1              Bucks County Intelligencer,  Death of Major Gries.  June 17, 1862  Page 3  Col. 2            1

 

Death of Major Gries.—John M. Gries, Major of

the 104th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, died at

the residence of William Struthers, in Philadelphia, on

Friday morning last, from the effects of a wound received

at the battle of Fair Oaks, near Richmond.  When the

regiment was ordered out to repel the attack of the rebels

on Casey’s Division, on the 31st of May, Major Gries was

foremost in activity and bravery, by his personal example

giving renewed courage to the men who were fighting so

nobly in the ranks.  When the regiment, having suffered

heavy loss and being overpowered by the numbers of the

rebels, was forced to retire, Major Gries, with Sergeants

Myers and Purcell, made a desperate push for the colors,

which had been left waving in the advance.  The effort

was successful, and the flags were rescued from desecra-

tion by the hands of traitors, but Purcell was killed and

Major Gries was severely wounded by the showers of balls

that the rebels poured upon them.  Major Gries was

struck in the hip, the ball, tearing the flesh in a terrible

manner, and passing into the interior of his body.  As

soon as possible he was taken off the field, and was

brought to Philadelphia by the first conveyance.  After

being in the hospital for a short time, he was taken to the

residence of Mr. Struthers, where he was tenderly nursed

until the time of his death.  His wound was very severe,

and caused intense suffering, to which death must have

been a welcome relief.  Major Gries was a native of Read-

ing, and was about 35 years of age.  For some years past

he has resided in Philadelphia, following the profession

of an architect, in which, he had achieved a high position. 

The Philadelphia and Farmers’ and Mechanical Bank

buildings were erected by him, with several others of

magnitude.  When the 104th was formed at Doylestown

last fall, Mr. Gries was commissioned as its Major, which

place he has since filled.  He was a good officer, and en-

joyed the confidence and respect of his fellow officers, and

the rank and file of the regiment, to whom he was endear-

ed by his personal bravery and his high sense of honor.—

During all his suffering his most frequently expressed wish

was to recover so that he might rejoin his regiment.  Of

the many gallant men who have fallen in this war, none

will be more deeply lamented than John M. Gries.