Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-08-15
Gen. Jas. $. Negley.

One by one the general officers of the
Civil War have faded into eternity
until, with the death Of General Negley
at PIainfeld, N. J. on Aug. 7th, 1901,
but few of the Major Generals--we can
recall but Siekles, Howard and Nc Cook
remain alive.
The funeral of General Negley oc-
CURED from the old Baum homestead
on Roup st. E. E. Pittsburg last Satur-
day and was largely attended by his
old comrades and friends.
His body arrived from the East that
morning and was taken to the Baum
house; and lying there in the parlor of
his old home. that afternoon, he looked
but the shadow of his former self-the
magnificent specimen of humanity and
the pride of his army. But few of his
old comrades would have recognized
him.
The services over, his casket was
placed ON a caisson-wrapped with
flag and covered with flowers and pre-
ceeded by number Of his old comrades
and followed by the family and friends
in carriages he made his last march on
Earth.
Quite number of men yet living in
Butler county served under General
Negley. Co. H. Of the 18th, Col Sir
well, was recruited in Butler, joined
the regiment in Pittsburg and with the
nth and roth and Muehlers Battery
formed Negley's brigade, which started
down the Ohio in boats, Oct. ~, 1861,
and disembarked at Louisville. This
brigade took part in the campaigns Of
the Army of the Cumberland, the
battles Of Stone River and ,Chicka-
maugua and was with Sherman to
Atlanta.
Gen. Negley was decended from pa
triOtic Swiss ancestors, who left their
own country during a religious war,
went to Germany and later came to
America One member of the family
was with General Braddock in his dis
astrous campaign against the French
and Indians at Fort Duquesne Three
Negley brothers participated in the
Seven Years War and became heavy
land owners in the East Liberty valley.
General Negley was the grandson of
General Alexander Negley, only SON of
Jacob Negley, Jr.. his mothers maiden
name was Scott, and he was born De-
cember %, 1926, at the home of his
parents The house still stands on
Collins avenue, and is now occupied by
the SOc;ety for the Improvement of the
Poor When his father died he gave
the boy, then but few years old into
the care Of his uncle. John Roup, and
in what was the Roup homestead, since
known as the Baum homestead, the boy
was raised. Part Of the house still
standing was built in 1920
After attending the public schools
and the Western University. young
Negley developed a martial spirit.
When the war with Mexico broke out
be was not yet OF age, but he lett his
home to join the army. with William
Winebiddle They were members of
the "Duquesne Greys," which became
part of the First Pennsylvania. and
young Negley made fine record as
soldier under General Scott
General Negley returned from Mexico
just too late to attend the funeral Of his
only sister, Rebecca Roup Negley. In
December, 1649, he was married to Miss
Kate Losey, niece Of Commodore Van
Voorhees, Clifford, James s.. Jr., and
George, three sons OF this union, are
dead. His second wife. who was Grace
Ashton Of Philadelphia survives him
with three daughters, Gracey, Edith
and Mabel.
During the interim between wars
General Negley engaged in manufac-
turing pursuits and became q skillful
horticulturist. When the civil war be-
gan he showed himself to be an efficient
popular organizer Of troops Even be-
fore the war began he zealously sought
to Improve the National Guard of the
State. and in December, 1860. four
months before the first gun was fired
he offered the services Of a division to
the State authorities. stating that he
could respond to call in "a hours.
On April 18, 1851. Governor Andrew
Ct. Curtin authorized him to organize
and equip brigade Of volunteers and
in 10 days two regiments were ready
He accompanied the third regiment to
the capital few days later. His com
mand was assigned to the Army of the
Ohio, and he served in number Of i'm
portant engagements as brigade com
mander, his regiments being the
seventy seventy -elHhth and
Seventy ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
He earned the rank of Major General
at Murfreesboro and held Owens Gar
at Chickamauga.
After the Civil War General Negley
made rapid headway in the field Of
politics. In 1869 he was elected tC
Congress and two years later he wa.
reelected. He also served in the Forty
ninth Congress in 1885 and 1887. Al
Washington he aggressively fought fol