Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-12-26

Gen. William Luther Greenleaf, deputy
collector of customs at Burlington, who
died December IS, was born in Derby,
September 1, 1912, and removed to Bur-
lington with his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
William +. Greenleaf, in 1916, and after
ward to Winooski in 1917. lie was
educated in the district schools and ut
Williston academy. In 1857 he went to
Iowa, where his father was engaged in
building mills, and while there learned
the trade of compostor in the office of
The North Iowa Gazette, returning to
Winooski In 1858. December 20, 1850,
General Greenleaf and Miss Adelaide NJ.
Barrett were married at Winooski.
In May, 1861, he joined company
that was being formed for the Second
regiment of Vermont infantry volun-
teers, but owing to the large number of
men Offering themselves for that regi-
ment the company was not accepted
He afterward enlisted as private in
Company |, of the First Vermont cav
airy, August II, 1862, was made second
sergeant at the organization of the com
pany, and was mustered into the service
Of the United States as such September
20, 1862. lie participated with his regi-
ment in the battles of the Gettysburg
campaign, and at IIagerstown, Md,
July ID. 1853, was three times severely
wounded, and his horse was shot dnder
him while engaged with his company in
charging "a Confederate battery (gun-
shot through right arm breaking bone,
through both shoulders, and in left hip,
was left inside the lines of the enemy
concealed until the following day..
Recovering from his wounds he re-
turned to his regiment in season to
participate in the Wilderness campaign
of General Grant in May and June, 1864,
, having in the meantime been commits
stoned second lieutenant of his company
to date from February IS. 1861 While
on "Wilson's raid" inside the COnfeder-
ate lines southwest of Petersburg, Va,
he was severely wounded (gunshot
SCATTERING boup) June %, and fell into
the hands of the enemy on the Goth,
when General Wilson was obliged to
abandon his artillery, and was wounded.
After being exchanged he again re-
turned to his regiment, and was COM
missioned first lieutenant of his COM
pany to date February Q, 1865. He was
honorably discharged June 10, 1860, by
special orders of the war department for
| disability from wounds received in ac-
| non, having participated in twenty
/ five battles and engagements, and been
| four times severely wounded and pris-
Oner of war for several months.
At the reorganization of the Vermont
state militia after the close of the Civil
! War. he WAS commissioned captain of
I Company T., First regiment Vermont
militia, March %, 1869, and was success
sively promoted major, lieutenant
colonel, ard colonel of his regiment
| He was elected by the legislature to the
office of hrigadier- general December |,
| 1850. and as such commanded the Yer
mont National Guard until December |,
1892, when he was retired upon his own
application. He was the first officer to
be placed on the retired list.
After his return from the army he
engaged in business as a retail druggist,
which business he followed successfully
at Milton and Wlnooski, until 1881. In
1881 he was appointed deputy collector
of internal revenue, ana in February
1882, was made deputy collector of Gus
toms by his former colonel, Gen. vii
liam Wells. having served as CHIEF
deputy for the district of Vermont under
Collectors Benedict, Smalley and Mer-