The Utah Batteries: A History Part 6

The ferry which was to carry the soldiers to Oakland was ready before noon on the 17th, and early in the afternoon the engine of the special train gave a few premonitory puffs and the train full of returning warriors was moving towards Utah. The cars consisted of tourist sleepers for the men and a buffet Pullman for the officers and their friends.

Across the center car a streamer stretched, bearing the words, "The Utah Batteries."

Crowds gather at all the stations on the route and cheer the warriors.

There was some delay, but nothing of special import occurred during the trip.

Early on the 19th the soldiers were able to see for the first time the towering blue mountains of Utah and the splendor of her suns.h.i.+ne. It was nearly noon when the train drew up at the Ogden station, and the soldiers looked out over the heads of a cheering mult.i.tude and listened to shrill whistles signalling a joyous welcome. The reception here only lasted an hour, but was cordial in the extreme, and out on the Ogden park a tempting lunch was served by fair women of Ogden. Lieutenant George A. Seaman, formerly of Ogden, was given an ovation as he stepped down from the platform of the car. A special car conveying the Governor and a large party met the volunteers.

Two hours later the jubilation was complete. The volunteers saw at first a crowd and then a throng. They saw flaming streamers, flags fluttering and hats waving; they heard the diaphanous shriek of the steam whistles, the blaring of bands and the din of thousands cheering--all mingled in one chorus of praise and rejoicing. There were hurried handshakes and greetings and policemen's voices raised in fierce altercation with the crowd.

Soon with the cavalrymen and the engineers and the national guardsmen the batterymen had struggled into line. Horses were in waiting at the station for the officers and all were mounted in the parade. When the order to march could be heard through the tumult, the procession moved through a gayly decked arch at the station, and Majors Young and Grant rode side by side at the head of the battalion.

The crowd became more dense as the march continued towards Main street, and as far as Liberty Park thousands thronged the avenues. Excited relatives made a military formation impossible by rus.h.i.+ng into the ranks to grasp the hand of a veteran.

At the Park the day's ceremonies were held. There were speeches by the Governor and the two Majors, and here the silver medals which the Legislature decided should be presented to the fighting sons of the State were awarded. With the conclusion of the formal exercises, the volunteers were led to an elaborately prepared lunch on beflowered tables beneath the shadows of the locust trees, and while refreshments were being taken fair maidens who ministered at the feast pinned badges on the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of the modest volunteers.

That night the celebration reached its full blazonry. The city glowed and sparkled; gayly-bedecked, her flaunting colors were aurioled in the l.u.s.tres of the night; like an imperial palace, awaiting the return of victorious princes, the lights gleamed and burned into the darkness; and in the center a luminous monument, glowing like the smile of an archangel, stood in vivid brightness the arch of triumph.

When the men of Utah batteries pa.s.sed out into the darkness that night from the dazzle of color they knew that the glamor of the victorious home-coming, the shouts and the jubilation were over. Yet there was peace in their hearts and on their breast was a badge of honor from a grateful people. And when they slept that night there were in their dreams no spectral visions of distant battlefields. All that was closed.

OFFICERS OF THE BATTERIES.

MAJOR RICHARD W. YOUNG.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MAJOR RICHARD W. YOUNG.]

Major Richard W. Young, who left Utah as the ranking officer of the two batteries, being at that time Captain of Battery A, and who was afterward appointed Major commanding the battalion and still later selected as a.s.sociate Justice of the Supreme Court of Manila, is a native of this State, having been born April 19, 1858, his parents being Joseph A. Young (deceased), a son of the late Brigham Young, President of the Mormon Church, and Margaret Whitehead Young, who still survives her husband.

Major Young is a trained military man, having been educated at the military academy at West Point. For a time after his graduation he was a member of the staff of Major-General Hanc.o.c.k, at that time commanding the Department of the East. Later he acted as Judge-Advocate in the army and conducted the Swaim court-martial, which was a case celebrated at that time. He was then transferred to the Third Artillery and stationed here with his battery at Fort Douglas. He resigned the service to take up the practice of law, which he engaged in until he was selected as manager of the Herald, a place which he filled acceptably for some time, when he again resigned to practice law.

At the outbreak of the war with Spain he tendered his services to the Government and was later selected by the Governor of Utah to command Battery A. At Camp Kent he was the ranking officer and had entire charge of its affairs.

His services in the Philippines were of such a distinguished character that he was breveted Major by the President and later promoted to the complete rank.

When the batteries' term of service was nearly completed, he was designated by Major-General Otis as a.s.sociate Justice of the Supreme Court of Manila and came home with the volunteers to enjoy a vacation.

Major Young is the author of a standard work on military law written while he was a Lieutenant in the regular army. He is an able young man and one well liked and respected. He is exceedingly popular here in this city and State and outside of it.

His married life has been very happy. Eight children have been born to him and Mrs. Young, seven of whom are living.

MAJOR FRANK A. GRANT.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MAJOR FRANK A. GRANT.]

Frank A. Grant, who went away from Salt Lake City with the bars of a Captain, came home with the gold leaves of a Major in his shoulder strap. He is not a native of this State, but was born in Kingston, Ontario, forty-four years ago. He received his education at the military college of his native city and graduated therefrom. After leaving school he came to the United States, where he became a citizen, and settling at Detroit was engaged by one of the large steams.h.i.+p companies in the capacity of pilot. He was a well trained man in his business and followed the occupation for a period of ten years. He has lived in Utah for ten years. During that time he was engaged in real estate and insurance business, in both of which he made great successes.

At the time of the breaking out of hostilities he was a member of the National Guard of Utah, being Colonel of the First Infantry. Previous to this time he had held a position as staff officer on the brigade commander's staff, and was always a valuable man in military matters. It was due princ.i.p.ally to his efforts that Troop C was organized in this city and made a success.

Governor Wells commissioned him as Captain of Battery B, and with that rank he went into the field. Like Major Young he was breveted by the President for distinguished service and later was promoted to the full rank of Major, coming home in command of the battalion.

As commander of the river fleet Major Grant performed excellent service, his expedition up the Rio Grande de Pampanga being especially well carried out. Since his return he has gone into his old business--that of insurance--and expresses himself as having had enough of military life.

He is married and has six children.

CAPTAIN E.A. WEDGEWOOD.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTAIN E.A. WEDGEWOOD.]

Captain E.A. Wedgewood, who was promoted to the command of Battery A after the promotion of Major Young, left the State as First Lieutenant of Battery B. He is a native of Ma.s.sachusetts, about forty years of age and an attorney-at-law, being the junior partner of the firm of Rawlins, Thurman, Hurd & Wedgewood. Immediately prior to his coming to Utah he had served as Sheriff for several terms in the State of Nebraska. He selected Provo for his home on coming to Utah and after entering the law office of George Sutherland in that city and being admitted to the bar, a.s.sociated himself with Hon. S.R. Thurman. Later on the present firm was formed.

Captain Wedgewood was the officer sent back from San Francisco to Utah to recruit 104 men in order to bring the batteries to their full strength. Upon returning to San Francisco the party embarked and joined the commands in Manila.

Captain Wedgewood was a member of the National Guard prior to the time of his enlistment, being Captain of the Provo company at the State encampment the year previous. He is said to be a most versatile character and can do anything from playing the violin to patching a sail or pleading a case in court. It was expected he would rejoin the National Guard, but it is learned he has had enough of military honors and will engage in the practice of his profession with a view to reaping shekels for use in his old age.

CAPTAIN JOHN F. CRITCHLOW.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTAIN JOHN F. CRITCHLOW.]

Captain John F. Critchlow left the State with the batteries a Second Lieutenant. He came back here leading Battery B. His promotion was due to distinguished service performed while abroad. He was specially recommended for gallantry by Major Young and for coolness on the field under circ.u.mstances of the most trying character.

Captain Critchlow was born in Tonawanda, N.Y., in 1867, and is only 32 years of age. He attended the Rochester University and after graduating from that inst.i.tution went to the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied medicine for several years, graduating in 1894 with the degree of M.D. For the next year and a half he was in the German hospital at Philadelphia, where he was enabled to obtain a practical insight into the mysteries of materia medica, and upon leaving there he came to this city, where his brother, E.B. Critchlow, a prominent attorney, was already established in business.

Dr. Critchlow became a member of the National Guard some time after his arrival, being attached to the medical staff with the rank of First Lieutenant. He proved to be a valuable and efficient member, always on the alert and endeared himself to all his a.s.sociates.

When the call was made for troops he enlisted in Battery B and was made a Second Lieutenant in that organization.

His services in the Philippines were valuable. On the night attack of the Spanish it was Lieutenant Critchlow who brought the ammunition to the firing line at the time when it was most needed. In every place to which he was a.s.signed he was always at the fore and his conspicuous bravery was the subject of special commendation, as has been related.

Upon the promotion of Captain Grant to the rank of Major, he was advanced to that of Captain, coming home in command of the organization with which he went out as a Second Lieutenant.

LIEUTENANT GEORGE W. GIBBS.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUTENANT GEORGE W. GIBBS.]

First Lieutenant George W. Gibbs of Battery A is a well-known character in this State, in Montana and in Ma.s.sachusetts, his old home, where he was born. His father was a veteran of the War of the Rebellion and George was a member of the order in Montana, having been department commander with the rank of colonel. He has always been interested in matters appertaining to the National Guard; was a member of an infantry regiment in Ma.s.sachusetts, a Captain of a troop of cavalry in Montana and Captain of Battery A, N.G.U., and Major of the battalion at the outbreak of hostilities with Spain.

He was at one time chief of the fire department in Helena and was a member of the Salt Lake City department at the time W.A. Stanton was its chief, being captain of the chemical. He afterwards served as Deputy Sheriff when Harvey Hardy was at the head of that department.

Gibbs is forty-one years of age and married. Two children, a boy and a girl, are the result of a union with a most estimable lady.

Prior to coming to this city and before he went to Montana he was in Colorado, where he was employed as a sheriff's officer, serving with distinction. He spent some time in San Francisco, where he was in the employ of one of the leading traction companies.