The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-30

tiers spoke III glowing terms OF lie and
unselfish work Of Mrs Frances N
Wood. who died last Friday, and who
was formerly president of the national
organization of the Ladies of the G. A
r.
Major General John Calhoun Cald-
well" said Captain Coney. was born
at Lowell, Vermont in 1888 and was
developed under New England instruc-
lions, in the granite state, and was CIV
en- the very best education that the
schools of New England afforded.
Coming from historic stock, through
the line of the great southern states
man John c. Calhoun, for whom he
was named. John c. Calhoun, being
John Caldwell Calhoun, the original
ancestors coming from England and
{ Ireland to the United States. in the
/ latter part of the 18th century.
! General CaldweII's family ancestors
settled in Vermont, in the early part of
the 18th century about 1915. They were
j stalwart, patriotic and heroic Ameri-
! cans. whose ancestors participated in
\ the Revolutionary war. Soon after Gen.
\ eral Caldwell's graduation from college,
he was rendered and accepted a posi-
{ ton as principal of the Washington
Academy of East Matthias, Maine,
which position he was filling when the
Civil war of the Rebellion broke out
Being a strong advocate of the prfn-
ciples Of the Republican party. a close
student and adherent of the great
champions of emancipation, and espe-
Cially of the immortal Abraham Lincoln,
he entered into the cause of the union
with all the capable powers of his he
roic nature, and early in 1861, he as
sisted in raising volunteers for the
Union Army. and, was made colonel of
the 18th Maine infantry volunteers.
taking this regiment into the field. He
was promoted brigadier general of vol
uuteers. April 18th, 1852. Having studied
structor. he soon became proficient as
a commander, and. with gallant sue
cess he commanded in person his COM
mands at Bull Run, Antietam, Chan
ceIorsville, Fredericksburg. Charles
City Cross Road. Chantilla, White Oak
Swamps. Savage Station. Mechanics
Vile Martins Ford Williamsburg,
Yorktown, Young's Mill. Lees Mill,
Bristoe Station and Gettysburg, where
he immortaized himself in command of
the First division of the second army /
corps. by resisting Longstreet's charge
in the wheat field. preventing General
Longstreet from connecting with Gen
erals Picket and Pettigrue's divisions, 4
in their fierce charge. by his making
an echelon movement, that repulsed
General LongStreet; and, after all the
commanders Of the Second corps were
either killed or wounded, left General /
Caldwell in command Of the second /
corps.
His great courage and fine military
skill won for him the admiration and
commentator of all his superiors and
associate commanders. It was said Of
him that he showed no trepidation of
fear for his personal safety, and al
though in the heat of his contests d.
recting all movements Of his men, he
went through all their battles I'M
scathed; being a charmed miracle
The winter following the battle of
Gettysburg, he was appointed the pres
ident of a military court, whose duty,
it was to examine officers, for their
to command; resulting in
their promotion or discharge. He per-
formed these duties as he had all
others, with exemplary fidelity and
capacity; and, on August
18th 1865 he was commissioned Brevet
Major General of Volunteers for gall
liant and meritorfous service on battle
field and in all military responsibilities
He was specially detailed as personal
escort and had charge of the remains
and funeral train OF our martyred pres
dent, Abraham Lincoln, from Wash
ugton via Baltimore Philadelphia and
New York City to Springfield, III. He
was honorably mustered out of the
service on January 18th. 1856
In 1869 he entered the L. s. Civil ;
Service. and. was made Z. s. council ;
md charge o'affairs at Valparaiso, {
Chilli, and in 1874 to IS he was resident (
Paraguay, and was charge d'affairs
rom 1877 to 1881 when he resigned his {
official diplomatic station. {
He came to Kansas to live in 1888, I
IND resided in Topeka He was ap-
pointed by Governor John A Martin ]
claims for Kansas. and served therein ]
intT he was appointed as Z. S. consul I
It San Jose, Costa Rica, in 1897. He I
served in this capacity until 1909 when '
lie returned to Topeka. where his wife 1
lied in 1911 After the death of his i
wife he went with his son, Henry Ca1d-t
veil. to Mexico City, Mexico, and from !
here he went to visit another son, s
Charles Caldwell, at Costa Rica, and =
hen went TO his daughter at Calais, 8
Maine. 1t was on his trip from Costa :
Rica to his daughter at Calais. Maine, 7
hat he contracted the sickness that re-
uIted in his death. He was buried by
he side of his wife at East Matthias, {
daine. 7
He was one Of the. most capable and l
Ioquent speakers, and, Kansas never I
.ad A resident, who was better equip c
ed mentally for any public function
lie spoke and wrote five different T
languages. He was an expert in Span
sh and Latin, as he was in English l
nd he was also an apt scholar in
french. AS teacher, warrior ana
tatesman he had but few sUperiors
nd fewer equals He was modest and
nostentatious, preferring to let others
&c and learn of his capabilities, than L
Or himself to parade them, and as
onseuuence he was not given the
redit or the prominence that his su-
erior qualities of mind and heart en- p
tied him to. Kansas would have hon
red herself by honoring him, when q
he conferred her legislative honors on =
ersons far less worthy or deserving. "
lie left a record to be proud of. and Il
to the integrity Of the s.
MON with mastery skill and ability.
-is mama and fame will he endrIriugly "