The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-16
A PATHETIC PICTURE.
Daring Deeds OF American Heroes.

In yesterdays Onion appeared q very
pathetic military picture. The subject OF
the melancholy sketch was one d. o. Reid,
who will be best remembered by his con-
nection, with the Rock Island Greys, in Aud
Lang syne, and by the presentation to him
of wooden sword for his valorous achieve
ments in the CORY precincts OF Rock Island
Like the black troops, he fought nobly, ac'
cording the Unions romance. At the hrst
booming Of the enemy's cannon, he grasPeo
a musket and rushed to the rescue OF his
bleeding country. He had no eye to rank
or green backs, but believed the interests of
the country could be best subserved by his
fighting as private soldier. For ferocioue
conduct at Shiloh, he was commissioned
Lieutenant. Through business miSfortunes
he lost his property while in the service. On
returning, grateful city rewarded him with
the Rock Island Cerkship. He is now on
the anxious seat again, and for the sake Of
buucomb, pretends.t to reside at Moline.
For this thrilling picture of his heroism,
we are propably indebted not SO much to
the brains of the editor Of the Union as to
about two doses OF seven and half cent
whisky. That, we understand is the modi-
cum required acros, the way to incubate a
production Of that kind.
The facts in the case are as follows: In
1861, Col. W. W. McChessney, Of the regu.
lar army, came to Rock Island to organize
a regiment. Among those who responded
to the cell we're Captain Hawley and high
private Reid. Hawley attached himself to
cheese knife on the express stipulation
that he should be Captain at once, and
that ust as soon az the regiment could be
put together, he should have issued to him
the commission of either a!major or lieuten.
ant.colonel. The chances we're strongly in
favor Of the latter position, Reid accepted the
chevrons of an Orderly Sergeant in Hawley's
company on the express agreement that Just
as quick as Hawley got his promotion, Reid
was to be made q lieutenant. But II seems
that the United States, and certain Of the
people Of Rock Island did not fully agree as
to the merits of our distinguished Congress
man, and that neither Hawley or Reid were
promoted Sorely disappointed at the result,
Davy went to live in tent principally be-
cause he could not help himself. At the bat
! tie Of Fort Donelson, where the Union tell,
us this immortal pair helped crush the rebel
! lion, the regiment to which they belonged
| did not come under fire during the whole
o,gepement. Nevertheless, Hawiey was &c
! impressed with the unhealthy character Of
| his employment, and so satisfied with the 81
gsntio blows he had given the contederacy
that he contrived to get the rheumatism in
his left leg, aud to get the resignation of bis
commission accepted on that score. His
leg ia now perfectly well, we are happy t'
state. This gave Davy a chance to get GU
of the mire, and he WAS accordingly made
Lieutenant, agreeable TO the conditions 0
his enlistment.
, The richest part Of the story though, /
about Reds sacrificing his property Will
he was in the service, when everybody i
Rock Island knows that he wasn't worth f
! teen cents when he enlisted. He couldn
). have bought three glasses Of beer, wthol
giving his note for them, to have saved b
neck from the halter, He went into II
l. army to make a raise, and never made
d cent in his life except in the army, Re
is good enougha felow--quiet, unassumin
y good for nothing, slow, easy,not too emerge
4, 10 for his health, and all that, but the idt
y. Of making hero out Of him, or okstickir
N him in the County Treasurers Office,
lauehably absurd. His exploits will do
- tell to the Horse Marines, and for dog.pt
ter, he might stand chance of an electio
- but his calibre is too light, and his brait
too limited, to qualify him for any such 8
, important position as he now wants.