The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-06-18

mustered into Co. a. about Jan. 4th. 1864,
his seventeenth birth day occurring on the
Goth of February following. This change
brought him into camp among entire stran-
gers, which, TO a sensitive boy not yet seven
teen, must have been sore experience.
The Sd regiment was placed with the 1st
brigade and attached TO the LIST division in
the 9Th army corps under Sedgwick. They
went into winter quarters at Brandy Station
on the Rapidan. When the spring campaign
opened, the regiment was ordered 10 the
front. On the first forced march of &c
miles in one day, young Averill was one of
only six out of his company that answered
at roll call. few days later the whole army
moved forward and the battles of the wild
erness began. He was under constant fire
for eight days. At the battle of Spottsyl-
vania, soon after, his regiment occupied
position under terrible fire from the enemy
which so nearly annihilated them that they
never afterward were known as a regiment,
but were Joined with another regiment and
known as battalion B., 18th regiment
The deadly position at this battle was aft
terward known as the slaughter pen. AT the
battle of Cold Harbor, his brigade made the
first charge, capturing one line of rifle pits
| Just at dark, but were quickly driven out.
| Falling back about fifty yards, they dug
line OF pits which they held for three days
under terrible fire from sharp shooters. A
spring of water little in their rear was their
only supply, but in view of the enemy. All
about the spring and along the path were
dead soldiers, killed in the effort to get to or
| from the water. At last volunteers were
called for and young Averill strung canteens
all about his body, as protection from the
bullets, and made successful trip. Although
many Of the canteens were perforated he
did not receive a scratch. He took part in
! the lighting before Petersburg until the 9th
corps was sent 10 reinforce Sheridan in the
Shenandoah valley. He was in the first bat
tie at Winchester, Sept. 18th, Fishers HILL
and the second battle OF Winchester, COM
monty so called but more properly Cedar
Greek, Oct. 10, This was for him the hard
est fight of al. His account of the state Of
things at the time of Sheridan's appearance,
is little different from the common story.
The 9Th corps had been ordered back to
Petersburg, but had only proceeded short
distance when heavy firing was heard, about
day light. They hurried back, finding the
army in a complete rout. The 9Th were
obliged 10 give ground AZ first, but with no
idea that the battle was lost When Sheri-
dan came riding down the line swinging his
hat with the word, we are going right back
boys" they We're all ready for the fight. In
this final charge, he was struck by three bull
lets, but was not harmed in the least. The
winter was passed in the trenches before
Petersburg. After the fall of Richmond and
Lees surrender, his brigade was sent in pur-
suit of body of the enemy who were trying
TO escape They followed them into North
Carolina and it was on this march-being
compelled to keep up with the cavalry-that
he sustained injuries from which he never
recovered.
Until after the Grand Review, he had not
been OF duty for single day, but he broke
down at the close of that memorable march.
He was mustered out July 9TH, 1865. He
was united for labor Of any kind for more
than year-was allowed a pension which
at the end OF two years he declined TO draw
longer, believing he had recovered his health.
During most OF the period of his living
among rs, he has been suffering from disa-
bility. which most men would have considered
a sufficient excuse for leisure. His energy
was only matched by his conscientiousness.
Living a life OF earnest study and continued
labor. he is gone before his worth as citizen
and counselor was fully known. G..
Iheffollowing resolutions were passed by
/. G. Woo1rnan Post, q. A. T., on the death
Of comrade Jefferson Averill, who died May
Both, 1855, at his home in Antwerp, Van
Buren, County, Mich
WHEREAS; Since K has pleased our supreme Com
mander 20 take from our luplber, Wilde yet in the
prime Of life ana uselulnsss, ccmrlde Jefferson
Averll, beloved bg all, and whoa He had spared
from death Wide active on the line Of duty Of the
battles Of the Wilderness, Opequan, Cedar Greek,
Cold Harbor, the trenches before Petersburg and
other sangirary contests with the enemy therefore,
E6sOkrfd, That We, l.. G. Woodmar. Post. No. 1885,
Department OF Michigan, G.. a. r., do humbly bow
before 20 great a mystery and bsseech the author
aud dsposer Of our lives 10 look ia great mercy upon
the family c. our late c0mrade the widow, the
children, the aged father, and deal 50 gently With
them, that their grief VIII speedily liglten and their
loss seem less irreparable, AMI
ResOlrcd That the Post be suitably draped in
mourning Tor the period OF thirty days. and
RtsOlctd. That these resolutions be spread 81
large upon the records o. TIE Post and copy there
of be given 10 orr comrades widow, and copy
thereof 70 the several papers published n Paw Paw
GEo. W LAwroS,
JAS. y. HALL, Con,
VIZ. 4. STANTON,
q. %. JOHNSON,