The Death of Henry A. Morrow

DEATH OF GENERAL HENRY A. MORROW

It is with deep sorrow that we must record the death of our beloved Colonel which occurred at Hot Springs, Arkansas, January 31 1891. We had hoped he would survive to read this volume in which he had a great interest. Upon learning of his death the Survivors of the Twenty-fourth Michigan in Detroit, the Bar Association of this City and his regiment, the Twenty-first U. S. Infantry, passed suitable resolutions of respect. Of his war services this volume makes record, and it is one of the most brilliant.

After the war, he was appointed Collector for the Port of Detroit, which he resigned to become Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, U. S. Infantry, February, 1867. After entering the Regular Army he was assigned to important positions which he filled most satisfactorily. President Grant ordered him to Louisiana where he assisted in the process of re-construction acceptably to the people. Later, he was sent to Utah to quell the Mormon disturbances in 1872-3, where his conciliatory methods were successful. In 1877 during the railroad riots at Scranton, Pennsylvania, his discreet conduct won the special commendation of General Hancock. He subsequently became Colonel of the Twenty-first U. S. Infantry.

He was a soldier, orator and jurist of the highest excellence in each. His address was affable and courteous. Meanness and injustice he despised. His own Twenty-fourth loved him, believed in him and would always follow where he led. No braver man ever drew a sword and he was ever regardful of the welfare of his command, every soldier in which could lay before him any grievance. His name in history is secure and deserves to be preserved in the choicest amber. He ever had a warm remembrance for the old Twenty-fourth and among his last letters was the following to Captain Geo. W. Burchell written at Fort Sidney, Nebraska, July 30, 1890:

"What I desire above all things in this world is to hear of the health and prosperity of the remnant of the dear old comrades who stood with me, elbow to elbow, in the battle's storm of those horrible but splendid years when the Nation's life was saved by the Nation's valor. Your letter recalls many a scene. How quick come back the camp-fires, the weary marches, the dreadful preparation for battle, the long lines, the glittering bayonets, the inspiring cheers, the awful roar of musketry, the deep thunder of the cannon, the sickening carnage, the cries of the wounded, the ambulances, the mounds of fresh earth! Alas! Alas! God has been good to spare us so long to witness the glorious fruits of the sacrifices of the patriots of 1861-5. Perhaps we are not happier in our lots than the gallant men who fell fighting in the cause of freedom and humanity. May God be kind to those who are still spared, strengthen their failing limbs, and temper the winds to their declining vigor."

On September 8, I890, Colonel Morrow wrote as follows to Colonel A. M. Edwards:

"I have just returned from the G. A. R. encampment, where I had a pleasant time, but you know I am all shattered in health. At present I cannot speak above a whisper. I do not pretend to give commands on the field. But I (lid not intend to tell you that your Colonel bas been for a year and more, stricken by a fatal disease and will, in all human probability, be on the side of the majority to welcome you when your form shall appear on the opposite shore."

His remains were conveyed to Niles, Michigan, the girlhood home of Mrs. Morrow, where they laid in state in charge of "Frank Graves Post," G. A. R. until the funeral. The services were held in the Episcopal Church and the burial was under the auspices of said Post. As soon as the time of the funeral was learned in Detroit, several members of the old Twenty-fourth hurriedly arranged to attend and were present as mourners. The remains of our dear Colonel were laid away beneath the oaks of Silver Brook Cemetery with the honors of war. He has reached his last camp ground.

The above is taken directly from O. B. Curtis, pages 477 & 478. The illustration is from the front piece to Curtis's book.