The National tribune., 1885-11-26
Little Macs ROdy.Guard.

| To THE EDITOR: It is not generally known
| that Pittsburgers comprised a portion of the
body-guard of Gen. Geo. p. Mcclellan in 1861,
| and previous to his elevation to the command
of the Army of the Potomac. The names of
| the Pittsburgers in his guard were DIR. Fred
erick l.. Braun, VIM. III. Graham (at present
Recorder for Allegheny County, Pa, Maj. A.
| j. Pentecost, 3. +. kurtz, Robert Morris (Au-
ditor of the Pan Handle Railroad James r.
Hutchis0n; the quota being filed in Pennsyl-
vania. We were mustered into the service at
Wheeling. w. Va, May 81, as Co. A, I'd Va,
for three years. or during the war. Mcclellan
met US at Grafton, and by his order we were
attached to his body guard, which at that time
comprised a battalion completely equipped by
Sturgis, the millionaire of Chicago and COM
pany of the 4th U. S. Art acting as infantry
under the command of Capt. Mack We were
with Mcclellan at Rich Mountain, and shared
with him the victory on that occasion. Ten
days after this engagement which was fought
July II, Little Mac was called to Washington.
Many OF the men whose names are now his
torical were our companions during the time
mention Among them were Col. Rosecrans,
afterwards Major-General; Col. MiirOy, after
wards Major General; Col. Bob McCoOk of the
9th Ohio Col. Lander; together with several
whose names l cannot at present recall. To US
who knew him in those days it was no wonder
that he afterwards became the idol of the Army
of the Potomac. His kindness, his humanity,
and his bravery were all qualities with which
we were thoroughly familiar. On learning of
his demise, q meeting was held in the city of
Pittsburg, Pa, by the survivors of Co. A, Cd
Va, at which Maj. A. J. Pentecost was elected
Chairman and DIR. Braun chosen Secretary, and
on call of the roll the following were present
and accounted for: B. r. West, Captain; d. L.
Smith, Lieutenant; A. J. Pentecost, Sergeant;
James I'll. Hutchison, Lieutenant; Hannaman
Gray, Sergeant, and William II. Graham, 3. T.
Kurtz, Robt. Morris, Frank Singer, Louis Helm
rich, Samuel Scott, Conrad Eicholtz, William
w. Youngson, Thomas E. Eichbaun, Philip
Kirsch, James Sloan, and +. l.. Braun, privates.
Maj PentecOst, on taking the chair, Paid high
tribute to Little Mac, and on motion of VIM.
H. Graham the following letter of coincidence
was approved and sent to the family as the
sense of the Union soldiers of West Virginia
resident at Pittsburg:
[Copy of letter.
PITTsBURG Pa Nov q 1885.
Mrs. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN Orange, y. J.
MADAM: The committee behalf of Co. A. I'd
Va, who served in the body guard of Gen. George
and Jul y 1851, having learned with sincere regret
of his demise, and with desire to intrude upon
the privacy and sacredness of your grief we beg
leave to tender you heartfelt sympathy in your
bereavement Among the noble and hOnored |
whose names have added luster and renown, and
must forever adorn our National annals none will |
stand more prominent than that of the brilliant |
gallant and Christian commander Gen. George B. |
Mcclellan. We commend you and yours in this |
the hour of your dires and biterest distress the
Great Giver of Life for consolation for hc alone can
now aid you.
"Requescat in Pace"
(Signed0 VIM. Fl. GRAHAM |
F. l.. BRAUN,
A. j. PENTECosT,
HANNAMAN GRAY,
b. f. EURTZ,
JAS. II. HUTCHINSON,
Committee, Co. A. I'd Va.
Many incidents at our meeting, which re-
called to our memories the sterling qualities of |
our deceased commander, were given.-F. L. |
BRAUN Pittsburg, Pa.