Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
From Colonel Down to Private.

General Fl. S. Greenleaf, an able officer
and one of the most efficient OF the present
New York delegation in Congress-, tells O
good story:
"In the fall of 1862 when Lincoln called
for 800 900 more, we were in Franklin county
Massachusetts, buckied in to raise q regi
ment. had been an officer of the militia
there and happened to be the first person
in Sherburne Falls to sign the enlist
ment roll. When several companies were
nearly full, Governor Andrew acceded in
our request that we might select all of oul
own oficers-not only those of the line, but
through them, the field officers also. We
organized war meetings and stumped two
was was m fniI fu to the minimum mini S Then The Gns we lime
officers assembled to choose our leader.
had had in mind for Colonel one Decker,
under whom l had served when he was
been year at the front as Lieutenant
Colonel. l had seen him and he agreed to
accept and had resigned his Lieutenant
man-the most accomp plished military offioer
ever saw. When we met he WAS the only
one spoken of for the place. I was chosen
to preside; but Just before taking the
from Major Winn. one of our citizens
then IN Boston, saying Governor Andrew
will not commission Decker under any Cir
cumstances on account Of white feather
shown at front under Mcclellan. You must
nominate somebody else Tor Colonel This
was a bad situation. I read the dispatch
was cruelty unjust ana said so. But we had
to act, and we took a ballot. 1 was astound-
ed when every ballot save mine was cast for
me for Colonel: l had no practical expert
but they persisted, and l finally agreed to
take 1t till we could inquire into the Decker
trouble. We sent to Boston. Andrew was
immovable, and then the men who had
inf fprN
I saw Decker. He complained bitterly of
the injustice; said that a fever drove him to
the hospital; but he added. 'Ill go and
show them! Make me your Quarter
Colonelr 1 accepted, wrote to the
Governor in his vindication, and nominated
him as my Quarternaster. The Governor
was still domina ted by his first notion and
refused to commission him. l was greatly
grieved and surprised. Decker acted like 4
man about it. He held the dispatch in his
going with you. RI go as a private. Give
me the muster rollr and he enlisted as q
private soldier.
II was much moved. This was the man
Lieutenant,an who had been ut the front for
more than year In alternate command of a
regiment when l had never heard gun
fred in anger. Only one thing was left to
our principal lawyers, told him the story,
and got him co go to the Army of the Poto-
mac at my e1pence and get the affida-
Wits Of officers OF the field, staff and
line as to Decker's conduct. They came at
last, and were unanimous in his favor. Then
the Governor tardily commissioned him as
courage he said. 1t did test it severely and
it never Jailed OF wavered. Decker was, 1
believe, the best adjutant in the whole
army. He was an encyclopedia OF knowl-
He was indispensable; an admirable drill
officer, fine disciplinarian and vigilant in
the service of the regiment. Although he
had often commanded me, he never once for
got our changed relations. He treated me
like brother. and shall never cease to be
grateful to him."