Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-06-13
Horrible Death-Bed Scene.
Confession AND DEATH OF AN ARMY
CHAPLAIN.


CHAPLAIN.
NJ NJ Pomeroy, the able editor of the
La Crosse Democrat, gives the following
death-bed scene, which he was called to wit
ness on his recent visit to Chicago
The Rev. Henry Clannard, an ex-army
chaplain, who left off expounding the 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 toa home beyond
blessed Immortality the other day, aud thus
shuffied off his mortal coil A physician
had called upon him two or three times
day for month, doctoring him for an ague
brought on while stealing cotton in Arkansas
while with General Curtis. On learning that
the ex-minister and ex-chaplain would not
live the night out we called with the physi-
clan. In little woodworking room not
over ten feet square, III an obscure boarding
house in Chicago we found the invalid. The
room was bare of furniture except a poor
bed, little dirty washstand, two wood-bot-
tom chairs, an old trunk, pine table on
which was spreada newspaper, on which lay
an old Bible, pair of old snutfers, some
pill boxes and such stuff, The dying man
was propped up in bed, while faithful ne
gro woman sat on the bed As we entered
he rallied a little and asked the doctor who
he had brought with him. On being told
that it was Brick Pomeroy, he sank back,
closed his eyes, rallied a little and said Per
haps it is as well lie might as well know
it as any one.
And he proceeded to make his dying state
ment which was in these words, as we took
them down in our memorandum book, as
the physician requsted.
Ny name is Henry Clannard. [ am forty
one years old. am Methodist Minister
at least l was one | was once happy and
contented, and loved Christ, my Master,
with all the zeal Christian ever had. AT
least l grew cold in religion, selfish and en-
vious Of the good fortunes of others. l
wanted to make money and 20 have some
fun. | had no particular education, so l
thought l would be Republican politician,
began by preaching politics in the pulpit,
and praying for the Negro. 1t paid me IN
money, but | lost my influence at the Throne
of Grace, But / did not care for that, if l
could only have influence with the Repubh-
can party | forgot Christ, and became in
terested in the negro | had influence with
few members of my church, and talked
politics to them ] was paid by ofice-seek-
ers to influence Christians Sometimes |
made as high as fifteen dollars at an election
for my influence with Christians At last |
found pelitics to pay better than religion, and
] worked for the chsplaincy of a regiment
and got it. Then / let religion go and went
to war. There | wrote letters home denounc-
ing Democrats and Copperheads. And |
stole cotton. silver ware and pictures, and
books and dresses for my wife and sisters, ard
horses and mules for my brothers, and pl-
ano for the Governor who gave me-the COM
mission, and gold watch for my captaln,
and alot Of household furniture to send home
to my colonel And l robbed the sOldiers
of Jelly and such stuff sent down to them to
use while in hospital, and | had a share of
the goods stolen from the sanitary fairs and
made lots of money. Please give me a little
piece of that pounded ice f?
The physician gave it TO him, when he
continued
But | was not happy l drank whiskey
with the boys when away from home, and
INDUCED in some eXcesses not worth men
tioning, and laid up quite pile of money.
And | was taken sick while out stealing cot
ton from plantation where a widow lady
lived. | had coaxed her niggers to run
away. and thev are all dead now When the
war was ended | came home TO Wisconsin,
but could not stay there. So | came to Chi
cago And | grew sick And | have got
to die. | have called on Christi have
prayed to God, but somehow | cannot get
relief for my soul The door of mercy seems
shut against me- / forsook religion for pol
itics. and now God has forsaken me. | pray
to my Saviour, but he don't hear me. | talk
to this faithful negro wonlan-she says yes
massa ~ and that is all | can get out of her,
| know can't live long. / feel that | am
dying. / feel certain that | am going to hell.
Please give me piece more OF ice before l
go. / want these things written down as a
warning TO others who forget Christ for pol
itics. feel that the negro can't save-that
Christ won't save me i was unfaithful to
my religion, and am forgotten. | was faith
ful TO the negro, but alas the negro can t
help me where want help-he can tease my
soul. am going to hell, and know it. l
expect to meet many persons there who for
got religion for politics. l do not expect to
see YOU again in this world or the next, but
want this confession printed. Please-give
me-a-small small-piece-o
/ ice