Glass E^- Q^5 ., Book ^ , ^fh ^r^/^ i^^^ ^^^^^^B ^^b^^^h^^Hp^ ' ^"Phh^^^ .^^^H ^^^^B^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^« V . . i^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H „^0f^*^^ . ;1^^| b ^Vf^^^^^kldid^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H Hn ilDemoriam Caepet Ibauset (f onrab /Dajor CommanMna, 8tb irnfantr^, TH. S. H. TRUbo McO 0/7 the U. S. Transport OLIVETTE, August 15, 1898, from malarial i fever, contracted on an errand of mercy, at Santiago de Cuba. Buried at Sea, August 18, 1898. ' Soldier, yet friend of Peace! Of soul sincere; In action fearless, and in honor clear; Who broke no promise, served no private end; Who sought no title, and who lost no friend. Ennobled by himself, by all approved, Praised, mourned, and honored by the troops he loved. T/ dom of fIDajor Conrab'e last telegram to bi0 mate. Well. Contented. Use no influence for my advance- ment. If my services on July ist do not warrant it, I don't wish it. C. H. C. July 30th, 1898. >i* >i< ^ Casper IbaUjer COnrab, an American soldier, was born at Stone Ridge, near Kingston, Ulster County, New York, March 30, 1844. He came of old Holland- Dutch stock, his ancestors having lived in the state for several generations. His father, Gideon F. Conrad, filled for several years, and with much credit, the office of Sheriff of Ulster County. Thrown upon his own resources by his father's death, the lad of tender years learned the printer's trade, being employed in the office of the Kingston Argus when the Civil War broke out. The patriotism and decision which marked his entire life was very strong in the boy of seventeen. He enlisted in the 120th New York Volunteers (Gen- eral George H. Sharp's regiment), and served in it for most of the war. Early remarkable for his fearless gallantry in action, he took part unscathed in all the principal engagements of the Army of the Potomac, at Chancellorsville performing an act of self-sacrificing heroism, such as the rulers of Europe reward with the Victoria Cross, the Cross of the Legion of Honor and the Iron Cross. Finding a corporal of his regiment severely wounded and in a place of danger, not only of capture by the enemy, but of cremation in the burning thicket, the boy private caught a riderless horse, led it, under heavy fire, to his wounded comrade's side and support- ing him in the saddle, took the wounded man to a place of safety in the rear. Wounded in a subsequent engage- ment and severely sunstruck on the march to Gettysburg, he was, against his wishes, invalided to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Detailed in Washington, his manly bearing and frank, open features attracted the notice of Assistant Secretary of War, Charles Anderson Dana, a keen and discriminating judge of men. Through his offices the young soldier was sent to President Johnson as one of his executive clerks, and for his aptitude and integrity was speedily placed in charge of the important pardon bureau. Performing his duties with that thoroughness which marked his entire career, he was rewarded with a first lieutenant's commission in the 35th U. S. Infantry on April 13, 1867, and proceeding to his regiment in Texas, commenced his long and honorable career of service in the West. Commanding his company in action with hostile Apaches in July, 1880, he won oificial commenda- tion in orders for his gallant and soldierly conduct. Remote from civilization, in advance of the railroad and telegraph, he was one of that band of heroes in blue, who won for a growing nation its golden West. Only the Great Commander has recorded their trials, perils and marches, in blizzard and "norther," in heat and flood and drought. America's waste places witnessed their heroic fortitude and their good swords won the prairies for the farmer's plough. Marrying in the 70's, his two sons were early dedicated to the flag he served, and at last, in 1891, stationed on the shores of Lake Michigan, the war- worn soldier, settled amid civilization and beauteous scenery, happy indeed in an ideal home circle, began to reap, as it were, some reward for his years of hard- ship and toil. The American Railroad Union Riots of 1894 found him as ready to repress domestic disorder as to defeat civil war. His intrepid resoluteness saved much blood- shed, speedily dispersed the riotous mobs and reopened three of the most important railroads to traffic. Duty again took him to Arizona just as the shoulder- straps of second lieutenants were placed on his two sons' blouses, and for a time he waited at Fort Huachuca for the well-earned oak leaves on his own straps. Then came a detail in Washington, where his soldierly figure was marked by the attaches of Europe as well as by his own countrymen. He had completed thirty years' service and was entitled to well-earned retirement on his own request. But the veteran of the Civil War was fated once more to hear the bugles blow the advance. In the war with Spain his country's call was imperative to his ears, and first sending one son to gain commendation at the storming of Manila and then the other to come near perishing from typhoid fever in a Southern camp, he bade farewell to his wife and little daughter and assumed command of the 8th Infantry at Tampa. Sailing with the American army to the attack on Santiago, Major Conrad, at the head of his regiment, was the first to land at Daiquiri on June 22, 1898. Through all that fierce bush fighting around Santiago he held the extreme right of the line, exposed to the flank attack of General Pando's reinforcing columns as well as to the pitiless hail of sharpshooting guerillas and the entrenched Spaniards. At the battle of El Caney, July i, 1898, his gallant bravery was as marked as at Chancellorsville. Erect on the firing line, to encourage his admiring but less ex- perienced men, his bravery and his solicitude for the wounded won the praise of all. On a day when every line officer was a hero and when the regimental officers and the enlisted men won the day by sheer force of valor, he was noted by his brigade commander as one of the bravest of the brave. Then came the days of capitulation and weary waiting amid the hills, when yellow fever and malaria stalked through the army and the wants of the sick were great. Suffering himself from malarial fever, a mission of mercy, higher than duty, took him to Santiago City, personally to secure medicines and delicacies for his sick and wounded men. His iron frame drooped beneath the torrid sky and he was taken to a hospital ship semi-conscious only, and sinking from acute dysentery and Cuban fever. Transferred to the U. S. Hospital Ship Olivette, he sank into unconsciousness and died August 15, 1898, in tile 54th year of iiis age, in full view of the hills of the Pearl of the Antilles that he had helped to free. He was buried at sea August 18, with full military honors and the services of the Episcopal Church of America. Thus, in the prime of life, and all too soon, fell one of the noblest of an army famed for its self-sacrific- ing heroes. Veteran of one of the world's greatest conflicts, victor in peace and in Indian expeditions, though entitled to an honorable retirement, and having two brave sons serving the flag, his response to his country's call was as vigorous as when as a boy of seventeen he faced South and feared nothing. First regimental commander to land at Daiquiri, all through that fierce campaign this Bayard of the infantry held the extreme right of the line. Sans peiir et sans reproche, like his famous prototype, he stood on the firing line as erect as one of the forest pines of his native county. His solicitude for the wounded was as marked as his bravery in action. He was one of those true soldiers who would not allow his men to rust in peace, nor to rot in hospitals in war. So, too, as to another martyr-soldier, (Lord Raglan), the sufferings of his men were as iron entering his own soul. "His life was given to his country as much as though he had lost it in the cactus around Daiquiri, in the heat of the attack on El Caney, or in the rifle-pits where he stood erect for hours. He was a gentle, gallant and brave man, a masterful officer, a soldier who never ' shirked a duty, nor sought an honor.' " His highest ideal — a self-sacrificing devotion to his duty — let these pages and a grateful nation attest how fully that ideal was attained. His burial place was perhaps such as he himself would have chosen, for the soldier who had often faced death in its most grewsome forms, shrank from the graveyard as much as he loved the restless sea. The surges of the blue Caribbean sound his requiem — a threnody enduring until "the sea shall give up its dead." One who knew him well and loved him much has begged of his loved ones the boon of penning the foregoing brief and imperfect tribute to his sterling worth. Fortunate, indeed, must the country be es- teemed that gives birth to sons as steadfastly patriotic and to soldiers as brave as this ftiultless hero. In war fearless as a lion, in peace as tender as a little child, v/ho shall say that the ages of chivalry possessed a paladin more perfect, than this intrepid and self-sacrificing American soldier? S. C. W. ^^ -^'--r^-L. "WHERB VALOR PROUDLY SLBBP5.' arm^ 1Rccor^ an^ Servicee, ' His nobleness he had of none,— War's master taught him war, And nobler praise that Master gave than meaner lips can mar. Gone to his rest — his duty done. — If further any seek He left his life to answer them— A soldier's !— let it speak ! " Caepcr Ibauser Conra^, bom at stone Ridge, near Kingston, Ulster County, N. Y., March 30, 1844. Learned the printer's trade. Enlisted in Company "I," 1 20th N. Y. Volunteers (Ulster regiment, Washington Guards, raised by Gen. G. H. Sharp), August 18, 1862. Mustered into U. S. service, Aug. 20, 1862. Left N. Y. State, August 24, 1862. Served in Whipple's Brigade, Defences of Washington, D. C, until Septem- ber, -when the 120th N. Y. formed part of the celebrated old "Excelsior" (Sickle's) Brigade, 2d Brigade, 2d Division, Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September, 1862, to March, 1864. Took part in all the battles and marches of the Army of the Potomac from November 2, 1862, up to the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. (These included the first and second battles of Fredericksburg, December 11-15, 1862, and the battle of Rappahannock Station). Distinguished for heroic conduct at Chancellorsville, May 1-3, 1863. Slightly disabled at the first battle of Fredericksburg, December 11, 1862. Severely sunstruck en route to Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 ; sent to Fairfax Seminary Hos- pital, Alexandria, Va., and found unfit for further field service. Transferred to Company "B," ist Veteran Reserve Corps, April 8, 1864. Detailed as clerk and ordered to report to General Martindale, commanding at Washington, April 24, 1864. Relieved and ordered to report to General C. C. Auger, Commanding Department at Washington, December 20, 1864. Relieved and de- tailed as clerk in the office of the Executive Mansion, June 19, 1865. Honorably discharged from U. S. Vol- unteer Service, August 31, 1865. Appointed clerk to President Johnson, August i, 1865. Commissioned ist Lieut., 35th Infantry, U. S. A., April 13, 1867. Joined Company "1," San Antonio, Tex., July 17, 1867. Com- manded company until April i, 1869. Stationed at Fort McKavett, Tex., March, 1868, to October 26, 1868, thence until July 3, 1869, at San Antonio, Tex. Marched to Fort Concho, Tex., whereon August 12, 1869, the 15th and 35th regiments of U. S. Infantry were consolidated. Transferred to 15th Infantry and marched to Fort Sheldon, N. M., September 27, 1869. Assumed command Com- pany "I," 15th Infantry, September 30, 1869. Marched to Fort Stanton, N. M., arriving there October 6, 1869. Appointed A. A. Q. M. and A. C. S. of the post at Fort Stanton, December 1, 1869, and continued toper- form these duties until February 9, 1871. Detailed on General Recruiting Service, February 9, 1871, reporting March 6, 187 1, to General R. T. Granger (then Lieut. Col., i6th U. S. Infantry), Western Superintendent Newport Barracks, Ky. Ordered to Marietta, O., in charge of Recruiting Rendezvous there. Transferred same to Dayton, O., April i, 1871. Relieved and ordered to Newport Barracks, Ky., for duty, August i, 1871. Appointed Depot Q. M. ; A. C. S. and Depot Adjutant and remained on duty there until relieved and ordered to join 15th Infantry, April 20, 1873. Appointed A. A. Q. M. and A. C. S. at Fort Stanton, N. M., August i, 1873, until December 31, 1873. Ordered to Fort Sheldon, N. M., December 31, 1873. Appointed A. A. Q. M. and A. C. S. at Fort Sheldon in July, 1875. Remained there, commanding post until March 31, 1876. Appointed Captain "C" Company, 15th U. S. Infantry, January 23, 1876. Assumed command at Fort Union, N. M. , May 6, 1876. Stationed there until December 31, 1877. Took station at Fort Bliss, Tex., January 17, 1878, com- manding post from May 2, 1878, to July 4, 1878. Sta- tioned at Fort Stanton, N. M., December 3, 1878, until May 16, 1879. On sick leave May 25, 1879, until May 25, 1880. At Mescalero Indian Agency July 22 to 29, 1880, commanding troops and Indians, (mentioned in orders and commended for gallant conduct in action). At South Fork, N. M., November 12, 1880. On detached service at Fort Stanton, N. M., from December 21, 1880. Reported sick at Fort Stanton, February 7, 1881. On sick leave March 27, 1881, to March 27, 1882. Rejoined Company "C," Fort Lyon, Col., April i, 1882. Ordered to Fort Randall, D. T., November 3, 1882. Took station there November 19, 1882. Commanding post at Fort Randall, May 20 to September 10, 1884. On General Courts Martial at Fort Meade, D. T., April 15 to 29, 1886, and May 24 to June 13, 1887. Stationed at Fort Sully, S. D., July 17 to August s, 1887, guarding post while nth and 12th U. S. Infantry regiments were changing stations. On leave October 16 to November 13, 1887. Commanded post at Fort Randall, S. D., from September 25, 1888, to May 3, 1889, and from September 9, 1890, to May 2 1 , 1 89 1 . Left Fort Randall, S. D. , May 21, 1 89 1 , and took station, on transfer east of the 15th U. S. Infan- try, at Fort Sheridan, Ills., May 24, 1891. Stationed at World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, guarding Spanish relics stored in the reproduction of the Convent of Santa Maria de la Rabida in 1893. Com- manded Company "C," 15th Infantry, U. S. A., in the American Railroad Union Riots in July, 1894, being in charge of Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, and New York, Chicago and St. Louis (Nickel Plate) Railroads. Engaged with rioting miners at Spring Valley, Ills., and with mobs at Blue Island, Ills., Whiting, Ind., and in Chicago while guard- ing trains and operating patrolling train. (Highly com- mended by Major-General Miles and thanked by railroad authorities, for gallant and soldierly conduct and firm but temperate control of rioters). Stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., on transfer of 15th Infantry, from October 19, 1896, to June i, 1897. Promoted Major, 8th Infantry, October 6, 1897. Transferred to Inspector General's Office of War Department, July 16, 1897. De- tailed to supervise encampment and instruct West Vir- ginia State troops, September, 1897. (Officially thanked by Adjutant-General of W. Va.) Joined 8th U. S. Infan- try at Chickamauga, May 2, 1898. Moved with regiment to Tampa, Fla., and assumed command of 8th U. S. Infantry, May 27, 1898. Embarked for Santiago de Cuba, June 14th, 1898. Landed in command of 8th Infantry at Daiquiri, June 22, 1898. Took part in all engagements, as holding extreme right of line, including Battle of El Caney, July i, 1898. (Highly commended for gallant and soldierly conduct by Major-Generals Lawton and Ludlow.) Reported sick with acute dysentery and severe malarial (Cuban) fever, August 8, 1898. Removed to U. S. Hospital-ship, Los Angeles, and thence trans- ferred to U. S. Hospital-ship Olivette, August 15, 1898. Died at sea, August 15, 1898. Buried at sea with military honors, August 18, 1898. " HB CAVE HIS LIFB TO HIS COUNTRY." ©tftctal Commenbattons auD XIributes from ifellow SolDiers. From the Records of a Reunion of the i20th New York Volunteers. ''During the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 1-3, 1863, Corporal G. A. Hart, of this regiment, was severely wounded and would have been left on the field. Private Casper Hauzer Conrad comprehended the situa- tion and, amid a storm of bullets, caught a riderless horse belonging to a colonel who had been killed, threw the wounded man over the saddle, and succeeded in carrying him beyond range of the enemy." Extract from General Orders No. 13, Headquarters ijth Infantry, Fort Stanton, N. M., December 14TH, 1880: ' 'The Regimental Commander takes great pleasure in expressing to the Command his high appreciation and commendation of the gallantry and soldierly conduct of Captain C .H. Conrad, 15th Infantry, and his Command, consisting of his Company (C), in an engagement with hostile Indians at the Mescalero Indian Agency, on December 2d, 1880. "By order of Colonel Buell, "Geo. H. KiNziE, "1st Lieutenant and Adjutant 15th Infantry." Extract from a Letter from Colonel Warren G. Purdy, President Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, Chicago. "At the time of the Strike Riots in this city in 1894, Major Conrad and his Company performed most excellent service in maintaining order on the tracks of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company. " Mr. H. A. Parker, our second vice-president, has charge of these tracks and, during the riots, was brought into daily and often hourly contact with Major Conrad (who was then a Captain in the 15th In- fantry, U. S. A.)- " At my request, Mr. Parker has addressed a letter to me stating his opinion of Captain Conrad's services at that time. I take pleasure in forwarding that letter and also stating that the officers of this Com- pany fully endorse the testimony of Mr. Parker, as expressed in his letter. "W. G. PURDY, Chicago, November 14, 1898. "President." Extract from a Letter from Col. H. A. Parker, Second Vice-President Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company. "Recalling the services of Major Casper H. Conrad with his Com- pany during the Chicago riots in 1894, 1 beg to state that Captain (since Major) Conrad and his Company did most excellent service with us and endeared himself to all who were with him by his coolness, bravery, good judgment and his absolute justice to all with whom he was thrown in contact. " I think the rioters learned to respect as well as fear him. With a less discreet officer, I think we should have had bloodshed on the fifth and sixth of July, when, for hours at a time, he and his company were surrounded by a howling mob of rioters seemingly bent on mischief. "As we look back at these turbulent days it seems almost miracu- lous that there was no more bloodshed, and I think this was largely the result of Captain Conrad's cool head and good judgment. I was with the Captain much of the time and he impressed me, and I shall always remember him as a gentleman in every respect and an ideal soldier. " H. A. Parker, Chicago, November 14, 1898. "Vice-President." Extract FROM a Letter from Colonel H. A. Theaker, U. S. A. "I knew the late Major C. H. Conrad, 8th U. S. Infantry, for many years. I was his commanding officer in the isth Infantry for two years; during this period we were at the same post. " He was one of the best officers in every respect that I have ever known, efficient in every respect and detail, and as a tactician and drill officer, he had few equals and no superiors. His death was a great loss to the Army. " H. A. Theakbr, "Colonel U. S. Army." Detroit, IVIich., November, 1898. Extract from a letter Addressed to the Adjutant-General U. S. A., After the Detail of Major Conrad and Captain Chas. G. Ayres, with the National Guard of West Virginia in September, 1897. " Permit me to thank you for your selection of such thorough soldiers and courteous gentlemen for this service. Their teaching and example have been ol great use to us, winning the respect and affec- tion of our officers, and will be productive of lasting good to our organization. "John W. IVl. Appleton, Brig.-Gen. "Adj. -Gen. West Va." Extract from a Letter from Major-General William Ludlow, U. S. V. " I would like for my own satisfaction to tell you what a splendid and gallant soldier your husband was, and how we all mourned over his untimely fate. He was the finest looking officer we had, and his gallant bearing at the head of his regiment was only equaled by the coolness and perfection with which he put his men into action and controlled their movements. Both commanded my unqualified admira- tion and 1 was proud to have him in my Brigade.'' . . . . "He possessed in full measure the virtues ot a soldier — fine courage — cool judgment — imperturbable self-possession — prompt decision — complete knowledge of his business. Master alike of circumstances, and of his men for whom his care was unremitting, nothing could be finer than his handling of his regiment at El Caney on July ist, or the resolute steadiness and soldierly ability with which he deployed and held his men under fire and pushed them forward against the Spanish trenches. His services on that one day should have given him two full grades of promotion, which he would doubtless have received had he survived the Cuban fever to which in the end he had to succumb. "His memory is the valued possession of the best traditions of that service that loves simple and manly deeds, and treasures them in its recollection, whatever may be the lapses of an ever busy and forgetful world. " William Ludlow, October, 1898. "Major-General, U. S. V." Extract from a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel J. W. Powell, U. S. A. ''That Major Conrad, with his grand physique and always correct life and superb health, should have been a victim to fever was indeed a shock to me. Major Conrad's instincts were those of a soldier throughout, and every fibre of his body was for correct duty. Too, too, grievous that we have lost him so early. Would that there were more like him in the army! "J. W Powell, "Lieut.-Colonel 15th Infantry." Fort Apache, Arizona, August 29th, 1898. Extract from a Letter from Major-General Lawton, U. S. V. " The Commander of the Brigade, in his official report of the battle of El Caney, recommends Major Conrad as follows: 'With so brilliant a record for all concerned, it is difficult for me to discriminate as to individual mention, but justice requires that attention be called to the fine manner in which Major Conrad of the 8th handled his command.' " This recommendation was heartily approved by me. " H. W. Lawton, August, 1898. "Major-General U. S. V." Extract from a Letter from Major-General J. C. Breckinridge, U. S. V. Inspector-General, U. S. A. " Both my service with Major Conrad in the office and in the field proved his splendid qualities, and his magnificent physique seemed to insure him a long life, and his family a happy one. "J. C. Breckinridge, August, 1898. " « Major-General U. S. V." Extract from a Letter from Lieutenant G. W. Kirkman, Adjutant 8th U. S. Infantry. "No where did he more win our regard, esteem and admiration than he did in the fierce battle of El Caney. I was with him the whole day, and with all the deepest feelings of admiration will I bear testimony to his distinguished bravery, his perfect indifference to danger, his tendernes^ to the wounded of my company, and his heroic bearing which made him, on a day when every officer was a hero, the bravest of the brave. These are no simple words spoken in sorrow after his untimely end. I said them long before. "Geo. Wycherly Kirkman, October 17, 1898. " ist Lieutenant 8th U. S. Infantry." ^ LBl-e K Hn ni>emoriam >¥ Casper IDauser Conrab flDajor CommanMng, 8tb flnfantrp, 'm. S. a. * " Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking; Dream of battlefields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking." ,r \ I