DR. ROBERT R. McMEENS.

     "Majesty of human nature!  Shall I seek thee among the masses?  You never live but with a few." - Schiller.

     IN the preceding pages the name of my faithful old friend, Dr. McMeens, has been frequently mentioned, and I would do violence to my own heart and a long, unshaded friendship, did I not devote a separate space amongst these leaves to the memory of a true friend, who, in social life, in the medical profession and on the field of battle, everywhere, was so distinguished for his skill and his many manly traits of character.
     The following short record of him will be all the eulogy intended.  His widow, one of the most esteemed and distinguished ladies in Sandusky City, has kindly furnished the writer with records, giving the incidents of her husband's closing hours, and they are given here without comment.  For a specimen of the Doctor's polished, poetical genius, the reader is referred to the poem entitled, "The Islands of Erie," in the second chapter of this book.
     True friendship lives beyond the grave, and fills the soul with hope like the christian longing after eternal life, for -

     Dr. McMeens was born in Lycoming county, state of Pennsylvania, on the 26th of February, 1820.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in the spring of 1841, and soon thereafter settled in Tiffin, Ohio, where he commenced the practice of medicine, and where he soon secured, not only a splendid practice, but also the esteem and confidence of the old doctors and the people generally.
     On the 31st of August, 1843, he was married to Ann C., the oldest daughter of John Pittenger, a sketch of whose life has already been recorded.
     In the fall of 1846, the Doctor moved to Sandusky City, where he

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lived to the time of his death and where he was buried.  He was of rather small stature, but very active, and took great interest in public affairs.  He organized and was captain of the Bay City Guards, one of the finet independent military companies of Sandusky City, and assisted greatly in the organization of the Monumental Association, described in chapter II.
     Mrs. McMeens, in sending to me the subjoined papers said:

SANDUSKY, OHIO, May 9, 1880.

Judge W. Lang:
     MY DEAR FRIEND:  I am much obliged for your good, kind words, and your interest in my loved one; for, although he has been dead to the world for many years, he lives in our home.  I cannot write you as fully as I desire, but will give you some items, and your pen can supply the rest, for you were one of the Doctor's faithful friends, and he was warmly attached to you.  I enclose dates, etc., and a published article, written by General W. H. Lytle, of Cincinnati; also a letter from Dr. Shamard to Governor Tod, of our State.  These were all published, but I cannot find the papers, so send you the original letter.    

Ever truly your friend,            
ANN C. McMEENS.

     Doctor Shumard's letter to Governor Tod:

MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE,
DANVILLE, October 31, 1862.}

To His Excellency Governor Tod, Ohio:
     SIR:  It is with feelings of the deepest regret that I have to announce the death of Surgeon R. R. McMeens, of the 3d regiment Ohio Volunteer Army, which occurred suddenly at Perryville, Kentucky, on  the night of the 30th inst.
     Surgeon McMeens was among the first to offer his services to his country after the breaking out of the rebellion.
     Entering the three months' service as a regimental surgeon, he was immediately after ordered to Camp Dennison, where his gentlemanly deportment and great professional skill soon won  for him the esteem and confidence of his brother officers, at whose request he was appointed medical director of the post; all the arduous duties of which office he performed in such a manner as to win for him the warmest commendations of the surgeon general of the state.
     From that time until the period of his death, he has continued in active service, filling many important positions in the medical department of the army.
     Shortly before the battle of Perryville, he was appointed medical director to the troops under the command of the lamented Jackson, and after having participated actively in the battle, was detailed to assist in taking care of the wounded at Perryville, in which position his kindness of heart, sound judgment, and great professional skill, enabled him to contribute very largely toward the relief of our suffering soldiers.
     He has fallen while nobly working at his post; although suffering greatly from disease, he refused to abandon his work, and performed several important surgical operations only a few hours before his death.

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     In his death the army has lost a kind hearted, faithful and efficient officer; the country a pure patriot, and the medical profession one of its brightest ornaments.  I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant.

GEORGE G. SHUMARD, M. D.,            
Medical Director Danville District.

     General W. H. Lytle's letter to the Cincinnati Commercial:

THE LATE DR. R. R. McMEENS.

EDITORS COMMERCIAL:  The announcement of the sudden death of this distinguished medical officer, at Perryville, will be received with profound sorrow in Ohio.  Surgeon McMeens was one of the ranking medical officers in the Ohio line, his commission in the service bearing date April, 1861.  He was originally commissioned surgeon in the 3d regiment of Ohio Volunteers, a veteran regiment which did good service in Virginia, and which recently, at Chaplin Heights, side by side with the 10th Ohio, the 15th Kentucky, the 42d and 88th Indiana, and Loomis' battery, constituting the 17th brigade, covered itself all over with glory.
     A few days before the battle, Dr. McMeens was appointed acting medical director of the 10th division, commanded by the lamented Jackson, of Kentucky.  The writer of this notice met him at Perryville, three days after the fight, apparently in his usual health; but it is quite probable that over-exertion, fatigue and anxiety in his department, had brought on the illness, which so suddenly terminated his career.  Surgeon McMeens was a resident of Sandusky City, Ohio, where his professional abilities had secured him an extensive and remunerative practice, while his estimable qualities endeared him to a large circle of attached and appreciative friends.  Impelled by a high sense of duty, and the noblest of motives, he exchanged at the very beginning of the rebellion the endearments and comforts of home for the perils and hardships of the tented field.  Through the dark ravines and over rugged mountains of western Virginia under Rosecrans; through Kentucky, Tennessee and northern Alabama under Mitchell and Rosecrans; and back again through all the vicissitudes of Buell's last campaign, to where it terminated, in the sanguinary struggle at Chaplin Hights, he discharged with the utmost skill, faithfulness and heroismm, his varied and responsible duties.  His devoted care and watchfulness; the strict observance which he compelled to the laws of hygiene and police, rendered the camps of his regiment at Huntsville and elsewhere, models in the service.
     Officers and men had implicit faith in his professional skill, while his noble, genial and chivalric trait of character, linked all hearts to him inseparably.  No soldier, however humble, ever complained of his neglect, nor accused him of sacrificing duty to his personal comfort.  The eve of the invalid brightened at his presence, and as he moved through the dreary hospitals, crowded with the ghastly harvests of war, despairing sufferers turned toward him on their pallets and smiled hopefully once more.  Beloved and lamented by all who knew him, a brave, whole-souled, gallant gentleman, thus, with "harness on," discharging faithfully the high behests of his profession, died Robert R. McMeens.
     Ohio will offer up no nobler sacrifice on our country's altar.

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     The following are the minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of army surgeons held at Perryville, Kentucky, Oct. 31st, 1862:

DEATH OF SURGEON R. R. McMEENS.

     At a meeting of the surgeons of the United States army, held in Perryville, Kentucky, on the 31st day of October, A. D., 1862, Surgeon J. G. Hatchilt, of Kentucky, medical director, was called to the chair, and Surgeon Solomon Davis of Indiana, was appointed secretary.
     The chairman briefly explained the object of the meeting and announced the sudden and unexpected demise of an eminent and distinguished surgeon of the army, Dr. Robert R. McMeens of Sandusky City, Ohio.  Whereupon a committee was appointed to draft suitable resolutions of regret and condolence, consisting of Surgeon L. T. Fuller, of Wisconsin, Surgeons G. D. Jacques, of Indiana, and J. G. Hatachilt, of Kentucky.
     WHEREAS, In the order of events and the fortunes of war, an eminent and distinguished medical colleague, Surgeon Robert R. McMeens, of Ohio, has fallen a victim to disease, superinduced by excessive labor and exposure in the discharge of his duty to the wounded soldiers on the field, during the battle of Chaplain Hills and since the battle of Perryville; and
     WHEREAS, In his death the public service has sustained a great loss, and science an ardent devotee and surgery one of its brightest ornaments; and
     WHEREAS, He has  been cut off in the prime of his manhood and in the midst of his usefulness;  universally beloved by all who knew him intimately as one of the most generous and noble-minded men in all relations of private and public life; therefore.
    Resolved, That this meeting is deeply impressed with this sad event; that they realize the loss the country has sustained by his untimely death and the sorrow with which his relatives and numerous friends will receive the mournful intelligence in view of which we tender assurances of our profound regret and heartfelt sympathy.
     Resolved further, That we tender to the widow of the deceased our sincere condolence in the melancholy bereavement which she has sustained in the loss of an affectionate and devoted husband.  And we pray that in the consolation of the christian religion she may find a solace in her affliction and sorrow.
     Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary and published in the papers at Sandusky City, Columbus, Cincinnati and Louisville, and that a copy be sent to the widow of the deceased.
                                           J. G. HATCHILT, President.

SOLOMON DAVIS, Secretary.
     The reader will expect no comments from the writer, and the subject is ended here with the effect the language of the foregoing documents will naturally create and impress upon a noble and patriotic heart.