Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-12-23
THE JOURNAL.
OCAL DEPARTME NT.
Death OF Colonel Hin.


The following dispatch to 8. G. Stein. from
MAJ. Dill, conveying the painful intelligence Of
the death Of Col. Hill, was received Saturday:
NASHVILLE, Dec. 10, 'e4.--Col. Hill was killed
tomorrow: Eleven OF the Thirty fifth wounded
and one killed-Kennedy. OF Co. +. Hard light
WIN. DILL.
Our lamented fellow-townsman, Col, Sylyes-
ter g. Hill. was born in East Greenwich, Rhode
Island,o on the 10th Of June, 1890 and was left an
orphan, at the age of four years. by the death Of
his ather. He had nom early life to struggle
;olhimself, and literally fight his was through
the world. He learned his trade, u cabinet
maker. in his native village. and in 1859, when
only nineteen years Of age emigrated to the
West. and soon after settled In Cincinnati,
where, with tho exception OF . year spent in
California, he resided and did business, until
She Spring Of 1851, when he removed to Iowa
and located in Muscatiue. During his residence
here OF over thirteen years, ais history IL
known to every Citizen and especially to every
business man in the community. Upright and
prompt IN all his dealings, generous and pub
nc-spirltsd beyond the measure of his ability,
he was justly esteemed one Of our most valued
citizens As u patriot, Col. Hill had few equals
and none excell1d him. Burning with insiigna.
ton at the insult offered to the mag Of the Re.
public when the rebellion raised its head in
1851, 1t was by the most urgent remonstrances
Of friends he was prevented from joining the
Iowa First" In 1862, when the government
called for troops, although his oldest son was
then prisoner In the hands Of the rebels, he
would walt no longer. but leaving o lucrative
business. he recruited a company, unan.
imously chosen lite captain. and upon the Or
ivpf}N ,s>f% Ma ASxh
out the solicitation OF friends and against his
own protest, WIS assigned to the command Of
the regiment by Gov. Kirkwood. How nobly
and bravely he has discharged the duties in
that responsible position. and the still higher
one OF brigade commander, his brilliant history
OF two and half years tells much better than
IT could be related here. Equally attentive 10
the humbiest camp duty, and the scverest re-
Quirements OF the battle field, he was a soldier
whom his superiO1s found could always be
trusted and relied On. He has probably seen rs
much If not more active service than any field
omcer who went from Iowa never having sought
or enjoyed single days detail from active ser.
vice. He went through the memorable CAM
paign which resulted in the fall OF Vicksburs,
was in all the battles of tho Red river ca npaign
nnd but little over six months ago had to
mourn the loss OF his second son. who was
killed. Cy ms side ct the battle OF Pleasant Hill.
He marched his regiment over i've hundred
miles in the lats Missouri campaign after Price,
and st last. ended his brilliant and faithful ca
zeer In helping TO achieve the glorious victory
which has just crowned the national arms in
front of Nashville.
The private and social virtues Of Cot Hill are
TOO tenderly cherished by the writer OF this
article and by Col. Hills kindred TO he made
the subject CT eu!ogy hero. Amongst the many
sacrifices which Muscatine has been called on to
make for the country during the WAT, none has
fallen more heavily on family or friends or cast
adeeper gloom over Our whole community, han
the loss OF the brave aad patriotic man who has
just fallen in defense of his country Esteemed
and respected by all who knew him, and loved
by those who had the happiness Of IL personal
intimacy with him, his memory will bs cher
!shed as his loss will be felt, so long Is friends
and acquaintances shall survive him. AS n
son. brother. husband, father, friend, patriot
and soldier, he has left character which all
may well emulate, but none need hope to excel.
Col. Hill leaves g. wife and nine children to
mourn his loss-his oldest son, nov only TWEEN
~ years Of age, having just completed q service
OF three years, In the Seyent til Iowa Infantry
II.