The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-31


ing Glass Prairie, near Bellville, Ills,
not far from st. Louis. Young Merritt
attended the school of the Christian
Brothers, Catholic institution, at
Belleville. The Merritts were not of
that faith, but they sent the boy thither
because it was o good school. Later he
worked ON tho farm for three years,
helping his brothers raise corn and pork,
for which that section has always been
famous. Young Merritt often drove the
farm team IL miles to town, getting
only 10 cents bushel for his corn. Be-
ing q lawyer and man Of a literary
turn of mind, the boys father aspired
to do something besides raising corn. He
started q local evening newspaper at
Belleville, called The Advocate, and
later a weekly Of the same name at Leb-
anon.
Young Merritt helped his father and
srothers publish this newspaper. He
mastered the business Of running ooun-
try newspaper, taking his turn in look
ing after petty details besides learning
to set type and becoming an expert
printer while but boy. AT the age OF
Is he went to read law in the Office Of
Judge Haynie in Salem. He was max
ing rapid progress when Governor Bis
sell, then o membor of congress, secured
him cadetship for West Point
Said General Merritt to reporter re-
Gently: "Up to that time had no idea
Of every becoming soldier. Ny ambi-
tion was to be q good lawyer and poll
tician and enter public life. / believed
that my forte lay in the direction OF
discussion and public speaking. How
ever, when my father pointed out the
great advantages Of West Point edu-
cation, q careful consideration of the
subject in the light of his experience
and arguments convinced me Of his
wisdom. accepted his views and en-
tered West Point. At that particular
time the course Of study at the Military
academy was five years. got along
very well. did not stand high in my
class except in English; was rather
slow in mathematics. think l was in
the only full five year class ever grad
uated from that institution.
Among my classmates were General
Horace Porter, General James III. Will
son of Illinois, now of Delaware, and
the well known historian; General John
M. Wilson, the present chief of engi-
aeers; General 8. f. Cushing, just re-
tired as commissary general also Gen.
eral Stephen ID. Ramseur Of South Car
olina. 1t is singular fact that having
entered the Confederate army he was
killed by my command at Winchester.
While he lay seriously wounded and
dying, and very anxious to see me,
was sent for; but, being in hot pursuit
Of the enemy, it was impossible for the
messenger to reach me in time. l hur-
Pied back to see my wounded classmate.
but he was dead before arrived"
General Merritt has no family. His
favorite nephew. Eaton Merritt, he Is
educating at Connecticut school, with
view Of sending him to West Point.
General Merritt was married in 1871 in
Europe to Miss Caroline Warren of Gin
and was buried at West Point, where
the general was superintendent for Ave
years.
General Merritt had many narrow es-
capes from death--a notable one at the
battle of Beverly Ford in 1868, when
he was attacked by Confederate officer
and desperate hand TO hand contest
followed. He was sabered over the head
and would have been killed but for the
soft felt hat which he wore, containing
n big army pocket handkerchief. In this
engagement he was surrounded and his
troops nearly captured. He fought with
n courage and desperation that won a
great victory The newspapers Of the