The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-07-31

ly of the characteristics of Young America gen.
orally. being full of reckless daring and military
| ardor. During the war of 1912, when but little
ever 16 years of age, he enlisted in the Goth reg
iment U. s. regulars, serving faithfully the full
term of his enlistment. lie fought under Gen.
Scott on the Canada border, at Lundy's Lane,
Plattsburg, &c. At the battle of Plattsburg
he was among the first troops engaged, mingled
| actively in the fray and throughout the entire
| siege.
OBITUARY.-Wm. C. Basore, soldier of the
late war and member of the G.. A. R., died at his
home in South Ottawa, on Sunday last, the 25th
inst. His funeral was attended by the members
of the G. A. r. of this city and South Ottawa on
Monday, and his remains inferred with military
honors.
Mr.. Basore had been member of Company E.,
26th Illinois Infantry, enlisting in the early part
OF the war, and serving to its close. The follow
| ing tribute to his memory, pronounced at the
grave at the time of his burial by his brother
seldier, Capt. w. w. Calkins, is as beautiful as
it is touch g and appropriate:
Comrddes Again are we assembled to pay
the last sad rites to our departed comrade 1t
seems like dream-the insult to the flag, the
uprising of the masses, the unfurling Of the ma
tions emblem from every staff and spire of the
North. Foremost among the loyal men who rose
up to strike blow for the preservation of the
Union in every hamlet and village city and
| town of the North, was seen him who now lies
before us, cold in death His patriotic heart was
| ready to do and die for his country. He left
| comfortable home, bright prospects and loving
friends, and threw himself with his characteristic
zeal and devotion into the battle for his countrys
cause. Enlisting in Co. E., 26th illinois Infan-
try, he proved himself a faithful soldier in the
| many toilsome marches, trials and battles to
which that regiment was subjected. He was
| ever found in the path of duty. But disease
| after time fastened upon him. 1t was apparent
| that he could never recover if he remained in the
| army. He was urged by his officers to accept
his discharge and return home. But he refused
to yield, and announced his intention to remain
in the service SO long as he could lift finger in
defense of his country. For nearly two years
| William G. Basore, covered with disease and
weakness, still fought under the flag.
At last the struggle was over. The armies of
| the South had surrendered. The national flag
again waived in triumph over every portion of
| the Union. The SCARED veterans OF many hard
campaigns and fierce fought battles returned to
the ways of peace-and home. Our comrade
here, by the blessing of God, was among the
number. But alas, how altered He went out
in the pride of youth and strength, possessed Of
manly, moral and physical vigor he came back
physical wreck-broken in health. Though
he had conquered his country's foes, he could not
overcome the fell destroyer that was upon his
track. Since then, my friends, I have known
| the deceased intimately and well. He was ever
cheerful and happy, and full of hope. In his
last sickness, though racked with pain continual
ly, he bore all with the same noble courage that
he ever displayed. He was only anxious lest he
should trouble his friends. l never saw per.
son more resigned. But the secret of this was his
trust in Providence. He said that he was pre-.
pared to meet his God that he had made his
peace with Him and look to the future calmly
and without fear. Think my friends, of such
| trust in such an hour. Of what use to him
would have been the wealth of the world, the
wreath and chaplet of fame But he held no
rope of sand, his foot was planted on the Eternal
Rock Calmly he passed away to shat bourne
| whence no traveller returns" In his last mo.
ments he seems to have remembered his former
battles with feeling of justifable pride, for.
said he. II desire to be buried by the Grand
Army of the Republic like soldier" Comrades,
We are here to do him reverence; to pay the last
tribute Of respect to his dear remains A few
brief moments and we must leave him "to sleep
the sleep that knows no waking" As we go from
hore let us not forget the departed. he is only
gone before. Let the soldiers friendship be
eternal!
| 'Death never had power to part;
One link is under the water
| Aud one is round my heart"
| Let us remember the two Cretan soldiers who
were SO united to each other in the bonds of
friendship that they fastened themselves together
by chain on the field of battle. One had fallen
dead the other, though mortally wounded, re-
| clining over his brother in arms. cried: "War-
rior thou hast fallen asleep after the fatigue of
battle. Thine eyes shall open no more at my
call, but the chain of friendship is not broken !;
it still links me to thy side" Thus let our
friendship be. Our comrade has gone to the
Commandcry above, but in our hearts let him
still live. He has fallen in the beginning of
| life's battle but the chain of our unity is not
| broken.
The life of him whom We in common mourn
speaks to US from the grave" Be ye also ready"
In the evening tho following resotions were
passed by the Grand Army of the Republic:
| WHEREAS, 1t has pleased Divine Providence
to remove from our midst our comrade, William
G. Basore late ot Company Il" 2Gth Regiment
Illinois Infantry Volunteers
Therefore be it
| Resolcod, That as u token of respect for the
dopartod whose life as soldier and citizen was