National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-10
CApT. d. L. CASTLE pEAp.
Sketch of n veteran of Indiana's Fight
ing Rcgiment-A Brilliant Record.


Davies Il. Castle died in this city at an
early hour Monday morning. lie was
native Of Indiana, and entered the service
Of the government at the beginning Of the
war Of the rebellion, and served gallantly
until August, 1864. AS a first lieutenant
Of the 18th Indiana volunteers he was de-
tailed JAN o, 1862, for signal duty by Col.
s. Meredith, then in command Of the regi-
ment, afterward commanded by Col. w. W.
Dudley, late commissioner of pensions. In
the report of the signal officer OF the army,
dated June 22, 1867, Lieut.. Castle is favor
ably mentioned for services rendered at
the battle of West Point, and awarded q
signal battle flag. He was promoted TO
captaincy in his regiment Sept is, 1862.
He was In command of the signal detach-
ment serving with Mai Gems Sigel's command
from Nov. 10, 1862, to May 10, 1868, cover
ing the battle Of Charlottesville. lie
served with different corps Of the army OF
the Potomac until Aug. 25, 1864, when he
was mustered out. lie was honorably men
toned by Mai. b. +. Fisher, chief signal
officer, army of the Potomac, In his report,
dated Oct. 22, 1864, covering the operations
OF the signal corps from May to July 3,
1864. Capt. L. b. Norton, chief signal
officer, army Of the Potomac, in his report,
dated Sept. Is, 1868, covering the opera
tions Of the corps from June ID to Aug. !,
1868, says: ~ take great pleasure In still
further mentioning Capt. d. Il. Castle, of
this corps, for his distinguished gal
lantry and close attention to duty un-
der most trying circumstances. on the
I'd Of July, when the enemy made their
furious attack upon our center at Gettys-
burg, Capt. Castle occupied a signal sta
tiOn at Gen. Meade's headquarters, near
Cemetery Hill, and remained there on duty
after all others had been driven away. His
nagmen had also left with signal equip
ments, under the impression that their Off
Ger had gone with the rest. Having occa.
sion to send n couple Of important mes
snges to the general commanding, then Mt
Gen. Slocum's headquarters, Capt Castle
quickly cut a pole, eXtemporzed signal
flag from bedsheet procured near by, and
sent his dispatches through under most
CALLING fire. 1t was to Capt Castles Keen
sightedness and good Judgment that am
| indebted for the first information obtained
| Of the cnemy's position and movements In
the Shenandoah valley on the2lst day of last
| july Maj. Fisher says: "Capt. ID. Il.
| Castle served with me for many months,
and he was ever found prompt and ener-
| getic. At the battle of Charlottesville he
| conducted himself with special gallantry.
During the campaign Of the army Of the
Potomac, from the Rapidan to the front of
| Petersburg, he was in charge OF the signal
| detachment connected with the 9TH army
corps, and by his attention to his duties won
the confidence and esteem Of all associated
with him.
Soon after the close of the war Capt.
| Castle was appointed to a clerkship In the
Interior Department, and was an assistant
examiner and chief of division in the patent
Office for several years. lie then went
west, and was for some time engaged In
railroad business in Minnesota. He returned
to Washington in 1876, and was appointed
to a clerkship in the general land office
April of that year, the duties Of which
position he has filed since that time, except
during short intervals when, by reason OF
| III heath, he was compelled to retire from
active duty lie leaves behind mother,
now lying at the point Of death; two
brothers and q sister, and two orphan chill.
dren, the elder Of whom is in her 10th year