The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-10-20
WAR MEMORIES.
RecolIections of Col. Cushman, Of the 63d
Ill. Vol. Infantry.

Ill. Vol. Infantry.
Though having on record, engrossed In
book form, a full and elaborate narrative OF
THE Experiences and observations OF a
Volunteer Surgeon In the War of the he,
bellion," which am not yet prepared to
have put In print, there are still many
facts and incidents and matters relating TO
persons which would be doubtless be Of
interest to survivors of the war. to their
children and others, In Ottawa and La Sale
county generally, which ! may from time
10 time offer TO the FREE TRADER, If they
shall meet the approval OF the editorial
censorship.
Col. WIN. II. w. Cushman was from an
early date prominent citizen of Ottawa.
| knew him first In 1S49, when he carried
on general store on the north side OF the
street, Just east of the Mansion House, then
kept by Richard Thorne, under the firm
name OF Cushman g. Gridley-Samuel B..
Gridley, his brother in'law. Even then, he
had been established there good many
years.
He was what. is called prompt, precise,
"sharp set" though digniiied; with de
cided, severe expression of face, especially
about the mouth Of that figure which
would not impress one az full or meagre, but
good medium-neither tall nor short. He
dressed to please himself. Not like anyone
else, yet In a way Which would seldom be
noticed. Always neat and trim, even ele-
CANT, there was that about his attire which
would leave even slight impression upon q
stranger; who, after leaving him,
would hardly remember "what he had on"
He wanted everything exactly right-noth.
ing more; nothing less would suit him.
Business WAS business" Shylock exacted
the point of flesh. Col. Cu'hman would have
done the same II 1t had been 80 nominated
In the bond" When the rent was due and
defaulted, he would distrain as per terms
of lease. When the mortgage had matured
and the days of grace expired, he would
foreclose. Pity, mercy, compassion are not
elements of justice Col Cushman was
altogether just.
He carried exactitude into all transac-
lions. This seemed sometimes, excessive !;
if II were so, II was but over zealousness !;
incorporate zeal may be manifested
in but earnest desire and endeavor to do
rightly When discussion with him
whether some omissions or compromises
might not be made In the elaborate and
expensive uniform and equipments requir-
ed of the regimental surgeon, his clean cut
and conclusive reply was: ii expect all
my officers 10 be completely uniformed
and equipped exactly according to the U.
5 regulations" He was right A military
commander, in whatever grade, has no dis
erection within himself TO depart in the
least, from regulations and current orders
from superior headquarters.
Readily to be inferred from such char
acter for native punCtilio, his would ma
turaily be strengthened and confirmed by
military education, such as his was said
10 me to have been, at "The Parrot School,"
an establishment in former days conducted
by the inventor of that very effective arm,
the Parrot gun This seemed to impart to
the man constant manner, such rs have
noticed In many good field officers, which
they could assume perfectly on duty, and
l,y off and be their private selves when
their service was intermitted Col Cush-
man always appeared to me to be strictly
precisely ION duty" from the time the reg,
iment was organized to the time he resigns
ed command.
Col. Cushman'S would have been an In
subordinate, even mutinous, spirit but for
apparent early discipline-the character
which makes the leading patriots, heroes
and martyrs, or the greatest criminals In
all ages. Hence, he was man not loved
by the majority In his regiment, nor In
civil life. Mutterings of threatened asssss
ination came to his and other ears, before
and after taking the feld.' Men were
slow TO see the wide difference and the
necessity for 1t, of the stern discipline, ex-
pecially In face of the enemy In war time
AMI the laxity of conduct and speech ex-
emplified In the easy going times of peace
He exscted strict obedience to orders,
equally punctilious in obeying superior
authority. The igaorant men were unable
TO discriminate between the commanding
officer. issuing orders as such, and the man
himself in his private capacity.