The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-11-12
PRIVATE DAN WRIGHT,
A Modest Hero at the Battle of
Cedar Mountain.
He Received a Promotion But Didn't Want
to Accept 1t Until After the Fight
"A Soldiers Romance That
Was Never Completed.

The history of the great civil war is
full of incidents of startling and heroic
character But few, comparatively, of
the brave deeds performed or suffer
tngs endured are ever recorded. They
remain a sort of family treasure, and
are told at the fireside on winter even
ings. When we remember that over
two million soldiers were mustered in
to the union army between 1861 and
1865 we are struck with wonder that
such mighty volunteer army could be
marshaled. We are apt, however, to
look at it as an entirety, as a whole,
or, at most, we individualize only so
far as to note the character and con-
duct of its great leaders. The names
of Grant, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan
and few more are on our lips, while
the hundreds of thousands who per-
formed the duties of private soldiers,
and are now at their homes perform
ing the duties of private citizens, or are
sleeping in the quiet graves where
they fell in battle, are hardly thought
of.
My theme is the private soldier, and
"Dan Wright" is my nero. He was
quiet, retiring boy. In the summer of
1858 he came into my Office and wanted
to learn the trade of a printer. We
talked together few minutes, and L
was satisfied that he would answer my
purpose. / needed "deviL" The boy
who had filed that important place
had been promoted, and so it was
agreed that he should come into the
office as an apprentice and remain
three years. He began work. Nothing
of special interest transpired during
his apprenticeship. He was quiet in
dustrious, thoughtful, and that was all.
His term of service expired on Satur-
day, April 13, 1861, the day after the
fall of Sumter. On the evening of
Monday following public meeting
was held at Citizens hall. Speeches
were made. The excitement was in
tense.
At the close of the meeting there was
call for volunteers. Among others,
Dan Wright came forward. / watched
him as he came up. There was quiet
look and manner about him quite in
contrast with most of those who signed
their names to the enlistment roll. He
did it just as he would perform any
duty about the office. / said: "Why,
Dan, are you gong? l thought that,
as you are just through with your ap-
premiership, you would like to remain
with me awhile. You would make q
good foreman and, what is more, you
could begin to lay by little money
now"
He replied: "Mr. H, you have
been very kind to me, and 1 had in
tended to remain with you, if you We're
willing. But think l ought to 60 tC
the war. 1 may be back after awhile
but if / should not come back, perhaps
it is as we'll One ought to be willing
to do little for his country"
He was mustered into Company G.
Seventh regiment. The Seventh was
good regiment filled up with excellen
men, and, during the progress of tn,
war, did some splendid fighting. Their,
was very little opportunity for fur
loughs in the regiment. We heard o
it through the papers occasionally
The only report that came as to Dal
Wright was that he was a good soldier
In the summer of 1862 he came home
He stopped few days with his moth
er and sisters. On the 4th of July h
was in Ravenna and took dinner at m,
house. After dinner we went on
walking. l inquired of him as to hi
experience in the service. From him
heard that he had been in excellen
health; that soldiers life agreed wit
him; that he had obtained valuabl
experience; had had good opportuni
ty to study, not only the art of war an
the questions connected with the con
troversy between the two sections, bu
also to study the geography of tn
country and the conditions of the pee
pie He had proven to be close OF
server of men and things, and he CAV
me great deal of information nc
found in the newspapers. He had
diary il, which he had jotted down tn
result of his observations. He ha
already filled two or three books, an
it was wonder to me how he foun
time to do so much writing. He sal
it was soyrce of pleasure, andWf b
lived long might be of some service.
There are a great many newspapel
made men in the country. Men, who's
fame depends not so much upon wha
they do as upon their ability to get tn
eye of the newspaper press and haN
their performances heralded to th
world. This was especially so in tn
army The successful general wi
oftentimes the one who kept on I'll
right side of the newspaper correspond
cuts Some men were written up, an
others of equal merit were write
down, and other brave, conscientiol
and capable commanders were lie
without notice.
According to Dan Wrights observ
tion the real heroes of the war wei
not always the men who received cred
for military achievements.
Our conversation was long and plea
ant. He told me not only of the wa
but also of his personal experience
and of acquaintances that he ht
formed Among other things he e
hibited to me the photograph of bea
tiful girl. Her home was Wincheste
Va, and she belonged to good famtl
don't know what chance had broug
them together but it was very evidel
from his conversation that an attac
ment had grown up between them