Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-07-03


trust, he was cast down again by malicious hate.
The beginning of the late civil war found our
friend private soldier in the United States In
fantry and there are those now present who
were his companions at that time. His talents
could not long be hidden under bushel, and
he crawled upward, step by step, until his un-
daunted bravery at the fierce battle of Freder-
icksburgh, where he saved yon tattered flag to
deck his funeral, gained him well merited pro-
motion into tie ranks Of the commissioned Of
| hcers. Three times was he severely wounded
! during the war, and our meeting here to-day is
in no slight measure attributable to those wounds.
''At the close of the rebellion Captain Morris
served few years in the South and many out
upon the dreary plains. When the army re-
duction Of last year took place he was mustered
out. Those who have ever known him are we'll
aware that this was unjust and ungenerous; that
no officer had better earned his position, and that
none were more qualified for the performance Of
| the duties thereof.
''Cast upon the world, with no knowledge of
It's ways and no aptitude for business, he became
the easy prey of thievish sharpers, and the little
money granted him by generous nation soon
| dwinded to nothing and was gone. Heart
! drifted here to die; and am devoutly thankful
|
great lesson of long suffering patience, and the
truth of those beautiful lines of Longfellow's,
Learn how sublime thing it is to suffer and be
strong,' has been exemplihed to me in the life
| and death of my dear friend. When parting
from the earthly grave of such an one as him,
| we cannot say 'Good-bye;' let us, rather, with
| full belief in a glorious resurrection, exclair,
I'VE will meet again
ftor +l,o ,,-ortb,, J;,,;ra l,o1 an6aJ b;c die
course, tears trickled down many a rough face,
and but half suppressed sob shook many
sturdy frame The time had come for the final
separation, and the crowd broke up into little
knots Of men, who stood talking sadly together,
| or slowly sauntered away. All at once num-
Der of veterans rushed to where the old soldier
with the battletorn flag was standing, and, tearing
it from his grasp, they, with low and terribly
earnest cry of "Damn it'' rended it into shreds
and flung it into the grave, whilst a general
murmur of approval, i'll which could not help
joining, burst from the crowd. Not caring to be
entangled in any further proceedings which
tached myself from the throng, and went to the
small chapel near the cemetery gates, where l
found the officiating clergyman taking off his
vestments. lie was frank, genial gentleman,
and felt little hesitancy in announcing myself,
and asking for any information he might have
concerning Captain Morris.
he, "and will gladly show you some memor-
anda left by my friend, and will also give you
such information concerning him as have
gathered in conversation. This is case, sir,
that ought to be generally known, and l only
hope that in every village and farm house the
name of Captain Morris will be as familiar as
that of Abraham Lincoln. They both served
their country faithfully, and as best they could.
One died by the hand of an assassin, universally
honored and mourned; whilst to the humber
patriot was reserved the cruel fate of being cast
forth by the nation he had protected with his
body and saved with his blood, to die paupers
death. Come on, sir. 1t makes me angry to
talk long on this subject
accompanied the Rev. Mr.. --- to his
house on G. street, where he took me into his
study and laid before me number of diaries
and note books, from which proceeded to copy
such extracts as might serve my purpose. AS 1t
is always, think, more interesting to hear
story from the lips of an actor in or eyewitness
to the events described, shall, where possible,
give Captain Morris own words as contained in
his memoranda, merely promising that l shall
not give the real names of persons now living;
nor shall enter into any details which are not
either intimately connected with this curious
history, or do not give some insight into the
character of my hero.
White Plains, June Ist, lS57.-My God, what
shall do! l have been seeking employment
for the last ten days, in vain. do not look
strong enough for laborer; understand no
business, and have learned no trade. Poor
father! il you had only brought me up to be
man as we'll as a gentleman. This time last
year was at college, considered the fortunate
heir of wealthy father, and now-my pocket
book contains just two dollars, so l must bestr
myself or starye.
I'D. MI have determined to enlist in the
army; it is at least an honorable profession.
know Major Simpson began as private in the
Mexican war, andr If not as lucky as he, may
at least hope to gain commission during the
coming war with the Mormons. talked the
matter over with Gertrude, and my darling
nromised to be true to me- God bless her!
June 2d.-Had just money enough to reach
New York, and enlisted this morning at the