The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-08-28
MAJOR SILAS Z. GRTSI MORE.

| MAJOR SILAS Z. GRiSI MORE.
tTho following biographical sketch of
| Major GriSarnnr- was pre1ared by himself
and fonmi among his paper. after his death.
1t is wholly written by him. with the *
| ceptiDn of the announcement and date of his
| death which we have Unexpectedly
Silss T. Grisamore was horn in
| Clark County, Indiana. on Mar ell s,
1925, about nm miles above Lnnis-
vile, Ky. and died at Thibodaux. La.
july a, 1897, aged u years.
He received such education az the
common schools of the county afford
ed, supplemented BY two or three
sessions ~ the Charleston Academy
near his maternal home and for which
he paid ID part from revenues derived
from teaching elsewhere.
IL the Autumn of 1916 he e~migrated
to Louisiana. debarking at Donalds N
vile on November 3, and finding a
home in the Parish Of Assumption
near Nap"l onviile. In 1S47 he taught
a private school, and was for some
years engaged in Mercantile pursuits.
IN 1857 he removed to Thibodaux ana
entered into the copper, tin, and sheet
49, = ~ pa IIViSfttp WIN MI
John Larkin. under the firm name Of
LarkIn & Grisamore. In 1859 tile
senior partner sold his int, est 10 w.
H. Ragan and George Wes,brooks,
when the firm became 5. L. Grisa-
more & Co.
In 1861, having entered into the
service IF the Confederate III nv, he
left the firm business in charge of his
partners.
As a private in a Company COM
handed by Capt. Louis Bush, subse-
qlently company 6. Of the..EighteentI
Louisiana Regiment Of Infantry, he
was promoted to a Lieutenancy upon
the regimental organization of which
his captain became Major, with AL
fred Mouton as Colonel.
In his youth he was a wing, aud IN
1860 was un ardent advocate of the
election Of John Bell, Of Tennessee,
the Union Candidate, for the Presi-
dency.
Opposed to any secession of states,
he however considered his allegiance
to his adopted state paramount to all
others, and when Louisiana withdrew
from the Union, he unhesitatinly
sought his destiny with that Of the
people ia whose midst he had found a
home.
Upon the n organization Of the
army in 1862. lie was elected first
Lieutenant Of his company, refusing
the Office Of Captain, and requiring
the q election to that position of j.
X. Gourdain, who was absent. wound
ed and sick. simultaneously with his
ell. ctlon, he was assigned to duty as
Assistant Quartermaster by Lieuten-
ant Colonel Alfred Roman, command
ing, and 10 the succeeding August was
appointed Captain A. G. NJ. of the 18th
Regiment by Colonel L. L. Armant
then IN command, which appointment
was subsequently confirmed by the
Confederate authorities.
IN 1864 after the battle Of Mansfield
Brigadier General Henry Gray, sue
ceeding to the command of Monton's
Brigade, appointed him Major and A.
Q. NJ. which position lie occupied until
the close of hostililics.
He was an officer with his
throughout the two days battle Of
Shiloh, in which the regiment lost
about twO-thirds of it's men either
killed or wounded. Hs fought also
with his command at Pennington.
Tennessee, at Texana and Bisland In
Louisiana.
In 1862 his regiment was removed
into the Trans Mississippi department
and he accompanied it in all it's long
and weary marches over Louisiana
and Arkansas.
Refusing frequent offers Of Past
Quarter Masterships. he preferred to
remain with and near his company.
Peace proclaimed he returned to
his former home to find his business
in a state Of desolation, but after a
few months service as Deputy Sher-
if, he again commenced mercantile
pursuits, which he continued during
his life.
In 1865 he vas appointed Mayor of
Thibodaux, an Office in which he had
previously served one term, in 1860.
The finances of the town were in a
bad condition, their being a debt OF
more than $30O0.00 with bridge over
Bayou Lafourcle and market house
destroyed, leaving no revenues bnt
taxation Of an impoverished people.
Aided by the ability and assistance
of j. F. Riyiere, the town affairs we're
brought into a healthy condition. and
the market house and bridge rebuilt.
Mr.. GrIsamore served for 20 years
as a member of the Police Jury of the
Parish of Lafourche, and with the x
ception of one term was President of
that body.
IT., Death -. .-l.L.I r