The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-06-19
A HEROIC SERGEANT.

'N 'SSuA6 correspondents
gives the following instance of heroism
by an Iowa Boy:
On Friday, the 22d ultimo, sergeant
of the Twenty-second Iowa, named Jo-
seph Griffith, immortalized himself by
performing 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 note
worthy during the continuance of this
war or notable incidents. Sergeant
Griffith was engaged with the remainder
OF this regiment in storming and endeav.
oring to carry the enemy's works. The
rebel bullets whiStled about his ears, and
ever and anon heavy shot would strike
in the hard earth that barred his pros
gress, or shell explode over his head
and the death.dealing fragments come
pattering into the soil near his position.
Yet the bold Iowan persisted in his en-
deaVors to scale the rebel forti6cation,
and some ten or fifteen of his company
seconded his efforts with their best en-
deavors. Finally, after tremendous ex-
ertions, the Sergeant and thirteen men
actually drove off the defenders of the
small fortress, climbed up and stood up.
on the earthwork. But they stayed
there only moment. Not waiting to
see, but expecting that large body of
their comrades were close upon their
heels, they clambered down the enbank.
ment and drove every rebel out of it at
the point of the bayonet, and actually
found themselves, fourteen men in all,
masters of the field. They held the
place some hours, but none of their men
came to their assistance. Presently the
rebels made the discovery that their
works were pierced, and small detach-
ment was sent to capture or kill the au-
dacious Yankee generators. But our
friends from Iowa had rested slightly
and were not to be captured so easily.
They disputed the entrance of the reb.
els and soon thinned their ranks consider
ably. But valor could do nothing agaist
such superior numbers. Yet the ranks
of the Iowa boys were full. But pres
emily more effective voley than usual
either killed or wounded every man in
the little band, with the exception of the
Sergeant, and he was knocked down and
badly stunned by a spent ball, whose
force had been partially stopped by first
striking one of his companions. For
some moments Griffith remained motion.
less; but just as the rebels were entering
the works, either to kill or capture those
of the federals who might survive, he
recovered himself. Down came the reb-
els. There muskets were all empty
Griffith had the advantage of them there,
for his was undischarged. He imme.
diately drew theimpement to his shoul.
der and ordered halt. Forced to obey
the Confederates 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 well that his life hung in the bal.
ance, and unless he could frighten his
foes he was "gone Iowan." Finally,
the ConfederateS actually surrendered to
this single and unaided 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 Division. Why the
rebels surrendered / do not pretend to
decide, but that they surrendered to a
single man-and there were thirteen of
them-iS an undoubted fact. 1 have the
incident from an eye witness Of their de-
livery, Lieut. Col. Warmoth, Of Gener-
al McClernand's staff. Griffith is quite
youth, it is said, and makes no great
pretensions. He should be promoted
directly, and undoubtedly will be, just as
soon as it can be done. Such men are
rare, and "when found should be made o
note Of" ......