The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

wards promoted to the full colonelcy.
Upon the expiration of the nine mon this
term at a most critical exegency in the
history of the war and at the earnest re-
quest of President Lincoln and the Secre-
tary of War, Col. Wentworth and about
two-thirds of his command volunteered to
remain for the defense of Washington I'M
til the rebel general, Lee, and his army
were driven out of Pennsylvania and
across the Potomac. On account of this
patriotic service Col. Wentworth and his
command were considerably lionized,
their homeward path Immediately fol
lowing the victory at Gettysburg being a
continued ovation from Washington to
Maine. They were also the recipients of
a..medal awarded by special vote of Con-
gress.
Upon his return home at the earnest
solicitation of Gov. Cony, Col. Wentworth
accepted the colonelcy of the 32nd Maine,
which was organized, Differed and
equipped under his personal supervision.
The regiment was hurried to the front
in detachments, one wing participating
in the battle of the Wilderness. The COM
mand was reunited at North Anna and
Immediately upon assuming command
Col Wentworth found himself and his
newly organized regiment in the enemy s
immediate front and surrounded by the
"din and clatter and turmoil of that PAN
demonium which men call battle" The
regiment heroically acquitted itself and
also later participated actively in the
battles of Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor,
Hanover Court House and SO forth, and
in the Petersburg seige. In the latter
campaign especially the service of the
32nd was very severe. At the famous
"mine explosion" in front of Petersburg
the regiment as a portion of Griffin's
brigade guarded the mouth of the mine.
When all was ready for the explosion
July 30th, 1864, the regiment proceeded
directly into the crater in the hope and
expectation of penetrating within the
rebel lines. The regiment passed through
the mine and was within the rebel lines.
While reforming the line to push further
on Gen. Bartlett bestowed upon Col.
Wentworth this pleasant compliment.
/" Colonel, am glad to shake hands with
the only officer who has led his men in. ;"
Just as Col. Wentworth had given the
order forward" amid fierce shower Of
bursting shells he was seriously wounded.
A bullet passing entirely through the left
side of his body, having already in it's
course clipped off the arm of his comrade.
Sergeant Ray p. Eaton. Col. Wentworth
was rescued from the enemy's lines with
great difficulty and the escape of himself
or any of his companions has always
been regarded as quite miraculous. The
colonel was unceremoniously rolled down
an embankment and dumped into the
Union entertainments. At roll call after
that engagement only two officers and
twenty seven privates responded to their
names. Col. Wentworth was tenderly
carried to Maine, but his wound was SO
serious as to render it imprudent for him
to continue in the service. He resigned
his commission November 1864. In 1865
he was breyeted brigadier general of
volunteers "for gallant and meritorious
services during the war; Since retiring
from the military service Gen. Went
worth has filled number of civil positions
under the state and national government
and taken active part in the various
enterprises and reforms of his time. In
1913 he was reappointed naval store keeper
at Kittery was elected representative to
the legislature in 1874, and again in
1891. Was appointed on the board of
state prison inspectors, in 1887 serving
four years and in the fall of 1891 was ap-
pointed by President Harrison surveyor
of customs for the district of Portland
and Falmouth succeeding the late Honor
able Nathan Cleayes at the expiration of
his term. Gen. Wentworth was also q
delegate to the Republican convention in
1868, which nominated Gen. Grant. He
was one of the Maine board of electors of
President and Vice President in 1888. He
has long served on the political commit
tees OF his party, town, county and state,
and in 1878 only lacked a few votes of re-
ceiving the nomination of his party as
representative in Congress for the first
district Of Maine.
Gen.. Wentworth was instrumental in
secl1rinp the fret oIectiop of Hon RI r