Seneca County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 21 of those read), 1880

IN the preceding pages the name ot my laithful old friend. ! )r. McMcens. ha-> been frequently mentioned, and I \vonld do violence to my o\vn heart and a long, unshaded friendship, did I not devote a --eparate space unionist these leaves to the memorv of a true friend. \vho. in social lite, in the medical profession and on the field of battle, everywhere, was so distinguished tor his skill and his many manly traits of character.

The following -diort record ot him will be all the eulogv intended. Hi-, widow, one of the nio>t oteerned and distinguished ladies in Sandu-ky C'ity. has kindly turnished the writer with records, giving the incidents of her husband's closing hour--, and they are given here without < oinineiit. For a specimen ot the I )o< tor's polished, poetical genii!-, the reader is referred to the poem entitled. -- The Islands of F.rie." in the second chapter ot this book.

1 >r. McMeeii-wa- born in Lyeoming county, state o! Pennsylvania. on the 2'ith ot' February. 1X20. lie graduated from the I'niversity of I Ynus\ Ivania in the spring ot 1X41. and soon thereafter settled in Tiffin. Ohio, where he < ominenced the practice ot medicine, and where he -00:1 -n-M-.-d. noi onlv a splendid practice, but also the esteem and c onfideni e ot' the o'd doi tors and the people ^enerallv.

lived to the time of his ile.ith and where he was buried. He was oi rather small stature, hut very aeti\e. and took ^reat interest in j.ult'ii affair-. 1 ie < ir^ani/ed and was . aptain o: the l'«a\ < ;!\ (lu.irds, one"! the f;n<--t independent mil;tai\ - < )iu|i.in:es »t Sandu-ky < 'ity. and as-istcd ^really in tlie or^ani/ation i>\ tin- M ' inumen:ai ASSI » lation. drs, i,;,e,l in - hapter n.

Ill liistlruth tlir army lias lost a kind hearted, faithful and efficient oflicer: the country a pure patriot, and the medical profession one of its brightest oniaineiits. I am. sir. respectfully, your olicdient servant.

l-'.in T<u:s ( 'OMMKIM i AI. : The announcement of the sudden death of this distinguished medical otlicer. at l'err\ ville. will be received with profound sorrow in Ohio. Surgeon McMcens was one of the ranking medical ollicers in the ( )hio line, his commission in the service bearing date .\pril. Istii. He was originally commissioned surgeon in the :!d regiment of Ohio Volunteers. a veteran regiment which did good service in Virginia, and which recently, at Chaplin Heights, side by side with the loth Ohio, the loth Ken tucks, the liM and >Mh Indiana, and Loomis' battery, constituting tlie 17th brigade, covered itself all over with glory.

A few days before the battle. Dr. McMeens was appointed acting medical director of the loth division, commanded b\ the lamented .Jackson, of Kentucky. The writer of this notice met him at IVrry vi!le. three days after the tight, apparently in his usual health : but it is <|iiite probable that oxer-exertion, fatigue and anxiety in his department, had brought on the illness, which so suddenly terminated his career. Surgeon Mc.Meens was a resident of Saiidusky City. Ohio, where his professional abilities had secured him an extensive and»remunerative practice, while his estimable qualities endeared him to a large circle of attached and appreciative friends. Impelled by a high sense of duty, and the noblest of motives, he exchanged at the very beginning of the rebellion the endearments and comforts of home for the perils and hardships of the tented Held. Through the dark ravines, and over nigged mountains of western Virginia under Hosecrans : through Kentucks . Tennessee and northern Alabama under .Mitchell and Koiiseaii : and back again through all the vicissitudes of Hudl's last campaign, to where it terminated, in the sanguinary struggle at Chaplin Hiu'hts. he discharged with the utmost skill, faithfullness and heroism, his varied and responsible duties. His devoted careand watchfulness : the strict observance which he coiiijielled to the laws of lixii'ieiie and police, rendered the camps of his regiment at Iluntsville and elsewhere, models in the service.

oilicers ;uid men had implicit faith in his professional skill, while his noble, genial and chixalric traits of character, linked all hearts to him in- <eparalil\ . No soldier, however humble, ever complained of his neglect, nor accused him of sacrificing duty to hi> personal comfort. The eve of the invalid brightened at his presence, mil) as he moved through the dreary hospitals, crowded \\ itli t he ghast 1\ harvests of war. despairing sufferers turned toward him on their pallets and smiled hopefully once more. Ileloved and lamented 1>\ all who knew him. a brave, whole-souled, gallant gentleman, thus, with " harness on." discharging faithfulh the high behests of his profession, died Kohert K. Mc.Meens.