The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-12-02
CASTNER KNEW
CHRISTIAN RATH

Geo r. Castner was a close personal
friend of the late Christian Rath, who
died at Jackson, Mich, not long ago
at the age Of 80. Col. Rath was pro-
vost marshal Of Washington and had
chare of the execution of Mrs. Surratt
and other conspirators involved in the
assassination Of President Lincoln.
1t is also interesting to note that S.
f. Blythe was stationed in Washington
at the time of the Surratt execution.
With Hancock's Veteran Corps, Mr.
Blythe's regiment stood guard around
the arsenal grounds where the galloWs
were constructed.
The following history of Col. Rath is
reprinted from the Jackson, Mich,
Citizen-Patriot:
For 46 years Col. Rath kept the
promise he had made not to divulge
the particulars Of the hanging until he
should have the permission of the gov
ernment. He was finally released
from his promise and McClure's S maya
zine for October, 1911, contained an
illustrated account Of this historic cpl
sode in American history so closely re-
lated to jackson through the man who
was provost marshal of Washington at
the time, Col. Christian Rath.
Christian Rath was born in Freiden-
stadt, Germany. October p, 1881 His
early days were spent in an atmos-
phere of militarism and his earliest
connection with the army was with the
little band Of revolutionists under Carl
Schurz In lS4S, who rebeled against
the German government For this
young Rath and his friends were com
PEELED 10 flee the country, and he ran
away TO sea TO where he followed the
adventurous life Of a sailor for several
year, finally ending his sea life at De
trOit on revenue cutter. 1t was here
that he became a naturalized citizen of
the country whose ideals Of liberty be
admired.
Having a sister living in Ann Arbor
he cam to that city where be ivcd for
time. afterwards moving to jackson
with friend Of his, a sailor from the
west Jack Todd. Todd was the cham
pion rifle shot Of the Pacific coast. and
a great friend of Col. Rath.
A short time after his arrival iu
jackson Col. Rath opened a shoe store
and soon afterwards married Miss Eve
line Henry, the daughter of one of the
pioneers of jackson. who moved here
before there were any buildings in the .
city.
AT the outbreak Of the Civil war the .
store became the center Of activity. for
Col Rath military irclinations were F..
aroused and be took am active part ir .
recruiting, enlIsting with the 18th
Michigan infantry az its organization.
IN Co. @. This was the famous Stone /
wall regiment and with his outfit be 1
was sent south. his first commission /
being issued by Gov Austin Blair.
June H., 1862.
With his regiment be saw heavy
fighting and was wounded September
III, 1852, in the battle Of Antietam.
He received his next commission. that
of first lieutenant, from Gov. Austin
Blair, December Of that wear, and
his third, that q captain. August q.
1853, also from the war governor. At.
SpOttssy sylvauia, Can't. Rath was taken
prisoner bv the Confederstes, but man
aged % fight his way out Of tEeir camp
The same day. May ~. 1864. escaping
10 the Union lines under the greatest
lifiicUitv.
He was appointed 0B the staff of
zen. Wilcox, acting from October.
.s62, 10 May, 1866. receiving his com ,