The National tribune., 1899-04-13
THE GRAND ARMY.
What Veterans Are Doing
for the Good of the Order.
NEBR isKA'S CHAPLAIN.

Chaplain Henry Nasterman was born in
Yorkshire, England, April ,, 1873. Nhen
few months past 10 years OF age: ne
enlisted III one of Her MaieStyS crack
rcgimentS-SecOnd Battalion, RlHe BIZ
gade. AS Is years was the minimum age
in which recruits were accepted, recruit
Masterman, who was not at that time
acquainted with George Washington, pre-
varicated slightly and gave his age as 10.
He vas the youngest man iii his regiment
and saw rluch ardu0us service. lie was
a member of the Guard OF Honor on the
occasion of Queen Victoria'S marriage,
Feb. 10, 1910. AS he was the youngest
man in the regiment, and is now In ms
S7th year, he is, perhaps. nearly, or quite,
the only survivor of the guard present on
this memorable occasion.
Comrade Masterman was stationed at
Bermuda, West Indies, when terrlDte
epidemic of yellow fever broke out. lie
was one of the victims. and very soon
was pronounced dead. He was carried
out and thrown upon the dead pile, but
revived, was rescued, and ultimately re-
covered.
He had been citizen OF the Unlted
States but a few years when the civil war
broke out. He enlisted in Co. q, 2otl
Iowa, in the Summer OF 1852, though ne
was then past 40 years of age. 10 the
recruiting officer he gave his age at about
45 that being the maximum age at whlcii
recruits were accepted. He was now the
oldest man in his regiment. lie served
until the close of the war, was in 16
engagements, was never in hosptal,
never missed turn OF duty. and never
rode in an ambulance or wagon whlie on
march.
Comrade Masterman was at the battle OF
Winchester, or Cedar Creek, and saw Gen.
Phil Sheridan just as he arrived ON tne
ground, after his 20 miles ride. In the
Spring of 1865 he was at Augusta, Ga.
having in his charge rs men, as he was
then a Sergeant. Gen. Joe Wheeler had
lust been captured. Gen. Washburn, VINO
was in command at that place, ordered
Serg't Masterman with his 70 to take
charge of Gen. Wheeler, with instructions
to place Wheeler in one room with one
man as guard in the room with him.
Serg't Masterman and the other "a men
were to occupy an adjoining room. ana IN
case of an attempt at rescue, or IN case OF
his attempting an escape. the orders were
to shoot him.
Serg't Masterman had placed the guard
in the room and given him the above
instructions, when the guard turned To
Cen Wheeler and asked, "Whecler, 90
you understand that?' AS Masterman
was leaving the room the guard said in a
stage whisper, "Masterman, hadn't bet
ter shoot him anyway
Serg't MaSterman says Gen. Wheeler
proved to be very orderly and agreeable
prisoner, and thus his life was spared to
win laurels fighting for thefGovernment
he had once fought so valiantly to destroy.
1t is needless to say that Serg't Master
man, as well as the veterans generally,
are now great admirers OF the dashing
Alabamian.
COmrade Masterman has always taken
great interest in GAR. affairs. On the
organization of Farragut Post, u Lincoln, /,
Neb., in 1879, he was elected Chaplain, and
has been reelected at each annual cleo
ton, never having had anyone to contest
his right to that honored position. During
his incumbency of the office he has
officiated at the burial of 134 OF his COM
rades, never yet having buried one as old
as himself.
As there was n vacancy in the Depart
ment Chaplain's Office, Department Com
mander T. j. Majors, on March %, 1888,
appointed Comrade Masterman to fill thai
place. and now, in his Sfth year, he per
forms all the duties in a manner thai
would be creditable to one OF half his
years. He is still hale, hearty, active and
enthusiastic; the day is never too cold ol
too stormy for him to visit the sick com
rade or his family, or 10 attend the burial
of a dead comrade.
DEPARTMENT NOTES.