The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-11-16
FROM COLONEL TO PRIVATE.
AN Incident of Military Service During
the Late UnpIeasantness.


Gen. H. S. Greenleaf, a member of
congress from New York, told the fol-
lowing story to a Pittsburg Dispatch
man:
"In the fall of 1862, when Lincoln
called for 100000 more, we were in
Franklin county, Mass, buckled in to
raise regiment. / had been an off,
Ger of the militia there and happened
to be the first person in Sherburne
Falls to sign the enlistment roll. When
several companies were nearly full
Gov. Andrew aceeded to our request
that we might select all our own Off
cers-not only those of the line, but,
through them, the field officers also.
We oeganized war meetings and
stumped two northern counties, and
soon the regiment was full to the min
imum. Then we line officers assem-
bled to choose our leader. | had had
in mind for colonel one Decker, under
whom / had served when he was col
onel of the militia, and who had since
been year at the front as lieutenant
colonel. / had seen him and he agreed
to accept and had resigned his lieut.
enant-colonelcy to do so. He was an
admirable man-the most accomplish
ed military officer / ever saw. When
we met he was the only one spoken of
for the place. ] was chosen to pre-
side, but just before taking the chair
dispatch was handed me from Major
Winn. one of our citizens, then in Bos-
| ton, saying: Gov. Andrew will not
commission Decker under any circum-
| stances on account of white feather
| shown at front under Mcclellan. You
must nominate somebody else for col
onel.'
This was bad situation. I read
the dispatch and all was instant con-
fusion. | felt that it was cruelty un-
| just and said so. But we had to act
and took ballot | was astounded
when every ballot save mine was cast
for me for colonel. l had no practical
experience and urged the choice of
somebody else, but they persisted, and
| finally agreed to take it till we could
inquire into the Decker trouble. We
went to Boston. Andrew was immov-
able, and then the men who had given
the information were still at the front.
/ saw Decker; he complained bitterly
of the injustice; said that fever
drove him to the hospital; but, he
added: 'l'll go and show them! Make
me your quartermaster and / will go
with you, colonel!' I accepted, wrote
to the governor in his vindication, and
nominated him as my quartermaster.
The governor was still dominated bv
his first notion and refused to commits
sion him. l was greatly grieved and
surprised. Decker acted like a man
about it. He held the dispatch in his
hand minute and then said: Colonel,
I'm going with you. I'll go as pri-
vate. Give me the muster rollr and
he enlisted as a private soldier.
II was much moved. This was the
man who had been my colonel when l
was a lieutenant, and who had been at
the front for more than year in al
ternate command of regiment when
/ had never heard gun fired in anger.
Only one thing was left to do-to vim
dicate Decker. / went to one of our
principal lawyers and told him the
story, and got him to go to the Army
of the Potomac at my expense and get
the affidavits of officers of the field,
staff and line as to Decker's conduct.
They came at last, and were unani-
nous in his favor. Then the governor
tardily commissioned him as my adiu-
tant, for that place would test his
courage, he said. It did test it severe
ly, and it never failed or wavered.
Decker was, / believe, the best adju-
tant in the whole army He was an
encyclopedia of knowledge, miracle
of activity and industry. He was in
dispensable, an admirable drill officer,
fine disciplinarian, and vigilant in
the service of the regiment. Although
he had often commanded me, he never
once forgot our changed relations. He
treated me as a brother, and / shall
never cease to be grateful to him."