The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-29

WHAT HIS CHAPLAIN SAYS ABOUT HIM-A
BRAVE, JUST, USsELFIsH, UPRIGHT GENTLE


BRAVE, JUST, USsELFIsH, UPRIGHT GENTLE
MAN.
REV. George +. Pentecost of Boston, in Springfield
Mass Republican, May 27l
KNOWS WELL
have known Mr.. Bristow somewhat intimately for
years. II my good fortune TO be his intimate
friend and companion during the war; having served
together in the same regiment tthe Eighth kentucky
cavalry he ms Lieutenant colonel and colonel and
chaplain. Al have said, my acquaintance with him
was both intimate and confidential We messed To-
gcther, rode ogctbcr-indced side by side much
OF the tme both IN the camp and in the field. have
been the guest of his home, and known somewhat in
tmatcly his private well rs his public liIe Since
the war have watched his career with more than
ordinary interest for the that have felt
that he destined in time to BIO called to high II not
the highest public the gift Of the nation. I'm
medatey upon his appointment to tho Treasury Depart
ment remarked to friends that that appointment
would be his virtual nomination to tho Presidency.
trust my prophecy will provo to have been true.
TERROR TO EyI-DogRs.
During the war he the terror and dread Of
dishonest suffers contractors and all trfling and in
competent officers. In the administration Of his rcgi
ment and the various posts that wero at different
times under his command s.rings" OF all kinds wero
"dashed to pieces like potcrs vessel" and corrup-
ton fed before him like fog before the sun. No
matter who was guty-be It friend or foe--he in
stansly called to an account He relaxed the
severity of law for his chosen friends, call to mind
at this moment rinng breach of discipline while on
march by myself believe 1t falling
hne-and, Notwithstanding the intimacy or friendship
between US, was placed under arrest, he remarkhg
10 me that my position made the offence all the more
tnexcusnbe. What might be overlooked in private
could not be an an ollcer. Always prompt and even
anger, though he - OF somewhat quick and pas
sonaie temperament
BRIsTow AND THE PRIVATE.
He severe with himself as with others I re-
member he had. IN moment Of haste admin
istcrcd blow TO refractory soldier who
fused prompt obedience to command lie was right
IN administering discipline but he wrong in the
method SO deeply did he lament il that he came TO
my the night afterward and held long
ton as to how he might repair the personal wrong
TO the soldier without weakening tho moral influence
of the discipline. believe he aftcrward sought out
the soldier and madc some personal apology Tor his
haste and for Tho method q his discipline II IS need
less say that all his officers respected him. though
some feared, and the men all loved him.
WOULDN'T PROMOTION.
There was time when no might have had brig
adler generals commission for tho asking. Other
officers the brigade and division were working day
aud night for these honors. l sud to HIM day -
| ''Colonel, why don't you go Tor that commission?
You know you can have II for the asking" HIS pepy
was:-''iarson, went into the for the fight and
not for tho nonors. | satisfied that can DO as
good service at tho head OF this regiment as could
with brigadier generals commission will he time
enough for to take higher rank wnen the necessity
OF ,hc service calls for It," He was almost morbid
about dong anything that would have the appear
oself-sccking. IL Is not surprising that nc is
now making himself conspicuous In attending 10 the
affairs o his department. rather than looking After
State delegates TO Cncipnati II he is nominated
| and elected others will have to do 1t for him.
| A LITTLE INCIDENT.
His personal integrity IN the least matters con-
| epicuous them that knew him intimately For
! instance, when on the "Morgan raid, - our
| horses giving out and the order went out for
officers and men 10 impress what horses they needed
aud field officers authorized TO receipt for Thorn at
| $3.50 per head One day Colonel Brisows horse gave
out, and he was forced to take horse for himself
! Instead OF giving government receipt for $3.50
| he bargancd with the man for his horse nc
a fair price, aud gave him his personal note
| payable al thirty or sixty days. was
at his side at the time and said:--"Why did YOU not
give government receipt The officers authorized
! 10 do we'll themselves tor the men y Hc
replied 1.-THE government requires that officers fur
| nish their horses have right TO make the
government pay my horse; certainly long as
/ can pay for II myself And have right to take
| mans horse and give him less than its value simply
| because have the power to do so.
DOESN'T HOW DISHONEST
II Is not surprising that Colonel Bristow Is able at
| once and cncctuay 10 mect all charges that arc
| trumped up against him. These little cracks In his
personal and private life let great deal of light in
| upon his character. might multiply such incidents
illustrating the sterling integrity Of the almost
definitely. Some men honest because IL Is the
policy but no Is honest because he knows not to DO
otherwise have had the least fear that any Of
the charges brought against him would stick At the
| battle OF Fort Donaldson shell exploded above his
head and tho conclusion knocked hun from his horse,
| He was stunned for WHILE but soon demonstrated
that his wound at least twelve feet above head
! This was the nearest the enemy got q shot homo
| upon him, and that his political enemies
| Will never do better execution.