The Press., 1891-06-11
MAJOR JOSEPH H. CONVERSE

The dedication of Windsor Locks me- morial building has a local interest for Stafford in many ways. First, that it is a munifcent gift to that town from Charles B. Chaffee, native of Monson, and hav- l ing considerable acquaintance in Staff Iford, though for many past years an hon ored resident of Windsor Locks. Next that the local o.. A. R. post to receive the gift is named for Joseph H. Converse, while the adjutant of that post, who also acted as marshal on the occasion of the
 presentation, is A. w. Converse. Joseph
 H. and Alfred w. Converse were born in Stafford and spent their early lives at the old Converse homestead, now the home of Rev. F. l.. Batchelder, at Stafford Hollow. These young men removed with their father to Windsor Locks shortly be- fore the outbreak of the rebellion, where they engaged in the, foundry business. J. H. Converse enlisted April 25th, 1861, in the 1st c. V., and participated in the first battle of Bull Run. At the close of his enlistment term he joined with T. D. Johnson and Wm. Horton in raising a company for the 11th c. V. The compa- ny (B) was largely composed of Stafford men, and Johnson was commissioned cap tain, Horton 1st, and Converse 2d lieuten- ant. July IS, 1862, Converse was commits stoned captain of Go. A, same regiment
 Col. Charles Warren, who went from Staff ford as sergeant in Co. B, and later was it's captain, ,son his way to higher honors, was close friend of Major Converses, and speaks of him as a man of the best type, whether for military or civil life, compelling the fullest respect and conf dence of all, whether of equal, higher, or lower rank. He was a capable and brave officer, one of the best sent from the state during the war, and was also one of the best of war correspondents, his letters to
 the Hartford Post being copied widely. Oct. 18th, 1862 he was promoted to be
 najorof the 11th, and afterwards went up- On the staff of Gen. Martindale. On the
 morning of the battle of Cold Harbor June
 IS, 1864, before dawn, preparations had
 been made for charge on the enemy's
 works. Gen. Martindale sent Major Con-
 verse to Gen. Stedman, who commanded
 brigade in the division, of which the 11th | was part. Col. Warren was upon the staff of Gen Stedman, and with other old com
 rades saw Major Converse alive for the last time as he rode up, saluted Gen. .Sted-
 man, said "the general sends his compli-
 ments, and says all is ready" and hasten
 ed back to his post of duty.
 Martindales division advanced immedi-
 ately to the charge, losing, it was said,
 over HOO men in ten minutes, and among the number was MajorConverse, ,shot from his horse in the advance. The news came | quickly to Col. Warren with a message from his dying friend, who wished to see | him, but the exigencies of the moment
 were such that his commander could not | permit his absence. The body was en- balmed and sent home to Windsor Locks | for burial.
 Adjutant Alfred w. Converse began his
 military service as sergeant of Co. c, 25th 0. w., Nov. il, 1862, was successively
 promoted 2d and 1st lieutenant, wounded
 at Port Hudson May 28, 1863, and mus tered out Aug. 26, 1868. He is an hon. | ored citizen of Windsor Locks, has been 1 it's postmaster for many years, except
 through the interval of Cleveland's presi-
 dency, town clerk and treasurer through years of adverse political rule, and treas
 urer of it's savings bank.