good be-
havior. While it performed provost guard
duty there, the people OF the place could go
and come, night or day, feeling sure OF pro-
lection from soldiers bearing the badges of the
Massachusetts fifteenth. In the disastrous
battle Of Balls Bluff Col. Ward behaved with
fthe greatest GOODNESS and courage He was
: -hsdlly ~ ounded in that battle, so badly that
his leg was amputated below the knee.
This wound made him incapable of service
in the field for several months. He came
home; and, while yet suffering from the
wound, he was very active and successful in
securing recruits for the fifteenth; and he
also rendered great assistance in the organ-
cation Of several new regiments. His wound
was troublesome and did not heal readily;
and he was SO much and so long disabled by
it, that many of his friends advised him to re-
sign. But he could not think of doing so.
He had the greatest soGctude to rejoin his
regiment and be again in active service. His
J >>feeling in this respect was so strong that he
finally rejoined the army on the Rappahan
mock, before he really well enough for
service in the field. On arriving there he
was placed in command of brigade. He
probably went again to his regiment from
Washington, with his wounded leg still in
bad condition. But he remained actively in
command, and marched with the army from
Falmouth to Gettysburg.
A letter from, ha Fifteenth inst befnra tho
battles at Gettysburg, stated that Col. Ward
was quite unwell; but he would not let this
appear, when the conflict came. He COM
manded brigade at Gettysburg, and was at
the head OF his men in the thickest and ferc-
est of the battle on Thursday. His brigade
was in Cen Gibbons division of the Second
corps. The reports that have reached us say
that he handled his men with the utmost cool
ness and skill, and fought with the most de-
termined bravery. About six o'clock in the
afternoon, a mimic ball struck him in the thigh
and severed the femoral artery. He bled to
death, although he lived in an insensible con-
dition until Friday morning. Some time
passed before he could be removed from the
field. The force with which he fought show
ed the greatest heroism and endurance; butt
suffered severely, and no part of it more than
the Fifteenth. 1t was terrible battle but
our army won the day. Our brave men who
died were victorious in death. All honor to
them
1t is not easy for many of us who knew
Col Ward well, to realize that he is dead.
But heIs leiC US, dying heroic death to save
= his country. He leaves in Worcester an in
teresting tamily,-a wife and two young chill
dren,-whose great bereavement does not
need to be described. He leaves also very
large circle of personal friends, by whom his
memory will be warmly cherished. And his
name is given to the whole country, and it will
be mentioned and honored wherever there is
admiration for heroic patriotism.
LORD BAcoN's WORKS, volumes Sixth and
Seventh, published in Boston by Taggard s
= Thompson, are for sale at Sanfords. The
sixTfSsSsplume contains the advancement o.