Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-04-11

Died. March 9th, 1867. ct Fort Randall,
d. T., OF pneunoaia, Major Hiram Dryer,
22d Infantry, Brevst Lieut. Col. U. 5 A.
The deceased Was brother Of Mrs. N.
d. Wes,lake, Of this city He entered the
army Sept. 18th. 1886, - member of the
Mounted Rfss. and served through the eo.
tire Mexican war, participating in the bat>
ties Of Csrro Gordo, Chapultspss. Contrsras,
Chssubusso and City Of Mexico. On the
18th Of June. 1s4s, he was commissioasd
Brevet I'd Lieutsuant in the 4th Infantry
% recognition Of the courage and fidelity
which bed oafked bic career - seldisr.
Aftsswasd. sppsistsA Cd sLieasseans, hs
We ordered - CalifeSaia. end while there
became rapidly noticeable - brave and in-
telligent officer, rendering valuable service
10 tbs constant and pesiloas Indian can
paisns, which at that time occupied the ats
.ention OF our army.
One incident Of his career while on this
service will - fully illustrate the noble qusl
tiles Of Major Dsyss that brief allusion to
it will not oe deemed unwsrranted.
Reports brought by tcouts aud Indians 70
Fort Stellacoms, in the winter Of ---.
asserted that a large party Of emigrants,
among whom were many women and child
dren, were imprisoned By snow in . canon
OF the Cascade Mountains, their stock Of
provisions nearly exhausted, their horses
and mules dying of cold and hunger, with
no prospect OF relief, as il WAS doubtful
whether, from the depth Of snow on the
mountains, the impossible condition Of the
ordinary roads, and the presence Of numer-
Gus and hostile bands Of Indians, any expe>
ditto, rrnul1 hn atla en- vsach than in t,,nn
If at all. Still, humanity demanded that
the attempt should be made. and ~ the first
call Of the post commander for volunteer
10 lead the expedition, Col Dryss stepped
forward. At the head Of twenty men, aud
. wagon loaded with supplies, be braved for
fifteen days the peril and fatigue Of the
mountain road, swan angry rivers, beat Of
pred story bands, and reached the dsspaising {
party in tune to succor and save. A vic.
lent illness, resulting from toll and ex>
posurs, soon supervened, and laid the founs
dation Of the disease which has 30 lately cut
short a noble life.
Upon the outbreak of the late rebellion,
Col. Dryer was ordered, with his regiment,
to Washington, d. c., which city they soeo
left for the field.
He was engaged at the seige Of Yorktown
Gaines NJ ills, Malvern Hill, Bull Run No. 9,
Antietsm, Chancellorvil.s, and lst, York
town, in the last two of which bat
ties he commanded his regiment, and
every where exhibited the same unfinching
courage, readiness Of resource, and devotion
TO his country's cause, which had always
distinguished him. Upon the termination
Of short furlsugh, which impaired health,
consequent upon long continued aud ardu-
Gus duty rendered necessary, he was or>
dered to Boston As military commander and
chief disbursing officer Of the State Of Mas.
sachusetts.
In this city Col. Dryer remained nearly
three years. winning golden opinions from
oil with whom he was brought in contact,
by his sterling worth - an officer, his great
business capacity and unfailing usbanity.
Relieved from this duty, in consequence
Of his promotion to the vacant majority Of
the 18th Infantry, he Was assigned to the
command OF various frontier posts, and f.
nslly 70 that Of Fort Randall
To those who knew him no euloey sl
Col. Dryer is necessary. Honor vas to him
the breadth Of his lite his impulses were
all worthy. His fidelity to all the duties oi
his position, his remarkable knowledge Of
ail that pertsined to his profession, and
quick intelligence soon won the respect Of
oil who met him, while his genial courtesy
commanded their wsrmest regard. Utter
ly unconscious Of his own worth, and too
truly noble himself 10 suspect unworthy
motives IN others, he recognized in oil the
brothsrhood Of humanity, and opened gen
erous hand and sympathizing heart to every
tale Of distress His last hours were emi
ncntly characteristic Of . man q kindly
word and smile greeted all, and he bid his
sufisrinss from the wstchiul gaze Of those
who weuld have suffered With him. Hope
fol through oil, yet ready Il meet - man
and soldier should the death he had %
often faced on the battlefield, hs closed q
true and noble life with that fortituds
which results only from . conscio usness
that every duty had been faithfully per
formei. and that in every step Of his career,
his course had been an incentive to worthy
emulation.