29. George W. Johnson, East Finley Tp., was as true and faithful a soldier as K had in its ranks—ever ready for duty. His soldiering was characterized with cheerfulness, a trait that counted much in the common soldier experience. He was wounded at Petersburg, Va. He was practically with the Company all the way from start to finish, and no one more than he enjoyed the Grand Review in Washington City, and no one was more pleased than he to return, after the Union was preserved, to the peaceful life of home amid friends and in time his own family. He was faithful in the common pursuits of industry. The writer greatly enjoyed a visit in his home in June, 1904, and when 14 of K met in Burgettstown, Pa., in an impromptu reunion, he was there, as "happy as a lark." But in August, being almost totally deaf, as he was crossing a street at a crossing where the electric car line turned, a car struck him and the injury therefrom, despite the skill of physician or care of loving friends, resulted in his death Sept. 10, 1904. Services were held at his residence, 213 W. Maiden street, Washington, Pa., and the body laid to rest in the Washington cemetery.
30. Ulysses S. Wheeler, Eldersville, was a noble-hearted fellow and a worthy soldier. He was closely connected with the fortunes of K throughout, was slightly wounded at Chancellorsville, May, '63, and was wounded in the battle of Todd's Tavern, May 8, '64. After the war was over he was delighted in exchanging the weapons of strife for the implements of industry; and he ever lived the life of a worthy citizen on his farm near Eldersville. It was the privilege and great pleasure of the writer in June, '04, to visit him there and enjoy a few hours with him and wife. He had been suffering seriously from heart trouble, but was jovial and contented. He wrote me a cheerful letter just three weeks before his death. How pained I was when I received a card from Comrade D. M. Pry, dated Oct. 5, 1904, saying, "Our old Comrade Wheeler dropped dead this morning on his porch. He had his team hitched up ready to start to our fair"—Burgettstown, Pa. He was buried at Steubenville, Ohio.
31. Henderson Scott, Paris, was unable to withstand active soldier life, and was among the first in K to be discharged. This was when the 140th was at Falmouth, before its first experience in battle, and by a special order of the War Department. He re-enlisted in the 103rd Reg't, P. V., when it was stationed at Roanoke Island, N.C., and remained in garrison duty till the close of the war. Then like many a soldier he cast his lot in the west and engaged in mining. Was severely injured in a cave-in. When written to in Eagleville, California, he replied in a very friendly letter. But in June, 1905, (a letter addressed him being returned unclaimed) in answer to an inquiry the postmaster at Sierraville, Calif., wrote me that Henderson Scott died in that place Feb. 9, 1905, and that he had been buried there. That he had no family.
Comrades in Colorado
B. F. Powelson J. K. Magill Geo. A. Hanlin
Sketches of Those Living, Jan. 2, 1906.
And now there remains the mention of the forty-two of old K who are living. Special effort was made to hear personally from all. Letter after letter was written to secure this. Personal visits were made to many and efforts made to see others as far as possible. These personal interviews were a source of unbounded comfort and pleasure to the writer. Everywhere he was most cordially received and welcomed. But to the work before us:
1. Alexander Sweeney, Jr., First Lieutenant, was in December, '63, appointed to duty at Division Headquarters, and served on the staff of Gen. Barlow, and afterwards on the staff of Gen. Miles to the close of the war. He was a genial and popular staff officer. He received the rank of Brevet Captain March 13, 1865. Once again in civil life, he followed the way of his father in mercantile pursuits. For quite a while he was traveling salesman for the Arbuckle Company, and was very successful. After that he was engaged some little time in the wholesale grocery business in Pittsburg and in Youngstown, O. But for the greater part of time in the last 25 or 30 years he has been associated with an importing tea concern in New York; and is a rustler still in that business, with his office in Pittsburg, and his traveling extending over a good portion of eastern Ohio. "Aleck" still knows a good thing when he sees it; so he attended the G.A.R. Encampment in Denver, Colo., Sept. 4-9, '95, and enjoyed a wee Co. K reunion and entertainment provided by his Colorado comrades, Hanlin, Magill and Powelson, and visited the writer's home, much to his pleasure. And the entire family say, "Come again, Uncle Aleck, you're ever welcome!" Capt. Sweeney and family live in Steubenville, Ohio. His address is Lock Box 627.
2. Benjamin F. Powelson, First Sergeant.—Chaplain Milligan says of him in a college class history, "As Orderly Sergeant of Co. K, 140th P.V., for two years he was one of the bravest, quietest, most conscientious and faithful soldiers in this crack Regiment of veterans. For a long time he not only did the onerous work of First Sergeant, but really commanded the Company whilst his superior officers were detailed to other duties. He was a slender, delicate looking soldier, but he never flinched in the fight. He was promoted to First Lieutenant Co. G, 41st U.S.C.T., and was afterwards placed in command of Co. I of the same Regiment. He was never wounded, though he was always in the front, and participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station, Petersburg, Appomattox and many other smaller engagements. He was in the advance line at the surrender of Lee, the last in the fight, under Sheridan; after which he was ordered with his Regiment to the Rio Grande border." He was mustered out in New Orleans in October, 1865. Col. Moore, editor of the Washington Reporter, on hearing this, wrote, "Among the thousands of our youth who went out to confront the foes of our government on the field of battle, no more worthy was to be found than Lieut. Powelson, nor one who will be more warmly welcomed on his return." He entered the full work of the ministry, in the Presbyterian church, in July, '67, and has been ever since in active work, in Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. And any of the old comrades will ever find an open door for them and a welcome in his home in Boulder. His address is Box 143, Boulder, Colo.