The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-10-02
Brig. Gen. welling ton II. Ent.

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caarges of disloyalty and other heinou
sins against their opponents, that w
have been induced TO publish from tn,
work called the History of the Penn
sylvania Reserves" gotten up at tn,
special instance and request of Gov
| Curtin and other most loil' people, d
breif extract. If there is any more
faithful and patriotic citizen, or one de
serving more heartily an endorsement
at the hands of the people than our can.
didate, we are free to say that we have
not found him. Gen. Ent was wound.
ed at Bethesda Church. and appointed
Brigadier General by brevet for mer.
itorious and distinguished services on
the battlefield. lie holds no honors
from the safe places in the quartermas
ter or pay departments. The regiment
was honorably mustered out of service
with its distinguished officers in June,
1864.
WELLINGTON ii. ENT, Colonel of the
Sixth, was born on the 18th of August,
1884, in Columbia county, Pennsylva-
mia. After receiving primary educa-
ton he entered Dickinson Seminary, at
Williamsport, in August, 1855, and
graduated from that institution in June
1858. Soon after his graduation he be-
came n student ut law in the Office of
Robert f. Clark Esq, at Bloomsbury.
He prosecuted his professional studies
with great zeal entered the law de-
partment of the University of Albany.
in September, 1859, graduated in the
summer of 1860, and in the same year
commenced the practice of his profess
sion in his native county.
He was appointed Inspector General,
with the rank of Lieutenant General
Dana, commanding Ninth Division
Pennsylvania Militia. Immediately af-
ter hearing that the rebels had attacked
Fort Sumter, he reported to General
Dana for duty, and on the 10th of April
was directed to raise two companies of
infantry in Columbia county. The
companies were speedily organized,
and reported for service, but owing to
the great rush of volunteers at that time,
but one of them was accepted. After
securing the command OF this company
for his friend, DR.. w. W. Ricketts,, Col
onel Ent accepted the First Lieutenan-
cy for himself. This company, called
"Thc Iron Guards" was uniformed at
the expense Of the citizens, and was
kept mt Bloomsbury under daily drill
until ii was accepted into the service
and ordered to Harrisburg. Upon the
organization Of the Sixth Reserve regi-
ment, it became company a; Captain
Ricketts, was elected colonel of the regi.
ment, and Lieutenant Ent was promo.
ted to fill the vacancy, and was commits
stoned to rank as captain from the 2Sth
of April, 1861.
Soon after the regiment arrived al
Washington, in July, 1861, Captain En-,
was detailed in command of an escort
and guard to Major Myers, Chief Sigma
Officer Of the United States, and made
u tour up the Potamar from Washing
ton to the headquarters of General
Banks, near Frederick. On his return
he was detailed, at the request of Major
Myers, on duty with the signal corps
and assisted the major to estab lish the
signal camp Of instruction at George
town. subsequently he was placed II
command of this camp, which became
one Of the permanent institutions of thu
army. General Mccall, however, wa
much promise, without strong effor
to retain him in the Rrserve Corp
The generals repeated applications lin
ally succeeded, and Captain Ent WAS or
dered to return to his regiment. The
progress he had made in acquiring {
knowledge of the duties in the sigma
service had secured for him the con
mand of the signal party which accom-
panied Sherman's expedition to ior
Royal; he therefore reluctantly obeyo
the order that remainded him to tn
command Of his company and force
him to relinquish field in which h
had already won the confidence of hi
superior officers,
Captain Ent resumed his duties wit
his company II few days before the d
visionIwaS moved across the Potomac
was detailed on the staff OF Colonel Ne
Calmont, commanding the Tnird Br
gade. But General Mccall aga in orde
ed him to his regiment, which wa
greatly in need of his presence, many ,
the officers being absent sick.
The battle of Drainesvile occurre
shortly after his return, in which Cap
Ent participated with distinction. Il
remained with his regiment, in the re.
ular routine Of his duties, until Augu
7th, 1852, when he was detailed on r,
cruiting duty by General Scymou
then commanding the division, wit
the hope, also, that his health, whic
had been greatly impaired, might |
restored.
He proceeded to Harrisburg Just b.
fore the army was ordered to evacua'
llurrison's Landing; he remained the
on duty until Pope's army was beir
driven from Bull Run 20 Washington
Hearing of this disaster, he determine
to rejoin his old comrades at once, AT
participate infpeir glory and their su
, fering. KnoSing the delay and diff
Guilty attending Il regular applicatio
he sought AM, obtained the charge
some recruits to be sent to Alexandra
|. whom he hurried to their destlnatio
and turned them over to the Office
charge of Camp Distribution, then pr
ceeded to the front. Captain Ent went
, General Seymour and stated his desi
/ to so on active duty with his regimen
and, with the assent of his commando
, Joined his old command just after
had passed thongh Washington to @