News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-06-10
Death of Gen. Stannard.
A BRAVE GENERALS DEATH.-A DISTIN
GUISHED WAR RECORD.

GUISHED WAR RECORD.
Major Gen. George J. Stannard of
Burlington, one of the most valiant
sons of the Green mountain state, died
at Washington, Monday night May 31th
from typhOid-pneumOnia. The deceased
had been for some years a dOOrkeeper at
the capitol, and was taken i'll at his post
last Thursday. The house of repreSen-
tatives Yesterday voted his family, who
did not reach Washington before his
death, six months pay and funeral eX-
penseS. Gen. Stannard, who was about
sixty years old, was colonel of the ninth
Vermont Volunteers, and was assigned
in 1862 to Pope'S command. a year
later he was made a Brigadier General
and placed in command of the second
Vermont brigade At Gettysburg he
was severely wounded, and he was sub
seuuently given command of all the
troops in New York city. AfterWard
he took part in the battle of Cold Har-
Dor, where he lost two staff officers and
was again dangerously wounded. He
led the fight at Petersburg, and again
received wound. At the capture OF
Fort Harrison his right arm was shot off
near the shoulder, but he still continued
in the service. He commanded the
scattered forces on the Canadian line in
suppresSing the raiders and protecting
the border; in Maryland and Virginia
he served under the Freedman s Bureau,
and in 1864 he was brevetted Major Gen
eral of volunteers. Gen. Stannard was
one of the bravest soldiers Vermont
sent to the front, and he hOnored his
state by his conspicuous gallantry.
The deceased was born at Georgia,
Oct. 20, 1920. and his early education
was received in the common schools and
L.. ,EI nd a in1
When fifteen years old and until he
reached his twentieth year he worked
on his fathers farm in summer and
taught school in winter. In 1860 be
conducted as a co-partner the st. Al
bans foundry, where he had been en-
ployed as clerk. He manifested an
active interest in the militia, and Sin
1856 he was elected first lieutenant of
the Ransom guards of St. Adams and
in 1858 he was appointed colonel OF the
fourth regiment of Vermont. When
the presidents proclamation was issued
in April, 1861, Gen. Stannard was the
first Vermonter to volunteer for war
duty. he Immediately telegraphing Gov.
Fairbanks the offer of his services. OF
the second Vermont regiment organized
in May, 1861, and mustered in at Bur
lingtOn, the deceased was commissioned
lieutenant colonel. The regiment was
attached to Towards brigade and took
part in the first battle of Bull Run, COW
ering the retreat so well as to receive a
special compliment from Gen. Howard.
After the deceased had been appointed
colonel he returned home and organ
lied his new command, the ninth Yer
mont regiment, and returned to the
front in July. On his appointment by
President Lincoln as brigadler general
of volunteers he assumed command OF
the second Vermont brigade. 1t is said
of him :. = His participation in the bat
tie of Gettysburg won him much honor.
Having had, the second day of the fight,
the temporary charge of the federal bat
teries on the left slope of Cemetery hill,
and in the afternoon being ordered to
repel LOngstreet's assault, his brigade
not only prevented the capture of two
batteries but captured two rebel guns
and many prisoners. His conduct on
the third and last day was of special
Importance. The critical moment in
the battle was when Stannard struck
the charging division of Pickett upon
the flank That blow disabled them, it
decided the issue of the rebellion, and
to have been the directing genius in this
supreme crisis of the nations fate, and
to have been equal to the emergency, is
unique and lasting honor to Gen.
Stannard." On his retirement from the
service he was appointed collector OF
customs for the district OF Vermont,
occupying the Office until 1872. In
1850, he was married to
Emily Clark, daughter of jeremiah
Clark of st. Adams. OF their four
children three daughters survive. The
funeral took place at Burlington, Satur-
day, and was largely attended.