Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-01-04
CAPTAIN MARSH IS DEAD.
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He is also survived by three sisters
living in Rochester, Pa; two broth
ers, Munroe Marsh, a riverboat engi.
neer, and R. R.. Marsh, a steward on
river boats for a number of years,
died several years ago. The three
Marsh brothers worked together fol
great many years and were we'll
known among the Missouri and Mis-.
sissippi boatmen. ...
Lands Grants Troops.
At the outbreak Of the Civil war,
steamboat men on the river were torn
by conflicting emotions; the south
called number as did the north.
Captain Marsh was one who stuck TO
the Union, while number Of his
dearest friends turned their backs on
the stars and stripes and cast their
lot with the Confederacy.
Captain Marsh was then mate on
the John J. Roe" which carried the
command of Major General Lew Wal
lace up the Tennessee river to
Crump's landing, five miles below
PittEbtrg Handing. This command
formed a part of Grants army in the
battle of Shiloh An immense flotilla
Of steamboats,. took part in the trans.
portation of troops at that time.
The "Roe" made several trips be-
tween Pittsburg Landing and Savan'
nah during the battle of Shiloh, and
proved of great aid to General Grant
He participated in operations on the
river during the war, in his capacity
as a steamboatman and then was
transferred to territory far remov-
ed from his familiar haunts.
With suIIy Expedition.
In the spring of 1864, as mate of
the "Marcella," he helped transport
the Sully expedition into the heart of
the Indian country. Fort Rice was
then established at the junction of
the Cannon Ball and Missouri rivers,
and operations carried ON from there.
rhe expedition went west into the
Band Lands and saw some strenuous
fighting.
Captain Marsh then proceeded up
the river with the "Marcella" to the
Yellowstone. Just above the site OF
this city he discovered the twisted
hoops and iron tires and other metal
parts of the wagon train belonging
to the Minnesota Indians, who had
retreated before the expedition under
General Sibley They burned their
wagons on the river bank, being un-
able to transport them across the
Missouri.
Gets First Command.
Following this Captain Marsh was
placed in command of the "Luella,' y
this being his first chief command
He made. the river forts during the
days of the Vigilantes, and could re.
coun incident and incident of their
summary justice to evil doors.
The "Far West Trip"
Captain Marsh worked on the Mis-
souri, river, running between the low
er river ports and the government
forts for years.
The trip of the "For West with
the wounded from the battle Of the
Little Big Horn following Clusters ill
fated expedition, who were landed
mere, Is UllC VI llS, IlOoL ICAdl hdUIC
experiences.
The steamer Far West" was moor.
ed at the mouth of the Little Big
Horn. She was the supply boat OF
the expedition and had made her way
up the Big Horn farther than any
other boat. She had performed one
exploit unprecedented in western
river navigation in reaching the
mouth of the Little Big Horn, and
was ready to perform another un.
equalled in steamboating in the west
The wounded were carried on board
the steamer, and DR.. Porter was de-
tailed to go down with them. Ter.
rvs Adjutant General Col. Edwin
Smith, was sent along with the Off
cial dispatches and hundred other
messages He had travelling bag
full of kilograms for the Bismarcs,
office. Captain Grant Marsh, of
Yankton, was in command of the Gar
West" He put everything in the
comDletest order and took on a large
amount of fuel He received orders
tn reach Bismarck as soon as pos
sible. He understood his instrnc-
tons literally, and never did river
man obey .hem more conscientiouslv.
On the evening of the 3rd Of July the
steamer weighed anchor. In few