American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-04-27

young man. 1t was not likely that he
could furnish the necessary information
all had given up the hope of getting that
vote polled for Lincoln-except Simeon.
He would not give it up, but acting upon
the maxim that "while there is life there
is hope" he mounted his favorite mare
lib" "a fast trotter) and off he goes in
search of the needed testimony-which he
hoped to obtain about three miles distant.
The sun was almost down when he return
ed and to the astonishment of all and grief
of the Democrats, he produced the family
record of the young mans birth, from
which he read his birth had taken place
at o'clock in the evening! The shades
of evening were now falling upon us, an
examination showed who were yet to come
in, for arrangements to make the vote as
full as possible had been made. Ayoung
man, rather indifferent to party politics.
had been assessed by Nixon's importantly,
but on being sent for declined coming to
vote-an old gentleman also Qong since
no moreJ' fearing the severity of the eten-
ing blast, had concluded not to go to the
election-their cases were by all, except
Nixon, deemed hopeless. He knowing nc
such word as despair, once more betook
himself to "Tib" and off he goes. Dark
ness now set in-he had to make a circu-
lar trip of about four miles. A few min
utes before the clock struck I along came
Nixon with the old gentleman on "Tib"
and the young man ,calEiRg l9ih himself
These were the last votes polled in our
District, and they were both for Lincoln.
1t has been alleged, that some who in
times of peace were ardent supporters Of
the principles of our government, when
the crash of arms came were not 50 willing
to share its trials. This cannot be said
Of friend. When the first call ITO
arms" was sounded, leaving an aged faith
er, and a mother believed to be on her
deathbed (and he their only SOM he took
an active part in getting up company,
and leaving home and friends, entered up
on his first military campaign with that
same earnestness that he always exhibited
in his political career, in the 18th Pa.
Infantry. When the term of service was
ended, he returned home only to assist in
arousing the people to their duty, address
ing meetings, and in eveay way possible
stimulating tie young men to enter the
service-he soon found himselfsuround-
ed by squad Of patriots, who, webelieve,
intended joining company with him at
Pittsburgh. But Nixon, not finding
things as satisfactory as he expected, ad-
vised those young men to 90 into home
company where they would find many ac-
quaintances, while he risked his fortunes
with the 9th U. S. Cavalry-thus throw
ing away a commission which he might
have had, had he carried out his first
plan,
From thatday forward the history of that
Regiment is his history (and it las one.)
Being in the great cavalry fight ordered by
Hooker, in May last to prevent Lee from
entering the Shenandoah Valley, he was
taken prisoner-went to Richmond and
was afterwards paroled-reioined his Reg
iment, but, perhaps, for the first time in
his life became very ill-was removed to
a hospital at Annapolis and has not yet
been able to re-ioin his Regiment. 1t is
worthy of remark that three years Of hard
service have not been sufficient to cool his
ardor in the cause of constitutional liber-
ty Even, when many brave heart felt
sad, during the Peninsula campaign with
Little Mac, he, like the true patriot, nev-
er despaired of his country-even in our
darkest hour, when Lee was likely to in
wade the north, he wrote home words of
encouragement. We recollect on one of
these gloomy occasions, of his having writ
ten to his father, instructing him, in the
event of the Rebels reaching Western
Pennsylvania, to leave nothing that would
be useful to them, to fall into their hands;
but to commit it to the fames-to then
take "Tib," (his favorite mare) and seek
safety in fight
Nor does his great interest in the pro-
gress Ct the war abate his zeal for that
party whose principles he believe. to 5e
founded in truth and justice. We recol-
lect having received letter from him soon
after the election in the fall of sixty-two
in which he upbraided US for letting the
copperheads gain victory over us. Said
he, II suppose you thought that we were
standing guard away out here, and there
fore all was safe, and thus you have allow
ed them to out flank you" On January
last we received letter from him mainly
devoted to National politics, in which he