The National tribune., 1881-10-22
FROM ONE OF KEENAN,S MEN.

Mr.. William II. Bentz late first lieutenant
Company K, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry
(keenan's regiment), which made the gallant
charge at charlottesville described in THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE Of August u, in renewing
his subscription, says;
Il would not be without the paper, as find
it a very valuable friend. | am d claimant for
pension, and find the TRIBUNE a great helper
1t has saved me great deal Of correspondence
with my attorney, as frequently find Just what
want TO know in the TRIBUNE.
Your article upon the charge of keenan, at
Charlottesville in the second weekly issue
touched tender place III my memory, as ! my
self was a participant in that charge, being a
member Of the old Eighth Pennsylvania Volun-
teer Cavalry, and although / came out of the
engagement unframed myself, my horse had re-
ceived two severe wounds which put him hors du
combat for some two or three months. All! well
do remember Major keenan,. He was soldier
in truth and in deed. There were few Drawer than
he, and had he but lived he would have left
name inscribed as a successful soldier in the
annals OF the late worthy of being worn
through life with manly pride, and OF which any
one might well feel proud.
"The old Eighth Pennsy lvania Cavalry passed
through many q trying ordeal after that, and
with great credit both to officers and men; vet
Keenans loss was deeply felt by all.
Wishing your valuable paper success, and
that it may bring consolation 10 many among
those who threw their all in the balance in favor
of their country in its trouble, and who are now
nearly One-titth Of century after their services
were rendered, bravely and with hardly muir
mur bearing their bodies racked with pains
crippled from wounds, and languishing from the
effects OF disease, and hoping the day may
speedily come when they shall receive their re-
ward which they have so generously earned and
which so Justly belongs to them. | remain yours
ever III sympathy with the soldier,
VIM. H. BENTz"
We like to receive letters like the foregoing,
but not simply because Of the kindly mention
OF THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE which it contains
There is another reason which we, having been
a soldier can fully appreciate Our comrade
speaks OF matters which commend themselves
to the heart and draw out it's tenderest strongest
feelings. We can understand, we can appreciate
what keenan, and his gallant men did at Chan
cellOrsville. We realize how they took their
lives III their hands and charged through the
ranks Of the foe to lay there a bleeding sacrifice
upon their country's altar. We have looked
death in the face upon the field of battle; so did
they, and their browning deed when keenan,
fell was the bravest Of all, and history must
yield to them the palm We admire noble deeds
and respect the doors of them always; but when
those deeds are wrought by comrades-nen fight
ing IN the same great cause with us-then they
grow beyond mere admiration they become
sublime, while those who conceive and those
who execute become brothers. and we love them.
Hence ii is that we are pleased to hear from
them-to receive letters that cali up old times
aud such tender memories Of the past.