The Republican journal., 1905-08-17
COLONEL A. X. B0LAN.

To The EDITOR OF The JOURNAL:
About a month ago, there passed away
from earth man who deserves more
than ordinary notice, and one whose
passing home left vacancy in the
hearts'of many, especially among his
old comrades with whom he served
from 81 to '65 Col. A. K. Bolan, late
of Brooklyn, N. Y, and Castine, Maine,
entered the civil war in the fall of 1861,
and speedily rose from the ranks and
was promoted to be captain of Co. F.,
14th Maine Regiment in April, 1862. In
1868 he was made major, in 1865 Lieut..
Colonel and Colonel of the 14th. After
period of 40 years this simple record
may seem tame and prosaic to the
second and third generations who are
now enjoying the blessings earned by
the soldiers of the civil war; but to
those who know the brilliant record Of
Col. Bolan's regiment of sturdy lumber
men, and the steady and persistent
hardships it endured, the passing of
the brave and fearless Colonel is more
than an episode in the daily current of
human existence.
During the four years of Col. Bolan's
soldier life his greatest characteristics
were devotion to duty, unfiinching
bravery, and loyal friendship for and
confidence in the men under his CON-
mand. Quick to recognize merit in his
men who were in line of promotion, he
never suffered favoritism to interfere
with strict justice, and if undue intiu-
ence was used in any direction in regard
to promotions, he was quick to resent
such interference and have such wrongs
righted.
The history of the regiment is we'll
known one. Mustered into service in
1861, it took brilliant part in the Port
Hudson and New Orleans campaigns,
and was called into the Virginia field
of action in 1864 and took an active
part at Winchester, when Gen. Sheridan
made his historical ride. Mustered out
in 1865, Col Bolan entered upon an
active business life shortly after, and
for many years was engaged in the Oil
business in Brooklyn, N. Y After &C
curing wealth sufficient for all reason
able needs he retired, and for number
of years had made his summer home at
beautiful Castine, and spent his winters
in New York. His beautiful home in
Castine has long been the admiration
Of the birds of passage who hover
around the Maine coast. Col. Bolan
was devoted to yachting, and owned
very beautiful one. Much of his life
during the summer season was spent
on the charming waters of Penobscot
bay, and when the short and swift order
came from the Great Commander
it found him pursuing his favorite
pastime. 1t had long been his express
ed wish to 60 suddenly and he went as
he had lived, without fear and without
blemish, to join his many loved COM
rades, who have pitched their tents on
the sunrise table lands of God.
He left many hearts to mourn him
and his name will long be remembered,
both by his loving friends and by the
many to whom he ever held out the
helping hand and the ready purse.
"Still on the lips of all we question,
The finger OF Gods silence lies,
Shall the lost hand in ours be folded,
Will the shut eyelids ever rise?
o friends, no proof beyond this yearning,
This outburst of our souls we need,
God will not mock the hope He giveth
No love He prompts can vainly plead.
So let US bow our heads in silence,
And call our loved ones DER and Ger
Sometime their arms shall close around US,
And the lost voices speak once more"
HELEN n. PACKARD.
Portland, Ore, July 81, 1908.
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