The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1911-01-26
AN HONORED VETERAN.
A Gallant Soldier and Now q Great
Captain of Industry.

A Gallant Soldier and Now Great
Captain of Industry.
The dedication at Peoria, ILL.,, of the
stately Greenhut Memorial calls atten-
lion to typical volunteer soldier who
has made a splendid success in civil
life. Capt Joseph b. Greenhut, the
head of the great Siegel-Cooper store
in New York City. was born in a lit
tie Austrian village. hut was brought
to this country by his parents when
nine years old AS he grew up he be-
came an enthusiastic American. and
tho he was in Mobile at the outbreak
of the war he took a decided stand
for the Union, made his way North
and enlisted at once in the 18th III.
He had the honor of being mustered
into the service by a plain little citizen
named U. S. Grant, who had formerly
been a Captain in the Regular Army
At the conclusion of his three months
service. he re-enlisted for three years,
and at the charge on Fort Donelson
was shot thru the upper right arm.
The surgeon wanted to amputate his
arm, but he Resisted. and was sent
back where home nursing saved his
arm and life. He had been promoted
to the rank of Sergeant and during
his convalescence he raised company
for the SD ILL.,, and helped much to
make the luStfOuS history OF tIldt Spiei-
did fighting regiment. At Chancellors.
vile one-thirdi of the regiment was
shot down. including every regimental
officer, and Capt. Greenhut found him
self in command of the regiment. In
spite of it's dissemination it more than
held it's position. He led it in a charge
against the enemy in which occurred
hand-to-hand fight and resulted in
the capture of the enemys colors. The
SD Ill. was the only Illinois infantry
regiment at Gettysburg. and greatly
distinguished itself in that battle under
the command of Capt. Greenbuts
brother-in-law, Gen. Edward S. Salo-
mon. 1t helped hold Cemetery Ridge
against the fiercest assaults of the men
of Louisiana. Georgia and Tennessee.
When the regiment was sent west Capt.
Greenhut became Adjutant and Chief
of-Staff to Col. Hecker, the Comman-
der of the Brigade. When in the
Spring of 1864, Col Hecker, feeling
aggrieved at the result of a controver-
sy. resigned. Capt. Greenhut felt that
loyalty to his chief impelled him to
do likewise. He had served over three
wears faithfully and valiantly, repeated
ly distinguishing himself in battle by
his dash. courage and vigilant enter
prise. He went back TO Chicago, en-
tered business and prospered greatly
until the great fire in 1871 swept away
all that he had. Undiscouraged he Sc
cured a small distillery for the pro-
duction of alcohols and rapidly built
up a great business. Removing to
Peoria and building up the famous Old
Monarch Distillery. he accumulated a
great fortune and invested largely in
the Siegel-Cooper company, of which
he later became and is now the presi-
dent. In spite of his extensive busi-
ness career Capt. Greenhut has from
the first retained a vivid interest in his
old comrades, and especially those of
the SD Ill. and of Peoria, where he
passed so many wears of his successful
business life. He was appointed one
of the Illinois Commissioners to locate
and erect monuments on the field of
Gettysburg, and at the dedication of
the monuments he was the principal
speaker and delivered an address which
has been remembered ever since by
all those who heard it. 1t was a vivid !
description of the battle. and the part
that his regiment had taken in it. Capt. |
Greenhutis part in the battle had OPEN
ed with his being sent with two COM
panies to support Dilger's Battery. and |
he held his ground for a long time |
against overwhelming forces of the |
enemy. They were at last f1anked out |
Of position and suffered severely in |
the street fighting as they retreated !
thru Gettysburg to a position on Gem /
etery Hill. 1t is a wonder that they |
were not all killed or captured. Col. |
Solomon. commanding the regiment, |
had two horses killed under him |
After the regiment took it's position on !
Cemetery Hill it was much ANNOYED
by sharp-shooterS in houses in the
Town, and Col. Solomon sent a detach-
nent of so men under the command of |
Capt. Greenhut to dislodge these which ,
they did, Storming the houses driving
out the enemy and holding the house
hh of tln rIrr~a
PEELED the savage charge of the Louis
anians in the fight on Cemetery Hill,
and so effective was their fire that less
han 800 of the Louisiana Tigers out of
l,700 who had made the charge We're
able to retreat at it's close.
Some years ago Bryner Post, Peoria
ILL.,, started out to raise a memorial
to the Peoria veterans, which, under
he encouragement of Capt. Greenhut,
look the form of a fine memorial hall
Capt- Greenhut contributed $4,000 to
his work, and a hall was erected which
S an adornment to the city and n great
,redit to the veterans. In compliment
o tie chief donor it was named after
him. and when Capt. Greenhut came to
De present at the dedication he inquired
Is TO the financial situation and found
hat the Post owed some $4,000. which
however, they were confident that
hey could make up. Capt Greenhut
however, refused to enter the hall
vhile there was any Indebtedness upon
t, and solved the problem by present.
ng the committee with check for
$4,000. and the hall was thereuponl {
dedicated with great ceremony and not 1
he least satisfactory feeling was that |
t was free from cent of indebted Z
less. At the dedication Commander &
frank W. Ash presided, with Capt
ireenhut and Department Commander '
Phillip Hayes as the guests Of honor. '