The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-02-25

words swiftly carried to almost every
home in Westminster, and sent over
the county by the wires of the tele-
phone on Monday evening. That they
produced a profound sensation and
filled many a heart with grievOus sor-
row il speaking mildly of their effect
upon the hosts of people who respect
Cd and loved Col. Herr for his manly
qualities and his upright and truly
honorable life. In every attribute
that constitutes a good citizen Col.
Herr was prolific. He was the soul
of honesty and integrity, and an ex-
emplar of christian love and charity.
Unassuming in demeanor, but cour-
teous and affable TO all, ne was a liv-
ing example of the true christian gen.
tleman. His quiet acts of true charity
and benevolence were not heralded to
the world, but there are many who
can bear testimony to his generosity
and observation-disclosures, and who will
miss his benefactionS. In every rela-
ton he sustained with his fellow-men
he shed forth the gentle radiance Of a
character unmarried by envy, hatred
OF malice His was the true spirit OF
the Master whom he served.
And yet it mustnOt be supposed that
he was of soft, yielding and compro-
missing nature. His watchWord was
duty, and he never permitted consider
ations of friendship or worldly advan-
tage to interfere with it's discharge.
His domestic life was serene and beau
tiful. Though he had no children of
his own, the son and daughter of his
WIFE, by former marriage, loved him
til md ~
overwhelmed with grief by his death.
And the quarter of a century or more
of his married life and the companion
ship of his devoted wife were I'M
married by the slightest dessension.
His church relations were also mark
by the utmost harmony, good feeling
and liberality. He was for about
forty-five years a member of Centen-
airy nj. z. Church, of this city, and for
a long time one Of it's stewards, and
his brethren of the official body bear
testimony to the great value of his
services in that connection, and re-
alize that it will be difficult to fill the
place made vacant by his death. AS
a former superintendent of the Sunday
school he also rendered such service
as will show it's fruit in eternity.
Office to which he was appointed by
President Roosevelt in May, 1907, he
displayed the same quality of unfail-
ing courtesy and fidelity to duty that
marked every other relation of his
life. Ii was the only public office ever
held by him and ii was rendered him
entirely without his seeking.
But Col. Herr was not alone a
L. ~
He was every inch soldier. He was
born in Lancaster county about Sc
years ago. When President Lincoln
issued his call for volunteers in 1861,
Col. Herr, then only a youth in age,
and not much more than a boy in ap-
pearance, was among the first to offer
his services to the government. In
consequence of his youthful appear
ance he had some difficulty in secur-
ing his acceptance as soldier, but
was finally enlisted as private of
Company ID, First Regiment of the
Pennsylvania Reserves When Gen.
:. wv. Crawford became commander of
the corps, Col. Herr attracted his
notice by his conspicuous bravery and
devotion to duty, and the general often
employed him on detached duty and
as courier upon dangerous errands.
He was in most of the battles Of the
Army of the Potomac and was wound
ed at New Market Cross Roads. He
served as a private for the years of
his enlistment He was mustered out
of the service with his regiment, on
the field between Spottsylvania and
Cold Harbor, during the campaign of
1864. He was anxious to return to
his home, but, at the earnest solicita-
ton of Gen. Crawford, who desired to
have him on his staff, consented to re-
main with the army. Not long ago he
told friend in this city, that h act
ually wept when his regiment march
Cd off the field on its homeward way,
and he yearned to return with them.
But the call Of duty was stronger than
his yearning for home and he consent
ed to remain with the army. For
several weeks he was unattached to
any command, but engaged in all the
fierce battles down to Cold Harbor.
Then he received his commission as
captain and was Immediately appoint
ed to the staff of Gen. Crawford.
Col. Herr had great admiration for
that officer and told to some of his
friends here an incident of the battle
Of Gettysburg which he believed
materially tended to the victory of the
Union Army in that conflict. a couple
OF brigades of the Pennsylvania Re
serves were engaged i'm a hot contest
with some of Longstreet's men, and
there were signs that the Pennsyl-
vania boys were getting the worst Of
it, They were giving way before the
fierce onset of Longstreet's men, when
Gen. Crawford, grasping the situation,
rode up to a color-bearer, and, stoop-
ing down, seized the flag and, standing
up in his stirrups, slowly waved it
aloft. Col. Herr witnessed the Incl
dent and said those near the general
cheered his action. The cheer spread
out over the command and the troops
followed their commander to assured
victory. This story Is confirmed by
Gen. Abner Doubleday, in his account
of the battle Of Gettysburg. He says
The enemy, Wofford's, Wershaw's
and Anderson's brigades, now swarm
81 to the front of our main line be
tween the wheat field and Little Round
Top.
Gen. 5. Wiley Crawford, who COM
manded a division of two brigades of
the Pennsylvania Reserve corps, was
ordered to drive them farther back
This organization, which at one time