Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-10-15

B0qNas, lst prem, Miss LllLle kustedL
ID do Solon Brosee'
The late Gen. James WRdswOrth--
"Reminiscences of his Life ana
Character.
The following briet article, giving some
facts and incidents illustrating the life and
character of Brig.-Gen, James Wads.
worth, written by an officer of his staff,
will be read with interest by many who
served under his command;
There is very much To admire in the
life of the late and greatly lamen,ed Gen
WadSworth, In simple truth II might be
said that he was one OF natures noble
men
None knew him hut to love him,
None named him but To praise"
This brief sketch furnishes few incl
dents in the life of Gen. Wadsworlh. 1t
will serve to show what were the feelings,
motives and daily actions of that truly
good man, and will accomplish its full
purpose in setting forth some worthy ex
amples.
.Gen. Wadsworlh was a friend TO every
one. His reputation was that OF pub
lie beneactor, and his uniform kindness
and courtesy were remarked by all who
met him. His charity was boundless. AT
the time Of the great Irish famine, Gen.
Wardsworth furnish and forwarded out of
his own means one or two vesselloals of
provisions for the starving people of Ire
land. In the outbrake of the late rebel
lion, he gave full heart and hand TO the
cause of his country. His first public act
was in personally providing vessel-load
Of army supplies for the poorly furnished
troops who we're Fastening to the defense
of the capital. Although subsequently
reimbursed by the government for this
liberal expenditure IL season Of embar-
raSment to the national treasury, the act
was none the less patriotic and praise
worthy.
Gen. Wadsworth entered the service as
a volunteer aid, prior to the receipt of a
BrigadlerC eueral's commission. His three
sons and his son-lnlaw also joined the ar,
my at an early date, and performed ex
cei!ent service. No greater sacrifice o
personal comforts and associations on tn,
part of whole family can be chroncleC
in the history Of the late war
When Gen, Wadsworth was Military
Governor of Washington, many poor per
sons with others FASTENED to that city in
search OF wounded oE deceased friends
Quickly berell of their scanty means, thes,
persons sought assistance, TO all Of thcs,
applicants Gen. Wadswor,h invariably
gave from his own purse the mean, which
were requisite to return them to their
homes. Just after the second Bull Run
battle, Washington WIS crowded HHh the
wounded from the 'front.' Hospitals were
/ provided for the enlisted meu, but the
wounded officers had 10 find shelter else
where in the city-the absurd orders oi
the General-in-C Chief preventing them from
obtaining permission 10 90 TO their respect
i've homes, where some degree Of comfort
awaited them. Gen. WadSworth straight.
way consulted the Secretary of War and
stated, while refusing to call on the Gen
cral whose order he despIsed, that II this
order was not revoked he would assume
the responsibility of granting leaye.o alb
sence to every wounded officer who should
apply. The Secretary promptly issued
the order IN his own handwriting, and
hundreds Of wounded officers were sent on
their homeward way rejoicing
In the Spring. of 1868, Gen. Wads-
worth'S command crossed the Rappahan-
mock river near fredericksburg. The
crossing was made in open boats and in
the face OF strong opposition, The Gen
was in the lead, swimming his horse after
him. When the enemy's position had been
taken and our men were burying the dead
a soldier brought to Gen. Wadsworth a
letter which he had found Oh the body of
dead rebel. 1t was addressed to his
wife in Georgia and enclosed ten dollars,
with the remark, "God knows that | wish
that had more to send YOU" The Geuer-
al quietly added larger bill from his own
purse, and directed that the letter be duly
forwarded to the poor woman. He dis
liked to accept payment for his services
in the army. 1t was his intention, as his
remarks seemed TO indicate, 10 pay over
at the close of the war, to some fund rs
tablshed for the aid of disabled soldiers,
sum. equal to the amount he had re.
celved from the government. "Ihls, he
said, ''ls the least invIduous way IN which
| can refuse pay for fighting for my coun-
try in her hour Of danger His desire
for promotion was no greater, and he WAS
persistent in both refusing promotion and
in preventing his friends from securing II
for him.
The soldiers under Gen. Wadsworth
loved and respected HIM almost as a faith
er. His orders were fully obeyed. On
one occasion, when it was necessary to
keep the night NOV ement OF his troops
concealed from the enemy, and he had or
dered that most of the camp fires should
be put out, soldier rushed up at the fire
at which the General was sitting and CON
menced extinguishing it. The General re
monstrated and then threatened 10 arrest
the fellow, saying that he was in rom
mand." The soldier, not knoau. aila he !
was addressing, and still ho.l NC the fire
brands into the face Of a.. General. and
those about him, replied. u would like
to see any man command me IN opposition
to what Gen. Wadsworth has ordered i