Charles E. Putney was happily surprised at the opening of the Sunday
school of the College Street Church when the Rev. I. C. Smart, pastor of
the church, in a most delightful manner, presented him with the insignia
of the First Brigade, First Division (General Stannard's), Eighteenth
Army Corps, the gift of his friends in the church.
The badge was pinned to the left breast of Mr. Putney's coat by his
little granddaughter, Mary P. Lane, and Gen. Theodore S. Peck explained
to the children the use of the Corps badge of the army. Although
overcome with surprise, Mr. Putney responded most feelingly. The
presentation was witnessed by a large number of members of the school
and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The medal bears the following inscription:
"Prof. C. E. Putney, from friends in the College Street Church,
Burlington, Vermont, February 26, 1916, in remembrance of his gallant
service in the war for the Union, as Sergeant, Co. C, Thirteenth New
Hampshire, First Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Army Corps."
On the two gold bars from which the medal is suspended by a red, white
and blue ribbon, are inscribed the eleven battles in which his regiment
participated: First Fredericksburg, siege of Suffolk, Port Walthal,
Swift Creek, Kingsland Creek, Drewrys Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
Fort McConhie, Fort Harrison and Richmond.
The badge was originally intended as a birthday gift to Mr. Putney, but
its arrival was delayed so the presentation was made on the anniversary
of the death of Abraham Lincoln. The badge was accompanied by a letter
from Mr. Putney's friends stating that the gift was intended as a slight
token of their esteem and affection and a birthday reminder of the
gallant service performed by him as a soldier in the army of the Union,
1861-1865.--_National Tribune._
* * * * *
Sleep on, O brave-hearted, O wise man that kindled to flame--
To live in mankind is far more than to live in a name,
To live in mankind, far, far more than to live in a name!
--NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY.