The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1869-11-19

.lY, MONIANAs tklI
A~ Eces&,sz H1aosv.
From The New Hsvsa Lsv8.
When Capt George B. NcC1sllan went to
Europe, - the chosen representative Of the
United States army, to study end report on
engineering science in the Crimes, he was,
at one period during his absencs. the guest
of the Genersl-in.C Chief of the Anstrian army.
At the Austrian headquarters, he met .
young Lieutenant of hussass, whose brilliant
accomplishments and gentlematly demesuor
attracted his attention. he pas . nephew
of the 0enersl-in Chief. and his name was
Herbert Won II.
When Gen. George B. McCe alan became
Commander in I Chief of the aImies Of the
United States, Lieutenant voa 81. resigned
his commission at home, and fastened with
all the ardor Of an impetuous nature to this
country, to draw his sword in our service
Though some years had elapsed, he was by
no means forgotten by General Mcclellan,
and he was at once sppoinsed On tho sta1l
OF the commanding General, - IN aid.dc-
camp, with the rank of Major.
In this capacity he served through all
those terrible battles on tho Peninsula, down
to the decisive battle at Antietam, with dis.
tinguishcd zeal, fidelity, and courage, re.
ceiviug the encomiums of his chief and the
plsudits of his gallant comrades. His name
is one of those mentioned in connection with
gallant service in General AlcC Clellan's report.
Relieved from staff duty with his com
mander, he soon became impatient for active
service at tho front. On the recommcnda.
ton Of General Mcclellan, he was appointed
Colonel of gallant New York regiment,
which not long afterwards did some excel.
lent work At Lookout mountain. The writer
Of this article-himself commanding regi.
n,cnt at the timc-well remembers meeting
Brevet General Won II. at the headquarters
| of his command, on tho occasion. of the
Sherman, just PRIOR to and on the eve Of the
great march to the SEA. At this time Won
II. was suffering from wounds and exposure
which subsequently assumed such u phase
as TO neccssi,ate his absence. lie obtained
"lcaye" for sixty days, and went to New
York.
Truth compels Us to say that habits Of in
temperance. SO common in time of war, and
so fatal and blighting IN their effects, had
for some time been growing on Won H., and
! ut the time the alcoholic demon seems tc
have takep full hold Of him. In New Yorh
| his life became moral fever. Unable t<
throw off the hidcous incubus that preyet
upon him, his days and nights ran riot TO-
gell'er. Ills leave of absence expired, and
still he remained away from his command
He Was actually dcscrter.
Stepping into tho Prescott House, gen
tleman who may be hero nameless, was sent
| for by Won ii. to come to his room. He
went He found Won II. nearly sober, ap.
pal'cd by the circumstances of his situation,
! and the consciousness of his own moral
weakness. The gentleman talked to him
-soothed him, loaned him money for his
neccssitics-paid his bills-and saw him
safely off to JOIN his command.
But he never reached it. The chivalry ol
a superior nature and the beauty Of rare &C.
complishmcnts could never recover from the
dsbasing influence that had taken hold ol
that physical life. On his way to the front
he passed through Washington, where he
remained few days, and Ill was lost. His
opportunity was gone. lie was dismissed
from the service. Disgraccd, dishonored,
three weeks more of fevered desperation
and he was saved from suicide only by q
timely arrest. A day or two more and this
man, who had been . general officer, who
had brilliantly won high distinctions, and
with an intellect to have . ably won them
Is the ''noblcst Roman Of them all'-.this
man enlisted rs private solder in the Sec
ond cavalry.
! A few words will tell the rest In shor,
time he made application for commission
and went before the board at Annapolis, and
would have easily obtained Il, but for thu
master evil that still clung to him. lie VA
sent out to the cavalry on the plains. Soon
afterward he deserted and crossed the noun
tains into Mexico, where he reported to Max
imilian, and was Immediately appointed Il
command squadron Of his body guard.
At the battle of Queretaro, where the I'M
fortunate Emperor was taken prisoner, Vor
H., ct the head Of his command, made ont
final desperate charge, and fell dead amid ,
shower of musket balls. His record closed
Death Of COl. Drake, Of Petroleum
| Fame.
Col E. L. Drake, the original discovercl