Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-12-03

cllneu lho honor, preierring 10 carry out
plan he had already formed Of raising q
regiment at home. Obtaining authority
for this, on the adjournment Of Congress
in the summer of 1861, lie returned to Mas
sachusetts, issued an address, held an en-
thusiastc meeting in Faneuil Hall, and
began recruiting. Such was his popularl-
ty that, In the space of forty days, he raised
about 1900 men. Out of them were formed
tho Twenty y-Second Regiment, one compa-
ny Of sharpshooters, and two batteries Of
artillery. He received his commission as
Colonel from the Governor, with the dis
tinct understanding that his duties as SEN
ator would allow him to remain with his
regiment but a short time. He marched
with 1t to Washington, however, being the
recipient OF splendid flag presented by
Hon. Robert G. Winthrop on the Common.
He went into camp in Virginia, and re-
mained till the latter part Of October, whom
he resigned his colonelcy. The regiment
was one Of the most effective ever sent out
from Massachusetts, and it Is needless 10
say that every man in II always had the
warm sympathy aud attentions of their
first commander aud returned them with
pride.
The record OF his Congressional service
during the war will be a monument to his
fame as enduring as 1t is honorable. 1t is
needless to say that in all measures tend
ing 10 Emancipation he took the deepest
interest, while none could rejoice more
heartily in their elimination. 1t was the
realization of his fondest dreams. The era
of reconstruction followed, and had the
benefit Of Mr.. Wilson's labors as a legisla-
tor and guide Of public opinion. In the
"History of the Thirty-seventh and Thirty
eighth Congresses" he has done full JUS
tice TO this period, which will always be OF
Interest TO the political student. In this
connection we may also allude TO the His
tory Of Slavery, upon which the latter years
of Mr.. Wilson's life were mainly spent,
and which we learn was brought nearly, il
not quite, TO completion before his death.
1t constitutes au elaborate and instructive
work, which no one was more fitted TO un-
dertake than himself In the campaign Of
1872 he was nominated for the Vice Presi-
dency ON the Republican ticket headed by
General Grant, and was elected, since
which time failing health and devotion 20
the preparation OF his history have some-
what withdrawn him from the public view.
The title OF "Gen. Wilson," by which he
has been fsmiliarly known, was acquired
by his service in the militia of Massachu-
sets, 10 which he gave jealous attention.
In 1912 he was elected Major OF Uniform
ed regiment or artillery in the Massachu-
selts militia, which he aflerward command
ed. Elected Brjgadier General in 1s45, he
for five years commanded his brigade at
the encampments kept up in the common
wealth with marke cd ability.
Mr.. Wilson was married in 1910 10 Miss
Harriet Malvina Howe of Natick, lady of
refined and gentle Christian character, who
died in May, 1870. Their only son, SOL
Texas, Dec. "a, 1865.
The personal traits OF Mr.. Wilson will
partially appear from the foregoing sketch,
but nothing short OF personal acquaintance
could do justice 10 the simplicity and at
ttactiv Of his character. Like the late
Governor Andrew, he never despised a
man on account Of his being poor, ignor-
ant, or of another race. He was always
unaffectedly atfable, accessible aud sincere
in his bearing. The reserve, hardening
into stiffness, which settles upon so many
public characters, had nothing 10 do with
Henry Wilson. Always a moral man,
warmly devoted 10 the cause of total absti-
nence and every movement designed to
elevate his fellow -men, Mr.. Wilson in 1866
openly espoused the Christian life by join
ing the Congregational church in Natick.
He thus rounded complete and we'll
poised character-ene 10 which the young
may ever turn for example and emulation.
And when the American patriot, young or
old, reviews the long roll OF worthy public
servants by whose successive efforts we
have become what we are as a nation, he
will find but few indeed who can outrank
HENRY WILSON.