The Richmond palladium., 1863-10-16
TriDslse Of Respect.
.BRAsuAa crrr.I..-. Sept. II. 'ss.
John Eirlev. kg.. RieXssond, Inds

September 18th, 1868. at their camp at
Brashaer City. lousians. the undersigned
were appointed . committee to communicate
to you the heartfelt sorrow that possesses
every officer and soldier OF the regiment.
on the death Of your son. our
"a 6 on rae in arms. Major John Fl. Fin
10y, and in como degree convey toyou our
high appreciation Of the deceased in the
various relations he sustained to us.
As man, John H. Finley was possessed
OF qualities that gave him sn enviabie char
acter in every circle in which he moved
None knew him but to love him. Endowed
by nature with q manly form, a noble STAT
ure, and a couatensnce beaming with intel
ligence. his very appearance stamped him.
as one of natures noblemen. Added to
these al intellect strong and vigorous. clear
and percepuble, and hear. pure and guile
less as child's. and John H. Finley was
a. once the lordly man and the playful child
No one that knew him but can recall many
incidents displaying his firm, noble and i'm
perious manhood. and his playful. sympa
thetic. affectionate nature. When the oc
casion demanded the exercise Of his sterns,
qualities, none were more prompt. decisive
and unbending. but when the play time
came, none were more simple hearted. child
like and loving. Then in the death Of John
II. Finley, the world lost noble man full
of promise, OF usefulness and renown; So
ciety one Of the brightest and most pleasing
ornaments, aud his family a dutiful son and
an affectionate brother.
But il is as soldier that we most desire
to bear testimony Of the virtues Of the de
ceased. If. as q man. John II. Finley, was
pre-eminently model of nobility and puri-
ty as a soldier he was true hero. He
was . natural soldier. His personal appear
ance, his galan. bearing, and his chivarn
mien, stamped him at once as model sol
der and one born to command Added to
these. he had a personal courage, power
Of endurance, love Of adventure and
natural military taste possessed by few, be-
sides heart filled with patriotism.
When the first gun OF the rebellion was
fred. and ere its peal Of alarm had ceased
TO echo, young Finley left his home and all
the endearments of civil life, and enlisted
as soldier in the 10th regiment OF Indi-l
ana volunteers. On the organization OF his
company he was elected I'd Lieutenant, and
was afterwards appointed Adjutant of his
regiment. He served with distinction in
iha, regiment until the expiration Of the pc
rod of its enlistment
The war for the suppression of the giant
rebellion was still raging. and again Lieu
tenant Finley answered the call Of his coun
Try. He raised company for the 69th
regiment and was elected Captain He pos
'essed the quail ties requisite for Captain in
l pre- eminent degree. His success in drill
ing. discipiiLing and providing for his com
pany challenged the admiration Of the whole
army with which he served. and on more
han one occasion he received the compli
ments Of the commanding General. Blu
his military qualities were required in p
W ider sphere, and he was commissioned b
Major by Governor Morton. with the unan-
imous sanction Of every officer and sodie,
in the regiment. In this capacity he dis
played his high military ability, his valo,
a md his chivslry in remarkable degree
He participated in ali the memorable an,
bloody conflicts that his regiment had will
the enemy up 70 the time Of his fall-coc
icts that are part Of the history of tn.
Richmond. Kentucky. Chickasaw
Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Ion. Port Gibson
Champion Hills, Black Rriver Bridge wer,
ields on which true courage was shown b.
many hero, but by none moro conspicu
y than by your own loved and gallant son
'rom the time Of the organization Of the
egiment to the day Of his fall he was no
If duty an hour-always at his post, fore
most in the conflict. cheering on his men,
Tot . shade Of dishonor rested on him.
But it was reserved for him TO fall at his
,ost, in the thickest Of the fight. In the !,
memorable charge on the rebel works in the I
ear of Vicksburg 4 the 2sl of May, Major
Finley, while at the head Of his regiment, I
eceived mortal wound by muskes ball
rom the enemy. Standing in front Of the .
egiment, amid a shower of shot and shell, +
,e was, with his uplifted sword, pointing
'ut the rifle-p of the entrcnched foe 4
when the fatal u nessenger came.
None who witnessed that scene will ev-
II forget the noble conduct of the wounded I
Major. When the ball struck him, he be- /
rayed no emotion Of fear, nor uttered I
word, hut deliberately dropping his sword /
BY his side, he cast his eyes toward the foe /
n scorn, and for moment his proud and |
naughty lip quiyered defiance never to be !
orgo.ten, then falling on one knee. then
'rostrate on the ground, and his career as
+ soldier vas ended. So great was the
'hock that for momen. the energies of the
egiment were parsiyzed, and a tear was in .
almost atery eyo> The Colonel, in order to
Freak thesaPell, cried out: "officers and
oldiers of the 69tb. your gallant Major has
allen, no better man or Drawer soldier ever
ell on the field of battle. Let each Of us
aise the -righshand and swear to avenge
is DEATH" In an instant every hand was
aised. and then the roar Of musketry and
he advancing coiumn announced that the
led se was being gsoriously redeemed. This
.llen brave was carried to the rear of his
As oil supposed in dying condi.
on. . When told by Lieutenant Colonel
erry that his wound was mortal, he threw
is arms around the Lieut. neck, and
lid Perry, we've lived together as
rothers; we've had many good times tell
y friends fell by the old flag" a-f-
To the surprise aud JOY Of Us al, his ro-
ust constitution aud determined spirit buoy
him up and held death at bay, and 70,
aye he fingered in u hospital, with no com
sEts. save such as the soldier has on the
cid OF battle, and the constant care of his
osrowing eomrades.' Bat our hearts were
heered with tho tidings that his friends had
ONE for him and taken him home. How