The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-10-10

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Sunday school in the Baptist church for
many years aud died in 1882. The moth
or is still living and resides with her
daughter near Ridgway.
Alfred 4. Clearwater was reared in Ul-
ster county, n. Y, aud received an ordi-
nary education. In 1861 lie enlisted in
Company D, l56th n, Y. Volunteer in
fantry, as drummer boy, being unable
to get into the army in any oiher way, us
he was less than II years old and weighed
only 96 pounds. He threw away the
drum and took up the gun at the first op-
portunity and was soon promoted to SER
geant for conspicuous bravery. He was
shot through the left knee and crippled
for life at the battle of Port Hudson,
Louisiana. Our little hero participated
in three fierce but unsuccessful charges
in that great struggle before he wasi
wounded After he was shot he lay on
the battlefield nearly twelve hours. The
particulars of his participation in that
battle are most graphically told by the
man who was his Captain at that time,
Col. Alfred Neaiie. We take the follow
ing paragraph from description of the
battle which Col. Neafe wrote for the
Ellenville, N. Y. Journal shortly after
the battle;
II must mention one incident that de-
serves 10 be recorded aud remembered.
Alfred A. Clearwater, drummer in my
company%D) the company at present be-
ing on duty with Companies A and G at
| General Banks headquarters, was on
duty in the ambulance corps. aud had
| charge of a stretcher and four negroes,
and rendered the most efficient service;
was in the thickest of the battle and kept
his men at work, and brought Off a large
number Of men. His bravery and eflic-
iency were remarked and applauded by
all, lie did his whole duty when others
quailed before the fierce and deadly fire.
/ lie finally heard that General Payne was
wounded within six DDS of the entrench-
ments and could not be removed He
volunteered to bring him of and started
with his four negroes. In few moments
he and three Of his men were shot. They
brought him safely of the field. Tho bullet
was extracted from his knee and he was
Immediately sent to Springfield Sunday.
have the bullet pow in my possession
and will give 10 to him as soon as can
see him. lie is a brave and noble boy"
This glowing tribute we find still pre-
served by Col. Clearwater's mother, who
has it pasted inside the lid of the Bible.
This brave boy came near losing his
| limb, but six months nursing in the hos
pital at New o leans restored him so he
could be discharged and sent home on
crutches. he could not re-eulst because
Of his wound and fretted greatly because
he could not get back into the army.
He attended school year at Harvard
University in Susquehanna county, on
crulches, and then went to learn the trade
of tanner with his uncle, w. II. Oster-
hout, a. Glenwood Pa, and while he
worked on the beam ho was compelled
| for months TO walk to and from his work
Oh crutches lie served an apprentice
ship for four years and then took the
/ uperiniendeucy of tannery at Herrick
Center for four years, after which, in
| connection with two partners, he pur-
chased the Glenwood tannery. After two
years he purchased the interest of one of
his Farmers, and two years later became
sole owner OF the same, which he con-
Quoted for seven years. He then, in COM
pany with W. II. Osterhout, began oper-
ations at Pcnfeld, Clearield county, Pa,
whic he continued for Que year. In 1888
he accepted the position Of snporintend-
ent Of the great tannery at Wilcox, Elk
county, and moved to that place. where
he still resides, though he resigned his
position in the tannery about two years
ago, to take a we'll earned rest. Col.
Clearwater met with remarkable success
as superintendent OF the Wilcox tannery.
making that great enterprise pay better
than it ever had In all its history. He is
thorough in everything he undertakes.
putting his whole life and energy into
his work. He used brain as well as
Drawn, and has patented several labor
saving devices, which ale monuments to
his genius.
Col Clearwater is an Elder in the Pres
byterian church and superintendent Of
their Sunday school. lie is a Past Com
mauder of Hiram Warner Post, No. 50i,
OF Wilcox. lie is also q Past Grand in
Wilcox Lodge, No. 1914, /. O. o. f.. and
Past Commander in Wilcox Tent, No.
1856, Knights Of the Maccabees.
Col. Clearwater did not secure his title
OF Colonel during the war, for he was too
young, oven though 1t WAS we'll earned.