The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-22
How General Mansfield Was Killed.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Seeing reference in THE TRIBUNE lately to
Brigader- General Joseph (. T. Mansfield, who
commanded the 18th corps at Antietam, / am
tempted to give few extracts from the history
of the LIST, 10th and 18th Maine regiments by
Major John NJ. Gould, concerning his appear
ance and death.
He took command of the 18th corps Septem-
Der 16, 1862 The 10th Maine was in the LIST
brigade tCrawford's) of the LIST division will
liamsJ In that corps. Major Gould says of
him:
We never saw another like him venerable but
not old; white haired yet fresh and vigorous, bis
face showed that intelligent courage which a SOL
der admires rather than that which by distinction
may be called brute courage
There nothing pretentious about him, though
his dress and horse equipments were new and
beautiful. Nor did he have either aid orderly
when he visited us. Our first sight of him gave us
the impression that he a fine old gentleman,
an able soldier, and our father.
Again, early in the morning of the 18th Sep
TENDER, he says:
We all saw General Mansfield riding about the
field in his new untarnshed uniform with his
long, silyery hair flowing out behind and we loved
him. Very few OF US had ever seen him till three
days before this, but he found way to hearts
al once. he made US feel that he father
aud would care for US, and you remember we
needed some one high in rank to for then.
We never had corps commander like Mansfield
in this respect and doubt If the army at that time
could have furnished another general Like him.
The rebel force IN our front showed no coiors.
They appeared to be somewhat detached from and
in advance of the main rebel line, and were about
where the left of General Duryea's brigade might
be supposed 10 have retreated. To General Mans
field appeared TO be firing into Duryea's troops
therefor he beckoned To firing. ard, as
this was the very last thing proposed 10 do the
few who saw him did not understand WHIST his
motions meant, and attention was paid to
him. He now rode down the hill from the i2Sth
Pennsylvania, and, passing quickly through H, A
K, u. /, q, and ID. ordering them 10 cease firing
| he halted IN front of G. At the earnest remon-
strances of Captain Jordan and Sergeant Burnharl
who asked him 10 see the gray coats of the enemy
| and pointed out particularly of them W ho
were then aiming their rifles at and al him I
The general was convinced, and remarked. ' Yes !;
| yes. you are right, and almost instantly hit
He turned and attempted to put his horse over the
/ rails, but the animal had also been severely
wounded, and could not 20 over. Thereupon the
/ open his coat that he wounded in the
body Sergeant Joe Merrill Storer Knight and /
took the general to the rear assisted for bile by
negro cook of Rockers corps We put the gem
! eral in ambulance In the woods ia front of
which we had deployed, and noticed that General
Gordon was just at that moment posting the 10Th
/ New York in their front edge
/ / send the above extracts in order 10 pay a
| tribute Of deserved respect to the memory of q
brave and gallant officer, who lost his life be-
fore he had the opportunity to show us what
he was fighter but / do not believe there
was man in the 18th corps that did not have
| full confidence in the courage and skill of Gen
| eral Mansfield.
BLUEHILL, Me. II A. TRrPp