The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-11-06
MAJOR M. H. PRESCOTT.

Of Major Mark Hollis Prescott, whose
death at Ottawa was announced in the FREE
TRADER some three weeks ago, we find the
following interesting biographical sketch in
the "JOurnal Of tie Telegrdph,' published in
New York City:
Major Prescott was the youngest son of
Mark IL. Prescott, Esq, Of Ottawa, H., and
was born in Kingston, n. H., March, 1886.
In early life lie WAS engaged IN the telegraph
business, and at one time had charge of the
telegraph office al Brunswick, Me He was
subsequently engaged in mercantile business
in the west and at the breaking out of the
rebellion enlisted as private IN battery A, OF.
tawa Light Artillery, Of Illinois volunteers,
which was sent at once to Caro-, ILL.,, in April
1861, to defend that important post, which
was surrounded by secesslonists and menaced
by Il superior force OF armed rebels. His com.
pany was the first to plant itself upon the le.
wee. Mr.. Prescott was promoted to be order
ly sergeant July 81, 1861. Having served the
three years for which they had enlisted and
the company being mustered out of service,
Mr. Prescott volunteered for the war, and
was commissioned as first lieutenant of Bat.
terry G, first Regiment Illinois ARTILLERY, sta.
toned at Birds Point, Mo, opposite CAIRO,
anu puIllClpdlcu III ScNcldl SIXTH lSbtS Win
distinction. In Feb. 1862 his company form.
ed part of Grants expedition up the Ten
uessee and expected To participate IN the cap.
ture of Fort Henry, which occurred Feb. 9th,
but was prevented by the bad State of the
roads from reaching the place until lis surren.
der 10 the fleet of gunboats under Com. Footc
The company was then ordered to Island No.
10, in the Mississippi river, arriving at New
Madrid, Mo, in March, where severe and
bloody battle occurred, and where Lieutenant
Prescott distinguished himself in the action
which resulted In the capture of the place
In January 1868, he was promoted TO be Cap
tain OF the same company, and subsequently,
fought in sixty ties, among which were in
addition to the above, Milliken's Bend, on the
Mississippi, Pennington, Corinth and Boone.
vile, Miss; Stone River, Chickamauga, Look.
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard 5
Roost, Resaca, Pumpkinvine Cross. Ga,
JoncsbOro, Ga, and Atlanta, throwing the
first shot into the city. During the Atlanta
campaign of five months, Captain Prescott,
with his battery, WAS in action aud under fire
every day but twelve. In November 1864,
he Was promoted TO be Major of the First
Regiment, Illinois Artillery lie was soon
afterwards ordered to Chattanooga, and plac-
ed on duty under Gen. Brannon, Inspector
General of ARTILLERY. Having all the while
been al the front in active duty, Major Pres.
colt son became dissatisfied with such mac.
tive life, and on the 27ih of November, 1864
he resigned, and.was honorably discharged
from tie service. lie had seen much hard
service, performed his duty satisfactorily. and
with honor to himself and country. He was
wounded three several times, neither OF which
proved very severe.
A. soldier Major Prescott was brave aud
efficient; as a business man, quick and intel.
ligent; and socially, genial and popular lie
leaves wife and three children, and large
circle of relatives and friends To mourn his
sudden death.