THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, May 3, 1898, page 4 GEN. WALCUTT. DEATH COMES UPON HIM WHILE IN OMAHA. An Old Army Wound Finally Claims Its Victim for Eternity. He was one of Ohio's Most Renowned Soldiers and One of Columbus' Distinguished Citizens. General Charles C. Walcutt is dead. As was anticipated by those who knew of the depleted physical condition of the old warrior he could not rally from the shock attending the amputation of his limb. At Omaha, Nebraska, yesterday afternoon, surrounded by devoted sisters and children, the hero of a score of hard fought battles of the recent war, and the youngest of the major generals of the volunteer army of the rebellion, surrendered to the Ruler of All. It seems a hard stroke of fate, that he whom had loved and served his country so well should be stricken at the time that the world was learning of a triumph in battle [during the Spanish American War], that would to him have been the greatest satisfaction. General Walcutt had been on an extended trip through the southwest and Mexico, and was returning home when his condition became so precarious in Omaha, that he was compelled to remain there. He was accompanied by a sister, Mrs. Virginia Gay of this city. He was suffering from gangrene resulting from a wound and about ten days ago an amputation was neccessary. He seemed to stand the operation with his characteristic fortitude, and hopes for a time were bright for his recovery, but they were soon dissipated by a complete physical exhaustion. General Walcutt was born in Columbus February 12, 1838. He attended the public schools of his native city until 1854, when he was sent to the Kentucky Military Institute, near Frankfort, Ky., where he graduated in 1858. Before the opening of the rebellion he took much interest in the state militia, and commanded a volunteer company in Columbus, called the videttes. This company subsequently furnished several valuable officers to the army. After graduating his intention was to become a civil engineer but on the 15th of April, 1861, three days after the fire on Fort Sum[p]ter, he commenced recruiting a company, and on the 17th its organization was complete. Governor Dennison being aware of young Walcutt's military knowledge, appointed him inspector with the rank of major and assigned him to duty with Brigadier General Charles W. [Hill], in West Virginia. On the 8th of August, 1861 he was appointed major of the Forty-sixth of Ohio, but, before the regiment was ready for the field, he was made lieutenant colonel. In February, 1862, he joined General Sherman at Paducah, and in March he moved with the fleet up the Tennessee. On the first day of the battle of Pittsburgh Landing Lieutenant Colonel Walcutt was wounded severely by a ball in the left shoulder. In September, 1862, he was made colonel of the regiment. He participated in the campaign under General Grant into central Mississippi, and was engaged frequently in raiding in northern Mississippi, his command being mounted. He was ordered to Vicksburg on the first of June, 1863, but at the time of surrender he was operating against General Johnston, and he subsequently participated in the capture of Jackson. Colonel Walcutt's regiment was attached to the Second brigade, Fourth division, Fifteenth army corps and in September he moved with the corps to the relief of Chattanooga. At the battle of Mission Ridge the brigade, under General Corse, assaulted the enemy's works on the 24th and 25th of November. The most severe assault was on the 25th, in which General Corse was wounded and the command of the brigade fell into the hands of Colonel Walcutt. In his official report General Sherman said: "The fight raged furiously about 10 a.m. when General Corse received a severe wound and was brought off the field, and the command of the brigade, and of the assault at that key point devolved upon that fine, young gallant officer, Colonel Walcutt, of the Forty-sixth Ohio, who filled his part manfully. He continued the contest, pressing forward at all points." Colonel Walcutt's brigade shared in the pursuit of the rebels from Mission Ridge and then marched for the relief of Knoxville. On January 5, 1864, the entire brigade re-enlisted. This action was owing largely to the influence of Colonel Walcutt, and he always looked upon it with more pride than upon any battle in which he was ever engaged. The brigade was in all the general engagements in the Atlanta campaign, and, in addition had several affairs of its own, at Reach and Dallas, and at New Hope church. It was one of the brigades specially detailed to make the assault on Keynes. On July 22, before Atlanta, the day upon which General McPherson was killed, the brigade performed most gallant service. Not once during that terrible struggle, did it become disorganized, and Colonel Walcutt was assured that his pertinacious fighting did much toward preventing disorder. The men fought to the front, flank and rear; and at one time Colonel Walcutt was ordered to retire, as he was almost completely surrounded; but, feeling confident of holding his position, he disobeyed the order, and, as he was successful in his efforts, his disobedience cost him nothing. The Atlanta campaign was one continuous battle to Walcutt's brigade, but it brought him a brigadier generalship. He was mustered out February 6, 1866. Soon after he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Tenth United States cavalry and accepted, reporting at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He resigned that position December 1, 1866, unwilling to endure army life in time of peace. In May 1869, General Grant appointed him United States collector of revenue for the Seventh district of Ohio, which position he held until July 1, 1883. In 1872, he was elected a member of the board of education of Columbus, serving until April 1, 1894, during which time he served as its president seven years. In April, 1883, he was elected mayor of columbus, serving two terms, retiring in April, 1887. General Walcutt since the war has been an active Republican and influential in the councils of that party. He served on the state executive committee from 1869-1872, the second Grant campaign, when he was made chairman of the committee. He was one of the Grant electors in 1868 and a delegate to the national convention in Philadelphia in 1872. He was a member of the Franklin County Agricultural society for many years. He was a member of the G. A. R. and a charter member of the Ohio commandery of the Loyal Legion. In the city council Monday evening these resolutions offered by Mr. Wiechers, were adopted: Whereas, According to telegraphic advices, General C. C. Walcutt, a former mayor of this city, has been relieved from his sufferings by death; therefor, be it Resolved, That the flag on the City hall be placed at half-staff until after the funeral; that the president of the council be requested to appoint a committee of five to act with him and make proper arrangements for this council to attend the funeral in a body; that the council chamber be draped in mourning for thirty days. President Wallace named Messrs. Plimpton, Wiechers, Evans, Reynolds and Hartley as such committee. Secretary Elliott of the Vidette association has issued the following call: "The Columbus Vidette association will meet at Elliott's Art gallery Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock to take action in regard to the death of our old commander, General Walcutt." At a meeting of J. C. McCoy post No. 1, G. A. R., Monday evening it was arranged that all members of the post hall assemble at the post hall and march to the depot with their comrades of other posts and the Forty-sixth regiment to escort the remains to the former home of General Walcutt on Town street. General Walcutt's sister, Mrs. P. A. Mills, lives in Omaha. The other sisters are: Mrs. Sherman Mills and Mrs. Virginia Gay of Columbus, and the children, J. Macy, Dr. Sherman and Lieutenant C. C. Walcutt, quartermaster of the eighth cavalry, lately stationed at Fort Meade. General Walcutt was married in 1860 to Phebe Neill, daughter of Captain Hugh Neill, an officer in the English army. She was born at Belfast and died two years ago. The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed, but it will be held from the Neil house in compliance with the General's wish. The board of education to-night will take action on the death, and a number of orders and association[s] with which he has been identified have called meetings to pay respect to the memory of the brave man. Mayor Black this morning called the board of public works together to take action upon the death of General Walcutt. All the members were present, and the following resolutions, offered by Director Owen were adopted: Whereas, The sad intelligence of the death of General C. C. Walcutt has reached this city, and Whereas, It seems appropriate that the records of this board should bear some suitable expression of the sympathy and regret with which this city has learned of the death of one who for four years, was a faithful and honored executive, therefore, be it Resolved, By the board of public works of the city of Columbus, that it is with profound sadness that we are called upon to mourn the loss of one, who, by a faithful and courageous career as a soldier, a citizen and a friend, in the field and at the fireside, as a brave officer in the armies of his country and a wise and sagacious leader and executive of the city as her mayor, has endeared himself to all who knew him, and be it further Resolved, That to perpetuate a feeble expression of our deep regret at his loss and our sympathy for his bereaved and stricken loved ones and sorrowing friends, the clerk of this board be ordered to spread this resolutions at large upon its journal. ********************************************************************************** OHIO STATE JOURNAL, Columbus, Ohio; Tuesday Morning, May 3, 1898 DEATH OF MAJ. GEN. C. C. WALCUTT. The news of the death of General Charles C. Walcutt at Omaha, Neb., Monday afternoon caused profound sorrow throughout the city. No citizen of Columbus was more widely known. He was born and reared here. He entered the service of his country at the head of a company of infantry in the war of the rebellion, whose members were largely Columbus boys. He served with honor and came home after the surrender of General Lee as a major general of volunteers. Upon his return to Columbus he at once took a prominent place in city affairs. He served for years in many places of trust and honor and in all that time not one word was ever breathed against his official integrity. He knew more people in Columbus than any other citizen. He was liked and loved by the school children, and many a tear will be shed over his death. He was the warm personal friend of Generals Grant, Sherman and many other leaders in the civil war. He was one of the founders of the G. A. R. in Ohio and always took a prominent part in ex-soldier organizations. He was generous to a fault and his purse was always open to the needy. His willingness to aid others finally reduced his fortune greatly, as he paid out as surety money alone over $80,000. The date of the funeral will be fixed today. The remains will arrive on Wednesday and it is expected that the funeral will be the largest ever held in Columbus. General Walcutt was passing through Omaha on his way home from a trip through Mexico, where he went for his health, when his condition became so precarious that he was compelled to remain here. He was accompanied on his trip by a sister, Mrs. Virginia Gay of Columbus. General Walcutt has been in Omaha about six weeks, the amputation which resulted in his death taking place about 10 days ago. It is supposed to have been made necessary from an old wound and the warm climate in Mexico. General Walcutt's sister, Mrs. P. A. Mills, lives in Omaha. The other sisters are: Mrs. Sherman Mills and Mrs. Virginia Gay of Columbus, and the children, J. Macy, Dr. Sherman, and Lieutenant C. C. Walcutt, quartermaster of the eighth cavalry, lately stationed at Fort Meade. Major General Charles Carroll Walcott was born in Columbus, O., Feb. 12, 1838, being a son of John Macy and [Mariel] Broderick Walcutt. His maternal grandmother was first cousin to David Crockett. General Walcutt was educated in the public schools of his native city, and at the Kentucky Military institute, near Frankfort, Ky., from which he was graduated in June, 1858. He then entered upon the vocation of civil engineering and was elected county surveyor of Franklin County in 1859. On the first call of troops in 1861 he raised a company and went into camp on April 18. In June, 1861, he was made major and assigned to the staff of General C. W. Hill in West Virginia. In August he was made major of the Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and it was through his efforts that great regiment was raised. He was made lieutenant colonel on Jan. 30, 1862, and colonel Oct. 16, 1862, and was made a full brigadier general for gallantry in the battle of July 22, 1864, the day on which general McPherson was killed. General Walcutt's service was most of the time with and under General Sherman, having reported to him at Paducah, Ky., in February, 1862. He was mustered out Feb. 6, 1866. Soon after he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Tenth U. S. cavalry and accepted, reporting at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He resigned that position Dec. 1, 1866, unwilling to endure army life in time of peace. In May, 1869, General Grant appointed him United States collector of revenue for the Seventh district of Ohio, which position he held until July 1, 1883. In 1873 he was elected a member of the board of education of Columbus, serving until April 1, 1894, during which time he served as its president seven years. In April, 1883, he was elected mayor of Columbus, serving two terms, retiring in April, 1887. General Walcutt since the war has been an active Republican and influential in the councils of that party. He served on the state executive committee from 1869-1872, the second Grant campaign, when he was made chairman of the committee. He was one of the Grant electors in 1868 and a delegate to the national convention in Philadelphia in 1872. He was a member of the Franklin County Agricultural society for many years. He was a member of the G. A. R. and a charter member of the Ohio Commandery of the Loyal Legion. In the city council Monday evening these resolutions, offered by Mr. Wiechers, were adopted. Whereas, According to telegraphic advices, General C. C. Walcutt, a former mayor of this city, has been relieved from his sufferings by death; therefore, be it Resolved, That the flag on the City hall be placed at half-staff until after the funeral; that the president of the council be requested to appoint a committee of five to act with him and make proper arrangements for this council to attend the funeral in a body; that the council chamber be draped in mourning for thirty days. President Wallace named Messrs. Plimpton, Wiechers, Evans, Reynolds and Hartley as such committee. Secretary Elliott of the Columbus Vidette association has issued the following call: "The Columbus Vidette association will meet at Elliott's Art gallery Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock to take action in regard to the death of our old commander, General Walcutt." "J. M. ELLIOTT, Secretary." At a meeting of the J. C. McCoy Post No. 1, G. A. R., Monday evening it was arranged that all members of the post shall assemble at the post hall and march to the depot with their comrades of other posts and the Forty-sixth regiment to escort the remains to the former home of General Walcutt on Town street.