The National tribune., 1891-03-19
DEATH OF en- 1,-r1rr.

the shadowy ranks OF tlie Silent Majority.
Mai.-Gen. John W. Fuller, who died at
his home in Toledo, O., last week, stood high
on the list of those brilliant officers who led
tie Army of the Tennessee in its unbroken
career of victory.
Though he came OF preacher stock-bis
father and other relatives having been dis
tinguished Baptist divines Nature intended
him for a soldier aud asuccsssful commander
Of men, and sp!endidly did he carry ont her
intention. He entered business life at nm
early age aud made n success Of ii, but in his
heart was love for the profession of arms.
lie became nm officer in fine military COM
pany IN Central New York, and ut the ont
break OF the rebellion hastened to offer his
services 10 the Government lie was then
leading merchant Of Toledo, but his
aptitude for so!dicrship caused him to
ne given the appointment Of Chief Of
Staff TO Brig.-Gen. c. W. Hill. who led
brigade Of Ohio militia into West Yir-
ginia. lie displayed so much ability in
this position that the Governor Of Ohio ap-
pointed him to the Colonelcy Of the 9th
Ohio-One Of the new three-yeaT regiments.
lie took hold of the work o. converting the
mass Of enthusiastic young citizens into
regiment Of soldiers, aud soon had one of
the best-drilled and disciplined regiments
in the service. He was sent with it to Mis-
souri,; but its history there was uneventful,
and early in 1862 it became part Of the forces
with which Gen. Pope conducted his bill
liant campaign against New Madrid and
Island No. 10. Next he was in Halleck's
deliberate advance upon Corinih, and in
September, 1852, he was put in command Of
the celebrated " Ohio Brigade consisting Of
the 9th, 39th, 47lh and cd Ohio His
junior Colonies were a brilliant coterie OF
able and enthusiastic young men, every one
Ofwhom became Generals and made splendid
records. Col Edwin F. Nayes, of tho 39th,
was aterward Governor Of Ohio and Minis
ter 10 France; Col. Wager Swayne, Of the
i3l, was a son Of Associate Justice Swayne Of
the United States Supreme Court, afterward
became Major General. was Military Gov
ernor Of one of the seeded States, and is
now one of the leading lawyers OF New
York City. The fourth Co!onel-John W.
Sprague, Of the cd Ohio-became a Brevet
Major General.
The young commander and his brigade
iiut gave proof Of their metlle in the
licrcely contested battle OF Corin,h, where
Rosecrans, with $1,000 men, met and drove
back the combined forces of Van Dorm aud
Price. The brnnt OF the Sighting was borne
by the Ohio Brigade, which behaved with
splendid Eallantry, and the momentum Of
the powerful columns Of charging rebels
was broken by countercharges led by Col
Fuller in person.
Col. FuIler's next achievement was n
severe ihrashing administered to Forrest at
Parker's Crossroads, in which he captured
from the rebel partisan seven pieces of artil-
lery, wagon-train, 400 horses, and $50
prisoners.
In the Fall of 1853 Col Fuller marched
with Gen. Sherman to the relief Of the be-
leaguered Army Of the Cumberland, and by
brilliant movement captured the town Of
Decatur, Ala
When the army was reorganized for the
Atlanta campaign Col. Fuller was placed in
command of the First Brigade of the Fourth
Division Of the Sixteenth Corps, and distin-
guished himself at Resaca, Dallas, Keuosaw,
and Nicqiack Creek. lie was then promoted
to the command Of the Fourth Division OF
the Sixteenth Corps. With this command he
splendidly sustained the shock Of the rebel
onslaught on the momentous July -, 1861
before Atlanta, when Gen. Mcpherson was
killed. The fighting was terrific The di-
vision was attacked in both front and rear
but it never wavered, and when powder and
\ lead were insufficient, Col Fuller led il
/ against its swarming foes with fixed bayo-
nets. For his personal galIautry and spIca.
did leadership on this hard fought field Col
/ Fuller was made a Brigadier- General. II,
was actively engaged at Ezra Church Jones
boro, Snake Creek Gap, and marched with
Sherman to the sea. in the march through
the Carolinas Gen. Fuller distinguished him,
self at the crossing Of the Salkehatchie, al
River Bridge, the crossing of the Edsto
/ Cheraw, and at Bentonyille lie was bre-
vetted Major General for gallant and meri.
torious service during the war.
In private life Gen. Fuller was admirable
True as steel 10 his friends and to every con.
viction Of duty, he was a tower of strength
aud an example to all who knew him. With
all his force of character and unbending will
he was as gentle and loyable as a woman
a rough or profane word never passed hi,
lips.
Devoted TO his country, his family, hi,