It becomes our painful duty to announce the death of our esteemed fellow-townsman, Lieut. James T. Chittenden, who died about ten days ago, at Cassville, Mo., of wounds received at the battle of Pea Ridge. As intelligence of his critical situation had previously reached us, his demise was not entirely unexpected.
Mr. C. had been a citizen of Clarinda for about four years – engaged in the practice of the Law – and by his exemplary demeanor and unspotted moral character won for himself a host of friends. At the breaking out of this wicked rebellion – brought upon us by the institution of African Slavery and not by Sabbath breaking, as some of the admirers and patrons of that peculiar institution would make the people believe – Mr. C. felt it to be his duty to join in defending his country’s standard; and accordingly assisted in organizing a company, which went into the 4th Iowa Regiment, with him as its Second Lieutenant. He served in Missouri for about six months and at the battle of Pea Ridge was wounded in the breast, which resulted in his death. By his gentlemanly deportment and attention to his military duties he became greatly endeared to both rank and file, and when engaged in the sterner conflicts of the war, all agree in awarding him for coolness and bravery. Brigadier-General Dodge pronounced him the bravest man in his Brigade, and all of our intelligence goes to confirm this judgment.
In his death, Clarinda has lost one of her most esteemed and accomplished citizens; humanity a warm and devoted friend; the army a most valued officer, and the bar one of its most promising young members. But while we mourn over our loss, he is rejoicing that he has exchanged the cares and toils of this life, for a habitation of the Kingdom of everlasting bliss. – {Page County Herald.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3
