“Genl. Wadsworth just before his death”
James S. Wadsworth was the unsuccessful Republican candidatefor New York State governor in 1862. After his defeat he continued to serve in the Union army. He was mortally wounded on May 6, 1864 during the Battle of the Wilderness. He died two days later in a Confederate field hospital. When word made its way back to his home state, his opponent in the gubernatorial race, Horatio Seymour, eulogized the fallen general.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864:
Death of General Wadsworth.
Order from the Commander-in-Chief of the state.
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS STATE OF
NEW YORK, Albany May 10, ’64.
General Orders No.7.
I announce, with painful feelings, the loss of General WADSWORTH.
“at half staff”
In the recent battles on the Rapidan, he met death bravely at the head of the forces under his command.
A leading and wealthy citizen, he exercised a wide influence by the vigor and energy of his character. As a public man he was always decided and resolute in demanding purity of legislation and an economical and wise administration of the affairs of our own State.
Long prominent among us in civil life, when the war broke out he was prompt, among the first, to join the Army. From the outset an ardent supporter of the war, to him belongs the merit of freely periling his own person in upholding the opinions which he advocated. Assigned at once to a high military position, he has been, up to the day of his death, actively and earnestly devoting himself to the performance of his military duties.
As a mark of respect for his memory, the National Flag will be displayed at half staff on the Capitol and upon all the Arsenals of the State.
HORATIO SEYMOUR,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief, &c.
Official: J.B. STONEHOUSE,
Assistant Adjutant General
Democrats in Seneca Falls were understandably overjoyed when Seymour vanquished Wadsworth back in ’62. Here a Democrat newspaper gives the late General Wadsworth credit for acting consistently with his publicly expressed beliefs.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1864:
Death of Gen. Wadsworth.
Gen. JAMES S. WADSWORTH, of this State, is among the great number who fell in the fierce and bloody contest on the Rapidan on Friday last. He met his death bravely and heroically in the thickest of the fray, and while leading his command in a charge upon the enemy.
“devoted himself wholly and solely to the cause”
Gen. WADSWORTH has been prominently among before the public since the breaking out of hostilities, and was among the first to offer his services to the government. He was a member of the Peace Convention at Washington during the early part of the year 1861, and was conspicuous in that body in his opposition to all measures of compromise or conciliation. He desired war, and after hostilities commenced, unlike many of his political associates, he entered the service and from that time to the hour of his death has devoted himself wholly and solely to the cause which he espoused with so much apparent sincerity.
In the campaign of 1862, Gen. WADSWORTH was the Republican candidate for Governor of this State, but failed of an election. He was a man of great wealth and enterprise, and his death has caused profound regret throughout the State. His home was at Geneseo, Livingston County.
“Genl. Wadsworths division in action in the Wilderness, near the spot where the General was killed”
