ae ee eit 
APPENDIX A. 
OBITUARY—CAPT. WM. PAIST. 
Capt. William Paist died near St. Paul, Minnesota, on the morn- 
ing of October 12th, 1874, in the 50th year of hisage. He was born 
at South Charleston, Ohio, July 31st, 1825. He received a good 
English education, and at the age of ‘fifteen entered his father’s 
store and was brought up a merchant—following this business in 
partnership with his brother and engaging extensively in buying 
- wool for an eastern house and packing pork. The firm did a very 
extensive business, and had unlimited bank credit at Springfield. 
Heavy losses finally impaired Mr. Paist’s capital, and in 1855, he 
removed to St. Paul and embarked with enthusiasm in the purchase 
and sale of real estate, making money until the crisis of 1857. The 
storm which levelled so many fortunes to the ground did not spare 
Mr. Paist. Unable to realize upon his extensive purchases of real 
estate, almost everything was swept away, and he became a poor 
man. He struggled manfully for a living with varying success, 
until 1862, when he joined the army—enlisting as a private in com- 
pany K, of the 8th regiment of Minnesota Volunteers. He was 
soon promoted to a Lieutenancy, and accompanied his regiment, com- 
manding his company, on the expedition led by Gen. Sully against 
the Indians on the Minnesota frontier. He was afterwards promoted 
to the Captaincy, and served with his regiment until the end of the 
war. At the battle. of Murfreesboro, he was wounded by a spent 
ball which knocked him senseless. It was intercepted by the brass 
buckle on his belt, which alone probably saved his life. Colonel 
Rogers, supposing him dead or rin stally wounded, ordered him car- 
ried back to camp. But he revived sufficiently to hear the order 
and rousing up asked, ‘‘ Colonel, does it make any differenee whether 
I go back or forward?” ‘Not a bit,” said the Colonel, ‘* Then I 
will go on with my men,” replied Mr. Paist, and so he did. He 
joined Sherman’s command and participated in his triumphant march 
to the sea. His unpretending modesty, kindness of heart and man- 
ner, genial social qualities and manly courage made him a great 
favorite with his men who would do almost anything for him. 
The writer saw him when he returned with his company, covered 
with dust, and was welcomed back at the Capitol in St. Paul. He 
wore none of the insignia of his rank and could not be distinguished 
from the humblest man in his company, which caused a friend to re- 
mark, ‘‘ Bill, you don’t put on much style.” This was true of him on 
