The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-02
1,,,;.,e..iona and Death Of an Army
Chaplain. syfs r.-..,.-,.

M M. pomeroy, the editor OF the La
Crosse fWis.) Democrat, gives the follow
tho death-bcd scene, which he was called
"a witness in his recent visit to Chicago:
The Rev. Henry Clannard, an ex-army.
chaplain, who left off expounding Bible
and recruiting for the Saviour, and by en-
dorsing the niger and abolitionists became
an army chaplain in one of the Wisconsin
regiments, passed from life to home be-
yond blessed immortality the other day.
A physician had called on him two or
three times day for month, doctorlng
him for an aguc brought on while stealing
cotton in Arkansas while with General
Curtis. On learning that the ex-minister
and ex-chaplain would hardly live the night
out, we called with the physician.
In little wooden Hooking room not over
twelve feet square, III an obscure boarding
house in Chicago, we found the invalid.
The room was bare of furniture except
poor bed, little dirty washstand, two
wood bottom chairs, an old trunk, pine
table--on which was spread newspaper, on
which lay an old Bible, a pair of old snuff
fers, some pill boxes, and such stuff. The
dying man was propped up in bed, while
faithful negro woman sat on the foot OF the
bed. As we entered, he rallied little, and
asked the doctor who he had brought with
him. On being told, he sank back, closed
his ewes, rallied little, and said; " Perhaps
it is as we'll He might as well know it as
any one"
And he proceeded to make his dying
statement, which was in these words, as we
took them in our memorandum book as the
physician requested:
NV name is Henry Clannard; am forty
one wears old. | am Methodist minister
at least | was one. ] was once happy and
contented, and loved Christ, my Master,
with all the zeal a Christian ever mad. Al
last grew cold in religion, selfish and en-
vious of the good fortunes OF others. l
wanted to make money and to have some
fun, so thought would be Republican
politician. ! began by preaching politics
from the pulpit, and praying for the negro.
1t paid me in money, but | lost influence
at the Thone of Grace. But did not care
for that if | could only have influence with
the Republican party. | forgot Christ ana
became interested in the negro. | had intiu-
ence with a few members of my church,
and talked politics to them. | was paid
bv office-scckcrS to influence Christians.
! / found politics paid better than religion,
and worked for the chaplaincy OF regl-
mcnt, and got it. Then let religion go,
and went to war. There | wrote letters
home dcnouncing Democrats as copper
heads. And | stole cotton, and silver
ware, and pictures, and books, and dresses
| for nv wife and sisters, and horses ana
mules for my brothers, and piano for the
Governor who gave me my commission,
| and gold watch for my captain, and
4 lot of household furniture to send to my
colonel. And | robbed the soldiers of
stuff sent down to them to use while III
hospital, and had my share of goods stolen
from the sanitary fairs, and made lots OF
money.
But l was not happy. drank whisky;
with the boys when away from home, ana
I INDUCED in excuses not worth mentioning,
and laid up quite pile Of money. And |
was taken sick while out stealing cotton
! from a plantation where widow lady
! lived. ! had coaXed her niggerS to run
away; and they are all dead now. When
the war was ended, / came home to WiScon
sin, but could not stay there. 50 came
to Chicago. And | grew sick. And l
have got to die. | have called on Christ
have prayed to God, but somehow can
not get relief for my soul. The door OF
mercy seems shut against me. | forSook
religion for politics, and now God has for
saken me. pray to my Saviour, but he
don't hear me. talk to this faithful negro
woman-she says, Yes, maSsa !" and that
| is all can get ont of her. know can't
| live long. / feel that am dying. | feel
certain that | am going to hell. l want
these things written down as warning to
others who forget Christ for politics.
feel that the negro can't Save-that Christ
won't save me. | was untaithlul to my
religion, and am forgotten. | was faithful
to the negro but, alas the negro can't
help me where want help; he can't ease
my guilty soul. | am going to he'll, and |
know it. | expect to meet many persons
there who forgot religion for politics. lido
not expect to see you again in this world
or the next, but | want this confession
printed.
And thus died the Rev. Henry Clannard!