davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
FLANIGAN's HERoIsM.
Brave Deed that Saved the Lives of Helpless
lien.
To the Editor NATIONAL tribune:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Thomas Flanagan, of George H. Thomas
Post, No. 6, q. A. r., Louisville, KY was the
hero Of an incident in the late war, that for
GOODNESS and bravery has probably never been
excelled.
Flanagan served in company B, First Ken
lucky infantry, and was twice wounded-once
at the battle OF Shiloh, where he received a shot
in the leg, and again during scouting expedi-
ton. Coming Unexpectedly upon band of
guerrillas he sought to escape by driving his
horse down a steep declivity, but the horse
stumbled and fell on top of him, breaking his
arm, which is badly crooked still. But the
instance of his heroism occurred at Resaca,
Ga, where we Were guarding the ammunition
OF Sherman's army sudden thunderstorm
having came up, one flash of lightning struck
the tarpaulin covering the ammunition and set
fire to some Of the cotton which was wrapped
around the loaded shells. The guards, with
the exception of Flanagan, started Off in every
direction. He says IN describing the event: g
was startled at first, and thought of running
but the thought of the 500 wounded men re-
strained me. determined to save them, if pos
slble. The boxes containing the loaded shells
were placed on top, and looking up saw that
the cotton In which they were wrapped was on
hre IN several places, and the crash must come
soon. Close in front of the pile ditch had
Deem dug, and 1t contained some water. Jerk
ing the'taIpaulin away jumped into the ditch
and began to throw water at the burning cot
ton and boxes. 1t was up too high, however,
and seeing that it was only waste of time,
threw the bucket away and commenced climb
ing up TO where the danger lay. l expected
every minute to be blown to pieces, and cannot
see how / escaped, but l managed to get on
top of the pile, though not until number of
the boxes containing the shells were on FIRE,
and the cotton that they were wrapped in was
afiame. put out the fire, picked out the burn
ing cotton by the handful. and threw it
away. / put it ali out before any damage was
done. IL ! had been minute later, however.
the effect would have been pretty rough, as
there was stuff enough in that heap to have
blown up half Of the State of Georgia l think
some Of the men in the brigade ran nearly a
mile, but not hearing any explosion, those who
had stopped in hearing distance returned"
LOUISVILLE, KY. EDWARD T. LINCOLN,
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
The Capture of Fort Esperanto, Texas.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
In your issue of the 10Th inst an INQUIRER asks
some comrade to give an account of the capture
of Fort Esperanto, Texas As I was in COM
pany E, Eighteenth Indiana volunteer infantry,
and in thesa brigade with the bloody Ninety
ninth Illinois volunteer infantry, thought I
of that fort On the night of November &c,
1863 we camped on the beach about two miles
from the fort. The next afternoon we started
In double-tile towards the fort until we came
to ditch leading from the beach to the rifle
pits of the enemy, about three or four hundred
yards from the fort. Although they had twenty
six cannon in the fort, they opened on us with
but one, a 164-pounder, and, as they used moth
ing but solid shot, we could see them coming
and were able to dodge every one of them We
took possession of the rife-pits without much
trouble. Shortly after midnight we heard a
very loud report, and l told Captain Wadsworth
that there would be no charge the next morn
ing, as the rebels had left the fort; and so it
turned out. About daylight while we were in
camp, we would hear every once in while
magazine blow up, for they had opened the
mouths of their magazines and rolled bale
of cotton in front of each of them and set
them on fire. However, we saved all but three
or four that caught and blew up before we
could get the burning cotton away. In the
meantime a party of our men followed their
trail and overlook their rear guard at the
draw bridge, and they surrendered without a
shot. The bridge was not destroyed, as we
crossed it some days after ON our march to
Indianola. THos. J, PARKER,
BENSON, ILL.
The National tribune., 1883-08-16

commanded by Gen. Milo S. Hascall, was or
dered by Gen. Judah, commanding the division,
to charge the rebel works at the left of Rocky
Face Ridge. The position was very strong,
and it was evident the assault would have to be
made over a cleared field of descending ground
until close up to the works, which would be
swept by q fire from at least three directions.
Not murmur Of discomfort was heard, how
ever as the little brigade stripped for the fray.
Officers and men went quietly around and babe
their friends good-by. But Hascall having care
fully reconnoitered the field in person, and,
with the eye of the true soldier he was, seen
at a glance the murderous consequences, dis
obeyed the order, giving as the reason, that
the force under his command was entirely too
small. Judah tried to make trouble for him on
account OF this, but he was sustained by Cen
erals Schofeld aud Sherman. Judah got in his
work on. the boys, however, short time after,
at Resaca, where he charged the rebel works
with his division, leaving nearly half his men
dead or wounded on the field. For this he was
relieved, and never held a command in the
field again during the war, while Hascall came
into command Of the division.
T. w. METCALFE,
Capt, Co. E. 129th Indiana.
WESTERN NEBRASKA, July 81, 1883.
The National tribune., 1883-08-16

which he states that the brigade composed Of
the Twenty-foUrth and Sixth Ohio volunteer
infantry and the Thirty Indiana and
Eighty-fourth Illinois volunteer infantry, was
commanded by Colonel Clark. 1t seems to me
Mr. Freeman is mistaken about that Colonel
Grose, of the Thirty-sixths Indiana, had been
in command of the brigade for some time before
the battle of Stone River, and, think, was in
command during the battle. / know Colonel
Crosse was in the battle and / don't think he
was wounded and ] know after Major Kinly
was carried OF the field wounded our regiment
was left without any field officer, and Captain
TrusSier, of company II, was put in command
Of the regiment. Mr.. Freeman also leaves out
one regiment of the brigade. There were five
regiments in the brigade, the Seventeenth
Kentucky making the nth, i think.
Our own regiment was fled off at right angles
from the original limo Of battle to form new
line 10 re-eniorce the troops which were driven
around from the right wing, but.being unable
10 rally the troops which were falling back, and
the rebels ontRumbering US five to one, we
We're compelled, after meeting with heavy
losses In killed and wounded, TO fall back. The
Twenty fourth, being fnrtherto the left, did not
meet with SO strong charge, and may have
been able TO hold their ground, but had they
been in our place they would have done as we did
fail back--Or be captured. Twas wounded in
this charge and fell into the hands of the rebels,
but, luckily tor me, our troops made SO hot FOR
them that they did not get their ambuiances
up all day, and after dark some unknown sol
der carried me from The field to the tent hos
pital. In this battle Colonel Jones, of the
Twenty-fourth Indiana was lAortally wounded.
He was truly good man, and every soldier in
the brigade deplored his death. The captain
of my company las good man. as ever lived
was also killed while cheering on his troops,
and our first and second lieutenants having
been wounded, Lieutenant Fentress of some
other company, was ordered to command us. |
would like to hear through The TRIBUNE,
from some Of the boys in the brigade. viii not
Colonel Grose or Major Einley, of the Thirty
sixth Indiana or Colonel Anderson, OF the Sixth
Ohio, give us a line in The TRIBUNE?
L. J. PENTECosT, Co. g, 36th Ind
PASoRA, Iowa.
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
They Drank from the Same canteen.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Do you remember that grand old poem, by
Private Miles 0'Reilly, "We Drank from the
Same Canteen" -? The last verse is as follows
For when wounded lay on the outer slope,
With my blood flowing fast, and but little to hope
Upon which my faint spirit could lean;
Oh then | remember, you crawled to my side,
And bleeding SO fast, it seemed both must have
We drank from the same canteen
In reading this verse to-day | was reminded
of little incident which took place after the
second battle of Bull Run The ground in the
vicinity where | lay was thickly strewn with
the dead and wounded, and in the afternoon of
the second day after the battle my attention
was attracted by some one calling to me. On
looking around | found it was a young man
about seventeen years of age, lying upon an
old blanket only few yards away. He
asked me if / had any water in my canteen.
told him | had and he crawled over to where
/ was lying and took drink of water from the
canteen. He was as fine looking young fellow
as | ever met | saw that he was badly
wounded and suffering terribly, but told him
he must keep up good courage as we would prob
ably soon be taken care of. With smile on
his face which shall never forget, and sadly
shaking his head, he replied: Il am afraid
can't stand it much longer" After conversing
with him few minutes he took another drink
and crawled back. Some time during that
night | was awakened from my sleep by his
again calling to me for a drink of water He
had started to crawl to me but his strength
had failed and he was still several feet away
from me. / tossed the canteen to him. He
took drink, and after resting few minutes
he threw it back and returned to his blanket
In the morning he was dead.
E. r. SHERMAN,
Co. F, 22d Reg't N. Y. 8. V.
KENDALL. CREEK, Pa
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
The First Union ColOrs at Arkansas Post.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
/ wish to refresh the memory of Comrade J.
w. Massiek, of the Seventy-seventh Illinois, as
to the Arkansas Post fight. l believe if he
would think for moment he would remember
that it was the flag of the One Hundred and
Twentieth o. V. l. that was first placed on the
main works at Arkansas Post, and that the
works were not taken by charge of the Seventy
seventh Illinois, but that q general pressure
on all sides caused the surrender, and that then
those nearest the main works We're the first to
plant the colors there which, as it happened,
were those of the One Hundred and Twentieth
O. V. /. W. e. M,
MACON, Mo. Co. A, 12Oth o. VI,
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
An Interesting "Reminiscences OF Nashville.
10 al,n I.l.tnr y r--n,-,r n,...-....

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Please allow me 70 give you little unwritten
history IN regard to the battle of Nashville.
Tenn, December Is and 10, 1864
was standing near General Thomas as he
was viewing the rebel works in our front, when
General 4. J. Smith came riding up. After
exchanging salutes, General Smith said:
Let me charge and break that line"
General Thomas replied: ' Z on can't do it,
General"
can take my corps and break that line"
IL / thought you could break that line I
would give you your corps and the Twenty
third, too"
don't want the Twenty third Corps. I
can do il with my corps"
General Smith, the Fourth Corps has made
three unsuccessful charges this afternoon and
failed.' General Thomas then explained that
the rebels were so situated as to be able TO re-
enforce any part of their line on short notice.
General Smith still contended that he could
do il, and THEN General Thomas said to him:
General Smith, / viii bring up the Twenty
third Corps and relieve yours, and you can
form your plans and charge as soon as you
please"
History tells the balance. This was the clos
ing up Of the second days battle
BURLIHGAaIE, KAN. G. w. AMAs.
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
How He Captured Them.
e Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE

70 the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Incosed please find S. for five souls made happy
by subscribing to THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. 1
must tell you how captured them. / attended a
colored camp-meetng the other day. and took the
National Bible 1.-THE TRIBUNE) with me under my
arm When l got there. behold, saw a squad of
1aDks engaged, apparently, IN reading paper. /
hailed them and asked them what they were doing
and they said they were trying to find out when
the battle of Wilson's Creek was fought. L asked
them what paper they reading, and they
replied, the st. Louis Globe Democrat" You
will never find it in that paper rejoined and
pulling out copy of THE TRIBUNE, told them
they would find it there. They took it, and Your
description of the battle the first thing that
caught their eyes; so, in less than five minutes
had captured the whole party and mean to keep
every soldiers house in Richland county.
d. FRASKHoUsER,
MANSFIELD Ouro
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns.

he Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
With yoar permission, would like 10 make
q short reply to ID. q. Blodgett's letter in your
issue OF June q, under the heading Of Wag-
ners Brigade at Stone River, December 81,
1862" ! was also engaged IN that battle, ifsI
am not mistaken. and am somewhat interested
in the letter referred TO.
Joseph c. Freeman corporal, Twenty fourth
O. V. J., sent very kind letter Of denial to
BlOagetts statement As 10 holding ground, &C,
published in THE TRIBUNE Of July 49, Now,
boys, let as talk this matter over and see il we
Gas our editor SAYS are not getting old and
liable to be mistaken. IL Bl0dgett means
to say that the Second brigade OF the Second
division was the only brigade that held its
ground during the battle, viii not dispute
him, because l am not posted as to that; but If
he means 10 say that General Wagner com
mandod the Second brigade Of the Second d.
vision, ] dispute that. General Hazen COM
manded the Second brigade at that battle.
After that move TO the left was made, soon
after sunrise on the morning of the 31st, Gen.
erai Hazea's brigade occupied the space be-
tween the railroad and the pike, his left on the
railroad and his right on or near the pike, and
he held that position the remainder Of the day
COmrade Blodgett to the contrary notwith-
standing. Hazen's brigade was composed of
the following regiments: Forty-tirst Ohio,
Sixth Kentucky, One Hundred and Tenth
Illinois and Ninth Indiana.
Now a word to Corporal Freeman as to the
gallant Twenty fourth: You are correct in all
you say, except that Wagners brigade was on
your left but a short time in the morning.
We could see yoHr regiment through the smoke
of the conflict, and it was very much exposed,
being under a severe cross FIRE of both mus
kerry and artillery. The Tenth Indiana bat
terry also did its whole duty on that bloody
field. We all love TO fight our battles over
through the columns OF TIE NATIONAL TRIB-
UNE, but we are all anxious 10 be in the front
rank this time Let US nat, however, allow
our ranks 10 be broken by accidental shots,
but stand together for our cause.-the old flag
and THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
PHILLIP DINEs,
Co. B, dist o. V. ], ID Brig, ID Div, 4th Corps.
IULLEEToWN O.
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
TRAVELLERS REST. Z
Another Comrade Who is Growing Old
no the Editor NArIoNAL TRrBuNE

10 the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
In reply to j. p. Wheeler Twenty-fourth Wis
consin V. l., You say that General Lyte's brigade
was the First brigade, Third division, Twentieth
Army Corps. Now, beg leave to correct you BOTH
as the First brigade, Third division, Twentieth
Army Corps was commanded from its first organi-
cation by Brigadier-Genera August Which The
said First brigade was composed of the Forty-nnth
and Fifteenth .. V. /. and the Thirty second and
Thirty-ninth Indiana and Cotters battery, after
wards Goodspeed's. General Which went into the
field rs colonel of the Thirty-second Indiana and
after promotion remained i'll command of the First
brigade, Third division, Twentieth Army Corps
until after the battle of Chickamauga. Gen. Lyle
commanded a brigade in the Second division
which was Sheridan's. After the battle of Chic<a-
manga we were reorganized and became n part of
the Fourth Corps, Yes, Mr.. Editor, we are grow
ing old, yet not too old TO correct each others mis-
takes. Yours truly,
w. A. CAuGHEY,
SYCAMORE, O. Co G., 10th Ohio Vol Inf.
1.-THE following extract from the August, 1868.
returns of the Twentieth Army Corps will prob
ably convince Comrade Caughey that he too.
is growing old":
fist brigade-Post
First division-Davis $1,000 Cd brigade-Carin.
t3d hrigade-Heg
LIST brigade--Wilch.
Second division-Johnson8 I'd brigade-Dodge.
l3d brigade Baldwin.
lst brigade-Lytle.
Third MISUNDERSTANDING I'd brigade-Laiboldt.
Sd brigade-Bradey.
ED. TRIBUNE.l
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
Not Only Last, But Almost aLeft."
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

10 The Lditor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
When General Sherman moved his entire
army on the rebel communications at Jones'
bore, there was left at our works. before At
laDta, detachment of the Twenty fifth In
diana and detachment of the Tenth Illinois
infantry, under command Of Lieutenant-C Colo
mel Wright, TweRty-fifth Indiana | do not
KNOW why we were lett behind, unless it was
TO keep up 8 delusion and to guard the signal
tree occupied by Comrade Fish, which he SO
graphically described in THE TRIBUNE Our
orders were to hold our position until night. at
ali hazards, and although at dark. ON the even
ing after the army had drawn OFF, the rebels
charged US with heavy skirmish line we
held our position. But after dark when every
thing had become quiet again, we retired from
our pits and took up our line of march lry a
road running in southerly direction, imme-
dIatciy IN rear Of our now abandoned works
ana parallel to them. Presently we reached a
forks Ia the road, and Colonel Waite called a
matt until he could ascertain which was the
proper road to pursue. Being very tired at the
time, dropped into sound sleep, and the
night being pitch dark 1t had been raining) /
was overlooked when the detachment moved
on, and left doing swectly in close proximity
10 The rebel works. / slept some six hours |
suppose, and when I awoke, found everything
as still as death-not a sound to be heard any
where. 1t was clear that / had occupied this
position long enough, however, so / took the
Tight-hand road and moved out lively. After
a march Of about an hours duration, espied
campfire just ahead and discovered three
biue-coaicd videttes holding forth short
distance from it, and from them learned that
our detachment had preceded me several hours
and was then In camp some two miles further
on. found it at daylight. just as it was pre-
pairing 10 resume the march. If any comrade
Of the Union army left the defenses In front of
Atlanta after did, let us hear from him. Com
rade Fish proceeded me about ten hours, accord
ing 10 his account IN TIE TRIBUNE
w. ~. ANGELO
Company B, Tenth Illinois V. I.
TTrTcptTrr AFr,ru
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
Co. B. dist o. V. ], I'd Brig, ID Div, 4th Corps
FULLEEIOWN, O.
TEE EIGHrv-roURTH ILLINOIS SPEAKS.


To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
notice in THE TRIBUNEsof July 10Th let
ter from Corporal Freeman, Co. ID, Twenty
fourth Ohio in regard to the part which that
regiment took in the battle of Stone River,
December 81, 1862. His statements in the
main arc correct, but his memory as to the
name of the brigade commander and the regi-
ments composing the brigade is at fault.
The Third brigade, Second division. Twenty
first Army Corps, was composed of the Sixth
and Iwenty-fourth Ohio, Twenty-third Ken
lucky, Thirty-sixth Indiana and Eighty-fonrth
Illnois,-the two latter were called twin
regiments and afterwards known as Crosses
cavalry,-and was commanded by Col William
Crosse, of the Thirty sixth Indiana, and not by
Clark. General Grose was the man who never
said Go, boys" but always Come on boys.'
and he was one OF tho best and bravest brigade
commanders IN the old Army of the Cumber-
land. Nor must the Twenty-third Kentucky
be LETT out Of the count, for they were there
loyal, brave and true. Perhaps no brigade in
General Crittendens Twenty-first ARMY Corps
suffered greater loss in that battle than did
the Third. Our regiment alone lost In killed
thirty -three; severely wounded, one hundred
and fourteen: slightly wounded, about forty:
taken prisoner, eight; making in all nearly
two hundred Thirty-one of the severely
wounded died, SO that we might say we lost by
death IN that battle sixty four Every man of
our color guard was either killed or wounded.
and the lag Of the regiment was carried of
the field by our brave Colonel l. II. Waters
who dlsznounted from his horse to pick IL up
when the man who was carrying it fell pierced
with bullet from the enemy. This was while
the regiment was falling back under orders.
having been on the field actively engaged for
over SIX hours and / suppose we would have
been there yet had the colonel not received an
order to take his regiment from the field. for
when he Was sent 10 hold position he STAYED
until he was ordered away; and the Eighty
fourth always stayed with him. On a general
review near Cleveland, Tenn, before starting
on the Atlanta campaign, when the reviewing
oilcers came TO our regiment, General @. o.
Howard asked, What regiment il. this2D and
General Grose replied, This is the Eighty
fourth Illinois, General ] married If at Stone
River" And certainly there are husbands
ano wives who do not love each other as well
as did the regiment and It's brigade commander.
SO you VIII not wonder that l did not want
him or the Twenty-third Kentucky left
oRt" Of the battle of Stone River.
A. 5. Mcdowell.
Late Capt, Co. /, 6sth I'll Inr. and
SA-AHIoNi ILL Commander OF Post SiI.
The National tribune., 1883-08-16

Aug q. Action st Abbeviue, Miss, by 10th
No, I4th Iowa, Ssh and 7th Minn
and Sth Nis. vols.
4-25. EngtgeInent at Bermuda Hundred
Va, BY 10th Corps, army of the
"a skirmish at Fort smith, Ark, by 10th
u. :. eoIored troops.
"a. Action at Jcucs' Hay Station and Ash
ley Station, Long Prairie, Ark, by
sth iowa; and Sth and Iith DO. cav.
"a Action at Hsit0wu. Va. by portion OF
the SIN Corps, Array OF the sheRaa-
.. Action at smithfield and Shepherds
town COR kearneysviilel, Va. BY ISL
and Sd divisions cavalry, Army OF
the Potomac
25. Engagement al RcaIn's Station. Va.
By "a Corps 2d esv. div, Army q
the Potomac.
q. skirnish at Gomez Creek Clinton. La,
b. portion of the cavalry of the De-
paTtHaeut Of the Gull
D. SsiTmish at Sacramento Mountain,
New Mexico, by lst New Mexico
cavalry
&c. slSirInis6 at Bull Bayor, Ark. BIZ 9Th
Kan. and 81 Wis. cav
26-z7. Action at HaiitOwn. Va, by lst and I'd
DIV. sth Corps, army Of West Viz
q. sl<irmish at Ovensbo=o'. KY, by 10sth
;. eoiored troops
N-SS Action at Holly Springs Miss. by T4sh
Iowa vols, Ilth L. = COlOFsd troops
list Ala art.l. and lGtt No. cav
%. Skirmish at Fort Cotton Wood New
Fer, by 7th iowa cav light with
2s. S<irmish in Howard county. No, by
company F. 4th 30. militia cav.
%. Skirmisll al Gheut KY, by II7th o. 9.
eOlOred troops.
% Action at sGnithfeId, Va, by 1st div.
cav. Corps, and Sd div. 9Th Corps
Army of the Potomac.
%. Action at WOrmieys Gap Va. by de-
tachment commanded by Captain
Blazer. g6th Ohio
$3.50. Acton at AFJhuF's swamp, Va by I'd
cav. div, Army of the PGs01nac.
81. Defense of BlOcShOuse No. ., Nash
vile and Chattanooga Railroad
Tenn. by Il5th Ohio vols.
Aug. 81 to
sep. L. Battle of JonesbOrO' Ga. by cav and
Davis div, Iith Corps, Army OF he
Cumberland l5th 10Th, and 9Th
Corps, Army of the Tennessee.
The National tribune., 1883-08-16
Remarkable Casualties.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Being constant reader of your valuable
paper, and having seen q number of commune
cations relating to casualties in different com
panies and regiments desire to cite the fol-
lowing record, and say that any one who beats
1t can take the pastry" for it's hard to beat
In the battle of Iuka, Miss, September 10,
1862, the Eleventh Ohio battery lost fifty four
men: sixteen killed, thirty five wounded and
three missing. The above can be verified by
the official records. ], S. BoswoRrH
WASHINGTON, d. G. 18th Iowa Inf