Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-06-12
IFor the GalhpOlis JOurnal.l
THE RIGHT KIND OF CAPTAIN AND
COMPANY.

II For the Galhpolis Journal
THE RIGHT KIND OF CAPTAIN AMI
Il COMPANY.
u MR. EnIroR:-Since the commence
ment of this war we have heard a
great deal in reference to the manly
bearing and bravery Of many officers
and men in the Union army, and / beg
} leave 10 state few facts concerning
the bravery and daring of some of our
! neighbors and friends who have gone
forth to defend our rights and Govern
ment. Capt. MONTGOMERY left Gsllia
county about ten months ago, with a
brave little band OF "Gallia boys" 1t
was dark times then, but the patriotic
friends calmly bsde them farewell
Our hearts swelled with pride to know
that they were willing to die for our
dear country, and yet many a mothers
voice trembled as she pronounced the
cheering words "God bless you;" many
a wife and sister strove to conceal their
grief as the spartan band of cherished
ones left their homes; but they did not
go down-hearted. they were going TO
answer their country's call, and they
went with gallant tread and smiling fa-
ces. Those gallant boys, as well as
their Captain, have distinguished their
names by deeds Of valor and courage.
They have marched through Kentucky,
Tennessee, and some distance into Al
ALBANIA, and still seem eager for the
word forvard. Since entering the SER
vice there has been no cause for blot
nor blame to rest on this company, ev-
cry order has been obeyed to the letter.
Onward they have gone in course Of
duty, building bridges. wading through
mud and rain, through water deep and
cold, but never a murmur or complaint.
They seem to have but one aim in view,
and that is the restoration Of the Union.
If there is a difficult task to perform,
Co. F is called on. and they never re-
fuse; no, they are not the boys to shrink
from duty.
Not long ago Gen. Mitchell heard the
rebels were rebuilding the burnt brid.
pes up close to Stevenson; he sent the
Cd Ohio, Col. Harris, upon train to
see if IT was SO. He also called on Col.
Sill for a Captain and IS men to take
charge Of an express train to act as
rear guard for Col. Harris and keep
the. road clear. Col. Sill thereupon
detached Captain Montgomery and As
of his company, with 90 Of company
A, all under his command. He repor-
ted himself to Gen. Mitchell, who gave
him instructions and told him TO take
command of the train Immediately and
proceed up toward Chattanooga until he
overlook the Cd Ohio, and report him.
self to Col. Harris. The General
would allow him but one car, and there
fore about Is Of his men had to get on
top of the car. They left about an
hour before dark, and shortly after it
began to rain and blow and was very
cold. They overlook the ed at Smiths
vile, about 16 miles from Stevenson;
they had concluded to remain there till
morning. Capt. NJ. reported to Col. Har-
ris, who ordered him TO keep running
up and down the railroad from / 8 to 90
miles till morning. Capt. NJ. asked
him for larger car, that all his men
could be sheltered, but his answer was,
you might as well be wet as my men.
--Iothing was to be done but obey or
ders, therefore company F was scouting
on the railroad all that long dreary
night. At length daylight came, and
Col. Harris moved forward. Capt. n.
followed about l9 miles in the rear; af- |
ter arriving at the bridge and finding
no rebels there, Col. H. wrote a dis
patch to Gen. Mitchell and sent it to
Capt. NJ, with orders to carry it to him
forthwith. 1t was now 81 o'clock A.
NJ, and nothing to eat all night, and 60
miles from Huntsville. If ever an en-
CINE snorted twice at once it was the
one Capt. NJ. was commanding. He
had steam up from 40 to I4O lbs.-l
They arrived at Huntsville Is minutes
before 10 o'clock, and delivered the
dispatch to Gen. Mitchell. He was
conversing with three Southern leaders
when Capt. NJ. entered his tent in haste,
his face black as dry cedar smoke could
make it, with a blue overcoat drip
ping with rain, entirely concealing his
uniform. The following conversation
took place:
General-Whst do you want, sir?
Csptain-General have brought you
that dispatch.
General-What dispatch. sir?
Captain-One from Col. Harris, sir.
General-why, the train has not
come yet. has it?
Captain-Yes, sir, or would not be
here.
General-wby did not Capt. NJ. re-
port to me in person?
Captain-l am here. sir.
General-Indeed, 1 did not recog-
nize YOU. How come you SO wet and
black?
Commissioning on top, outside
the car, sir.
Genersl-Wby did you remain out
side! ID
Captain-Sir, the car would not hold
us all, and ] chose to remain with those
who were outside in the rain and cold.
General-You did net remain out
the entire nighti
Csptsin-Yes, sir, never set my
foot inside after leaving Huntsville.
II A. n