Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-01-26
LAWRENCE:F. SHIELDS.

Death at Rutland, Mass, of Former
Lieutenant of Fuller Battery who
Had a Notable Record in the CtNlI
War.
Lawrence +. Shields, for many years a
well known resident of Brattleboro, died
Monday from consumption in the Massa-
chusetts state home for consumptives at
Rutland. Mr.. Shields was born in Ireland
80 years ago, but came to this country
with his parents at an early age. He was
still in his boyhood when he enlisted from
New York city in May, 1861, in company
G, 37th New York infantry, as drummer
boy, but later he went into the ranks with
a musket He participated in every en-
gagement in which his regiment took part,
from Bull Run to and including Chancel-
louisville. After his regiment was mus
tered out he reGnlisted in company G, AID
Massachusetts infantry, and served until
October, 1864, when he was honorably dis
charged on account of disability.
He had a remarkable record as a soldier,
participating in % engagements. He was
fred with an intense loyalty to the Union
cause and met his dangers and privations
unhinchingly. His mind was stored with
fund of information regarding incidents
time when he handed Gen. Mcclellan
drink of water, and also his service in CIV
ing drink to a soldier who had lost both
feet at the battle of Bull Run, whom he
afterward had reason to believe was Cor
poral Tanner, the noted orator who was at
one time commissioner of pensions.
After the war Mr.. Shields finished learn
ing his trade as a carver in Boston, and
l.. TT,
Canada in 1867. He came to Brattleboro
in 1878, and from that time until early in
1899 was employed as a carver in the Estey
Organ factory. He Joined Fuller Battery
when it was organized, and advanced
through the different grades until he held
a commission as senior second lieutenant.
He resigned on account of the breaking of
leg about five years ago. He secured a
position at his trade in Boston last March,
but after going there he suffered from
bronchitis, and later consumption devel-
oped. Last November he went to the
home for consumptiVes. Later he was
Joined there by his eldest son, who was
also afflicted with the disease, but favor
able reports have been received lately from
the boy.
Mr.. Shields was a member of Sedgwick
Grand Army post in Brattleboro and of
Alpha lodge, Knights OF Honor, and Delta
lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor. He
married in 1881 Miss Sarah Roberts, a
teacher, who lived with the Tyler family
on the Common. She is left with daugh-
ter and three sons. He also leaves his
aged father, a sister and several half sisters.
The funeral was held in All Saints church
at Ware, Mass, Wednesday. Requiem
high mass was celebrated by Rev. James
Boyle, who was one of Mr.. Shields's COM
rades in the civil war. The two had not
seen each other for many years, until they
met at the home in Rutland few weeks
ago. A detail of six men from j. W. Law
ton Grand Army post of Ware acted
as pail bearers. K. H. Putnam and P. f.
Connors, who were associated with Lieut..
Shields in Fuller Battery, and T. A. Muir
ply and John M. Baker went from Brat
tleboro to attend the funeral. The body
was placed temporarily in the receiving
vault of Aspen Grove cemetery in Ware.