The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-09
NEW PUBLTCATVON0

NissiOn Of Witiiass Francis Bartlett. By Francis
w Palfrey. Boston: HouRhtou, Osgood
and Company.
The memoir Of this wholo-souled gentleman
AMI brsvehearted soldier, is deserving OF
being read even by those sgAinst whom be
fought 50 long and 30 persistently. Il 10 the
lives Of such men as Gen. Bartlett, which alone
could make the South realize that true patriot
ism armed many q hand against her, and that
the sense of duty was as strong in the hearts
of those who stood opposed to her. as 1t was in
| her own devoted sons.
The subject Of this memoir was bot college
youth in 1861, whom he Joined the army, and
| his sympathy had alway been in favor Of the
South. He maintained that che was only de-
msnding her rights under the Constitution,
aud that all these troubles had been caused by
the interference of the North. Bot when
called upon to do his duty, he bravely took
his stand in the ranks, and offered up to patri-
otis u, his youth. bis b, illiant prospects and
his life.
From the moment he entered the service of
his country, he threw away all thoughts of sell,
and strove Is few men, we think, ever did to
preserve . whole and undivided country. On
the Path Of April, 1863. Capt. Bartlett received
his first wound. In the very outset of his
career, he was struck down aud fearfully
MANNED, for his first wound cost him leg
Bnt with q bravery rare in one so young, and
heroic endurance slmoss above mortal flesh,
he returned, ss soon Is he was able, to the bat
tle-6eld and, strange to relate, was wounded
In euey engagement in which he subsequently
took o part.
In September, 1862. he was known as "the
Colonel with 8 rutch,"-promotion followin
fast upon every gallant effort.
The Home Journal of New York, comments
upon bis appearance thus:
"The equipments as well as the limbs of the
rider; were oppdreRtly all complete, each long
boot with its spur, riding firmly in its strrup.
the long spear at the back of the lancer, swuug
the strange implement which told the story
q long crutch with padded handle, betrsying
the wooden leg for. which it stood ready to do
service With the wounds Of his
smputation healed, the heroic soldier was now
returning to active duty, leading his regiment
"a the field with an alacrity that was little
like cripple"
As Gen. Bartlett was at one time in this city.
it may interest our readers to learn something
Of the discipline of this young officer. Who at
twenty-five was often placed in positions of
great responsibility and no little labor. On
the let Of February, 1853, while on board the
steaner Illinois en- route for New Orleans, he
Hrote In his journal % follows,
Sunday, Febt6afy ast.=As cleanliness is
next to godlinees, I think have observed the
day very well. have had every man in the
regiment thoroughly washed: had one oom-
and . stream of salt water from the large force
pump and hose played over them. sat ont
forward in the sun experimenting it all the
morning until three o'clockn
-ho
was stationed, Colonel Bartlett established in
his camp the practice of the field. staff and
company officers reporting to the Colonel ct
reveille.
At Baton Rouge, where his command formed
part of the first brigade of Augur's Division,
he worked steadily at the Improvement of his
men, and 30 desrons- WAS he to make good
soldiers for his country that this hope seemed
to be his main consolation. We find in his
journal these words relating to this matter
"I only hope shall not get shot until after /
have had the regiment in one good fight, for
really they seem to be so dependent upon me,
that il should get knocked over at first,
don't like to think what would become of
them"
Colonel Bartlett kept his men from plunder-
ing, and he writes This army will be demor-
allied IL this is allowed to go on. will shoot
the first man see doing it, and take the con-
sequences" These words show the unsel6sh
determination of the man when there was ques.
tion of right and duty.
1t must be remembered that all this time, he
was weak from his recent wound, and unsteady
in his motions; and yet few words in his
journal have any reference to his health.
When Banks made his first disastrous attack
upon Port Hudson, Col. Bartlett's bravery and
earnest desire that his men should behave
creditabiy, proved nearly fatal to bin. Out of
about three thousand men in the Division, he
was the only mounted man in the assaulting
column. He had to go on horseback or stay
behind, and with bis regiment he could go. 1t
is needless to say that he was again wounded.
The Confederate forces had, as usual, q field
of felled timber and abatis in front of their
Notifications, and when the assault was or
dered, he, by reason of his one leg, could not
go over this space on foot, and being the only
mounted officer IL IAR NOT lono hefora ha fall