The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-09-27
THE ~ CTS.
DEE AIR. FRIDAY, SEPT. q, ISIS.


The following, from the Army and Navy Jour.
nal, shows what his comrades thought of the
brave young soldier, whose sudden death has
brought sorrow to our county, where he was born
aud reared. Capt Rodgers was a son of Col.
Robert 8. Rodgers, of this county:
Death never comes more sudden that it did to
y the dear friend whose name is here written, and
It Is also true that 1t never strikes more shin
ing mark. He was man born to be loved and
always true to his birth. With heart as brave
and strong as that of a lion, it yet vibrated in
quick sympathy with everything that was good
and true. In times that stirred mems blood his
presence and ringing voice was an inspiration
that bore everybody and all things ON with him
to yictory-no doubt, no hesitation was his un-
til the end was achieved. Then his manhood
shone out his mood changed with the cause that
brought it, and no woman could be more tender
or thoughtful than he. Comfort for Others at
whatever discomfort to himself was with him
principle never forgotten. His company was
his pride, and he was the pride of his company,
and to-day, even among all his friends who loved
him SO dearly, there arr none who will mourn
him more sincerely than the enlisted men who
served under his command. The writer knew
him well, but the limits of this article will not
permit details; suffice 1t to say that noble
young life has suddenly been snatched away
With everything in life that makes life sweet,
with his heart full TO the brim with thoughts of
wife and children, as indeed it always was, the
summons came so swiftly, and withal SO peace
fully that the dead features were still the faith
full mirror that portrayed his pure soul. With
no religion to stalk Of" nothing to faunt in
the eye of the casual observer, he was yet both
BY profession and life that noblest of all men--
d Christian soldier To the wife, the father and
mother SO suddenly left desolate, we cannot say
much in way OF comfort, for we cannot bring
him back, but it is much to know that the world
is better for his life and example, and that his
memory is the heritage of his regiment to keep
and hold forever q. D. Il.
Another officer writes of Capt. Rodgers as fol.
lows: "The 9Th Cavalry have sustained loss
the writer has no words 10 describe. Capt Cal
braith p. Rodgers was struck dead by lightning
at the camp of his little escort at Rock Creek
Station, ON the Union Pacific Road. He had
been summoned down from the Big Horn as
witness before General Court in session here
trying q man of his company. Returning he
went by rail to the Rock Greek Station, and al
most Immediately after joining his men severe
thunder storm set ill., Rodgers took shelter in
his tent, and two iavorite Indian scouts went in
at the same time A few moments after terrific
fash, and the instantaneous thunder clap warned
the men that something had been struck in their
midst. Running out of his tent Corporal Pottlc
saw the two Indians crawling out from that oc-
cupied by Capt. Rodgers. Surveying thithcr he
found his commander stone dead. 1t is no easy
matter to write these particulars but is harder
yet to tell the extent of our loss. The 9th Cav
airy loved Rodgers to a man. IL ever man lived
q purer, worthier life, ii was not in the Army
True as steel, keen in honor, q most devoted
husband, q most loving father, the beau ideal of
a cavalry man, awkward on his legs, and simply
perfect in the saddle, strict, even stern on duty,
but just and fair with his men, he had not an
enemy The mourning in the regiment is indie
scribable. Only two of its officers were at Rus
sell when his death occurred, but Capt. Luhn,
of the 4th Infantry, did all that could be done
to receive and escort the honored remains
They were sent to Pittsburg for interment, and
as we marched through Cheyenne it seemed as
though the whole populace turned out to show
their respect for Rodgers, and their sympathy
for his family. There is no exaggeration in what
| say of Rodgers. The blood of some of our
Oldest and best officers Navy ran in his veins.
He was q direct descendant of Oliver Hazard
Perry, and near connection of the present Ad-
miral Rodgers"