of war as lieutenant-colonel. He was unwearied in his endeavors to give it the most effective discipline, and to make it one of the most efficient regiments in the army. In the disastrous battle of Ball's Bluff, he behaved with the greatest coolness and courage. As stated in a former chapter, he was so severely wounded in that battle that his leg was amputated below the knee.

Rendered incapable of service in the field for several months by this wound, he yet, as soon as possible, and while suffering much, became very active and successful in securing recruits for the Fifteenth Regiment, besides rendering great assistance in organizing new regiments. Friends advised him to resign, but his cagerness to be in the field was such that he joined the army on the Rappahannock, before he was really well enough for service in the field. He was placed in command of a brigade. He remained actively in command, and in spite of pain and weakness, marched with the army from Falmouth to Gettysburg. A letter from the latter place, dated just before the battle, stated that Colonel Ward was quite unwell, but he could not be kept from sharing the danger and doing the duty of a soldier in that great and prolonged contest. He commanded a brigade, and was at the head of his men in the thickest and fiercest of the battle on Thursday. He was in Gibbon's Division of the Second Corps. He handled his men with the utmost coolness and skill, and fought with the most determined bravery. About six o'clock in the afternoon, a minie-ball struck him in the thigh and severed the femoral artery. He bled to death, though he lived in an insensible condition until the next morning.

The following particulars respecting his death are gathered from a narrative drawn up by George A. Macker, a member of the Fifteenth, and put into the hands of Mrs. Ward. It seems that the death of General Reynolds, near the close of the first day of the protracted battle of Gettysburg, necessitated a change of corps and division commanders, by which arrangement Colonel Ward was put in command of a brigade. His troops arrived at the scene of action about eight

o'clock, on the morning of the second day of the fight. They halted about half a mile in rear of the First Corps, which was in line of battle. Says the narrative, "We halted, got our breakfast, and slept, those who could. Those who could not were glad enough to lie down, as we had marched about one hundred and fifty miles that week. It was a wet, rainy day. About two o'clock we were called into line, and an order from General Meade was read to us, telling us we must fight, for if we lost, all was lost." The contest was opened by Sickles, about four in the afternoon. Not long after, Colonel Ward received orders to take two regiments of his brigade, and advance to the front in an open field. One of these regiments was his own, the Fifteenth. The regiment was flanked by the and enemy, was very near being taken. Our loss was very heavy, as we had to stand fire from all directions. At this time, while the colonel was doing all he could to rally the men, he fell."

Macker immediately went to his help, when the colonel said, "Do help me off." He could stand, but was not able to walk. With the help of another soldier, he was taken to the division hospital, where they arrived about eight o'clock in the evening. It was found that Colonel Ward was wounded back of the right knee. He had bound his leg with a handkerchief and there was no bleeding. By direction of the surgeon, he was laid under an apple-tree, on hay obtained from a neighboring barn which was full of wounded men. His blankets, taken from his horse, were spread on the hay, and then he was covered by Macker's blanket. Here he rested and drank some water, and expressed himself as feeling better. He also drank a little coffee which had been prepared for him. The night was changing into day before any perceptible alteration was visible. Colonel Ward slept several hours. About three o'clock a change was noticed by Macker, who called the surgeon. At half past four in the morning the spirit of the brave and capable soldier passed away. His remains were brought home, and were laid in the grave with suitable honors.

The funeral services took place in Salem Street Church, on

Wednesday, July 8, and the general sympathy with his mourning relatives, and the great sorrow at his death, were manifested by the attendance of a large concourse of people. The citizens in the street were most deeply impressed with the "solemn spectacle of the funeral procession, with its mournful music, the brave heroes following their comrade to his last resting-place, the riddled colors of the regiment, and the long train of relatives and friends."

The church was crowded by a solemn assembly. The pulpit and galleries were appropriately decorated with black and white. Flowers in abundance were formed into beautiful bouquets, and opposite the pulpit the name of "Ward" was suspended, surrounded by a wreath of white lilies and other white flowers. There were three floral crosses in front of the pulpit.

The coffin, on which were two swords, the cap and other military equipments of the deceased, was draped in the American flag, and covered with a profusion of white wreaths and bouquets. Surrounding the pulpit on either side, were the tattered and battle-stained standards of the regiment.

The services began at half-past four o'clock, Rev. Mr. Richardson reading a portion of scripture and offering prayer. Rev. Dr. Hill read an appropriate hymn. The discourse was by Rev. Mr. St. John, who, after an appropriate introduction respecting the great doctrine of immortality, gave a rapid sketch of the life of Colonel Ward, from the time of his first joining the City Guards in June 1846, till his heroic death. He was characterized by the preacher, as brave and generous, and as held in high esteem by all his comrades. In closing he said: "Let the blessings of heaven rest upon him. Bright in the galaxy of names making glorious our country's history, shall forever stand proudly the name of WARD. Well might General Sedgwick say, 'When I wanted anything done and could not go myself, I sent the Ffteenth Massachusetts, and everything was well done.' The best test of their bravery was the fact that in the several battles in which they won such immortal honors, their ranks were so reduced that at