The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-01
GENERAL oPDYCKE.
The Career of Gallant Soldier Brought to q Sud-
den Close.
GFfon The N. Z. TTmes.l

den Close.
From The ~ 7. TinresI
Brevet Major General Emerson Opdycke died
at his residence at Seventh avenue and Fifty
fifth street. New York, on Friday the 25th
ult, of traumatic peritonitis. On Tuesday
evening, while General Opdyeke was cleaning
pistol it was accidentally discharged, the bali
penetrating the abdomen. He sank rapidly
during Wednesday and Thursday, and died
Friday afternoon.
With the death of General Opdycke there
passes away of the most gallant and dis
tinguished soldiers which Ohio sent into the
civil war. He was born in Trumbull county,
III that State, January 7, 1880, and was there
fore, in his thirty second year when the war
broke out He enlisted as private in the 41st
Ohio infantry, July 26, 1861, and was made
first lieutenant in the following month. He
developed remarkable capacity for acquiring
knowledge of military tactics, and so well in
formed did he become during the fall and early
winter OF 1851 that he was detailed to instruct
the officers of HasealI's brigade His quick
comprehension of the science of war attracted
the notice of his superiors, and he was promoted
to captaincy When the battle of Pittsburg
Landing was fought he acted as major of his
regiment and had for the first time an oppor-
tunlty to display the bravery which character
lied HIM IN every engagement in which he
participated. The color-bearer of the 41st
was shot down and the colors went to the
ground.
FOLLOW YOUR CoLoRs.
Selling them the acting major dashed to the
head of the line and shouting, "4lst Ohio. fol-
low your colors!" led the charge. Though
wounded in two places that day he remained on
duty with his regiment.
lie served with Nelson's command during the
Corinth campaign, only leaving it when ordered
by Governor Tod TO organize the 125th Ohio
infantry. While he was at home on this duty
Kirby Smith threatened Cincinnati, and at the
earnest solicitation of his friends Captain On
dycke took command OF the 1,200 Squirrel
Hunters and proceeded with them to Coving-
ton. He left the State at the head of first
class regiment, well drilled and well disei-
plined, in the earlier part of January, 1863 and
moved south through Nashville and Franklin
just previous TO the opening of Rosecrans'
campaign of 1868, Captain Opdycke was as
signed to Harker's brigade, Woods division
2lst corps. The 9th of the following Septem-
Der he entered Chattanooga and sustained a
brilliant part in the two days battle of Chick
amauga This point must be held" said Gen.
eral Thomas to Colonel Opdycke at one time
during the battle, referring to the ground oc-
cupied by the former
We'll hold it or go to heaven from it, re-
piled the gallant officer. He was wounded
once during the engagement, but not seriously
injured. At the battle of Mission Ridge. where
he commanded five regiments, Colonel Opdycke
had two horses shot from under him. His
command captured 300 prisoners, seven pieces
OF artillery, and large number of small arms
In the East Tennessee campaign he served
under General Sheridan with distinction On
May 5, 1864, he succeeded in making a lodg-
ment on Rocky Face Mountain by an fngeni-
Gus felnt. Six days later he was severely
wounded at Resaca, and was taken to the rear.
After his wounds were dressed he insisted
however, IN returning to the front and only
retired when his regiment left the field Al
though suffering severely from his injuries, he
remained with his troops during the summer,
and, with the five regiments then under him
took part in the engagements at New Hope
Church, Muddy Creek, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta August 6 he
was given the command of the LIST brigade. ID
division, 4th corps, which was engaged at
Jonesboro' and L0vejoy's, and afterward re-
turned to Chattanooga. Minor operations
around Bridgeport. Resaca, Alpine and Pulaski
engaged the attention of Colonel Opdyckes
brigade till November so, when it became the
rear-guard OF General schofeld's army.
a GALLANT CHARGE.
In the battle of Franklin the LIST brigade was
posted across the Columbian turnpike, near the
house of rebel oficer-General Carter. Colo
mel 0pdyeke's orders were to fight when and
where he deemed il advisable The rebels
were massed in front of Carters hill, and dur
ing the AFTERNOON captured the Notifications
As soon as Colonel Opdycke saw that the works
had fallen into the hands of the enemy he or
dered a charge. The brigade responded to the
commander, and, animated with his spirit,
swept down upon the rebels. Colonel ODdycke
fought with his men, and when his pistol was
emptied used it club till he broke it, The
rebels fell back, the Notifications were retaken,
and eight guns recovered. Four hundred reb-
els were made prisoners, and ten battle flags
captured. General Patrick Cleburne fell dead,
with his horse, resting on the Union breast
works, and General Carter was mortaIly
wounded within 100 yards of the house where
he was born. At the battle of Nashville OPP
dycke's brigade was again engaged, capturing
three pieces of artillery, one flag and 300
prisoners.
In 1866 Colonel Opdycke was commissioned
brevet brigadier- general, to date from Febru-
airy OF that year. Some months later he was
breveted majorgeneral, to date from Novem-
Der 4, 1864. This unusual promotion, antedat-
ing, as 1t did, the brevet of brigadier was given
for {" important and gallant service at the bat
tie of Franklin"
After the close Of the war he made New
York his residence, becoming member of the
well-known dry goods house of Peake, Opdyeke
& Co.. and later OF the firm of 0pdycke, Terry
& Steele.
At the last Reunion Of the Army of the Cum
berland he was invited TO deliver an address
upon the military character and achievements
of General George H. Thomas More recently
he read paper on the war, before the Histor-
zeal Society of Harvard College
The funeral services took place on Sunday
from the church OF the Divine Paternity, Mad
ison avenue. Among those present were Gen
erals Fl. A. Barnum, Charles P Stone, and
Benjamin H. Bristow. The remains were taken
to the old home of the deceased, Warren, Ohio,
for interment.