The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-12-09
NUMBER 4S.
PRIVATE DAN WRIGHT.
A Modest Hero at the Battle of
Cedar Mountain.
He Received a Promotion But Didn't Want
TO Accept Ii 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
ings 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 il 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 a 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
1855 he came into my Office and wanted
TO learn the trade of a printer. We
talked together a few minutes, and ]
was satisfied that he would answer my
purpose / needed devil" The boy
who had filled that important place
had been promoted, and so il 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 Is, 1861, the day after the
fall of Sumter. On the evening of
Monday following a public meeting
was held at Citizens hall Speeches
We're made. The excitement was in
tense.
At the close of the meeting there was
a 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. lie
did it just as he would perform any
duty about the Office. / said: ''Why,
Dan, are you gong? / thought that,
as you are just through with your APP
premiership, You would like to remain
with me awhile. You would make a
good foreman and. what i more. you
could begin TO lay by little money
now"
He replied: Mr.. Il ~ou have
been very kind 10 me, and l had in
tended TO remain with YOU, II you were
willing. But ! think ! ought to 60 to
the war. l may be back after awhile,
but if / should not come back, perhaps
it is as well One ought TO be willing
to do a little for his country"
He was mustered into Company G,
Seventh regiment. The Seventh was
good regiment. filed up with excellent
men, and, during the progress of the
war, did some splendid fighting. There
was very little opportunity for fur
loughs in the regiment. We heard Of
il through the papers occasionally.
The only report that came as 90 Dan
Wright was that he was a good soldier.
In the summer of 1862 he came home.
He stopped a few days with his moth
cr and sisters. On the 18th OF July he
was in Ravenna and took dinner at my
| house. After dinner we went out
walking. / inquired of him as to his
| experience in the service. From him /
heard that he had been in excellent
/ health; that a soldiers life agreed with
him; that he had obtained valuable
experience; had had good opportuni-
| " to study, not only the art OF war and
| the questions connected with the con-
| troversy between the two sections, but
also to study the geography of the
| country and the conditions OF the peO-
| pie. He had proven to be a close Oh
server of men and things. and he gave
| g sv,f no
found in the newspapers He had a
diary in which he had jotted down the
result of his observations. lie had
already filed two or three books, and
it was a wonder to me how he found
time 10 do so much writing. lie said
il was a source of pleasure, and if he
lived long might be of some service
There are a great many newspaper
made men in the country. Men whose
fame depends not so much upon what
they do as upon their ability to get the
eye of the newspaper press and have
their performances heralded to the
world. This was especially so in the
army. The successful general was
oftent1mes the one who kept on the
right side of the newspaper correspond
euts. Some men were written up, and
others of equal merit We're written
down, and other brave, conscientious
I and capable commanders were left
without notice.
| Our conversation was long and pleas
ant He told me not only of the war,
but also of his personal experiences
and of acquaintances that he had
formed. Among other things he cX-
hibited to me the photograph of beau
tiful girl Her home was Winchester,
| Va, and she belonged to a good family.
| don't know what chance had brought
them together, but ii was very evident
from his conversation that an attach.
ment had grown mp between them
bantcrcd him a little on going dowr
south to capture the rebels and ther
being captured himself
The time had come for him to go bacl
TO his regiment, and the train was
nearly due upon which he was To take
his departure As he turned 10 go h,
said: ''Good-by, Mr.. H, l want L
thank you for the kind things You hav'
done for me. My time has come to go
shall never see you again"
Struck by this remark, rs well as hi
impressive manner, l replied: "Chee
up. Dan. No doubt we shall NEE
often again. When the war is over
You will come back here To live, an
perhaps you will bring that prett
Winchester girl with you. Good-b
and good luck to You. Don't have an
evil presentiments now, but go ava
I with light heart Write me whe
you can. l shall always want TO hea
from You"
He gave me his hand and slowly al
swered: ''Mr. H, l shall never IT