The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-12-15

caused bv the death of so good son other
than TO assure you, with all the citizens
Of Dubuque and the vicinity, of his worth,
He will be long remembered by us for his
integrity, kind heart and valued friend
ship. | am, yours with sympathy"
William r. Baxter deserves more than
passing notice. Many of us rcmema
Der him as boy Of mild, sweet disposi-
tion, as a young man of gentle bearing,
and quiet winning way, much beloved by
everyone who knew him.
Baxter entered William College when
10 years of age, graduated in 1855, and
soon afterwards went to Wisconsin, stud
led law at iieneva in thatsiate. Ia the fall
Of 1857 vent TO Minnesota, was admitted
TO the bar and settled in Chaska, Carver
County, in he practice of the law. He
was married Nov. 9Th, 1858. Was elec-
ted member of the Legislature in the
fall of 1860. At the first call for troops
after the firing upon Fort Sampler he
FELT it his duty 10 enter the service OF his
country, but IA he said at that time "wo-
mans tears prevented" During the sum.
mcr of 1861 he spent much OF his time in
speaking ut public meetings at different
parts OF the state, and assisting the state
officers in raising men for the United
States services In The summer tf lS62.
his conviction of duty was so strong and
his wife having given her consent, he en-,
lifted ms Il private, spoke in different parts
OF bis county, urging men to enlst until
he had enlisted l2j men, an / Sept lst
was chosen their captain. About this
time the Indian troubles commenced on
The frontier Of the state. Men, women
anl children were murdered in cold blood
His company was ordered to the scene Of
the massacre. He spent the winter in pur-
suit ot the lndi1ns and building forts for
the protection of the western border of the
state, having under hi. command several
hundred men. In the spring OF 1868 ho
had Il severe attack of hemorriiage of the
lu 'gs, brought on by over cxeriion md
by speaking in rpen mir. BY order Of
his physician lie lei, the army for several
months. In the fall of 1868 when his
Regiment was ordered South. feeling that
a Sonthein climate would be beneficial to
his health, he joined lis company but was
very soon taken ngain with hemorrhnne
lIis company were then obliged to 90 on
without him. At this time the cover.
nor offered him the command of Fort
Smelling. This offer hc refused, prefer
ing To be with his company. lie joined
them ut ST. l.onis and was sent to Rola
to uin in AN expedition against Gen,
Steele, but their destination was changed
To Tennessee. During this time he vas
scarcely able to carry his sword. Hc
WAS in that bloody disaster at Guntown
under Gcn. Siurgis, aud found soldier's
death at thai place June 1lth, 1864,
Ali of his command were either killed or
taken prisoners. The Governor of Min
nesota said to Capt. Luther Baxter, for.
merly ol this town, that he was not in
the habit of calling any ones names in his
message, 'but," said he, '.when such men
as Capt Baxter fall, must" In his
message, the next winter, we find the fol-
lowing
Capt. William Il. Baxter, OF the 9Th
Minnesota was killed on the l lth of June
In the disastrous advance of Gen. Sturgis
into Mississippi. When last seen by our
retrealing soldiers he was in the thickest
OF the fight, struggling against superior
numbers, and hopes were entertained that
he had not fallen but tdings have been
received from the remaining officers of
his company, who were taken prisoners,
that he was left dead on the field, Capt.
Baxter was IL native of Cornwall, VI,
graduated at'Wi'liam's college in 1856.
and soon after removed TO Minnesota. -
AT the commencement of the Indian out
break he entered the national service,
was promoted to the rank of captain, and
was for time employed upon the from
tier Last December he was ordered to
st. Louis, and thence was sent with his
company TO Itolia, Missouri, to join in an
exp diiion against Gen. Steele but his
destination was changed to Tennessee,
and he soon embarked in the expedition
which was fatal 20 so many brave men.
lie was a good man and thorough SOL
der. Though for sometime laboring un-
der pulmonary disease which frequently
Frustrated him, his patriotic enthusiasm
kept him in the service, aud he died as he