b It is but just that I should account for the other most zealous and friendly officers who had served as aides-de-camp near me during my command of the army.
Colonel James C. McCoy was a first lieutenant in the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, and adjutant of his regiment at the time I made up my brigade at Paducah, Kentucky, March, 1862. I selected him as one of my two aides. He was a brave, patient officer, always ready for work of any kind, was with me throughout the war and afterward, until failing health compelled him to seek relief in Florida. At the close of the war, on the disbandment of the volunteer army, he was appointed second lieutenant of the Fourth Artillery, to enable him legally to continue as a staff-officer, and in
fact he remained with me, sharing my fortunes, rising from first lieutenant to colonel, until his death in New York City, May 29, 1875.
Colonel L. M. Dayton was also an officer of volunteers, joined me as aide-de-camp before the battle of Shiloh, and continued with me throughout the war, much of the time acting as adjutant-general. Nearly all my records of that period are in his handwriting. Soon after the close of the war he married a most accomplished and wealthy lady of Cincinnati, and resigned December 31, 1870. He is now a well-known citizen and manufacturer of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Colonel J. C. Audenried was a graduate of West Point, class of 1861, served with the Army of the Potomac, and on the staff of General Summer until his death, March 31, 1863; soon after which he was sent with dispatches to General Grant at Vicksburg. In July, 1863, General Grant sent him with dispatches to me at Jackson, Mississippi. Impressed by his handsome appearance and soldierly demeanor, I soon after offered him a place on my staff, which he accepted, and he remained with me until his death, in Washington, June 3, 1880. A more honorable, chivalrous, and courteous gentleman never lived than Colonel J. C. Audenried.
The vacancy created by the death of Colonel McCoy was filled, at my invitation, by Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander McDowell McCook, of the Tenth Infantry, one of the most loyal and enthusiastic of the army officers who had promptly, in 1861, joined the volunteers. This officer had been in continuous service from 1852, had filled every commission from second lieutenant up to a corps commander, which by the military usage of the world is recognized by the rank of lieutenant-general; yet, on the “reduction” of 1866, he was thrown back to the grade of lieutenant-colonel, and continued with the same cheerfulness and hearty zeal which had characterized his whole life. He remained with me until his promotion to the colonelcy of the Sixth Infantry, December 15, 1880. He is now in command of that regiment at Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City.
In like manner the vacancy made by Colonel McCook was filled by Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Irving Dodge, Twenty-third Infantry, then serving at a cantonment on the Upper Canadian—an officer who had performed cheerfully and well a full measure of frontier service, was a capital sportsman, and of a perfect war record. He also remained with me until his promotion as colonel of the Eleventh Infantry, January 26, 1882. He is now commanding his regiment and post at Fort Sully, Dakota. Anticipating my retirement, I never filled his vacancy.
As I have heretofore recorded, at the time I succeeded General Grant in the command of the army, March 5, 1869, I offered to provide for three of his then six aides-de-camp, viz., Colonels Horace Porter, Fred T. Dent, and Cyrus B. Comstock. The
two former never officiated a day near me as aides-de-camp, but remained at the White House with President Grant until their resignation, January 1, 1873. Colonel Comstock did serve in my office until his resignation, May 3, 1870, to resume his appropriate functions in the Engineer Corps. He is an officer of great ability, of perfect integrity, and is still in the service.