The National tribune., 1889-08-29
GEN. GEORGE R..MAxwELL.
Death of tho Gallant Colonel of the LIST MIoh Cav.

as United States Marshal, brought to justice,
mainly at his own expense, one of the leaders
of the Mountain Meadow Massacre, as Register
of the Land Office at Salt Lake, and as q lawyer.
In the East he was better known for his
sterling patriotism and exceptionally good
record as soldier; for disabilities incurred in
defense of the Union, and for his physical and
mental sufferings during period OF "a years.
such as would have made less considerations and
resolute man anxious to shuttle off prematurely
the heavy burthen of life las thing mono but
fools would keep"
Entering the army in 1851 as a private in
tho LIST Mich Cav, then hearty, robust, in
telligent youth, inspired by pure love of coun-
try, be emerged from it in 1865 Brigadier- Gen.
eral by brevet, but a physical wreck. Every
step in rank he gained by conspicuous gall
lantiy in action or in the field"
He was one of that gallant 800 who, on the
right at Gettysburg, on the afternoon of July
3, 1863. led by Col. Town, drove from the field
in confusion the six regiments comprising
Hampton's Brigade--the flower of the rebel
cavalry-when flushed with success over the
9TH Mich. This exploit has been classed as
one of the most brilliant acts of cavalry in that
or any other war. IL prevented any further
attempt of the enemy to reach cur rear.
He took conspicuous part in tho capture Of
EwelPs long train while retreating late the fol-
lowing night over South Mountain, on the road
from Cashtown TO Smithburg aud was severely
wounded. Late that night the regiment was
advanced to the right by the way of Fountain
dale through Fairfield Gap towards Monterey.
The road was steep and narrow the night
very dark rain fell in torrents, and heavens
artillery and fireworks added immensely to the
impressiveness of the surroundings; on one
side of tho road tho mountain was too steep for
even dismOuuted men to manuver; on the
nfh inn A. fka nj
umn approached the summit, two guns planted
in the road behind barricade of wagons aud
logs, were emptied of their grape and canister
into its head. The command to "charge" was
promptly obeyed. Nearly all Of the advance
squadron fell in q heap on and about the OBJ
struction, forming q kind OF bridge upon
which those in the rear passed over in the pelt-
ing rain to the music of exploding shells. the
whistiing of mimic balls and tho artillery of
the universe. Here Capt. Elliott and Lieut.
McEheny laid down their lives; but the guns
were captured while loaded. and were turned
upon the now fleeing enemy and the train was
struck.
In the fight at Hawes's Shop May %. 1864, he
was again severely wounded, and soon after
received commission as Lieutenant Colonel.
AZ the battle Of Five Forks April l. 1865, where
the enemy made their first desperate attempt
to break through the anaeonda-like folds by
which envir0ned, he received wound that
necessitate the amputation OF one leg near
the thigh, thus unfortunately depriving him
OF the sft-expressed hope that he might be
in Mt the death of tho rebellion, which event
occurred eight days later Mt Appomatt0x.
Gen. Maxwell was always on duty except
when in hospital account of wounds. He
never made disease an excuse for keeping out
OF fight; indeed, be was considered by all
who served with him as one of the most reliable
of Miehigan's many noble sons
One instance viii illustrate the high estima-
ton in which he was held by his superior off,
eers When sheridan's raiding command. which
seft the Shenandoah Valley Feb. q. 1865 was
engaged with the enemy on the south side Of
the South Anna River. MAXWELL. then in COM
mand of his regiment. WAS sent of some miles
TO protect the left flank. Near night Gen.
Longstreet took the aggressive, when Sheridan
recrnssed the river burning the bridges be-
| hind him. The officer sent TO recall Maxwell
was killed, so that the 1st Mich was completely
cut off from the main command. As the bridges
were burning Sheridan said TO q staff officer:
Is everything all over safe7" When told
| that the LIST Mich. WAS still over the river. no
| anxiously asked "Who Is in commando" The
| reply was Maxwell" 90, he is all right, and
will get out il anybody can" Aud. sure
enough, he did get out, losing but few men,
| though not many believed it possible.
When Maxwell discovered his predcament
alone with one small cavalry regiment con-
| fronting large portion of the rebel army--hs
did not get scared aud lose his head but coolly
commenced planning for a safe sretreat. II
was now dark. and stretching. out his line e
make great show of force. he commenced
popping away nc the enemy with his seven
shooters rs il no had the whole Army of the
Potomac at his back. This caused the enemy
to advance cautiously fearing trap had beer
laid for their discontinue In tho meantime
men had been sent TO find fording place
When Maxwell reached the river his men haG
captured "a white native. who insisted that thu
river was nowhere fordable, because of tn,
recent rains. The exultant enemy were nea
at hand. and time was getting more precious
every moment. Believing the fellow to b,
lying, Maxwell mounted him in front of
trooper, with a warning 20 find q fordng place
| in u brief number of minutes or his carcas
would he left ON the bank of the stream for tn,
bnZzards To pick. A ford was speedily found
about the most difficult one a trooper ever had
to navigate: but il was H0bson's choice {,
cross there or be killed captured. and tn,
whole command, less three men. under tht
cover OF darkness reached the opposite bank
| Late that dark, tempestuous night, when Max
well rode up TO headquarters TO report his fac,
was wreathed in smiles aud there was merry
twinkle in his eyes; but Sheridan. being anxi
Gus, Was up and OH the lookout for him. Al
he hove in sight Sheridan said TO ono OF his stat
There didn't l tell you Maxwell would com,
out all right? and then he shook himsel
with quiet laughter, as no other man ever did
or could, and invited Maxwell to tell his expe
rience. which he did. and that is how the gen
eral facts happen to be recorded here. Indeed
a whole volume could be filed with the inter
esting adventures of this officer, showing hi
intelligent devotion. skill aud earnest effort il
behalf OF tho Union cause.
Gen. Maxwell was married twice. His frs
wife was highly accomplished woman be
longing TO a respectable family OF Washington
| He fell in love with her while she was his vol
unteer nurse in Amory Square Hospital during
the Spring of 1865. IL was truly a love match
aud they were married as soon as he could go
about on crutehes; but his JOY was soon turn
ed into sadness, for few months later, Will
they were arranging TO keep house. size droppe.
dead. The suddenness Of the blow WAS almos
overwhelming, and from the shock Maxwell
never fully recovered. Ii came just when life
after all OF his suffering. began to seem to hin
to be worth living, and he could never hea
this period of his career alluded to Withou
showing the deepest emotions.
For second wife he married an amiabl
lady in Utah. who had his entire confidence
and was worthy of ii.
What he suffered for "a years. mentally a
we'll as physically, no pen can describe. II
was a constant sufferer from his injuries, 8
much so, indeed, rs to call forth from him FIRE
quently that they were worse than thou
sand deaths" But the worst blow of all to hin
came, rs before stated, just as he began to 50
| the silver lining TO the dark cloud of lf
through the loving smiles and In the presenc
4 A kat..s h. ka1 n