The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-02
OUR BLIND VETERAN.


The Next House of Representatives Would
Do Itself Honor by Eiecting Rev Henry
N. Couden as its Chaplain
Rev. Henry N. Couden has resigned
the pastorate of the Universalist church
of Port Huron, Mich. his resignation to
/, take effect May LIST. and the Times of
that city, understanding that he will be
candidate for the chaplaincy of the
next National House of Representatives,
says:
A House of Representatives, more than
two thirds of whose members will be
Republicans, would honor itself by max
ing veteran who lost his sight fighting
for his country it's chaplain; and it
would seem that Mr.. Coudens candid
a;y should receive most favorable con-
sideration. During his residence in
Port Huron Mr.. Couden has won the
high esteem of all citizens, who recognize
in him man whose great affection has
not clouded his naturally genial temper
ament, and who is ever ready to perform
his whole duty as citizen, and a min
lister of the Gospel whose faithfulness to
the cause in which he is enlisted is I'M
faltering.
Mr.. Couden enlisted in the Union
army at the age of eighteen, at Presi
dent Lincoln's first call for $1,000 men,
for term of three months, in the month
of April, 1861, in the Sixth Ohio infantry
He reenlisted before the expiration of
the three months in the same regiment,
for three years.
He was with Mcclellan in the West
Virginia campaign, took part with his
regiment in the battles of Laurel HILL
and in the Carrick's Ford. Green Brier
and other skirmishes. He was at the
battle of Shiloh and at Perrysville. KY
He was transferred from the Sixth Ohio
to the First Mississippi Marine brigade,
in February, 1868. He was wounded in
an engagement with guerillas, near
Austin, Miss, on the Oath day of May of
the same year. receiving load of small
shot in the face and eyes. which caused
total blindness Immediately. He re-
ceived also ball in the arm. one in the
side, and also one in the foot in the same
engagement, his horse receiving eight
balls. He was honorably discharged on
the It'll day of July. 1863. at Vicksburg.
Returning to his home in Cincinnati.
O., Mr.. Couden was examined by the
best oculists and pronounced hopelessly
blind.
Subsequently Mr.. Couden entered the
Institution for the Blind at Columbus,
o., where he took full course of seven
years, doing thorough literary work.
With strong desire for making himself
useful, and feeling an urgent call to the
ministry, he entered the theological de.
partment of st. Lawrence University,
Canton, N. Y. where he took a three
years course. Finishing with his class
in 1878. he took charge OF his first pastor
ate at Madrid, N. Y, the same year, re-
naming there three years. He was then
called to parish in Willoughby, O.,
where he remained about two years
From thence he went to Chatham. Mass
remaining there eight years. He came
to Port Huron about four years ago in
response to an urgent CALL
During Mr.. Couden's pastorate of the
Universalist church here it has prosper
ed greatly, the society having erected
handsome new church building, and in
creased it's membership largely. His re-
moval from the city, which is likely to
follow his resignation, will be generally
regretted. and the people of Port Huron
will hope that he may secure the place
he desires at Washington.