2 34. T/ze HAZARD FAMILY

After the capture of Fort Macon, April 17, 1867., General Rodman contracted typhoid fever, and was obliged to return home, “ broken in health, but crowned with the honors he had won.”

He remained at home but a few weeks; before his furlough was ended or his health re—established, General Burnside wrote to him, saying that the army was on the eve of a great battle, urging him to return if possible, as there was great need for commanding oflicers ; and, against the remonstrance of his physician, he hastened back.

At the battle of Antietam, September I7, 1862, he commanded the Third Di— vision of the Ninth Army Corps, and fell, mortally wounded, while leading his division to the charge. “ Though feeble in health, and exhausted from five days and nights of arduous service, he kept in the saddle from early dawn till sunset, when he fell, pierced with a minie ball through his left breast. Surgical aid and efforts of friends were unavailing to save his life; his system was exhausted. His patience in suffering was equal to his courage on the battle—field. He died as he lived, a Christian soldier. His physician, who had witnessed many death—bed scenes, said that for calm, conscious, peaceful resignation, he never witnessed its equal. From the time he left home in the spring of 1861 to the hour of his fall, his Bible was his daily companion, and was daily read by him. It was found in his bosom, clotted with his blood." ‘

Abbott, in closing a notice of General Rodman, says : “ At Antietam, while at the head of his division, and performing the part of major-general, a bullet pierced his breast, and he was carried to a house in the rear. There, after a lapse of thir— teen days, he died. His remains were buried at his native place, South Kings- town, with the highest honors. He was mourned as one of the purest and best of men. 2

The State of Rhode Island brought back his remains amid demonStrations of mourning, and laid them in state in the Hall of Representatives. His funeral was conducted by the State. The State has also placed his portrait in the Memo— rial Hall of Brown University, at Providence.

Senator Henry B. Anthony, in a funeral oration, said of him: “ Here lies the true type of the patriot soldier. Born and educated to peaceful pursuits, with no thirst for military distinction, with little taste or predilection for military life, he answered the earliest call of his country, and drew his sword in her defense. En— tering the service in a subordinate capacity, he rose by merit alone to the high rank in which he fell; and when the fatal shot struck him, the captain of one year ago was in command ofa division. His rapid promotion was influenced by no solicitations of his own. He never joined the crowd that thronged the ave— nues of preferment. Patient, laborious, courageous, wholly devoted to his duties, he filled each place so well that his advancement to the next was a matter of course, and the promotion, which he did not seek, sought him.

“ He was of the best type of the American citizen; of thorough business train-

' Bartlett’s Rhode Island Officers, p. 35 7. 2 Abbott’s History of the Civil War, vol. 2, pl 57. mg,