The National tribune., 1886-07-08

7 "
ample Of patriotism for the youth Of our land
TO follow, and TO realize how great is the in
debtness Of the country to its defenders of that
time.
Daniel Caldwell, the present Commander Of
Encampment No. 2, Union Veteran Legion,
was born at Marble Hall, Montgomery Co., Pa,
June 1, 1912. He attended public school until
IL years of age, and although always eviucing
a deep interest in his books, took an active part
in the games Of his companions. At the age
above he was apprenticed to learn engineering,
and remained at this pursuit until he entered
as private in Co. H. 18th Pa. Cav for three
years In August, 1862, his company was at
taehed to the battalion encamped az VISA
hickOn, Pa, awaiting orders to report 10 the
regiment, then stationed at Baltimore, Md.
After doing guard duty on the P. W. & B. Rail-
road for some time the battalion was ordered to
join the regiment in Baltimore, here doing
guard duty under Gems. Wool and Shenek I'M
I'll December, 1862. For short time the regi-
ment was stationed at the Point of Rocks.
On the list Of February the regiment broke
camp and marched to Winchester, Va On the
5th Of February he was with Co. III on a special
mission 70 receive letters This duty was very
arluoUs and much ground Travelled over.
Comrade Caldwell was one of 20 men forming
the guard under Lieut.. Walters, of Co.
n, that met large force Of rebels near Strauss
burg. His horse was shot and fell upon him, nor
could he extrieaIe himself until captured by
the rebels removing the dead animal from his
bruised body. In this engagement his brother
was also taken prisoner.
After undergoing many hardships and suffer
ings in the hands of the rebels, and being in
generated in Libby Prison, he with several
hundred Union soldiers was par0led, and on
March Z, 1863, taken to City Point for exchange.
After short sQjourn at the paroled prisoners
camp, Annapolis, Nd, he was duly exchanged
May. On June II, 1868, he reached his regi-
ment, then stationed at Winchester, Va, the boys
giving him soldiers welcome. A few days later
he participated in q severe skirmish which
brought on the battle and evacuation of Win
chester. In all the hard fighting Of the 18th,
18th and 18th of June, when Millroy held the
town with 5000 men against 10000 of the adj
vance of Lees army COmrade Caldwell took
an active part, and bore himself as a gallant
soldier. On June 90 he was detailed as Gen.
ElliOtPs Orderly, rema. ming with him until
the evacuation of Harper's Ferry. when he was
sent in command of a detail of four with a
dispatch. 1t was intended to be unknown to
Comrade Caldwell that he should be captured
by the rebels, and was 80 wOrded as to deceive
and throw them off the track Gen. Elliott in
the meantime going down the Potomac canal
with his heavy guns and troops on the boats.
Comrade Caldwell went to the place ordered
and returned TO the Maryland side hOtiy pur-
sued by company of rebels. Gen. Elliott re-
marked: what / am astonished you have
got back safe"
When an important order was to be carried
into effect neeessita ting the employment of a
small command, and requiring dash, courage,
endurance, quickness and fighting, COmraae
Caldwell was selected TO lead it. He was
known for his GOODNESS in danger, pluck and
ability, and therefore chosen.
Comrade Caldwell was one Of % men picked
of his regiment to be consolidated with a like
number from three other regiments, making
in all 100 men, TO destroy the rebel pOntOOn
bridges at Falling Waters. On the morning of
July they drove in the pieSets, and after
short and decisive engagement put the enemy
20 flight, destroying the bridges, capturing Gen.
Penders headquarters wagon and throwing into
the Potomac 10000 rounds Of ammunition and
returning TO camp without the loss Of a man
In the engagement at Deep Bottom July 10,
1864, while forming his company, his horse
was killed Although dsm0unted, he accom-
panied the 1st Ne. Cav. in its charge, captured
two horses of the enemy, remOunted and Joined
his regiment
He was promoted Sergeant Nov, 1864, for
gallantry in the engagement at Boyton plank
road Oct. %, 1864; First Lieutenant for bravery
at Hatcher's Run, Feb. 6, and s, 1863 He was
mustered in as Lieutenant Of Co. Il March %
1865. He was one Of part of a squadron that
charged Gen. Mahones (rebeN Brigade with
sabers, capturing SO prisoners including three
officers. He, personally dealing his blows right
and left, seized the eolOrs Of the 33d trebel) NJ
G. and brought them away his prize.
For this action Gen. Meade, then in COM
mand of the army, issued Special Order, No
43, commencing his bravery for charging into
the rebel line Of battle, and furloughing him
for % days. Afterward the Congress Of the
United States voted him a medal Of honor
Comrade Caldwell was detailed to place the
national colors on the Capitol at Raleigh n c.,
then expected to be captured. This he accom-
plished on the morning of April Ii, having
been on the skirmish-line from the 18th to the
18th, until the town surrendered In all his
army record in camp, s1irmish and battle, his
comrades claim he ever displayed the genuine
characteristics of gentleman and faultIess
soldier.
lie Joined Fred Taylor Post, GAR, No. 10,
of Philadelphia Pa, July Is, 1869: was unani-
mOusly elected it's Commander, and was Junior
Vice Commander of the Department of Penn
sylvania in 1851. He is p charter member of
Encampment No. 2, Union Veteran Legion,
meeting in Philadelphia, and is now its Com
mander Many of those who battIed for their
country may have won greater distinction in
rank, but none eau claim prouder record of
service.
Reader, in glaneing over these records placed
before you for your edifcatiOn, realize the
hardships a soldier had to endure how much
the country owes to him; how important that
every surety of the Nation in its guarantee in
the preference to its employment in its civil
offices should be fulfilled. Can you aid any one
of their number to u lulfllment Of the Nations
pledge ?-COMRADE.
Alice Samee.
T1rjH0uer0ttg N II Lo,tr0oJ1