Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-22
HONOR TO MAINE.
General Greedy Highly Compliments
Maine Signal Corps.
A Letter from Captain G. ". Butler TO Adlulant
General Richards.

The following letter recently received
from Captain George w. Butler of the
Maine Volunteer Signal Corps. by Adju-
tant General Richards. will show the
opinion Of General Greeley. commander
of the signal service of the United States
army. in regard to the corps.
This opinion is verv fiattering to the
Maine men. In a letter to Captain But
Ter. General Richards has thanked him
and his corps in behalf of the State for
the gallant service they have rendered
and the good name they have made for
the State.
The following Is Captain Buffers letter:
Camp Wikon. Sept. 16. 1888.
Gen. John T. Richards, Adjutant General:
Dear Sir-I regret to inform you that
Private Ezra ColcOrd died In the hospital
here. last night. His father and mother
other patients here are doing well. Off,
cially I have q men for duty. but have
not one that could run 100 yards without
heavily on my mind. for God knows that
the health of my men has been my first
care.
ment of the regular Signal Corps. which
as with us In Cuba. Gen. A. w. Greeley
called here. yesterday. and after a long
talk with the officers. said that he wished
to say to them. This was done.
He then thanked the men in general for
the Intelligent and efficient manner In
which they had performed. their duty In
great pride to him that the Signal Corps
was the. only department that had es-
capesd d M adverse seriticism. Then, turning
You of the volunteers who came into
the field from your shops and desks can
not be expected to stand the hardships
DO xlx<,
are trained soldiers; neither are you ex-
pected to perform the many duties which
devolve upon you with the same intelli-
gence as the regulars who have had
the comparison is very fiattering to you.
You were the first ones to report for
duty In Washington. You were the best
ported there during the war. The State
of Maine ought to be proud of you, and
should be proud of the manner in which
conclusion let me say that it is my fond
hope that in civil life you will meet with
the same success which has crowned your
eHrts n the service i your
him to the hosDitals, as he wished to see
every man that could be found. l went
with him to the general hospital. taking
him through the different wards where
the men were scattered, (and am good
guide. as | visit them daily. He took
each man by the hand and thanked him
ment more like father than a stranger.
After leaving here he asked IL there
were any others. | told him that Private
CO1cOrd was in the detention hospital.
but was unconscious and not expected to
live: also that his parents were with him.
He said that if thought that he would
not be considered as an intruder he
would like to see him and speak to his
father and mother, and so we went there.
The poor fellow seemed much better
than when ! saw him in the morning.
but 1t was the last rally before death.
The general took his hand, and told him
who he was. He seemed to understand
what the general said. and tried to an
swer. l made out distinctly the words,
duty. general"
General. those sick men will never for
get General Greeley. the chief signal Off
Ger of the Unite. States army. They will
swear by him through life.
Yours respectfully,
G. w. BUTLER.
Capt. s. C. U. s. ".