Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30

mand of n brigade in the Sth corps.
and as soon as he reported for duty
was ordered to the Philippines There he
wasgassgned to the command of a brig
ade ana OF the important province of Tar
lac in Duzon. He dispersed the insurgent
forces in the province; the first organized
surrender of considerable armed body
of insurgents was made to him. He
brushed the insurgents from the
line of railway; captured hundreds of
rifes, ana by his wise just and humane
administration after armed resistance hat
been quelled, he was able to leave the
district as thoroughly paciiied as any dis
trict in the archipelago. Meanwhile, his
volunteer appointment having lapsed, Lis
cum had been assigned to the colonelcy
OF the 9th infantry, then on duty in
Luzon-a regiment with a long and hon
orable record, whose commander in the
Mexican War was another Vermontcr, I'm
the person of Colonel Truman Il. Ransom
formerly President of Norwich University,
who fell at the head of his regiment in
the storming of the Bishops Palace on
the heights of Chepultcpcc.
In June. 1900. the 9th was selected to
form the American contingent of tho allied
forces sent to China to relieve the siege
Of the legations in Pckin. 1t was so chos-
en- because of its splendid record. and be
cause the utmost confidence was placed
in the discretion and ability of Col LIS
cum to perform a difficult and trying duty
under the eyes of the soldiers of
England. Russia, Germany, France. Italy,
Austria and Japan. What credit the per-
Torrance of that duty reflected on the
United States. we all know Liscum land
ed with his command 1850 strong, at
Taku. China, on the 9th of July. and push
ed right on to take part in the assault on
the walled city of 'rien Tsin, which barred
the way to the Chinese capital In the
attack on this city, July IL, Liscum. under
the orders Of the British General Dorward
who directed him to support the brave
Japanese, in the attack he was sent into a
position of the utmost difficulty and
danger Passing through a gate in the
mud wall which formed the outer defence
of the city, the 9th found itself in a cll
de sac-hefore 1t the frowning city wall
with deep moat outside of il, and upon
the right flank a line of fortified mud
houses. from which came murdcrous
eriading rifle fire. To silence this Lis
cum ordered his men to charge the
houses. The ground to be covered
WAS marshy and crossed by bitches The
men had struggled to within 40 yards of
the houses. when the color bearer fell.
Col. Lscum seized and raised the colors
and a moment later fell shot through the
abdomen. I'm hit" he said to an officer
who ran to him. Get at EN- If you
can" Then to the men. Don't retreat
keep firing" These were his last words
Major Regain, his next in command
and three captains were struck
down and the men, seeing that
further advance was Impossible. sought
shelter in the bitches, and held their place
until nightfal, when they made their way
hack, bringing with them the body of
Col. Iiscum. and the bodies of many
of their number, killed and wounded
Col. Liscum's remains were brought
home and Inferred with high honors in the
"a pc al Arlington
Mckinley and many mon Of high distinc-
ton in military and civil stations being
in sorrowful attendance.
Emerson Liscums career as a soldier
was marked by thorough mastery of his
profession in all its details: by high spirit,
GOODNESS and indomitablc courage in ac-
ton. by absolute integrity, and by mark
ed courtesy. As a commander he had the
fullest confidence respect and affection
of his men. As a companion he was gen.
ial. and clean in speech and thought. He
was n genuine Nermonter. proud of his
state. her history. her soldiers and her
people. He became member of
the First Church of Burlington in
his youth. retained his connection
herewith until his death, and did,
no discredit to his Christian profession
lie cared not for notorcty. No CORE
spondents, charged to send praises, in
spired or unnspired, to the newspapers,
his successive promotions to sheer merit,
and by such merit alone he won a ma
tional fame. The issue of Harper's Illus
trated Weekly for Memorial Day 1901
contained a striking cartoon. 1t depicted
a vast parade Of veterans and school
children passing before the guardian gen
ius of America, who leans upon a shield
inscribed on which are the names Of
Washington, Lincoln, Grant, sherman
Sheridan. Lawton and LiScum. Who will
say that our modest Vermont hero was
not worthily included in that list of
shining names. crowned with immortal
honor? 1t Is most fitting that his portrait
should adorn the capitol of his native
state, and commend to generations to
come the lesson of his noble example.
General LiScum was married in 1867 to
Miss May Diven, daughter of Gen. a S.
Diven of Elmra, y. Y. Into the
sacred circle of their private life it is not
for us to enter, further than to know
that she was a fit companion, brave and
self reliant sharing his patriotic spirit,
cheering him by her companionship and
her care-as true and devoted wife az
he was true, faithful and devoted as Il
husband.
some Of us may stand in days to come
10y the grave Of General Liscum on tho
shore of the Potomac and we will say to
him, and Of him. in the words of BayarG
Taylors Song of the Camp" which to
me IS one of the finest and most touching
of the war lyrics Of our language:
Sleep soldier, still in honored rest,
Your truth and valor wearing,
The bravcst are the tenderest
The loving are the daring"