davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
TIE EDITORS TABLE.
A Glance at the Contents of The
Tribune'S Mail.
Another Story About Soldiers Watch.
,iitor NATIoNAL TRIBUNE.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Having read the STORY of a Soldiers Watch " in
your last issue, / am reminded of story in con-
nection with another soldiers watch which came
under my observation during the war. The
Ninety-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers
was encamped st. Helena Island, >. e., IN the
winter of lS626 3 the regimenta hospital being III
large abandoned frame dwelling just iii rear of
the camp. This building was furnished like most
Southern country residences, without laths and
plaster walls or ceilings but with wainscoting
around one of its largest rooms In this room were
the sick of the regiment during its encamrment on
the island After several months there the regi-
ment was ordered off to another part of the state,
leaving the company % to which belonged re-
naming. Upon the removal of the sick from the
hospital my captain took possession of the building
for headquarters. One day, several weeks after
the regiment left, awel-known soldier of company
A, who was nurse in the hospital, came over
from the regiment in boat, and, entering the
headquarters of the company in the building,
asked permission of the captain to examine the
walnscoting around the room. Having done so,
he asked further permission to saw away part OF
it III the vicinity of knot-hole, which he pointed
out Upon being asked why he wished to do so.
he told the following story: - One night, when
the regiment encamped here and while the
hospital was i'll this building and while there were
several sick soldiers in this room was on duty as
nurse, charged with giving medicines to the sick
at prescribed intervals and while sitting in chair
before the fireplace, in which burned bright wood
fire, l fell asleep. Upon waking l missed my
watch, which l had my person when | fell
asleep. kept my loss to myself, and after weeks
of reflection and consideration of the matter have
come to the conclusion that Sergeant -, who
laid very sick on a cot just here, stole my watch
while was asleep and concealed it iii this knot
hole, which is Just above where his cot stood
From his continual working at this hole am led to
suspect that my watch is in behind the wainscOting
and so strong has been my impression that de-
termineG to examine the place, and have come
here e sou After hearing the story, Capt. l..
gave permission to search, and upon saving
of q he discovered his watch with "a string
attae 20 it, by which it had been lowered
throj the knot-hole behind the wainscoting, but
oriiately for the thief, the string had slipped
from his fingers and the watch had fallen beyond
his reach. Sergeant - had risen from his sick
bed stolen the watch from his sleeping nurse, and
thus concealed it more securely than he designed.
Before the nurse recovered his watch the thieving
sergeant had been general hospital and there
discharged for disability. He died after while
en- route to his home LIEUT.. -.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
From the Engineer of an AndersonviIle Tunnel.

"In THE TRIBUNE of March Sth noticed a state
ment from Comrades X. p. Black and Davis in re-
lation to the tunnels constructed at Andersonville.
i was one of the first prisoners transferred from
Belle Isle to Andersonville in February, 1864 and
remained there seven months. During this time
was selected by my fellow prisoners engineer of
the tunnel in question, and was appointed chief
officer by Captain Werst, one of the Ciickamauge
prisoners whose encampment was on the south
side of the stockade. The mouth of the tunnel was
started directly under my bed some forty feet from
the deadline in the southwest corner of the prison.
We dug down to q depth of light feet at the mouth
of the tunnel and then carried the work a level
under the stoekade wall In cutting the tunnel
passed under some large pine stumps and had
to remove great many large roots. The dirt was
removed in sacks ut night and distributed the
marsh. We had completed it for distance of
about five feet under the stockade when Tin july
heavy rain caved it in just outside of the prison
ground and carried away part of the stockade with
il, thus rendering the whole project useless. / was
also connected with two other tunnels, but in both
the work discovered before much progress
had been made. The worst enemies had at
Andersonville were some of our fellow prisoners
who acted spies and betrayed our plans to the
authorities. Little Red Caps account of Ander-
souyille was essentially correct. In conclusion,
permit me TO say that my health ruined by my
long confinement III Libby, Belle Isle, and Ander-
sonyille, and | have never recovered it. Robert
w. Wood, Madisonyille, KY.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Why is II that so many charge General Sherman
with the cause Of our surprise AT Shiloh2 writer
at Topeka, Kan, says that General Hovey gives
the true story of the battle. Now. the truth is,
General HallecS had command of the department
and General Grant of the field al Shiloh This
writer az Topeka says Prentiss had command of {.
brigade whereas he had command of division,
did Sherman and AcClernand. The brigade to
which belonged was composed OF the Eleventh
and Thirteenth Iowa, the Eighth and Eighteenth
Illinois regiments, commanded by Colonel A. NJ.
Hare, OF the Eleventh Iowa By my diary / see
that brigade in line of battle for more
than three hours Friday evening, April Attn.
Now, II there was "a blunder made at Shiloh,
(Which think there was.l why charge the cause to
Sherman any more than to Prentiss AicCler-
nand? / think the blunder was in not camping
the army the opposite side of the Tennes-
River, instead of camping it on the same
side Of the river that the rebel stronghold
fCorinfh1 was. As ii was. too, we We're scat
tered over a distance of three miles without
any breastworks of any kind and without any
protection Tor either flank. i aware that
high private is not supposed TO know anything
about military movements, but / still thinlS-as
always have-fhat If Bueli's army had not come
TO our rescue as il did. that Beauregard's
threat to water his horse in the Tennessee River
in he'll would have been realized. Give Grant his
due; give General Sherman the same.
NJ. G. REEVES,
Co. ID, 18th Iowa.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
One nrlgade That Was Not sprprlsed.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
/ noticed lately that several contributors TO THE
TRIBUNE claim that there a surprise at Shiloh.
Surely, ifanybody was surprised, it was the john
mics. am certain that Col. BucSands brigade COM
posed Of the Fortyeghth. Seventeen, and Seventy
second Ohio volunteer infantry, was not surprised
j was member of company @, Forty-eighth Ohio
vSlupteers-Coionei Suliiyans regiment-and am
safe in saying tI5t in line of battle three
quarters of an hour before Were led to the crest
rebels just they forming in line of battle.
The troops on right gave way, and were
compelled TO fall back. We maintained our order
throughout the two days fighting. But nine of
company answered to the roll call on the even
ing of the eth with our first lieutenant in command.
Colonel Sullivan was disabled short time before
the rebs reireated and was afterwards fit for
active service. panied to see in the papers
few days ago notice of his death in Cincinnati.
He true and brave soldier. j think General
Neatchs version Of the battle of Shiloh is about
correct. q. s. SMITH,
Late OF 18th D. WI
Tar-Tpx - ="
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
NJ. G. REEVES,
Co. ID, l1th Iowa.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
would like to ask some of my comrades who
a-e OF the opinion that there was no surprise at
Shiloh, why il was, if there surprise at Sh-
loh. that were permitted TO take our guns apart
and clean them on the morning of the first day s
fight. We did not know that any attack had been
made until the long roll beat that morning. Our
brigade went into action. think about clock
and we had all we could do until about $50 p. nl
when we Were surrendered by General Prentiss.
Our brigade consisted of the Second. Seventh
Twelfth and FouTteeth Iowa and Ninth Indiana
battery. / would like TO know why il was that the
Second and Seventh Iowa were moved back and
the Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa left 10 fight il out
alone and finally be captured. ] notice that Gen
eFal Sherman, IN his speech delivered at the Re-
union OF the Army OF the Cumberland says that
we were surrendered about 10 O'Clock in the morn
ing. That is a mistake. We were not surrendered
earlier than $50 IN the afternoon. We numbered
in all about 200 and we We're little better than
skeletons when we reached our lines at Huntsville,
again, after being confined from four 20 six months
ID rebel prisons. We were well taken of how
ever, by the Tbirty-third Ohio boys, who gave us
all the extra clothing they had. They We're very
kind 10 and would like to hear from some oil
them through THE TRIBUNE.
NGO5uSG, Iowa. SUBSCRIBER.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
The Veterans Star Of bethlehem.

"As have enlisted in THE TRrBUNE's ranks and
propose to do some recruiting, please mail to my
address few extra copies of THE TRIBuNE-the
Veterans Star of Bethlehem land will see what
i can do towards filling the quota of 100000 sub
scribers. During the war was member of conf
pany X, Seventeenth Illinois regiment of cavalry,
and i have been hoping tosee III THE TRIBUNE
something touching the operations of the command
to which / belonged. We were assigned to the
army of the frontier and operated in Missouri and
Arkansas taking active part in the Price raid of
1864 under Major-General Pleasanton. My regi-
ment was in the engagements on the Big and Little
Blue Rivers, Hackman's Mills, Utona Independ-
ence &C. and helped Pap Price across the Ar
kansas River. At the time l prisoner in
Prices camp, but made my escape at Lexington,
while Blunt's guns We're doing good execution
among the Johnnies, and after many hardships
succeeded in reaching the Union lines at Upton.
should like TO hear from any of my fellow prisoners.
Our destination Tyler, Texas:.'-Robert Sim
mons Eskridge Kan.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
A Too Cannon Exnerienee.

This is the second year that l have taken THE
TRIBUNE. 1t speaks my sentiments, and / hope
every ex-soldier will vet take it. Within the last
ten months three claimants for pensions residing
in this township (Clymer) have died without re-
cevng the pensions due them, and their families
have been left destitute and dependent on friends
for the means even of deiraying the funeral ex-
penses l think l hear their children crying out
against the Nation that took their father from home
well and strong and gave him back to them sick
and diseased to die pauper's death. | am Senior
Vice Commander of B. T. Babcoek Post, of West
field, and it may interest you to know that we We're
called lately by Captain III. III. Ramsbury, an
old Mexican veteran and soldier of the late war,
for aid. He gave his last n sacrifice to his
country in the rebellion. Young Eugene and my
self were both wounded at Petersburg and taken
to City Point on the same train Hiswound proved
fatal however, and his remains rest in Virginia
soil. His father and mother are now sick and the
only relief they can obtain is from the Post. Had
the Mexican pension bill passed, they would be
enjoying its benefits by this time Although mus
tered less than year ago, July 81, 1882 with
twenty-one members our Post now numbers sew
enty-five with more coming" G. AclSley,
Westfield Pa.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
Not Surprised. but unprepared.

LLOI. IL. NJ Helty III LOufstlIIc IOft77lercIot.
is very clear from the interesting paper of Gen.
era Neatch of Evansville, that willie there was no
such surprise of the Union forces at Shiloh as early
exaggerated accounts stated, the Union army was
noiexpecling battle, not posted as would have
been to meet expected attack, and was generally
ia a state of unprepareduess. short time after
the battle the writer of this told by the COM
nianding officer Of an Illinois regiment which par
was out for the regular Sunday morning inspection
when tie attack began, and that every officer had
on liis dress coat his red sash and his plumed hat,
and so went into battle-about the only time, we
suspect, any regiment did such a thing during
the The position occupied by the Union
troops was naturally very strong one. If they
had been posted as they wonld have been IL they
had expected a battle that morning, as they
would have been two years later whether they
had expected battle not the result of the
drst days fighting would have been different
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
surprised at COMPANY inspection.
DELpHos, KAN.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
] have been waiting and hoping to see some
thing from some member OF the Fifty-fifth Illinois
infantry, in Colonel Stuarts command, in regard
TO the surprise at Shiloh. j participated in both
days fight. The first that we knew of the proxim-
ity Of the Johnnies when they began firing on
our right on Sunday morning. We Were preparing
at the time for company inspection, and good
many OF our men had gone down to the creek TO
take morning bath i had come back from the
creek and was cleaning my shoes, when such a
brisk firing began that put them as they were.
We had scarcely gotten in line of battle when the
enemy commenced TO shell us. I would like to
hear whether any of the men in Colonel Stuart's
brigade knew that the Johnnies We're in sight
before they found themselves attacked. What do
you say, boys, OF the Fiity-fifth Illinois and Fifty
fourth and Seventy first Ohio, who staid with US to
win? HENRY REINocR
WATERIOo. iowa
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
A Remarkable Recovery.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
noticed SIN account in THE TRIBUNE Of reeoy-
cry from remarkable wound. Here is another.
At the cavalry slrmish the Dinwiddie Court
House road, August %, 1861, Sergeant James. NJ.
Wootman, of company e, First District of Cofini-
bia cavalry, was struck in the forehead by "a ball
which came out in the back of the neck. We sup
posed he was killed. and so reported him. but he
was afterward carried from the field by South
ern friends, and on the 2Sth arrived in Richmond,
when his wounds We're dressed. He says nothing
was done for him during these five days, and he
had no food even drop OF water, yet after five
months he returned home, when the surgeon re-
moved eight pieces of bone from his skull He is
now alive, and as well as could be expected.
BANGOR, Me. IL. II. CowAN.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
A Womau,s Plea for Oar Fx.Prisonqrz.

A friend has placed in my hands copy of TIE
TRIBUNE, and pronounce 1t the best paper for the
soldier that know Of | am the widow of a vet
eran who served through the war, and for COZ days
the SpartaTs who composed the jury in the famous
raider trial, and died of scuTyy contracted in that
fearful hole. Uncle sam very kindly gave me .
for which am very thankful though do think
should have received arrears from the date of his
discharge to the date of his death. However, / do
not complain much, as 1 look forward to time
when Congress will turn with eye of pity to our
poor ex-prisoners of war and give their claims the
recognition which they deserve. Clara NJ MOdEs-
lin, Massac Creek, Ill.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19

/" Any remarlJs?" Waiting moment, she
again said: - hear none. All in favor of ac-
cepting the minutes viii please say aye.W a
full, strong AYE" was the speedy response.
'All opposed to their acceptance will say no. ~
said the president. There being no vote IN the
negative, the acceptance of the minutes was
declared and the report of the treasurer was
called for.
The treasurer began in rather low tones,
when the president asked her TO read little
louder that the members in al parts of the hall
might hear. Her report concluded, similar
action was taken to that in the case of the
minutes except that some inquiries were made
as to the amounts in certain cases expended.
Then followed the reports of committees, each
report as it was read being banded to the Sec
rotary, who upon the conclusion of each meet
ing files them with her minutes, to be used in
making up her annual report.
The regular routine over, the president an
nounced the meeting open for miscellaneous
business. Various topics were taken up and
discussed. Some Of the plans proposed were
approved others rejected. Those accepted
were referred to the proper committees for
further development. After very satisfactory
meeting, extending little over an hour, the
meeting adjourned. Order and dispatch had
characterized the deliberations of the assocla-
ton each had done what lay IN her power to
make ii a success. The entire proceedings
were intelligent and coherent. What wonder
that everybody was IN good humor and felt
the hour had been well spent. There was
neither confusion nor m0notony, and both
pleasure and profit had been once more written
on the historic rolls of that society.
A Woman's Auxiliary properly conducted is
full Of intellectual stimulus, and instead of
finding it burdensome to attend the meetings
and participate in the deliberations, the mem
bers very soon learn that it is great hardship
every way to stay away, or TO be mere figure
head when once there.
KATE 3. SHERWOOD,
Pres. Forsyth Post Auxiliary.
TOLEDO OuIn
The National tribune., 1883-04-19


THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. Washington D. c., is
the largest and the best weekly paper published at
the price, 81 year. 1t is we'll established be-
ing in its second year. Besides being an excellent
family and general newspaper, adapted to the
wants of the great OF readers, it contains
everything of Importance from official sources rs
to pension and other governmental matters and is
taken more generally among old soldiers than any
other paper 1t is regarded as the organ of the
Grand Army ofthe Republic. and bears the indoTse-
ment of its commander-in-ehief Mr.. s. NJ. Mann
receives subscriptions for it here and viii be pleased
to show specimen copies
The National tribune., 1883-04-19

the climate of California would restore my health.
deferred asking for pension until three years
ago, when, owing to constant prostraticns, which
made me dependent upon the charities of my
friends. asked Uncle sam for his aid. and have
the same confidence in the Government that had
during the war that justice viii be done me. IL
live until the next annual roll-caIl TIE TRIBUNE
viii get another dollar but if this should prove the
last God bless it. say for It's efforts in behalf of
GreenyilIe Cal
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
He Seconds the Nomination.

81 notice that comrade has nominated Senator
John A. Logan for President. i second the nomi-
nation. General Logan was brave and humane
were well cared for on the field and IN the camp
To say that his command were proud of him. is to
say that they would have fought till the last man
fell, before they would have deserted him. They
may well be proud of his record in the Senate,
where one has been more faithful 10 the inter
ests of our ex-solGieTs Can any member of the
Fifty-seventh Illinois volunteers tell me whether
the grave of Charles L. Passenger at Chattanooga,
is marked or not? ''-W. II. Passenger, No. d Sec
ond street, Albany, N Y.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19

" The Ladies' Auxiliary Society Of Luther Priest
Post, No. I6- of this place, gave entertainment
al the Post room last evening. There was q large
attendance OF old soldiers and citizens, and the
affair entire success socially and financially,
a goodly SUM being added TO the Auxiliary funds.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the manner
IN which the President of the Society, Mrs T. A.
Pease. presided The officers and members of the
society generally have acquitted themselves nobly
in the work which they have undertaken in behalf
of the Post. Jesse Phelps, Norwood, n. Y.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
When the Flag would cease to Float.

''Our ex-soldiers say that THE TRIBUNE is the
best paper that they have ever seen and for my
part have never read any with such delight. It
not only advocates the cause of liberty and free
dom, but of justice for the brave boys who saved
the Union and brought peace and happiness to the
homes and fresides of its citizens. No American
citizen, am sure who respects the truth viii deny
that the Nation owes its present prosperity 20 the
boys in blue Should the Government repeal the
pension laws and compel the MANNED and crippled
soldier to beg from door to door, starry
banner would cease to float on high and drop TO
the ground with the burden OF its shame '-James
o. Wren, Randolph Ill.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
Some Eyes Are sbarper Than others.

noticed in your issue of March 22d a letter from
Comrade p. S. Brown. of the Sixty-third Ohio V.
J., in which he states that while the way from
AndersonvilIe he and BIS fellow prisoners were
compelled TO march by pile of Government crack
ers over which the rebels keeping guard.
The writer was taken prisoner on the same day
with Comrade Brown and exchanged In the same
exchange Ii is true, he says that
obliged to march to a station called Rough and
Ready and there exchanged but l saw no
ratiOns guarded by rebels. Comrade Brown must
be mistaken."-C. Weittenhiler, PlatterviIle Wis.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
1t WIN cnn In Vain.

" / notice that the editor of the american Agri
cailtrist requests its readers to Immediately send
to him or TO their representatives at Washington,
details of every pension rascality which has come
to their attention. If the editor OF the 4gricut-
tsriSt waits for name from me he will have to
wait long time, for i know of no fraudulent pen
sioner, neither here in any other place. Ethan
b. Keck. Tonganoxie KIM
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
A Well.nmcered Auxiliary.

''The Mansfield Post Wonlan's Auxiliary prom
ises 10 be great success. The following the
officers President, Mrs. II. B. Davis; Nice-Presi-
dent Mrs De Costral: Secretary Miss Richardson;
Treasurer MIS-. Martin Short. The husband OF the
president Of the association was officer in the
Union army and she herself was at the front minis
tering 10 the sick and wounded. "Subscriber, VIII
liausburg L. D.. New York.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19

Enclosed please find IS for FIVE new subscribers
making twsnty-one that have sent you. We in
tend to organize a Womans Auxiliary al the next
and We shah DO cur best 10 help those who went to
the front aud fought 20 protect the loved ones ut
home. Sarah Il. Clark, Wyandotte City, Kan.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
Tho Trihura AID woman,s Work

Father requested me to send you ST for another
years subscription to THE TRIBUNE. He will never
have his name erased from your list as long as he
can get a dollar to send you. like the paperyery
much, and read Wcman's Work with great in
that think shall be guided by II in the future"
Mary Jones, Charleston. w. We,
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
The Effect of the Apdersouyi,le Diet.

enlisted December ., 1861 at the age of sixteen,
and became member of company f, Tenth Mis-
souri, infantry / participated in twelve hard
fought battles, and captured in October, 1854,
by General Hood. The following seven months /
passed in Andersonville Prison When captured
weighed 40 pounds; when released, 96."-I. J..
Lucas Excelio Mo.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
The First Colorado.

ST would like to hear from the First Colorado
infantry, of which regiment was member 1t is
true that the regiment did not participate in many
battles but all the same, it defeated Sibleys $500
men, which 5000 men under General Candy failed
to do."-James Monroe, Anatone, Washington
Ter
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
wounded Five Times. but sim at the Front.

Enclosed please find 81 for one years subscrip-
ton to THE TRIBUNE. left my Iowa home, when
a ,boy, in1S62, and served four years in the army
during which time received five wounds. On re-
ceiving my discharge crossed the plains, hoping
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
ECHOES OF SHILOH.
Where the Blnnier Was.

Few More Soldiers Letters Touching the Famous
Battle.
The National tribune., 1883-04-19
Facts that Need to Be Explained.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

AuDuRs, OAK.