The National tribune., 1890-07-03

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James William Forsyth was born at Maumee
City. Ohio. within sight of Fort Meigs famous
| for its defense under the command Of Gen
| William Henry Harrison against the combined
| forces of tho English and Indians in the wal
of 1912; he desccnds from Scotch. Irish families
who emigrated to this country during the roll
| giOus prosecutions.
All old-time politicians of Ohio, especially
of northwestern Ohio, remember his father,
| James Henry Forsyth, as an astute and able
politician, who was an intimate personal and
| political friend Of Gen. Lewis Cass. His mother
was Miss Charlotte Temple Jackson. The
Jacksons were from Tennessee, and, before
| the family moved to Ohio "0ld Hickory" on
account OF name and descent, desired and
| sought TO adopt Miss Jackson into his own
family.
q. ID. Forsyth Post, G. A. T., Toledo, Ohio,
was named after the Generals brother, Lieut..
George Duncan Forsyth, who enlisted as a pri-
vate soldier in tho 18th Ohio, Mt the first call
by President Lincoln, and served through
three months service of the regiment in West
Virginia. In 1863, whilst on duty ms a Lieu
tenant of Ohio Volunteers in East Tennessee,
he was captured with part of his company in
an outpost fight, and sent to Libby Prison,
Richmond. Whilst there as q prisoner of war,
he was shot aud killed by rebel prison guard.
In 1867, Gen. Forsyth was married to the
daughter Of William Dennison, 0hios distin-
guished war Governor. whose patriotic and
elf-sacriiicing services TO his country are we'll
known. Mrs. Forsyth died at Fort Riley.
Kan, two years ago.
Con. Forsyth, nicknamed "Tony" at West
Point, was graduated from the United States
Military Academy in 1855. appointed a Second
Lieutenant of tho 9th U. g.. and assigned TO
the company of which George +. Pickett was
Captain, subsequently the famous commander
of "Picketts charge" ~ Gettysburg. and
served with him at Fort Belingham and San
Juan Island, Washington Territory, until tho
outbreak of the rebellion
San Juan Island Is within few miles OF tho
southeast extremity Of Vancouvcr's Island.
This latter island is larger than Cuba, aud con.
tanned tho Governors house and all the prin-
cipa officers of the Government of British
Columbia. In 1859 the boundary line between
the United States and British possessions was
unsettled. The British Governor, however,
claimed San Juan Island for the Crown.
The occupation Of this island, which Ia the
key Of the archipelago. was suddenly made by
Capt. Geo. T.. Pickett. Lieut.. j w. Forsyth and
one company of infantry, by order OF Gen. w.
). Haruey, the Department Commander. The
Brltiah Governor concentrated a force OF
marines and engineer soldiers aud ordered the
Commander of the British fleet 10 occupy aud
hold the island for the English Crown, but
owing Co tho unlinching, patriotic and bold
actions OF Pickett and Forsyth, this force was
deferred and kept from landing, and no doubt
prevented bloody war with England.
forsyth was promoted First Lieutenant Of
the 9Lh u. s. Mnrrh Is, 1861, and appointed
First Lieutenant OF the 18th u. s. May IA, 1861.
He accepted tho latter, as it afforded him an
opportunity 10 get to the seat of war, and sailed
upon its receipt in September for New York
Capt. Philip Ii. Sheridan came East on the
same steamer, and Thus began the intimate
friendship and cordial relations which lasted
until Sheridau's death. Upon his arrival in
New York the latter part of Oct 1861, FORSYTH
learned that he had been promoted to Captain,
and reported 10 his new regiment, then organ
igng at Columbus, o., but was soon after as
signed as Assistant Instructor TO the Brigade of
the Bi aud 65th Ohio, organizing at Mansfield,
o. He was acting as Colonel of the Gath Ohio,
and commanded brigade composed Of the Gath
and 65th Ohio, 5lst Ind. and lith KY, Gen. +.
]. Woods Division, Army OF the Ohio until
Feb, 1862 The War Department not having
authorized him 10 remain on detached yolun-
teer duty, he was relieved from this command
and ordered To report to the Adjutant. General
of the Army by whom he was assigned 10 duty
with the Army of the Potomac as Acting In
spector General to the Provost Marshal General
Of the Army, and remained attached TO the
Headquarters Of the Army of the Potomac from
Camp TO Gen. Mcclellan during the Peninsular
campaign and then as Aid.de-C Camp to Gen. ].
K. Mansfield, commanding the Twelfth Corps,
until the death of Gen. Mansfield at tho battle of
Antetam. He was then placed on duty as
Acting Deputy Provost Marshal General of the
Army of the Potomac.
While with tho Army of the Potomac he was
at tho siege or Yorktown, the capture of New
Bridge, the battles of Chickahominy, Gaines's
Mills, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, South
Mountain and Antietam.
In May, 1863, no was transferred to the Army
OF the Cumberland and detailed as Acting Ad-
jntant. General of the Regular Brigade of In
fantry. Ho led tho brigade in the charge at
HoOyer's Gap In the Tuiahoma campaign.
Ho was commissioned "BreVot Major, for
gallant and mertori0us services at the battle
of Chiokamauga," and was with tho Army of
the Cumberland while besieged at Chattanooga
Tenn. He took part in the battles Of Mission
AIRY Ridge, charging the nights with the brigade.
When Gen. Sheridan was transferred to tho
command of the Cavalry Corps, Army of tho
Potomac, Maj. Forsyth was, at Sherdan's re-
quest, appointed Lieutenant Colonel aud In
spector General of the Cavalry Corps aud as
signed TO duty as Chief OF STAFF. He took part
in the battles of the Wilderness Todd's Tay-
ern, Furnaces. and Spottsyvania Courthouse,
the cavalry raid TO HaxaiPs Landing. with on
Ragements at Beaver Dam, Yellow Tavern,
Meadow Bridges and Richmond also the fol.
lowing battles and engagements in Grants
campaign: Hanover, 1olopot0my, Hawes's
Shop, Matadaqun Creek aud Cold Harbor, the
raid to Charlottesville and the battles of Tre-
william Station, Mallory Ford Cross Roads