davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
UnYeY's liYisinn at Resaca.

To THE EDITOR: The troops mentioned in
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE discussions OF the
past, as first engaged in the fight at Rocky
Face, Ga. Enormously calld Resaca by several
of the writers), which was the initial fight of
the Atlanta campaign, was Hovey's Division
of Indiana troops. They were composed of
new enlistments. 1t was at Rocky Face they
received their first baptism of fire." The
division was composed of very young men
mere boys-ranging from ID to 20 years of age.
They composed at the time the First Division,
Twenty-third Corps, and were known as
Hoyey's Children" or Indiana Infants"
In connection with this desire to submit the
following: The movement of this division on
the extreme left front of the army, so far as
infantry were engaged was ordered by Gen.
Schotield to aid disastrous cavalry movement
on his extreme left flank, and to relieve the
pressure of the rebel cavalry movement threat
ening the rear near the base of supplies coming
from Cleveland. The original movement only
included the taking Of high ridge of ground
held by the rebels in advance of their main or
interior lines of defense. To do this work the
Indiana division of Hovey was assigned. After
forming in ravine or depression in the ground
they were ordered to unload all extra baggage,
Including knapsacks and haversacks,) and the
column charged, advancing with yells, a
steady front and determined bravery. The in
fants" not only carried the position, but adj
vanced beyond, "hell-bent" for the second or
interior line of rebel works, to the consterna-
ton of Gen. Schofeld, who was compelled to
order in part of his Third Division on their
right to aid in extricating this division from
their perlous and unordered position. The
movement of Hovey's Division in their initial
fight was bravely made and the troops not only
distinguished themselves, but succeeded in ex-
tinguishing their division by reason of an I'M
fortunate muss they got into among themselves
in their return to the place where they had left
their baggage. Each regiment accused the
other of stealing their baggage and grub. This
feeling became SO bitter among the soldiers
composing the various regiments of the divis-
ion that Gen. Schofeld disbanded the division
formation and scattered the regiments among
the Second and Third Divisions of his Corps in
the interests of peace and harmony. AS such
regiments they Won imperishable fame in the
succeeding battles of the Atlanta campaign, and
later OH at Franklin, Nashville and Kinston,
N. C. ] submit the foregoing as correct, and
when a correspondent asks what troops it
was" that opened the fight at Rocky Face on
the extreme left of the Union infantry line,
let it be answered, Hovey's Division, of Indiana
"A 65TH ILLINOIS VETERAN.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
Gen. Xhipple's Death.

To THE EDITOR: have read several COM
munications on the death of Gen. A. w. Whip
ple at Charlottesville, written by Comrades
Smith and Gable, who seem to differ in their
respective statements as to what the General
was doing and the way he was shot will
state that my regiment was in the breastworks,
the front line running parallel with the road
skirting the timber north of an open field,
about so rods wide, with dense underground
and pines beyond. Our post of the works eX-
tended short distance west from the angle
running nOrthward. The enemy was posted
in the woods along our front, and their sharp
shooters were hidden among the branches of
the trees. l remember well those fellows an
noyed us not a little all day Monday. Some
of the balls enfladed our line. Maj. Stevens
of the 1921 Pa, and the writer were cOnvers-
ing, about 10 o'clock a. M, May A, standing in
the road a few feet apart, when ball tipped
between our heads. 1t was about this time,
according to Comrade Smiths statement that
Gen. Whipple was shot, as it was not long af
forwards when he was carried past our regi-
ment on stretcher, and to the rear. As to
the time the General was, shot, l believe Com
rade Smith to be right. call understood that
Gen. Whipple was out inspecting the tempo
rary breastworks which had been thrown up
on Sunday night, which were more contracted
than the first lines had been. A comrade in-
formed me recently that the ball struck be-
tween the back buttons Of his coat. This cor
rQborates the belief which has never, to my
knowledge, been contradicted-tha the ball
struck the spine. That he was in the act of
mounting his horse, as the story was told the
writer, has been contradicted by Comrade
Smith.
Among the last words the General spoke be-
fore his DEATH was request that the 122d Pa.
should serve as escort at his funeral in Wash
ington. Thither the regiment went and car
ried out the dying request of their loved divis-
ion commander.-J. S. SMITH, Co. G, 122d Pa,
Lancaster, Pa.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
The 18th Maine.

To THE EDITOR: 1 noticed in your issue of
the 10th ult. communication from Comrade
Trip, of Bluehill, noticeable chiefly on account
of the spleen in it. He seems to be greatly
concerned lest the 18th Me. should derive some
credit from Gen. Beals connection with it. /
| am sure no member of the 18th claims Gen.
Beal, or desires to. Gen. Beal's career is moth
ing phenomenal, and if it was the 18th has
all the glory it wants or needs in the persons of
its own commanders, most of whom will not
suffer by comparison with even SO great man
as Comrade Trip thinks Gen. Beal is. The
18th Me- shines with no borrowed light or
plumage, and Gen. Beal's name could add no
luster to it, The 18th served an apprenticeship
under such Generals as Berry, Birney, Pierce
and Beforehand in the slight affairs known as
Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Gettysburg,
etc., and eliminated its career under the gal
liant and superb Hancock and the accomplished
soldier Humphreys. There is not the slightest
objection to Comrade Trips claim that Gen.
Beal is wholly the property of the triple-headed
organization-the LIST, 10th and Goth. In the
language of one of our most beloved officers,
we can say: "The heroism and bravery and
persistent devotion to duty of the men of this
regiment needs no fulsome praises Upon their
banners they have inscribed the record of their
deeds, and with their bayonets written their
own history. HALEY, Co. l, 18th Me-, Saco,
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
The Flag Of the 18th Iowa again.

To THE EDITOR: I cannot refrain fromsav-
ing word about the statements in THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE of the 9th and 10th insts.
First, Comrade Garfield claims his company CHI
was quartered in the State House yard at Co.
lumbia, S. C., and that one of the 31st Iowa stole
their flag and put ours in its place. Next
comes COmrade Hughes, who don't care what
anybody says, but Co.'S b. and H. of the 18th
Iowa, were the first companies to enter the city,
but contradcts Comrade Garfield, and saws we
did not put our flag in the place of theirs. Next,
Comrade Wilson says the 18th Iowa are ready
to prove that their flag was the first on the
State House, but does not offer any proof. and
winds up by asking me to furnish more proof,
when l am the only one that has furnished
any. In regard to the record of the Seven
teenth Corps 1 have as yet said nothing, but
will say now that its record is as good as
the best; nor have l said anything rejecting
discredit on the 18th Iowa as body. Comrade
Garfield and 1 are having little dispute in
friendly spirit. At least, it is so on my part, and
l hope that Comrade Garfield feels the same
But to cap the climax, COmrade Lee, of the 41st
ILL.,, claims to have been an eyewitness to the
planting of the 18th Iowas flag on the State
House.
Great heavens! What eyesight the comrade
must have had at that time. On looking over
the roster of regiments in Sherman's army at
that time (which have from the official records)
l fail to find the 41st Ill. mentioned Comrade
Lee must have been all there was left of it if
his statement is correct, and the 41st was over
looked. beg that Comrade Wilson will not be
hogglsh and ask me for more proof until he has
furnished as much as have then will give
him and the others more than will be palatable
If this controversy should attract the attention
of Col. G. A. Stone, who commanded the Third
Brigade. First Division, Fifteenth Corps, or any
officer or member of the brigade, would be
pleased to see something from them in regard
to the affair in The NATIONAL TRIBUNE
w. NJ. PRoUTY, Co. B, 31st Iowa, Peace Dale
z. /.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
Fayetteville, N. c., Again.

To THE EDITOR: Your most excellent paper
of June II contains an article from the pen OF
Col JEFF j. Hibbets which illustrates The
pen is mightier than the sword" for with one
stroke of his mighty pen he takes to himself
ali the honor Of the capture of Fayetteville, N.
c. AS his article is largely copied from report
MADE at the time perhaps should excuse him,
as he was then in the apprOpriating business.
But now, Colonel, after 20 years of peace, it
seems as if you should be satisfied with your
own and let the old comrades have what be-
longs to them without feeling they must keep
everything strapped to their back for fear some
enterprising forager will appropriate it.
doubt not the COlonePs honesty in all he
says; and while / must insist that my COM
mand drove the enemy from the town, we, I'M
fortunately, could not occupy the whole town
for want of men, and probably the Colonel
came in and for brief period occupied some
Of the vacant places.
close enough to see the torch applied to the
rows of pitch strewn on either side, and after
firing few shots returned to the markethouse,
and while the Colonel retired from town / and
men remained for several days. This courtesy
was extended to me for what had accom-
plished.
Now, let me say to the Colonel and others
that the right wing as also the left wing are
crowned with honors, but the private soldiers
who obtained food for that vast army have
never been properly honored, and what have
written in reference to the capture of Fsyette.
vile is in justice to the brave men had the
honor to command.
One word now in reference to the article of
w. II. Davis in issue of May %. He says dur
ing four years Of service he never saw q bri.
gade driven pell-mell by Is men. Comrade,
were there not great many things you did
not see2 The capture of Fayetteville was like
some political matters. While my command,
small as it was, did the work, there was strong
outside (surrounding) influence which was
greatly in our favor.-W. 81. MORSE, Lieut.,
Co. ], 22d Wis, Martinsburg, Mo.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
He Settles 1t.

To THE EDITOR: According to statements of
different parties there must have been a great
many flags hoisted on the State House at CO.
lumbia, S. G. thought Comrade j. N. Moul-
ton, our color-bearer at the time, had settled
the dispute long ago, but it seems not Every
one who was there knows that the Third Bril-
gade, First Division, Fifteenth Corps, had the
honor of taking Columbia. We skirmished
into and through the city, and drove the John
mics out, although the city had been formally
surrendered by the civil authorities. While we
were busy with the rebs on the west side of
town, the 18th Iowa boys took a nigh cut and
put their flag upon the State House. As we
drove the enemy back they went in the drec-
ton of the State House, and It soon got too hot
for the 18th boys SO they skipped and left their
flag. We were ordered to hoist our flag, so we
took theirs down and ran ours up, and that is all
there is about it, No honors were stolen, and
no need of any dispute.-C w. SARCHETT, Co..
c, 9th Iowa, Algona, Iowa.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
An Anecdote of Gen. Nelson.

To THE EDITOR: In February, 1862, Nelson
had his headquarters in camp of 41st Ohio at
Camp Wickliffe, on Rolling Fork, KY. There
was an old farmhouse in sight of camp on
the Fork, in which there was young lady
of comedy appearance. Nelson spent many hours
there. He came to our line of guard one night
about 10 o'clock, was halted, and challenged
to give the countersign. Nelson equivocated,
and said: az am Gen. Nelson let me pass"
starting to cross the line. "Halt!" says the
guard, bringing his musket at the ready to bear
on him, "Mark time" Nelson swOre and
cursed. 1t was of no use; the guard knew no
one without the countersign, and Kept him
marking time until relieved by the Sergeant
of the guard. He moved his quarters out of
our camp suddenly, and l think never forgot
an opportunity to pay off scores against the
regiment-E G. WOODS, Co. d, 41st Ohio, Ma
tional Home, Wis.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
CONDENSED LETTERS.

NJ. A. Atwell, Co. A, 130th N. Y, Wethers-
field, Conn, remembers very well several of the
incidents narrated by Ned Buntline" in re-
cent issue of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
A member of the 9Th Ind Art. thinks that
the 9Th Wis. battery claimed too much for the
service it rendered at Resaca, and thinks the
battery to which he belonged did little work
in that battle.
James Gibson, Co. F, 18th Iowa, Springfield
Iowa, is one of the many who claim for the
18th Iowa the honor of being the first regiment
to enter Columbia, s. G.
W. L. Gardner, Co. K, 10th Ohio, Masterton,
O., has read with much pleasure the commune
cation of George E. Davis in regard to the bat
tie of Monocacy. Comrade Gardner was there
and received severe wound in the action.
Thomas Mcguire, Fort Leavenworth, Kan,
says that he was prisoner at TarborO, N. C.,
in 1862, and is confident that he saw an organi-
cation armed with lances. He ought to be sure,
as he to this day carries several scars caused
by these weapons.
John T. Fertig, Co. A, LIST Pa. Cav, Milwau-
kee, Wis, writes, in response to IL. A. Trip,
that it was four divisions of the LIST Pa. Cav.
that made the charge at Cedar Mountain.
10. Adams, Co. E, 18th N. Y, st. Joseph,
Mo-, agrees with Comrade Geo. d. Lee in regard
to Gen. Greene's Brigade not being driven from
their works at Gettysburg.
NJ. B. Rupe, Canton, Ill., sends an interesting
account of the battle before Atlanta, July %,
1864.
L. w. Armstrong, Co. E, 10th Ill, Randolph,
Iowa, writes that his regiment certainly en-
tered Columbia, s. c., although he has seen
statements to the effect that the Seventeenth
Corps did not go into that city.
J.Luckey, Co. F, 25th Iowa, Columbus, Kan,
claims for his regiment the honor of being the
first to enter Columbia, s. G.
]. NJ. Thomas, Co. E, 7th Ohio, Caldwell,
Kan, writes that on the Dist of April, 1865, his
regiment, which lay in front of Macon, Ga,
was met with a flag of truce and told of the
surrender of Gen. Lee, but Gen. Wilson in
formed the bearers of the flag that the city was
his and the Confederate forces there must con-
slider themselves prisoners of war or he would
open fire at once, and over 800 Confederates
surrendered. This Comrade Thomas claims,
was the last city captured.
Peter Clinkemallie, Co. F, SD ILL.,, Larned,
Kan, wishes to inform the member of his regi.
ment who inquired if all the comrades of the
SD Ill. were dead that he is alive and kicking,
and would have written him if his address had
been given.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06

rusticating, during the heated term, amid the
sickening scenes of that hell on earth-Ander-
sonvilie! Heavens! what memories crowd on
a mans mind as he thinks of it! Supper that
night! and such supper! History makes no
mention, among the many suppers OF which IL
treats, of anything like the one our company
partook of that night. Let me see. First, OF
course, must be the material of which it was
made up. We had pig; we had OK; we had
sheep; we had chicken; we had turkey; we
had goose we had turnips: we had sweet po-
tatoes; we had Irish potatoes; we had salt
pork; we had -four; we had cornmeal;
but, alas we had no cooking utensils! Did we
give up in despair, and eat our grub without
the cooking? Not much Serg't Jack Bender,
one of the best and bravest boys in the COM
pany, soon solved the problem. 1.-Two OF you
come with me- and I'll find something to stew
this grub in" Away they go straight for the
first house in view, aud in an incredibly short
space of time return bearing, swung on fence
rail, a huge iron kettle, which Jack in his WIN
ming way had borrowed" at the farmhouse.
Jack possessed fertile BRAIN and easily over
came Obstacles which to the rest of US looked
insurmountable. l hope he will see this and
read it, in his faraway Western home on the
shores OF the Pacific, because | know it will do
him good and give his family a treat in one OF
his good old soldier-boy laughs. Thanks to
Jack. we cooked that mess in the big Kettle
without regard TO any mans taste. Everything
went in together. To say that we feaSted on
the fat of the land that night is drawing it
mildly; indeed, we absolutely rioted on the
good things furnished us by our Southern
friends. They didn't enjoy it as we did. 1t
was not considered by them to be a part of our
National compact that they must feed so many
guests at one time The thought that they
were little soured over the affair created no
disturbance to Union breasts that night. The
only manner in which it became disturbing
element to US was when some luckless cavalry
man failed to exercise due caution in loading
his craft, and shipped too heavy cargo; that
was ALL. S. LENNON, First Serg't, Co. d,
9th Iowa Cav, Fender, Neb.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
Am Iuterestine Interview.

A reporter recently called at Cady's CONNER
cial College, 14th st. and University Place, N.
Y, and asked an interview with the principal
of that institution, Mr.. Chas Z. Cady, in re-
gard to the truth or falsity of certain state
ments which had been made about his having
been cured of q bad chronic nasal Catarrh BY
Compound Oxygen; the matter being one of
especial interest to the public as a very large
number of people in America are afflicted with
this troublesome and often disgusting disease.
Mr.. Cady cheerfully responded to his inquiries
and made substantially the following state
ment:
"By the time was twenty one had Catarrh
deeD-seated and fixed. 1t came on so slowly
thu j hardly knew it was Catarrh. IsUas con-
IL ally hawking and splitting became nuisance
myself, and know Das TO other people. There
fas constant dripping into my throat. I
always had weak stomach and this made it
weaker. IsOas in the grip of this horrible Catarrh
After trying sundry remedies without ad-
vantage. resolved to make an experiment
Treatment. In the short space of four weeks great
improvement Dds visible. continued the treatment
at intervals for nearly sr mouths Dhen my Catarrh
Which had been unusually Obstinate spas at an end
The unpleasant secretions disappeared, and also
the pain in my head which had accompanied
them. The necessity for ha,oking and splitting
disappeared, my stomach grew stronger and my
digestion better
"This was about three years ago. Since then
I haze had no return Of the Catarrh. l know my
cure must be reasonably permanent, for have
taken several slight colds, which have passed
away without leaving any evil effects. During
my Catarrh days such colds would have aggra-
waited my disease to a serious extent.
Z" You may quote me as freely as y0u please as Q
firm believer in the virtues of Compound Oxy-
gen."
A !" Treatise on Compound Oxygen" containing
q history of the discovery and mode of action
of this remarkable curative agent, will be sent
free. Address DIS. STARKEY & PALEN, 1929
Arch ST., Philadelphia.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
The Sth Mo.

To THE EDITOR: Comrade Ed. A. Ware, of
Brownsville, Mo-, comes back at the Philadel-
phis Times for calling the Sth Mo. regiment Of
river roughs. I don't know about the river
roughs in the regiment, but they were the
toughest regiment ever saw on the COnfeder-
ates. Comrade Ware can congratulate himself
upon serving with as gallant regiment as ever
marched all night and took cold skirmish
for breakfast in the morning" We were never
permanently brigaded with them, but we'll
knew A. ]. Smiths Quartermasters. Perhaps
Comrade w. may recall q section of the LIST
Wis. battery attached to their division, protect
ing the rear of Corporal Banks's" cotton expe-
dition coming down Red River. But the COM
rade is little off. One, if not two, companies
were recruited in Minnesota; one by Charlie
Bently in Houston County, and were all farmer
boys. Many are the encomiums we have heard
passed upon them for bravery by the Johnnies
they took ind. C. CAMERON, LIST Wis. Bat
terry, La Crescent, MINI.
The National tribune., 1885-08-06
sheridan and Custer at Cedar Creek.

To THE EDITOR: Much has been written
about "Sheridans ride at Cedar Creek, Va.
would say believe most accounts to be true;
but they are taken from different standpoints.
The Third Cavalry Division, Gen. Clusters
"red neckties," were stationed on the extreme
right flank of the army. On the morning of
the fight we went to the extreme left and
across the Valley pike, and took position where
the Eighth Corps should have been. Instead
of linking four horses together, we linked 10,
and left one man with each 10, and fought on
foot. We held our position behind chincapin
bushes, and did bloody havoc with our seven
shooters (Spencersl,. the rebels making three
charges to dislodgeius We then charged and
took nearly 800 prisoners, and probably would
have taken more, but we were afraid to go too
far from our horses. / went to Gen. Custer to
report, when Gen. Sheridan rode up. lie was
covered with dust, and could scarcely be recog-
nized as a General, only by his escort. Gen.
Custer turned his head, and looking back, &C
costed him with the following language:
"D--your old SOUL Why did you go away?"
To which Sheridan replied: Amt getting back
as fast as CAM" Custer says: "Well, we must
work fast. or we are badly whipped" Tut, tut"
says Sheridan. 1--WE will get twist on them,
and whip them out of their boots. We will
camp tonight in our old camp!" They then
held private consultation. Sheridan then
rode at full speed towards the Sixth and Nine
teenth Corps. Custer, turning to me, said :
"You require no answer. Go to the chief
bugler and tell him to sound to horse double
quick" No one can imagine how quick the
men were in their saddles. The band struck
up "Garry Owen" and we went on trot
across the pike, around the Sixth and Nine
teenth Corps, until we got near our old camp
ing ground, when our light battery fred two
shots. The Sixteenth and Nineteenth Corps
! responded, and then charge of the whole
army was made The rebels broke in cOnfu-
sion and defeat was turned into victory.
We were now ON the back road. Striking the
pike near Fishers Hill we came across the
rebel train. We drew sabers and striking the
lead horses told the drivers to turn about or we
would shoot them. We did not stop until we
had captured every wagon and every piece of
artillery Of theirs and what they had taken
from us. Our horses were so exhausted and
footsore that Custer sent an Aid-de-Camp to
Sheridan, informing him of the facts, request
ing a brigade Of infantry to help us back with
the spoils and he sent two to our assistance
When the infantry came up on dOuble-quick
and saw all we had accomplished they acted
like "mad,' throwing up their hats and cheer
ing Custer and the red necktie" division. 1t
is needless to say that we got back towards
morning, and went into camp on the old camp
ground, as Little Phil said we would.-1STH PA.
| CAV, National Military Home, Wisconsin.