Evening star., 1900-01-22
DEATH OF CAPT. MARGEDANT.
officer Whose Services In War Distin-
Euished Him.

Eu1SheO HIN.
Capt W. C. Marge1ant died recently in
Hamilton, Ohio. He was a soldier of national
reputation and we'll known in the War De-
partment for his valuable services during
the war of the rebellion. He belonged to
Col. r. L. McCook's 9th Ohio (German)
Regiment
Born in Prussia, Capt. Margedant came
to this country in 1850 He organized a
company at the outbreak of the civil war,
mainly from the society of Turner's. gym
nastic association, for service in defense OF
the Union. and three times received every
vote Of his company for captain, which
place he finally accepted, very much against
his preference. The company joined the
9th Regiment in April, 1861, for the three
months service, and before its time eX-
pired every man in the regiment re-enlisted
for three years
Soon after his arrival in western Vir-
ginia Gen. Mcclellan detailed him topo-
graphical engineer, with assignment to Gen.
Rosecrans' staff. Gen. Rosecrans, in his
official report to President Lincoln, said:
Capt. Margedant deserves conspicuous
ention for his valuable services as a re-
connoitering officer in the face of a storm
of bullets
The 9th Ohio in the same report, received
especial mention by name for its work, a
record made and kept sacredly until its
muster out in the fall of 1864.
When Gen. Rcsecrans took command of
the Army of the Cumberland the captain
accompanied him and remained until after
Chickamauga, where he was transferred to
the personal staff of Gen. Geo. II. Thomas.
Again the former general noticed his eff
cheney in his report to the President as fol-
lows: 1T is my duty to notice these faith
full officers who have none but myself to
mention them. Capt. w. c. Margedant, topo-
graphical engineer on the field of battle,
discharged his duties with zeal and ability
Refusing any escort, the captain left the
Widow Glenn's house, then the headquar-
tiers, and at a critical moment galloped to-
ward the enemy's lines, in search of desired
information for his commander, and before
he was aware of it he was up with their
second line of battle, and then successfully
returned with report Rosecrans was
greatly in need Of. This brave venture was
greater success than its mere recital
makes it appear.
When his regiment was mustered out
Gen. Thomas ordered that Capt. w. C.
Margedant, 9th Ohio, services being great
ly needed with this army, is ordered TO re-
main in the field, and will not be mustered
out of service"
Those who soldiered with Pap" Thomas
know the value of such an order from this
sturdy hero.
Capt Margedant made the first survey
and typographical maps for Western Vir-
gina, and by a process he originated was
able to quickly print and distribute topo-
graphical information to corps and division
commanders during the battles, most of the
information for which he personally Sc
cured while under fire. This was espe-
cially valuable service at Stone River and
Chickamauga.
At the request of the assistant secretary
of war. Mr.. Dana, he furnished the de-
partment with copies of photographs of war
scenes. some two hundred in number, which
were specially noticed in a recent number
OF the Century. With this for a basis the
department. during our present war, has
directed commanding officers to furnish it
such Photographic scenes as will enable one
to form a good idea of their operations.
The captain took part in battles from
Phillippi. in 1861, to Atlanta, in 1s84-thirty-
six battles-and was personally named in
orders nearly a dozen times.
His sorrowing ones have left to them
the 'grandest heritage America can offer-a
life with nothing to explain, everything to
be honored for.