The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-03


of the war Major General of u. S. Volunteers.
1t was then made the mistake of a lifetime by
declining the o der OF the commission OF Colonel
in the Regular Army made by the President on
the recommendation Of Gen. Grant. along with
four others. Had accepted the offer world
be to-day very near the Senior Major-General
of the United States Army, soon to retire with
an assured living. But | chose to go into
politics, to hold lots of offices, including the
Governorship of Pennsylvania twice, to find
myself to- day an insurance agent, iegging 1t
for business and support"
Hartranfts career during the war showed
that he was a natural born soldier. He was
handsome man, standing fully six feet high,
welI-developed in limb aud form, with eagle
features dark countenance set off with pierce
ing black eyes; he was at once man to re-
member. One would suppose that such man
might be vain and arrogant, perhaps selfish
Not so, however. On the contrary, he was
modest unseIfsb, even retiring iii manner.
He was ambitious only OF those things for
which friends proposed he should stand.
He was born in Montgomery County, Pa, in
1880, and entered Union College to come out Of
that institution to enter the engineering pro-
fession, which he abandoned for the law. The
war changed all his plans Of life, as il did many
another's. In 1861 he was among the earliest
to respond to the call to arms, and joined
Butler at Annapolis as Colonel of the 4th Pa.
He was at Bull Run on Gen. Frankiin'5 staff
and received special mention for his bravery
His regiment was part of the Burnside North
Carolina expedition, and participated In the
charge that drove the rebel Gen. Wise from
his stronghold in the swamp on Roanoake
Island Doing his part of whatever was to be
done in subsequent operations, ne was con-
spicuous for his bravery at Antietam, where
he specially distinguished himself in executing
Burnside's order, which was conveyed to
Hartranft in the hottest Of the fight in these
words: " Gen. Burnside directs that the DIST
Pa.-Col. Hartranit commanding the
bridge" 1t WAS almost forlorn hope. Hart
ranft led in person. The bridge was carried
with the impetuosity of the whirlwind so
great was Hartranft's gallantry that he was at
once recommended for promotion to the rank
of Brigadier General. He participated in the
i'll starred battle of Fredericksburg. Out OF
2I5 men he lost 80 in killed and wounded.
Hartranft WAS always On the go. lie never
had any "soft duty"
Soon we find him in Kentucky, then in
sometimes Mississippi; next at Vicksburg
su ffering almost unendurable hardships. to turn
I'D in East Tennessee, vigilant and capababie
in that quarter of hard duty and activity. par
ticularly at Knoxville, when his capabilities as
an engineer, added to his ez perlence as a COM
mander, contributed largely in compelling
Longstreet to abandon the siege OF that import
ant point Next we find Hartranft at Annapolis
participating subsequently in nearly all the
PRINCIPAL battles and operations OF the long
campaign that was crowned by the surrender
of Lees army. We find him at Cold Harbor,
Petersburg Mine, Ream's Station. Hatchers
Run, Fort Stedman, Petersburg, and Richmond;
coming out as full Major General of U. s.
Volunteers In all these events and elsewhere
the record is greatly to his credit, but specially
at Fort Stedman, March %. The two armies
had for some time been lying almost within
speaking distance. Accordingly before the
break of day the rebels determined to break
through the Union lines IN front OF Its base OF
supplies. Such was the suddenness and i'm
petuosity of the charge that the Union troops
were captured or driven out. Hartranft was
mile away. Hastily forming his regiment. he
determined On the desperate endeavor TO re-
take the lost ground At the moment when
he was ready, orders came to wait for reinforce
ments Feeling confident of success with
what troops he had on hand, and there being
some doubt about communicating the order ali
along the line, Hartranft took his own regi-
ment and went ahead. leading the center OF
the charge in person. Not expecting SO sudden
a turn in affairs, the rebels were driven back,
the fort was reganed, and 5000 prisoners
taken. The victory was complete. lt led To
the speedy evacuation of Petersburg
The event has been pronounced the crisis In
Hartranfts military career. Technically made
in disregard of orders, had tho movement failed
it would ofeourse, have been his ruin. ltwas es-
sentially personal victory. 1t gave Hartranft
higher standing than ever for quick Judgment
and nerve.
The war over Hartranft became the fayorite
of the Republicans in Pennsylvania for what
ever office there was to be filled. Declining
the commission Of Colonel of the 36th 9. S. Inf,
he ran for the office of Auditor General to
which he was twice elected. He was twice
elected by the Republicans TO the office OF Coy
enor by large majorities, and in the Republican
National Convention in 1872, at Cincinnati, he
| received the votes of majority of the Penn
sylvaDia delegates for the Presidential nomina-
tion. He subsequently held the office of Col
lector of the Port of Philadelphia
The National Guard of Pennsylvania. whose
efficiency in discipline is largely due to him,
is fitting monument to his capability as an
organizer. He died Dec. 17:1So9, aged 50 years.
Although Hartranft held office nearly all his
life aud had opportunities TO accumulate money,
he did not improve them some others would
have done and he died poor man, honored
and loved, his place in history firmly fixed as
soldier of the true spirit and the very high
est qualities.
Read "Petfer than Pension" on mage 4,