New Britain herald., 1917-09-22

Hicks gave up his business and en- listed in the Seventh Connecticut Vol unteers. It was after the war that he came to this city and took up his residence here. Since the late six ties he has spent all his life in New Britain.
 Major Hicks was postmaster for 16 years and the new post office building was erected under his ad- ministration. At one time he was the local agent of the Adams Express company For time Major Hicks engaged in the iron works business and was superintendent of the Nal. leable Iron works of this city.
 A Herald reporter was admitted to the sanctum sanctorum of Major Hicks this morning. Some people would call the room a den and others a study but whatever it might be called it was a room unique in It's furnishings. The room spoke of days past. The furniture was of quaint pattern. The bookcases contained volumes on the Civil war and the his tory of the United States. Trophies of many battlefield decorated the walls and the sword. and canteen which tho major used throughout the Civil war hung in a corner. Pictures of the great generals of the country were numerous and General Grant. under whom Major Hicks went on to Richmond, was prominent among them.
 While they were engaged in con- versa ton. a lackey announced the ar rival of two officers. They were ad- mitted and they immediately pro- duced papers requesting promotions. The president thought moment and then answered in manner characteristic of him.: "I'm sorry boys. but if I haven't got a woman I can't give you wife,
 Another occasion when Major Hicks met the president was before Richmond when the Union troops were being reviewed by the executive. The president told the men: You can all go home pretty soon boys" Major Hicks said that thrill of min gled pride and emotion ran through him at these words.
 Major Hicks is quite at home when discussing the Civil War. He said that he could tell hundreds of experiences but soldier seldom tells of his real battlefield adventures
 Major Hicks was married in 1860 to Miss Margaret Adams of Bridge port. Nine years ago he married Miss Ethel Russell of this city. They have one son, Ira E. Hicks, Jr who is six years old. Major Hicks had been a member of St. Marks Episco pal church since he came to this city.
 The major told of the battles which he was in during the war. Altogether he fought on 22 fields. The more inn portant engagements in which he fought were the battles of Fort Wag ner, Morris Island and James Island. In the battle of Fort Wagner he was adjutant general of the first battalion and commander of the second bat talion. Of the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers which left this state in '61 fully officered, only two of the off, cers are now alive, Major Jerome Turtlelot of Putnam and Major Hicks.
 In 1884 Major Hicks was com mander in chief of the national division of the G. A. R. Since the war he has taken active part in the work of the G. A. R. and it was only a few years ago that the children of the schools of this city had the pleasure of hearing him tell of his war ime experiences at the Memorial Day observances.
 Major Hicks knew personally the three great generals of the Civil war, Generals Grant Sherman and Sheri- dan. He was a great admirer of the three leaders.
 Acquainted With President Lincoln. Another figure of that day who stands far above all other great men of that period with whom Major Hicks was acquainted was President Abraham Lincoln. When Major Hicks was assistant provost marshal of the staff of General Birney of the Tenth Army corps he was ordered by General Birney to deliver 9 special despatch to Washington. On the journey from camp 70 the capital city Major Hicks met Senator Allen of Illinois. They arrived in Washington l and Senator Allen asked Major Hicks to accompany him on visit to the