Newspaper Article of Valiant Soldier, Captain B G BLOWNEY Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Janice Buchanan Unknown Waukegan Newspaper: VALIANT SOLDIER Gen. J. C. Smith Tells Some Characteristic Anecdotes. THE SPIRIT OF WAR TIMES. CAPT. B. G. BLOWNEY, PRESENTED WITH SWORD IN '62, WRITES LETTER. At the funeral of Captain B. G. Blowney, Gen. J. C. Smith spoke of his old comrade in the most feeling terms. He said he was both a Christian and a valiant soldier. He spoke of finding him on the battlefield of Chicakamauga, with his face covered with blood, and the grim of battle, and a few men gathered around him, and he asked: "Is this all your company, lieutenant?" Captain Blowney answered: "All, Major, the rest are there, and he pointed over the battlefield. As the general related this, his voice broke and his feelings overcame him. It was some time before he could proceed with his remarks. There were few dry eyes in the audience. He said that just forty years to a day before his death, Captain Blowney stood in the smoke of conflict and three of his company were shop down. The names of those shot were First Sergt. Aaron Scott, Corp. Henry H. Gage and Private Wm. Noble. When Captain Blowney entered the service, and while his regiment was still at Rockford, he was presented a sword by the writers of the following letter: Waukegan, Sept 8th, 1862. Lieutenant Blowney --- Please accept this instrument of war, to fight the enemies of our country, and may it never --- be sheathed until the enemy is subdued and the Union remains inseparable, and our country becomes, in truth as wall as in name, "The land of the free and the home of the brave." Yours truly, George Kirk W. H. Ellis S. M. Dowst Jos. Mallon D. Brewster Of the five who signed this letter, four are dead. Daniel Brewster is still with us, hale and hearty at the age of eighty-three, respected and honored by all. He was at Captain Blowney's funeral, and how his mind must have traveled back to the time which tried men's soul. To this letter Lieut. Blowney replied as follows: Friends --- I accept this sword, hoping to wield it this justice to my country and honor to myself. We have our mission as a nation, not for a day, but for all time, to vindicate the honor, the power and the good name of the Republic; to show not only how a good government can be formed, but how it can be maintained. We have all the elements of true greatness, of glorious success, of national power. We have hitherto scarcely lifted an avenging sword, but it is now, at least, uplifted in the most sacred cause for which battle was ever waged, and when it falls who shall describe its effect! The cry to arms is resounding throughout the land; in response to that call and for the honor of my country's flag, I forsake the endearments of home, the embrace of loved ones, and the associations of the most pleasant nature, to go forth as a soldier of my country, to risk my life on the battlefield, and share the exposure and hardship of camp life. If I fall in defense of that flag, or if wounded by my country's foe, I shall have the consciousness of having done my duty, which will ease the pain of dying, or soothe and comfort me in the hours of suffering. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Janice Buchanan