Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1880 — Roseciusko's Friend Dying. [ARTICLE]

Roseciusko's Friend Dying.

Lying on n cot in a ward of Ute Old Gentlemen’s Unsectarian Home, opposite the entrance to Fleetwood Parc, last evening, was an old man. Two physicians were at his side and were giving him stimulants. “This is Col. Zeltner.” whispered Manager Ram-war in answer to an inquiry. “The doctors say he Is slowly Xavier Zeltner was a warm personal friend of Kosciusko, with whom he served as a cavalry commander in the struggle with Russia. Kosciusko died in Col. Zeltner’* house, and the last words of the patriot - were heard and written down bv him. Col. Zeltner was born In Bolothurn. Switzerland, in 1794. Early in life he entered the Hussian-Polish ‘ army, where he served with great credit, and lie resignled with the rank of Major. In 1830 he I entered the Polish army. He was given command of two squadrons of cavalry* of the Lancers of Lublin, and participated in many of the fierce engagements of the campaign. In the three days’ battle of Grochow his horse was killed under him. For meritorious conduct before the enemy In this flght he was awarded the golden cryss. Shortly afterward he was made a lieutenant-colonel. At the battle of Giinki he was seriously wounded In the left arm, and at the battle of Straemieczno he suffered a lance wound. He was wounded in the head at the siege of Warsaw on Sept. 6. In October he evinced such niurked military ability at the battle of Bwiedziebno that he was raised to the rank of Colonel, and made a Knight of the Black Cross. The Poles having lost this memorable battle, Cal. Zeltman refused to accept the conditions proposed by the Russians, and passed with the Polish array Into Prussian territory. He remained with the General-in-Chief until the close of the war. In the beginning of 1832 Col. Zeltner, resigning from active , service, was presented with a testimonial, as follows:

I certify* that M. le Colonel de Zeltner (Xavier), my aide-de-camp, has shown ’during all the campaign of Poland, real ability, unlimited zeal, and a dellotion which has acquired for him my most lively gratitude and my especial esteem. The honorable wounds whleh lie has received after brilliant engagements will be no less speaking'i.wFtnesses of his valor and intrepidity, and it is with regret that I see himjeave me. Rybinski, Gen.-in-Chief. Colonel Zeltner came to this country while Buchanan was president. At the breaking out of the rebellion Colonel Zeltner offered Ills services to General McClellan, but was referred to Mr. Seward, to whom he was introduced by Mr. L. Ph. de Luzd, the Swiss consul. He did not receive the expected appointment. Speaking several languages, he supported himself by teaching. For several years he lived in Hoboken. Later he was placed in the Home by his son, Ernst, who lives in Washington terrace, Hoboken.