davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
4 Dutcliman Has His Say.

To THE EDITOR: 1 read your papers of DER
NATIONAL TRIBUNE Won Washington tree
years ALREADY, and it is better then 90 glasses
Of lager tat cost $40, too. Mr.. Editor, | readsa
good many things apout them Western soldiers
down by der Mississippi and by der Red River,
and how they killed them rebels just lik Buff
fale Bill woult kill the good ones and let them
poor ones run. Hey! That was very good.
l was solder, too. / belong to Co. B, and
tells you how we fights them rebels down by
Smitsfeld. Them rebels comes by der woods,
compus). and went for us like good fellers. We
tied them horses in der woods and got in lin
just by das cornfield; then them rebels think
we was gone, and by an by them rebels comes
down, and Capt Siebert says: "Bois, don't
shut Ontil they come by der bush in the road"
and tells you wen them rebels got by der bush
they got hail Columbia; some of the bois but
them gunbarels in dem rebels coatpockets and
PLACED away. and / tells You dot was very Mise.
By and by some more rebels comes down and
hOlers Hey hey! hey! / drinks their was 5000
of dem NIT two canons They comes right in the
cornfield and then in dem woods We got on
our horses by this time and went away and
tells you dem rebels vas mad, and | tells
Schneider Won mein company dot ven dem
Western fellers comes here they would surround
and take them all prisoners by dame. But
them Esturn felers run away and is no good.
Them New York papers say we killed 5000 of
them. We had one good man wOunted when
Capt. Siebert rids away so fast his horse trows
| one hind shoe out and hits Brekenwald on the
nose Dot makes him holler. And now since
der war is over Brekenwald gets pention Won
der Government for wound he got in der
| fght.-NIXIE, New York City.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
Scared by a Glass Eve.

To THE EDITOR: During the Summer of
1863, while on the way from the Rappahannock
to Gettysburg, l received a gunshot in the calf
of the leg, and went cumming ON my own hook
keeping just near enough TO enjoy the success
our boys were having in routing the enemy, but
far enough away for safety. ] came across. a
fallen, and as [ supposed wounded, comrade.
He was lying in the hot sun, staring at nfe
with one eye. / asked: "Comrade, are you
wounded? Can / do anything for your"
received no response. and dismounted with my
canteen to give him water. 4 blood on
his breast led me to make an examination,
which showed that the ball had entered the
region of the heart and that he was dead. The
natural expression of his open eye made me
doubt. i examined the closed eye, and found
it cold and CLASSY. pulled up the lid of the
open eye carefully, when out it popped with a
loud snap, soaring me so badly that / saw or
heard nothing until a Sergeant and squad with
strctcher or ambulance arrived and asked what
l was doing. l have no recollection of the
answer | made or of anything l said at
the time. / had never heard of an artificial
eye, which it proved to be- The man was
Lester Blood 9th Ohio Cav A comrade, who
think signed himself Andy Laney, wrote of
this engagement once. If be sees this / wish
he would tell if Comrade Bloods friends re-
ceived his effects, eye, etc, as l have a rather
cloudy recollection of giving some of the
party who aroused me from my trance hand
full Of things taken from the inside Of his blouse
or jacket.-A. NJ. BEALY, Co. II, 4th Pa. Cav,
Dempseytown, Venango Co., Pa.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
Fort Steadman.

To THE EDITOR: 1 belonged to a regiment
Steadman and Haskell, and had as much to do
in the recapture of this fort as any other. We
were driven out of our quarters at the point OF
the bayonet, and recaptured them again the
same way by close hand-to-fght fight. But
few tents at the close of the engagement did
not contain dead, wounded or scared Johnnes.
Gen. Mclaughlin, our brigade commander,
was captured before the fight commenced on
our part of the line, and Lieut.-Co. J. Ii. Pente-
cost, commander of our regiment, was MORALLY
wounded early in the fight.
Our loss was nine killed and about 90
wounded, but there were at least five times that
many of the rebels killed and wounded in our
quarters, and there were no other troops en-
gagged on that part of the line except a few of
the Sd Nd. and a few of the 18th n. 7. III. A.
OF the seven stands of colors captured, men,
berS of the Tooth Pa. captured four The first
Union coiors in the recaptured fort were car
ried there by Sergt Charley Oliver, Color
Bearer of the Tooth, who during the advance
charge mp the line had picked up a gun. Just
as he entered the fort at the head Of q squad
commanded by Capt. David z. Book, he encoun-
tered color bearer of the other side, and de-
manded the surrender of his flag. The John
ny replied, =" guess not" when Charley, who
was a long-armed blacksmith dropping the gun
from his right hand, struck his opponent with
his fist, knocking him down, and then coolly
picked up the rebel flag with the remark, The
HI yer wont.'-JAs. c. STEVENSON, Co. Il,
Tooth Pa, New Castle, Pa.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
Eaneers in the Rebel Army.

To THE EDITOR: Two veterans Gen. WASH
ington l.. Elliott and Col. w. r. Smedberg)
sent me a copy of your paper of the Goth of
August and called my attention to a communi-
cation from Il. X. Baird, of Co. Z, I'd Ohio Cav,
who does me the honor to refer to me to cor
roborate his statement of the presence Of a conf
pany of Texas Lanccrs at the battle of Val
Verde, n. VI.
In addition to what Mr.. Baird states, re-
member the charge made on Capt Dodd's COM
pany OF LIST Colo. Capt. Dodd had arrived in
New Mexico from Denver City in advance of
the rest of his regiment and was at Fort Craig
in time for the battle of Val Verde, in which
he bore a conspicuous part. The Texans, doubt
less eager to try their lances on the volunteers,
selected for their point of attack the Colorado
company, rs it appeared on the line of battle in
uniform strongly in contrast with that of the
Regular troops. Although the charge was made
in good order, it was easily repulsed. The
Colorado's fire was reserved for close quarters,
but some hasty shots were probably discharged,
as the observation was currently reported that
the Lancers' horses in the front advanced with
heads down and ears drawn backwards, from
instructive apprehension of the expected volley.
Though the day resulted favorably to the
enemy, and they were again met in battle at
Pigeons Ranch, tie Lancers did not reappear.
BASIL NORRIS, NJ. D., Surgeon, U. S. Army,
San Francisco, Cal.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
The Guns Mt Knob Gap.

To THE EDITOR: / have noticed considerable
e0ntroversary in your paper as to what regi-
ment captured the two cannOns at Knob Gap.
Now, one Sol Il. Smith thinks he has settled
the whole matter by quoting from Gen. Davis's
report Gen. Davis did not see who captured
the guns, as he was not near that place, and
must necessarily rely OH Others so that Mr..
Smith simply settles nothing. Lieut.-Col Nc
Kee, of the 10Th Wis, was in command of the
skrmsh-line. The skirmishers consisted of
details from each regiment in the brigade The
skirmishers of the 18th Wis. were the first to
reach the guns. This L know, because I was
there and saw it, and when 1 reached the spot
there were still very few who had reached
them. Among those there ahead of me were
Lieut.. Col. Mckee and Col. Heg, of the 18th
Wis. l don't contend that the 18th Wis took
the guns because they were Drawer than
their comrades of the other regiments, but
simply because the guns were Immediately in
our front and we could reach them quicker
than any of the others. The mud was very
deep, and those who had the least distance to
travel had great advantage. All the reg-
ments in the brigade were good fighters and as
true soldiers as ever shouldered musket and
it really makes no difference which regiment
reached the guns first, except as a question of
fact. l think all the other regiments of the
brigade will gladly admit that the Scandina.
vians held their own as well as any of them,
and know the 10th boys will say as much for
either of the others. l never could discover
any dickering or jealousy between them, but
all "dwelt together in unity" AS said before,
it makes no difference who captured guns and
who gained victories, --all fought shoulder to
shoulder for the same great cause-that of hui
man liberty and human rights.-O. G. j.
SHIpNEs, Colonel, 18th Wis, Beloit, Wis.,
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15

Scribner's Sons. 1881 can find the praise of
Sheridan's campaign fairly apportioned; and
if he will turn to page I59 he will find the cor
rection by no less persons than Gems. Sheridan
and Wright of the lying report of Sixth Corps
correspondent that the Nineteenth was late
in getting over the Opequan and into line at
the battle of Winchester, Sept. 10, 1854.
These are unpleasant matters, but they are so
naturally called up by such an article as Com
rade Dry's, that l cannot forbear to mention
them. | may say for myself that ] fought with
my regiment (11ith y. Y all through that mo-
mentous campaign, as also through the previous
Louisiana campaigns; that / served afterward
on the staff of the Nineteenth Corps; and that
have been urged by our surviving and gallant old
corps commander, Maj. Gen. w. III. Emory, to
prepare history of the corps for publication.
Perhaps, some day, may do it; at present de-
sire only to thank Comrade Dry for his truthful
reference to our corps. He evidently writes
from personal knowledge, and we shall look
with interest and expectation for his future
references to our corps His complimentary
mention of one of its regiments doth n. "
is truthful and merited; yet, that regiment
was not in the fiery engagements of the Valley,
and bore the sangunary fortunes of the Louisi-
ana campaigns with the whole corps. Let us
have the truth JAMES L. Fits, Captain,
Hath n. Y, and Brevet Major. of Volunteers,
Lockport, n. Y.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
DIR. Crandall Has Another Shot.

To THE EDITOR: In reply to Pension Agent
Hamilton's last letter in THE NATIONAL TRIB-
UNE will say that L have no apology to make
for telling the truth in my late letter. But let
us review the letters of our friend from the
great State of New Jersey. In his first letter to
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE he said that with
held an affidavit from a cOmrade for money
consideration, which is false; and as 1 was the
only Surgeon that gave him service treatment
the applicant must suffer, as service treatment
was hard clause to cover in completing the
case at the Pension Department. In his second
letter he tells US he has an affidavit from Sur
geon Nichols, of the same regiment.
Now, am willing to leave this controversy
to the intelligent readers of this paper, and ask,
in all seriousness, if there is any way in which
this progressive Pension Agent from New Jer-
sey can reconcile his Incompatible statements
T. B. CRANDALL, Assistant Surgeon, 18th Ohio,
SterliDp I'll
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
De Grasses Battery.

A large quantity of stationery and printers
ink has been used in the effort to settle the
question as to who retook the De Grasse bat
terry at Atlanta. In fact, there seems to have
been nearly as much fighting over this as there
was over the battery itself. Judging from the
large number of letters on this fruitful theme
that continue to come in, there is no imme-
date prospect that the friction will soon be
ailayed. We have before us seven communi-
cations relating to it, but they do not settle the
point at issue, save, perhaps, in the minds of
the individual writers, each of whom is no
doubt, perfectly honest and sincere in his opin-
ion. These are from w. III. Shearer, Co. II,
66th ILL.,, Winfield, Kan; " Coates, Co. c. 9th
Iowa, Independence, Iowa; George w. Dalton.
Co. A, 4th Iowa, Glenwood, Mills Co., Iowa !;
John A. Anderson, Battery II, 1st Ill. l.. A.,
Alexandria, Mimi. W. s. Crawford, Co. b, 18th
ILL.,, Geneva, Neb.; George L. Bliss, Co. ID, Goth
H., and j. Jones, Wheeling, w. Va. One of
the writers suggests that perhaps the De Grasse
battery was i'll two sections, at different points,
and that this may account for the confusion
that has arisen. We do not know the fact as
to this, but a stranger reading the controversy
might easily imagine that there were 10 or 20
sections of this battery scattered all around
Atlanta, and that pretty much all of Sher-
mans army had a hand in the sermmage some
where. The fact remains, however, that the
recapture of the battery was bravely done.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
SHENANDOAH CAMPAIGN.
Tire Sixth Corps and Its Correspondents.

Tire Sixth Corps and Its Correspondents
To THE EDITOR: On behalf of some thousands
of survivors of the Nineteenth Corps, you will
permit me to thank Comrade Dry, of the 123d
Ohio, for his handsome reference TO our corps
in his Introductory article ON the Shenandoah
Valley Campaigns in THE NATIONAL TRIB-
UNE of the 10th ult He promises further re-
ference to this corps. In the hands of SO gen.
erous and truthful an historian as this comrade
proves himself TO be in his Introductory article
we may surely expect nothing but truth and
justice TO all, so far as his opportunities have
allowed him TO present them.
Comrade Dry calls upon some members of
the Nineteenth Corps 10 WELD the pen in their
own defense" The comrade was member of
the gallant Eighth Corps-the historic Army
Of West Virginia, and | think that no one
outside of these two organizations can f.lly I'M
derstand the significance of his language as
well as that other language of his article, when
he says Of the Sixth Corps that its correspond
ents have so frequently brought that corps be-
fore the people, we will now and in the future
as they have in the past, allow them TO blow
their own horn" And think that none Of
the survivors Of the Sixth Corps can fail to un-
derStand these words Now, let me be understood
at the start. Neither Comrade Dry nor myself
would wish 70 take one laurel from the brow of
the Sixth Corps. Its service in the Shenandoah
Valley was but an incident of its history; its
service there was magnificent as well as honor
able, and surely it should be willing that JUS
tice should be done to all the constituted parts
of the Army of the Shenandoah. For my part
] have always believed that the trouble be-
tween the different organizations of that army
has arisen not so much from the excessive claims
of the Sixth Corps as from the selfish and ex-
aggerated reports Of its correspondents. l will
say plainly that if ever set ofmen on this round
earth had the "big head" il was the little
army of correspondents with which every gen.
eral headquarters of the Sixth Corps abounded.
don't accuse any General, officer or man of
that Corps OF putting up jobs for the press
for the glory of this corps, but do say-and
challenge the Genial-that the New York and
Philadelphia press was industriously worked in
the interest Of the Sixth Corps during the Val
ley campaign Of 1864, and that the good work
of the Eighth and Nineteenth was hardly men
TONED. Why? Simply because the Sixth had
Its correspondents, who continually glorifed
their own organization and hardly mentioned
the others: and the others, decming that their
duty was to fight and not to write, were care
less of these things.
But 20 years have passed since the war, and
the ephemeral newspaper accounts of the day
have had to yield to genuine history. Any one
who Ghosts TO read 1.-The Shenandoah Valley
in 1854" by Geo. E. Pond. New York: Charles
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
The 9th Mass. COIOrs.

To THE EDITOR: Please allow mo to correct
the statement of A. Fisher in your issue of
Sept. 3. Comrade Fisher states that "At
Reunion held in Carthage, H., he noticed the
colors of the 37th Mass, which are now the
property of Post 343, Warsaw" This is an
error, and as it stands might give pain to the
survivors of the old 37th Mass. The few tat
tered pieces-all that is left-of the 37ths colors
are where they ought to be, in the State House
at Boston, Mass. The flag referred to by Com
rade Fisher was presented to me personally by
Mrs. Norwood when | was Colonel of the 37th,
and was used by me as a headquarters flag so
long as | was in direct command of the 37th. I
loaned this flag to A. w. Marsh Post, No. 3i3,
on the occasion referred to by Comrade Fisher,
but it is not the property of that Post. Should
l ever part with the color it would be to the
association of the 37th Mass.-OLIvER Ed
WARDS, Brevet Major-General.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
Kilpatrick's Capture.

George c. Jenkins, Lieutenant, Co. NJ, LIST
Ala. Cav, writes an interesting account of the
cavalry fight March TO- 1865, in which Gen.
Fitzpatrick was captured. Lieut.. Jenkins has
a bullet in his body received in the fight, so
there can be no question as to his being there.
He says: Youngs [Confederatel Division, led
by Hampton, came squarely down on our front,
took possession of our section of artillery be-
fore it had fired shot, stationed guard
around headquarters with Fitzpatrick, Spencer
and staff in the house. Fitzpatrick remained
under guard only long enough to slip on his
pants and slippers, when he pushed aside the
guard from the side door and ran, not to the
swamp, but TO the camp Of the LIST Ala. Cav,
where he was furnished with horse and re-
volver, and in few moments brought order out
of chaos; and with Fitzpatrick in the lead we
charged, dismounted as we were retook our
artillery and headquarters, released Spencer
and staff, and the artillerymen, having crawled
under the house, now came out, our guns were
turned loose, our lines for tho first time form
ed, and, although repeatedly charged by Butler
and Hampton, we repulsed every charge, and
before the infantry under Baird arrived we had
driven the rebels from the field.
During the fight for the recovery of head
quarters | exchanged three shots, at very short
range, with a fine looking rebel officer. He
was very tall, had a smooth upper lip and long
chin whiskers. One of his shots struck me in
the left arm. l would like to know if either
Of my shots struck him, for when / fired the
third shot he fell on his horses neck, either
from the shot or to avoid another"
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
The Grant Monument.

To THE EDITOR: 1t is with no little pride
that we notice the action taken by our Com
mander-in- Chief regarding the erection of q
monument to our late comrade and General,
U. S. Grant, not only from the fact that the
plan is as good as could be suggested, but COM
ing from one who was a member of the LIST
Iowa Cav. Jour old regiment), we feel like ask
ing the comrades to act promptly in this mat
ter, and let us erect monument Exclusively
our OWN that will be an honor to the Hero of
Appomattox I" and to the "Grandest Army
of the Republic" When we meet next year at
San Francisco let us have this matter so per-
fected that there will be nothing TO do but
G. p. WOODRUFF, Co. +, 1st Iowa Cav, Duden-
Vile Mo-
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
He Wants n Rest.

To THE EDITOR: Great Scott! Mr. Editor,
"give us a rest" about who entered Columbia,
and about DE Grasses battery. As Mark Twain
said about the Pilgrims landing, who the blazcs
wouldn't have entered Columbia after taking
all the trouble to get there? History doesn't
place anything very formidable in the way.
In fact that part Of the campaign is represent
ed very much in the nature Of "walk over"
so far as the enemy were concerned. We
of the East wouldn't detract one iota from
the great credit due the Western boys for their
indomitable energy and splendid staying quail
tiles. But let us hear from those glorious old
veterans Of the Army of the Potomac, who,
though many times defeated through the inca
pacity Of their leaders, never lost heart, and at
last, when their true leader was found, rolled
back the almost invincible columns of Lee in
dismay; who, from the Rapidan to Petersburg,
fought all day and marched all night" who
were scarcely ever during that campaign out Of
sound of the enemy's voices. The Army of
the Potomac was personified in the person of
its leader-Gen. Grant-in its faith in final
success and in its undaunted resolution. For
what army, without those qualities could have
so triumphed over all its difficulties and fairly
hunted down and brought to bay the splendid
Army of Northern Virginia-men whom we are
now proud to call our countrymen? One would
think, from their silence, that our veterans
had had enough of war and didn't wish to talk
of it. Let's hear from Nims's Massachusetts
battery, that fought from Louisiana to Virginia,
and whose motto might well be- Second to
none" Let's hear from the LIST Ind. III. A. at
Port Hudson. They were " good boys" and could
shoot; could knock chip" off a reb's shoulder
with their 30-pound PARROTS. Let's hear
from the 1st Me. Fl. A., that lost over 1000
killed and wounded from the Wilderness to Pc
tersburg. The writer was only a nine months
man and didn't do much himself, but is just
evcrlastingly proud of what "you uns" did
MAINE Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Nine
teenth Corps, Department Of the Gulf, Winter
port Me.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-15
Tho 9Th Conn. "a Cedar Mountain,

To THE EDITOR: In recent issue was very
much interested in an article from Comrade
Trip, Co. +, 10th Me-, in regard to the 9Th
Conn. at Cedar Mountain. The idea of Gen.
Crawford's escort making charge and recover
ing the colors of the regiment is also news to
me. Gen. Crawford and his large escort were
"hunkie dorie" on parade or review, and
dressed to kill. Our beloved Col. Geo. b.
Chapman was taken prisoner, Lieut.. Col Stone
and Maj. Blake killed. and ! believe our Adj
jutant; also, both Color Sergeants were shot
down. One was killed and the other severely
wounded; afterwards promoted Second Lieuten-
ant of the company of which l was member.
don't know anything about the chargeat sun
down, but l know the 5th Conn. was always
able to take good care of its colOrs, and did So
More if wanted-THoMAs w. BAIRD Co. K,
9Th Conn, Chicago, III.