The National tribune., 1884-05-08
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Cur Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
rhe "a wlseonsin At rreaerick. va.


To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
] enlisted in the spring Of 1861 under the
first call for troops for three months, in the Sd
regiment. Wisconsin volunteer infantry, COM
pany X but before we were mustered the or
deTs camc 10 accept no more troops for less
than three years, and Captain Hawley, having
announced the fact 10 his company, said that
any one who wished TO leave might step out
one pace 20 the front Not a man left the ranks,
and we all went in for three years or during
the war We left Fondulac Wis, the 9th day
of July. with Colonel Hamilton in command,
and, after being fed and treated like princes by
the ladies along the road we arrived al Layers
town, nd, one day just at dusk. The next
morning We were ordered 70 draw ratIons. WHAT
veteran VIII ever forget his first bareback and
bacon? After 3 few days we took mp tie march
and pitched our tents at Harpers Ferry, where
we lay during the first Bull Bun battle. We
could bear The firing distinctly from cur camp
General Patterson, with has three months men,
passed through our camp on his way home, and
some Of our boys gave some pretty loud groans
as they passed. We lay there during July, aud
then marched 10 BUckstOWn, and lay ia the
bottoms during the month OF August We
marched from there 10 Jamestown. camping
there for some time, until orders came again
for forced march to Frederick City, sid. Ar
irving there about Ito clock at night, NC threw
ont patrols and guards, surrounding the city,
and preventing any one from entering or ieay-
ing without pass signed by Colonel Buger.
The citizens OF Frederick did not know what
10 make OF this at first, but when we had cap
fured The secret legislature the next day with
the ordinance secession ali ready 10 be signed,
with a lol Of other papers making Maryland
over to the Southern Confeleracy, there was q
hearty shout sent up from the loyal citizens OF
good old Frederick, mingled with lew curses
from a few rebel syIGpathizers. The members
OF the disloEal legislature were kept under
guard and fed on bareback until they took the
oath Of allegiance TO the old flag. We also cap
tUred a company that had recruited there and
were about ready to Join johnson, and We put
them to the same test Of loyalty. Bat cur boys
now began TO break down with fever that they
had contracted While lying on the river bot
toms and ia d few days our hospital tents could
not hold them, so we moved them into the Old
British barracks. The Government at this
early period of the war was not as fully prepared
10 care Tor our sick IS il Was later on, and II
was then that the nobleand patriotic citizens OF
Frederick rose 10 the emergency. Our sick lay
on the floors with nothing but straw and Gov
eminent blankets 10 cover them, ana 10 food
but the Government ration, which would
hardly tempt a sick mans appetite; but the
ladies soon organized al aid society, and q
committee was appointed 10 visit the hospital
every day to see what the sick needed. They
them up by the wagoa-load, together with
sheets and pillows, and IN a few days our boy:
had comfortable beds to lie on. Then they
followed this up with something substantial
for US 70 eat, and passing through the wards they
greeted Us with encouraging words, that were
better than medicine TO a great many Of the
boys. know that through their efforts many
lives were preserved that otherwise would have
been lost 10 the army.
i was lcfacbnd from my cnurHrv 70 aSsis
IN caring for orr sick, and spent nearly on,
year IN the hospital. During that time / had
8 turn, with the rest Of the boys, at tn
typhoid fever, and never shall ! forget tn
kindness shown me during my sickness.
never think Of the noble ladies of Fredericl
without asking God TO bless them for the patri
Otic services they rendered our soldiers. and
only re-eeho the sentiment Of every Sd Wiscon
sin soldier. If / can ever be Of any help 4
Buy Of tho boys who knew me in the hospital
] ana ever ct their service. H. B. KELLY.
REINB0CE, GRUEDE COUNTY, Iowa.