William E. Geary; lost his life in France

The facts about the death of Sergeant Major William E. Geary, the Harpers Ferry boy who lost his life in battle June 25 in France have only recently been given to the family. At the time of the battle for the possession of Bois de Belleau, young Geary was connected with Brigade headquarters three miles behind the lines. Being slated for a lieutenants commission, he considered that he would not deserve the promotion unless he took part in battle.

He was needed at headquarters and his officers refused to allow him to take an active part in the fighting. Not satisfied with the refusal, young Geary found a man who could do the clerical work at headquarters and started for the scene of battle alone. He joined his company which succeeded in repelling an attack but was among the missing when fighting ceased. Search was made and some days later his body was found where he had been killed instantly by a shell. The gallant young soldier was a grandson of Mr. Edward Higgins, a veteran of the Stonewall Brigade, and a highly esteemed resident of Harpers Ferry.