Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-23
Names Distinguished Survivors.

OF the comparatively few surviving
veterans of the Civil war who held in
actual service the rank of ma or gem
eraI or brigadier-general,M Maine has a
notable share. The recent death of
that famous leader, General Butter
field has called forth compilation of
the survivors who held these high
ranks and it is found that after a
lapse Of almost two score years there
are less than 50 of the major generals
OF the Union army living and less than
Zoe of the brigadier generals. OF
credited to New England-Francis
Fcssendcn. Portland, Me-. and Q. O..
Howard. Burlington, VT; and only
seven brigadiers: Ames of Lowell.
Mass, Darlington of Hyde Park, Mass.
Nickerson of Somerville, Mass. Paine
OF Boston Chamberlain of Brunswick,
Me, Connor of Augusta, Me, and Will
cox of Pomfret Center. Conn.
1t strs the pride and patriotism of
nine credited to New England no
fewer than five. both of the major
generals and three of the brigadiers,
are natives of Maine and all served the
flag in regiments from this State
Ma ior-GeneraI FeSsenden of dis
tinguished lineage. born in Portland;
Major General Howard. a farmer boy
from Leeds: General Nickerson. now a
Boston lawyer, who enlisted from his
native town of Searsport as private
soldier: General Chamberlain. born in
Brewer and leaving a professors desk
at Rowdoin for a lieutenant colonelcy:
and General Connor, a Fairfield boy
who left his law studies in Vermont to
enlist as Il private soldier. of these
five. only Howard was West Pointer.
and three of the five. Howard, Cham
berlafn and Fesscnden are graduates
Of Bowdoin and all members of its
present governing board. Two have
been governors OF Maine. Their rec
ords are all part of history, known
to every reader OF the Journal. and the
State is to be congratulated that such
eminent representatives of the fight
ing thousands it sent to the front have
so long survived the great conflict.
Not only are the ranks thinning rapid
~ with every passing year. as is
shown so clearly on Memorial day and
when the summer regmental reunions
are held. but only handful are left
Of those great leaders who We're in bat
tie at the heads of divisions and
brigadeS.
1t seems an odd coincidence that the
two surviving ma jor-generals credited
to New England are both Maine sol
ders and that three of the sever
brigaGier- generals are also from this
state. The more SO. since at least tive
of these heroic fighters suffered terri
Ill" wounds that were supposed to b'
mortal This Maine list might be cX
tended somewhat if an examination
wcr" made of the lists of surviving
ma jor-gcncrals and brisadiers credited
TO states outside of New England FO
instance we recall John q. Caldwell
now of Kansas, who went int
the service from East MachiaS, Whcr'
he was teaching the academy
He entered as colonel Of tn
18th Maine, was made brigadier
general, and was mustered out a
ma or-general by brevet. Later he wa
adiutant general Of Maine and minis
ter to Paraguay. And there is Genera
Thomas II. Hubbard, the New Yorl
lawyer and railroad magnate, for
mcr IIallowel boy and the donor 0
Bowdoins quarter of million librar.
building. He began his army caree
in the 18th Maine, just before hi
brother, a captain, was killed at Por
Hudson.