The National tribune., 1893-04-06
GEN. sERpAN,s SUDDEN DEATH.
Stricken with Apoplexy While Playing Chcs
Mt His Club

Stricken with Apoplexy While Playing Chcss
at His Club.
Gen. Hiram Berdan, the Colonel of the 1st
u S. Sharpsbeoters, better known in the Army
of the Potomac as Berdan's Sharpshooters, was
stricken with apoplexy while playing chess at
the Metropolitan Club, on Friday afternoon,
March 81. and died in a few moments. The
General had been ailing for some time, being
troubled with heart disease. and had been out
of his n street residence only couple of days.
Mrs. Berdan is absent in Europe visiting her
daughters, and the General has been in the
habit of spending most of his time at his club.
On Friday afternoon he arrived at the Metro
politan Clubhouse Mt the corner of Seventeenth
and streets narth west, about o'clock, and
engaged in conversation with the Secretary OF
the club, whom he told that he was feeling
very unwell. A few moments afterward he
engaged in game OF chess. His end came so
suddenly that Admiral Crosby, who was seated
opposite him, and several other gentlemen near
by, conld afford no relief before he WAS dead
Several physicians were Immediately sum-
moned, but before they arrived the General
had expired.
All of the Generals immediate relatives are
at present in Europe, his wife being on visit
to her daughter. at Sorrento, Italy. The Gen.
erals other daughter, Countess Donep. wife Of
the French Minister to Sweden, is with her hus-
band at Stockholm. The news of Gen. Ber-
members of the family, and the funeral will
be delayed until they can be heard from and
their wishes ascertained.
Gen. Berdan WIS born at Plymouth, Mich,
nearly GO years ago, and frat came into
national prominence at the outbreak of the
war of tho rebellion. The organization of the
1st U. s. Sharpshooters in 1861 was due to the
efforts Of Gen. Berdan. The General was him
self one Of the most expert ri1e-shots in
America. 1t is related of him that at an ex-
hibition of craftsmanship witnessed by Presi-
dent Lincoln and Gen. McClelland, Gen. (then
Colonel) Berdan said that ne would hitthe eye of
gaily- painted zouave at 600 yards. He fired
aud hit the exact spot.
Under such skillful and enthusiastic leader
the Sharpshooters soon became distinguished
in the service, and second regiment was
organized. Under command of Gen. Berdan
they rendered effective service in the PENN
sular campaign, at Charlottesville, and cspe-
cially at Gettysburg. The General always took
especial pride in the fact that he was the first
TO introduce repeating rifles into actual and
effective service, which he did With the weapon
Of his own invention. At the recent GA. r.
Encampment in Washington Gen. Berdan was
tle central figure OF the enthusiastic Reunion
OF his famous Sharpshooters, about 200 Of whom
were present.
Among other inventions Of Gen. Berdan
were his military torpedoes and more recently
his long range finder both Of which have be-
come almost as famous rs his rifle. Gen. Ber-
dan was for several years in Russia, and be-
cause of his Eervices to that Government WAS
awarded a considerable sum of money. He
enterod into contracts with Russia for furnish
ing the Cars army with large supplies of the
celebrated rifle bearing his name He was
prominent in social as we'll as military circles.
and many friends throughout the country
mourn his death. sister of Gen. Berian was
the first wife of ex-Vice. President Morton.