The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-04
Dsath Of Henry o. Isbe.I.

Another brave one fallen. sAnothers brave
heart baptised with patriot blood. Another
manly form cold in the embrace of a soldiers
grave. s. y
Henry D. Isbcll, son of Robert Isbell, of
freedom, died in hospital No. 3, Chattanooga,
Oct. 18th, aged twenty years and nine months.
We cannot recur to the subject of this brief
tribute, without joining in grief at his loss,
felt by all who knew him. Young, noble,
manly, Henry was rare boy, the pride and
hope of parents, the valued companion and
the cherished friend of all about him..
For more than year before joining the
army, he had been anxious to volunteer. Ar
,tillery service was his choice and upon the
9Th of August, 1862, he united his destinies
with Cotter's Battery and marched forward
as a soldier. His commanding officers say of
him, that more faithful, fearless and heroic
soldier was net connected with his battery.
From his earliest entry of the field until struck
by his mortal wound, he was always at his
post, prompt and cheerful. He participated
in i've engagements At Lawrenceburg KY,
Oct. 8, 1862; at Dogwalk, KY, Oct. 18th, ,'62;
Stone River Dec. 81, '62; Liberty Gap, June
%, '63; Chicamauga, Sept. 19, 20, '63.
Henry was wounded about II A. M, on
Sunday, the goth, while firing canister at
range of 200 yards. The ball entered just
under the shoulder blade, and passed out above
the ribs ON the left side, cutting off all the
support of the shoulder and arm. He re-
marked to his comrades at the gun, Boys I
must leave you now."
Before receiving his death wound he was
hit upon the hip by spent ball, and might
have retired to the rear with honor, but like
other brave boys, kept his post until that
bloody cornfeld drank freely of his own blood
In leaving the field, Henry was first put upon
Lieut.. Belongs horse, and proceeded until so
much weakened by the loss of blood that he
could uot manage him.
Elliot Viets of Shalersville, saw him at
this critical moment, and sprang to his relief,
and did not leave him until he saw him safe
upon the floor in the Crutchfeld Hotel at
Chattanooga, afterwards called Hospital No. 3.
Viets put him upon mule and held him
Oh until he reached private house there cut
off his blouse and shirt, bound up his wound
as well as he could, and after little rest up
on the bed, took quilt and wrapped around
him, put him upon the mule again, and pro-
ceeded until he was able to get him into an
ambulance. that brought him into Chattanoo-
ga at 10 O'Clock Sunday night.
I The first Is days after, the wound seemed
to be doing well, and Henry was cheerful and
hopeful He was often found Joking with a
secesh on the next bed, who had received a
wound in the mouth coming out the back
side of the neck, without injuring tooth in
his head-Henry insisting that he must have
been cheering Justify with his jaws far apart,
or he would have lost his teeth, saying, I
guess that bullet made you dry up. This
fellow became attached to Henry; at the time
of his death stood over his bed in as deep
sorrow as man could endure.
The Battery went into quarters close by
Hospital No. 8. and some of the boys were
with him all of the time The Sanitary and
Christian Commissions did all in their power
for his comfort but for lack of stores, were
| not able to furnish any delicacies more than
the soldier gets in camp.
The funeral took place Oct. 18th, the Rev.
W. C. High, of Lynn, Mass, conducting the
services, followed by remarks by the Chap
lain of the 32d Indiana The Battery were
all present, and many from the supporting
regiments. This was the first funeral ever
attended by the Battery.
They laid him by the side of Ed. S. Boards
ley, of Franklin, outside of the Notifications,
in view of the enemy's guns upon Lookout
| Mountain, distant about two miles.
Itwas Henry's own request that his body
be inferred at Chattanooga, he believing it to
be impossible for his remains to be taken out
side of the army lines. He was very solicit
Gus for the safe return of his father, and that
he might perform his jour ey in greater Sc
curity, he asked that this be done.
Upon the receipt of the information that
his son was wounded, Mr.. Isbell at once start
ed for Chattanooga, and after various delays
and adventures, succeeded in reaching him
Henry had given up all hope of seeing hi:
father, though he had by telegraph been made
aware that he was trying to reach him. His
timely arrival cheeredl and grati6ed him
but the mission of the stricken father wa:
bnt little more than to close the eyes of his
beloved son in death. As aprivate this young
man enlisted, and fought and died. So grea
was his personal worth, so valuable had beer
his services, and great his valor. that the off
8 GERS and soldiers, each and all, mourned hin
las brother, and sought to do honor to his
name and memory. Mr.. Isbell feels deeply
grateful for the kindness shown his boy, anc
also appreciates, in the tenderest manner, tht
attentions shown himself by the members o
the Battery, Gen. Hazen, and other officer
and soldiers whom he met upon his sad er
rand of Affection