THE WILSONS OF KEENE. 349
lar guest at dinners. He was a highly disciplinarian. He did not fail tO' cultivatedand accomplished man,vvhose give the men, under his charge, abun- manner was characterized by all the dant opportunity for enjoyment, often grace and elegance which could be de- entertaining them at his own expense- sired, and whose ready wit and fascinat- (for he was lavish in entertainment),, ingaddressweresure to be appreciated nor did he fail to receive it pleasantly He was often seen at the tables of if his men perpetrated a harmless Mr. Webster, Mr. Clay, Mr. Winthrop, joke upon himself. The history of the president, and those of the diplo- the old Keene Light Infantry is an mats. The Washington climate did interesting chapter in the annals of not agree with his health, and he that town, and a fund of good anec- sought the more inviting atmjsphere dotes respecting the company and its of California. It may well bs a mat- beloved commander is preserved, ter of regret that he felt the necessity The visit of Gen. Wilson to Keene, of leaving political life. His good in 1S61, after an absence of more education, extensive reading, persua- than a decade, was a memorable one. sive oratory, and above all else, his Soon after his arrival, the shot was strict regard for what he felt to be the fired at Sumter, and the regiments truth in politics and political theories, began to be formed ready to march are qualities so seldom combined in to the conflict.
one person that we can ill afford to Qae memorable occasion will never lose the services of such a statesman, be forgotten by those who witnessed No one who knew Gen. Wilson could jt, jt ^vas on the twenty-second of avoid the feeling that, if he had re- ^pn], iS6i. A mass meeting was mained longer in active politics, still announced to be holden in the public greater triumphs were in store for him. square on the morning of that da)fe As it was, he retired in the very zenith Qen. Wilson accepted an invitation to of his fame, with abundant reason to address the meeting. The knowledge be proud of the successes which he had of this fact was conveyed to the ad- already achieved. joining towns. An immense audi- He remained in California eleven ence assembled, filling the square. It years, engaged in law and mining was the General's first publi^c appear- business. He returned East in 1861, ance since his arrival. As the hour in April, just at the breaking out of for the speaking drew near, a band the Rebellion. His old friend, Abra- proceeded to the General's residence ham Lincoln, offered him a brigadier and escorted his carriage to the grand general's commission, but he felt com- stand. When the door was opened, pelled to decline the honor, on ac- and the familiar form of the old hera count of his great age. He had been was seen niDunting the rostrum, such fond of military service all his life, a tumultuous applause was luard as and had been honored with the high- was never known in Keene before, est military distinctions in his native Old friends from Keene and the ad- state. He was an admirable soldier, joining to.vns were there in great a thorough drill-master, and a good numbers, representing all occupations
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