The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-10-31

served in the capitol of the State !;
and measures ought to be taken to
see that this is effected.
Returning FROM Mexico with all
the honors that could be bestowed
upon brave and gallant man, Capt.
Williams was elected sheriff of
Dauphin county on an independent
ticket. As has been the general rule
for a century in regard to the Sher-
ifs office, Gen. Williams came out
of it poorer than when he went in.
..
Early in 1861, when the rebellion
broke out, and demand was made
for troops, Governor Curtin sent
for Gen. Williams, who had been
commissioned several years before
as brigadier.general of the militia.
The Governor directed Gen. Viii
liams to organize Camp Curtin,
which at that time was in possession
of the Harrisburg Park Association,
adjoining the northern boundary of
the city, now Maclay street. Col.
Seneca G.. Simmons. Of the United
States army, being in the city, mus
tered into the United States service.
Gen. Williams and he had the honor
of being tie first votunteer mustered
into sercice for the defense Of the
Union. After organizing Camp
Curtin which was widely known as
the most important point in the
Northern States for the concentra-
tion of Federal Troops, and the CEN
ire of military operations for the
period of four years, when the three
months service was directed, Gen.
Williams commanded brigade, and
was with Gen. Robert Patterson in
the Shenandoah Valley. and subse.
queutly mustered out at Washing
ton city. lie was appointed by
President Lincoln, colonel of the
Lochiel Cavalry, and directed to
raise twenty four companies in that
branch nf the service, which he nc
compllshed in II very short time.
Three battalions of raw cavalry it
was difficult to handle, but by hard
work Ten. Williams got his COM
man. into splendid discipline and
drill. He went into camp ut Jeffer-
sonville, Indiana, where he exchang-
cd his Pennsylvania horses for good
Kentucky stock. After instructions
from General Buford, he was order
ed to the front under General Buell..
On reaching Greene River, and
when ready to cross the stream, Gen.
Williams was directed to take the
advance. but the same evening they
heard of the capture of Fort DON
aldson and that obviated the con-
templated movement. His COM
mand was then cut up, and distrib-
uted through Kentucky and Tennes-
see. His own regiment, the Ninth,
good discipline and behavior. It is
u well-known fact that Gen. Viii
liams' services in the campaign
when Buell. and Bragg made their
march into Kentucky were valuable
as they were indeed arduous. Ow-
ing, however. to question of rank,
in which not he but other officers OF
the volunteer service were concern
ed, be peremptorily resign ed and re.
turned to Harrisburg. Here the
General lived for number OF years,
but in 1873 he went to Chapman, Pa. |,
where he engaged in merchandising.
continuing therein until the present
time. ~,
The General is very pleasantly To-
Gated, and nothing in the world
pleases him more than to see the
faces of his friends of other years
and to hear of those whose society
he enjoyed at Harrisburg, which he
still claims as his home. Notwith-
standing the extreme heat, the day
was delightfully."- spent and in the
evening there were many regrets
the General to have his friends make
such short visit, and the friends
to leave such a hospitable home,
presided over by the veteran Gener.
al and his charming wife. In the
evening of their days it would be on
ly n noble tribute if grateful coun-
try would appreciate the heroic SER
vices of just such veterans as Gen.
Williams, and place them in such
position where they could pass the
remainder of their lives in ease and
quiet. Nevertheless our hero is con-
tent, and we know that it is the
heartfelt wish of his friends every
where, as be approaches his four
score years, that time will deal
gently with him, and we can cheer
fully and heartily say God bless
him"