Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1886 — A COMRADE’S TRIBUTE. [ARTICLE]

A COMRADE’S TRIBUTE.

Editor Remington News: Republies may be ungrateful, yet I hope the senatorial district in which you are located will not be so, but trust that, amongst the honored, the brave and the true, none wi 1 be thought more deserving to represent your interests in the State Senate than Col. David H. Patton, whom I see has been nominated for that position by the people of your district regardless of their political faith. This is nf> undeserved compliment to t o brave soldier whose name has thus so prominently been brought before them for their suffrage. It was my good fortune to be associated with him in the 38th Regt. Ind. Yols., from the time we were mustered into the army (Sept. 1861) until our final discharge after the war, with its hoary head and blood begrimed visage had vanished from our right. Being faithful to every trust iiu30sed, from “Corporal of the 3ruard” he advanced meritoriously ;o that of Sergeant of the Color Guard, where in the midst of shot and shell, hurled from the throats of rebel cannon, amidst a shower of rifle balls, striking his comrades from his right and left undismayed and fearlessly he stood; keeping the bright stars and pure striDes of our National emblem aloft, flaunting it in the face of our enemies and bade them defiance. Thus step by step did he advance, passing to the command of his brave company, when in a dire moment at Bentonville, N. C., our legimental commander, Capt. Jim Low, was mortally wounded, while conducting an advance on the enemy’s lines, then it was that Capi Patton was called to the command of the regiment, and whose management under those trying circumstances developed the dormant energies whifch had only awaited such an emergency to >ring to light In his conducting ;he various outline duties of the camp, he displayed equal ability, thus combining with nis intrend bravery upon the field of bat:le elements which proclaimed him “the perfect soldier.”. Should it be the good fortune to lave my old comrade, Col. Patton, represent your district in the next Senate “put it down on the list” ;hat he will bring to the dnti ‘s of ;hat office a brave heart, a pure mind and a determination to do right though the heavens fall. If it were possible, I would glad- * y pull off my coat and work night and day for his election, but hope he loyalty and intelligence of your community will but follow he example of the powers that were, in those times that tried men’s souls, and as they: —“Thou last been faithful unto few things, w J will make thee a ruler over many.” With three cheers and a “tiger” for the Col. and a wish that le maybe elected, I sign myself,

WM. C. SHAW, late Major

|3Bth Ind. Vol. infty.

The old Comrades of Col. Pat;on are mightily pleased over the prospects of his election to the State Sonate.