The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-14
Misfellauenas.
Anecdote of General Belknap.

Anecdote OF General belknap.
DIR. Duncan. who was medical director
on the staff of General Mcpherson, writes
to the Washington Chronicle the following
anecdoto of Gen. Belknap, now Secretary
Of War;
.Seeing an Article some days since In n
New Orleans paper which spoke Of Gen.
Belknap rs man unknown. suggested the
idea that tho Aforesaid New Orleans paper
must have been taking "Trip Van Winkle
nap" and conld pot boast a very extensive
modern acquaintance Of its own. And 1t
furthermore brought to mind y stirring
little incident connected with General
Bclknap's military history, which the writ
or of this article had the fortune to wit
ness. It was at the battle Of Atlanta,
July 22, 1864, a day ever to be remembered
by the surviving members Of the historic
"Army Of Tennessee" while reason holds
her seat or recollection the power ofrecall-
ing the pasta day around which memo
ries Of mingled pride and sorrow will ever
lingcr.
We remember tho victory now over the
flower Of Hood'sarmy with pride, while in
sorrow the tributary tear viii flow rs men,
ory whispers in mournfnl echoes tho notes
of McPherson's requiem. '''-''''
General Belknap, then colonel Of the
18th Iowa infantry, was in the Iowa brig
adc, and, think. commanded II as senior
colonel. At any rate he was in just such
n place rs President Davis ordered Lieu
tenant General Joab to put Brigadier Gen.
eral Uriah. viz: the hottest part Of the
battle; for certainly hotter spot could not
be found on the entire line than the point
held by Belknap. and when his brigade
broke and fell back. being attacked in
front. flank and rear. he seized the flag,
rallied his command. brought them back
to their original position. and held the
ground till the fight was over-sometimes
fighting on one side of their brcastworks
and sometimes on the other, changing sides
no less than five times during the battle.
"Still their grit abatcd not and their
pluck was not quenched." Belknap saying
to his command. ave came here to whip
'cm. and we oas whip 'cm, and Wen stay
here until we DO whip em;" and they did.
When tho battle was over and night
came on, the gray clad corpscs that strcwcd
the ground in their front told now they had
fought the battle. After some four or five
hours fighting. the enemy found they could
not carry the ridge held by Belknap. On
this point they made repeated charges
with little or no result. So they finally
voted Belknap nuisance, and one Colonel
Lamplcy. Of the 18th Alabama, command
ing the brigade, volunteered 10 abate him
as such. General Belknap is, rs the boys
say. mo chicken" but, rs he stands in full
dress rs n general officer, n beau ideal OF n
soldier. and n perfect picture Of scottish
chief, full six feet In height and wearing
"Rob Roy" hair and whiskers. tho latter
reaching his belt. Il speak of him as he
was in lS64.) He weighed Mt this time
200 pounds or more. without enough adj
pose matter about him To lubricate watch,
but any amount Of muscle. A clear blue
eye. that in friendly intercourse or In the
social circle particularly II the circle was
.nrinkled with S,cntlc onesN vas 4, nleas-