The National tribune., 1885-07-23
DEATH OF PAST CoMnrANDER-IN-CHIE
EARNSHAyN

Past COMMUNICATING EarnShaw, ID. d.,
is no more, he having expired at his residence
at the National Military Home, near Day
ton, at 10 minutes past 3 Friday afternoon,
July L. Comrade Earnshaw's health has
not been good for more than two years.
His heart was seriously deranged, but no
fatal result was apprehended at least for
some time yet couple of months ago an
accident occurred at his house by which
there was an explosion Of gas and a threat
ered fire. With his customary fearless
ness he rushed to assist in quelling the con-
flagration, and while so engaged breathed
into his lungs so much of the flames that his
condition immediately became dangerous,
and his life was despaired of for several days
He rallied again, however, and his friends
began to entertain hopes though he remained
confined to his bed. About a week before
Decoration Day he began to grow worse
again, and Cancelled his engagement to de-
liver an address at the celebration at Wash
ington Courthouse. The announcement of
his death cast deep gloom over all the
inmates of the Soldiers Home, of which he
was Chaplain. No man connected with the
institution was ever so thoroughly beloved
by all within it as he. He earned this love
as he earned the friendship of every one with
whom he came in contact-by generous self
sacrifices and kindly interest in all those
whom he was brought into any relations
with.
At the breaking out of the war Comrade
Earnshaw was the pastor of the Methodist
Church at Shippensburg, Pa He was among
the first to enlist as a private soldier in the
10th Pa, and he did duty in the ranks until
his officers almost compelled him to assume
the position of Chaplain. His service in
this position was that of an ideal spiritual
counsellor for the soldiers. He shared with
them every danger and went with them into
every fight, participating in no less than 10
battles, besides smaller engagements with
out number. After the battle of Gettys-
burg he came West with his command, and
from that time forward was under Gen.
Thomas, who conceived the highest regard
for him. At the close of the war Gen.
Thomas made him Superintendent of the
cemeteries at Stones River and Nashville,
and also a member of the commission to
purchase ground and establish cemeteries at
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, and Memphis.
The carrying out of the intentions of the
Government in this work was beset with
unusual difficulties, owing to the embit-
tered feeling of the people of Tennessee and
Kentucky at the close of the war, but Chap
lain Earnshaw's tact and uniform kindness
to all smoothed the way to success, where
almost any other man would have failed.
Sept. s, 1867, he was elected Chaplain of the
Central Branch Military Home and occu-
pied that position continuously until his
DEATH He was elected Commander of the
Department of Ohio, GAR, and so success
fully administered its affairs that the next
year he was elected COMMANDMENT Chief of
the Grand Army and had a very successful
administration. The Governor of the Sol
diers' Home has issued the following General
Order:
CENTRAL BRANCH,
NATIONAL HOME FOR ID. V. S., July II, 1855.
General Orders. No. 81.
II is with sincere sorrow that the Acting Governor
announces TO the Staff of the Central Branch their
families, the veterans of the Home, and all con-
nected with it. the death of the Chaplain, Rev VIM.
Earnshaw, ID. d. which took place at his residence
at 10 minutes past this afternoon.
This event has not come upon us unexpectedly,
as the certainty of diseased heart action has been
apparent for more than a year, intensified by the
accidental inhalation of naphtha gas. in February
last, from which last affection. however, he had
been greatly relieved by his trip South, in April
following; but for the heart trouble nothing
gained, and steady decline continued until death
followed from exhaustion.
VIM. Earnshaw was born May II, 1928. Entered
the army on the 10th day of April, 1861, and
appointed Chaplain of the 49th Pa. on the 9th of
August 1861. On the 22d day of April, 1863, he
appointed Chaplain United States Volunteers, and
was honorably mustered out Aug. %, 1867. He was
elected Chaplain of this (CentraD Branch of the
Home Sept. 5, 1867.
Proud of his association with the army, and the
habits there learned, he brought to the discharge
of his duties throughout his long service in the
Home Chaplain, especially in his hospital minis
tratons and the last offices for the Dead the
promptitudc and faithfulness of soldier.
As librarian, he took the deepest interest in the
extension of the library, and the facilities for in
creasing the love of reading among the soldiers
He was elected Commandments Chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic, June Z, 1879, and has ever
been an active and earnest worker in promoting
the happiness and welfare of the soldier.
As token of regard for the deceased. the garri-
son flag will be displayed at half mast during the
funeral services, which will take place at the
Home church on Monday, the Goth inst, when the
Offices will be closed and all unnecessary work
suspended.
The officers of the Central Branch will wear the
usual badge Of mourning on the left for the
period Of 30 days
BY command of
Col. J. y. THOMAS,
Treasurer and Acting Governor.
JUSTIN II. CHAPMAN, Adjutant.