Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-05-21
Sumner Sessions.

BRYANT's POND, May IA.
Sumner Sessions, one OF Names most
picturesque and bestknown veterans,
died here last Sunday morning from o.
painful and long-standing complication
of diseases, at the age Of GO. Mr.. Ses-
sions, by reason of his unique personal
ity, his unusual memory, hospitality and
powers Of narration, had wide circle OF
friends, and was the subject OF number
of magazine stories. The Lewiston
Journal published an account of his
life, with illustrations, In its issue for
Nov /, 1905. In the genial veterans
death, the community has suffered real
loss, which cannot be made good.
Mr.. Sessions was born at Milan, N. a.,
in 1S41, one OF q large family. When
Sumner was 10 years of age, his father
removed to Dummer, where the family
lived until the beginning of the Rebel
lion. Just previous to the war, Sumner
married Victoria Crafts, a union which
was blessed with II children. At the
breaking out of hostilities, Sessions en-
listed from Coos County, N. H., on the
18th of August, 1852, for three months, or
during the war. Next month he was
mustered into the service at Concord,
N. a., In the historic Fourteenth New
October he accompanied the regiment to
Washington, under command of Col.
Robert q. Wilson. The regiment was
assigned to Gen. Growers Brigade, on
picket duty along the Potomac. Next
April it went into camp at Washington,
after having seen sharp service at Har-
per's Ferry.
From Washington, his service led him
to New Orleans, Camp Parapet and
Morganza Bend, then back to Washing
ton again, and later into action at Berry
vile, Winchester Heights, Fishers Hill
and Cedar Creek, the regiment losing
more than 200 men. At Winchester,
Sessions was wounded, and shortly after
the battle he was stricken with diphthe-
ria, the effects of which he endured until
his death, running his eyesight and shat
tering his once rugged health. In spite
of the disease, Sessions left the military
hospital in 1858 and rejoined his regi-
ment in time to march through the
Shenandoah Valley, about which place
many Of his thrilling war stories centre.
When the war closed, he received his
honorable discharge at Savannah, Ca,
and came North by sea. Out of the
regiment of 1880 men, only 250 were
mustered out. For many years he has
been pensioner of the United States, in
recognition of his services in preserving
the Union.
After the war, Sessions moved to East
Milton, Me-, where his wife died, and
where he afterward married Luells
Coffin. Some years ago he came to Mil
ton Plantation, and recently to Bryant's
Pond, where he purchased commodioui
house, hoping to enjoy peaceful ole
age. Fate, however, willed otherwise
and on the 14th of May he was laid tt
rest in the cemetery at East Milton. Thu
funeral services were performed in the
Baptist church at Bryant's Pond, will
military music and the escort of A. NJ
Whitman Post, No. 81, G. A. R., O.
which at one time he was a member
Rev. j.. L. Pinkerton, of RumfOrd Cen
tire, preached the funeral sermon.
Mr.. Sessions is survived by widow
and children. For the past few year.
his sufferings have been such, that, ir
spite of his unfinching bravery, res
comes to him as welcome relief.
"sweet after toll Is sleep; then wherefore sorrow
For him who sleeps, and will not wake to.mor
row."