Spalding through Staunton River Bridge, Virginia

SPALDING, James Reed, journalist, born in Montpelier, Vermont, 15 November, 1821; died in Dover, New Hampshire, 10 October, 1872. His father was for nearly half of a century a well-known physician in Vermont. The son was graduated at the University of Vermont in 1840, and was a private tutor in Georgia, at the same time studying law. On his return to Montpelier he was admitted to the bar, but his literary tastes led him to give up his profession, and he spent several years in travel through Europe and into Asia as a student of manners, morals, and politics. He was a witness of the events of the French Revolution of 1848. His letters to the New York "Courier and Enquirer" during his sojourn abroad won great admiration by their philosophical grasp of events and persons and brilliancy of style. On his return to the United States in the spring of 1850 he became attached to the "Courier and Enquirer" as its leading writer. His reputation led in 1859 to the establishment of the New York " World." and his headship of it, The design of the enterprise was altogether new— that of a model journal conducted throughout on Christian principles, independent of particular sects or political parties. The financial crisis that attended the progress of the Civil War so affected the paper that it passed under a new management and editorship. In 1862 Mr. Spalding took a post in the editorial corps of the New York "Times," and many of its patriotic editorials were from his pen. He was stricken with paralysis when in the full vigor of his powers, and died after years of sickness. Richard Grant White, who was associated with him both in the "Courier and Enquirer" and the "World," wrote of Mr. Spalding: "With a theme congenial and an occasion to arouse him, his vigor and elegance have never been excelled by a writer upon the city press." His published addresses are " Spiritual Philosophy and Material Politics" (1854), and "The True Idea of Female Education" (1855).—His brother, George Burley, clergyman, born in Montpelier, Vermont, 11 August, 1835, was graduated at the University of Vermont in 1856, studied law at Tallahassee, Florida, spent two years at Union Theological Seminary. New York City, and was graduated at Andover Seminary in 1861. He was ordained at Vergennes, Vermont, the same year, and after holding Congregational pastorates in Hartford, Connecticut., and Dover and Manchester, N. H., took charge in 1885 of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Syracuse, New York, which place he now holds. Dr. Spalding has done much editorial work on the New York "World," the "Times," the " Watchman," Boston, and the " New Hampshire Journal," which was established by him in 1881. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of New Hampshire in 1877, and of the legislature of the same year. He received the degree of D. D. from Dartmouth in 1878. Dr. Spalding has travelled extensively in the Old World. His published sermons and addresses include "Sermon Commemorative of General Samuel P. Strong" (1854); "Scriptural Policy," a political tract (1868); "In Memoriam, John Parker Hale" (1873); and "The Idea and Necessity of Normal School Training" (1878). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 618.


SPALDING, Martin John, archbishop, born near Lebanon, Marion County, Kentucky., 23 May, 1810; died in Baltimore, Maryland., 7 February, 1872. In 1821 he was sent to St. Mary's Seminary in Marion County, where he was graduated in 1826. He then studied theology in St. Joseph's Seminary, Bardstown, for four years, and then in the Urban College of the Propaganda, Rome, where he won his doctor's diploma by defending for seven hours in Latin 256 theological propositions against some of the ablest theologians in the city. He was ordained priest on 13 August, 1834, and on his return to Kentucky was charged with the pastorship of the cathedral at Bardstown and with the professorship of philosophy in the diocesan seminary Louvain, which up to 1884 has sent 301 priests to the missions of the United States. At the beginning of the Know-Nothing movement he became involved in a controversy with George D. Prentice, and during the riots in Louisville in 1855 he showed great prudence, his influence probably preventing the disturbances from assuming larger proportions. Bishop Spalding did much to secure hospital accommodations for the sick of the National troops that were encamped around Louisville in the first year of the Civil War. On the death of Archbishop Kenrick in June, 1864, Bishop Spalding was transferred to the see of Baltimore and installed as archbishop on 31 July. He founded the House of the Good Shepherd in Baltimore, and began a boys' protectory, which he placed in charge of the Xaverian Brothers. In 1865 he was appointed administrator of the diocese of Charleston, the bishop of which was unable to return, and made successful appeals to the Roman Catholics of the north in aid of their southern brethren. He also secured important contributions for the American College at Rome. […] Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 619-612.


SPALDING, Rufus Paine, 1798-1886, Massachusetts, lawyer, jurist.  Republican Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio, 1863-1869.  Opposed the extension of slavery into the new territories.  In 1847, declared: “If the evil of slavery had been restricted, as it should have been, to the thirteen original states, self-interest might have led to the extinction of the practice long before now.”  Spalding joined the anti-slavery Free Soil Party in 1850.  He opposed the Fugitive Slave Act.  He encouraged fellow attorneys in Cleveland to oppose the Act.  He represented Underground Railroad conductor Simon Buswell in his defense, arguing the Fugitive Slave Act was unconstitutional.  He opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.  Spalding was elected to Congress in 1862.  While there, he introduced legislation to repeal the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850.  One of the organizers of the Republican Party.  Voted for Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery. Sinha, 2016, pp. 524, 525; Appletons’, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 620-621; Congressional Globe.

SPALDING, Rufus Paine, jurist, born in West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, 3 May, 1798; died in Cleveland, Ohio, 29 August, 1886. He was graduated at Yale in 1817, and subsequently studied law under Zephaniah Swift, chief justice of Connecticut, whose daughter, Lucretia, he married in 1822. In 1819 he was admitted to practice in Little Rock, Arkansas, but in 1821 he went to Warren, Ohio. Sixteen years later he moved to Ravenna, Ohio, and he was sent to the legislature in 1830-'40 as a Democrat, serving as speaker in 1841-'2. In 1840 he was elected judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio for seven years, but when, three years later, the new state constitution was adopted, he declined a re-election and began practice in Cleveland. In l852 he entered political life as a Free-Soiler, and he was one of the organizers of the Republican Party. He was a member of Congress in 1863-'9, where he served on important committees, but he subsequently declined all political honors. Judge Spalding exercised an important influence in restoring the Masonic Order to its former footing after the disappearance of William Morgan. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 620-621.   


SPANGLER'S MILL, ALABAMA, July 26, 1862. Detachment of the 3d Michigan Cavalry. Major Gilbert Moyers, with 89 men, was sent out to attack the Confederate cavalry that burned the bridge near Courtland. Learning that a Confederate picket was at Spangler's mill, Moyers sent a part of his command under Lieutenant McEntee to capture the outpost, halting the remainder near a school-house. Here he was attacked by some 200 or 300 cavalry and a hot fight of 10 minutes followed. Moyers then withdrew his men to the farther side of a ravine and about the same time McEntee's party returned from the mill and attacked the Confederates on the road. McEntee was flanked and pursued for about 4 miles, and Movers withdrew his part of the force by a by-road. The Union loss was 11 men missing and 20 horses. That of the enemy was somewhat greater. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 825-826.


SPANISH FORK CANON, UTAH TERRITORY, April 4-15, 1863. 2nd California Cavalry. The affair on the 4th was between a detachment of the 2nd California and 40 or 50 Indians, in which the latter were driven up the canon until darkness intervened. As the troops were returning from the pursuit the red men followed, annoying the rear-guard considerably, but no casualties were sustained. The engagement on the 15th was between a larger force on each side. The Indians had taken refuge in the canon and Colonel George S. Evans with a detachment moved after them. When about a mile within the cation the Indians opened fire from well-chosen positions on both flanks and in front. A howitzer was run up on a mountain spur and dropped shells into the place where the enemy's fire was the heaviest, while the troops in front moved up to the brink of the ravine where the Indians were stationed and opened a revolver fire which drove them out. Pursuit continued for 14 miles. The casualties were not definitely ascertained. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 826.


SPANISH FORT, ALABAMA, Siege of, March 27-April 9, 1865. Army of West Mississippi. On March 27, during the Mobile campaign, Garrard's division of the 16th corps was established in an intrenched camp to cover the right and rear of Canby's army as it moved to invest Spanish fort . The dispositions made during the day were as follows: the 3d division of the 16th corps, under Brigadier-General Eugene A. Carr, occupied the extreme right, with its right resting on Bay Minette; then came McArthur's division of the 16th, then Benton's and Veatch's divisions and Bertram's brigade of the 13th corps, the latter with its left resting on the impassable swamp bordering on Olive creek. Five miles below Spanish fort a Federal supply depot was established. On the 28th and 29th batteries were planted on the bluff of Bay Minette to counteract the effect of the firing of the Confederate gunboats and batteries Tracy and Huger. Meanwhile Steele's column had moved from Pensacola to cooperate with Canby and on April 1 had attacked and driven in a Confederate force at Fort Blakely. On the 2nd the Confederates made a desperate attempt to retake the positions which Steele's column held, but were repulsed by the colored troops. Steele then set about investing Fort Blakely and on the 4th, after a bridge had been completed over Bayou Minette, Spanish fort and Fort Blakely were included in the same general line of investment. The same day a bombardment of Spanish fort was commenced, and although it continued from 5 a. m. to 7 p. m. it did not have much effect, as the enfilading batteries were not yet in position. Canby had expected that the navy would complete the investment of Spanish fort, but low water in the Blakely river prevented a near approach of the boats, and consequently the treadway leading from the rear of Spanish fort to Battery Tracy was not destroyed as had been planned. By the afternoon of the 8th there were in position against Spanish fort 53 siege guns and 37 field pieces. At 5:30 p. m. that day a bombardment was ordered and under cover of it two companies of the 8th la., supported by the remainder of the regiment and other regiments of Geddes' brigade, effected the capture of a position on the Confederate works from which a musketry fire could sweep 200 yards of the intrenchments. This position was soon taken and with it some 200 prisoners. Although it was now dark the work of pushing forward the engagement both within and without the works was carried on by Major-General A. J. Smith's corps within and Granger's division from the outside. By midnight the whole fort was in possession of the Federals with all its armament, supplies, etc., and 600 prisoners. The larger part of the garrison, however, had escaped over the treadway to Battery Tracy, and thence to Mobile. From the 6th to the 9th the Union works in front of Fort Blakely had been pushed forward in earnest, and immediately after Spanish fort had fallen portions of Canby's command were sent to aid Steele. By 5:30 p. m. of the 9th his line, then 4 miles in length, moved forward simultaneously and after a gallant advance under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery had by 5 :50 p. m. carried the works in every part. The net result of this capture was 3,700 men, besides all the armament, supplies, etc. The Union casualties in the 2 actions were 61 killed, 639 wounded and 32 captured or missing. The enemy's losses in killed and wounded were never reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 826-827.


SPARKMAN, James Truslow, reformer, born in Brooklyn, New York, 27 September, 1842. He was educated at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and at Tarrytown Institute, after which he followed a special course of commercial training. In 1861 he entered into business with his father, James D. Sparkman, who was a large importing merchant, with whom he continued until after the Civil War. Mr. Sparkman has been active in politics, although not holding office, and his opinion and counsel are valued by the leaders of the Democratic Party. In recent years he has advocated various measures of reform, notably the labor-day bill, the half-holiday bill, the small-parks bill, and the tenement-house reform bill, and has been uniformly successful in procuring the passage of measures of reformatory legislation. He secured the commutation of the sentence of the these boycotters, who were imprisoned for a long period at a time when public feeling was bitter against them. Mr. Sparkman has contributed to various periodicals. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 621-622.


SPARTA, TENNESSEE, August 5, 1862. Detachments of the 4th Kentucky and 7th Indiana Cavalry. Sparta, Tennessee, August 9, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. Colonel Robert H. G. Minty with his brigade started in pursuit of some Confederates said to be in the vicinity of Sparta. At daybreak on the 9th the enemy's pickets were encountered 4 miles south of the town and were easily driven through the place. It was learned that the enemy under Dibrell was encamped 4 miles north of Sparta on the banks of the Calfkiller creek and Minty immediately proceeded to that point. The 4th Michigan, in advance, dislodged the enemy before the main column got up and Dibrell fell back across the creek, where he took a strong position on a hill commanding the bridge. Minty made preparations to gain his flank and rear, but before the move could be executed the Confederates had retreated in haste. Fourteen Confederates were killed and 10 captured, the Union reports state, although Dibrell says he had but 4 wounded and 8 captured. The loss in the 1st brigade was 5 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 827.


SPARTA, TENNESSEE, August 17, 1863. (See Calfkiller Creek.) Sparta, Tennessee, November 24-26, 1863. 1st Tennessee Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel James P. Brownlow of the 1st Tennessee reports from Sparta under date of November 25: "I entered this place yesterday on three different roads, and had a skirmish on each road. I whipped Colonel Murray's force, killing 1, wounding 2, and capturing 10 men." Again on the 27th he reported: "My scouts had a skirmish with the rebels yesterday within 2 miles of their camp, capturing 4 and killing 2. I have had 2 men slightly wounded." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 827.


SPAULDING, Elbridge Gerry, banker, born in Summer Hill, Cayuga County, New York, 24 February, 1809. He is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation of Edward Spaulding, who came from England and settled in Massachusetts soon after the arrival of the Puritans in the "Mayflower." His father, Edward, was a pioneer from New England to central New York. The son studied law in Batavia and Attica, New York, was admitted to practice in Genesee County, and soon afterward moved to Buffalo, New York. He was associated in practice with Heman B. Potter, George R. Babcock, and John Ganson. After accumulating a fortune in the practice of the law he gave his attention to banking, in which he has been equally successful. He was instrumental in causing the moving of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Batavia to Buffalo, and soon thereafter became its president. Upon the passage of the Federal banking-law the bank was reorganized under its provisions with the name of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank, and Mr. Spaulding as president and principal owner. He has been largely identified with public affairs. He was mayor in 1847 and assemblyman in 1848, was a representative in Congress in 1849-'51, having been chosen as a Whig, was state treasurer in 1853, and again elected to Congress as a Republican in 1858, serving till 1863. During his last term in Congress Mr. Spaulding achieved a wide reputation. He was a member of the Ways and Means Committee, and chairman of the sub-committee that was intrusted with the duty of preparing legislative measures. The result was the presentation and passage of the Greenback or Legal-Tender Act, and the National Currency Bank Bill. Both of these were drawn by Mr. Spaulding. They were offered and urged as war measures, and are claimed to be the best financial system that was ever conceived or adopted by any government. Mr. Spaulding is entitled to the credit of formulating these measures and securing their adoption. By reason of his connection with this important legislation he has been called the "Father of Greenbacks." Mr. Spaulding prepared a " History of the Legal-Tender Paper Money used during the Great Rebellion" (Buffalo, 1869), which is regarded as standard authority on the subject. He was chosen to deliver the address before the Banking Association at the Centennial Exposition, in which he gave a review of "One Hundred Years of Progress in the Business of Banking." Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 623-624.


SPAVINAW, ARKANSAS, May 13, 1864. Detachment of 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Major Milton Burch with a detail of men attacked the camp of 30 Confederates at 11 p. m. Two of the enemy were killed and several more were wounded. The capture of the camp included the taking of 22 head of horses, 10 stands of arms, a quantity of saddles, clothing, etc. No Union casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 827.


SPEAR, Charles, philanthropist, born in Boston. Massachusetts, 1 May, 1801; died in Washington, D. C, 18 April, 1863. He became a Universalist minister, and was settled over societies in Brewster and Rockport, Massachusetts, but afterward moved to Boston, where he devoted many years to prison-reform, urging upon legislatures the adoption of measures for the benefit and reformation of convicts. He also visited prisons and took discharged convicts to his own home, sometimes six at a time, keeping them till they found employment. During his last efforts in behalf of the prisoners of war in Washington he contracted a disease which resulted in his death. His second wife, Catharine Swan Brown, is now (1888) writing his life. He published "Names and Titles of Christ." (Boston, 1842); "Essays on the Punishment of Death" (1844); "Plea for Discharged Convicts" (1844); and "Voices from Prison." a selection of poems (1849). He edited " The Prisoner's Friend" (Boston, 1848-'54), a monthly periodical, and was connected with several religious newspapers. — His brother, John M., also devoted himself to the cause of prison reform near Boston, and wrote "Labors for the Prisoner " (Boston, 1848); "Messages from the Superior State" (1852); "Twelve Discourses on Government" (1853); and "The Educator " (vol. i., 1857). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 624-625.


SPEAR, Ellis, commissioner of patents, born in Warren, Knox County, Maine, 15 October, 1834. He was graduated at Bowdoin in 1858, entered the National Army in August, 1862, as a captain of Maine volunteers, was promoted through the intermediate grades to colonel, and from October, 1863, till February, 1865, commanded a regiment in the Army of the Potomac. He was brevetted for his services at Peebles Farm, where he was in command of a brigade while holding the rank of major, subsequently received the brevet of colonel for gallantry in action, and on 9 April, 1865, that of brigadier-general. He served for a short time as inspector of division, and at the close of the war was in command of a brigade. He was mustered out in July, 1865. In November of that year he became an assistant examiner of railway and civil engineering in the U. S. Patent-Office. He was appointed examiner in 1868, examiner-in-chief in the same bureau in 1872, and Assistant Commissioner of Patents in 1874. In 1876 he resigned and engaged in private business till January, 1877, when he was appointed Commissioner of Patents. He held this office till November, 1878, when he again resigned. He has since been in practice as an attorney and solicitor in patent eases. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 625.


SPEAR, John Murray, abolitionist, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Counsellor, 1846-55, Vice-President, 1843-46.  Severely beaten by a mob of pro-slavery supporters in Portland, Maine.


SPEAR, Samuel P., soldier, born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1815; died in New York City, 5 May, 1875. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1833, and served in the 2d U.S. Dragoons in the Seminole War and through the Mexican Campaign, in which he was wounded at Cerro Gordo. Subsequently he served on the plains against hostile Indians and in the Utah Expedition, and was long sergeant-major of his regiment. In the beginning of the Civil War he entered the volunteer army as lieutenant-colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, his commission dating from 25 September, 1861. The regiment was raised as an independent body for scouting service, under authority of the Secretary of War, but in November, 1861, was incorporated in the Pennsylvania state organization. Spear became its colonel on 25 August, 1862. He commanded several expeditions during the war, was brevetted brigadier-general on 13 March, 1865, received severe wounds at Five Forks, and resigned on 9 May, 1865. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 625.


SPEED, James, 1812-1887, Kentucky, lawyer, soldier, statesman, U.S. Attorney General.  Ardent opponent of slavery.  Early friend of Abraham Lincoln.  Emancipation candidate for Kentucky State Constitutional Convention.  Unionist State Senator.  U.S. Attorney General appointed by President Lincoln in 1864, he served until 1866.  Appletons’, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 625-626; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 9, Pt. 1, p. 440.

SPEED, James, lawyer, born in Jefferson County, Kentucky., 11 March, 1812; died there, 25 June, 1887. He was graduated at St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, Kentucky, in 1828, studied law at Transylvania, and began practice at Louisville. His ancestors were identified with that state from pioneer days, and were active participants in the best political life of the young commonwealth. Inheriting a repugnance to every form of oppression and injustice, he was naturally opposed to slavery, and his well-known opinions on that subject prevented his taking any prominent part in politics until the opening of the Civil War. He was then nearly fifty years old, but he had established his reputation as a jurist, and was recognized even by those wholly opposed to him on the issues of the time as able, consistent, and upright. He also held at this time a chair in the law department of the University of Louisville. A powerful element in Kentucky strove to commit the state to the disunion cause, and against that element he exercised all his talents and influence. To him as much as any one man is ascribed the refusal of Kentucky to join the Confederacy.  He became in early manhood a friend of Abraham Lincoln, and their subsequent relations continued to be intimate. When the war came, he promptly yielded to the president’s request that he should assist in organizing the National troops in his native state, and he devoted himself to the cause of loyalty until 1864, when he was made Attorney General of the United States. He was a member of the legislature in 1847, and in 1849 was the Emancipation candidate for the State Constitutional Convention, but was defeated by James Guthrie, pro-slavery. He was a Unionist state senator in 1861-‘3, mustering officer of the U.S. volunteers in 1861 for the first call for 75,000 men, and U.S. Attorney-General of 1864 till 1866 when he resigned from opposition to Andrew Johnson’s administration. He was also a delegate to the Republican Conventions of 1872 and 1876. His last appearance in public was in delivering an address on Lincoln before the Loyal League of Cincinnati, 4 May, 1887. In 1875, he returned to his law professorship.  Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 625-626.


SPEED, Joshua Fry, merchant, born in Jefferson County, Kentucky., 14 November, 1814; died in Louisville, Kentucky., 29 May, 1882, was educated at the local schools and at St. Joseph's College, Bardstown. After leaving college he spent some time as a clerk in a wholesale mercantile house in Louisville. He next went to Springfield, Illinois, where he kept a country store for seven years, and formed a close and lasting friendship with Abraham Lincoln, then a young man. He took a warm interest in public affairs, and for a time assisted in editing a newspaper, and had intimate association with men of widely different politics and opinions. He returned to Kentucky in 1842 and engaged in farming in Jefferson County. In 1848 he was elected to the legislature, but was never again willing, though often solicited, to hold office. In 1851 he moved to Louisville, gaining a handsome fortune in the real-estate business. In 1861 he embraced with ardor the National cause, and was intrusted with many delicate and important missions by President Lincoln, whom he frequently visited in Washington.[Brother of James Speed, Lawyer]. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 626.


SPEER, William, missionary, born in New Alexandria, Pennsylvania. 24 April, 1822. He was graduated at Kenyon College, Ohio, in 1840, studied medicine under his father, a surgeon of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and divinity at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Alleghany City. He was licensed to preach in 1846, and in the same year was sent with two colleagues by the Presbyterian board of foreign missions to establish their first mission in Canton, China. He devoted himself specially to hospital work and tract distribution. In 1850, having lost his wife and child, and with failing health, he returned home. In 1852 he was sent on a mission to the Chinese in California, as the first preacher in their own tongue. He soon established a Chinese school, opened a dispensary, lectured on the Chinese in various towns, and largely from the funds thus obtained built a brick mission-house. He organized the first Chinese Christian Church in the New World. He founded, and maintained for two years, " The Oriental," a religious and secular paper in Chinese and English devoted to the interests of the emigrants. He greatly influenced religious bodies and thinking people toward throwing open to the Chinese the benefits of Christian civilization. His efforts led to the repeal of the legislative act of 1854-'5, designed to exclude the Chinese from the mines. After devoting five years to this mission he was again obliged to go in quest of health. In 1865 he was called to Philadelphia, to be corresponding secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Education, which he aided in reorganizing, a measure that resulted from the reunion of the two branches of the church, which took place in 1869. In connection with his duties on the board of education he prepared a series of publications, some of which are of permanent value. Relinquishing his educational labors in 1876, Dr. Speer travelled in Japan and China, and has since served the cause of missions on both continents. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him in 1866. His works include “China and the United States " (Hartford. Connecticut., 1870); "The Great Revival of 1800" (Philadelphia, 1872); "God's Rule for Christian Giving" (1875); and sermons, pamphlets, and reviews. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 626.


SPEIR, Samuel Fleet, surgeon, born in Brooklyn, New York, 9 April, 1838. He was educated at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and at the medical department of the University of the City of New York, where he was graduated in 1860, with three prizes. He also received the prize essay gold medal from the American Medical Association in 1864. After spending two years in study abroad, chiefly in Paris, he settled in his native city, where he still (1888) practices his profession. Dr. Speir has been connected with various hospitals and dispensaries, and during the Civil War served under the U. S. Sanitary Commission. He has contributed to professional literature and is the inventor of a new method of arresting surgical haemorrhage by artery-constriction, for which he received a prize from the State Medical Society in 1871, and of a new method for the differential diagnosis of morbid growths, based on the examination of minute specimens. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 626.


SPENCER, George Eliphaz, senator, born in Jefferson County, New York, 1 November, 1836. He was educated in Montreal, Canada, and after studying law was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1856. Two years later he was secretary of the Iowa Senate, and in October, 1862, he entered the National Army as assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of captain. In the autumn of 1863 he recruited the 1st Alabama Cavalry, of which he became colonel, and during General William T. Sherman's march to the sea he commanded a brigade of cavalry under General Judson Kilpatrick in the Army of the Tennessee. He received the brevet of brigadier-general of volunteers on 13 March, 1865, and resigned from the army on 4 July of that year. In May, 1867, he was appointed register in bankruptcy for the 4th District of Alabama, and he was also chosen U. S. Senator from that state as a Republican, serving with re-election from 25 July, 1868, till 3 March, 1879. After he had left the Senate he was active in the prosecution that led to the exposure of the star-route frauds, and in furthering the legislation that reduced letter postage to two cents. In 1881 he was appointed commissioner of the Union Pacific Railroad, and he has since engaged in ranching and mining business in Nevada.—His first wife, Bella Zilfa, born in London. England, 1 March, 1840; died in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 1 August, 1867, came to this country in infancy, and married General Spencer in 1862. She published "Ora, the Lost Wife" (Philadelphia, 1864); "Tried and True, a Story of the Rebellion" (Springfield, 1866); and "Surface and Depth" (1867).—His second wife, William Loring, born in St. Augustine, Florida, is a niece of General William W. Loring, and daughter of Albert A. Nunez. She is called " Major," perhaps because of her masculine name. She married General Spencer in 1877. She has published "Salt-Lake Fruit" (Boston, 1883); "Story of Mary " (New York, 1884; republished as "Dennis Day, Carpet-Bagger," 1887); "A Plucky One " (1887); and "Calamity Jane" (1887). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 629-630


SPENCER, Platt Rogers, originator of the Spencerian system of penmanship, born in East Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York, 7 November, 1800; died in Geneva, Ashtabula County, Ohio, 16 May, 1864. His father, Caleb, a farmer and soldier of the Revolution, died in 1806, and in 1810 the family moved to Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio, then a wilderness. The son was passionately fond of writing. Paper being difficult to get, he wrote on birch-bark, sand, ice, snow, the fly-leaves of his mother's Bible, and by permission of a cobbler, upon the leather in his shop. In 1815 he taught his first writing-class. From 1816 till 1821 he was a clerk and book-keeper, and from 1821 till 1824 he studied law, Latin, English literature, and penmanship, taught in a common school, and wrote up merchants' books. In 1824 he contemplated entering college with a view to preparing for the ministry, but, being a victim of inherited alcoholism aggravated by the prevalent drinking customs, he fell and his plans were changed. He then taught in New York and Ohio. In 1832 he became a total abstainer, and was, as he believed, the first public advocate in this country of that principle, for which he labored during the remainder of his life. Soon after his reformation he was elected to public office, and was county treasurer twelve years. He was instrumental in collecting the early history of Ashtabula County, and was deeply interested in American history, he early engaged actively in the anti-slavery movement and was an advocate of universal liberty. Through his work and influence as a teacher, by his system of penmanship, through his pupils, and by his public addresses and encouragement, he was instrumental in founding the business colleges of the United States and in promoting their growth and development. In the winter of 1864 Mr. Spencer delivered before the business college in Brooklyn, New York, his last lecture, and gave his last course of lessons in the business college in New York City. His first publications on penmanship were issued in 1848 under the name of "Spencer and Rice's System of Business and Ladies Penmanship," later published under the title of "Spencerian or Semi-Angular Penmanship." His other publications on penmanship appeared from 1855 till 1863. The "New Spencerian Compendium," issued in parts, was completed in 1886. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 630-631.


SPENCER, Sara Andrews, reformer, born in Savona, Steuben County, New York, 21 October, 1837. Her maiden name was Andrews. After graduation at the normal school of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1856, she taught until she married Henry C. Spencer, a son of Platt R. Spencer, in 1864 and moved to Washington, D. C. On 14 April, 1871, Mrs. Spencer and seventy-two other women of Washington attempted to register and vote, but were refused. She then brought suit in the supreme court of the District, and Judge David K. Cartter's decision that "women are citizens but have not the right to vote without local legislation" was reaffirmed by the U. S. Supreme Court in 1874. In 1871-'2 Mrs. Spencer defeated the pending bill to license the "social evil" in Washington. In 1873 she secured a bill from the District of Columbia legislature for the reform of outcast girls, and she was also the author of a bill in Congress for a girls' reform-school (1876). From 1874 till 1881 she was secretary of the National Woman Suffrage Association, which she represented at the Republican Presidential Convention in Cincinnati in 1876, and delivered an address. She also engrossed and signed the woman's declaration of rights, presented at the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia. In 1871-'6 she was president of the District of Columbia Woman Franchise Association, and is general secretary of the charity organization Society of the District of Columbia. She has published "Problems on the Woman Question" (Washington, 1871), and "Thirty Lessons in the English Language" (1873). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 631.


SPENCER, Thomas, physician, born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in 1793; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 30 May, 1857. From 1835 till 1850 he was professor of the theory and practice of medicine in Geneva (now Hobart) College, New York, and subsequently he held chairs in medical colleges in Chicago and Philadelphia. Dr. Spencer served as surgeon in the army during the war with Mexico. He was president of the New York Medical Association, and was the author of "Practical Observations on Epidemic Diarrhoea known as Cholera" (Utica, 1832); "Introductory Lecture at Medical Institute of Geneva College " (1842): " Lectures on Vital Chemistry, or Animal Heat" (Geneva, 1844-'5); and a paper on "The Atomic Theory of Life and Vital Heat" (1853). See "Memoir of Dr. Spencer," by Sylvester D. Willard, M. I). (Albany, 1858). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 631.


SPENCER COURT HOUSE, West Virginia, September 2, 1862. 11th Virginia Infantry. In Jenkins' expedition into West Virginia and Ohio the Confederates approached Spencer Court House, where Colonel J. C. Rathbone was stationed with 300 men. Jenkins sent in a summons to surrender, and after due deliberation Rathbone turned over his command. Two thirds of the men, however, on learning that they were to be surrendered, left the place by the rear and escaped. The president afterward dismissed Rathbone and Major G. C. Trimble from the service of the United States. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 827.


SPENCER'S RANCH, NEW MEXICO, April 15, 1864. Detachment of 1st California Cavalry. Captain Albert H. French with 25 men of Company A, 1st California cavalry, surprised a Texas spy and scouting party at Spencer's ranch opposite Presidio del Norte, and after a sharp engagement routed the enemy, killing 3 (the spy among them), wounding 2 and capturing 4. French suffered no casualties. Sperryville, Virginia, July 5, 1862. 1st Maine Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 827-828.


SPERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA, January 10, 1864. Detachment of Merritt's Cavalry. A party was sent out by General Merritt to locate and break up a camp of guerrillas. The detachment went as far as Sperryville and succeeded in capturing 6 of the enemy, including a lieutenant . The scouting party sustained no casualties. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 828.


SPERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA, March 17-18, 1864. Detachment of the 6th and 9th New York Cavalry. Colonel Thomas C. Devin, commanding the 2nd brigade, 1st cavalry division, was ordered to reconnoiter the front, and sent out 25 men under command of Captain M. P. Goodrich, who was instructed to go as far as Woodville. The party left camp at 10 p. m. on the 17th and reached Woodville at 3 a. m. Learning that a Major Swindler, of the 7th Virginia infantry (Confederate) was in the neighborhood of Sperryville, Goodrich pushed on, reached the place about daylight, surrounded the house and captured the major and 2 men. On the return the party was continually harassed by Confederate cavalry and some skirmishing occurred, but without any damage to either side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 828.


SPHERICAL-CASE SHOT. A spherical-case shot consists of a thin shell of cast iron, containing a number of musket balls, and a charge of powder sufficient to burst it; a fuze is fixed to it as in an ordinary shell, by which the charge is ignited, and the shell burst at any particular instant. A spherical case-shot, when loaded ready for use, has about the same specific gravity as a solid shot, and therefore n when fired with the service charge of powder, its range, and its velocity at any point in its range, is about equal to that of a solid shot of the same calibre. The spherical case mostly used for field-service is the 12-pdr., and contains, when loaded, 90 bullets. Its bursting charge is 1 oz. of powder, and it weighs 11.75 lbs. Its rupture may be made to take place at any point in its flight, and it is therefore superior to grape or canister. The attrition of the balls with which it is loaded, formerly endangered the firing of the bursting charge. This is now obviated, in making' one mass of the balls, by pouring in melted sulphur. It is also prevented by Captain Boxer's improved spherical-case shot, two forms of which are shown in Fig. 212. FIG. 212.

In either case, it is evident that the bursting charge of powder is kept separate from the balls. In one fig., it is contained in a cylindrical tin box, attached to a brass socket which receives the faze, and which is screwed into the shell. In the other, the part of the shell containing the bursting charge is separated from that containing the bullets, by a diaphragm of sheet iron, E, cast into the shell; (i. e., the shell is cast on to the diaphragm which is inserted into the core.) The bullets are introduced into the shell by a second orifice F, and are kept in their places by a composition afterwards poured in. The present 12-pounder spherical-case shot, fired with a charge of 2 lbs. of powder, is effective at 1,500 yards. The proper position of the point of rupture varies from 50 to 130 yards in front of, and from 15 to 20 feet above, the object. The mean number of destructive pieces from a 12-pdr. spherical-case shot, which may strike a target 9 feet high and 54 feet long, at a distance of 800 yards, is 30. The spherical-case shot from rifle cannon is said to be effective at over 2,000 yards. Spherical case should not be used at a less distance than 500 yards. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 563-564)


SPICER, William Francis, naval officer, born in New York City, 7 February, 1820; died in the Boston U.S. Navy-yard, 29 November, 1878. He entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman, 21 June, 1839, attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1843-'5, and became a passed midshipman, 2 July, 1845. He cruised in the steamer " Vixen " during the latter part of the Mexican War in 1846-8, participating in the capture of Tuspan, and was promoted to master, 28 June, 1853, and, lieutenant, 25 February, 1854. His first service during the Civil War was in the steam frigate "Niagara" in 1861. He was commissioned lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, and commander, 2 January, 1863, served in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in command of the steamer " Cambridge," and took part in the attacks on Fort Fisher in 1863-'5. He was commissioned captain, 22 April, 1870, and commanded the monitor "Dictator" in 1874-'5 during the threatened war with Spain on account of the " Virginius" affair, after which he was at the rendezvous at Boston in 1875-'6. He was made commodore, 25 April, 1877, and was commandant of the Boston U.S. Navy-yard until his death. He was well known as a poet and musician, and was the author of several popular ballads, among which are " Absent Friends and you, Mary," "The Gale," "Manhattan's Dear Isle," "Ah, who can tell t" "The Commodore's Return," "Death at Sea," "Coming Home," " All Hands, up Anchor," ' The Old Relief," " Off Scillys Isles," "Adeline," "Maurice," "The Norfolk Girls," "The Date of '39," and " The Last Voyage." Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 631.


SPIES. In time of war all persons not citizens of, or owing allegiance to the United States, who shall be found lurking, as spies, about the fortifications or encampments of the armies of the United States, shall suffer death by sentence of a general court-martial; (Act April 10, 1806, SEC. 2.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 564).


SPIKE. To spike guns, is to drive large nails, or a piece of small rod, into the vent, so as to render guns unserviceable. To do this effectually drive into the vent a jagged and hardened steel spike with a soft point, or a nail without a head; break it off flush with the outer surface, and clinch the point inside by means of the rammer. Wedge a shot in the bottom of the bore by wrapping it with felt or by means of iron wedges, using the rammer to drive them in; a wooden wedge would be easily burnt by means of a charcoal fire lighted with a bellows. Cause shells to burst in the bore of brass guns, or fire broken shot from them with high charges. Fill a piece with sand over the charge to burst it. Fire a piece against another, muzzle to muzzle. Light a fire under the chase of brass guns and strike on it to bend it. Break off the trunnions of iron guns, or burst them by firing with heavy charges and full of shot, at great elevations.

To unspike a piece. If the spike is not screwed in or clinched, and the bore is not impeded, put in a charge of the weight of the shot, and ram junk wads over it with a hard spike, laying on the bottom of the bore a strip of wood with a groove on the under side containing a strand of quick-match by which fire is communicated to the charge; in a brass gun take out some of the metal at the upper orifice of the vent, and pour sulphuric acid into the groove for some hours before firing. If this method, several times repeated, is not successful, unscrew the vent piece, if it be a brass gun, and if an iron one, drill out the spike or drill a new vent. To drive out a Shot wedged in the Bore. Unscrew the vent piece if there be one, and drive in wedges so as to start the shot forward, then ram it back again in order to seize the wedge with a hook; or pour in powder and fire it, after replacing the vent piece. In the last resort, bore a hole in the bottom of the breech, drive out the shot, and stop the hole with a screw; ( Ordnance Manual.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 564-565).


SPINNER, Francis Ellias, financier, born in German Flats (now Mohawk), New York, 21 January1802. His father, John Peter (born in Werbach, Baden, 18 January, 1768; died in German Flats, 27 May. 1848), officiated for twelve years as a Roman Catholic priest, then embraced Protestantism, married, emigrated to the United States in 1801, and was pastor of Reformed churches at Herkimer and German Flats until his death, preaching at first in German alone, and afterward alternately in German and English. The son was educated carefully by his father, who required him to learn a trade, and apprenticed him at first to a confectioner in Albany, and afterward to a saddler in Amsterdam, New York. He engaged in trade at Herkimer in 1824, and became deputy sheriff of the county in 1829. He was active in the militia organization, and by 1834 had reached the grade of major-general. In 1835-'7 he was sheriff, and in 1838-'9 commissioner for building the state lunatic asylum at Utica. When he was removed from this post, on political grounds alone, he became cashier of a bank at Mohawk, of which he was afterward president for many years. He held various local offices, was auditor and deputy naval officer in the naval office at New York in 1845-'9, and in 1854 was elected to Congress as an anti-slavery Democrat. He served on the Committee on Privileges and Elections, on a special committee to investigate the assault made by Preston Brooks on Charles Sumner, and on a conference committee of both houses on the Army Appropriation Bill, which the Senate had rejected on account of a clause that forbade the use of the military against Kansas settlers. General Spinner was an active Republican from the formation of the party. He was twice re-elected to Congress, serving altogether from 3 December, 1855, till 3 March, 1861. During his last term he was the chairman of the committee on accounts. When the Lincoln administration was organized, Secretary Salmon P. Chase selected him for the post of Treasurer, which he filled, under successive presidents, from. 16 March, 1861, till 30 June, 1875. When, during the war, many of the clerks joined the army, General Spinner suggested to Secretary Salmon Chase the advisability of employing women in the government offices, and carried into effect this innovation, though not without much opposition. He signed the different series of paper money in a singular handwriting, which he cultivated in order to prevent counterfeiting. When he resigned his office the money in the Treasury was counted, and when the result showed a very small discrepancy, many days were spent in recounting and examining the books of accounts, until finally the mistake was discovered. On retiring from office he went to the south for the benefit of his health, and for some years he has lived in camp at Pablo Beach, Florida. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 632.


SPINOLA, Francis B., soldier, born in Stony Brook, Long Island, New York, 19 March, 1821. He was educated at Quaker Hill Academy, Dutchess County, New York, and engaged in business in New York City, where he was elected alderman and supervisor. He subsequently served as a member of the assembly and as a state senator, and in 1860 was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, South Carolina. In 1862 he raised the Empire Brigade of New York State Volunteers, and on 1 October he was commissioned as brigadier-general. He served in the National Army till the close of the war. resigning on 8 June, 1865. He was subsequently connected with banking and insurance companies in New York City, returned to the state senate, and in 1886 was elected to Congress for the term that will end on 3 March, 1889. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 633.


SPIRIT LAKE, MINNESOTA, May 16, 1864. Brigadier-General Henry H. Sibley, commanding the District of Minnesota, reports that on the 16th a party of Indians attacked 2 men belonging to General Sully's post at Spirit lake and were beaten off with a loss of 3 men killed. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 828.


SPLINTER-PROOF. Strong enough to resist the splinters of bursting shells. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 565)


SPOFFORD, Ainsworth Rand, librarian, born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, 12 September, 1825, received a classical education by private tuition, but when he was about to enter college his health failed, and he emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he established himself as a bookseller and publisher. In 1859 he became associate editor of the Cincinnati " Daily Commercial," and in 1861 he was appointed first assistant librarian in the Library of Congress at Washington. Three years later he was made librarian-in-chief. During his administration, the National Library has grown from 70,000 to about 600,000 volumes. The change in the law of copyright that was effected in 1870 has made the position of the librarian an onerous and important one, as all American copyrights are issued from his office, and all copyright publications are required to be deposited in the Congressional Library. As a librarian, Mr. Spofford is widely known for his comprehensive knowledge of books and their contents. He is a member of many historical and philosophical societies, and received the degree of LL. D. from Amherst in 1884. He has written largely for the periodical press on historical, economic, and literary topics, and has published, besides catalogues of the Library of Congress, "The American Almanac and Treasury of Facts, Statistical, Financial, and Political " (annually since 1878); and has edited with others a " Library of Choice Literature " (10 vols., Philadelphia, 1881-8); "Library of Wit and Humor" (5 vols., 1884); and "A Practical Manual of Parliamentary Rules " (1884). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 634.


SPOONER, Benjamin F., soldier, born in Mansfield, Ohio, 27 October, 1828; died in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, 3 April. 1881. At the beginning of the Mexican War he enlisted in the 3d Indiana Regiment, and was chosen 2d lieutenant. After serving in General Zachary Taylor's campaign he returned home, studied law, and practised in Lawrenceburg, holding the office of prosecuting attorney of Dearborn County for several years. At the beginning of the Civil War he became lieutenant-colonel of the 7th Indiana Regiment, with which he fought at Philippi and Laurel Hill, and he afterward held the same commission in the 51st Indiana, with which he was present at Shiloh and the siege of Corinth. He then resigned and returned home, but was soon made colonel of the 83d Indiana, and took part in the engagements around Vicksburg, the battle of Mission Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign, receiving a wound at Kenesaw Mountain that necessitated the amputation of his left arm. He then served on a military commission till his resignation in April, 1865, and on 13 March of that year was brevetted brigadier-general and major-general of volunteers. He was U. S. Marshal of the District of Indiana till 1879, when failing health compelled him to resign. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 634.


SPOONER, Bourne, Plymouth, Massachusetts, abolitionist, American Anti-Slavery Society, Manager, 1845-1853, Vice-President, 1863-1864.  Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, 1847-1860.


SPOONER, John Coit, senator, born in Lawrenceburg. Indiana, 6 January, 1843. His father, Judge Philip L. Spooner, was an authority on the law of real estate. The family moved to Madison, Wisconsin in June, 1859, and the son was graduated at the state university in 1864, when he enlisted as a private in the 40th Wisconsin Infantry. He subsequently returned and served as assistant state librarian, but entered the army again as captain in the 50th Wisconsin Regiment. After he was mustered out in July, 1866, with the brevet of major, he studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1867, became Governor Lucius Fairchild's private secretary, and was then assistant in the attorney-general's office till 1870, when he moved to Hudson, Wisconsin, and began the general practice of his profession. He was elected a member of the legislature in 1872, and was active in his support of the state university, on whose board of regents he served in 1882-'5. In 1885 he took his seat in the United States Senate, having been chosen as a Republican for the term that will end in March, 1891. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 634.


SPOONER, Lysander, 1808-1887, lawyer, author, radical abolitionist leader.  Wrote, “Unconstitutionality of Slavery,” 1845, “A Defense for Fugitive Slaves,” 1850, and “A Plan for the Abolition of Slavery (and) to tell Non-Slaveholders of the South” in 1858.  This was used by the Liberty Party for its political campaigns.  Spooner believed the institution of slavery was not supported by the Constitution.  He wrote The Unconstitutionality of Slavery in 1845.  He believed that slavery itself had no basis in law historically.  He wrote that slavery “had not been authorized or established by any of the fundamental constitutions or charters that had existed previous to this time; … it had always been a mere abuse sustained by the common consent of the strongest party” (Spooner, 1845, p. 65).  Spooner was opposed to the Fugitive Slave Act and wrote in 1850, “A Defence for Fugitive Slaves, Against the Acts… of 1793 … 1850.”

(Cover, 1975; Rodriguez, 2007, p. 162; Shivley, Charles, ed., The Collected Works of Lysander Spooner; Wiecek, 1977; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 634-635; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 9, Pt. 1, p. 466; American Reformers: An H.W. Wilson Biographical Dictionary, New York, 1985, pp. 750-752; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 20; Hinks, Peter P., & John R. McKivigan, Eds., Encyclopedia of Antislavery and Abolition.  Westport, Connecticut, Greenwood, 2007, Vol. 2, pp. 651-652)

SPOONER, Lysander, lawyer, born in Athol, Massachusetts, 19 January, 1808; died in Boston, Massachusetts, 14 May, 1887. He studied law in Worcester, Massachusetts, but on completing his course of reading found that admission to the bar was permitted only to those who had studied for three years, except in the case of college graduates. This obnoxious condition at once engaged his attention and he succeeded in having it removed from the statute-books. In 1844 the letter postage from Boston to New York was twelve and a half cents and to Washington twenty-five cents. Mr. Spooner, believing that the U. S. government had no constitutional right to a monopoly of the mails, established an independent service from Boston to New York, carrying letters at the uniform rate of five cents. His business grew rapidly, but the government soon overwhelmed him with prosecutions, so that he was compelled to retire from the undertaking, but not until he had shown the possibility of supporting the post-office department by a lower rate of postage. His efforts resulted in an act of Congress that reduced the rates, followed in 1851 and subsequent years by still further reductions. Mr. Spooner was an active Abolitionist, and contributed largely to the literature of the subject, notably by his “Unconstitutionality of Slavery” (1845), the tenets of which were supported by Gerrit Smith, Elizur Wright, and others of the Liberty Party, but were opposed by the Garrisonians. He defended Thomas Drew, who in 1870 declined to take his oath as a witness before a legislative committee on the ground that in the matter it was investigating it had no authority to compel him to testify. The case was adversely decided on the ground of precedent, but the principles of Mr. Spooner's argument were afterward sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court. His writings include “A Deistic Reply to the Alleged Supernatural Evidences of Christianity” and “The Deistic Immortality, and an Essay on Man's Accountability for his Belief” (1836); “Credit, Currency, and Banking” (1843); “Poverty, Causes and Cure” (1846); “A Defence for Fugitive Slaves” (1856); “A New System of Paper Currency” (1861); “Our Financiers” (1877); “The Law of Prices” (1877); “Gold and Silver as Standards of Value” (1878); and “Letter to Grover Cleveland on his False Inaugural Address” (1886). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 634-635.


SPORTING HILL, PENNSYLVANIA, June 30, 1863. 22nd and 37th New York Militia and Landis' Battery. After the cavalry with the 1st division, Department of the Susquehanna, had found the Confederates occupying Sporting hill, the New York militia under Brigadier-General John Ewen was sent with Landis' battery to drive them from their position. The affair opened at 4 p. m. and by a little after 5 the enemy's fire had been silenced. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 828.


SPOTTS, James Hanna, naval officer, born in Port Johnson, Wilmington Harbor, North Carolina, 11 March. 1822; died at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, 9 March, 1882. His father was an officer in the U. S. Army, and commanded the artillery under General Andrew Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. In acknowledgment of his bravery, General Jackson presented Major Spotts with a sword. The son entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman, 2 August, 1837, and made a cruise around the world in the sloop "John Adams" in 1837-'40, in which he participated in two battles on the island of Sumatra with the natives, who had committed piratical acts against American merchant ships. He attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1842-'3. During the Mexican War he served in the " Lexington " on the Pacific Coast in 1846-'9, participated in the engagements that resulted in the conquest of California, on the blockade of the Mexican Pacific ports, and at the capture of Guaymas, San Blass, and La Paz. He was promoted to master, 8 April, 1851, and to lieutenant, 25 November, 1851. Though a native of the south, he promptly announced his devotion to the Union, taking command of the schooner “Wanderer" in June, 1861, and acted as captain of the port of Key West. In July, 1862, he took charge of the steamer " Magnolia" on the Eastern Gulf blockade. He was promoted to commander, 5 August. 1862, and had the steamer " South Carolina" on the South Atlantic Blockade in 1863-'4 he was transferred to the steamer " Pawtucket," in which he participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher. In June, 18/15, he was detached and ordered to the Mare Island U.S. Navy-yard, where he served until October, 1867. His duties had taken him to California so often that he made his home in San Francisco, and was one of the first naval officers to identify himself with the interests and development of California. He was promoted to captain, 6 August, 1866. commanded the steamers "Saranac " and "Pensacola" in the Pacific Squadron in 1870-'2, and served as light-house inspector on the Pacific Coast in 1872-4, being commissioned commodore, 25 September, 1873. He served as president of the Board of Inspection on the Pacific Coast until 1880. He was promoted to rear-admiral. 28 May, 1881, and took command of the U. S. Naval force on the South Atlantic Station in July. He was on a cruise to visit, the ports of that station when he was stricken with apoplexy while receiving the farewell visit of the British colonial governor at Port Stanley. After his death the authorities gave a lot in the cemetery for his burial, and every honor was paid to the American admiral. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 636.


SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, VIRGINIA, April 30, 1863. 6th New York Cavalry. Just prior to the battle of Chancellorsville, while the two armies were maneuvering for position, the 6th New York cavalry was sent down the road to feel the enemy in the vicinity of Spottsylvania Court House. Owing to the nature of the ground the regiment went too far and the Confederates got in its rear. Lieutenant-Colonel McVicar changed front and ordered a charge, which scattered the Confederates in every direction. Pursuit was made until another force, posted at the forks of the road, poured a heavy volley into the Federal column and effectually checked it . The head of the column made another charge and succeeded in crossing the ford over Louisa run, but the rear-guard, stopping to take care of the wounded officers and the dead body of McVicar, was again attacked and forced to abandon the killed and wounded, reaching the rest of the command by a circuitous route. The casualties were not definitely reported, but were heavy on both sides. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 828.


SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, VIRGINIA, May 8-18, 1864. Army of the Potomac. At 3 p. m. on May 7, while the Army of the Potomac was still on the battle-field of the Wilderness, a messenger arrived at Grant's headquarters with the information that General Butler, with the Army of the James, had landed at City Point, completely surprising the Confederates there, and was ready to advance on Richmond. Lee had retired behind his works, leaving open the road to Richmond round his right flank, and as soon as the intelligence of Butler's successful beginning was received Grant issued orders for a night march of the whole army toward Spottsylvania Court House. (For the organization of the Army of the Potomac at this time see Wilderness.) From the Wilderness a road ran east to Chancellorsville, where it was intersected by another that ran southeast to Piney Branch Church. The Brock road ran in a southeasterly direction to Spottsylvania and about 3 miles south of it, and nearly parallel to it, ran the Shady Grove road. The former was in possession of the Federals as far as Todd's tavern and the latter was in the hands of the enemy. Beyond Todd's tavern the Brock road was held by the Confederate cavalry under Stuart. From the tavern the Catharpin road ran southwest and intersected the southern road at Shady Grove Church. General Warren, commanding the 5th corps was to move by the Brock road and was to be followed by General Hancock with the 2nd corps, while the 6th and 9th corps, respectively commanded by General Sedgwick and General Burnside, were directed to move by way of Chancellorsville and Piney Branch Church. General Sheridan, commanding the cavalry, was ordered to "have a sufficient force on the approaches from the right to keep the corps commanders advised in time of the approach of the enemy." The trains and reserve artillery were moved to Chancellorsville in the afternoon, from which point they were to follow the army. Nearly parallel to the course of the army ran the Po river on the south. The Catharpin road crossed this river at Corbin's bridge; the Shady Grove road at what was known as the Block House bridge, and the road running from Spottsylvania to Richmond crossed it at Snell's bridge about 2 miles south of the Court House. Some controversy and criticism have been indulged in as to why these bridges were not taken possession of by the Federal forces. Badeau, in his Military History of Grant, says: "These bridges were of first importance, for they commanded Lee's only approaches to Spottsylvan1a, and Sheridan, who had been ordered to keep a good look-out toward the enemy, disposed his force so as to secure all three positions. * * * Had these orders (Sheridan's) been carried out, every avenue to Spottsylvania would have been closed to the rebel army." Sheridan's corps consisted of the three divisions commanded by Gregg, Merritt and Wilson. His instructions to Gregg, issued at 1 a. m. on the 8th, show the disposition of his forces with regard to the bridges. They were as follows: "Move with your command at 5 a. m., on the Catharpin road, crossing at Corbin's bridge, and taking position at Shady Grove Church. General Merritt will follow you, and at Shady Grove Church will take the left hand, or Block House road, moving forward and taking up position at that point (viz., Block House). Immediately after he has passed, you will move forward with your division, on the same road, to the crossing of the Po river, where you will take up position supporting General Merritt. General Wilson with his division will march from Alsop's by way of Spottsylvania Court House and the Gate to Snell's bridge, where he will take up position." Before the hour fixed for the cavalry to move, Corbin's bridge and the Block House bridge were both in the hands of the enemy. Snell's bridge was not used by the Confederates, nor was any attempt made to use it, because it was too far out of the way. When Lee learned, on the afternoon of the 7th, of the movement of the Federal trains, his first impression was that Grant was falling back to Fredericksburg and determined to interpose a force between him and Richmond. He therefore ordered Longstreet's corps, now commanded by General R. H. Anderson, Longstreet having been wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, to move to Spottsylvania that night, to be followed by Ewell's corps at daylight the next morning. Anderson moved at 11 p. m. and at daylight his advance had reached the Block House bridge. Had Gregg and Merritt undertaken to carry out Sheridan's order, they would have encountered this entire corps as it was marching along the Shady Grove road.  In fact they would have met the enemy before reaching that road, as Hampton was on the Catharpin road between Corbin's bridge and Todd's tavern. Wilson did move forward to Spottsylvania, where he found Wickham's brigade of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, which he drove from the town and held the place for two hours, when he was recalled by Sheridan just as Wofford's and Bryan's brigades of Anderson's command were moving to attack him. It was not the failure to carry out Sheridan's order regarding the bridges, but the presence of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry on the Brock road, that prevented the Federals from gaining possession of Spottsylvania Court House. Warren moved at 8:30p. m. and was expected to reach the Court House by daylight on the 8th. At Todd's tavern he was delayed for more than an hour by the headquarters escort and 2 miles farther on he encountered the enemy's cavalry. Merritt was directed to move forward and clear the road for the infantry. The Confederates were forced back slowly, leaving the road obstructed by fallen trees, so that Warren's progress was necessarily slow. At 6 o'clock in the morning Merritt was relieved by Robinson's division, which succeeded after a sharp contest in driving the enemy from the road, but at this hour Warren's advance was still several miles from the Court House. At 8:30 a. m. Robinson came out of the woods into the open fields of the Alsop farm, about half way between Todd's tavern and Spottsylvania. Here the Brock road forked, the two branches coming together again about a mile farther on. Robinson took the left hand road, Denison's brigade on the right, Lyle's on the left and Coulter's (formerly Baxter's) on the left rear. Griffin's division moved on the right fork with Bartlett's brigade in line of battle in advance, the brigades of Ayres and Sweitzer following the road. Robinson reached the junction of the roads before Griffin, formed his command in column of regiments and threw out a strong skirmish line in front. Near the intersection of the Brock road and the old Court House road the former entered a piece of timber. When Robinson's advance was about 300 yards from this timber the enemy opened a heavy fire of artillery and musketry upon the front and right from a line of intrenchments just inside the wood. Robinson was seriously wounded at the first fire and the national troops were forced back, closely pressed by the enemy, who tried to turn Lyle's left, but was prevented from doing so by the prompt action of Denison, who placed his brigade in the edge of the wood where he checked the further advance of the Confederates and finally compelled them to retire to their works. Soon after Robinson's division became engaged, Bartlett's line of battle came under the enemy's fire when about half-way across the open fields of the Alsop farm. At first Bartlett's men gave way, but fortunately just at that time Ayres' brigade occupied a sunken part of the road and under cover of this position the line was reformed. Griffin then advanced his whole division, Crawford came up with his division and drove the enemy from the woods on Griffin's left . The Confederate force with which Robinson and Griffin had been engaged up to this time was Henagan's and Humphreys' brigades of Kershaw's division, which had formed Anderson's advance on the Shady Grove road. When Kershaw reached the Block House bridge about daylight he heard the sound of the firing over on the Brock road where Fitzhugh Lee was engaged with Merritt and Robinson. Turning sharply to the left with the two brigades he reached the woods just as Lee was falling back, threw up temporary breastworks and awaited the Federal advance. He was followed a little later by Field's division, which came up on Griffin's right about the time that Crawford was driving the enemy from the woods. Cutler's division, the last of Warren's corps to arrive, came up in time to prevent Field from turning Griffin's flank and drove him from the woods, after which the entire corps was pushed forward as far as possible and intrenched, the 6th corps coming up and intrenching on Warren's left, Hancock, who was expected to move with the 2nd corps at 10 p. m. on the 7th, was so delayed by other troops blocking the road that he did not begin his march until daylight the next morning. At 9 a. m. the head of his column arrived at Todd's tavern, where Gregg's cavalry was found skirmishing with that of the enemy. Hancock threw forward a skirmish line to relieve Gregg and then posted his division with Mott covering the Brock road to the right, Barlow on Mott's left, Gibbon covering the Catharpin road and Birney in reserve. About 11 a. m. Miles' brigade of Barlow's division, one brigade of Gregg's and a battery was sent on a reconnaissance toward Corbin's bridge. When about half a mile from the bridge this force was opened upon by the Confederate batteries on the hills south of the river. Miles ordered his artillery to reply and formed his infantry in line of battle along a ridge in the wood, which position he held until about 5 p. m., when he was ordered to return to the tavern. On the way back he was attacked by Mahone's brigade of Hill's corps, which was then on the way to Spottsylvania. Miles repulsed two spirited attacks, holding his ground until after dark, when he rejoined the division. Gibbon's division was sent to the support of Warren and Sedgwick in the afternoon, but the remainder of the 2nd corps did not move toward Spottsylvania until about noon on the 9th. Then Birney and Barlow moved down the road about a mile, where they took a road leading to the right and joined Gibbon's division on the high ground overlooking the Po, the three divisions going into line of battle facing the river. Mott's division was moved from Todd's tavern to the left of the 6th corps at Alsop's. During the . day Burnside moved with the 9th corps from his position near Chancellorsville down the Fredericksburg pike toward Spottsylvania. On the march Willcox's division encountered and repulsed a small force at the bridge over the Ny river, after which the command, Christ's brigade in advance, pushed on .and went into position about a mile east of the Court House, where several assaults were repulsed during the afternoon, and where the division finally intrenched. The presence of the enemy on the Fredericksburg road led Burnside to report to Grant that Lee was moving toward Fredericksburg and Hancock was directed to force a passage of the Po for the purpose of making a reconnaissance on Lee's left . Although the stream was difficult to ford and the opposite bank was held by the enemy, each of his three divisions succeeded in crossing and occupied the Shady Grove road from Waite's shop, at the cross-roads between the Po and Glady run, toward the Block House bridge, which Hancock endeavored to seize, but darkness came on before the movement could be executed. That night Hancock threw over three pontoon bridges for the passage of his artillery early the next morning. Lee became alarmed by Hancock's presence on his left and on the evening of the 9th sent Mahone's division to hold the Shady Grove road. Later Mahone was reinforced by Heth's division. As soon as it was light enough to see on the morning of the 10th, Hancock made a reconnaissance toward the Block House bridge with the intention of forcing a passage across it, but found the enemy strongly intrenched on the east bank. Concerning his movements in trying to gain possession of the bridge he says in his report: "After a careful survey had been made, I concluded not to attempt to carry the bridge, but sent Brooke's brigade, of Barlow's division down the river to ascertain what could be effected there. General Birney was directed to send three or four regiments out on the Andrews' tavern road to cover Brooke's movement. Colonel Brooke succeeded in crossing the river about half way between the bridge and the mouth of Glady run. * * * About this time I was informed by the major-general commanding, that an assault was to be made on the enemy's works on Laurel Hill, in front of General Warren's position near Alsop's house. I was directed to move two of my divisions to the left to participate in it, and to assume command of the forces to be engaged in the attack." Pursuant to this order Gibbon was at once sent to the north bank of the Po and formed his command on Warren's right. Birney followed, leaving Barlow to hold the ground on the south side of the river. As soon as the enemy discovered that the Federals were recrossing the Po, he advanced in force against Barlow, who was instructed to fall back across the pontoons. The brigades of Brooke and Brown took up a position along a wooded crest about 100 yards in the rear of the works Barlow had constructed, while Miles and Smyth were ordered to fall back w1th their brigades to the bank of the river. Mistaking the movement of Miles and Smyth for a forced retreat, the Confederates advanced in line of battle supported by heavy columns and attacked Brooke and Brown, but the assault was repulsed. A second attack was made soon after and the combat became close and bloody, but again the enemy was forced back. In the meantime the woods on the right and rear of the Union line had caught fire and the flames now came so near that it was impossible for Brooke and Brown longer to maintain their position. Taking advantage of the lull that followed the second repulse of the enemy the two brigades were withdrawn. This affair is known as the battle of Waite's Shop. Miles' brigade was the last to cross and as he was near the river Heth attempted to cross the open ground toward the pontoons, but was driven back by the tire of Miles men and the batteries on the north bank. All through the forenoon of the loth there were sharp skirmishing and artillery firing preparatory to the general attack which had been ordered for the afternoon. General Sedgwick had been killed on the 9th and the 6th corps was now under command of Brigadier-General H. G. Wright . At 3:45 p. m. he was ordered to attack the works in his front with his whole command and Mott's division of the 2nd corps. Warren was also ordered to assault the works near the Alsop house with the divisions of Crawford and Cutler and the brigades of Webb and Carroll of Gibbon's division. Carroll charged through a belt of burning woods, the right of his line gaining the enemy's works and the whole brigade pressing up to the abatis, only to be forced back by "such a concentrated and murderous fire from two lines as to make the position untenable." Warren was also repulsed with heavy loss, General Rice, commanding one of Cutler's brigades being among the killed. Colonel Emory Upton, with twelve regiments of the 6th corps, gained the parapet and engaged in some desperate hand-to-hand fighting, capturing several pieces of artillery and about 1,000 prisoners. His assault was to have been supported by Mott's division, but when Mott reached the open field he was met by an enfilading fire from the enemy's batteries, which threw his line into confusion and forced him to retire. The advantage gained by Upton was therefore of little moment, for the Confederates fairly swarmed against him, compelling him to abandon the captured cannon and fall back, though he succeeded in bringing in the most of his prisoners. Altogether the attack was a failure. Lee's line extended from the Block House bridge northeast across the Brock road to the watershed between the Po and Ny rivers, nearly north of the Court House, where it turned sharply to the south, the right being near Snell's bridge. From his right center the works were thrown forward in a horseshoe salient around the crest of a spur between two small tributaries of the Ny river. Ewell's corps occupied the salient, Anderson's extended the line to the right and Hill's to the left . Directly north of the salient, and about three-fourths of a mile distant, was the Brown house, while inside the enemy's works on the spur within the angle stood the McCool house. Very little fighting was done on the 11th, the day being spent in preparations for an assault on the salient at daylight the next morning. Mott made an attempt to drive in the enemy's skirmishers in order to develop the weak place in the Confederate works, but the effort was only partially successful. Wright was instructed to extend his left and concentrate on that wing. Hancock moved his entire corps after dark to the vicinity of the Brown house, and was to lead the assault. Warren was to hold the position vacated by the 2nd corps, and when Hancock began his attack Warren on the right and Burnside on the left were to engage the enemy in their fronts to prevent reinforcements from being sent to the salient . Hancock was to advance on a line drawn from the Brown House to the McCool house. The night of the 11th was dark and stormy, but the troops of the 2nd corps took their positions quietly and promptly, fully aware of the desperate character of the work awaiting them. Barlow's division in two massed lines was placed on the cleared ground which extended up to the enemy's line; Birney's was formed in two deployed lines on Barlow's right; Mott's division was in the rear of Birney, and Gibbon's was in reserve. The assault was to have been made at 4 o'clock, but owing to a dense fog it was 35 minutes later before Hancock gave the order to advance. With even pace the troops moved forward in column and when about half way up the slope broke into a cheer, dashed forward on the double-quick through the abatis and over the works. Hancock describes the action here as follows: "Barlow's and Birney's divisions entered almost at the same moment, striking the enemy's line at a sharp salient immediately in front of the Landrum house. A fierce and bloody fight ensued in the works with bayonets and clubbed muskets. It was short, however, and resulted in the capture of nearly 4,000 prisoners of Johnson's division, of Ewell's corps, 20 pieces of artillery, with horses, caissons and material complete, several thousand stand of small arms, and upward of 30 colors. Among the prisoners were Major-General Edward Johnson and Brigadier-General George H. Steuart, of the Confederate service. The enemy fled in great disorder." So far the assault had been a success. Elated by their victory, the Union troops pursued the flying Confederates toward Spottsylvania until they encountered a second line, the presence of which was unknown to Hancock or any of his officers. This line was held by Gordon, who checked the rush of the Federals and gave Lee an opportunity to push reinforcements into the angle. Lee was further aided at this critical moment by the necessity of reforming the Union lines, as in the impetuous charge and pursuit practically all semblance of a regular formation had been lost . The divisions of Mahone and Wilcox came up from the right and advanced against the 2nd corps before the disorder of its success could be overcome, driving Hancock's men back to the first line of works, where they were reinforced by Wright, with Russell's and Wheaton's divisions of the 6th corps ( which came up on the right and vigorously assaulted the west angle of the salient. Again there was some stubborn hand-to-hand fighting in which Wright was wounded, though he remained with his men, cheering them on, and through the heroic efforts of Upton's brigade the line was held against the repeated and determined attempts of the Confederates to regain it. Hancock ordered his artillery to the high ground near the Landrum house and throughout the day charges of canister were fired over the heads of the Union troops into the enemy's line of battle. On Hancock's left Burnside assaulted the Confederate works at 4:30 a. m. and in half an hour had carried two lines of rifle-pits. Stevenson's and Potter's divisions then moved against the main line of works, a portion of which was carried by Potter, who captured a number of prisoners and a battery of 2 guns, but was unable to hold his advantage and was finally forced to retire with heavy loss. Several subsequent attacks were made by the two divisions, and also by Willcox's on the extreme left, but none succeeded in driving the enemy from his position. The persistent hammering of Burnside, however, prevented the enemy from withdrawing troops in his front to hurl against Hancock and Wright. About 9 o'clock Warren was directed to attack the enemy on his front, but upon attempting to advance his line was subjected to a heavy enfilading fire and he was forced back. Cutler's division was then sent to Wright and later the whole corps was withdrawn from its position and thrown to the left, where it became engaged against the west angle, but failed to carry the works. The firing was so heavy and constant that several oak trees inside the salient, some of them nearly 2 feet in diameter, were literally gnawed off by the bullets. Late in the day Lee gave up the idea of trying to recapture the outer line of works and retired to Gordon's line, half a mile to the rear, where he strengthened his position during the night . The losses on both sides were so heavy during the action that the salient has passed into history as the "Bloody Angle." The attack on the 12th was the last of the hard fighting about Spottsylvania. Hancock was ordered to hold his corps in readiness to renew the assault at 4 o'clock the next morning, but owing to a dark and rainy night the other commands were not in position at the appointed hour to support him and the attack was abandoned. Artillery firing was kept up from the 13th to the 18th, chiefly to cover the movement of the army to a position covering the Fredericksburg road on Lee's right, and there was a slight skirmish near Piney Branch Church on the 15th. In his report Grant says: "Deeming it impracticable to make any further attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania Court House, orders were issued on the 18th with a view to a movement to the North Anna, to commence at 12 o'clock on the night of the 19th." This movement was interfered with by Ewell coming out of his works late on the afternoon of the 19th and attacking the Federal right near the Harris farm on the Fredericksburg road north of the Ny river. The attack was promptly repulsed, but it delayed the movement to the North Anna until the night of the 21st . The Union loss at Spottsylvania, during the ten days fighting, was 2,725 killed, 13,416 wounded and 2,258 missing. The Confederate losses were not officially reported and various estimates have been made, some of which place the total in killed, wounded and missing as high as 15,000. Major Jed Hotchkiss, who was topographer for Lee's army and author of the Virginia volume of the Confederate Military History, places the total loss at 8,000 and significantly adds: "but these were 18 per cent of the army." Spriggs Ford, Virginia, February 28, 1864. Detachment of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Lieutenant Edward O'Shea while reconnoitering with 50 men came upon 2 men, supposed to be bushwhackers, emerging from what was supposed to be a deserted house. They fired one round from their revolvers and fled, and the Federals pursued but failed to come up with them. One Union man was wounded in the arm, and it was thought one of the outlaws was wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 828-834.


SPRAGUE, Charles Ezra, author, born in Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York, 9 October, 1842. He was graduated at Union College in 1860, and since 1878 has been secretary of the Union Dime Savings Institution of New York City. During the Civil War he served in the army, was severely wounded at Gettysburg, and was given the brevet of captain in 1865. He is the inventor of the "Sprague checkbook," has devised numerous account-books and forms, and also a savings-bank system for testing the accuracy of accounts, and has written many articles on the subject, on which he has also lectured at Columbia College. Mr. Sprague is the first prominent advocate in this country of the international language that is called Volapuk. Since 1887 he has edited the " Volaspodel," issued as part of "The Office," and he is the author of "Logical Symbolism" (printed privately, New York, 1882), "The Hand-Book of Volapuk " (1888), and "The Story of the Flag," a poem read before the survivors of the 44th New York Regiment (Albany, 1886). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 637.


SPRAGUE, John Titcomb, soldier, born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, 3 July, 1810; died in New York City, 6 September, 1878. In 1834 he became 2d lieutenant in the Marine Corps, and served in the Florida War, being twice promoted for meritorious conduct, and brevetted captain on 15 March, 1842. He was given that full rank in 1846, and brevetted major on 30 May, 1848. He was made major of the 1st U.S. Infantry, 14 May, 1861, and, when stationed with his regiment in Texas, was taken prisoner by General David E. Twiggs, but was released on parole, and became mustering and disbursing officer at Albany, New York, and adjutant-general of the state, with the rank of brigadier-general, holding this post until 1865. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 11th U.S. Infantry in March, 1863, and colonel of the 7th U.S. Infantry on 12 June, 1865, and in that year served in Florida and was made military governor, but retired from the army on 15 July, 1870. He was the author of "Origin, Progress, and Conclusion of the Florida War" (New York, 1848). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 637.


SPRAGUE, John Wilson, soldier, born in White Creek, Washington County, New York, 4 April, 1817. He was educated in common schools, and entered Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, in 1830, but was not graduated. He then became a merchant, and in 1851-'2 was treasurer of Erie County, Ohio. He was made a captain in the 7th Ohio Volunteers at the beginning of the Civil War, became colonel of the 63d Ohio in 1863, and was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers on 30 July, 1864, receiving the brevet of major-general, U. S. volunteers, on 13 March, 1865. He also declined a lieutenant-colonelcy in the U. S. Army. After the war he was general manager of the Winona and St. Peter Railroad, Minnesota, but moved to Washington Territory in 1870, having been made general agent and superintendent of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which offices he resigned in 1882. Since then he has engaged in various enterprises, and was for five years president of the National Bank in Tacoma, Washington Territory. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 637.


SPRAGUE, Seth, Duxbury, Massachusetts, abolitionist.  American Anti-Slavery Society, Manager, 1840-1848.  Vice President, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, 1847-1860.


SPRAGUE, William, governor of Rhode Island, born in Cranston, Rhode Island, 3 November, 1799; died in Providence, R. I., 19 October, 1856. He received a good education at an early age, became a member of the assembly, and in 1832 was chosen speaker of the house. He was then elected to Congress as a Democrat, served from 7 December, 1835, till 3 March. 1837, and, declining a re-election, became governor of Rhode Island in 1838-'9. He was elected to the U. S. Senate in place of Nathan P. Dixon, serving from 18 February, 1842, till 17 January, 1844. when he resigned, and was subsequently a member of the Rhode Island legislature. In 1848 he was an elector on the Taylor and Fillmore ticket. He was largely engaged in the manufacture of cotton, and was president of the Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill Railroad, and of two banks. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 638.


SPRAGUE, William, 1830-1930, Union officer.  Governor of Rhode Island, 1860-1863.  Republican U.S. Senator from Rhode Island.  Voted for Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery. (Appletons’, 1888. Vol. V, p. 638; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 9, Pt. 1, p. 457; Congressional Globe)

SPRAGUE, William, governor of Rhode Island, born in Cranston, Rhode Island, 12 September, 1830, received his education in common schools, served in his father's factory, and engaged in making calico-prints. Subsequently he became a manufacturer of linen, woollen goods, and iron, a builder of locomotives, and an owner of railroads and steamships. In 1860-'3 he was governor of Rhode Island. He had served as colonel in the state militia, offered a regiment and a battery of light-horse artillery for service in the Civil War, and with this regiment participated in the battle of Bull Run, where his horse was shot under him. He received a commission as brigadier-general of volunteers, which he declined. He also served in other actions during the Peninsular Campaign, including Williamsburg and the siege of Yorktown. He was chosen to the U. S. Senate as a Republican, was a member of the Committee on Manufactures, and chairman of that on Public Lands, his term extending from 4 March, 1863, till 3 March, 1875, when he resumed the direction of his manufacturing establishments. He operated the first rotary machine for making horseshoes, perfected a mowing-machine, and also various processes in calico-printing, especially that of direct printing on a large scale with the extract of madder without a chemical bath. Governor Sprague claims to have discovered what he calls the “principle of the orbit as inherent in social forces.” He asserts that money is endowed with two tendencies, the distributive and the aggregative, and that when the latter predominates, as before the Civil War, decadence results; but that when the former is in the ascendancy, as was until recently the case, there is progress. He received the degree of A. M. from Brown in 1861, of which university he has been a trustee since 1866. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 638.   


SPRING. (See ARMS for the springs in the musket lock.)


SPRING (nee Buffum), Rebecca, abolitionist.  Member, Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society (PFASS).  Daughter of abolitionists Arnold and Rebecca Buffum.  Married abolitionist, philanthropist Marcus Spring. (Yellin, 1994, pp. 41, 76)


SPRING, Marcus, New York, abolitionist, founded and funded Raritan Bay Union at Eaglewood, New Jersey, an abolitionist community.  Husband of abolitionist Rebecca Buffum Spring (Yellin, 1994, p. 76n18)


SPRING CREEK, GEORGIA, September 18, 1863. Detachment of 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps. The report of Brigadier-General Walter C. Whitaker of the operations of the 1st brigade in the Chickamauga campaign contains the following: "At 4 p. m. I took up the line of march, and had progressed about 3 miles, when, crossing Spring creek, or Little Chickamauga, the advance was fired upon by the enemy. The skirmishers of the 96th Illinois and one section of Aleshire's (18th Ohio) battery engaged the enemy and drove him before them with some loss, losing 1 killed and 3 wounded. Night terminated the skirmish." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 835.


SPRING CREEK, TENNESSEE, December 18-19, 1862. Brigadier-General N. B. Forrest (Confederate) reported that while on his expedition into West Tennessee the rear-guard, under Colonel Russell, was attacked on the evening of the 18th by some 3,000 Union infantry, two batteries and several hundred cavalry. Russell skirmished with them for some time that evening and the next morning at daylight charged with his regiment, threw the Federals into a panic and drove them across Spring creek. Union reports do not mention the affair. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 835.


SPRINGDALE BRIDGE, Mississippi, December 3, 1862. (See Water Valley.)


SPRINGFIELD, GEORGIA, December 10, 1864. 8th Indiana Cavalry. The pickets of the regiment were attacked near Springfield, but Capts. Crowell and Stanley promptly charged with their companies, routing the enemy with a loss of 3 men and 2 horses killed and 5 horses captured. Springfield, Kentucky, October 6, 1862. (See Beach Fork, same date.) The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 835.


SPRINGFIELD, KENTUCKY, December 30, 1862. Detachment of the 6th Kentucky Cavalry. During Morgan's second Kentucky raid Major W. H. Fidler was sent out with his battalion to reconnoiter in the direction of Barber's mill, with instructions that, if Morgan had not passed that point, to take the Springfield road and reconnoiter in the rear of the enemy. He entered the town of Springfield and captured one of the Confederate pickets without creating alarm, after which he and his men advanced to within a short distance of a battery planted in the streets, fired a volley into the midst of the Confederates, killing 2 of them, then wheeled and retreated to camp, bringing the captured picket as a prisoner. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 835.


SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, August 10, 1861. (See Wilson's Creek.)


SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, October 25, 1861. Detachments of General Fremont's Body-Guard and the 23d Illinois Infantry, and White's Prairie Scouts. Major Charles Zagonyi, with 150 of the body-guard, Captain Naughton's Irish dragoons of the 23d Illinois, and about 180 of Major White's men, charged the camp of some 600 Confederates near Springfield, and although the enemy outnumbered the Union force, he was driven from the camp and back through the town. Zagonyi reported the loss of the bodyguard as 15 killed, 27 wounded and 10 missing, but did not give the casualties in the other commands. The total loss in the Prairie Scouts was 33—according to unofficial accounts, and the loss of the Irish dragoons was not ascertained, but it is known that Naughton was severely wounded. The Confederate loss was 106 killed, a number wounded and 27 captured, together with 60 stands of arms and over $4,000 in gold. Springfield, Missouri, February 12, 1862. Brigadier-General Samuel R. Curtis, commanding the Southwestern District of Missouri, reported on the 13th as follows: "The flag of the Union floats over the court-house of Springfield. The enemy attacked us with small parties at 10:30 o'clock 12 miles out, and my front guards had a running fire with them most of the afternoon. At dusk a regiment of the Confederate cavalry attacked the outer picket, but did not move it. A few shots from a howitzer killed 2 and wounded several. The regiment retreated to this place, and the enemy immediately commenced the evacuation of the city. I entered the city at 10 a. m. My cavalry is in full pursuit. They say the enemy is making a stand at Wilson's creek. Forage, flour, and other stores in large quantities taken." Springfield, Missouri, January 8, 1863. Detachments of 18th Iowa Infantry, Missouri Militia, Convalescents and Citizens. While the Confederate General Marmaduke was conducting his expedition into Missouri he approached Springfield and at 10 a. m. opened fire upon the town and Fort No. 4. The main attack was at first on the Federal left and did not grow strong until about 2 p. m., when the Confederates advanced against Fort No. 4 and the cavalry outside the works. The enemy was repelled at the fort, but succeeded in capturing a piece of artillery in charge of a detachment of the 18th la.. After being repulsed on the left the Confederates combined their attack on the right, and slowly forced it back some 300 yards, when the men rallied and with the assistance of some of the Iowa troops charged and compelled the enemy to withdraw. The Federal loss was 14 killed, 146 wounded and 5 captured or missing, out of a garrison of 2,100. Marmaduke says he had 20 killed and 80 wounded. Springfield, West Virginia, February 3, 1864. Cavalry commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thompson. Springfield, West Virginia, June 26, 1864. Detachment of the 6th West Virginia Cavalry. A picket of 100 men, commanded by Captain Law and stationed at Springfield and the wire bridge near there, was surprised by the Confederate force under McNeill and about 60 of the number, with 100 horses and equipments captured. No report of Confederate losses. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 835-836.


SPRINGFIELD LANDING, LOUISIANA, July 2, 1863. Troops of Department of the Gulf. The cavalry of the Confederates, after surprising the picket of the 162nd New York stationed on the old Springfield Landing road, approached to within 30 yards of a squad of armed negroes guarding some quarter-master's stores. On seeing the enemy the negroes fled, and the stores were destroyed. The Confederates then divided into three parties and began ransacking the post, but the 162nd New York was called to arms and drove the enemy away. The Federal loss was 5 wounded, 12 captured and 3 missing. The enemy acknowledged a loss of 4 killed and 10 wounded. The affair was an incident of the siege of Port Hudson. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 836.


SPRINGFIELD ROAD, LOUISIANA, May 23, 1863. This affair was a skirmish which occurred during the operations of General Banks' army in its investment of Port Hudson. The only official mention of it is contained in a Confederate report, which gives no casualties. Springfield Station, Virginia, October 3, 1861. Detachment of Newton's Brigade. Brigadier-General W. B. Franklin reported that 800 men, under Colonel Pratt, went out with a train for wood, etc., drove in the Confederate pickets at Springfield Station without loss, and brought off 32 car loads of wood and sleepers. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 836.


SPRING HILL, GEORGIA, April 20, 1865. 2nd Cavalry Division, Military Division of the Mississippi. During Wilson's raid the advance of Minty's division struck a Confederate force estimated at 400 at Spring Hill, 20 miles from Macon. A charge by the 17th Indiana drove the enemy from about a dozen well-built rail barricades. Near Montpelier Springs the enemy was again encountered and routed and the brigade pushed forward to Mimms' mills on Tobesofkee creek where still another force of 300 was encountered. The 17th Indiana cavalry charged upon the bridge mounted, but the plank being torn up the men were compelled to dismount and rush across on foot. After a sharp fight of a few minutes the Confederates were driven in confusion and the bridge saved. Shortly afterward a flag of truce came out from the Confederate lines announcing the armistice between Sherman and Johnston, but Minty, thinking the Confederates were attempting to delay the column while the bridge over Rocky creek was being destroyed, pushed forward his advance and saved the structure after a skirmish. Minty's advance regiment, the 17th Indiana lost 1 man killed and 2 wounded during the day. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 836-837.


SPRING HILL, MISSOURI, October 27, 1861. One Company of 7th Missouri Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 837.


SPRING HILL, TENNESSEE, March 4-5, 1863. (See Thompson's Station.)


SPRING HILL, TENNESSEE, March 19, 1863. Detachment of 9th Pennsylvania, 2nd Michigan and 4th and 7th Kentucky Cavalry. This detachment, under Colonel Thomas J. Jordan, while operating in the vicinity of Franklin, encountered Confederate skirmishers immediately after passing through the town of Spring Hill and the main body was soon discovered in position on a hill to the right of the road, when a galling fire was opened upon the 9th Pennsylvania The Federals dismounted and advanced carefully until after a sharp conflict the enemy withdrew. Reinforcements arriving, Jordan drove the enemy over Rutherford creek. The Federal loss in this affair was one man killed and another seriously wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 837.


SPRING HILL, TENNESSEE, November 29, 1864. 2nd Division, 4th Army Corps. As Schofield was falling back from Columbia to Franklin he sent his trains to Spring Hill, Wagner's division (2nd) acting as an advance guard and Kimball's (1st) guarding the trains in the rear. As the head of the column approached Spring Hill Wagner learned from citizens leaving the place that the enemy was threatening the town. Opdyke's brigade was hurried forward and upon arriving at the village found a line of the enemy's skirmishers drawn up about a half a mile to the east, supported by the enemy in force. Opdyke's men advanced at the double-quick, threw out a strong line of skirmishers, and in a short time were engaged. Lane's brigade, as soon as it reached the field, was formed on the right of Opdyke's and the skirmish line extended in that direction. The enemy's cavalry charged Lane's skirmishers, but the charge was repulsed with considerable loss to the assailants. Some of the Confederate cavalry now took up a position on a ridge, where they could observe all that was going on in the town, and Wagner ordered Lane to drive them away. Lane advanced his whole brigade, drove the enemy about a mile and then occupied the ridge. Bradley's brigade came up about this time and was stationed in a point of woods to the right of Lane's position, where it could cover the movement of the trains on the pike in his rear. A desperate assault was soon made on Bradley, but it was promptly repulsed. About sunset the enemy again tried to drive Bradley with infantry, when Wagner placed a section of battery on Bradley’s right and also threw forward the 36th Illinois to protect his flank. Notwithstanding these precautions the enemy succeeded in extending his line until Bradley's right was enveloped and forced to fall back. His left was turned immediately afterward, and while he was personally directing the movements of his men on this part of the line he was severely wounded and the command of the brigade devolved on Colonel Conrad. Lane moved to the support of Conrad which enabled him to withdraw his men without additional loss. By this time it was too dark for further maneuvers, and at 4 a. m. on the 30th the command resumed its march toward Franklin. The losses in Lane's and Opdyke's brigades were comparatively light. Bradley lost about 150 in killed, wounded and missing. A Confederate surgeon who was on the field during the action afterward stated that the enemy’s loss was 500. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 837.


SPRING HILL, TENNESSEE, December 18, 1864. Cavalry, Military Division of the Mississippi. In the pursuit of the Confederate army from Nashville Wilson's cavalry came up with the rear-guard about 2 miles beyond Spring Hill. Coon's brigade, which was in advance, immediately attacked and soon drove the enemy across Rutherford creek. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 837-838.


SPRING PLACE, GEORGIA, April 1-4, 1865. Detachments of 147th Illinois Infantry and 6th Tennessee Cavalry. As an incident of an expedition from Dalton to Spring Place and the Coosawattee river, a detachment of cavalry was sent into the town to reconnoiter on the night of the 1st and was fired upon by the enemy's pickets. After passing through the town next day the advance of the column was attacked, but the Confederates were quickly dispersed. On reaching the Coosawattee river some difficulty was found in crossing, because of the lack of a boat, and the constant firing of the enemy from the opposite bank. Near McLoath's ford the rear-guard was charged several times, but each time the enemy was repulsed. At Tilton ford on the Connesauga river the passage was disputed for a time, but no casualties resulted. The Federal loss for the expedition was 3 men wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 838.


SPRING RIVER, ARKANSAS, March 13, 1862. Detachments of the 6th Missouri and 3d Iowa Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel N. Wood commanded an expedition, composed of 250 men from cavalry regiments noted, which started from Houston, Missouri, for Spring River mill, where portions of three Confederate regiments were encamped, with a view to consolidation into one organization. Several Confederate pickets were either killed or wounded en route and the pursuit was kept up from the first deserted camp to the second. After traversing a distance of about 55 miles, partly in Missouri and party in Arkansas, Wood's advance guard came into conflict with the entire force of the enemy, estimated at from 600 to 1,000 men, located in a strong position in a swamp. Wood's battalion and the 3d Iowa, under Major W. C. Drake, came into position facing the enemy and Wood's report gives the following account of the action which followed: "Our sudden appearance seemed to paralyze the enemy for a moment and, knowing that everything depended upon immediate action, I ordered the howitzer into position to shell the swamp. I also ordered the men of my battalion to dismount, every fourth man to take the horses to the rear. I also ordered Major Drake to the right of the swamp. This order was obeyed in an instant, and the men advanced upon the enemy." From this the conflict was most spirited, and the enemy finally attempted to retreat, but were driven back into the swamp, with a loss of 20 prisoners and a large number of killed and wounded. Several Federals were wounded, 2 or more mortally. The battle lasted over an hour. Not being able to pursue the enemy into the swamp, Wood withdrew to an open space a short distance from the swamp. His ammunition was inadequate, as were also the arms of a large number of the men, but in a second and brilliant charge the enemy, who had been reinforced by about 250 men from Salem, Arkansas, were again driven back into the swamp. The total Union loss was 3 killed and 12 wounded, 1 mortally. The enemy's loss was far greater. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 838.


SPRING RIVER, ARKANSAS, April 13, 1864. 11th Missouri Cavalry. A scouting party under command of Major Lewis C. Pace encountered 40 Confederates about 8 miles west of Smithville, on Spring river, charged and routed them, with a loss of 5 killed and 7 wounded. No casualties occurred on the Union side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 838.


SPRING RIVER, MISSOURI, February 19, 1863. One Company of the 9th Kansas Infantry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 838.


SPRING VALLEY, MISSOURI, April 23, 1865. Detachment of 13th Missouri Cavalry. While in pursuit of a band of guerrillas the detachment, under Captain F. W. Becker, had a running fight with them in Spring Valley, 30 miles south of Licking. Eight of the outlaws were killed. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 838.


SPRINGSTEAD, Mary, Cazenovia, New York, abolitionist, American Anti-Slavery Society, Manager, 1843-1853.


SQUAD. A small party of men. A company should be divided into squads, each under a responsible officer or non-commissioned officer; the whole under the superintendence of the captain or company commander. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 565).


SQUADRON. Two companies or troops of cavalry. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 565).


SQUARES. My opinion (says Marshal Bugeaud) is that a large square has not proportionally a greater fire than a small one, and that it is no stronger. In a charge of cavalry, that portion only which attacks the face of a square is to be feared. In extending the face of a square, therefore, if its fire is augmented, the number of cavalry that can bear down against it is augmented in the same proportion. A square of three thousand men is not then any stronger than a square of one thousand. It would therefore be absurd to form three thousand men in one square, because they can be more readily formed into three or four squares, which will mutually protect each other, and form, as it were, a system of redoubts. And if one of these combined squares is broken by cavalry, the cavalry becomes disordered in the act, and the remaining squares are left intact. Besides, in presenting a small front to the attack of cavalry, horses, fearing to charge against the shower of balls which welcome them, are apt to oblique to the right or to the left. If the face of the square is extended they cannot do so, and the shock must fall on some part of the face, but the smaller the faces of combined squares the greater will be the intervals, and the more certain the success of the defence.

From these considerations, it is apparent that large squares ought not to be used, but that squares of a single battalion are worthy of all commendation. The formation of troops in two ranks is the prescribed order of the United States infantry tactics. Marshal Marmont says: Nothing can be said in favor of a third rank. Persons of experience know that if one can, at a review, fire a volley in three ranks, it is impossible in war. It is better, therefore, to adopt the two-deep formation, and to render it permanent.” The tactics direct that the divisions, as a general rule, shall always be formed before forming square. Marshal Bugeaud is of opinion that the square formed from the column by company, which would give a depth of four or six men to the different faces of the square, is greatly to be preferred. Apart from the fact that such squares are more expeditiously formed, the face of the square is reduced one-half, and the square is strengthened by the reduction. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 565-566).


SQUIRREL CREEK CROSSING, Colorado, April 11, 1863. Detachment of 3d Colorado Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel George L. Shoup with his company surprised and attacked a guerrilla camp, killing 1 of the desperadoes and capturing 2 others without casualty. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 839.


STANARD'S MILL, VIRGINIA, May 21, 1864. The action at Stanard's mill was one of the minor skirmishes that occurred while the Army of the Potomac was operating about Spottsylvania Court House. No detailed report of the affair can be found in the official records of the war. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 839.


STABLES AND STABLE DUTIES. The following arrangement of stables is recommended:

As far as possible, the horses of the same squadron should be placed in the same building, divided by partition walls or staircases into stables of equal capacity. When windows can be arranged in both long walls, place the horses head to head, separating the two rows of stalls by a longitudinal partition, which should not be more than 1' higher than the top of the hay rack, between the pillars which support the roof. The interior width of a stable, for 1 row of stalls, is 20'; for 2 rows, it is 40', when they are head to head; 34' 8”, when they are tail to tail; height of ceiling, 16' 8”. Doors should be pierced in the gable ends, and in the transverse partition walls, to secure a longitudinal ventilation during the absence of the horses. The doors for ordinary use should be pierced in the long walls; width, 6' 8"; height, at least 8' 8".

There should be a window, with an area of about 16 square feet, for every 3 stalls; the sill 10' above the floor; the sash revolving around a horizontal axis at the bottom, and opening by the simplest mechanism; wooden shutters to be provided, if necessary. The recesses for the windows should extend to the floor, and be provided with hooks and racks for suspending the horse equipments; in these recesses openings 3' 4" X 2' 4" should be made through the wall, for throwing out the litter. If necessary, ventilators may be cut through the roof in the middle of the passage ways behind the stalls; ventilators near the floor should be employed only, in cases of absolute necessity.

The floor ought to be of hard stones, laid on a firm foundation, and the joints filled with hydraulic mortar, cement, or asphalt; slope of floor of stall from two to three-tenths of an inch in ten inches. Mangers of wood, stone, or cast iron, placed on a mass of masonry, the front surface of which, as well as that of the manger, has a reversed slope off. The wooden mangers are divided by partitions; those of stone or iron are hollowed out to the length of 2' for each horse, being solid between the hollows; depth 8", width at top 1', at bottom 9" .6; top of manger 3' 8" above the floor. The hay racks of wood and continuous, 3' 4" high, and placed 5' 4" above the floor. The bars round and capable of turning in their sockets, each bar 1" .2 in diameter, and placed 4" apart; racks of iron may be authorized. The system of securing the horse consists of: 1st, a bar of round iron bent at both ends, placed up and down, parallel to the face of the manger, the upper end secured to the manger, the lower built into the masonry; 2d, a ring sliding on this bar, and having a chain 2' long, with a T at the free end, attached to it; this T toggles to the halter ring. Fig. 213 shows this arrangement.

Each horse is allowed a width of 4' 10", never less than 4' 8", so that he may have the allowance of 70 cubic feet, and the space necessary for stable guards, utensils, &c., may be preserved. Stables which are less than 29' wide and 12' high can be used for two rows of horses only as a temporary arrangement.

The French have stables of all dates and varieties; one recently completed at Saumur, and the new ones at Lyons are justly regarded as models of excellence. Their dimensions and general arrangements are in conformity with the regulations given above; there are, however, some details worthy of notice; that at Saumur being the most perfect will be described in preference. The stalls are 4' 10" wide in the clear, and 10' long to the heel posts; they are separated by suspended swinging planks.

The floors are of cubical blocks of stone, laid in cement. A shallow gutter in the rear of each row of stalls allows the stale to drain off. The longitudinal partition is of masonry, and about 10' high. The interior of the stable is plastered; the woodwork painted oak color. In the window recesses there are racks, on which to hang the horse equipments when saddling and unsaddling. The equipments are kept in rooms in the loft, where the saddles are placed on horizontal wooden pins, the bridles hung on hooks. The racks are continuous, and of wood; the string-pieces, and each bar, are bound with narrow strips of sheet iron. The lower string-piece rests upon iron hooks, let into the wall, the upper one is held firm by iron bars, also let into the wall. The manger is a continuous mass of stone, with an excavation for each animal; these excavations are 22" long, 12" deep, and 12" wide at top. The building is divided into apartments, for about 20 horses each, by transverse partitions and stairway halls; there are large doors in these partitions. In a central hall there are water tanks.

The openings mentioned in the regulations for removing the litter do not exist. The halter bars are arranged as described in the regulations; but there is another ring and chain, above the manger, for use in the day time. Forage for 3 or 4 days is kept in the loft, where there are also rooms for a few non-commissioned officers. In the floor of the loft there are trap doors, so that hay and straw may be thrown down into the halls below. The oats run down from the bin, through a wooden pipe, into a large box on wheels. On the outside of the walls there are rings for attaching the horses while being groomed. At Lyons, some of the stables had quarters in the second story; this is stated by many officers to be an admirable arrangement, and attended with no inconvenience whatever; there are a few who object to it. The hospital stables are always separate from the others, and have box stalls.

Stable Duty. In each squadron, the stable guard generally consists of a corporal and 1 man for every 20 horses. It is their duty to feed the horses, watch over their safety during the night, and attend to the general police of the stables, being assisted by an additional detail at the hours of stable call. About one-half the litter is usually kept down during the day. The oats are given in two feeds: one-half at morning stable call, the rest in the evening. The hay is divided into three equal portions at morning, noon, and night; in the forage magazine it is put up in trusses of 1 ration each, and thus received in the stable loft; at each feed the stable guard receive these trusses, and divide each one among three horses. If straw is fed, it is given either just before or just after the hay, always in the same order. The horse is watered twice a day, either just before or after his grain. The horse is cleaned principally with a bouchon of straw and with the brush; the comb is used only to clean the brush.

In the Crimea, the cavalry usually encamped in line, with two rows of picket ropes and a line of shelter tents in front of and behind the picket ropes; the arms and equipments between the shelters and the picket ropes.

The picket rope is stretched on the ground, and the horses secured to it by a hobble on the right fore-foot; the hobble is of leather, and about 3'long; it buckles around the pastern joint; sometimes the hobble is attached to a picket pin, instead of a picket rope. Fig. 214 shows this arrangement; it is spoken of by the French officers as being the best manner of securing the horses. Officer's horses are on the flanks of the squadron picket ropes; those of the field and staff are near the tents of their owners. For the latter, rude stables are usually formed, by excavating to the depth of a couple of feet, banking up the earth around three sides, and then forming a roof and walls of brush. FIG. 214

When time and circumstances permitted, the same was done for the horses of the men, especially in the winter. It was stated that a very slight protection of this kind produced very marked beneficial results. In this connection, it may be said, that companies of cavalry ought always to be provided with a sufficient number of tools to enable them to improvise some such shelter in any camp at all permanent; any thing which partially protects the horses from the cold winds is of great service. The French horses were blanketed in camp. (Consult McCLELLAN.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 566-569).


STADIA. A very simple aid in estimating distances, consists of a small stick, held vertically in the hand at arm's length, and bringing the top of a man's head in line with the top of the stick, noting where a line from the eye of the observer to the feet of the man cuts the stick, or stadia, as it is called.

To graduate the stadia, a man of the ordinary height of a foot-soldier, say 5 ft. 8 in., is placed at a known distance, say 50 yards; and the distance on the stick covered by him when it is held at arm's length is marked and divided into 8 equal parts. If the distance is now increased, until the man covers only one of these divisions, we know he is at a distance equal to 50 yds. X 8 = 400 yards. This instrument is not very accurate, except for short distances.

A much more accurate stadia is constructed by making use of a metal plate, having a slit in it in the form of an isosceles triangle, the base of which, held at a certain distance from the edge, subtends a man, (5 ft. 8 in.) say at the distance of 100 yards. A slider, ab, (Fig. 215,) moves along the triangle, being always parallel to the base, AB, and the length of it comprised between the two sides of the triangle, represents the height of men at different distances, which are marked in yards on the side of the triangle, above or below, according as the object looked at is a foot soldier or horseman. In order to keep the stadia always at the same distance from the eye, a string is attached to the slider, the opposite end having a knot tied in it, which is held between the teeth while using the instrument, which is held in the right hand, the slider being moved with the left-hand finger. The string should always be kept stretched when the instrument is used, and the line AB in a vertical position.

It must be graduated experimentally, by noting the positions in which the slider a b represents the height of the object. The instrument used is not, however, reliable. Its uncertainty increases in an equal ratio with the distance of the object observed. At the extreme ranges it is quite useless. At the school for firing at Vincennes, therefore, they rely entirely on the eye alone for the judgment of distances, and great pains by careful practice and instruction is taken to perfect that judgment. A simple instrument by which distances can be determined is, therefore, still a great desideratum. The prismatic teliometer of M. Porro, of the Sardinian army, is however the best measurer of distances that has been yet invented. It is described in WILCOX'S Rifle Practice. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 569).


STAFF. The staff of an army may be properly distinguished under three heads:--

1. The General Staff, consisting of adjutants-general and assistant-adjutants-general; aides-de-camp; inspectors-general and assistant-inspectors-general. The functions of these officers consist not merely in distributing the orders of commanding generals, but also in regulating camps, directing the march of columns, and furnishing to the commanding general all necessary details for the exercise of his authority. Their duties embrace the whole range of the service of the troops, and they are hence properly styled general staff-officers.

2. Staff Corps, or staff departments. These are special corps or departments, whose duties are confined to distinct branches of the service. The engineer corps and topographical engineers are such staff corps. The ordnance, quartermasters', subsistence, medical and pay departments are such staff departments.

3. The Regimental Staff embraces regimental officers and non-commissioned officers charged with functions, within their respective regiments, assimilated to the duties of adjutant-generals, quartermasters and commissaries. Each regiment has a regimental adjutant, and a regimental quartermaster, appointed by the colonel from the officers of the regiment. Ideas concerning the utility, organization, and duties of the staff may be found in many writers. Until the end of the reign of Louis XIV., feudal manners and arbitrary notions accommodated themselves badly to written rules; but about this period more wholesome ideas began to prevail; mathematics made some progress; its application spread; the military art felt its effects; it was admitted that a single head was not sufficient for all the details necessary to conduct an army. It was agreed that the general-in-chief should have assistants to perform various duties. Hence certain military grades and financial employments were created. Those thus invested with authority were associated under the same designation. But this STAFF was far from being a special permanent corps. It was only a temporary assemblage of officers, and later took the name of staff, to indicate that they were AIDES of the general in regulating and supplying troops. Frederick the Great and Bonaparte undertook and gloriously terminated more than one war with the aid of staff-officers, but without a staff corps. At the beginning of the last century there existed in regard to the staff a few traditions, or customs, which differed in different armies. Neither laws, regulations, nor instructions had yet been established defining the rights, powers, and duties of the staff. Staff-officers were principally employed in reconnoissances; and on duties connected with lodging troops as aides of the quartermaster-general; in the preparation and distribution of the orders of the day, &c. ;^and as bureau officers. The war of the French Revolution w r as finished by the French army without a staff corps. The French army had staff-officers under the names of adjutants-general, commandants, adjunct-captains, and orderly officers; but such officers were rather a momentary aggregation of officers of divers corps, than a special and permanent corps. Officers of cavalry, artillery, engineers, and infantry, if they had not the title, often exercised the functions of general staff-officers, and made reconnoissances. But in 1818, upon the return of the Bourbons, in imitation of the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians, a staff corps was formed in France. The corps was recruited from pupils leaving the school of St. Cyr; after study they were admitted to the school of the staff; they subsequently served in regiments of infantry and cavalry. After having been advanced a grade, they were definitely admitted as lieutenants of the staff, and became entitled to cavalry pay, with the title of aide-major.

It is necessary that a general staff-officer should have a knowledge of horsemanship -- that he should not be ignorant of* the sword exercise; he should have some knowledge of topography; he should be familiar with foreign languages, should have studied military administration and castrametation; but above all, he should possess a complete knowledge of tactics, and be able to judge skilfully of military positions. An officer grown old in the silence of a bureau would hardly in the tumult of battle, or under critical circumstances, second his general by aiding him intelligently concerning warlike operations. Can he interrogate spies, watch over the observance of order in military trains; draw up orders and instructions, mark out military positions; improvise a fortification; organize and conduct foraging parties, direct markers for grand manoeuvres 1 Open the march of armies? Vault at the head of the light cavalry? Stimulate and enlighten the troops by his interpretation of the orders he carries, by his intuitive knowledge of their tactical position, by his coup d'ceil, by the propriety of his counsels, and by the vigor of his impulsions 1 None, but officers whose experience has been gained by service with troops, can do these things with promptitude and effect; but these are the important duties of the general staff, and service with troops therefore is the true criterion of merit in such staff-officers. In organizing a permanent general staff corps, it consequently becomes necessary either to employ in peace that large body of officers necessary in war for staff duties, upon duties entirely foreign to their functions in war, or else leave them in idleness. Either course must unfit them for the services required of them on campaign, and it therefore follows, that a permanent general staff involves a useless number of officers in time of peace, and a deficiency of experience, instruction, and aptitude for their duties in time of war. It is impossible to avoid this vicious circle with a permanent general staff. The only true system of staff organization, then, is that which admits of supernumerary general and regimental officers, selected temporarily for staff duties by commanders of troops, as provided by the Act of Congress of 1799, drawn by Alexander Hamilton. “ The leading qualifications which should distinguish an officer selected for the head of the staff (says Napoleon) are: to know the country thoroughly; to be able to conduct a reconnaissance with skill; to superintend the transmission of orders promptly; to lay down the most complicated movements intelligibly, but in few words, and with simplicity.” (See ADJUTANT-GENERAL; AIDES-DE-CAMP; ENGINEERS; INSPECTOR-GENERAL; LINE; MEDICAL DEPARTMENT; ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT; PAY DEPARTMENT; QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT; SECRETARY OF WAR; SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 570-573).


STAFFORD, J. S., Cummington, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1850-56.


STANDARDS. Flags, standards, and colors, taken by the army and navy of the United States from their enemies, to be delivered with all convenient despatch to the President of the United States, for the purpose of being, under his direction, preserved and displayed in such public place as he shall deem proper; (Act April 18, 1814.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 573).


Stanardsville, Virginia, March 1, 1864. (See Albemarle County, Custer's Expedition.)


STANFORD, KENTUCKY, Oct . 14, 1862. 6th Division, Army of the Ohio. The only official mention of this action is in the report of Major-General Buell, which says: "General Wood's division marched at 12 o'clock that night, (13th) and engaged the enemy's cavalry and artillery at Stanford at daylight the next morning." The affair was an incident of the pursuit of the Confederates from Perryville. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 839.


STANFORD, KENTUCKY, July 31, 1863. (See Lancaster.) The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 839.


STANFORD, John C., New York, abolitionist leader (Sorin, 1971)


STAGER, Anson, soldier, born in Ontario County, New York, 20 April, 1825; died in Chicago, Illinois, 26 March, 1885. At sixteen years of age he entered into the service of Henry O'Reilly, a printer, who subsequently became a pioneer in the building and operating of telegraphs. He followed O'Reilly in his enterprise, and when the latter established a line from Philadelphia to Harrisburg he was placed in charge of the first office at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1846. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he made several improvements in the construction of batteries and, the arrangement of wires, and in 1852 he was made general superintendent of the principal lines in the west at that time. After the consolidation of the Western Union Company with these he was still superintendent, and to his industry and ability the success of these lines is much indebted. At the opening of the Civil War he was asked to take the management of the telegraphs in southern Ohio and along the Virginia line, to which he consented and at once prepared a cipher by which he could safely communicate with those who had the key. In October he was called to Washington and appointed general superintendent of government telegraphs in all departments. He remained in service till September, 1868, and was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers for valuable services. In 1869 General Stager returned to Chicago, and, in addition to his duties as general superintendent, he was the promoter of many enterprises, among which was the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. He was also interested in the Babcock Manufacturing Company and several others. He secured a consolidation of the two telephone companies in Chicago, and was president of them and also of the Western Edison Electric Light Company, and a director in many corporations. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 642.


STAHEL, Julius, soldier, born in Csongrad, Hungary, 4 November, 1825. After being educated at Budapest, he entered the Austrian Army and had risen from the ranks to be 1st lieutenant when the Hungarian revolution occurred. Stahcl joined the revolutionists and served on the staffs of General Arthur Gorger and General Richard Debaufre Guyon. After the success of the Austrian arms he went to Germany, thence to England, and finally to New York City. There he essayed journalism, and in 1859 was editor of the "Deutsche Illustrirte Familienbatter," an illustrated German weekly. He became, in May, 1861, lieutenant-colonel of the 8th New York Volunteers, commanded that regiment in the first battle of Bull Run, and was made colonel. He was promoted brigadier-general, 12 November, 1861, given a brigade in General Louis Blenker's German division, and took part in the battle of Cross Keys, Virginia., 8 June, 1862. He was subsequently in command of a division of General Franz Sigel's army corps, the 11th, and on 14 March, 1863, was commissioned major-general. He resigned from the army, 8 February, 1865. In 1866 he was made U. S. consul at Yokohama, Japan, but after three years' residence there he was compelled to return on account of impaired health. He was engaged in mining from 1870 till 1877, when he was again appointed consul to Japan. There he remained until March, 1884, when he was made U. S. consul-general at Shanghai, which latter office he resigned in 1885. He has since been engaged in business in New York City. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 642.


STANFORD, Leland, senator, born in Watervliet, Albany County, New York, 9 March, 1824. His ancestors settled in the valley of the Mohawk, New York, about 1720. He was brought up on a farm, and when twenty years old began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1849, and the same year began to practise at Port Washington, Wisconsin. In 1852, having lost his law library and other property by fire, he moved to California and began mining for gold at Michigan Bluff, Placer County, subsequently becoming associated in business with his three brothers, who had preceded him to the Pacific Coast. In 1856 he moved to San Francisco and engaged in mercantile pursuits on a large scale, laying the foundation of a fortune that has recently been estimated at more than $50,000,000. In 1860 Mr. Stanford made his entrance into public life as a delegate to the Chicago Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln to the presidency. He was an earnest advocate of a Pacific Railroad, and was elected president of the Central Pacific Company when it was organized in 1861. The same year he was elected governor of California, and served from December, 1861, till December, 1863. As president of the Pacific Road he superintended its construction over the mountains, building 530 miles in 293 days, and on 10 May, 1869, drove the last spike at Promontory Point, Utah. He also became interested in other roads on the Pacific slope, and in the development of the agriculture and manufactures of California. In 1885 he was elected to the U. S. Senate for the full term of six years from 4 March, 1886. In memory of his only son, Mr. Stanford has given the state of California $20,000,000 to be used in founding at Palo Alto a university whose curriculum shall not only include the usual collegiate studies, but comprise instruction in telegraphy, type-setting, type-writing, journalism, book-keeping, farming, civil engineering, and other practical branches of education. The corner-stone was laid on 14 May, 1887, and it is expected that the various structures will be so far completed as to afford accommodation for several hundred students by January, 1889. Included in the trust fund for the maintenance of the university is Mr. Stanford's estate at Vina, Tehama County, California, which is said to be the largest vineyard in the world. It comprises 30,000 acres, 3,500 of which are planted with bearing vines. It is divided into 500-acre tracts, and most of the labor is performed by Chinese.  Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 644.


STANLEY, David Sloan, soldier, born in Cedar Valley, Ohio, 1 June, 1828. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1852. and in 1853 was detailed with Lieutenant Amiel W. Whipple to survey a railroad route along the 35th parallel. As lieutenant of cavalry from 1855 till his promotion to a captaincy in 1861, he spent the greater part of his time in the saddle. Among other Indian engagements he took part in one with the Cheyennes on Solomon's Fork, and one with the Comanches near Fort Arbuckle. At the beginning of the Civil War he refused high rank in the Confederate Army. In the early part of the war has fought at Independence, Forsyth, Dug Springs, Wilson's Creek, Rolla, and other places, and was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, 28 September, 1861. He led a division at New Madrid, and the commanding general reported that he was " especially indebted" to General Stanley for his "efficient aid and uniform zeal." Subsequently he was complimented for his "untiring activity and skill" in the battle of Island No. 10. He took part in most of the skirmishes in and around Corinth and in the battle of Farmington. In the fight near the White House, or Bridge Creek, he repelled the enemy's attack with severe loss, and he was especially commended by General William S. Rosecrans at Iuka. At Corinth, he occupied the line between batteries Robinett and Williams, and was thus exposed to the severest part of the attack of the enemy, and, although other parts of the line gave way, his was never broken. General Stanley was appointed major-general of volunteers on 29 November, 1862. He bore an active part in most of the battles of the Atlanta Campaign, and as commander of the 4th Army Corps he took part in the battle of Jonesboro'. After General George H. Thomas was ordered to Nashville, General Stanley was directed on 6 October to command the Army of the Cumberland in his absence. Until he was severely wounded at Franklin, he took an active part in all the operations and battles in defence of Nashville. His disposition of the troops at Spring Hill enabled him to repel the assault of the enemy's cavalry and afterward two assaults of the infantry. A few days afterward, at Franklin, he fought a desperate hand-to-hand conflict. Placing himself at the head of a reserve brigade, he regained the part of the line that the enemy had broken. Although severely wounded, he did not leave the field until long after dark. When he recovered he rejoined his command, and, after the war closed, took it to Texas. He had received the brevets of lieutenant-colonel for Stone River, Tennessee, colonel for Resaca, Georgia, brigadier-general for Ruff's Station, Georgia, and major-general for Franklin, Tennessee, all in the regular army. He was appointed colonel of the 22d U.S. Infantry, and spent a greater part of the time up to 1874 in Dakota. In command of the Yellowstone Expedition of 1873, he successfully conducted his troops through the unknown wilderness of Dakota and Montana, and his favorable reports on the country led to the subsequent emigration thither. In 1874 he went with his regiment to the lake stations, and in 1879 moved it to Texas, where he completely suppressed Indian raids in the western part of the state. He also restored the confidence of the Mexicans, which had been disturbed by the raid that the U. S. troops made across the boundary in 1878. He was ordered to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1882. and placed in command of the district of New Mexico. While he was stationed there, and subsequently at Fort Lewis, complications arose at various times with the Navajos, Utes, and Jicarillas, all of which he quieted without bloodshed. The greater part of his service has been on the Indian frontier, and he has had to deal with nearly every tribe that occupies the Mississippi and Rio Grande Valley, thus becoming perfectly acquainted with the Indian character. In March, 1884. he was appointed a brigadier-general in the regular army, and assigned to the Department of Texas, where he has been ever since. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 644-645.


STANLEY, Henry Morton, explorer, born near Denbigh, Wales, in 1840. His name was originally John Rowlands. He was placed in the poor-house at St. Asaph when he was three years old, remaining there and being educated for ten years. In 1855 he sailed as a cabin-boy to New Orleans, where he was adopted by a merchant, whose name he took instead of his own. This merchant died without leaving a will, and young Stanley enlisted in the Confederate Army, was taken prisoner, and subsequently volunteered in the U. S. Navy, serving as acting ensign on the iron-clad " Ticonderoga." At the close of the war he went as a newspaper correspondent to Turkey. In 1868 he accompanied the British Army to Abyssinia as correspondent of the New York "Herald." When he was in Spain in the service of the same paper he was asked by its proprietor in October, 1869, to go and find Dr. David Livingstone, the African explorer, of whom nothing definite had been heard for more than two years. After attending the opening of the Suez Canal, visiting Constantinople, the Crimea, Palestine, the valley of the Euphrates, Persia, and India, Stanley sailed from Bombay, 12 October, 1870, and reached Zanzibar, on the eastern coast of Africa, early in January, 1871. There he organized his search expedition and set out for the interior on 21 March with 192 followers. On 10 November he found Dr. Livingstone at Ujiji, on Lake Tanganyika, where he had just arrived from the southwest. Stanley furnished Dr. Livingstone with supplies, explored the northern part of Lake Tanganyika with him, and remained till February, 1872, when Livingstone set out on that journey from which he never returned, while Stanley made his way back to the coast, sailing thence on 14 March, 1872, and reaching England late in July. The British Association entertained him at Brighton, where, on 16 August. he gave an account of his expedition. On 27 August the queen sent him a gold snuff-box set with diamonds, and on 21 October a banquet was given him by the Royal Geographical Society. In 1873 he received the patron's gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society. The New York " Herald " and the London "Daily Telegraph " again sent Stanley to explore the lake region of equatorial Africa. He reached Zanzibar in the autumn of 1874. There learning that Livingstone had died in central Africa, he determined to shape his course northwest and explore the region of Lake Victoria N'yanza. Leaving at the head of 300 men, after many hardships and severe encounters with the natives, he reached it in February, 1875, having lost on the way 104 men by death or desertion. He circumnavigated the lake, sailing about 1,000 miles and minutely examining all the inlets, in a boat that he had brought with him in pieces, and found it to be a single large lake, instead of a series of lagoons, as had been supposed by Richard P. Burton and Livingstone, so that the opinion of the explorers Speke and Grant was confirmed. Thus was Lake Victoria N'yanza proved to be the largest body of fresh water in the world, having an area of 40,000 square miles. On 17 April, 1875, continuing his explorations, he set out westward toward Lake Albert N'yanza, and found that it was not, as had been supposed, connected with Lake Tanganyika. The hostility of the natives barred his further advance, and, forced to return to Ujiji, he resolved to reach the coast by descending the great river that had been discovered by Livingstone, and named the Lualaba. but which Stanley had called the Livingstone in honor of its discoverer. The latter had thought that it might be identical with the Nile; others supposed it to be part of the Congo, and Stanley, by his descent of it, proved that these last, were correct. The descent, chiefly by canoes, took eight months, was accomplished under very great difficulties and privations, and cost him the lives of thirty-five men. On his reaching a west coast settlement, a Portuguese man-of-war took him to St. Paul de Loanda, whence an English vessel conveyed the party to the Cape of Good Hope, and thence to Zanzibar, where what remained of the men who had joined his expedition were left at their own homes. Stanley reached England in February, 1878. On 28 June, 1878, at the Sorbonne, Paris, he was presented with the cross of chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the president of the French Geographical Society. In 1879-82 he was again in Africa, sent out by the Brussels African International Association with a view to develop the great basin of the river Congo. The king of the Belgians devoted £50,000 a year from his own private means toward this enterprise. In 1884 Stanley completed the work, establishing trading-stations along the Congo from its mouth to Stanley pool, a distance by the river of 1,400 miles, and founding the free state of the Congo, but he declined to be its first governor. On 13 January, 1887, he was presented with the freedom of the city of London. At present (August, 1888) he is engaged on an African expedition to the Soudan, sent out for the relief of Emin Pasha. He has published " How I Found Livingstone " (New York. 1872); "Through the Dark Continent,'' an account of his second expedition (1878; abridged ed.. 1885): and "The Congo and the Founding of its Free State" (1885). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 645-646.


STANLY, Edward, statesman, born in New Berne, North Carolina, about 1811; died in San Francisco, California, 12 July, 1872. He was the son of John Stanly, who was several times speaker of the North Carolina Legislature and twice a member of Congress. The son was educated at Captain Alden Partridge's Military Academy in Middletown, Connecticut, studied and practised law, and was elected to Congress as a Whig in 1836, and re-elected for the two succeeding terms. Having left Congress in 1843, he represented Beaufort in the state house of commons from 1844 till 1849, serving during his last term as speaker. In 1847 he was elected attorney-general of the state. He was re-elected to Congress in 1848 and returned for the succeeding term, at the close of which, in 1853, he moved to California, where he practised his profession, and in 1857 was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor. After the capture of New Berne on 14 March, 1862, and the occupation of other points in North Carolina by National troops, President Lincoln appointed Stanly military governor of his native state. The people were embittered by this, and, after vainly endeavoring to consolidate and give effect to the Unionist sentiment in North Carolina, he resigned and returned to California. —His brother, Fabius, naval officer, born in New Berne, North Carolina, 15 December, 1815; died in Washington, D. C, 5 September, 1882, entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman, 20 December, 1831, was promoted to lieutenant, 8 September, 1841, and during the Mexican War was attached to the Pacific Squadron, where he did good service, participating in the capture and defence of San Francisco and other California ports. He assisted at the capture of Guaymas, where he led the storming party, and commanded a night expedition to a fort twelve miles from that place, where with thirty men he passed through the enemy's lines, spiked the guns, and returned in safety. He was also present at the capture of Mazatlan, commanded the outposts, and had frequent skirmishes with the enemy, in one of which he had a hand-to-hand contest, and received a lance wound in the breast. He was highly commended for his zeal and ability, and received the thanks of two secretaries of the navy for his services in the Mexican War. He commanded steamers of the Pacific Mail Company in 1850-'l. During the Paraguay Expedition he commanded the store-ship "Supply," and in 1859-'60 he had the steamer "Wyandotte" on the south side of Cuba. While he was at Key West he prevented what he supposed to be an attempt by the secessionists to seize Fort Taylor in December, 1860; but the rumor was contradicted, and he was relieved from his command for his excessive zeal, and sent to command the receiving-ship "Independence " in California. He was commissioned commander, 19 May, 1861, and was in the steamer "Narragansett in the Pacific in 1862-'4. He received the thanks of the State Department for his diplomatic services in Mexico during this period. He commanded the " State of Georgia on the coast of South Carolina in 1864-'5, co-operated in the expedition up the Santee, and had charge of the expedition of Bull's Bay. He was commissioned captain, 25 July, 1866, commodore, 1 July, 1870, and rear-admiral, 12 February, 1874. He was retired on 4 June, 1874, on his own application. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 646-647.


STANNARD, George Jerrison, soldier, born in Georgia. Vermont 20 October, 1820; died in Washington, D. C, 31 May, 1886. He received an academic education, worked on his father's farm, teaching in winter, and was a clerk in a foundry from 1840 till 1860, when he became joint proprietor of the business. He was a colonel of militia when the Civil War began, and was the first man in Vermont to offer his services after the president's call for volunteers. He was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel of the 2d Vermont Regiment, which was mustered into the service in May, 1861. He was at the first battle of Bull Run, and while stationed near the Chain Bridge in the following autumn frequently led scouting parties into the enemy's territory. In May, 1862, he was commissioned colonel of the 9th Vermont Infantry, which was stationed at Harper's Ferry when Colonel Dixon S. Miles surrendered that post, and on being paroled went into camp at Chicago. On 11 March, 1863, he was commissioned as brigadier-general. His brigade of Vermont troops came up at the close of the first day's battle at Gettysburg. On the second day he held the left slope of Cemetery hill till he was ordered farther to the left in the afternoon to oppose General James Longstreet's assault after the rout of the 3d Corps. His brigade closed the gap speedily, saving two batteries, retaking another, and capturing two Confederate guns. On the third day it opposed a solid front to General George E. Pickett's division, and, when the Confederate column turned slightly to the left, threw the assailants into confusion by a flanking fire. General Stannard was wounded in the action, and could not return to the field till May, 1864. At Cold Harbor he was struck by a rifle-ball, but brought off the remnant of his command. He led the advance on Petersburg, and was assigned to the command of a division, but was again wounded and, moreover, disabled by sickness. When he rejoined the army after a few weeks of absence he led the advance upon the defences of Richmond north of James River, and captured Fort Harrison, for which he was brevetted major-general on 28 October, 1864, but when the enemy attempted to storm the works on the day after their capture a bullet shattered his arm, necessitating amputation. He returned to his home, and in December, 1864, after the raid on St. Albans, was placed in charge of the defence of the northern frontier of Vermont. He resigned on 27 June, 1866, and was appointed collector of customs for the district of Vermont, which office he held till 1872. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 647.


STANSBURY, Howard, explorer, born in New York City, 8 February, 1806; died in Madison, Wisconsin, 17 April, 1863. Early in life he became a civil engineer, and in October, 1828, he was placed in charge of the survey of proposed canals to unite Lake Erie and Lake Michigan with the Wabash River, and was also engaged in other surveys of western rivers. In 1835 he had charge of numerous public works in Indiana, in 1836 he made a survey of James River with a view toward improving the harbor of Richmond, and in 1837 he surveyed Illinois and Kaskaskia Rivers, being afterward engaged upon the survey for a railroad from Milwaukee to Dubuque, and charged with the construction of a road from Milwaukee to Mississippi River. He became 1st lieutenant of U. S. Topographical Engineers on 7 July, 1838, captain in 1840, and in 1841 was engaged in a survey of the lakes. In 1842-'5 he was in charge of the survey of the harbor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a work which for minute accuracy of detail is unsurpassed in this country. In 1847 he was charged with the construction of an iron light-house on Carysfort Reef, Florida, which is the largest light-house on our coast. From 1849 till 1851 he was engaged in the Great Salt Lake Expedition, his report of which gave him a wide reputation. In 1852-'3 he was engaged upon the lake harbors, and in 1856 he was assigned to the charge of the military roads in Minnesota. He was appointed major on 28 September, 1861, and at the time of his death he was mustering and disbursing officer at Madison. Major Stansbury published " An Expedition to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah" (Philadelphia, 1852; 2d ed., 1855). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 647.


STANTON, Edwin McMasters, 1814-1869, statesman, lawyer, anti-slavery activist.  U. S. Secretary of War, 1862-1867.  Favored Wilmot Proviso to exclude slavery from the new territories acquired by the U.S. after the War with Mexico in 1846.  Member of the Free Soil movement. 

(Rodriguez, 2007, pp. 65, 67, 69, 72, 144, 147-148; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 648-649; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 9, Pt. 1, p. 517; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 20, p. 558)

STANTON, Edwin McMasters, statesman, born in Steubenville Ohio, 19 December, 1814; died in Washington, D. C., 24 December, 1869. His father, a physician died while Edwin was a child. After acting for three years as a clerk in a book-store, he entered Kenyon College in 1831, but left in 1833 to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and, beginning practice in Cadiz, was in 1837 elected prosecuting attorney. He returned to Steubenville in 1839, and was supreme court reporter in 1842-'5, preparing vols. xi., xii., and xiii. of the Ohio reports. In 1848 he moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1857, on account of his large business in the U. S. Supreme Court, he established himself in Washington. During 1857-'8 he was in California, attending to important land cases for the government. Among the notable suits that he conducted were the first Erie Railway litigation, the Wheeling Bridge Case, and the Manney and McCormick reaper contest in 1859. When Lewis Cass retired from President Buchanan's cabinet, and Jeremiah S. Black was made Secretary of State, Stanton was appointed the latter's successor in the office of Attorney-General, 20 December, 1860. He was originally a Democrat of the Jackson school, and, until Van Buren's defeat in the Baltimore Convention of 1844, took an active part in political affairs in his locality. He favored the Wilmot proviso, to exclude slavery from the territory acquired by the war with Mexico, and sympathized with the Free-Soil movement of 1848, headed by Martin Van Buren. He was an anti-slavery man, but his hostility to that institution was qualified by his view of the obligations imposed by the Federal Constitution. He had held no public offices before entering President Buchanan's cabinet except those of prosecuting attorney for one year in Harrison County, Ohio, and reporter of the Ohio Supreme Court for three years, being wholly devoted to his profession. While a member of Mr. Buchanan's cabinet, he took a firm stand for the Union, and at a cabinet meeting, when John B. Floyd, then Secretary of War, demanded the withdrawal of the United States troops from the forts in Charleston Harbor, he indignantly declared that the surrender of Fort Sumter would be, in his opinion, a crime, equal to that of Arnold, and that all who participated in it should be hung like André. After the meeting, Floyd sent in his resignation. President Lincoln, though since his accession to the presidency he had held no communication with Mr. Stanton, called him to the head of the War Department on the retirement of Simon Cameron, 15 January, 1862. As was said by an eminent senator of the United States: “He certainly came to the public service with patriotic and not with sordid motives, surrendering a most brilliant position at the bar, and with it the emolument of which, in the absence of accumulated wealth, his family was in daily need.” Infirmities of temper he had, but they were incident to the intense strain upon his nerves caused by his devotion to duties that would have soon prostrated most men, however robust, as they finally prostrated him. He had no time for elaborate explanations for refusing trifling or selfish requests, and his seeming abruptness of manner was often but rapidity in transacting business which had to be thus disposed of, or be wholly neglected. As he sought no benefit to himself, but made himself an object of hatred to the dishonest and the inefficient, solely in the public interest, and as no enemy ever accused him of wrong-doing, the charge of impatience and hasty temper will not detract from the high estimate placed by common consent upon his character as a man, a patriot, and a statesman.

Mr. Stanton's entrance into the cabinet marked the beginning of a vigorous military policy. On 27 January, 1862, was issued the first of the president's war orders, prescribing a general movement of the troops. His impatience at General George B. McClellan's apparent inaction caused friction between the administration and the general-in-chief, which ended in the latter's retirement. He selected General Ulysses S. Grant for promotion after the victory at Fort Donelson, which General Henry W. Halleck in his report had ascribed to the bravery of General Charles F. Smith, and in the autumn of 1863 he placed Grant in supreme command of the three armies operating in the southwest, directed him to relieve General William S. Rosecrans before his army at Chattanooga could be forced to surrender. President Lincoln said that he never took an important step without consulting his Secretary of War. It has been asserted that, on the eve of Mr. Lincoln's second inauguration, he proposed to allow General Grant to make terms of peace with General Lee, and that Mr. Stanton dissuaded him from such action. According to a bulletin of Mr. Stanton that was issued at the time, the president wrote the despatch directing the general of the army to confer with the Confederate commander on none save purely military questions without previously consulting the members of the cabinet. At a cabinet council that was held in consultation with General Grant, the terms on which General William T. Sherman proposed to accept the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston were disapproved by all who were present. To the bulletin announcing the telegram that was sent to General Sherman, which directed him to guide his actions by the despatch that had previously been sent to General Grant, forbidding military interference in the political settlement, a statement of the reasons for disapproving Sherman's arrangement was appended, obviously by the direction of Secretary Stanton. These were: (1) that it was unauthorized; (2) that it was an acknowledgment of the Confederate government; (3) that it re-established rebel state governments; (4) that it would enable rebel state authorities to restore slavery; (5) that it involved the question of the Confederate states debt; (6) that it would put in dispute the state government of West Virginia; (7) that it abolished confiscation, and relieved rebels of all penalties; (8) that it gave terms that had been rejected by President Lincoln; (9) that it formed no basis for peace, but relieved rebels from the pressure of defeat, and left them free to renew the war. General Sherman defended his course on the ground that he had before him the public examples of General Grant's terms to General Lee's army, and General Weitzel's invitation to the Virginia legislature to assemble at Richmond. His central motive, in giving terms that would be cheerfully accepted, he declared to be the peaceful disbandment of all the Confederate armies, and the prevention of guerilla warfare. He had never seen President Lincoln's telegram to General Grant of 3 March, 1865, above quoted, nor did he know that General Weitzel's permission for the Virginia legislature to assemble had been rescinded.

A few days before the president's death Secretary Stanton tendered his resignation because his task was completed, but was persuaded by Mr. Lincoln to remain. After the assassination of Lincoln a serious controversy arose between the new president, Andrew Johnson, and the Republican Party, and Mr. Stanton took sides against the former on the subject of reconstruction. On 5 August, 1867, the president demanded his resignation; but he refused to give up his office before the next meeting of Congress, following the urgent counsels of leading men of the Republican Party. He was suspended by the president on 12 August on 13 January, 1868, he was restored by the action of the Senate, and resumed his office. On 21 February, 1868, the president informed the Senate that he had removed Secretary Stanton, and designated a secretary ad interim. Mr. Stanton refused to surrender the office pending the action of the Senate on the president's message. At a late hour of the same day the Senate resolved that the president bad not the power to remove the secretary. Mr. Stanton, thus sustained by the Senate, refused to surrender the office. The impeachment of the president followed, and on 26 May, the vote of the Senate being “guilty,” 35, “not guilty,” 19, he was acquitted—two thirds not voting for conviction. After Mr. Stanton's retirement from office he resumed the practice of law. On 20 December, 1869, he was appointed by President Grant a justice of the Supreme Court, and he was forthwith confirmed by the Senate. Four days later he expired.

The value to the country of his services during the Civil War cannot be overestimated. His energy, inflexible integrity, systematized industry, comprehensive view of the situation in its military, political, and international aspects, his power to command and supervise the best services of others, and his unbending will and invincible courage, made him at once the stay of the president, the hope of the country, and a terror to dishonesty and imbecility. The vastness of his labors led to brusqueness in repelling importunities, which made him many enemies. But none ever questioned his honesty, his patriotism, or his capability. A “Memoir” of Mr. Stanton is at present in preparation by his son, Lewis M. Stanton. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 648-649.


STANTON, Henry, soldier, born in Vermont about 1796; died in Fort Hamilton, New York, 1 August, 1856. He was appointed a lieutenant in the light artillery, 29 June, 1813, assistant deputy quartermaster-general in July, 1813, military secretary to General George Izard in 1814, deputy quartermaster-general, with the rank of major, 13 May, 1820, acting adjutant-general under General Thomas S. Jesup in Florida in 1836-'7, assistant quartermaster-general, with the rank of colonel, 7 July, 1838, and was brevetted brigadier general for meritorious conduct in the Mexican War, 1 January, 1847. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 649.


STANTON, Henry Brewster, 1805-1887, New York, New York, Cincinnati, Ohio, abolitionist leader, anti-slavery agent, journalist, author.  Worked with William T. Allan and Birney.  Financial Secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS), Manager, 1834-1838, Corresponding Secretary, 1838-1840, and Executive Committee of the Society, 1838.  Secretary, 1840-1841, and Member of the Executive Committee, American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, 1840-1844.  Leader of the Liberty Party.  Wrote for abolitionist newspapers.  Worked against pro-slavery legislation at state level.  Later edited the New York Sun. 

(Dumond, 1961, pp. 164, 219, 238-240, 286; Filler, 1960, pp. 68, 72, 134, 137, 156, 189, 301; Mitchell, 2007, pp. 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14016, 18, 28, 36, 45, 47, 101, 162, 223; Rodriguez, 2007, p. 162; Sorin, 1971 p. 63-67, 97, 131, 132; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 649-650; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 9, Pt. 1, p. 525)

STANTON, Henry Brewster, journalist, born in Griswold, New London County, Connecticut., 29 June, 1805; died in New York City, 14 January, 1887. His ancestor, Thomas, came to this country from England in 1635 and was crown interpreter-general of the Indian dialects, and subsequently judge of the New London County court. His father was a manufacturer of woollens and a trader with the West Indies. After receiving his education, the son went in 1826 to Rochester, New York, to write for Thurlow Weed's newspaper, “The Monroe Telegraph,” which was advocating the election of Henry Clay to the presidency. He then began to make political speeches. He moved to Cincinnati to complete his studies in Lane Theological Seminary, but left it to become an advocate of the anti-slavery cause. At the anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society in New York City in 1834 he faced the first of the many mobs that he encountered in his tours throughout the country. In 1837-'40 he was active in the movement to form the Abolitionists into a compact political party, which was resisted by William Lloyd Garrison and others, and which resulted in lasting dissension. In 1840 he married Elizabeth Cady, and on 12 May of that year sailed with her to London, having been elected to represent the American Anti-Slavery Society at a convention for the promotion of the cause. At its close they travelled through Great Britain and France, working for the relief of the slaves. On his return, he studied law with Daniel Cady, was admitted to the bar, and practised in Boston, where he gained a reputation especially in patent cases, but he abandoned his profession to enter political life, and removing to Seneca Falls, New York, in 1847, represented that district in the state senate. He was a member of the Free-Soil Party previous to the formation of the Republican Party, of which he was a founder. Before this he had been a Democrat. For nearly half a century he was actively connected with the daily press, his contributions consisting chiefly of articles on current political topics and elaborate biographies of public men. Mr. Stanton contributed to Garrison's “Anti-Slavery Standard” and “Liberator,” wrote for the New York “Tribune,” and from 1868 until his death was an editor of the New York “Sun.” Henry Ward Beecher said of him: “I think Stanton has all the elements of old John Adams; able, stanch, patriotic, full of principle, and always unpopular. He lacks that sense of other people's opinions which keeps a man from running against them.” Mr. Stanton was the author of “Sketches of Reforms and Reformers in Great Britain and Ireland” (New York, 1849), and “Random Recollections” (1886). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 649-650.


STANTON, Elizabeth Cady, 1815-1902, reformer, suffragist, abolitionist leader, co-founder of the Women’s National Loyal League in 1863, co-founded American Equal Rights Association (AERA) in 1866

(Drake, 1950; Filler, 1960, pp. 35, 137, 277; Gordon, Ann D., ed., The Selected Papers of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, 1997; Griffiths, Elizabeth, In Her Own Right: The Life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 1984. Rodriguez, 2007, pp. 47, 170, 388, 465, 519; Sorin, 1971, pp. 66-67; Wellman, Judith, The Road to Seneca Falls: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the First Women’s Rights Convention, 2004; Yellin, 1994, pp. 30, 85-87, 149, 157, 301, 302n; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 650; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 9, Pt. 1, p. 521; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 20, p. 562; Hinks, Peter P., & John R. McKivigan, Eds., Encyclopedia of Antislavery and Abolition.  Westport, Connecticut, Greenwood, 2007, Vol. 2, pp. 655-656)

STANTON, Elizabeth Cady, reformer, born in Johnstown, New York, 12 November, 1815, is the daughter of Judge Daniel Cady, and, after receiving her first education at the Johnstown Academy, was graduated at Mrs. Emma Willard's seminary in Troy, New York, in 1832. While attending the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840 she met Lucretia Mott, with whom she was in sympathy, and with whom she signed the call for the first Woman's Rights Convention. This was held at her home in Seneca Falls, on 19 and 20 July, 1848, on which occasion the first formal claim of suffrage for women was made. She addressed the New York Legislature on the rights of married women in 1854, and in advocacy of divorce for drunkenness in 1860, and in 1867 spoke before the legislature and the constitutional convention, maintaining that during the revision of the constitution the state was resolved into its original elements and that citizens of both sexes had a right to vote for members of that convention. She canvassed Kansas in 1867 and Michigan in 1874, when the question of woman suffrage was submitted to the people of those states, and since 1869 she has addressed congressional committees and state constitutional conventions upon this subject, besides giving numerous lectures. She was president from 1855 till 1865 of the national committee of her party, of the Woman's Loyal League in 1863, and of the National Woman Suffrage Association until 1873. In 1868 she was a candidate for Congress. She has written many calls to conventions and addresses, and was an editor with Susan B. Anthony and Parker Pillsbury of  “The Revolution,” which was founded in 1868, and is joint author of '”History of Woman's suffrage” (vols. i. and ii., New York, 1880; vol. iii., Rochester, 1886).—Their son, Theodore, journalist, born in Seneca Falls, New York, 10 February, 1851, was graduated at Cornell in 1876. In 1880 he was the Berlin correspondent of the New York “Tribune,” and he is now (1888) engaged in journalism in Paris, France. He is a contributor to periodicals, translated and edited Le Goff's “Life of Thiers” (New York, 1879), and is the author of The Woman Question in Europe” (1884). Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 650. 


STANTON, Oscar Fitzalan, naval officer, born in Sag Harbor, New York, 18 July, 1834. He entered the U.S. Navy as acting midshipman, 29 December, 1849, and was warranted midshipman from the same date. He was graduated at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1855, promoted to master, 16 September, 1855, and commissioned lieutenant, 2 April, 1856, serving in the steamer “Memphis,” on the Paraguay Expedition, in 1858–9, on the coast of Africa in 1859–60, and in the sloop “St. Mary's,” of the Pacific Squadron, from December, 1860, till April, 1862. He was commissioned lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, commanded the steamer “Tioga,” in the special West India Squadron, in 1862–3, and the steamer “Panola,” on the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, in 1863–4. In 1865 he was on ordnance duty at New York, after which he served at the Naval Academy until May, 1867. He was promoted to commander, 12 December, 1867, and had charge of the steamer “Tahoma,” of the North Atlantic Squadron, and the “Purveyor,” on special service, in 1867–9. He commanded the receiving-ship at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1871, the steamer “Monocacy,” on the Asiatic Station, from 1872 until 1874, when he was transferred to the “Yantic.” He was promoted to captain, 11 June, 1879, and in November, 1881, went on duty at the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia, where he remained until November, 1884, when he took command of the steam frigate “Tennessee,” flag-ship of the North Atlantic Station. Since 31 October, 1885, he has had command of the naval station at New London, Connecticut. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 650.


STANTON, Richard Henry, jurist, born in Alexandria, Virginia., 9 September, 1812. He received an academic education, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practised in Maysville, Kentucky. Being elected to Congress as a Democrat, he served from 3 December, 1849, till 3 March, 1855, and he was presidential elector on the Buchanan ticket in 1856, state attorney for his judicial district in 1858, a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1868, and district judge in 1868–’74. He has edited the “Maysville Monitor" and the “Maysville Express," and published a “Code of Practice in Civil and Criminal Cases in Kentucky” (Cincinnati, 1855); “Practical Treatises for Justices of the Peace, etc., of Kentucky” (1861); and a “Practical Manual for Executors, etc., in Kentucky” (1862).—His brother, Frederic Perry, lawyer, born in Alexandria, Virginia, 22 December, 1814, obtained through his own exertion a good education, and was graduated at Columbian College in 1833. He studied law, was admitted to the bar of Alexandria in 1834, and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he practised his profession. He was elected to Congress as a Democrat, serving from 1 December, 1845, till 3 March, 1855, and in 1853-'5 was chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In 1857 he was appointed secretary of Kansas Territory, and he was governor of Kansas from 1858 till 1861. In 1863–14 he edited with Robert J. Mather the “Continental Monthly,” and he has published numerous speeches in pamphlet form.—Richard Henry's son, Henry Thompson, poet, born in Alexandria, Virginia, 30 June, 1834, was educated at several colleges in Kentucky and at the U. S. Military Academy, but was not graduated. He served as captain and major in the Confederate Army. For several years he has been connected with the U. S. Indian Commissioners in selecting lands for Indian reservations. He has invented an iron tie for binding cotton-bales, and is the author of “The Moneyless Man, and other Poems” (Baltimore, 1872). From 1875 till 1886 he edited the “Kentucky Yeoman.” Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 650.


STANWOOD, Atkinson, Newburyport, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1855-60-


STAPLES, Waller Redd, jurist, born in Patrick Court-House, Patrick County, Virginia, 24 February, 1826. He was graduated at William and Mary in 1846, studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1848. He served in the legislature in 1853-'4, was presidential elector on the Whig ticket in 1855 and 1860, and one of four commissioners to the Provisional Congress that met in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1861. He served in the Confederate Congress for the subsequent three years, and took an active part in its deliberations. In 1870-'82 he was a judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia. He was one of the three revisers of the code of laws for the state in 1884-'6, elector on the Democratic presidential ticket in 1884, and is now (1888) counsel for the Richmond and Danville Railroad. During his term on the bench he acquired a national reputation for the learning, soundness, and conservatism that characterized his opinions. He also takes high rank as a political speaker. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 651.


STAR HOUSE, MISSOURI, May 4, 1865. Detachment of 43d Missouri Infantry. Captain William Arnold with an escort of 10 men while proceeding from Warrensburg to Lexington was attacked near the Star house, not far from Lexington, by a band of 20 or 30 bushwhackers, but managed to get through to Lexington, with only 1 man wounded in the skirmish. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 839


STATESBORO, GEORGIA, December 4, 1864. Detachment of the 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps. A foraging party sent out from Hazen's division was attacked near Statesboro by a brigade of Confederate cavalry on its way to join Wheeler at Waynesboro. The foragers fell back to where the 70th Ohio infantry was guarding the pioneers constructing roads, and one volley from the Ohio regiment caused the enemy to retreat. The Union loss was 8 men wounded and 27 captured. The known loss of the enemy was 8 killed and 3 wounded, but the number of wounded was probably greater. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 839.


STARBUCK, Calvin Washburn, journalist, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 20 April, 1822; died there, 15 November, 1870. He was educated at the public schools of his native city, but, as his parents' means were limited, he began very early to support himself. He learned the printing trade, and, having saved a little money, established, at nineteen, the Cincinnati “Times," an afternoon newspaper. Being the fastest type-setter in Ohio, he prepared a large part of the paper for years, and also assisted m distributing it to subscribers. It rapidly gained success, and its weekly edition had at one time the largest circulation in the west. To his exertions and generosity are mainly due the Relief Union, the Home of the friendless, and other charitable institutions of Cincinnati, while his private gifts were many and constant. During the Civil War he strove by voice and pen to establish the National credit when the government needed money. To the families of the men in his employment who had enlisted he continued their regular pay while they were in the service. When in 1864 the governor of Ohio tendered the home-guards of the state to the country for a hundred days, Starbuck left his business and went into the field. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 651-652.


STARK, Benjamin, U. S. Senator, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, 26 June, 1820. He was graduated at Union School, New London, Connecticut, in 1835, entered a counting-house in New York, and became a merchant. In 1845 he moved to Oregon, and engaged in trade with the Sandwich Islands, but studied law in 1850, was admitted to the bar of Oregon, and began practice in Portland, of which city he was a founder. He was a member in 1853 of the territorial house of representatives, and in 1860 of the state house of representatives, and was appointed a U. S. Senator from Oregon as a Democrat, in place of Edward D. Baker, serving from 27 February, till 1 December, 1862. He was a delegate from Oregon to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1864, and from Connecticut to the one in New York in 1868. Since 1867 he has been a member of the Board of Education of New London, Connecticut, a director of the New London Northern Railroad Company, and since 1871 a deputy to the conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, p. 652.


STARKWEATHER, John Converse, soldier, born in Cooperstown, New York, 11 May, 1830. His father. George Anson (born in Connecticut in 1794; died in Cooperstown, New York, in 1878), was graduated at Union in 1819, held local offices in Otsego, New York, was colonel of the New York 12th Artillery, and was elected to Congress as a Democrat, serving from 6 December, 1847, till 3 March, 1849. After graduation at Union in 1850, the son moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and practised law until 1861. On 17 May, 1861, he was made colonel of the 1st Wisconsin Volunteers, took part in the battles of Falling Waters, 2 July, 1861, and Edward's Ferry, 29 July, 1861, and was mustered out on 21 August, 1861. Reorganizing his regiment for three years, by special order of the War Department he again enlisted, and served in Kentucky and northern Alabama. He participated in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, 8 October, 1862. He was also engaged at Stone River, 31 December, 1862, and 1–2 January, 1863, and remained on duty at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, until 23 June, 1863. He was appointed brigadier-general of U.S. volunteers on 17 July, 1863, commanded brigades and divisions in the Army of the Ohio and in the Army of the Cumberland, participated in the attack at Chickamauga, 19–21 September, 1863, where he was wounded, in battles around Chattanooga, Tennessee, 23–25 November, 1863, and in the assault and capture of Mission Ridge, Tennessee, 23–25 November, 1863. He served on the court-martial that tried General William A. Hammond, surgeon-general, U. S. Army (q. v.), and, after commanding several posts in Tennessee and Alabama, he was mustered out of the army on 11 May, 1865. After farming for several years in Wisconsin, and occupying posts of importance and trust, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he now (1888) practices law, having been admitted to the bar in 1857.—His cousin, Henry Howard, lawyer, born in Preston, New London County, Connecticut, 29 April, 1826; died in Washington, D.C., 28 January, 1876, was educated in public schools, studied law, was admitted to the bar, served in the Connecticut Legislature in 1856, and was a delegate to the National Republican Conventions that nominated Lincoln in 1860 and Grant in 1868. In 1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln to be postmaster at Norwich, and he was reappointed by President Johnson in 1865, but resigned in 1866. He was then chosen to Congress as a Republican, and served from 4 March, 1867, until his death, being thrice reelected. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. V, pp. 653-654.


STATE TROOPS. (See MILITIA.)


STATESBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA, April 15, 1865. 1st Brigade, Provisional Division. The affair at Statesburg on this date was-an incident of the expedition sent out from Georgetown under command of Brigadier-General E. E. Potter, to destroy the railroad between Camden and Sumterville. On the 15th the 25th Ohio infantry was sent forward to Statesburg, where it was to wait for further orders. Before the town was reached the enemy was encountered behind a breastwork. A charge drove the Confederates from their position, with a loss to the Union regiment of 1 man killed and 7 wounded. A short distance farther on another line of works was discovered, and the regiment halted until the rest of the brigade could come up. When it arrived Colonel Brown ordered the 107th Ohio to the left and the 157th New York to the right, to flank the enemy's position, the 25th Ohio was deployed as skirmishers, supported by the remainder of the command, ready to press any advantage gained by the flanking regiments. In a short time the cheers on the left told that the 107th Ohio had broken the enemy's lines. The whole brigade then moved forward and drove the Confederates through Statesburg. The only loss reported was that of 2 men wounded, both belonging to the 107th Ohio. Station Four, Florida, February 13, 1865. 2nd Florida Cavalry and 2nd U. S. Colored Infantry. Major Edmund C. Weeks with 386 men had returned to Station Four after a successful foraging expedition, when at 7 a. m. of the 13th his command was attacked by about 250 or 300 Confederates and driven across the bridge. Most of the Federal force was thrown into confusion and disorder, but 40 men under Captain Pease charged across the bridge again and drove the Confederates from the Union camp which they were sacking. The fight lasted from 7 a. m. until noon and Weeks had 5 killed, 18 wounded and 3 captured. Confederate reports state that the enemy's loss was 5 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 839-840.


STATION NO. 5, GEORGIA, December 4, 1864. 29th Missouri Mounted Infantry and 1st Alabama Cavalry. In the advance on Savannah the Missouri regiment, commanded by Colonel Gage, was attacked and almost surrounded by the enemy at Station No. 5, on the Georgia Central railroad. As Gage was retreating Colonel Kirby arrived on the scene with the 1st Alabama and drove the Confederates back, pursuing them to the Ogeechee river, where he found a force estimated at 5,000 men strongly intrenched and gave up the chase. The 1st Alabama lost 1 man mortally wounded, which was the only casualty reported. Several horses and equipments were captured by the Union troops. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 840.


STAUNTON RIVER BRIDGE, Virginia, June 25, 1864. (See Wilson's Raid, Petersburg, Virginia)