Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-08
GENERAL Merchants CAREER.
Interesting accidents from His
Colorado Friends.

The promotion of Col. Henry c. Mer-
Ram of the Seventh Regiment, United
States Infantry, was received by the Col
orado Commandery Military Order of the
Loyal Legion with the most intense sat
isfaction, as Gen. Merriam is a former
commander of the cOmmandery, and ever
since his arrival at Fort Logan has taken
warm interest in the welfare of the
Loyal Legion and in the personal we'll
being of his old companions in arms
members of the order and of the Grand
Army of the republic, says the Denver
Republican of July 2. An account is also
given of the visit of this commandery to
Fort Logan to congratulate the general.
The occasion was a memorable one, the
governor of the state and other diStin-
guished guests being present
An interesting fact in connection with
the occasion is that it is the first time in
been visited by any governor of Colorado.
The attention given by the Denver pa
pers to the promotion as we'll as other
Incidents connected with it indicate Gen.
Merriam's great popularity. The Daily
News of Denver, devotes several col
umns to the generals career. Some of
this sketch will be especially interesting
to our readers although the Journal has
previously published an outline of the
generals brilliant war record
With the confirmation of Colonel Mer-
RAMS nomination will come his detail to
the department of the Columbia with
commanding headquarters at Vancouver
barracks. This department is the only
one now vacant.
Henry c. Merriam was born at Houl-
ton. Me- November 13, 1887. He entered
Colby university, but left college during
his junior year, in 1862, to organize
company in the Twentieth Maine Volun-
teers, commanded by Colonel Adelbert
Ames tho lieutenant colonel being Joshua
l.. Chamberlain OF his succeeding dis
tinguished record mention has been made.
General Merriam holds the brevet rank
of lieutenant colonel for gallant and
meritorious services in the battle of An
tietam, Md for Conspicuous gallantry
in the capture of Fort Blakely, Ala
bama," colonel of volunteers for faith
full and meritorious services during the
campaign against the city of Mobile and
it's defenses." The army register has the
name of General Merriam listed as one
of the holders of medal of honor grant
ed by Congress for conspicuous galian-
try in the assault on Fort Blakely. Ala
bama. April 9. 1865, voluntarily and sue
cessfuIy leading his regiment over the
works in advance of orders. permission
being given him at his own request,
while serving as lieutenant colonel, com
handing the seventy-thrd United States
coored troops"
At the end of the war Colonel Merriam
was mustered out. and took up the study
of law in October. 1865. In 1866 he re-
cevcd the appointment of major of the
Thrty-eighth United States Infantry, MS
commission bearing date July ~, lS65.
TALON of Clusters Indian campaign in
Kansas from April to June 1861 In the
summer of 1867 he pursued ana July IL
defeated the kiowa Indians under San
tanta on the upper Arkansas. From 1867
TO 1869 he was in command of Fort Bay
ard, New Mexico. and in 1869 commanded
an expedition against the Apache Indians,
on which expedition he captured an
tains in June. 1850. Upon the consolida-
ton of the infantry regiments Colonel
Merriam was transferred to. the twenty
fourth infantry and commanded success
sively, from 1869 to 1872. Fort Bliss, Fort
McKavett and Fort Duncan. during the
Mexican revolution. He was in COM
mand of Fort Ringgold in 1873 and led ms
troops against marauders on the lower
Rio Grande at Fort Brown in the same
year. He made q tour abroad In 1874.
and on his return was placed in command
at Fort Mcintosh, Texas.
ABLE TO PROTECT AMERICANS.
In the summer of 1876 the revolution
mad gained considerable Roadway in Mex
ico. The followers of General DiaZ were
in possession of the northern Mexican
states and were gradually advancing
southwark. In August, Colonel Estrada
81 the revolutionary forces appeared with
MS command before the town of Nuevo
Laredo. topposite Fort Mcintosh. Texas),
surrendered to him After the capture of
Nuevo Laredo by the revolutionists. Cen
eral Merriam crossed over to the Mexican
Side and brought back the commander or
the Mexican government forces. COlonei
Jesus del Vale, who had been dangerous
ly wourded during the fight. This officer
was placed in General Merriam personal
quarters ct Fort Mcintosh and after Il
tedious Illness he recovered. The saving
of this officers arm by the post surgeon
at Fort Mcintosh was considered along
the border at that time as a marvel OF
surgery
The second in command of the Mexican
government troops was Colonel Pablo
Quintana. This official was OF course
made prisoner with the others. The COM
mandcr of the revolutionlsts was IN
clined to have Quintana shot at once.
owing to some acts of oppression com
mfEed by the latter against the revolu-
uonists. but the American consul. or com
mercia agent. at Nuevo Laredo at that
time, Mr.. J. l.. Haynes. nterposcd ana
requested that Quintana be given into his
custody. guaranteeing that he would be
responsible for him. Next morning. now
ever, it was found that Quntana mad
through the assistance Of Mr.. Haynes. as
was claimed by rhe Mexicans. escaped to
the American side Colonel Estrada was
so incensed mt thus losing Quintana tnat
he promptly placed Mr.. Haynes under
guard and threatened to take him to
Monterrey for trial. General Merriam,
nearing of this affair crossed to- the
Mexican side and by the firm stand ne
took in the matter. Colonel Estrada
deemed 1t prudent to release Mr.. HAYNES.
After the departure of Colonel Estrada
and his troops the town of Nuevo Laredo
was left virtually without protection, ana
was threatened with pillage by rowing
bands of marauding Mexicans. At the
earnest request of the leading citizens or
the place, including American and other
foreign residents. General Merriam occu-
pied the town with company of the
twenty-fourth infantry and held posses
SION until sufficient protection was al
iorded by the Mexican authorities.
FOR his service at Laredo, General Mer-
Ram was recommended by Major Gen.
eral ORD then commanding the depart
ment, for the brevet eff brigadier gen.
eral In September of the same year he
again crossed the Rio Grande and cap
tured the town of Nuevo Laredo and held
1t in military possession for the protec-
tlon Of American and other foreign mer-
chants for seven days, until assurances
Mere yiY4u by IpSuullSI lille NJ XllaQ