Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-09-28
GENERAL BUCKLAND'S
WAR RECORD.
EDITORS FREMONT JOURNAL:


EDIToRs FREMONT JOURNAL:
Every public man-indeed every man-dur-
ing the past five years has been making for
himself war record. Some went-more staid
at home. OF those who served in the army,
either as officers or privates TO save "this con-
stitution and the flag with sc stars" all have
fqhting war record. OF those who staid at
home. all have home war record. Gen.
Buckland's record as well as Mr.. Finefrocks is
to-day public property. Both are fair subjects
of criticism.
propose, as briefly as 1 can, to write out a
short sketch of General Buckland's fighting
record, leaving Mr.. Finefrock's home record to
be written out by his friends.
In the fall of 1861, Gen. Buckland assist
ed principally by the officers and men who
afterwards composed it-raised Regiment
the I'D, GLORIOUS I'D, 1 can't help but write
it) of which he was made Colonel; Herman
Garfield of Medina, Lieut.. Col; Leroy Crocket,
Major; Eugeiu Rawson, Adgt. Of the original
field officers of his Regiment, Gen. Buck
land alone lives Caufeld and Rawson fell in
battle-Orocket the victim of Rebel prison life.
In cold bleak day in January, thus organ
lied, the Regiment moved to Camp Chase;
soon thereafter to Paducah, KY, and from
thence to Pittsburg Landing. The Gen. hav- :
ing been assigned by General Sherman to
the command of Brigade, including in it his
own I'D Regiment, the immediate command
of the Regiment devolved upon Lieut.. Col
Garfield. This Reg. was now at Shiloh. Hast
ily collected-with no time for drill-the Gen.
and his men Observation-Disclosures
will Col. Buckland and his men do when
the trial comes? Wait and see.
Two days before the battle of Shiloh, Gen..
Buckland suspectiDg that Co. B. of the I'D,
which had been sent out on a reconnaissance, was
surrounded by rebel cavalry, took three compa-
MES of the regiment-put himself at their head
and went to its relief, arriving just in time to
save Co. B from destruction. Standing its
ground gallantly, he found that company sur
rounded by a regiment of Alabama Cavalry
Just ready to make charge. His men advanced
-deployed in line of battle-the General rid
ing few rods in front. As they came in view
of the long line of rebel cavalry, they opened
fire, which the rebels quickly returned. The
General remained in front of his line leading
his men on to the charge The rebels were
driven from the field with loss Of many killed
and about fifteen prisoners. So, he and his
men behaved the first time either saw an armed
rebel. This was really the commencement of
the battle of Shiloh
On Sunday morning, two days after the bat
tie commenced with great fury. Gen. Buckland
had his brigade in line of battle more than an
hour before the attack, and SO soon as he learned
that the enemy had crossed the creek in front
and was advancing in force, he ordered his brig
ade to advance and meet them. Moving his
line forward thirty or forty rods, he came with
in short musket range of the enemy's line, and
the fight commenced on both sides. For more
than two hours the fight was maintained in this
position with heroic stubbornness. Repeatedly
the enemy attempted to advance but were driven
back with great slaughter. Gen. Buckland con-
stantly rode along his line encouraging his men
| regardless of his own safety. The little fight
two days before had inspired his troops and
satisfied them of the courage of their COM
mander Wherever the fight was the hottest,
there he would go. Officers and men begged
him not to expose himself so much.
On the second day of the battle Gen. Sher-
man ordered him to advance his line under a
terrible fire from the enemy. Gen. Buckland
gave the order to advance. The fire was SO ter
rife that the troops hesitated little. The
General rode to the front, took the color bearer
with him and rode forward toward the desired
position, calling on his men to follow which they
did with cheers amidst perfect shower Of rebel
| bullets. ss
At the siege of Vicksburg he was ordered to
support Gen. Blair, in an assault on the works
and to take possession of ridge which was
| commanded by the rebel batteries and musket-
ry. To get to this ridge it was necessary to pass
down narrow road perfectly commanded by
| the rebel batteries and musketry. Gen. Buck
| land dismounted and marched at the head oi
his Brigade. As soon as the head of his col
umn made its appearance on the road terrible
| fire of artillery and musketry was opened upon
| it from the rebel works. Men were shot down
by his side and all around him, but he went on
| and took possession of the ridge. The Hath
Illinois, hesitating to come up TO the proper line
Gen. Buckland passed along in front of the reg.
iment the whole length, showing the men as he
went along the point he wished them to reach
He passed from the right to the left of the reg
iment, in full view of the rebels, who kept ur
constant fire. When he had proceeded about
| half way along the front of the regiment, the
| Colonel cried out to him, General, they are
shooting at you." The General replied, Let them
| shoot" and kept cody on his way.
When Gen. Forrest made his celebrated raid
into Memphis, and captured Gen. Washburn' s
Head Quarters-Gen. Washburn himself escap-
what few men he could, quickly, and immedi-
ately attacked the enemy, greatly superior in
numbers, and drove them out of the city.
Many more items in Gen. Buckland's mill
tary career might be written; but to keep with
in such bounds as would not over-occupy the
| columns of the JOURNAL, have chosen to offer
those that l have related, as part of war rec
| ord, of the whole of which neither the General
his friends, or his noble I'D Regiment are
ashamed. One Who KNOWS.