Putnam patriot., 1912-03-29
Comrade Oscar Tourtellotte

! l should teei that nad been renllSs ! in my duty did l not remember my i friend and comrade and did not put on record my opinion of the man, the soldier, and the citizen.
 There will be other obituaries writ 1 ten which will speak of him in terms of respect and endearment and no doubt will be historically correct, but distinct from them all this must be considered as tribute from one of his com rades of which there are but three | left in this section, Comrades F. w. Perry and Thomas Finchon of Putnam l and myself, who were associated with him in the same regiment during the war.
 | Comrade Toartellotte was one of those christian soldiers who never let his military duty swerve him in any way from moral rectitude and who maintained his attitude as consistent and devoted christian under all con- ditions. Many comrade who reads these lines will understand the true meaning of this statement and will | agree that there were times when the temptation was strong to deviate from the path of duty. MT. Tourtellotte came home at the expiration of his term of enlistment AS pure as when he first enlisted, uncontaminated by army associations. A valiant and brave soldier-our regimental history relates some stirring incidents in which he was the central figure and which will be read by future genera tions and rebound to his honor. As he was good soldier, so has he been one of the foremost citizens. As judge he was merciful, always seem- ing to consider the frailties of humani- 1 ty, yet administering justice impar- tially. As representative, senator, judge, and chairman of the board of selectmen for twenty.four years or more and filling nearly all, if not all, of the minor offices of the town, think all will agree that he gave his best endeavors. He possessed in full est measure the confidence of the peo- pie, and so far as 1 know he never abused it. A great sufferer for a long period he bore his sufferings with pa- tience and fortitude as became man who had faced every danger on the battle field, passing away peacefully at last, firm in a faith that he had cherished for many, many years. He was loyal member of the Grand Army taking an especial interest in in Thompson Veterans and the Sons. He has been called an astute politician but am bound to believe that the as- tuteness ascribed to him was the facui- ty he possessed of gaining the good will of large majority lof the people who believed in his absolute integrity. It was truly said of Abraham Lincoln that his enemies loved him. MT. Tourtellotte was staunch republican and for many years perhaps might be considered as the leader of his party in Thompson. Not politically aggressive yet logically persuasive he was gen. erally successful in his undertakings.
 Not to him alone who bares his breast in the battle front is all honor due, but to him who serves his coun- try well in times of peace as well as war, who still fights on for the upift ing of humanity and the betterment of government, who hath a benevolent heart and a kindly hand is given the right of leadership. And by these at tributes Comrade Tourtelotte attained it. As there will always be a warm place for him in the hearts of the com rades who survive him so will his memory be cherished by the commun- ity where his life was lived-a life worthy of emulation by the young and the charitable consideration of all.
 He hath risen at the reveille to greet
 the blushing morn,
 And hath girded on his sabre above
 his uniform.
 With knapsack and haversack, a
 canteen and gun,
 Hath marched through miasmatic
 swamps, beneath the torrid sun. He paced alone the weary beat, out on
 the picket lines,
 And bivouaced where glist ming stars
 shone through the waving pines. His couch was but the solid earth, his
 pillow but the sod,
 But sweetly dreamed the soldier with
 his face turned up to God.
 He stood in line of battle, mid show
 CTS of leaden rain,
 Saw the earth drink up the blood of a
 thousand comrades slain. He charged across the abates, the ene-
 my to meet,
 He knew the joy of victory, the sor-
 row of defeat.
 He hath dwelt again in peaceful days, after the battles din,
 Enjoyed the fruitage of the years his
 valor helped to win.
 We laid him in his native soil, the
 flag across his breast,
 We beat the taps above his grave, and
 left him to his rest
 IRA D. BATES.
 The following is taken from "Wear- ing the Blue,n the historyiof the Mas sachusetts 25th Volunteer Infantry:s
 "When the battalions had accom- plished the work given them to do at | Chm swamp and were resting from