Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-10-18
p,a ath or Colonel George ID. Wells, Of an
Thirty-Fourth Mssssohusstts Reg


Death or Colonel George d. wsil', Of 'he
Thirty-Fourth Massachusetts Rsgt-
nisnt.
With poignant regret We have to announce
The death OF Colonel George D. Wells, shot
through the breast while leading his brigade
Gin Crooks command) in the fight near stras-
burg, on Saturday last. Col. Wells belonged
in GreeuGtld, Massachusetts. lie wac law
yer by profession, and after having represented
Ills town with marked ability in the Msssachu-
sets Legislature, he was appointed about two
ycsrs before the rebellion justice in the police
court Of Boston. This position in Boston is
QUO Of .rCat Importance, and handsome sal.
ary is attached 10 it, and, moreover, the Office
!. perpetual, during good behavior.
Vt tho rcgiun.nS Of the rebellion Judgc
Wels. Who va. ayW a young mau, abandoned
ihis yosiIivr, in Which he WAS winning the
- a.. vi Tue bar and the whole Commu nifty,
Aud lJoS up hi. sword in the cause Of the Gov
ngur sut and the country. lie had previously
bcGn a memhcg Of that volunteer militia ci
Ns.sGchusetls which furnished so promptly
several well orgaulzeL aud fully equipped rCsI.
nlcntI aL the trCahlng on. Of the insurrcction,
ava llC al OltC 'ul1Ecl lUkO lIC LlC VI
our newborn armies with enthusiasm. lie
mas commissioned Lieutenant Colonel oil the
lst Massachusetts, re- simcnt, May -, 1851, and
participated fn the battles and iUlI duty OF his
rJcimcnt during Tire first year Of its scrN ice,
winning honors at every step Of his career
whenever he had an opportunity to distinguish
himself.
On the Peninsula he wac for time detached
to the command OF the Goth Pennsylvania rcgi'
mont, and In July, lsG2, lie was commissioned
Colonel Of the 34th Massachusetts regiment
On assuming the command of this new regi
ucnI. Col. Wells Immediately set to work "a
bring it into high condition of discipline and
drill. Being admirably qualified for the task
he succeeded completely. His regiment, whcr
il left the barracks cast of the Capitol, in thi
city, wac a model one in that respect, AM
when brought into the field, its esprit du corp
and Its thorough efficiency were demonstrate
on the bloodiest backgrounds in upper Vii
gInia and the Valley.
For many months-how many We do not r,
member-Col. Wells has been in command {
brigade, and for some time he commanded
post. During the recent campaign in th
Shenandoah his brigade has won imperishab
fame; and now he has fallen, alas! how pr
maturely. Had he lived bat little longer
would have been impossible to have held bat
from him that promotion which was his du
long ago, but for which be declined to max
any perSonai effort. We have learned none
the particulars of his death, except that he wa
shot through the left lung, and fell mortal
wounded into the hands OF the enemy.
No purer patriot, no more chlvalrous sou
hss fallen during the war than Col. George
Wells. His death will I'LL with sadness tho
sands Of hearts In old Massachusetts, whe
his high attainments, his noble character, al
his devotion 10 the cause of the country are
well known. He will sleep well, for he
done well, and fadeless laurels will llourish
all time above his soldier grave.