The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-06-20
A Heroic Sergeant.

YIN ffiuay, tue Ia ult., sergeant
of the Twenty Second Iowa, in Gem
era Grams army, named Joseph Crit
fl h, immortalized himself by perform
ing one Of those acts which we often
read Of in romances, but which are
really enacted, perhaps, but once in a
century. We have had few more noe
worthy during jhe continuance of this
war of notable Incidents. sergeant Grit
fifth was engaged, with the remainder of
his regimen IN sorning and endeavor-
ing to carry the enemys works. The
Rebel bullets whistled about its ears,
and ever and anon heavy shot would
strike in the hard earth that barred his
progless or u shell explode over his
head, and the death-deaiing fragments
come pattcrug into the soil near his
posi- ion. Yet the bold lowan persisted
i'll hi, cudcavors to scale the Rebel folti-
iica ion, and some ten or fifteen of his
company seconded his efforts with their
bes endeavors.
Finally, after tremendous excrtions,
the sergeant and thirteen men actually
drove off The defenders Of the small fort
ress, climbed up and stood upon the
carthwork. But they stayed there only
moment. Not waiting to see, but ex-
pectlng that u large body of their CON.
rades were close upon their heels, they
claIubercd down the embankmcnt, and
drove every Rebel out ,f it at the point
Of The bayonc and actually found them
selves, fourteen men in all, masters Of
the field. They held he place some
hours, but none OF their men came to
their assis ancc. Presently. he Rebels
made the discovery that their works we've
pierced, aud small detachment was sent
to cap ,ure or kill the ambiguous Yankee
generators. But our friends from Iowa
had rested slightly, and were not to be
captured so easily. They disputed the
entrance Of the Rebels, and soon Trimmed
their ranks considerably. But THEN
valor could do nothing against such SUI
pcrior numbers.
Yet the ranks Of the Iowa boys were
full. But presently Il more effective
voloy than usual either killed or wound
ed every man in the little baud, wi h the
exception Of the sergeant, and he was
knocked down and badly stunned BY a
spent bail, whose force had been partially
stopped by first striking one of his com
pamons. For some moments Grili re-
mained motionlcss but just as the Reb-
els were entering the works, either to
kill or to capture those of the Federals
ho i,rlt lao Il T. .nlt
Down came the Rebels. Their muske s
we're all empty. Griffith had the adj
vantage of them there, for his was uu-
discharged. He Immediately drew the
implement 20 his shoulder and ordered a
halt Forced to obey, the Confederatcs
halted. Griffith then told them that he
had them, and, unless they surrendered
themselves prisoners Of war, he should
kill them one by one with his musket
and revolver. The Rebels wavered. -
They hardly knew what to do. Griffith
did know what to do-he knew very
we'll that his life hung in the balance,
and unless he could brighten his foes he
was "gone lowan.'
Finally, the Confederates actually sur
rendered to this single and uraided man
and he positively marched them over
the wall he and his friends had scaled,
and delivered them safely, prisoners of
war, at the headquarters Of his Divi-
sion. Why he Rebels surrendered | do
not pretend to decide, but that they sur
rendered to single man, and that there
were thirteen Of them, is an undoubted
fact. | have the incilen. from an eye
witness of their delivery, Lieutenant
Colonel Warmoth, Of General McCer-
nand's staff. Griffith is fui you h,
it is said, and makes no great preten
tons. He should be promoted directly,
and undoubtedly will be, just as soon as
can be done. Such men are rare, and
I" when found should be made a no. e Of"