Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-10-12
Local and Stnte Items.


in one more used to handle
the implements Of toll than the pen OF
the biographer TO attempt at this late
day to chronicle the praises Of Vermont's
fallen heroes, as their record has now
passed into history and a Vermonter
may be pardoned the vanity of believing
no prouder one ever graCed the rolls OF
fame. But am tempted to offer in my
poor way short tribute to the memory
of two Castleton boys, than whom no
truer soldiers ever sealed with life's best
bloot their devotion to country and flag,
And as incidents connected with the fate
of one of them have recently been devel-
oped of an unusual nature, think re-
Cital of the circumstances of his case |
might prove interesting to you and your |
readers, and warrant this intrusion on |
your valuable space.
In the summer OF 1862, during the |
darkest period Of oar national struggle,
two youths of this town who had been
playmates in childhood and familiar
companions as they advanced to man
hood, abandoned the ease and loving
| kindness of humble but comfortable
homes, to take their places in the ranks
of those on whose stout arms and brave
hearts the destiny of a nation depended,
and as members of the Eleventh Yer
mont Volunteers, followed the fortunes
l Of thni- 1a Mt raui ant vrb 6ntu
called them, ever with credit to them
| selves and the service until in one OF
| the fierce fights near the Weldon Rail
road, where their brave and talented
Lieut.. Sherman fell believe on the
evening of the 23d Of June-one of them,
Sergeant Peter Donely, was slain. No
one saw him fall, but at the grey dawn
of the following morning his body was
found and buried by his companions and
his resting place carefully and sorrow
fully marked by the hand of his survi
wing friend, who continued in the chosen
path of duty and honor, and whose Ca
reer did no discredit to that glorious old
brigade the memory of whose aChiev-
ments will live as long as love OF cour-
age md devotion hads resting place in
the human heart. At Winchester Cedar
Greek, Fishers Hill, and the grand strug-
gle of April, resulting in the downfall
OF Richmond the destruction OF Lees
army, and explosion Of that most wicked
conspiracy sometimes mentioned 10 his
tory as the "Soutl ern Confederacy, the
tall and handsome form of the brave
youth was ever present, and Of the
glorious termination Of his young life
the tale is soonest told by quoting the
following sentence from the official re-
port OF the officer commanding .his bri-
gade, detailing their operations on the
ever memorable q of April: The
young and gallant Lieut.. French fell
pierced through the brain while at the
head of his company leading them on to
victory
The ashes of those brave boys now
mingled with those of their kindred who
have gone before them, are resting
among the green hills of their own loved
State aud their friends considered their
inanimate dust the only memento that
| would ever reach them from the war
blghted soil where they so bravely
fought and nObly died but this summer
poor Donely's sister received a letter
| from the rebel soldier who had met and
slain her brother on that fatal June
night year before. He had taken pos
session of his effects, and he returned tc
her letter the poor lad had but few
hours before his death written to her
| He also stated that he had his porte
| monnaie and several other things be
longing to him, which he would cheer
fully return if they desired, and woulC
furnish particulars of his death. He ex
/, pressed regret for the deed, but cOnsId
cred it one of the results inseperable
: from the fratriCidal struggle they haC
been engaged in, and hoped the people
of the North and South would soon b.
/ one in every thought and feeling. Ac
! cording to their request, he not Ions
since forwarded every article belonging
! to him. even to a copy of Caseys Tactics
he had in his pocket.
, Not wishing to intrude at great length
r | will merely insert the following ex
e tract from his last lester:
e According to request l will nov
g state how l came to Kill your brother
e We met on the evening of the 23d o
r June on the farm of DR.. Gurley, some
or miles from Petersburg. | supposed
4 him to be u scout sent out to make re
e connoisance, and as that was my bust
/ ness also. ordered him to halt. He de
{ family refused the second time and turn
I ed TO leave when ] fired and he fell.
went to the poor fellow and found hin
: p,st speaking and nearly dead. He mai,
r. slens for water which | got him and IL
b >Uon died, He was q good lookin-