HENRY, James W.

HENRY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/23/2015 at 09:31:59

General J.M. HENDRICK; of Ottumwa, in speaking of the death of our brother says: {From the Ottumwa Courier, April 23.}

James W. Henry died at his residence near Denver, Colorado on the 12th inst., of disease contracted while in the rebel prisons of Andersonville, Florence, Darlington and Charlelston.

The deceased first entered the service in a Missouri Regiment and after serving his three months term, he entered the 15th Iowa in Captain Craig's Company "E", on the 15th day of October 1861. He was shortly made Colol Corporal and during the Atlantic Campaign he was promoted to be Sergeant Major, on account of conspicucus and highly meritorious services.

On the 22nd day of July 1864 he was captured in front of his regiment, during the memorable battle of Atlanta, in which his corps Commander, McPherson was slain. He was starved, robbed and brutally treated until the following March, when he was discharge as a mere skeleton to his former self, and from that time until his death he was an invalid.

The writer of this notice was the last commanding officer of the 15th Iowa, and he believes that Jim Henry never missed a fight in the many actions of the Pittsburg Landing, Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns in which that regiment was engaged.

If there was a braver soldier in the service he never come under the observation of this writer, he was a brother of Capt. Geo. A. Henry, editor of the KEOSAUQUA REPUBLICAN, who closes an account of his brothers death in the following touching language:

"Less than a year ago he, in company with his family, left this county for the mountain climate of Colorado with the hope that his health might be restored. But, alas, how near his time had come - he marched to the bank of the river; he crossed over, and was gone.

May the Great Commander whose goodness is ever before us as a beacon of hope for the bright hereafter, enroll our brother as worthy the reward of the well spent life, and may his bereaved wife and child, in their distant home be comforted and cared for as their relatives and friends at their old home most humbly pray. J.M.H.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book E, Page 97, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA