Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-21

THE CAREER - the LATE AVERY b. CAIN.
MljJr Avery B. Cain, Of the 4lh United
STATES Infantry, who died at Fort Laramie,
W. T., Sunday, was the son Of John and
Mary b. Cain, and Was born IN Rutland.
February Is, 1910 lie was appointed to a
second lieutenancy in the 4th United States
Infantry August S, 1861. lie served in the
army of the Potomac during tho entire war
and was an officer of most distinguished
personal gallantry. lie commanded his
company at the siege of Yorktown, at
F.iroaks. Gaines Hill. Malvern Hill, Second
Bull Run, South Mountain. Antletsm and
Cha At characteristics he
won his brevet Of captain for exceptional
galiantry. lie was commissioned full cap
tain October 3, 1863, He commanded his
regiment and the 81 United States infan-
try ut SpottsylvsDia, North Anna River,
Pottsviile Creek, Cold Harbor, Weldon
Railroad, and Petersburg. At the terrible
passage of the Ncr,h Anna River his
heroic conduct won him his second bre-
vet of major. The 4sh and , 1 regulars were
50 reduced by the carnage OF this awful
campaign that they were reduced To mere
remnant Of 200 men. and were detained
guard duty at the headq uarters OF General
U. S Grant. and remained in that capacity
With that great soldier until the surrender
of Lees army.
The erduous service of Captain Cain may
be gathered frum the fact that his single
regiment lest over l,400 men during the
battles Of the rebellion. Since the war he
has been stationed at and commanded ysri-
Gus military posts on the Canada frontier,
New York harbor and in the West
ern Territories. He accompanied Cen
eral Crook in his expedition against
the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in
the summer Of 1876. He was highly COM
plimented by General Crook for his bearing
at the battle on the Rose Bud, June II,
1876. In This battle he I'D two companies
OF infantry into the thickest vi the f2ht and
held the bluff. for over half an hour under
fearful fire from a body of Indians who
Outnumbercd his troops twenty to one.
But he held them in cheek un;Il reinforce
ments arrived. These were part OF the
same body Of Indians xho seven days later
massacred the gallant Custer and his men.
Daring the riots in Chicago, in July, 1877,
he was ordered to that city with his c0m-
pany and remained shere until order was
restored. The ma or was married to Miss
Anna Cooper, daughter Of the General and
United States Senator Cooper. OF Pennsyi-
vania. October 81. 1867. lie leaves no
children.
IL was the pleasure OF the writer to
khow Major Cam during the Old war days,
and his COOL and daring courage and mill
tary capacity were always the theme Of en-
thusiastic praise with his brother officers.
One Of his fellow officers Of the 4th Regulars,
himself most gallant man, who was sho.
through the lungs at the hrSt battle OF
fredericksburg. and eventually died from
the effects of his wounds, told the writer
that he considered him the bravest and
coolest officer in the brigade. He was a
| great personal isvorite, because OF his tins
military record. with both General Grant
and General Sherman, who have both
| shown him unusual marks OF personal re-
gard. lie WAS buried with military hoGo.s
at Laramie, but his remains will eventually
be brought to Rutland for interment.-
Rutland Herald.