A COMRADE OF 1812.
One of the most interesting characters which has ever attended any of the meetings of the National Association, was present at this re-union, and his presence on the stage yesterday was the occasion of a voluntary ovation to him. Mr. Micah French, of Story County, was a private soldier in the ranks of the American Army which repelled the invasion of the last British arms on free American soil. A reporter of the Register called on Mr. French yesterday with a view to learning something of his remarkable career. He is feeble and gray with age, but is in possession of all his faculties save that of sight, which is almost gone. His recollection of the events of three-quarters of a century ago is not at all times perfectly clear, but enough was learned to give a fair idea of his life. He was born in New York on April 6, 1792, and from that State enlisted at the early age of twenty years in the army of the then Republic. He served through that war faithfully and was honorably discharged. He was in many of the most sanguine engagements, his company being in the command which moved to the north on the invasion of Canada.
At the battle of Queenstown, known to every school boy, Mr. French was wounded by a musket ball in his arm. This ball lie carries yet, and is probably now the only living American who has the honor of carrying a British bullet fired on American soil. He served in the Black Hawk war, enlisting from Illinois, which was then a far west country. His three sons and every grandson, who was old enough, enlisted in the Rebellion. While yet the central portion of Indiana was held by the Miami Indians he moved to that country, but now for thirty years he has lived in Story County. His life has been a plain and simple one, and he bids fair to live several years more.—Des Moines Register.—(August 2, 1886.)
Monday morning Company G. went to camp at Marshalltown for the annual drill and to have a regular lark. The boys will have a good time and return to business improved greatly in color, and it is to be hoped, in health as well.
The Company is reported by the Times-Republican as composed of the following officers and men:
Captain—J. R. McCutchen.
First Lieutenant—O. A. Lyssand.
Second Lieutenant—U. S. Alderman.
Sergeants—George Briggs, Frank Burdick, Edwin J. G. Reid.
Corporals—C. P. Murphey, William Fifer, William Bates, Chas. L. Covell.
Musician—Bert B. Childs.
Privates—H. A. Armstrong, Frank A. Boynton, Harry F. Child, William Chapman, Frank E. Cook, C. W. Earle, Albert W. Fry, William Fitchpatrick, Norillo F. Gillispie, James G. Hastings, M.