The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-09-10

color -bearer-Robert WirtS, an old school
mate-with tattered flag, which had been
triumphantly borne through many battle and
campaign. His unmentionables were equally
as tattered by seeing hard service since leaving
Charleston and by camping in the mountains OF
Virginia After Gen. Crook had gone into
camp the forces so long strangers, yet so closely
allied in a common Department. intermingled,
old friends were hunted up, aud experiences
exchanged.
HUNTERS RAID
was then inaugurated, which, if successful,
would materially aid Gen. Grant by taking
forces from the Army OF Northern Virginia,
thus weakening Lees lines, while Grant was
fighting it out 1" if il took all Summer" and
perhaps capture Richmond from the rear But
soldier has no right to ask questions or anticl-
pate his province being obedience.
Hunter had now his entire command with
him, aud the march commenced in earnest.
Lexington was our next town on line of march.
A severe engagement enSued before we came to
the spot where lay the remains of Stonewall
jackson in the cemetery of Lexington, where
his resting place was marked by haS-Staff,
upon which usually foated the Confederate
flag No flag was visible during our stay at
Lexington. Here the Virginia Military lnsti-
tute was located, and from which building sew
eral of our comrades were shot after we had
gone into camp. 1t was an unfortunate thing
for that building. In few minutes II was
sending smoke and fame towards the heavens
Some of the comrades while taking in the
town found some circulars calling on the citi-
zeus to arm themselves and hurl back the
Lincoln hirelinCs from the sacred soil of Nir-
ginia," signed by
Ex-Gov. JOHN LETCHER.
Dearly did he pay for his rashness, as Gen.
Hunter ordered the torch applied, and his resi-
dence a neat substantial structure, Joined the
Military Institute as thing of the past.
We were so burdened by our prisoners and
heavy supply train, which necessarily length
ened our line of march and weakened our
forces in advance, that Hunter rested here for
a few days. expecting ratiOnS and other supplies
The IGOlh Ohio National Guard came into
camp with supplies, which were properly dis
tributed TO the men, and our prisoners, wagon
train, sick aud wounded were placed under the
protection of the above-named regiment, which,
the writer was afterwards informed, had to fight
its way back, but was successful in taking
everything through which had been intrUsted
TO its care.
One bright morning in June the Army of
West Virginia marched from its camp at Lex
ington en- route for Lynchburg. the objective
point OF Gen. Hunter. From Lexington we
were obliged to fight our way by day, and often
after night sharp skirmish ensued. Our line
of march vas over very broken country, thus
giving the enemy the advantage of position,
but that gallant little hand Of heroes, ever
ohedient to orders marched without protesting,
as they often remarked, Into the jaws Of
death" One night we had the honor of en-
camping al the
NATURAL BRIDGE,
between Lexington and Salem, the Countyseat
of Roanoke County, at which point we first
struck the Lynchburg & Tennessee Railroad,
destroying it as we marched TO Lynchburg, our
objective point.
The enemy had been cortesting our advance
step by step after we reached Salem. Instead
of marching into Lynchburg on the evening of
the 14th of June, and in obedience to orders
from Gen. Hunter, We formed in line of battle
short distance south of Lynchburg, mistake
which Hunter made which never could be rem
edied. Had we continued our line of march on
the evening of the 1ith we could have captured
the town with its entire garrison and helped
ourselves to the enemys COmm!sSary, Ordnance
and Quartermaster supplies. which our fam
ished little army so sorely needed. But Fate
ordered differently. We were to wait till the
looming Of the morn,' until Gen. Early could
arrive
WITH FRESH TROOPS
and meet us on grounds Of his own choosing.
When the line was being formed on the left
Of the pike on that evening the writer was very
hungry, and when passing point where Serg't
Samuel Dunn, Of Co. T, 123d Ohio was stand
ing, he asked the Sergeant show his grub was
holding out?" He replied: Il have eaten
everything but my coffee. III cat that and go
to sleep" These were the last words the writer
ever heard the Sergeant utter. Company f
was sent Oh the Skirmish-line that night, and
the
BRAVE SERGEANT WENT TO SLEEP
early the next morning, never to awaken until
the Resurrection Morni
That night as we lay in line of battle, we
were apprze3 that the enemy ii our front was
being re-emforced, By the loud military COM
mands being given and the continuous whist
ling ofthe railroad engines all Of which told that
little army of veterans that the next day would
be memorable one III their military lives.
The next morning our scouts reported Gen.
Early with the old "StoneWal" Corps in our
front. IL was not long until the action on the
skirmiSh-line commenced, and ii soon became
general. Charging and falling back, marching
and countermarching for position, and regu-
lar stand up and fight" was INDUCED in
nearly the entire day, each army about holding
its own The First Brigade of the Eagle Di-
vision at nightfall on the 18th had the same
position it took the night before
Several incidents happened during the day
which caused considerable merriment. A pomp-
Gus Aid on some ones staff was
DzPLOYING A REAR-GUAgD
Of cavalry, and when he came to the rear OF
the l23d Ohio Geu. w. I. Wilson, who was
then Coone! Of the regiment felt nsulted and
demanded an explanation. The Aid made the
following lac0nic reply: "OTders, Colonel,
orders! !" Just as he had finished his little
speech a shell from the cnemys artillery burst
over his head. He vamOsed to the rear. Gen
Wilson, who was the coolest man under fire
the writer ever saw, enjoyed q good laugh, and
90 called TO the rsar guard to bring the Aid to the
front and he would keep him there. 1t is need
less to add that the 123d Ohio had seen the last
Of the rcar-guard.
The Old 18Th Conn. charged the enemys
right to silence a battery which had been very
annoying on our left. A soldier was seen COM
ing to the rear on all fours Our humane
Colonel w. T. Wilson, thinking that he vas
wounded rode up 30 him. asking what was the
matter. he replied, " am sick at the stom-
ach." Such little incidents happening
IL TIE FACE OF DEATH
would provoke considerable merriment.
The writer wishes here TO chronicle as brave
deed rs ever took place during the war which
was performed BY Eli Smith, the big ffer of
Co. L, and Daniel Rhoads of Co ID, I23d
Ohio, equally rs large man. Serg't Dunn of
WHOM mention was made above had been left
where lie was killed on the skirmish-l line His
brother wished to have him buried by the side
OF Comrades Kiohl and Savage, belonging to
the same company, who had been killed later
IN the day. Smith and Rhoads volunteered to
bring hm of or die in the attempt The skir-
mish-line Of the morning on the Union side
was IN advance Of the one III the evening the
Sergeant lying between the two lines. They
crept on all fours TO where he was rolled him