The National tribune., 1885-01-01
Port Rerublic.

To THE EDITOR: In my letter published
about Oct. 80 concerning the battle of Port Re-
public one or two omissions must be supplied.
Comrade Parmelee, of Toledo, o., calls my atten
tion to the absence of Battery l., of the 1st Ohio
l.. A., which is correct. Bat find in my re-
tained copy the mention and position of that
battery on the battlefield, and will here say
that they made a grand fight. Some of their
boys were taken prisoners, including Lieut.
Robinson. l think. / have made most dill
gent inquiry concerning this battle. and what
was stated at that time in regard to the bridge
burning is confirmed by recent inquiry. Gen.
Shields ordered Col. Carroll to burn the bridge
and the fire was kindled, but little later Gen.
Mcdowell, who was down near Front Royal
sgnaed to put the fire OUT and this order
was obeyed Gen. Carroll is yet in Washing
ton. wish he would give us the facts.
In regard to the troops engaged the Fourth
Brigade, under Col Carroll, consisted of Clark s
tRegular) Battery Z, 4th U. S. Art; 1st W. Va,
7th Ind, S4th and 10th Pa. This brigade
reached Port Republic on Sunday morning
On Sunday night, Gen. Tyler, in command of
the Third Brigade, consisting of Battery III
(Iuntington's) of the 1st Ohio Art, 5th, 7th,
29th. and Goth Ohio, also Battery l. (itobin-
sons, 1st Ohio Art. These were the troops
artillery and infantry. There was also bat
was of the Pennsylvania or West Virginia regi
ment. l think part of both; but have no
doubt about the infantry and artillery. Your
correspondent of last week spoke of our incom-
petent commander, referring to Col. Carroll
But Gen. Tyler was i'll command on Monday
This know
Now word about the organization of
Shields's Division. / have named the Third
and Fourth Brigades, and know l am correct
The First Brigade was under command of Gen.
n. kimball the old hero of Winchester who
was in command ton the field) the Sunday that
Gen. Shields was suffering with his wounded
arm, and was prevented 9rOm riding over the
field. This brigade consisted of the 18th and
14th Ind, and my notes say 63d and 9th
Ohio; but if these two last named are not the
correct numbers, please, comrades, show why?
The Second Brigade was under command of
Gen. Ferry, and consisted of the 1th and Sth
Ohio, the 39th H., and the 9th Ind. The
batteries in the division were: II and l., 1st
Ohio; L, 4th U. s.; B (Jenks'sl, 1st w. Va;
and bavea remembrance of Battery C (Hill's),
1st w. Va. Art, being in the Valley at times,
and may have been in the Division.
Now, comrades, please notice: Shieldss Di-
vision "a better one never met the foe and the
only one that ever whipped Stonewall Jackson)
had IL regiments of infantry. OF these one
was from Illinois (39th), one from West Virginia
t1st), two from Pennsylvania (S4th and 110th),
four from Indiana 9th, 18th, 14th, and 27th),
and eight from Ohio (4th, 5tll, 9Th, Sth, Goth,
L
am positive except rs TO the 63d and 9th !;
these numbers are both somewhat mutilated
on my record. and ! cannot show them distinct
enough to be positive, but am very certain.
Now, il any comrade can show that these two
regiments were not in that grand old Division,
then please show what other two regiments
were. Let the 63d and 9th speak.
l have been asked frequently to name the
different regiments and batteries in that Divis-
ion, which was organized in Feby and Maj ch,
in 1862, and disbandcd in June OF that year.
We have several of the boys in our Post No.
1907. Our Commander was in the 1st W. Va,
and wounded at Port Republic and Gettysburg.
These boys go over those thrilling days, but
memory seems treacherOus with very many
Our notes taken by the way, on the march
and field are now great help to US.
l have been asked about Gen. Shields being
wounded at the battle of Winchester on Satur-
day evening. Huntngton's battery was first
on the field, behind some willows near now
Berkeley Mills. Gen. Shields was sitting on his
horse, just in rear Of L and F guns. While the
enemy were pouring shell into our line and
had killed poor Yeager and his horse on E gun,
the boys stood with loaded guns, waiting the
command, Fire" The next shell from the
enemy exploded, and fragment severely
wounded Gen. Shields in the arm. He yelled,
Give it them, boys" 1t was the first for our
boys, and they knocked that rebel battery out
in less than five minutes. This is plain state
ment of facts. Up to 1877 the bones of Yeagers
horse were scattered on that field, although
the field WIS under fine cultivation. The bat
tie scars were on the trees and fences, especi-
ally the stone fence. S. COVERT, Battery Ii
lst Ohio Art, lie Row. Kan.