OBITUARY
BRIG-GEN. JAMES C. RICE.
Amongst the dead who fell in Tuesday's battle
in Virginia was Gen. James C. Rice, of this city, one
of the bravest, truest, noblest spirits this country
has seen--a man as simple in his ways, so entirely
devoted to his country, so fearless and determined in
battle, so true and and genuine a man and so thoroughly
a soldier, that, without family or political influence,
and without personal effort, his own merits raised
him from the position of private in the Thirty-
ninth New-York Regiment to that of one of the
most trusted and respected Brigadiers in the
Army of the Potomac. he fought in every battle
in which that army was engaged, except that
of Antietam; he bore the brunt of many terrible con-
flicts; on many occasions received through his
clothing, but was never touched in his person til,
in the charge which he lead on Tuesday, he was shot
in the thigh. He died shortly after amputation had
been performed--his last words the request, "Turn
me over that I may die with my face to the enemy."
In him the country has lost not only a true and brave
soldier, but a devoted citizen--a man who under-
stood the full meaning of liberty--who was a demo-
crat in the best and truest sense of the word.
Gen. Rice was a native of Worthington, Mass.--
one of a large family of children whos mother, at
the age of eighty-two, still lives to mourn her son.
He passed his early life in a struggle to gain an edu-
cation, finally entered Yale and graduated with the
highest honors; shortly afterward he went to
Natchez, Miss., where he taught school, edited the
literary department of a paper, and learned to hate
Slavery with a deep hatred. Returning North,
after several years of Southern life, he began the
practice of law in this city, and worked his way
up to a fine practice and proud position in the junior
bar.
Maintained by
Sue Greenhagen.
E-mail:
greenhsh@morrisville.edu