The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-22
Tribute to q Gallant Soldier.
CORNISH. April 10. 1866.

CORNISH, April IL, 1860.
To the Editor Of The Press:
Lieut.. George E. Eastman, son of Samuel
Eastman, late Of the 9th Maine Volunteers,
died at Cornish on the 9TH instant, aged TWEEN
tytwo years.
In the fall of 1861, he and his brother Abb
on were at school at Limerick Academy.
Coming home of Saturday they first heard
of the formation of company, under their
townsman, Capt. Wedgwood. Their young
hearts were fired with the thought of joining
with their many friends under such a leader.
Meeting Levi Stone, Jr., John F. Stone, Cal
vim Pugsley and Albion Parker, their near
neighbors, they communicated with them, and
after consultation with their parents and
friends, they all agreed to enlist; at the same
time entering into q solemn pledge each with
the others, if any of their number should fall,
their bodies should be borne back to have
burial in their native town. Early the next
Monday morning the sensation produced in
our village at the appearance of these SIX
young men for the object avowed, will not
soon be forgotten. So young, 50 promising
the pride and hope OF the place-their unso-
licited, unlooked-for enlistments excited the
surprise and admiration Of all, and their des-
TIMES have been watched with interest. They
left the next day with their company full,
joined the 9th Regiment, and were soon as
signed to the expedition for Hilton Head. In
their two years. service in that department,
the climate and hardships of the service prov
ed fatal to his brother, and Pugsley aid Par
ker. Theywere discharged, and reached home
only to die and be buried where they wished,
andIby those they loved so well. L. Stone, Jr.,
reinlisted and is still in the service. His
brother John has an appointment Of Hospi-
tai Steward in the regular army.
The subjec. Of this notice reinlisted and was
taken prisoner at the assault on Fort Gilmore,
on the 29th of Sept. last; was first incarcer-
ated in the Libby prison, then at Belle Isle,
and from thence in Salisbury, where after Eve
months endurance of most barbarous priva-
tons and cruelties, he was finally paroled and
reached his home on the 21st Of March last,
with just strength enough to tell the shock
ing story of his sufferings and then to lie
down and die on the memorable day Of Lees
surrender.
he was engaged in sixteen assaults and bat
ties, in all Of which he bore himself manful-
~. For his gallantry and meritorious service
he was promoted from Corporal to a Lieuten-
ancy, and commission was issued about the
time Of his capture.
His officers and comrades have ever borne
testimony to his correct department, his pa
tient endurance and unfinchlng courage.
His funeral was largely attended, the whole
| neigbborhood seem ing to vie with each other
to testify their respect for their heroic young
friend, and their sympathy for his parents,
who have thus yielded on the altar Of their
country their two eldest sons, and whose
third, a boy Of II, went out with and is now
serving in the Both Regiment. Only one little
lad OF IA is now left 70 aid and comfort them
| in their declining years. j. J.