Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-10
CORPORAL DAVIS's RECORD
More Testimony from his Fellow
Soldiers.

w copy rum w llS tOui
Ter of Wednesday the following letters to
that paper, defending Mr.. Davis against the
base ISLANDERS of the Maine Standard in rela-
ton TO his character as a soldier. Rev. II.
W. Bolton, who writes the first letter, was
orderly sergeant of Mr.. Davis's company, and
is now pastor of the First Methodist church
in Bangor. The others are all from reliable
men; of the seven letters published one is
from greenbacker and two from democrats.
The "FIRsT SERGEANT's REPORT
Editor Of the Wing and Courier:
On my return from the Aroostook, last even
ing, my attention was called to a scandalous
attack upon the military record of the Hon.
ID. +. Davis, by the editor of the Maine
Standard; and as a comrade-n-arms and as
sociate in battles for FIFTEEN months, | wish to
say a few things through your columns.
l left Augusta with Mr.. Davis, for Wash
ington in the fall of SO, and as private sol
diers Of Co. ID, LIST ID. c. Cavalry, we went
into camp at Washington in December of '63.
At that time Capt. Cloudman, under whom
we were both enlisted, was made Major, and
sent back to Maine to recruit other companies,
and Lieut.. VIM. S. Howe was made Captain.
and | was appointed First Sergeant and
served in flat capacity until the consolida-
ton with the First Maine Cavalry in Septem-
Der, "a. The consolidation separated us.
In January, ga, we went to the front and en-
tered the campaign of Ca, under General
Butler. was with Mr.. Davis on a raid to
Coalpit Station, when we attempted TO enter
Richmond and release the prisoners. was
with him on Kautz's raid on Bottom Bridge,
and was by him when the bridge was taken
and burned, and detailed him to aid in re-
moving the wounded after the fight was over.
was with him on Kautz's raid to Stony
Creek, for fourteen days, and stood by his
side in fearful fight on the Weldon railroad
and also under Butler at Bermuda Hundred
June Is, "a, we were ordered to advance
upon the forces before Petersburg, and there
we lost nine men, among them Lieut.. Park
man. and over his body Messrs. Davis, Ben
nett and Herrin had pitched battle with the
rebels, laying him. Lieut.. Parkman, down
twice to drive the rebels back, and then tax
and he died in our midst, and among his last
words were expressions of thanks 10 Mr..
Davis for rescuing him.
Twas with Mr.. Davis on the noted raid
under General Wilson, and our regiment was
in every fight of that raid, and on the morn
ing of the battle at Reams' Station had
command of the advance guard and Mr..
Davis was my Corporal on the right, and in
every move of that day we were because of
our position, side by side, and once were
left between the two lines of battle.
In the act of dsmounting my company we
were surprised by the rebels and Mr.. Davis
and myself were left dsmounted and alone.
Three minutes more and the line of rebels
would have taken us, and but for the coming
of the 18th Penna. Cavalry, under command
! of Col. Spear, in mounted charge, we would
have been prisoners, or killed. At that time
l said, Corporal, lay low" ''No Sir ="
said Mr.. Davis, ''this is my last chance
and with his wOnted self-possession brought
his carbine to his shoulder and fred l6 shots
into the on-coming line.
| could speak Of many other events, but
| have refreshed my memory by letters upon
these points, and am ready to say that Mr.
Davis was true soldier, never asking to be
excused, but always ready for duty when
able to stand; and more than once have ex-
cused him, much to his annoyance, because l
knew he was not able to do the duty he
wanted to undertake.
The charge of the Standard claims to be
based on Mr. Davis's sworn statement. What
that statement was know not, but suppose
it was in view of pension, and suppose
he put into his statement enough to answer
the requirements, and his modcsty forbade
the publication of work performed when proof
OF having contracted disease in the service
was sought BE that as it may, Mr.. Davis
always has reserve force" and his enemies
may learn this fact, for letters have reached
me from all parts of the State asking,
Where is our Orderly Sergeant; why dom
he speak for our worthy comrade?"
In conclusion want to say that sixteen
years acquaintance with Mr.. Davis has Civ
en- me profound reverence for his real
worth, and every soldier may feel honored
with the privilege of doing work in view of
his election to the office of Governor. He
will never sell us out comrades Every tenn
perance man will find in him n true friend
and representative of their cause No true
lover of education, temperance or righteous
ness, can afford to be Indifferent until Mr..
Davis is elected, and the State of Maine is
redeemed and the principles for which we
fought are universally acknowledged.
II. w. BoLrox,
Late Orderly Sergeant Co. ID. lst ID. c.
Cavalry.
Bangor, July 8, 1879.
Editor Of the Wing:
In looking over the Standard of July I'd
find few lines in regard to Mr.. Daniel +.
Davis and his record as a soldier. can saw
that can shake the hand of ID. +. Davis any
day and introduce him to any of nv brother