The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-02
FOR TARDY HONOR
Monument to General James
Shields May Be Erected.
Only Man Who Ever Whipped
StOnewall Jackson.
HEADED BY KANSANS
Judge Huron of Topeka Started
the Movement.
Congressman Anthony Intro
duces Bill in Congress.

| Washington, D. c., June 2.-Congress-
man Anthony has again introduced
bill in congress to provide for the erec-
| ton OF a suitable monument to the
memory of General James Shields. Geo.
A. Huron of Topeka is the leader in
this movement among the members of
the G. A. r. of Kansas. Lincoln post
| of Topeka. of which Mr.. Huron is a
member, first adopted resolutions ask
ing that the government take steps to
commemorate in a suitable manner the
military service of General Shields, and
at the annual encampment of the G.
A. r., held at Ottawa last month, SINH
lar resolutions were adopted and for
warded to Mr.. Anthony and other
members of the Kansas congressional
delegation at Washington.
| Mr.. Anthony, only last month, visit
| ed several historic battlefields of the
civil war including Antietam, South
Mountain, Kernstown (near Winches-
ter, Va.), and Cedar Creek, about 16
miles south of Winchester, the battle
to which Sheridan made his famous
ride from Winchester and turned de-
feat into victory for the Union forces.
It was at Kernstown early in 1862, at
what is known as the first battle of
| Winchester, that General Shields in
command of the Union troops defeated
the Confederate forces commanded by
StonewaIl Jackson and drove them up
risonburg, and General Shields has the
distinction of being the only Union gem
era1 who gained a decisive victory over
this gallant Confederate leader during
forces in the Shenandoah valley
| Throughout the entire war.
| General Shields, though not an Amer
lean by birth is nevertheless very
unique figure in American history and
had a most unusual and remarkable ca
| c view
of his splendid record as a military Of
ficer and his services in the United
States senate that more is not known
about him by the people generally. His
career as a military officer in the civil
war was cut short because of the jeal-
ousy among the Union officers during
the early part of the rebellion of any
officer who showed marked military
ability, and strange as it may seem
it is confidently believed by those who
knew of the rivalry among the Union
officers that General Shields victory
lover Stonewall Jackson at kernStoWn
was the beginning of little less than
conspiracy against him by other over
lambitious and less capable officers to
ldiscredit him with the officials at WASH
iington. Shameful as 1t was they sue
ceeded in their efforts and Gen. Shields
was soon thereafter retired from active
Iservice. Here was ended the career of
a man whose ability as an officer, had
liz not been for the senseless rivalry
and jealousy existing in the army at
that time, would have undoubtedly
placed him among the first of the great
generals of the rebellion. 1t is posi-
Bile that the feeling against him was
Iaccentuated because of his foreign
birth but it must nevertheless remain
retired from active duty at a time
when his services were needed the
most.
General Shields was born in County
-
this country when young man,
studied law and located at Kaskaskia,
Illinois. In 1886 he was a member of
the Illinois house OF representatives; in
1889 he was auditor of state; IN 1S43
he was a judge of the supreme court,
and from 1916 to 1S47 he served as
commissioner of the general land office
at Washington. His services as a SOL
der began in the Mexican war. He
served throughout the entire war and
for his gallant service was brevetted a
major general. His career in the
Unitt,7 States senate began when he
was elected as a Democrat from Hi
nois in 1S49. Soon after his term eX-
pired he moved to Minnesota and was
there elected again to the senate,
serving from 1858 to 1859. Later he
moved to California and at the out
break of the rebellion he again ten
dered his services to the government as
a soldier. After the war he located m
Carroll county. Missouri. In 1877 he
was appointed ddJuCanL general OF the
state of Missouri, and from January
"a, 1879. to March 8. 1879, he repre-
scented the state of Missouri in the
United States senate.
| General Shields died at Ottumwa,
Iowa, June 1, 1879, and is buried in
Saint Mary's cemetery at Carrollton,
| Missouri.
When one reviews the career of a
J man who rendered such patriotic scr
vice to his adopted country both in
war and in time of peace he cannot
but feel that a nation we have fail
ed so far at least to show proper
: | appreciation of General Shields and it
is a sad commentary upon our patriotic
spirit to reflect that his body now
sleeps in an unmarked grave.