The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-11-28
A War "Reminiscences.
LYNcHBURG, Nov. 18th, 1899.

LYNcHBURG, Nov 18th, 1889.
The Worcester. Mass, Gazette an
nounces the death of General VIM. s.
Lincoln at his home in that city, on the
sth inst, aged seventy-eight.
Gen Lincoln commanded the oath
Massachusetts infantry regiment in the
civil war, and was seriously wounded at
the battle of New Market May 10th, "a.
Probably many persons in the lower val
ley whose memories go back to war
times, recall the General, then known as
Col. Lincoln during his long sojourn
with other wounded prisoners in Harri-
sonburg in the summer following the
battle of New Market.
When first brought to the village all
was confusion, the place filled with the
wounded of both armies, troops moving
back and forth, and the prisoners, many
OF them desperately wounded, were most
uncomfortably lodged in the court house.
AS soon as better arrangements could
be made, they were removed to vacant
house in an airy situation on the edge OF
the town, commanding fine view OF the
surrounding country. Here Gen. Lin
coin and his companions resigned them
selves to their weary captivity with phil
osophie composure, reading all the books
and papers they could procure, and re-
ceiving gratefully the attentions Of the
Union citizens who visited them con
stantly without objection from the Con
federate authorities. Gen. Lincoln was
a man of fine intellect and requirements
and made a most agreeable impression
on all who came in contact with him.
After the war he visited the Virginia
battle fields again. while collecting ma
terial for his interesting History of the
34th Massachusetts Regiment . valua-
bic contribution to the history of the
war In this work, as often in private
conversation during his Imprisonment
he paid glowing tribute to the splendid
charge made by the corps OF cadets from
the V. NJ l. at the battle of New Market
The General declared that the conduct
Of the little band of beardless boys on
| that occasion, threw into the shade the
|
won fame on many hard fought field.
! Many of the prisoners died from their
wounds, others remained in Harrison
| burg until the autumn when they were
sent to Richmond to be exchanged. 1t
was rumored at intervals that they were
to be sent to Andersonville, and dread
ing this addition to the trials he had al
ready undergone in captivity, Gen. Lin
coin conceived and carried out success
fully plan of escape.
He left the hospital under cover OF
darkness. and although still suffering
from severe wound in the shoulder, he
made his way on foot, after many dan
gers and difficulties. to the Federal lines
in West Virginia. An extremely inter-
esting account of his escape is appended
1 to Gen Lincolns history of his regiment.
He refers feelingly in his narrative, to
the attentions shown him by Mr.. James
Baker. Col. Gray, DR.. Gil1ner, Hon. Jno.
F. Lewis and other unionists, and speaks
gratefully also of the kindness received
from Capt O'Neil, the noted guerilla
fighter.
Gen. Lincoln belonged to a family
famous in American annals. His grand
father, General Lincoln, of the Con tinen
tai army, received CORVALLIS sword at
Yorktown, and his father was among
the distinguished governors of Massa
chusetts He had himself been conspic-
uous in peace as in war, and served his