The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-29

| throughout the length and breadth OF not
only this land, but others. the words OF this
| familiar song and poem have carried COM
/ fort and balm TO thousands of sorrowing
hearts for more than thirty years. Ana
upon no tay of the year are they more mt
| ting and impressive than upon Memorial
| day. when the nation lonors Its fallen he
! roes and loved ones ienderiy lay 1owefs
upon the graves of those who have died IN
| battle Hardly a person can be found VINO
Is not familiar with THE Vacant Chair,
J and who has not softly sung the enofus,
eve shall meet. but we shall miss him z!
, Yet IL seems strange thai little is known
OF a piece of such International fame. and
which has won so many admirers. Such Is.
nevertheless a fact. Outside of what might
almost be termed an immediate circle OF
friends of the author and the family of the
brave lad whose sad death inspired ITS
writing little. really nothing, Is known OK
the origin OF the poem. its author and hero.
This condition was brought about by the
peculiar way In which the verses were first
given 10 the public. The poem was written
by Hon Henry Stevenson W2sheurn, and
was inspired by the death Of very prom
ising young officer, Lieut.. John William
Grout, OF the Fifteenth Massachusetts, vol
unteers Company II.
Lieut.. Grous, the subject of "The Va
cant Chair was the only son OF Jona-
than and Mary Jane Grout, and was born
in Worcester, Mass, July -, 1872. His
father was q successful business man,
and the son enjoyed the best Of education
al advantages. In early life 1t was evident
that he. was endowed by nature with rare
gifts physically ana mentally. writer
of his time remarks: "of medium stature
and symmetrical proportions. erect car
rtage and remarkably fine and manly fea-
lures, and with elastic vigor and the glow
Of health. he might have been selected as
a model for an artist" lie was diligent
student, and mastered easily subjects ~
which his attention was given. but he
turned with special interest 10 history, in
Its relation TO nations. ard their conflicts
one with another. He seemed to have been
born for a military life, and inherited. uh-
doubtedly a love for the camp from MS
ancestors. He was OF the sixth genera
ton from John of Sudbury, who was a
grandson OF an English knight, and who
distinguished himself for his herolsra n
leading his tawnsmen triumphantiy against
the assaults OF the Indians in 1876. Tor
which he was rewarded with captalncy
IL was early a question what profession
In life he should follow, matter which
was not settled TIL he entered the Hig aland
military academy. at Worcester, where in
the military department ne was active
and enthusiastic and soon became ct m
rnander Of the cadets winning their favor
by his genial nature and his attention 10
duty. Hardly had his ambitions been thus
gratifiesi when the civil war became the
matter of aIi-absorbing interes; to the peo-
pie.
No one YVES quicker than he to see that
his hour had come, and he desired IA once
10 enter the army but his parents With
held their consent FOR a WhAe, cflt fly
on account OF bis youth. for he nad i.areiy
attained the age when his country could
legally claim bis services Waen. how-
ever they yielded 20 MS importantly. rs
joy knew &c bounds, and with all the
aTd1r OF Us nature he tegAn pgeD1rsssiz...s
for ms service before him. sueh rs %.eer-
ing on the floor 70 inure himself 20 the
hsra~hips of ..ie ia camp and eating pain
food
When The Massa clIusetts Fifteenth rsgI-
ment was organized he received GEM
miss on al second lieutenant in Company
Dan honor Ears,y bestowed upon 81
young a FGan- Iia was very popular In
rhe regiment, Ifs know ledge II military
tactics was slCig that his services as Il
Grn master were ~ constant demand. ffa
assured his friends al the time OF his de-
paTtufe for The front, that NJ had glfdsd
OF his arFnor for all the emergencies %
war AMI for victory or death. Tie saernsa
10 fee, the solrEnn.ties as weH as tho
| responsih24f}ss Of his position. bat nc*.r
& fsitere7l e ais purpose. or n the duties
! whsch Gsrol@s3 Epga .ssus later.
/ Il was the fortune Of the Fifteenth rez;-
| naent 20 suffer great .8ss 10 tsat dlsas-
/ sroBs conflict a Balls Buff, October =
1 1851. thu first in which the regiment had
ever participated. The Union trsorrs bas.
| crossed the Potomac river from their camp
az Poo.svills, some mics back On tina