Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-02-19

y r. '-'-T" N''s'' '''N''
the great struggle between slavery
and freedom was being fought, One
governor had becn removed for refus-
ing TO conform strictly TO the federal
policy in regard to the slave question,
and another was on the point Of aban-
doning tho territory through fear Of
assassination. ioiei ro 8gEsl fa1i
q Colonel Geary's partial biographers
have cndcayorcd to mako II appear
that he declined ll,is position also, and
only acceptedin response TO tho urgent
Aollcitauions oftlo frcsidont.l BE ths,
as II may, hc did accept, was commits
stoned as governor Of Kansas in July,
1856, and assumed the duties Of the
office ON the 9th of September follow
ing. a9ldi fnoq1a Hsds ataI ii
His administration was brief ex-
tending only from September, 1856, to
March, 1851 He declared his pur-
pose, in his first message to the terri.
torial legislature, OF administering
equal and exact justice to al. men, OF
whatever political or religious psrsua.
sion" In attempting to carry out
this policy he encouraged tho antag-
onism OF both factions. The pro.
slavery party violently denounced him
for refusing to further thoir purposes,
and the anti slavery party accused
him Of excessive leniency towards
their enemies. Governor Geary's ad-
ministra,ion, by giving both factions
comparative fair play, was tending 10
bring about the supremacy Of the anti.
slavery party, when Pierce vacated
the presidential chair and was succeed
cd by Buchanan. Governor Geary
was thereupon discreet enough to
back out OF tho Office Voluntarily, and
without waiting for notice of his re
moval he forwarded his letter of resig-
nation to President Buchanan on the
day ofthe latter's inauguration gg
CAREER DURING the REBELLION.
Governor Geary's course in Kansas,
aud the circumstances of his resi- ma
tion, had tended to draw him towards
the anti-sIavery party of the country ;
and his taste for military display
coupled with his very satisfactory ex-
pericnce in military life, lod him, on
the outbreak of the rebellion, TO tender
his services to the government with
out delay.
He was at once commissioned a
colonel, and so high did his reputation
stand that sixty different companies
begged permission TO join his com
mand. He was pcrmittedto increase
his regiment TO sixteen companies, a
six,gun battery was added, and tho
ranks swelled TO 1,55l officers and
men. The command thus organized
was styled tho 2Sth regiment Penn
sylvania volunteers, and was ready for
duty within month.
In July, 1851, the regiment was as
signed TO duty on the upper Potomac,
and Colonel Gcary there found him.
self 10 command Of large force made
up OF troops from several states. His
Grst acction took place in October fol-
lowing, a. Bolivar, where he was
wounded, but not until he had, at .he
head of00O picked men ,repulscd rebel
force composed oifour Mississippi regi.
ments, Ashby's cavalry, and seven
pieces of artillery. eif ne.sasao
Colonel Geary was promoted to
brigadier general on the 25tb Of April,
1862, and took command Of the second
brigade Of the FIRST division of General
Banks corps, and subsequently, of the
first brigade, second division of tho
same which he led into the battle oil
Ceder Mountain. Towards the close
OF that battle he was severely wound
ed, whilc in the midst of his command
Before fully recovered, he assumed
command of the second division, Twelfth
army corps, Mujor General Slocum.--
His command was led by him through
many encountcrs--Point of Rocks,
Bolivar Heights, Prtchard's Mil, ,Lov.
et,sviile, Lccsburg, Middleburg, Aide,
White Plains, Warrcnton, Through.
~ 49, pAa,h-,~,~. caio., t;...i..-
..v''evy'g u"pi Wi"Shs"te-i BsrryviU",
Cedar Mountain, and throughout the
campaign OF General Pope. His divis-
ion Distinguished itseliat Antie,am and
in the three days battle OF chanccllors
vile. In the latter be was tho last to
leave the original limo Of defense, hav-
ing been retained TO cover the reform
alton of the line of the army When
the order was given 10 retire, II did 80
in good order and Sighting desperately
AT Gettysburg his division maintained