The Republican journal., 1911-11-23
OBITUARY..


service at Bangor. Maine. and was mustered
into service May 2sth at Willett's Point, Long
Island, New York, to serve two years as priv
ate in Co. H 2nd Regt, Maine Volunteer In
fantry. He took part in the first battle of
Bull Run July 21st under Gen. Mcdowell. In
October his regiment was assigned to the 1st
Brigade of Porters Division, and later to the
5th Army Corps. In 1862 his regiment ad-
vanced with the Army of the Potomac on
Manassas, afterward participating in the seige
of Yorktown Va, from April 9TH to May 4th
He was also in the following engagements:
Hanover Court House. Va, Gaines Hill, Seven
Days retreat, Malvern Hill, and with his regi-
ment remained several days at Harrison's S
Landing. On its evacuation they joined Gen.
Pope's army and participated at the battle of
second Bull Run; also the battles of Harper 5
Ferry, Antietam and fredericksburg At the
battle of Charlottesville, May 8, 1868, he was
wounded in the left leg, and was carried back
into the woods out Of reach of the enemy s
shot and she'll where he lay on the ground all
night About 10 o'clock of the following day,
his leg was amputated, and he was then start
ed for Army Square Hospital on 7th street,
Washington, D. c., and arrived there after a
four days journey in the ambulance. During his
convslescence at the hospital. President Lin
coin appointed him I'd Lieut. in the 96th Com
pany, I'd Battalion, Veterans Reserve Corps,
for galantry on the battlefield and mertor-
ious service. He remained at his post of duty
in this department until June 20, 1864, when
he resigned and returned to his home, after
being in the service 8 years and months He
was the second man to enlist from the town of
Thorndike. After his return from the war he
settled in Hampden. Me, and lived there un-
til 1869, when he returned to Thorndike and
married Miss Addie Nj. Higgins. who survives
him, with three children-Mrs. Lottie L.
Files of Pittsield, Richard Clay Higgins of
Thorndike, and Fred Lombard Higgins
of Augusta-and seven grandchildren. He
also leaves two brothers, Mr.. Frank J. Hig-
gins of Lincolnville, and Mr. Henry NJ Hig-
gins of Thorndike. Comrade Higgins was
stricken with apol lexy October 2sth and sur
vived only seven days. Human skill and care
could not avail; he had fought the battle brave
ly, and the victory was his, and while the
hearts of those who loved him are sorely
riven they have much to assuage their grief,
for the name Of Virgil Higgins will always
stand as an example of bravery, loyalty and
integrity. The sterling manhood the unfiinch-
ing bravery, the willing self-sacrifce that he
displayed on the bloody battle field he carried
through life. The great tribute he paid his
country-the mark of which he wore as long
as his physical being was with us-will be a
source of satisfaction and pride to posterity
A who had always known him, and been
closely allied with him in business associations,
while taking his last look at the deceased ut
tered these words:
Soldier,-Rest, thy warfare Ger,
Sleep, the sleep that knows no breaking,
Dream of battlefields no more,
Days of danger, nights OF waking.
Brother, Neighbor, Friend.
One of the best OF these. farewell.
Comrade Higgins had often expressed the
wish that there be no great display of flowers
at his obsequies; that the flag was good enough
for him;for this reason the flowers were few, but
choice. There was beautiful wreath from Mr.
and Mrs. Geo. P. Higgins and Mrs. Flora Hunt OF
Bangor; large bouquet Of chrysanthemums
from Mrs. Louisa Higgins and Mr.. and Mrs
Amos Higgins of Augusta; a wreath of choice
flowers from Mr., H. NJ. Higgins and Mr. anc
Mrs. Charles Crockett Of Belfast; beautiful
spray from MIR. and Mrs. Mahalon Hatch; cut
flowers from Mrs. Underwood, Belfast; house
flowers from Madame and Mrs. Hodges a
beautiful silk flag from Capt. and Mrs. j. F
Mckeen of Belfast, and also one from Dana B
Carter Circle, Freedom. Rev. David Bracket
spoke words of comfort to the sorrowing fam
lily and paid touching tribute to the deceased
for he spoke from a personal acquaintance
with Comrade Higgins and in an able manner
addressed the Post and Grange, of which the
deceased was an honored member The casket
was draped with the Flag, and the Stars and
Stripes clung caressingly around the brave
soldier who had given his life blood to defend
and protect it. The Grand Army men filed
slowly in to view their fallen Comrade. their
faces marked with sorrow, their numbers so
few and fast lessenng. 1t was a pathetic
scene and bore witness to the strong ties ex-
isting in the warm breasts of those brave boys.
He was buried in the Center cemetery near
the home of his childhood and manhood, and as
we saw our veteran dressed in his suit of Blue,
wrapped with the Flag he loved better than
life, lowered to his last resting place, we could
but think that God has been good to bring him
home from the battlefield that he might enjoy
AZ years of happy home life-for his home was
happy one, with most devoted wife, chill
dren and grandchildren, unbroken circle,
and at last rest here in this peaceful spot amid
| familiar scenes-knowing as we do, that a
brother of his, Prince D. Higgins, bright
young lad from Thorndike, gave his life for
his country and today sleeps on a Southern
battlefield.
Mary, widow, of the late John McCabe OF
Chelsea Mass, died at the Catholic parsonage
Wednesday morning, November 22nd, aged 76
years She made her home with her son, Rev
Father D. A. McCabe of St Francis and had
been i'll for about eight weeks. Five sons and
three daughters survive. Father McCabe left
Wednesday on the Il, Is train to accompany the
remains to Chelsea, where the funeral will be
held at the st. Rosa Catholic church. The SYM
pathy of his parish and of the community in
general is extended to Father McCabe in his
bereavement.
Mrs. Daniel Clark of South Liberty, who