The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-24
THE KENT FAMILY.
"reminiscences Of It's Connection With the sist
hen York.

New York.
To THE EDITOR: In your issue of July 8
James Hone, Co. E. s1st n. Y, Ohio, N. Y,
calls attention TO the following item in the
Utica Observer, and asks if any one can verify
the facts stated therein:
few days ago in Rochester died woman who
will be remembered and mourned by every mem
Der of the old Sst N Y. Her was Alice wife of
WIN. B. Mullen. She a daughter OF the late
Robert and Rachael Kent, of oswego When the
Slst was organized Dir. Kent enlisted. Alice was
then child of 10 years. Both the mother and
daughter accom- panied the regiment to the war and
remained with it until it was mustered out. Alice
became great favorite with the soldiers. Both
mother and daughter were present at all the battles
In which the regiment participated On that terrible
morning at Cold HaTbor, where the regiment was
nearly wiped out of existence losing 10 officers and
80 killed and wounded IN Is nlinaies-aud which,
by the way. occurred just 20 years sgo-Mr. Kent
was badly wounded but bis life was saved by care
ful nursing the part OF the wife Many others of
those volunteers owe 20 this woman, and daughter
who has just died, debts of gratitude for many
kindnesses shown them while lying wounded and
helpless the field. They also spent some time
Ia hospital In New York, caring for the sick and
wounded
Here are the facts in question: Rachael
Kent, wife of Robert Kent, sr., private of Co.
b, Slst N T., went with the 61st from Oswego,
N. Y, in company with her daughter Alice, to
Albany, N. Y. from Albany to Staten Island,
and from there to Washington, and there Mrs
Kent and her daughter remained doing the
washing for most of the men and officers of Co.
B. There were also at Camp Kalorama the
wives of Corporal v. ID. Babcock, Private Jas.
M Carpenter, and Private Geo. johnson, all of
20. Is. These four women marched with the
S1st to Alexandria, Va. and from there accom-
panied it to Newport News, Va, where, by or
deTs from the commanding General, they were
not permitted 70 go any further. They re-
manned ut Newport News till after the battle
OF Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines Va, May 81,
1862, at which Robert Kent, ST.. and his son,
Robert, jr., were both wounded, and Robert
Kent, ST., never did duty with the 6lst after
the battle just mentioned. His son Robert.
however, recovered, and was again wounded at
the battle of Cold Harbor, Va, June 3, 1864.
well remember the Kent family, and call to
mind that Alice was most always called Sis"
by the boys OF our company. She was modest
girl, of very retiring disposition, and never
rude nor forward. Robert Kent, ST., has
gone to his reward, carrying with him rebel
bullet that the best surgical skill failed to ex-
tract from between the bones of his right fore
arm. Robert Kent, jr., is still living at Oswe-
go, n. Y.-Wsf. II. HORTON, LIST Serg't, Co. B,
slst n. Y, North Serbia, n Y.
ANOTHER COMRADES REcoLLECTIoSs.
To TRE EDITOR: The Kent family were
members Of Co. B. There was cold Bob and
Young Bob" the cold lady" and "littIe
Alice" | saw young Bob (the only suryiy-
ing member Of the family in Oswego two
weeks ago. He told me of the recent death of
his sister Alice The family played a promi-
nent part in the PeniDsular campaign. "They
shared their blankets and tents together. and
marched and fought IN all kinds of weather.
and am surprised to think that Comrade
Hone should have forgotten them; but %
years is 8 long time to remember all of the
events OF an exciting war. The mother and
daughter were with the regiment every day
from the time we left 0swego till after the
battle OF Fair Oaks. They marched from New.
port News 20 Yorktown from Yorktown to
Fair Oaks, and were on the battlefield there
during the fight. My impression is that the
mother and daughter went to care for the sick
and wounded in the hospital after Fair Oaks.
and that they were not present at the battle of
Cold Harbor. 1t is pleasing to hear from one
OF the forty-fve." Would that / had the
names, company and rank of all who were so
proyidentiaily cared for TO return with the
command in So. i went out with the regiment
and came home with it, being absent only 10
months during the time, part of which l spent
In unreasonable and Florence prisons. two in
hospital and Camp Parole, and one at home on
sick furlough.-R. B. MoCULLY, Drummer. Cos.
b and I, S1st N. T., Fulton, n Y.
Two have also letter from Geo. Hamil
ton, Corp, Go. e, 6lst n. Y, Randallsville, N.
l., OF the same tenor. His was one of the
Oswego companies, and he remained with il to
the close.-ED