The National tribune., 1901-02-14
DEATH ORB. NJ. PI.EsTIss.

Gen. Benz. NJ. Prentiss, one of the
striking figures of the war, passed away
at his home in Bethany, Mo-, Feb. &,
aged 81. He was born in Virginia, but
like large portion of the pioneers of lii
nois, his parents preferred a home on free
soil to life in the siaYery-ridden Old Do
mlnlon. He came TO early manhood about
the time OF the Mexican War, and at once
volunteered for il as Adjutant of the 1st
III. de came home a Captain. He was
an unconditional Unionist, and among the
very first to begin raising troops under
President Lincoln's first call. He organ
lied u company and led it to Cairo, which
was then a point OF highest Importance
as its possession involved the control of
the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cum
berland Rivers. His company was the nu-
cleus of the 10th ILL.,, OF which he became
Colonel. The rebels advanced TO Colum-
bus, Ky, 20 miles below Cairo, and for
while it seemed that the first great col
lslOn would occur IN that neighbOrhood.
Prentiss was made Brigadier-General,
and placed in command, while Gideon j.
Pillow, who had attained some fame in
the Mexican War, commanded the rebels
at Columbus. Pillow was Il master-hand
at sounding proclamations and appeals,
and Prentiss fully his equal 1t was day
OF proclamatiOns and appeals, especially
in the thcater Of war Immediately around
the mouth of the Ohio. In spite of their
fondness for sonorous rhetoric, both Gen
erals were very brave and obstinate fight
ers.
Gen. Prentiss had the first opportunity
TO show his real mettle in the battle of
Shiloh, when he commanded Il division.
Among the many representatives, of Shi-
lob his reputation for awhile suffered
worst. There was some prejudice against
him on account of his ELUSIVE proclama-
zion habit, and this lent credence to the
charge that his division had been snr-
prised and captured. When the facts be-
came known it was found that he had
been at least as ready as Sherman and
the other Division Commanders; that he
had fought his division with unsurpassed
skill and courage all that bitter 9th of
April, 1852, and only surrendered n frag-
ment Of it at sundown, when further re-
sistance was useless, and all retreat cut
OF. The obstinacy with which he main
tanned his position was an important fac.
tor IN giving time for reforming the line
on the banks of the Tennessee and infict.
ing the final repulse on the rebels. After
being exchanged, Gen. PFentiss was given
command at Helena, Ark, and there
July 4, 1863, severely defeated the at.
tempt of Sterling Price 10 capture the
place and cut Gen. Grants communica.
tions on the Mississippi River Gen
Prentiss was commissioned a Major Cen
eral of Volunteers from Nov. 20, 1862
This made him senior to great many
other pushing, ambitious Major Generals
who wanted him out of their way, and
prevented his being properly employed, sc
that he resigned from the army in the
Fall Of 1868. He was always deeply in,
terested In politics, was a prominent fig
ure in Republican National Conventions
and was welcome speaker at veteran
gatherings, which he dearly loved to at
tend.
The General died poor. President Har.
rison appointed him Postmaster at Beth.
any, Mo-, and at the time Of his death
Q bill to give HIN a pension Of $50 O
month was pending in Congress.