Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-05-26
From the n. 7. Mercury.
THE SILVER SPREAD EAGLE.
An INCIDENT OF THE CAMP.
BIZ MARX MRpIY

ln6 l&St year i feSfucu ~ 0uio was ue-
voted almost exclusively to the obtaining
of pensions, extra and back pay, and land
warrants for soldiers who had served their
country in our War of Independence, or
in some of those that have since trans
pired.
In this way many curious incidents came
to nv knowledge, some of which are as
well worthy of record as any that have
craced the page of personal history, though
destined most likely, to sink into oblivion
for the want of a suitable chronicler.
There is one, however, that must res
cue from the probable fate of its followers,
as it possesses some of the true elements
of romance, and will interest the reader, it
is hoped even though be have no knowl-
edge of the character described, beyond
what is contained in these pages.
In the county where l spent my early
boyhood, there lived an eccentric old man,
who, on all the days of general muster, for
as many years back as / can remember,
came early to the shire-town to spend the
day, crafty bis martial pride, and recount
his military exploits 10 the wars against the
Indians of the West during the first presi-
dency.
Many doubted whether the old man had
served bis country in the way be claimed,
though they listened to his stories with
much interest; for, however obtained, he
possessed a large fund of information con-
nected with those wars, and related numer-
Gus adventures full of daring and danger,
in some OF which be sustained the part of
hero.
His name was Joseph Walgamott, tho
he was universally known as spreadeagle,
which was his COMMON cognomination. 1t
was bestowed upon him derisively, but
very soon lost its offensiveness, and in time
came to be regarded by him as a title Of
honor. II originated in fact that he al
ways wore on the front Of bis cap large
silver buckle, in the form Of a spread-eagle,
which he said had been bestowed upon
him by his beloved old general, Mad An
thony Wayne.
OF course, nobody believed the story
for the difference between commander-in-
chief and common soldier seemed entire
ly too immeasurable to admit of such a
possibility. Yet there are instances on re-
cord, and not few, where merit has been
recognized in thu humblest positions, and
suitably rewarded. And long afterwards,
demonstrated that it was equally true Of
Spreadeagle.
1t is not many years since the Pension
Law was so amended as to embrace in its
benefits the hardy pioueers of the West,
who voluntarily shouldered their rides and
left their cabin homes to do battle against
the merciless savages of the Wilderness
No soldier of our country were better enti-
tied to such consideration.
As soon as reliably informed Of the
change of the law, l addressed letter on
the subject to Spreadeagle, who, though in
easy circumstances, was not entirely desti-
tute of that human quality chronological
ly called acquisitiveness. / was then re-
siding in another county, and it required
some days for two letters, one after the
other, in contrary directions, to pass the
intervening distance. But as many weeks
elapsed before l heard from Sprerdeagle,
and then he addressed me in person.
l knew him the moment be set his foot
in my office. He had changed very little,
though years had elapsed since last be-
held him. His hair was whittier and longer
perhaps, and his cheeks less full and rud-
dy, but in all other respects he seemed the
same-six feet in height straight as an ar
row, and martial in his bearing.
In the the manner customary few years
previous among the pioneer of the West
ern wilds. he was dressed in coat of deer
skin hunting skirt, elegantly fringed with
silver threads of the same material, and Or
namented with beads and needle-work.-
his head was a large, wolf skin cap, tro-
ply of his own skill as woodsman, sur
mounted with the silver spread-eagle, from
which he had derived bis accustomed ap-
pellation.
After giving him welcome in a manner
I knew would crafty the heart of an old
man, alluded TO the subject that had
brought us together, as also to fear l had
sometimes entertained that my letter had
unfortunately miscarried.
"Oh! no." he replied. ait came to hand
in good time. knew it ought to have
been answered at once. But I'm not used
to writing now. And SO / let day or
two pass, and then another and another,
until l was ready to come myself"
"You adopted the better course" / re-
turned. 'The Commissioner of Pensions
is so very exacting, that it is next to i'm
possible to prepare papers properly BY cor
respondence."
III feared it was So" said Sprsadeagle,
"and l thought it had better be made right
at first, and save time and trouble after
wards"
"The advantage is much grester than
you suppose" I answered. alt is extreme
ly seldom that the applications of this
character are allowed to receive amend
mem"
sReally, then, how fortunate!' !'' he ex-
claimed. "You see it is not that care for
the warrant, for don't; and it is not like
" will ever make use of il if I get it,
"You can sell it." I suggested.
@The very last thing would do with it, ,
be replied quickly and Indignantly. "No
sir; I will keep it as long as | live; and
would not miss getting it for dozen times
its value"
at is an incontrovertable evidence tha
man has served his country in moment
of need, and in post of danger" l return
ed-perceiying clearly the motive that hat
prompted his application.