The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-31

Amherst. M8SS., Record rays n Tr1D-
ute to the Popular Officer Killed
Mt Santiago, Leaving IL St. Paul
Girl WidOw-His Direct An
cesters Fought in the Revolution
and the Rebellion.
When, little more than a month ago,
says the Amherst, Mass, Record, Wal
ter Mason Dickinson, first lieutenant
In the Seventeenth regiment of United
States infantry, writing from on board
transport in Tampa harbor said, as
he viewed the magnificence Of the mil
uary pageant spread out before him,
that he would not have missed it for
nVe years of his life, he little knew
that the mortal life before him was to
be measured by days. not years. But
had he known ii, he would not have
turned back but would have performed
bis duty willingly, gladly, nobly. Others
as brave fell in the battle before San
tiago, but he was Amhersts first Of
fering on the altar of her country in
the war with Spain, and it is fitting
that here. in the town where he was
born. among the people with whom he
has so long associated, especial tribute
should be paid to his character ard
worth.
Walter Mason Dickinson was a de-
scendant in direct line from one of the
earliest settlers in Hadley Third pre-
cinct. The founder of the family In
America was Nathaniel Dickinson. who
was born in England and with his wife
and three sons came to Wethersfield
Conn.,, in 1886. He was the first re-
corder and deacon in the First
church. The line of descent was as
follows: Nehemiah, who married Mary
CoNieS; Samuel, who married Hannah
n lad
ful -; Walter, who married Lydia
Dickinson; Marquis F.. who married
Hannah S. Williams; Walter Mason.
His great grandfather, Nathaniel Dick
lnson Jr, was the most prominent man
in Amherst at the outbreak Of the
War of the Revolution, graduated from
Harvard at twentyfour years; was
a delegate from Amherst to the first
provincial congress; also to the second
and third congresses, and was sent as
representative to the general court in
IT'S, 1850 and 1888
Walter NJ. Dickinson's maternal
grandfather was Asa Williams, of
Shutesbury, who served in the Cont
mental army three years under Gen.
washington, spent the winter at Valley
Forge and was present at the capture
or the Hessians at Trenton. John
Dickinson, a relative on his fathers
side, took part in the battle of Bunker
Hill, and, when he died in Amherst at
the age OF ninety-two, was the last sur
wing Revolutionary soldier in East
ern Hampshire. Mr.. Dickinson's moth
er is one of the few now-living daugh-
tiers of soldiers who fought in the Rev
olution.
Coming of such ancestry, it is small
wonder that Walter Mason Dickinson
early showed an inclination toward
military affairs, and in 1877 eagerly
accepted an appointment to the mill
tary academy at West Point which
was secured for him by the late Presi-
dent Seelye, then q member of congress
Al that time he was in his twenty-first
year and had nearly completed course
at the agricultural college. He grad
uated from West Point in 1880. and was
commissioned second lieutenant in the
Fourth cavalry After graduation he
attended the cavalry school at Fort
LeaVenworth. where he took high rank
In military tactics. During twelva
years service in the Western depart-
ment he saw the harder side of the
soldiers life, and in campaign against
the fApaches took part in one severe
oattle and several minor engagements.
He was complimented in general or
derS Tor forced march he made with
fifty Indian scouts some 800 miles tn
Slpo. N. NJ, at the time of the Indian
uprising at the San Carlos agency He
was transferred in 1892 at his own re-
quest, TO the Seventeenth United States
4nAoitt y, anu soon a1ter was detailed
as military instructor at the agricill-
tural college in Amherst, where he re-
manned four years. On leaving AM
herst, he Joined his regiment at Column
bus, .. Since camp was established at
Tampa he served as acting quartermas-
yer, ana April 70 his name was recon-
mended by the adjutant general at
Washington for promotion to a cap
talncy. his commission, which would
soon nave been issued to date from
that day. He accompanied his regi-
ment TO cuba, took part with it in the
hghtlng about Santiago and in the bat
tie which occurred July 1 received a
wound from which he died
In company with his wife he took
a prominent part in social events, and
his departure from Amherst was great
ly regretted.
Lieut.. Dickinson was married to Mar
tina Otis, daughter of the late George
l.. Otis, of st. Paul, Mimi, at one time
mayor of the city; she survives him:
thty have no children. His father and
mother are still living at the family
homestead in North Amherst He also
leaves two brothers and four sisters.
They are: M. F. Dickinson Jr, the
Well-knoWn lawyer, of Boston; Col Asa
w. Dickinson, a leading lawyer of Jer-
sey City, N. J.; Amelia. widow of the
late Franklin L. Pope, of Great Bar
rngton accidentally killed by an cleo
tSt current some three years ago:
Roxie, wife of Elihu Holbrook; Julia, !
wife of Rev. Charles S. Nckerson. of
NeWtonville, and Fannie wife of Prof.
j. b. Lindsay, of the agricultural col
iege. his Oldest sister. who died four
teen years ago, was the wife OF Rev
Henry N. Coudon, chaplain Of the ma
tiona! house OF representatives. who
lost his sight from wounds received
while fighting guerillas in Missiggipni
In May, 1853 Mr. Couden's son, but
that a special order of the war denart-
ment had to be secured ere his enlist
ment was accepted. is a member Of the
First District of Columbia volunteers
now on the way to Santiago.