Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-11-23
Wednesday, Eve. Nov. 25.


Tanpen conrs, of lectures under the auspices
of Mason Post The following extracts from a
sketch Of Corporal Tanners fife viii be of interest
10 All
Nh. JAMES TANNER, widely known
as Corporal Tanner, was born at
Richmonliyiiip, Schoharie county, n.
Y, April 4th, 1874 His early life
was spent on Il farm, and his educa-
tional privileges were those of the
district school. While mere boy he
taught in an adjoining district, mani
testing the thoroughness and force of
will that have since characterized
him, and proving to anxious friends
that he was fully competent for the
work, After few months experience
as teacher, at the outbreak of the war,
although not yet eighteen, he enlisted
as private in Company G, 87th New
York Vols. His regiment was hur-
ried to the front, and, with Kearney's
Division, participated in the Peninsu-
lar campaign, and the battles of Will
liamsburg, Fair Oaks, the siege of
Yorktown, the seven days fight before
Richmond, and at Malvern Hill.
After leaving the Peninsular, the
S7th fought at Wamenton, Bristow
Station, and Manassas Junction.
Corporal Tanner served with his
regiment through all the engagements,
until wounded at the second battle of
Bull Run. There the 07th held the
extreme right of our line, with Stone
wall Jackson's corps in front. During
a terrific shelling from the enemy, the
men were lying down, when frag-
ment from bursting shell completely
severed the corporal's right leg at the
ankle, and shattered the left so badly
as to make amputation necessary.
Carried from the field, he lost con
seriousness, and on recovering, found
that the surgeons had amputated both
legs, four inches below the knee
Meanwhile the Union lines had beer
broken and the army was in full re
treat. The corporal's comrades were
forced to leave him at farm house
where the rebel army, III close pur
suit, soon made him prisoner with the
other wounded Paroled after tel
days, he was taken to Fairfax Semi
nary Hospital; then commenced hi
long struggle for life, with all the odd
against him-but good constitution
and determination to live, brough
him through. After treatment il
the hospital, and recuperation a
his old home in Schoharie county
he was able to walk about on artificial
limbs. He was appointed deput,
doorkeeper in the Assembly, and sui
sequently held various positions unde
the Legislature, which he filled wit
great credit He then accepted
clerkship in the War Department
under Secretary Stanton. On tn
night of President Lincoln's assassin
alton he was employed to take note
Of the first official evidence, and the
stood by the bed of the dying Pres
dent. In 1866 he returned to Schc
harie county, and studied law wit
{ Judge William G. Lamont. TIL
same year he married daughter c
Alfred G. White, of Jefferson, n. Y
and they now have four beautifr
children, two daughters and two son.
He was admitted to the bar in 1856!
Soon after he was appointed to a plae
in the New York Custom House, an
removed to Brooklyn. On compel
> tive examination he rose to the pos
ton of Deputy Collector, and serve
: four years under Gen. Chester A. A
thur.
Connected with the Grand Arm
: of the Republic since its early day
no man is better known to enjoy til
esteem and confidence of his comrade
d in greater degree than Corporal Tai
V ner They know him to be a trus
S worthy leader, man of sound iud.
ment, ripe experience and true hear
-, 1t was but natural, therefore, that
: 1876 they elected him Commander
the Grand Army in the Departmer
of New York. He assumed comman
at time when Encouragement an
e disappointment pervaded the organ
: cation, growing out of the neglect
e the State of New York to provide fi
her helpless and homeless disable
: veterans. Public sentiment was ne
e yet aroused. Appeals had been mad
!, to private charity and also to tt
Il Legislature, but in vain. Calling to Ii
e assistance that true patriot, Re
n Henry Ward Beecher, the good woi
was inaugurated by mass meetin
in Brooklyn, when $4,000 were su
scribed. Mr.. Tanner traversed tt
State from end to end, making a
y peals, public and private, to the pc
e pie. Undaunted by obstacles. he fire
the hearts of patriotic and benevolel
men, so that at last flood of petition
: poured in upon the Legislature, al
~ aardy justice was melted out. III
a magnificent Soldiers Home" W.
10 erected at Bath, Steuben count
e where six hundred disabled, homele
IS veterans can find the repose and cor
he forts of home: truly ''monumel
IL more durable than bronze" to Cor
rs mander Tanner for his jealous effor
n and selfsacrificing labors in behalf
d justice and charity.
0, Y
) In November, 1877, Mr.. Tam
O. appointed Collector of Taxes for IL
v city of Brooklyn, which office he h
since held, with universal acccptanc
d AS a public speaker he has few S
,. periors, being eloquent, logical al
- witty. In debate he is always Sc
- possessed and meets opponents bold
: having the courage of his conv
: tons" Genial, social manners ma
= him a favorite among large circle
y acquaintance, while bis talents al
= sterling manhood are esteemed III
le yersally Brooklyn Ad0ance.
le MTTGTn nv THIN