First Lieutenant IRA EMERY

First Lieutenant IRA EMERY, was born at Bow, N. H., Oct. 25th, 1826. His residence for many years was at Rockville, Conn., where he was in business as a baker. He was very active in enlisting men for Co. D of the 14th, and was elected 1st lieutenant of the Co. at organization, Aug. 7th, 1862. Capt. Burpee’s promotion from the regiment left Emery in command of the company when it left the State. He was with the regiment at Antietam (Captain Hammond assuming command two days before the battle) and bore himself gallantly therein. He was taken sick with chronic diarrhea, on Bolivar Heights, at the time when so large a proportion of the 1 4th was ill from the exposure, bad water, and lack of proper clothing. In the hope of recovery Lieut. Emery held on to his position and did partial duty till Jan. 23, 1863, when his health, steadily failing, he resigned and was honorably discharged.

Returning home, he tried various residences, Meriden, Hartford, Rockville, and Bricksburg, N. J. At times he appeared to be recovering but never for any lengthened period, and growing weaker and weaker his health gave way entirely, and on the 28th April, 1871, he died at Bricksburg, N. J. His remains were removed to Rockville and buried there April 30th.

Lieut. Emery was a faithful soldier, a good citizen, and an earnest patriot. His constant ill health made him at times gloomy, and, though present at some of our re-unions, and expressing a warm interest in the old 14th, he never seemed to look forward to much happiness here, yet never regretted that he had given his life to his country.

The Bricksburg local journal, in an obituary notice of him, says he was “A very industrious and upright man. * * * * He contracted the disease of which he died in his country’s service, and deserved well of the Government, better than the Government deserved of him, inasmuch as his application for a pension, to which he was entitled, has been persistently withheld.”

Of the truth of this last assertion I know nothing, but those of us who knew Lieut. Emery do not believe that he would for a moment claim what was not his just due, and if our aid should be needed it would be freely granted. The last one that has dropped out of our circle is not so easily forgotten.