Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-11-14
Incident Of Army Life.

During the spring Of 1866 was on detail
at General Ord's headquarters, and frequent
ly carried dispatches to General Grant. He
knew me as one of General 0rd's orderlies.
When the latter was transferred from the
north 20 the south side Of the James River,
and operated with General Sheridan in the
rout and capture of Lees army; ] was often
compelled to ride through tie grGatet part
of our own troops before | could find Grant
and deliver my dispatches.
One morning in April, I received some
captured letters Trd orders, and some copies
OF reports of scouts and rebel deserters, and
was directed to find General Grant and de-
liver them to him. After riding several
hours, found him between our lines during
one of the front and rear attacks which the
enemy made upon our left, and near the
Dinwidde Court House. This rear attack
produced not a little confusion in our ttsops.
Here and there was hurrying to and FRO,
riding in hot haste, giving and changing
orders, taking new positions, or changing
front. AS yet the firing was desultory a
few had been killed, and several wounded.
General Grant accompanied WIN dne staff
officer and orderly or two, was assisting the
division ard brigade commanders in the
suitable disposition of their forces, he having
come upon that part of our line soon after
| these simultaneous attacks were made.
While engaged in these arrangements
three soldiers pnssed near the General carry
ing a dead man, Wrapped m n blanket, from
the skirmish line. Grant rode up to them
and ordering them to step, said "Whal
have you there Z"
One of them replied "We have the body
of our captain. We are taking it to the
fear. He was just now killed on the skirm
ish line" They were young men, rather
tall and fine looking and appeared from
eighteen to twenty-forr years Of age.
''You remember, my brave boys" says the
General, 'sthat the first duty of a soldier, il
the hour of battle, is to secure the victory
that acquired, there will be sufficient tim,
to care tor the wounded, collect the captured
property, and bury the deaG."
ave know that, General" said the oldest
glancing at the stars OF the Lieutenant Ger
eral; but he was our father, too. Whel
we set out for the war We all promised ou
mother and sister that whoever should di
the survivors would send home TO be bGriei
on the banks of the Kalamazoo"
1T can make but little difference 20 you
brave father where his body lies" said Crast
"while the more than Spartan patr!otisrA an
self denial of your mother and sister will no
permit you to leave the post OF duty in a
hour like this"
They nodded assent, but were too deepi
affected to reply. They laid the body,
, their father et the roots of pine tree whic
-, stood near by, end half running, half wall
, ing, returned to Their regiment. Tea
glistened in the eyes of their corhmandin
general as he remarked their earnest thoue
sorrowful resignation, and he often turne
to catch glimpse of them as they sank
the little valleys and rose on the hills hurr
I ing back.
Within less than two hours the battle f
the day was won. The three brothers can
+ out unhurt the body of their father W
q embalmed at City Point, and sent to Farm
a Michigan. r.
= A little more than month afterwar
= when that paat of the army passed Richmon
|. the two youngest brothers were the juIi
i officers In their fathers corapasy, and Il
!. elder was the adjutant of their regiment.