davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
Who Can Answer This Queryf
, Editor NATIONAL, TRIBUNE:


Thanks, for your courtesy in answering for
mer inquiry and kindly direction and refer
enee to the Surgeon General, through whom
received just the information sought. THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE has, indeed, become a
power in the land and is generally quoted as
authoritative reference in all matters of inter
est to the veteransiof the late war In this Sec
ton. l have noted with much interest the
ready responses to inquiries made through THE
TRIBUNE and / am led by its success (Which
is indisputabe eyidenceiof its universal eircu-
lation and thoroughreallng among the veteran
element OF the country TO make an inquiry iii
the interest of an Old veteran, member of
Wilcox Post of the Grand Army, Whose sou, his
hrst born and namesake, he has lost trace of
for several years. Joseph FL. Jefferson was a
corporal in Co. ID, Second Massachusetts artil-
lery, and was discharged September 3, 1865, at
Smithvllle, N. G. He returned to his home for
short time, but was in love with a soldiers
lie and expressed desire to join the Regular
army, and IN opposition to the wishes OF his
parents left home, it is supposed with that pur-
anxious father-the mother is now dead-of
this wandering young warrior. If any of his
old comrades or others know of his where
abouts, whether living or dead, and will send
word to Joseph Jefferson, No. IL w. Bridge
street. Springfield, Mass, they will render a
service to an old comrade that will be appreci-
ated. Yours, in f., G., and L.,
JAMES O. SMITH,
Past Conn.,, Post No. I6.
SPRINGFIELD. MASS
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
General Burbridge at Arkansas Post.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
noticed in your issue of August 2 an account
of the capture of Fort Observation-Disclosures
Post-by Comrade w. A. Simmons that is cor
rect IN every detail, date and all, and very in
tereSting account no doubt, to all your readers.
1t recalls to me an incident in connection with
the Surrender OF this place that will be worth a
place in history, if it can be substantiated by
others who were eye-witnesses of the affair, as
did not see it myself. AS the white flag was
raised, Gen. Burbridge, commanding our bril-
sade, rushed forward stripped the flag of our
regiment OF the pole, and riding full tilt into the
works up to where Gen. Churchill stood. took
the flag and wrapped it around him amid the
great cheering OF such of our men as were then
III or entering the works. ] would like to hear
from some eyewitness whether this is true or
not. | would also like to correct Comrade
Iripp's statement, made in his account of the
Pleasant Hill affair. He says: These troops,
with the exception Of the Sixteenth Corps,
marched from Franklin, La, to Alexandria over
LOO miles" &c. Now, my recollection Of the
aflair Is, that we marched from BerWicks Bay
10 alexandria, and so on not from Franklin.
would like also to state here that our brave,
kind, and noble General Ransom was wound
ed at Sabine Cross roads, on the Sth of April,
and that report has it Chat he was wounded in
every engagement That he participated in. The
Sixteenth Corps, no doubt, saved Banks great
loss by its timely arrival after the disaster of
the Sabine Crossroads; but it seems to me- as
II ola to others then, that there Was no need of
further retreat, after the repuise the rebs got
at Pleasant hill. The rebels themselves stated
that II our army had followed up sharp after
the victory of Pleasant Hill, there would have
been nothing to hinder us from going to
Shreveport. Give us your opinion, comrades.
DR.. J. G. TREssEL.
CLEVELAND, q. Co. Il, 96th o. V. [.
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
CLEVELAND, o. Co. B, 96rh o. Y. I.
The NamcIess Graves in the Shiloh Cemetery.

To tbs Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Until quite recently it was a cause of sur
prise and regret to me that two-thirds of the
Union soldiers graves at Pittsburg Landing
are unInarked save by the plain square block
OF marble, each one of which is numbered but
without name, indicating that the occupant
is unknown, except as TO the fact that he was
a Federal soldier.
There is every Indication of the utmost care
and fidelity on the part OF the Government and
its agents in copying the original inscriptions
on the wooden headboards set up by comrades
ON the battlefield. The graves were, as far as
practicable grouped together, and these regi-
mental groups We're fenced in, and protected in
many cases by large pens of logs rooted over
with boards in other cases hickory saplings
and brush Were waited into fences around these
graves. But period Of more than four years
elapsed from the time of the battle to the re-
moval and final interment of the soldiers in
the National Cemetery during which time one
or Two destructive fires swept through the
thick tangled forest, consuming the fences
around the graves and also large proportion
OF the wooden headboards, which fact suffi-
cieDtIy accounts for SO large a number of
nameless graves.
Recent information received from reliable
persons residing on the battlefield has enabled
ne TO explain this otherwise painful mystery
and TO present the evidence of fidelity on the
pars OF the soldiers, who never failed in their
endeayors to do all that was possible under
existing circumstances to preserve the names
and identity of their fallen comrades, and of
the National Government, which through its
agents, carefully copied on enduring marble
every name and inscription found on the original
wooden headboards. Yet have often felt sad
on receiving letters full of earnest and touch
ing inquiries concerning the graves Of brave
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
The First Kentucky a Stone RIrer.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
a comraae claimed, few weeks ago in The
TRIBUNE, that his regiment saved the day at
Stone River. Now, / too have an indistinct
recollection Of that cedar woods and Of the fact
that when the right wing of our army was
driven back almost behind US, General Rose
Grams dashed up to our brigade commander
Charley Crufts, Of the Thirty-first Indiana, and
ordered HIM TO charge the enemy at the brick
house on cur left front. and. to use his own
words, Hold them thirty minutes If you lose
every man You have" The brigade was COM
posed OF the Thirty first Indiana, Ninetieth
Ohio, (which was then for the first tine under
fire. and First and Second Kentucky. The
Thirty-tirst Indiana and Second Kentucky
were on the skirmisa-iine at the tine spoken
Of leaving the Ninetieta Ohio and First Ken
lucky to make the charge ordered Wen, at it
we went, out Of the woods and across the cot
ton-iield, but we had not gone far in that direc-
ton before Colonel Engart, of the First Ken
lucky, commanding the charge, discovered that
the brick house was filed with sharpshooters.
and that to 20 Oh as We had started would sub
1eet the NInetieth Ohio to almost certain
destruction; so they were ordered TO halt aud
lie down, which they did. Then came the
order, " FORWARD, First kcntuckyi" and on we
went alone until we were parallel with the
brick house, 1t being on our left flank. There
we halted aud lay Gown, and, to nse the some
what inclcgant but very descriptive phrase OF
another cDnlrade, q H broke loosei" But
we held our ground until Rosy reformed his
lines and the Fourth Regular infantry came
up and helped us 10 let go. The author OF the
Annals If the Army Of the Cumberland" in
speaking u That day, Il quote from memory, J
says; The First Kentucky infantry made the
best charge Of the day and ieft their dead closer
10 the engny's line than any other regiment
in our army" T. L. COFFEE.
AVALON, No.
The National tribune., 1883-08-23

able, what rating you viii receive are questions
too hard for US. The Commissioner Of Pensions Is
the proper person to give you the information you
seek We have referred your letter to yonf at
torney, and If he has any information concerning
your claim he viii write you on the subject.
S. d., Le6aHol, ". 1.-The law authorizes the
Commissioner of Pensions TO rate disabilities In
accordance with established rates for specific
disabilities, and in others in accordance with pen
sioners ability to perform manual labor or in ac-
eordance with Office rulings for certain classes Of
disabilities. When he informs claimant that he
- now receiving the full amount Of pension to
which he is entitled under the law for disability
claimed, it means that such is the opinion of the
Commissioner based upon the report of the exam
ming surgeon and the medical division OF the PEN
sion Office. by which the rating wss established
The examiner who handles the claim has nothing.
to do with fixing the rating. That is made by the
examining surgeon, whose report Is acted upon by
the medical reviewers of the Pension Office. The
latter are regular physicians and surgeons, some
of whom stand high ia their profession, and their
report. (which IS. IN reality their opiaoaJ ecnsti-
tutes the law IN the case Ia the claim mentioned
neither the examining surgeon nor the medical re-
viewer considered the applicant totally disabled :;
hence they refused TO rate him total" Tesfi-
moRy IN a claim does not always pass at its face
value, and some testimony IS heavily discounted
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
Fua end Forage.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
AT the Post the other evening Comrade
Tweed narrated "Reminiscences that / am sure
would bring smile TO the countenances of
many of the 0ld boys and / venture to give il
to you, though IL loses much OF its favor in
cold print. They were talking about the rigor
with which some commanders ruled their
forces, and how, sometimes the proud officers
were taken down. During one of the cam
paigns it fell 10 the lot of C0mrade Tweeds
regiment TO be brigaded with the One Hundred
and Twenty-fifth Ohio, whose colonel (Opdycke)
commanded the brigade. Strict orders were
given that no foIaging would be allowed, and
all plumber brought into camp was confscated.
On one or two occasions fat poultry and choice
cuts of pork were captured during their pro-
gress into camp, taken to headquarters, and
there eaten by the commanding officer and his
stad. just outside the picket-line lived n well.
TODD farmer, one Of whose possessions WAS a
fine old dog that had outlivcd his usefulness
and grown very fat One night Cemrade
Tweed and his comrades ON the outpost cap-
tnred this dog, and after killing HIM. dressed
him mp so skilltully that he resembled fat
sheep. When the pickcts were relieved In the
morning two OF the boys covered the carcass
with coffee sack, and, stringing it on a pole
started into camp with il. Care was taken
that they should be seen from headquarters. and
the result was that the mutton was confiscated
by the commanding officer and the men sent
away with a reprimand. The headquarters
mees had a fine mutton (?) dinner, and select
portions were sent with Official compliments 10
the various officers messes throughout tie
camp. In the meantime the boys were all
made acquainted with the joke, and rs thee
passed headquarters they would salute each
other with an unmistakable bark. In fact, the
| camp seemed 10 have become suddenly infested
with ours, SO general and persistent was the
barking Nearly every private wore broad
smile as he passed the officers tents, and what
time he was not laughing he spent in barking
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
News from the Army of the Potomac.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

10 tue EultOI 1sAIlONAL Il AlBUNE.
In your paper of July 5th communication
headed Too Quiet Along the Potomac" brought
me to q halt, and in answer to the question of
Comrade Van Der Veer, would say: Here is
one, and member of the glorious old Third
Corps tool" He asked, "Where are all the old
soldiers ofthe Army ofthe Potomac? pa very in
teresting question, for although reader of THE
TRIBUNE for some months past, | have failed
to see any sketches from members of once famil-
lar regiments who marched from first to last in
the Army of the Potomac to the tune of Tramp
Tramp, Tramp" | also had begun to think, as
Tim Sullivan did, when, after the first battle of
Bull Run, he was met on the retreat and asked :
" Tim, where's the regiment" (Thirty-eighth
New York volunteers, he yelled out: "Ohi
my God! say nothin'; there's but three of us
leftW Poor Tim never heard the last of his
honestly given report. Therefore, Mr.. Editor,
| do not wish TO leave Comrade Van Der Veer
like Sir John Moore) "alone in his glory"
but join in calling upon some one of our for
mer comrades to come, as of yore, to the front !
For surely the men who followed the One
armed Devil dashing Phil Kearney, must
have been at times in the immediate vicinity
OF the rebel front-andoften the rearl As, for in
stance, Where shall | go in, General! /" "oh,
go in anywhere! There's the devils own fun
all along the line" (Kearney at Fair Oaks
No doubt some of Birney's old division will
recall the camp song in '63-
/ dreamt of Stonewa1l Jackson
He stood at the Judgment gate,
And for chance TO make raid
Most patiently did wait;
But Phil KeaTney turned his TANKS,
And made him change his base
And st. Peter put the :" Right man in the right
place.
dreamt of General Kearney-
But all my dream was wrong,
For that daShng one-armed cheftain
To II soldiers grave had gonel
But he's left a name behind him
That years can ne err erase
For he was the Right man in the right place.
Matches Phil Kearney THE last to leave
Yorktown and the first to reach Hooker at
Williamsburg, where he originated the Corps
Badge by causing his officers to wear the Red
Patch Soldiers of the Third Corps-remem-
Der, you were led by Heintzelman, Sedgwiek,
Kearney, Birney, sickles, Berry, and Ward
give us a few "reminiscences. All honor to our
gallant Western comrades, but don't forget that
there was Light inthe East also, during the
dark days of treason. e., 3Sth N. Y. v.
CoxsACKIE N. 7.
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
Brave Deeds at AI,atoona.

TO the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
In ono Of the last TRIBUNEs Subscriber
gives glowing account OF the battle OF Ala
toona, Ca, October 5, 1864, but he ignores whole
regiments. i would not hurt the feelings OF
an old comr2de for anything, bat cannot help
wondering where the Fourth Minnesota, the
Eighteenth Wisconsin, Ainety-third Illinois,
EightieGh Ohio and, ] think, the Fiftieth Ohio
were at the time. lie does not mention the
fact that Corporal Hughes, OF the Fourth Min
nesota, neld his picket-iine for half an hour
against the rebel advance with but nine men; or
how Captain Burns, of the Eighteenth Wiscon-
sin, held the block-house mile away, in the
center Of Hoods advance, throughout The day
and was at last burnt out in the evening; or
now companies A, T and /, of the Fourth Min
ncsota, with one gun OF the Wisconsin battery,
repuiseG three charges Of Rogers rebel brigade
and captured elghty-six prisoners aud three
stands Of coiors--m0re men than were left In
the three companies by at least twenty: or
how every man serving the gun of the Wis
consin battery, which was stationed Mt the
northern angle OF our rific-pits, was disabled
or killed, and how the last two shots-canis-
ter-@erc s.Fed by an artilleryman whose left
arm was broken; or Of the heroic daring of the
corporal of the Ninctg-third Illin0is-I am
sOrTyI cannot give his name: perhaps some
comrade can-who, when the powder was ex-
hausted at the western redoubt crossed the
slender bridge, four feet wide and eighty feet
high, over the railroad-cat, procured supply
aud carried il back 10 the guns, under direct
IRE from the rebel line at less than one hun
dred yards; or OF how Sam. Bridcnthal shot
The rebel colonel while he was trying to fire
tho depot Of r:stions. r. NJ. You've.
Fourth Minnesota Vet Inf.
Two RIVERS MINI.
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
WASHINGTON @, THURSDAY

and beloved friends that my best endeagors
and those of the faithful superintendent have
been unavaiiing, and Gould do nothing more
than assure our correspondents that the re-
mains of their loved ones had, without doubt,
been carefully removed to the National Gene
terry, where, though their graves are nameless,
their last resting place i in all respects fit
forest scenery. Tie grounds are ornamented
with wealth of choice evergreens and forest
trees, gtayeled walks and brightest flowers.
while over the graves of the gallant dead waves
our Nations banner-the glorious flag which
they died to save. T. CoTToN,
PURDY, TENN. Late Chap, 10th Ill. Inf
The National tribune., 1883-08-23

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
In reply to the article by Comrade Nathan
Edison, company K, Sixteenth Illinois V. Y. l.,
on the affair of Monroe Station, in your issue
of July 18th, permit me to say that he is very
much mistaken in regard TO our trip from Pal
myra to Monroe Station. The train was run
backward, aud very slowly, with frequent stops
TO repair track and bridges. AT one Of these
bridges, Lieut. Pinckley, Of company A. received
two shots through his hat, and that is as near
as any one of company A came to being killed.
He is also mistaken about Colonel Smith STOP
ping the train and our jumping OF. We had
been proceeding few days by the right wing
10 Monroe Station, and were then intrenched
in the college yard, surrounded by rebel cav
airy, who had torn up the track above the sta
tiOn- There was such cheering and waving OF
hats that the conductors signal eeald not be
recognized by the engineer, and we were run
OF the track and spilled ont or of the cars.
Company A was in the first car, aud the boys
were rolled clear over. The next car TO ours was
q fiat, with provisions and our battery, consist
ing OF an iron cannon-old Betsy, of Quincy-in
charge Of T. Nj. Fishborn, with detail from
the regiment 10 assist him, and next TO this a
box car, fall inside and ont with soldiers. The
hrst two were rolled clear over. Several sol
diers We're slightly hurt. We formed line, and
pursued the rebel cavalry, who We're IN line OF
battle, OF to the southwest, but before we goi
within range they mounted their horses and
skedaddied, SO that we did not get q chance tc
fire shot. We returned to the station through
a drenching rain without the loss of man on
either side. 5.N. MASON,
Sergt, Co. a, 10th III. v. V. I
MONMOUTH, KAN.
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
A TOUCHING MEETING.
An Ohio Soldiers Recognition Of an Old Enemy at
Columbus.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
While the battle of Chickamauga was at its
hottest, one of my comrades was shot by my
side, and / and a fellow-soldier picked him up
and started to the rear with him, but when
only few feet in the rear of our line of battle
we had TO drop our burden and seek protection
behind some large pine trees, for the Con-
federates were making a charge around our
right flank. While this charge was going on
saw Johnny in the act of drawing up his gun
to shoot one of our boys who was surrender
ing, and, in less time than it takes to write
this, had drawn a bead myself and fired at
him at distance of not more than fifty feet.
In an instant return volley was fired at me,
and one shot passed under nay arm and went
through my blouse. The only thing that saved
me was that / was good dodger and dropped
behind the tree as soon as had fired. The
dirt and bark flew thick all around me. On
the Goth of July, 1883, met this very rebel
soldier at whom had fired, and learned from
him that / only shot him in the finger. His
name was Moorhead, and he belonged to the
Fifty-fourth Virginia, G. S. A., there being
twenty four members of that regiment present
at the Columbus Reunion. The comrade we
were carrying off the field at Chickamauga
was lieutenant by the name of Walker, if
remember correctly; the comrade who assisted
me never saw again. What his fate was I
could not say, unless he was captured and died
in prison. Now that the war is over and
peace reigns throughout our land, it is our
duty to treat our once enemies with all the
courtesy we can, and as they now look upon
the star spangled banner as the national flag,
and would fight for it, if need be, we should
meet them with open hands and give them a
royal welcome in our Northern States.
w. NJ. BARNES,
Co. c, seth 0. Y. ].
WILLIAMSBURG, ONO.
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Orr Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
The seventeenth corps at Atlanta.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Upon reading the report Of the action of July
% 1864, near Atlanta tia contributed by w. q.
Hamrich, Co. III, Thirty-nintb Ohio, IN LIE
TRIBUNE OF July 20, perceive that he falls into
an error concerning the Seventeenth Army
Corps. lie says: We arrived atour place on the
right of the army on the evening Of the 2lst OF
July, in tho rear of the Seventeenth Corps" As
ore OF those who, on that memorable day, cap
rured Bald III take the liberty OF saying that
our observation-disclosures on the extreme
left Of the forces not on the right. He says, fur
ther. that after carrying strong position IN
their front that day, on the morning OF the 22d
"they found the works in their immediate front
abandoned. They advanced their lines and
occupied the works st once" This viii be
news TO the Third division Seventeenth Army
Corps vino had been digging aud building
flank works, adding them 10 the captured rebel
line, during the night of the 2lst, IN and be-
hind which they fought during the 22d. De
adds: About a. IN. (22d) we were moved
First brigade, Fourth division, Sixteenth
Corps TO tho extreme right of the Seventeenth
Corps and formed flank support, running
nearly at right angles TO the line of the Seven
teenth Corps" Another error. 1t was on our
extreme left, not right, that the Sixteenth
Corps refused flank. Again, he speaks of " a
gap between our left and the right of the Sew
enbeenth Corps" through which the rebels
49,
and the Sixteenth Corps right. He speaks of
"a narrow road leading from the right of the
Seventeenth Corps TO the right rear" &c. Well
do i remember it! Lieutenant Kelsey, Of Co.
A, of cur regiment, and went along that road,
and were passed by our beloved commander
(MePheIs0n) not two minutes before he was
killed ON it; and it was reported TO my wife
that i was captured there-happily for me a
mistake. But that road was on our left, cross
ing diagonally 10 the right rear of Bald Hill,
where we waited the attack about TO burst
upon u.s. and which swept everything before it
on our left, till our works on Bald Hill, and
the gallant men of the Seventeenth Corps
therein, checked its impetuous progress.
So much by way Of correction. III agreeable,
] would ike to give you sketch of those ter
rible two days tight, in some future issue, as it
appeared TO US of the Seventeenth Corps, who
we've In it. HENRY J. WALKER,
Chaplain, Twelfth Wisconsin Inf.
LIZ RoV, KAN.
The National tribune., 1883-08-23
The Story of Che Burning Tug.

To the Editor NATIONAL TgIBUNE:
A correspondent in ySur last issue calls for
an account of the doing, of the Mississippi
squadron from Fort Pillow down the river,
which brings to mind an incident which hap
pened during the first bombardmcnt of that
famous fort. After the fall of New Madrid
and the capture of Island No. 10, the infantry
embarked on steamers and were transported
down the Mississippi to little town called
Osceola, in Arkansas, the object being, as was
supposed, the employment OF The army to assist
the navy in future operations. This was, /
think, in April We made our bivouaes along
the levee, but the mosquitoes were 50 numerous
and large and created such havoc with mon
and horses that we were glad when tho sum-
mons came to re-enforce the army, then at aud
near Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. The Incl
dent to which refer occurred enc evening
during our stay at Osceola. A little stcau-tug
belonging to the gunboat feet caught Are a
little before nightfall, and was cut loose sad