The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-03-20
TERMS $3.50 PER ANNUu.

Iof the actual residents of the territory
were decidedly and strongly opposed 10
the institution of slavery, which the Cou-
stitution was intended to force upon them.
= This having occurred after the election
of Buchanan, but before his Inauguration,
Governor Geary addressed him letters,
stating the true condition of affairs but
received no reply. He did, however,
receive positive evidence, from other
sources, that the newly elected President
had abandoned the true Democratic prin-
ciples and adopted the platform of the
"National Democracy" Hence, Gov
ernor Geary resolved at once not to hold
an Office under his administration, and
on the day be was installed in the Presi-
Dental chair, wrote and forwarded his
resignation as Governor of Kansas. On
the 10th of March, 1857, he left the ter
ritory, and again returned to the quietude
of private life. Had Governor Geary
been sustained in his honest and manly
course in Kansas, by the administration
at Washington, there is reason to believe
the destructive war through which we
| have Just passed, aud was then foreshad-
owed, and even threatened, might never
have occurred, and the hundreds of thou
sands of brave soldiers who now sleep the
sleep of death, would be living to bless
with their presence the homes made SO
sadly desolate.
Although Governor Geary thus refused
all connection or fellowship with the
"NationAl Democratic Party" be persisted
in adheriDg to the doctrine be advocated
in California sixteen years ago, and still
more recently in Kansas, that the insti-
tuition of slavery should not be forced
upon an unwilling people, and never hes
ltated to express his disapprobation of the
institution in all its forms, and sentiments
which have since formed the basis of the
Union Republican platform. Hence,
after his return from Kansas he associ-
ated himself with the party that sustained
Stephen A. Dougl2s. which was greatly
instrumental ia breaking up the pro-sla-
very faction, and efecting the election Of
Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, s
result which be foresaw and was de.lrous
of having accomplished.
| No soorer was the result Of that eiec.
ton known, than plans we're being adopted
by the National Democracy" to fulfill
their oft reiterated threat to destroy the
Union. Consequently, when after the
Inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. var against
rebellion became inevitable, Governor
Geary was again among the first to offer
his military services to the Government.
He raised and equipped, at bis own ex-
Dense, the Twenty-eighth regiment Of
/ Pennsylvania volunteers, of which be
took the command With this splendid
regiment, numbering over sixteen hun-
dred men, he entered the field in july,
1861, and continued in active service
during the entire four years Of the war,
with tho exception of twenty-eight days,
and when he was ineaPaoitated for duty
by wounds received in battle.
For meritorious deeds he was promoted
to the rank of Bri7adier General on the
25th of April, 1862, and Breueted MAJOR
| General January 18th, 1865, "for the
fitness to command and prOmptness to
execute"
| From reports fled IN the Office Of the
Secretary of War, it appears that during
his term Of service General Geary was
engaged in over fifty hotly contested bat
ties and important skirmlshes, besides
many others of lesser note. Among these
engagements may be especially named
that of "Bolivar Heights" Cedar
Mountain" the three days fight at Chan
cellorsville, the struggle al Gettysburg,
which also lasted three days, and resulted
in driving back the enemy from the soil
of Pennsylvania, "Waubatchie," "LOok-
out Mountain" omission Ridge, Ring
gold" "Triano," "Mill Greek and Snake
Greek Gaps" ''Resaca," (two days.,
I"New Hope Church" (seyen day.1
Muddy Creek, ""Nose's Creek, "koI0's
Farm" "Kepesaw," "Pine Hi" MARI
eta" "Peach Tree Creek" siege and
capture of Atlanta (twenty days., siege
of Savannah (ten days., which was cap-
tured by his division ten hours before any
ojhar troops reached that city, as Was also
Folt Jackson, both of which places were
surrendered in person to Genera! Ge r..
In this capture three hundred and hfty
prisoners one hundred aDd fourteen pieces
Of artillery, thirty-eight thousand five
hundred bales Of cotton and fTe ocean
. steamers, with an immense variety Of
. ammunition and other stores, fell inSo lie
; hands of the victors.
! Upon the capture of Savannah General
: Geary was appointed By Major General
5 Sherman its Military Governor, which
D position he filed with signal credit to
. himself until be was relieved, that be
e might accompany the triumphant army Of
IL N