The following speech is a second generation transcription of the original. Any errors in spelling, etc, are probably mine. This speech was read at the dedication of the Reuben Cory Post.
This speech was made available by Reuben's descendant: Richard B. Lindquist hermod-rbl@worldnet.att.net
It is well to perpetuate those who died in the late war for the defense of the Union. They were heroes in conflicts which were not excelled on the battle fields of Marathon or Waterloo. At Antietam, Culpepper, Gettysburg, and other historic spots they manifested great bravery. The great Generals, such as Grant, Sherman, McClellan, Sheridan, and Thomas receive the emoluments and the eulogies; but let us never forget the men in the ranks but for whose bravery and fidelity these great captains would never have won.
The brave fellow whose name your Post of the G.A.R. carries, enlisted as a private, and though worthy of promotion, yet never rose from the ranks. Reuben Cory was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, January 14, 1837. He came of good stock. His father Jonathan Cory, fought in the war of 1812. The name of Cory can be found in the earlier annals of the country, running back to the Revolutionary period. His ancestors were the sharers in the struggles for civil liberty and religious freedom. His mother was a Madison, a member of the renowned Madison family, so we repeat Reuben came of good stock.
When Reuben was quite young, his parents removed to Michigan, settling in Salem near Ann Arbor. At nine years of age, they removed to Wayne, Which village, with the exception of an occasional absence, became his home until his enlistment in the service of his country. When he was twelve years old, his father died, leaving to his tender care a dependent mother and to his paternal oversight a younger brother and sister. Early in life he displayed industrious habits, great perseverance and sterling manliness of character. Wherever he went, he made true and lasting friends. Physically he was strong, and possessed great powers of endurance. He was a good marksman, and a fine woodsman. It is reported that in one day he cut with his axe six cords of wood.
When the first call for troops came, made by President Lincoln after the rebels fired on Fort Sumter, in the spring of 1861, he and his brother James responded. Reuben was then 24 years of age and James 18. They were in camp at Detroit for some time, and when it was found that more men had enlisted than were needed, the two boys with others returned home. For some time he had enjoyed a pleasant friendship with Miss Harriet Horner, the only and beloved daughter of Mr. William Horner, of Denton, and now he turned his attention to marriage and was soon settled very comfortably in life. It was a happy marriage and gave great promise of long life and blessedness.
So on, however, more troops were called for. The rebellion was not to be suppressed in 90 days, as the great and good Seward predicted it would be. Henry Morrow was commissioned Colonel, and entered upon a series of war speeches. He delivered one of his stirring addresses in Wayne. Reuben heard him. His patriotism was fired. After a hasty good-bye to loved ones, the young husband enlisted and became a member of Company D, 24th Michigan Infantry, Henry Morrow, Colonel.
About this time, his only sister, Eliza was married to a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now Rev. R. S. Pardington, D. D. of the New York East Conference and pastor in Brooklyn, New York.
In August 1862 he entered camp near Detroit. In the month of September following he left with his regiment for the seat of war. On his arrival at Washington he met John H. Pardington of Co. B, of the same regiment, and it was a joy to him to have someone near to him to whom he felt related; and this joy was expressed in a letter received from him at that time. Their first camp was on Mason's Hill about 15 miles from Washington, and they called it "Camp Wayne." In the following Novembers health was poor, as he was troubled with throat disease and rheumatism. He was sent to Frederick City Hospital and detailed as a nurse. Here it was that he that he was kindly cared for by some of those excellent ladies who went as "ministering angels;" in the Camps and Hospitals. Among those whom he met were Mrs. Moye of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Quinn of Baltimore, Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Hunt of Baltimore, and many others. At this hospital he was delighted to see Joel Brace who with 13 others had been sent to be cared for as they all were in poor health.
In December of 1862 he writes a letter to his sister full of the thankfulness and joy of young fatherhood, for during his brief absence a son was born to him. With a prayer of confidence in God that he would care for the mother and babe, he speaks of going forth to duty. In the providence of God his wife sickens and dies. Without waiting for a furlough from the proper authorities he is permitted by the officers of the Hospital to go home for a few days. He arrives in the evening of the day of her burial. This is a sad chapter in the experience of the young husband, but is duplicated thousands of times during the late war. Resting for a few days he again kisses the loved ones good bye starts fir the seat of the war. He is detailed to duty in Distribution Camp, Alexandria, and here he writes of meeting a lot of the boys from Wayne. Among these are Thomas Downing, Nathan Killing, George Packard, and others. Every squad of men that arrived is closely inspected by him in the hope that some familiar face may be seen by him. In one of his letters he expresses hope that he might see James.
He is soon ordered back to his regiment and is glad to go, for he longs to do active service in the field. He participates with his regiment in the battle of Gettysburg. After the battle he writes that Corporal John H. Pardington was killed in the first day's fight. In his letter he gives graphic descriptions of the field and the unrecognizable faces of our men. He is thankful to God that he is spared, though exposed to whizzing bullets and bursting shell And like a true soldier he rejoices in the victory over the "Rebs." A great cause of regret to his is the death of Eugene Rounds who had his mail and some photographs for him from the Cory's and the Pardington's. These fell into the hands of the Confederates. In November 1863 the Regiment is encamped at Rappahannock Station. Long marches, picket experiences, and earnest religious meeting in which he took great delight, form the routines of daily life. He was always prompt in attending the religious meetings. In December following they are at Kelly's Ford. The weather was cold and a company of them including Mr. Abbott of South of Wayne, Mr. Wm. Newland, near New Boston, and Mr. Henry Babcock from Sheldons, built them a snug little house 10 feet by 6 feet. In a letter he speaks of its comfort, and of the good times had with his comrades. January 1864 they are encamped near Culpepper Court House. Here he met Aldrich Townsend. In some unaccountable way the lost photographs were recovered, giving him great delight in looking upon the faces and forms of those whom he loved.
They are pleasantly situated here in camp. the wives of Chaplain Way and Colonel Morrow are there and with them two other ladies giving to the Headquarters quite a domestic character. On a march, Reuben sprained his ankle, which made him lame and forced him to use crutches for a time. And now we reach the closing scene of his life. The battle of the Wilderness opened. His regiment was engaged in it. On the second day of the fight he was struck by a bullet. We insert an extract from a letter received from Chaplain Way concerning Reuben's death. He says: "Reuben was killed in the two day's fight in the Wilderness by a Minnie ball entering the left side, passing through his body, and out near the hip on the right side. He lived about ten minutes and died very easy. Charlie Burr of Co. C saw him when he was shot, and heard him exclaim 'O my Heavenly Father' several times, in about the same tone he used to use the term in prayer meetings during the winter past. He crawled back to where Charlie was and remarked "Charlie, I am almost gone and cannot live but a few moments, " after saying which he turned over on his back and quietly folded his hands across his breast and died. During the winter in fact ever since Reuben entered the service, he has led a Christian life, was very conscientious, and very kind and pleasant always. He was always present at our meetings and was ever ready to speak and pray. That he has ere this, joined his sainted wife and angel child I have no doubt. He lived the life of a Christian. I have heard him say frequently that if it was to be his to fall in the defense of his country, he wanted to be ever ready for death and heaven." This ends the extract.
The last letter Reuben wrote before his death was to his only sister. From it we quote a few sentences "I am still trying to serve God. Aid me by your prayers that I may be faithful. My prayer is that I may ever be found with by whole armour on, and if I fall in the coming battle [the Wilderness he refers to], I hope to die in peace." This letter bears the heading Camp of the 24th Michigan Infantry, Volunteers, near Culpepper, Va., April 23rd, 1864.
Reuben's character was strong on its moral and religious side. He was unflinchingly loyal to principal and devoted in his religious life. He was a kind son, affectionate brother, a loving husband, a sterling Christian, a true patriotic soldier. He sleeps. We know not where he lies. No shaft or inscription, so far as we know, marks the spot where he was buried. We shall meet and be reunited at the last great muster roll call.
Last Updated: 05/03/99
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B. Lindquist