Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-05-31

MAJOR ABNER Z. BENEDIcT.-Tho following
touching tribute to the memory Of Major Ben
edictis, ofcourse from the pen of Mr.. Lucius
Bigelow, Of the Times, who was classmate
of the deceased in college, and his intimate
friend in after years.
[FrOm the Burlington Times, May 27th.l
DIED-In New York City on the 18th inst,
Brevet Major ABSER K. BENEDICT, 4th U. S. In
fsntry, aged p years.
As one Of the friends Of the deceased, who,
on the 18th inst, followed his honored dust to
Greenwood, we offer our respectful tribute to the
memory Of this gallant young soldier. While
the record Of his military services IS brilliant
enough TO entitle him TO national recognition, it
is particularly fitting that be should be remem
bered in Burlington, since we can almost clsim
him q. a " Burlington boy Coming here in
1854, boy of l3, he passed in our midst at
school and at the University. six years Of his
life, years that are especially fruitful in the
growth Of the most indesiructble accreiions Of
character, in the formation Of the most lasting
friendships, the most loved associations We
have reason to know that the heart Of him that
is thus early dead was always with the comrades
whom he came to boy and left full grown
man that he always turned to Burlington as
the home OF those who were watching his high
career with sffectionAte interest and admiration,
who loved him tenderly TO the last moments Of
his sickness and SORROW.
Major Benedict as a school boy and collegian
was universal fsyorIte. Full OF energy and
enthusiasm, fond Of manly sports, Of inexpress-
IDLY kind. winning ways, generous TO a fault,
magnsnimOus and high spirited, TO all these en-
ka al al
fine, tall, shapely figure, and face that Eas
the mobile mirror Of his noble nature.
Major Benedict lost father and mother in the
Arctic in 1854, and shortly afterwards q dear
sister and brother, both older than himself and
the sense Of these terrible successive bereave-
ments preyed upon his young feelings and ex-
quisite sensibilities 60 deeply that be AWAY.
seemed to his intimate friends TO show, by his
frequently recurring dependency, the perms-
nent sharpness q his private griefs, a despon-
dency that was not in character with one who
possessed so great natural resources Of exuber |
ant cheerful humor, and play ful wit Intellec |
tually he was e man of rare 6ueness of fibre,
with perceptions OF lghtning-like rapidly, that 1
made him exceedingly intolerant and impatient |
Of that mild form Of stupidity that is courte
odsly termed imperfect sympsthles" Like
all men Of intellectual refinement he was al WAYS
modest in his demeanor, syily reserved, saving
when in the society Of those whom he thorough
y knew. In short he seems to have had all
hose rare and delicate characteristics that, once
popularity believed to unit the possessor for the
dreaded experiences of arms, have on " our
Far's red touchstone rung true metal" when
indy nurfared boys have " ventured life, and
owe Of youth for the great prize Of death in
,attle"
Immediately after the breaking cut Of the war
re volunteered as Q private in Colonel Butter
eld's regiment, which was one Of the three that