The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-04
ROBERT sANDFoRD FOSTER.

The death of General Robert S. Foster
removes one who played an important part
in the history of the Nation and in the
affairs of the city. He was a man who
would have made his mark at any period
and In any community. but the part of his
career of which he was proudest was his
service in the civil war; He was mustered
in as a captain three days after the first
call for troops and served through the en-
tire war. reaching the rank of brigadier
general and brevet major general. He
was a fine soldier and was rated among
the best in the Army of the Potomac.
The late Gen. John Gibbon, U. s. A, who
commanded the corps of the Army of the
James in which General Foster commanded
a division. in an article written several
years ago and published last summer in a
magazine. practically gives the latter the
credit of furnishing the troops to stop Lees
fight at Appomattox. The corps had
marched all day till midnight, when General
Gibbon gave orders for the troops to lie
down and for each division commander to
march again at o'clock. General Foster
was the only. man who did not oversleep.
He was ready to march at o'clock and
was starting when General Sheridans cour-
Ter galloped along to urge the infantry up
to save the cavalry. General Fosters divi-
sion was in place in season to check the at
tack. and other troops came up in a short
time to assist. But for the readiness of
General Foster Lees surrender might not
have given Appomattox place in the
worlds history. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, during
a visit to this city. stated that on the night
Robert K. Lee sent for him and Gen.
eral Gordon to come to his head
quarters. They went and found the COM
mander of the Confederate army sitting
before little fire In the open. He told
them he believed the end had come and
unless he could find way to break through
the federal lines the next morning he must
surrender. He told them to move their
forces to a certain point and report to him
what they found there. If they found only
cavalry he would try and break through,
but if they found infantry he must sur
AehdCAs Ahcy louiu octci
vision. without doubt General Foster
was one of the best soldiers that went
from Indiana. His military service was
in the Army Of the James, in Virginia,
and the people Of Indiana did not hear as
much Of him as they did of some officers
who served nearer home, but he was we'll
known in the East. The first brigade he
commanded contained four New York regi-
ments. the e-hundred-and-twelfth, One
dred-and-seventeenth, One hundred-and-
forty-second and MISUNDERSTANDING
ninth. Later, when he commanded divi-
sion 1t was largely composed of New York
troops. The survivors of these regiments,
officers and men, still cherish his memory
as that of true man and fine soldier
| After returning to civil life he was elect
ed city treasurer and subsequently APP
pointed United States marshal. Wherever
| he was placed he was absolutely trust
worthy. The best points in his character
| came out In his home and among personal
! friends. He was genial to a degree, and in
| his later years loved to recall war reminis-
| cences. His middle name was Sanford,
and many of his lifelong friends always
called him Sandy" Thousands of these
will join in the prayer, MAY he rest in
| peace"