The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-07-31

there and remained until March, 1865. The
approach of Gen. Sherman caused the removal
of the prisoners to Goldsborc N G., but he be-
ing among the sick, was left behind After the
fall Of Wilmington he with the remaining sick
was taken there and paroled, and sent to An
Dapolis Md, where, after gaining strength. was
sent TO Indianapolis and at the expiration of
his Through remained in Camp Sullivan until
discharged. During this time Col Wilson, his
former Major, offered him the Quartermaster's
position in a regiment he was then organizing
but owing to his health declined it. He set
Tied in indianapolis after the war, and has
made 1T his home ever since, the greater part
of the time engaged in the wholesale commits
sion business. He has always been an uncom-
promising Republican and a member Of c.
III. Thomas Post, GAR. Ho has always taken
IN active interest in all ex prisoners and for
several years has been President Of the local
association was President Of the State Assoeia-
ton and Vice President Of the National Asso-
citation. He was appointed by Gen. Powell as
ono of a committee that went to Washington
and urged the passage Of the bill presented by
the National Association for the benefit Of ex-
prisoners before the Pension Committees of the
5Oth Congress. His long imprisonment after
bis term of service had expired, and the exist
ing pension laws has impressed upon him the
need of special legislation for all ex-prisoners,
and to that end he has been an earnest worker.
REV. JOHN s. FERGUSON
was born Oct. 10. 1890, in Beaver County, Pa.
At the age of eight years he accompanied his
father to the State of Indiana, settling in Rip
ley County. After few years moved to De-
catnr, and here lost his mother; then moving
to Ohio County. At the age Of IS the family
went to the far West, locating at Muscatine,
Iowa. His father being blacksmith, he learned
the trade In the year 1861 he entered the
NJ. f. ministry, travelling as junior preacher
with Rev. b. G. Barnes, residing at West
Irving, Tama County, Iowa. At the breaking
out oil the war he gave up his ministerial work
and commenced recruiting for the army, send
ing many to the front
In Aug, 1862, feeling it his duty to go TO the
front, he babe his wife and three children fare
well, and was appointed Fifth Sergeant, Co.
r, 2sth Iowa. Soon after by the unanimous
request OF the company, he was promoted
to FIRST Sergeant was with the company in all
the battles, Skirmishe5 and marches up TO July
1863 At the surrender Of Vicksburg he re-
ceived a sick furlough, at the expiration Of
furough joining his regiment at New Orleans
in September, and remaining with his COM
mand up to the 6th day Of April, 1854 After
his return the company most of the time was
under his command, rs the comm issiOned OFF,
GERS had died and others were absent recruiting
He was in nine hard fought battles beside
many skiTmishes At Port Gibson, Nav 1863.
he received slight scalp wound On the sth
Day or apFI, 1871, at the battle OF Sabine Cross
roads, La, be was wounded by the bursting of
schrapnel she'll, receiving 10 wounds. besides
the loss of his right arm at elbow. Wounded
and bleeding on the field, he was taken pris-
oner and held at Mansfield, La. After weeks
and months of starvation suffering and torture
by the vermin in prison hell. he was paroled
Rebel hospitality had reduced his weight one
half. When taken he weighed 200 pounds
When paroled, health was gone and he wei ghed
i0l
In Aug, 1855, he was discharged at Keoknk,
Iowa. Re.enteriug the ministry he travelled
Ii years. Health failing him he had 10 take
supernumerary relation. ali the years since
the war has been constant sufferer from his
many wounds aud IS carrying a piece Of shell
In his body. In the year 1883 he received the
appointment Of superintendent National Gem
etery at Jefferson City, Mo. During the six
years at that station he organized many GAR
Posts, served three years as Post Commander,
and four years As Department Chaplain.
In the year 1865 he did good work in raising
funds for the Soldiers Orphan Home in Iowa.
In the Fall of lSoS he was transferred to the
National Cemetery at keokuk. Iowa In the
Fall OF 1857 he was instrumental in organizing
the Prisoners OF War Association Of Missouri,
and was elected its first President and remains
so up till the present. The organization is in
fourishing condition. At the annual meet
ing of the National Association, Prisoners of
War, held at Milwaukee, he was elected Chap
lain of the association, declining the Prcsi-
dency.
lt IS well understood that he is always loaded
and ready TO boom the GAR, p. Of W., or any
thing else 10 help his comrades.