In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1902) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1844
From History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1902), history of washington county, ohio (1881)
Lieutenant Gates was the only son of Beman Gates, esquire, and Betsy Shipman Gates, of Marietta. He was born October 30, 1844, and entered Marietta college in 1861.
Already in these early days of the war, his heart and soul were enlisted in his country’s cause, and he entered college rather than the army, only because of his extreme youth. In the recruiting camp which was established at Marietta, the officers were drilled regularly by an army officer, and at his:request his father obtained permission for him to join in the drill. He joined the force which was organized in Marietta for defence and guard duty, and was present at Buffington, when John Morgan attempted to cross the Ohio at that point. In this kind of duty he became proficient in the manual of arms, and satisfied in part his desire to help his country in her need, while at the same time he continued his studies.
Meantime the war raged on. Victories and defeats alike added to the Nation’s dead, and the voice of morning filled the land. Regiments which went away with full ranks, had come back piecemeal, on crutches, on cots, and in coffins. The day when man enlisted under the inspiration of fife and drum had passed away. The dark days of the spring of 1864 had come, and the Goyernment was laboring desperately to recruit the armies which were melted away in the terrible battles of the wilderness campaign.
Young Gates felt that the time had come when he must give himself wholly to his country’s service. Friends tried to dissuade him, feeling that to break away in the midst of his education was a sacrifice that was not called for. But he remained firm in his conviction that it was his duty to go, and his parents yielded their consent, feeling that to withhold it would be to crush all manliness inhim. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth regiment, which was formed in response to the call of Governor Brough, was chosen first lieutenant of his company, and was duly commissioned.
On the twenty-third day of May, at 2 o’clock p. M., he left with his regiment for the front by rail, via Parkersburgh to Harper’s Ferry. When about five miles below Marietta the train was thrown from the track down an embankment; two of his fellow students were killed, and he received severe internal injuries. Unwilling to turn back, he proceeded with his regiment; but his injuries, aggravated by exposure to rain, marching and camping without tents, resulted in his death at Harper’s Ferry, May 31, 1864.
Thus he was cut down at the very threshold of the
*By Professor D. E. Beach.
service which he had longed for. He had followed Greenwood and Condit and Whittlesey and Turner to their last resting place, and he entered this service with a full realization of the dangers involved, expressing his readiness to give up his life for his country. The sacrifice was required of him, while the experiences which are dear to the soldier were denied him.
In his college course he developed business rather than professional qualities. He was especially devoted to the more practical branches of study. He was greatly attached to his literary society, and took an active part in the frequent debates upon the questions which were then absorbing the public mind. He read more for information than amusement, and his essays which were often upon some political subject showed quick perception, penetration and sound judgment. With his fellow students he was universally popular. He was thoroughly unselfish, generous, often to his own detriment, as he frequently permitted his own record to suffer, through a desire to serve others. ‘Through all his intercourse with his fellows, there ran a thoughtful regard for the feelings of others, and a fine, delicate sense of honor which won for him the warm affection and esteem of a large circle of friends, both in his own and the other college classes.
There were few residents of Marietta, old or young, to whom his bright intelligent face was not familiar; and his pleasant, respectful ways and frank, hearty friendliness had endeared him to all. He was devoid of all affectation, and slow to manifest the deeper feelings of his heart, yet no one who was intimate with him could fail to see that a deep reverence and affection for his parents was the strongest sentiment of his nature; so strong that it held him firmly from the temptations to which his sociable, funloving disposition rendered him peculiarly liable, and became a constant incentive to honorable effort.
He was maturing rapidly and gave every promise that he was passing to a successful and honorable manhood.
His death came with a weight of swift sorrow which words cannot measure or express. A telegram brought to his parents the tidings of his critical condition, and they hastened to Harper’s Ferry by the first train, but reached there only to find that he was already dead, and they returned, bringing with them the lifeless form of him who had left them a short week before in the strength and beauty of his early manhood.
In all the sad experiences of the war, perhaps nothing shows more strongly the fearful cost at which the country was saved, than cases like this, when an only and tenderly loved son was taken, leaving a sharp sense of bereavement and irreparable loss which the passing years do not lessen, and which even religion can only often, but éan not take away.
As printed in history of washington county, ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Lieutenant Gates was the only son of Beman Gates, Esq., and Betsy Shipman Gates, of Marietta. He was born October 30, 1844, and entered Marietta College in 1861.
Already in these early days of the war, his heart and soul were enlisted in his country's cause, and he entered college rather than the army, only because of his extreme youth. In the recruiting camp which was established at Marietta, the officers were drilled regularly by an army officer, and at his request his father obtained permission for him to join in the drill. He joined the force which was organized in Marietta for defense and guard duty, and was present at Buffington when John Morgan attempted to cross the Ohio at that point. In this kind of duty he became proficient in the manual of arms, and satisfied in part his desire to help his country in her need, while at the same time he continued his studies.
Meantime the war raged on. Victories and defeats alike added to the nation's dead, and the voice of the morning filled the land. Regiments which went away with full ranks, had come back piecemeal, on crutches, on cots, and in coffins. The day when man enlisted under the inspiration of fife and drum had passed away. The dark days of the spring of 1864 had come, and the government was laboring desperately to recruit the armies which were melted away in the terrible battles of recent campaigns.
D. E. Beach.
Young Gates felt that the time had come when he must give himself wholly to his country's service. Friends tried to dissuade him, feeling that to break away in the midst of his education was a sacrifice that was not called for. But he remained firm in his conviction that it was his duty to go, and his parents yielded their consent, feeling that to withhold it would be to crush all manliness in him. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, which was formed in response to the call of Governor Brough, was chosen first lieutenant of his company, and w-as duly commissioned.
On the 23rd of May, at 2 o'clock P. M., he left with his regiment for the front by rail, via Parkersburg, to Harper's Ferry. When about five miles below Marietta the train was thrown from the track down an embankment; two of his fellow-students were killed, and he received severe internal injuries. Unwilling to turn back, he proceeded with his regiment; but his injuries, aggravated by exposure to rain, marching and camping without tents, resulted in his death at Harper's Ferry, May 31, 1864.
Thus he was cut down at the very threshold of the service which he had longed for. He had followed Greenwood and Condit and Whittlesev and Turner to their last resting place, and he entered this service with a full realization of the dangers involved, expressing his readiness to give up his life for his country. The sacrifice was required of him, while the experiences which are dear to the soldier were denied him.
In his college course he developed business rather than professional qualities. He was especially devoted to the more practical branches of study. He was greatly attached to his literary society, and took an active part in the frequent debates upon the questions which were then absorbing the public mind. He read more for information than amusement, and his essays which were often upon some political subject showed quick perception, penetration and sound judgment. With his fellow students he was universally popular. He was thoroughly unselfish, generous, often to his own detriment, as he frequently permitted his own record to suffer through a desire to serve others. Through all his intercourse with his fellows, there ran a thoughtful regard for the feelings of others, and a fine delicate sense of honor which won for him the warm affection and esteem of a large-circle of friends, both in his own and the other college classes.
There were few residents of Marietta, old or young, to whom his bright intelligent face was not familiar: and his pleasant, respectful ways and frank, hearty friendliness had en- "feared him to all. He was devoid of all affectation, and slow to manifest the deeper feelings of his heart, yet no one who was intimate with him could fail to see that a deep reverence and affection for his parents were the strongest sentiment of his nature; so strong that it held him firmly from the temptations to which his sociable, funloving disposition rendered him peculiarly liable, and became a constant incentive to honorable effort.
He was maturing rapidly and gave evei-y promise that he was passing to a successful and honorable manhood.
His death came with a weight of swift sorrow which words cannot measure or express. A telegram brought to his parents the tidings of his critical condition, and they hastened to Harper's Ferry by the first train, but reached there only to find that he was already dead, and they returned, bringing with them the lifeless form of him who had left them a short week before in the strength and beauty of his early manhood.
In all the sad experiences of the war, perhaps nothing shows more strongly the fearful cost at which the country was saved than cases like this, when an only and tenderly loved son was taken, leaving a sharp sense of bereavement and irreparable loss which the passing years do not lessen, and which even religion can only often, but can not take away.
Lieut. Richard D. Mason, the subject of this sketch, was born in Adams township, Washington County, son of Adolphus and Betsey B. Mason. He received a common-school education.
He was elected second lieutenant of Company B, Ninth Ohio Cavalry, which rendezvoused at Camp Marietta, and was mustered in at Zanesville, January 17, 1863. From Zanesville the company moved to Camp Dennison, where they were armed and equipped. They then proceeded to Kentucky. Lieutenant Mason was with his company during its term of service up to the time of his death, acquitting himself with credit. After the siege of Knoxville, Lieutenant Mason was promoted to first lieutenant, and soon after obtained leave of absence to return home. While at home he was married to Elizabeth Shepard. Returning to his company at Pulaski, Tennessee, he was taken with chronic diarrhoea and died on June 24, 1864. "Thus perished as gallant a young patriot as ever drew sword in defense of his country."
Lieut. Richard B. Cheatham, Sixtythird Ohio Volunteer Infantry, volunteered with J. \N. Fonts, and Avas mustered in at the organization of the company, October 9, 1861, as first sergeant of the company, served in that capacity with his company up to the 26th of May, 1862, when he was promoted to first lieutenant of his company (D), served in that capacity up to the time of his death. He died in camp at Memphis, July 18, 1863, after a two days' illness. Lieutenant Cheatham was a good soldier and an efficient officer, always ready for duty and seldom absent from his company, who deeply regretted his loss.
Lieut. Edgar P. Pearce was born in London, England, November 27, 1840. Two years later his father removed with his family to this country taking up his residence at Cleveland, Ohio: afterwards, in 1848, at Marietta. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, passing through the public schools of the city. Having learned the printer's trade, he worked several years in the office of the Marietta Intelligencer. He then filled a clerical office at the bank of Marietta for some years. In his 2 1 St year he enlisted as a private in the Seventyseventh Regiment, and soon after was appointed quartermaster sergeant of the regiment.
After the battle of Shiloh he was promoted
As printed in History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Beman Gates Edgar P. Pearce (b. 1840)
The printed record stops around 1902. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.