in 1855 when 22 years of age, he re- turned to Maine and settled in Orland taking up again a sailor's life as cap- REMINDER OF A tain, until he enlisted in the Civil War In September 1861, he enlisted in the United States Volunteers and was com- missioned first lieutenant of Co. D., 1st Maine Cavalry and was promot- GALLANT SOLDIER ed captain of the company in February $ 1863. During his service in the 1st Maine he distinguished himself by many acts of personal daring, mark- ing him as possessing the characteris- Portrait of General Andrew B tics of 2 born cavalry partisan and soldier. He commanded his company at the cavalry battle of Brandy Sta- Spurling in the State tion and was wounded in a personal hand- to-hand fight at Upperville. House--His Record In January, 1864, Capt. Spurling was commissioned junior major of the 2d Maine Cavalry, and with his new regi- ment was ordered to the department of The portrait of the late Gen. Andrew the Gulf, and was sent in command of Barclay Spurling, the gift of which to four companies to Brazier City, La., the adjutant general's office in the where he was very active in fighting State House has been received at of- guerrillas and where in June he was promoted lieutenant colonel cf the reg- ficc and immediate measures were iment. In the early fall of 1864 the taken for placing it in position. The regiment was transferred to Florida, portrait is an enlargement from a and there Colonel Spurling distinguish- ed himself in many actions with the photograph and is enclosed in a heavy enemy, winning the approval of the gilt frame. The likeness is said by commanding officers, the affection of those who knew the general to be a the soldiers and subordinates and the OD good one. respect of his fees, He took part later Gen. Sparling was one of the most in the operations against Mobile, and gallant soldiers of the Civil War. He saw service in Alabama until mus- was born in Cranberry Isles Hancock tered out, always with credit to him- county, March 20, 1833. His grand- self and the cause he served, as is father, art.Benj. Spurling had many borne out by the official records, b adventures on the sea with the English the testimony of all who knew of his in the war of 1812, being for a time a acts, by a Congressional medal of prisoner on a British man of war. His honor, conferring in 1897, and by his father, Capt. Samuel Sparling, master brevet rank of brigadier general. of the schooner Cashier of Cranberry At the close of the war he returned Isles defeated a crew of pirates con- to his old calling as a sea captain, and spicuous on the coast of Cuba and his was at one time wrecked off Cape May. exploit was signalized by the citizens He was elected sheriff of Hancock of Trinidad de Cuba with a gift of county, served four years, and after sword and pistols and a purse of $500 a year was appointed postoffice inspec- in gold. he family was a race of tor with headquarters at Chicago, sailors and fighting stock. Andrew B. holding his office for five years. He Spurling attended school until 12 years was then president of the Chicago old and then became a sailor, follow- Rawhide Manufacturing company for ing the traditions of the family years, when he sold out and engaged At the age of 18 he went to Call- in real estate in Elgin. fornia where he worked as a miner un- Gen. Spurling died August 22, 1906, Lil nearly 20, when he took up a claim at the Homeopathic hospital in Chicago in San Jose valley and for four years agted 73 years, leaving a bright record lived as a mer and hunter, becom- as a brave and able soldier and citizen ing an expert rider. He was a radical worthy of his country. anti-slavery man and on one occasion In addition to the portrait there has is aid to have fought a duel with a also been forwarded to the office the Southern man the weapons-used being saber and pistols of both Gen Spur- bowie knires. Young Spurling was ling and his father, and the gifts will the victor, disabling his opponent, who always be treasured.