The Utah Batteries: A History Part 7

LIEUTENANT RAYMOND C. NAYLOR.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUTENANT RAYMOND C. NAYLOR.]

Lieutenant Raymond C. Naylor was born in Salt Lake City in 1873. His early education was received in the public schools of Utah. Later he attended the University of Utah, from which he graduated with honor. As a student he took a prominent part in athletics and military training, being a member of the baseball team as well as captain of one of the companies of students then taking military drill under Lieutenant Wright. He afterward taught school for several years and was engaged in that labor in Centerville when the war broke out. Those who knew him well were not surprised when he stepped to the front and offered his service to his country along with others who were willing to brave any peril in defense of their country's honor. Lieutenant Naylor had long a.s.sociated himself with the National Guard, in which he was Captain for two years. He afterwards was promoted Major and at the breaking out of hostilities he was filling the office of a.s.sistant Inspector General with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

When the batteries were organized Governor Wells appointed him a Second Lieutenant of Battery A, which position he filled with such distinction that he was promoted First Lieutenant.

As an officer Lieutenant Naylor won the respect and admiration of both officers and men. His interest in behalf of the privates gained for him a popularity which was not surpa.s.sed by any of the officers in the batteries.

LIEUTENANT ORRIN R. GROW.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUTENANT ORRIN R. GROW.]

Second Lieutenant Orrin R. Grow, the youngest commissioned officer of the Utah batteries at the time of their departure for the Philippines, was born in Salt Lake City October 20, 1873. As a boy he received his education in the public schools of Salt Lake City and afterwards he attended the University of Utah several years, but he did not remain long enough to graduate. While at the University he took military training under Lieutenant Wright and after leaving that inst.i.tution he joined the Denhalter Rifles as bugler. He soon was promoted Sergeant and subsequently Lieutenant.

When the Denhalters joined the National Guard in 1892 Mr. Grow went with them and was unanimously chosen captain of Company A, First Infantry, N.G.U. Later he was chosen Major, a position which he held with credit until the breaking out of hostilities. His ability was recognized by Governor Wells, who appointed him a Second Lieutenant of Battery B when that organization was mustered in. Lieutenant Grow went with his battery to the Philippines, and during the fighting at Malate distinguished himself. During January, 1899, he returned home owing to serious illness. His early departure from the island prevented him from winning greater honors in the insurrection, as his ability was displayed in the Spanish-American war.

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM C. WEBB.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUTENANT WILLIAM C. WEBB.]

Along with the many native sons of Utah who joined the ranks in defense of their country there were some who were born on foreign soil. Such a man was Lieutenant William C. Webb, who was born in England March 13, 1873. In his early youth Webb attended the schools of his native country and while he was yet a youth he accompanied his parents when they emigrated to Utah.

Lieutenant Webb early a.s.sociated himself with military affairs, as he was a member of the Denhalter Rifles, and when that organization lost its ident.i.ty in the National Guard he became one of the most active workers in the new service. When Captain Grow of Company A became Major of the First Battalion, First Infantry, N.G.U., Webb was unanimously chosen Captain of that company. He held this position until he was appointed a Second Lieutenant of Battery A by Governor Wells.

When the Utah volunteers left for Manila Lieutenant Webb accompanied them. He took part in the Malate campaign, where he showed promise of that brilliant work which he later accomplished in the Filipino outbreak. At the breaking out of the insurrection he had charge of the left platoon of Battery A at Santa Mesa hill. His fearlessness and daring at that place won for him the universal admiration of his men.

Later he was placed in command of the river gunboat "Cavadonga," and during all the fierce fighting of that little boat he manipulated her with remarkable skill.

Lieutenant Webb, on account of his exceptional work, was recommended for a Lieutenancy in the regular army, a position which he will undoubtedly accept.

LIEUTENANT GEORGE A. SEAMAN.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUTENANT GEORGE A. SEAMAN.]

Lieutenant George A. Seaman, who went away as a Corporal of Battery A, and came back with the "straps" of a Second Lieutenant, was born in the little town of Morgan, twenty-nine years ago. While he was yet a boy his parents moved to Ogden, where he secured the foundation of the education which was later enlarged upon at the State University. He remained at that inst.i.tution four years, graduating with honor in 1892. While obtaining his mental training he was a member of the University Battalion, in which organization he acquitted himself so well that his name was placed upon the honorary roll at Was.h.i.+ngton. It was also during his college career that he became acquainted with Miss Lottie Fox, daughter of Jesse W. Fox. Between them sprang up a mutual attachment, which was later consummated at the altar. Shortly afterwards Lieutenant Seaman moved with his wife to Bountiful, where he took up school teaching as a profession. He showed an efficiency in his work which won the esteem of all his patrons and pupils. When the call for soldiers was made his blood was of that order which impelled him to drop the master's rod and take up the sword in defense of his country.

Having enlisted he set to work to familiarizing himself with all the tactics pertaining to artillery warfare, and soon made himself acquainted with military science. His studious habits and his morality soon commended him to his superior officers who recommended him for the first vacancy which occurred. He was appointed Second Lieutenant of Battery B, which position he held with honor until the mustering out of the battalion.

LIEUTENANT FRANK T. HINES.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUTENANT FRANK T. HINES.]

Lieutenant Frank T. Hines, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Hines, was born twenty-one years ago in Salt Lake City. He attended the city schools from which he graduated in 1896. For several years thereafter he was employed at Mercur and later entered the Agricultural College. It was while at the college that Mr. Hines learned to like the military life which he subsequently led for a short period.

When the country called for volunteers he enlisted in Captain Grant's battery as a private, but he was soon appointed duty sergeant. The latter position he filled very creditably and when a vacancy occurred by reason of the resignation of Lieutenant Grow, he was elevated to the Second Lieutenancy, which office he held until the batteries were discharged.

LIEUTENANT JOHN A. ANDERSON.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LIEUTENANT JOHN A. ANDERSON.]

Lieutenant John A. Anderson, one of the few who worked his way up by sheer force of ability, was born in Smithfield, Cache county, Utah, twenty-five years ago. He received his education in the district school of his native town, and later went to work as a millman, the occupation which he followed at the breaking out of the war.

When the batteries went away he was a duty sergeant of Battery B, in which capacity he earned the position which he afterwards secured. It was Sergeant Anderson who had charge of that section of the Utah Battalion which accompanied General Lawton in his expedition in the interior as far as San Isidro. Following his return he was appointed First Sergeant of Battery B, and just before the organization left the island he received his commission as second lieutenant. Lieutenant Anderson was a brave, efficient man, and one who won the respect of all who knew him.

SERGEANT HARRY A. YOUNG.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SERGEANT HARRY A. YOUNG.]

Sergeant Harry A. Young, son of the late Lorenzo D. Young, was born in Salt Lake City February 24, 1865. During his boyhood he attended the public school of his native town, and afterwards he spent several years in the Utah University, where he evinced a great liking to medicine.

During 1884-85 he filled a mission to the Northern States. Soon after his return he went East and entered the medical department of Columbia College. He graduated from this inst.i.tution with distinguished honors and great future promise to his profession. He established himself in Salt Lake City, where he succeeded in building up quite an extensive practice in a short time. The blood of a patriot flowed through the veins of Dr. Young and when his country needed his service he cheerfully joined the ranks and was appointed Quartermaster-Sergeant of Battery A, a position which he filled with great credit. When the Utah volunteers embarked for Manila Sergeant Young went with them and took part in the fighting against the Spaniards. Although his service as a doctor was not required, Dr. Young was continually in the front administering to the wants of the wounded men. Subsequently he partic.i.p.ated in the fighting of the Tagalan outbreak, and it was while he was bravely at the front in search of opportunities to perform deeds of mercy that he met with his death at the hand of the enemy on February 6, 1899.

Those who were intimately acquainted with Dr. Young knew his sterling worth and admired his manhood. He ever walked in the path of right, unmindful of the opinions of the world. What he considered to be his duty he did with unswerving honesty. He was diligent and studious and applied himself with untiring energy to his books. As a soldier the batterymen will remember his unceasing efforts to better their condition. During the five tedious months of barrack life when others were idly waiting, he devoted himself to his chosen profession. Had Sergeant Harry A. Young lived two days longer he would have received his commission as a surgeon in the United States army.

SERGEANT FORD FISHER.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SERGEANT FORD FISHER.]

Sergeant Ford Fisher, who bravely gave up his life in his country's defense, was born at Seaford, Delaware, twenty-three years ago. He was the son of I.M. Fisher of Salt Lake City. At an early age Ford, as he was better known among his a.s.sociates, came to Salt Lake City with his parents. Here he attended the city High School, from which he graduated with high honors. While at the High School he was noted for his efficiency in mathematics and here he developed a liking for civil engineering, which he later studied at the Was.h.i.+ngton State University.

For some time prior to the breaking out of hostilities with Spain he had a.s.sociated himself with the National Guard, and when the President's call came too much patriotic blood flowed through his veins to admit of any second appeal, and he enlisted with the batteries.

Major Young soon became acquainted with the young man's military ability and he was appointed drill sergeant at Camp Kent. When the batteries departed for the Philippines he went with them and distinguished himself for his gallantry in the Malate campaign. Later during the insurrection he took part with the other Utah men in many a fierce conflict with the insurgents until he was stricken down by the enemy's bullet while heroically defending his position at San Luiz on May 14, 1899.

The Utah artillerymen remember the stalwart figure of Sergeant Fisher as it loomed up in the forefront at Santa Mesa, Mariquina and s.e.xmoan. He was an inspiration to the wavering spirits of the Utahn in twenty hard encounters. His voice ever sounded as a note of cheer and his ringing command never failed to infuse with new life. Always attending to his duties he expected the same of others; his soul was too great to stoop to the level of anything base; his heart was honest and open and free.

He was a pleasant companion and a true friend. He was blessed with an abundance of original humor which made him doubly loved by the soldiers during the lonely hours of barrack life.

At the time of his death Sergeant Fisher was first in line of promotion, as he had been recommended for the next commission by Major Young.