The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-07-02

| fevered and helpless, and gave TO his prac-
tice of the healing art exceptional success.
Human suffering was prayer Of entreaty
that instantly touched his heart and turned
his hand to give the needed relief The
light of his face was sunshine in every home
he entered, and on every sick-bed over
which he was called 10 bend.
When the war broke out, he became inn
mediately active In behalf Of the union, and
in Sept, 1861, as an assistant to his " father
in the profession, he was mustered with
him, a surgeon OF the Sd cavalry.
Mentor and Telemachus" would not be
separated and they turned their backs upon
the homes of this farm region, where they
were SO well known and loved, and, leaving
the aged and tender to fight the accidents OF
life as best they might, they went with the
strong armed stalwarts who were gathering
in defence of the Union, to give them while
in the depths Of war, their cheer and skill.
He was constantly on duty with his regiment
in its operations at Island No. 10, New Mad
rid, Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, Western
Tennessee, Northern Mississippi, and wher-
ever il was engaged, until October. 1868,
when he was transferred TO the 18th cavalry
as its surgeon-in-chief. His services with
this regiment were also devoted and con.
slant. He left no duty undone that devolved
upon him to perform. Night and day. when
there was occasion for ii, he labored with
the stricken and suffering.
He was also true TO himself, true to his
great nature, whether a foeman was under
his hand, or friend.
Quick to observe, he had infinite tact to
gather ways and expedients TO save life and
preserve strength, and many benson was
breathed for him, from beds of damp grass,
pillowed 10y knapsack, that the angels OF
heaven have written above his sins.
The arduous and bloody expedition of
Gen. Burbridge into the mountains of
eastern Kentucky and Western Virginia, told
heavily upon his regiment, and the surgeons
as WELL
When, after the bloody combat near Salts
vile. his command was forced 10 retreat.
leaving their wounded behind, he remained
with them TO care for them, submitting to
captivity in their behalf. His reward for
this act of self devotion was confinement in
Libby Prison, as has been stated, where be
got an insight into the bitterness of that
dungeon of despair. But there was no valid
reason for OBTAINING him prisoner, and he
was soon exchanged and returned 10 his
regiment. TO share in its marches, fights and
privations, among the numerous spurs and
out thanking ranges of the Blue Ridge and
Cumberland mountains. When. in August,
1865, the regiment was so reduced in mem
bers il was consolidated with the sth cavalry
he returned TO civil life-the war was over
and he and his aged mentor again took the
round of medical work among the homes
and scenes of former times, now all the
dearer, from the patriotic sacrifices that had
gone out from them and of which they were
in great measure the personal witnesses.
But / cannot detain you with relation of
the many noble acts illustrating the charac-
ter of DR.. Woodman-especially should
not, before an audience containing so many
persons whose personal knowledge of them
more than equals my own.
Comrades, ladies and gentlemen: There
are many men whose unseltish devotion TO
their country i'll its need, merits the highest
commendation, yet the memory of those
men and their services and sacrifices is rap
idly passing away, leaving no mark to trace
them by. Only the result of all they did
remains-ike the buried cities of Egypt,
that tell of mighty deeds and manly labor,
but not of those whose work they are. So
for the soldier after the war there is careless
heed, except for some more fortunate per-
haps than Others, who have won the atfec-
tons of their fellows in such measure that
some monument will be attempted by which
10 preserve their name among the living.
This cannot be the need of all, but for those
10 whom il falls, as here To our late comrade,
there comes universal applause, warm from
the heart, that no one would more heartily
enjoy than he of whom We speak, were he
here, and some others of the departed were
here limned instead of himself, on this canvas.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are singular
tonight in being able to commend the worth
of one whose hand neither wounded nor
slew, but rather stayed and repaired the
dread blows of war. To many of you there
may be personal reasons for your regard: he
may have served one whom Won now
love as a husband, father or q brother, on
the field of battle where moments were more
precious than diamonds; staunching dan
gerous flow of blood, or quenching burning
fires in veins near 10 bursting: or by the
fitful glare of the campfire or in the fever
ridden hospital; lifting him up from despair
to hope and life again. Many of YOU may
love and honor him for such reasons. and il
Is we'll FOR you. To him we give the praise
and enduring memorial his patriotism, skill
and devotion merit gratiied that We know
II is the reward he would have chosen from
our hands before all others.
Short speeches appropriate for the occa-
sion were made by several of the comrades
of l.. c. woodman post and visiting posts,
the occasion was enlivened with music. and
after the close of the exercises, which were
public, and of a very interesting character.
refreshments were served in an adjoining
hall. Members of l.. c. woodnan post
understand how TO entertain and make things
pleasant for visiting comrades and friends.
The presentation was an eminently sppro-
pirate one, and the occasion will not soon be
forgotten by those who had the good fortune
TO be present.