Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-10-20
For the Delaware Gazette.
CAPT. GEORGE H. PURDK.
'tThe good die first,
they whose hearts are dry as summer dust,

y n
out all her borders, united from the Lakes
to the Gulf and from Sea to Sea, strong
in the greatest military resources ever de-
veloped, and stronger in great central
government, vindicated, maintained and
supported by thirty millions of intelli-
gent freemen. her flag is the proudest en-
blem that defes the storms of the tropics,
that greets Auroral splendors in the dis
tant Orient, or mirrors itself amid Sum
set glorey in remotest occidental waves
If to have been Roman was once to be
greater than King, to be an American
now is greater than it ever was to be a
Roman. A great people have proved
true to themselves, their country and to
patriotic ancestry. They have vindica-
! ted the cause of justice and right, and
solved the problem of republican liberty,
amid the greatest national trial recorded
in history, the most wicked and wide
spread treason that ever assaulted the
majesty of law and raised unholy hands
against good government, they have stood
firmly by the flag, and nobly maintained
the Constitution and the Union bequeath-
ed them by their fathers.
These great achievements may be best
estimated by the vastness of the sacrifices
which have been made to attain them.
Millions of treasure have been given, but
| that sinks into insignifcance compared to
blood. The defenders of the country
came in largest measure. not from among
the coWardly and mean, not from the ig
norant, decrepit or worthless classes of
society, but were gathered from among
| the young, the athlete, the intelligent, the
noble. Others may have performed mean
drndgery at the rear, but these were they
who went to the front, faced the enemy
and did the fighting. Those whose sunk
/ o. o0d afrnoaf fOTU0ffprl
%trewn in melancholy freqUence over
Southern battle fields were from among
the bravest and best of the land. True
many come from obscure stations in life
and the royalty of their princely hearts
would never have been revealed had not
Freedom called them to her rescue and
martyrdom crowned them with her thor
ny, wreath and wrapped them In garments
rolled in blood
That this country is to-day free, proud
and happy, is due, under God, to the valor
and patriotism ofthose who have fought
its battles. | would not pluck one leaf
from the statesmans laurel. or one jewel
from the philanthrophist's crown, but
to the brave suffering soldier who leaving
home and all its comforts went forth and
endured the hardships and privation OF
the camp, and march. and the dread ter.
rOr and appalling peril of battle, | would
i dWdEu Tue nl&uGSL LuGGu u DEtllEEs anu 10
his name the IOftiest place on the dazzling
scroll of glory. Of heroes they were
most heroic of potriots the most patri
otic, who, taking their lives in their hands
laid them upon the country's altar. Let
them not be forgotten. Let their names
be cherished and repeated in devotional
frequency with pride and praise by those
who live to enjoy the rich heritage for
which they fought suffered, or died.
Among the noblest and bravest of those
who gave their lives to the cause of the
Union was he whose name is at the head
of this article. And well does it behove
me, his intimate and obliged friend, to do
this humble Office in behalf of recalling
attention to and perpetrating the memory
of his virtues and his patriotism. So
much would be little for felloW-soldier
to do; still less for one occupying the re-
lations named. And while he sleeps IN
his obscure grave amid the wilderness of
Virginia, the two-fold victim of Southern
treason and military inbecility, it is pa
triotic duty on the part of those who
knew him so well and owe him so much
to refresh their own and the public mem
ory with reference to his exalted charac-
ter and noble deeds.
At the commencement of the war Capt.
Purdy enlisted as private in the 4th
Ohio Infantry, and served a three months
term with that Regiment In Western Vir-
|, ginia. He soon rose by virtue of his
faithfulness and gallantry to the position
of Commisary Sergeant In which trying
station he won golden opinions from both
, superiors and subordinates. At the close
of his term of service lis regimental CON-
mander, the lamented Andrews, volun-
tarily rendered him a most hattering re-
} commendation in behalf of his services
} but his modesty never permitted him to
use and very rarely to exhibit it.
: In the memorable autumn of 1861
while the people were depressed by the
unfortunate denouement of our first
: great struggle on Manassas Plains and By
McClellan's donothingness, Capt. Purdy
though physically disabled and exempt
: from service, felt himself called again tC
e go forth to defend the dear cd flag. Al
|, time when it seemed impossible to re-
cruit a corporaps guard in Delaware
d County, he commenced raising company
: By means of untiring energy and indom
i table perseverance he succeeded IL
$ about four weeks in getting together {
s band of seventy, with whom just as the
s rising sun was gliding the roofs anC
}. spires of his loved Delaware, he departed
one frosty December morning for CAM
2. Simon Kenton. The new company wai
q soon after raised to its minimum compile
IS ment and was Incorporated into Col
). CantwelPs SD Ohio Regiment Purd!
# was by acclamation chosen Captain, anC
! after his election was borne about il
If triumph on the shoulders of his men.
u No one who has experienced it cal
n ever forget the enervating and depressing
It feeling of nostalgia which overtakes tn
" raw recruit soon after bis first arrival a
Is camp. His mind broods over his rougl
J. fare and chafes under the unusual res
e traints of military discipline. He long
# to return to the comforts and privilege
e of his quiet home and grieves with unut
J. erable sorrow at his hopeless separation
0, from loving friends and, above all, fron
m bereaved wife and tender children. Il
" the unfavorable comparison of his pres
d ent with his past he adds the most gloo
- my and anxious forbodings respectin
u the future. 1t is at this time that tn
y courage and firmness of the line Office
le receives its first severe test. Subject him
a self to the same feelings and discourage
D. meuts, b finds..himself called upon to ad
minister hope to the despairing, strengt
to the falling, and discipline to the con
tumacious From him his men tax
We their cue and from his example and bear
]. ing the whole company receives its mor5
a and military complexion.
ne To these trials Capt. Purdy prove
ns himself fully equal His whole compan
4 learned to trust him with an almost fila
re- confidence, and to love him with an a
u, most fraternel affection: A mild frmnes