Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-03-18
Resignation Of col. John W. Foster

hf'AbN"ttWh VI WE sVhH " EtntNEs
We regret exceedingly, TO learn that
Col. John W. Foster has felt il 10 be his
duty to resign his commission as Colonel
Of the Goth Indiana Regiment and that
his resignation has been accepted We
have known, for some time, that circum.
stances-growing out Of bis father $
death, oceasioning an almost absolute
necessity for his personal attention TO
the settlement Of a vast amount Of I'M
finished business left by the Judge--were
conspiring 10 force Col Foster out Of
the service, but we were in hope that
matters might be so arranged as 10 ena-
BILE him TO remain in the field. II seems,
however, that this could not be done, and
our Government loses the services of one
Of its most gallant, energetic and expe.
rieneed officers.
Col Foster entered the service of his
country in the summer Of 1861, as Ma.
ior Of the 25th Regiment Indiana Vol
unteers He laid aside the profession
Of law, and took upon himself the pro.
fession Of arms, from a conscientious
belief that bis FIRST service was due to
his Government Without experience,
or even theoretical knowledge of mill
tary life, when he entered the service, so
close was his application to his duties,
aud so earnest bis devotion to study, that
but short time elapsed before he was
thorough master of all the duties ineum-
bent upon his position as Major OF the
regiment, or, for that matter, with any
position connected with the regiment
Col. Foster was rigid disciplinarian,
but he exaeted nothing from his men
that was not essential to the efficiency of
his regiment, or that he was unwilling to
perform himself
Shortly after the organization Of the
regiment twas ordered to Missouri to
constitute part of the army that Gen.
Fremont was then engaged in organ
izing 1t was sent up the Missouri river,
soon after its arrival in ST Louis. to
meet the threatening advance of Gen.
Prices army which, flushed with vic
tory at Lexington, was manifesting an
intention of marching on St Louis
When Gen. Fremont, placing himself at
the head of his hastily organized army,
commenced his celebrated pursuit Of
Gen Price, the 18th Regiment was
among his most trusted troops, Through
out that arduous campaign Col Foster
won the confidence Of his superior Off
GERS as well as the respect of his men by
his faithfulness and attention TO business
and his courage and energy in over
coming the most trying obstacles,
Soon after Gen Fremont was super
eeded by Gen. Halleek the 18th Regi-
ment was ordered to Cairo to participate
in the movement agains, Forts Henry
and Donelson, then in contemplation
At the latter fort it had the honor TO
open the engagement, which it did with
. heavy loss of life but not of honor In
the celebrated charge by Gen. Smith
upon the fort, on the right of the enemy
line of Qualifications, which was so hand
Somely stormed aud whose capture re-
suited in the surrender of the rebel
army, the 18th took prominent part
At the bloody battle of Shiloh Col
Veiteh was in command of brigade and
the 18th Regiment was under the com
mand of Lieut Col Morgan, Early in
the engagement, however the latter of
iieer was seriously wounded aud con-