The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-12
sTEVENSON'S DEPOT.
COmrade Harlan Rises to Set COmrade Prather
Straight.


To THE EDITOR: have read Comrade Pra-
theirs account Of the fight at Stevenson's Depot
with pleasure and some amazement. he says:
THE force advanced on the Msrtinsburg and
Winchester turnpike July Is. 1864" We did
not advance until July 90. Why? Because our
regiment did not reach Martinsburg until dark
July lS, and then marched out in the outskirts
OF town and went into camp Early the morn
ing following we arose, prepared and ate our
breakfast. Soon the assembly sounded. Then
we began our march for Bunker Hill, having
no orders 10 proceed any farther if there was
any danger of bringing on q general battle.
But Gen. AverelPs customary dash led him on
until retreat would have been certain destruc-
ton.
After driving in the rear-guard Of the rebel
army and advancing somo five miles farther, J.,
with few others, volunteered as skirmishers
from our regiment. We did not develop "a
cloud" of rebel skirmshers, as the comrade
says. And but few showed themselves i'm our
front until we unmaskcd their line of battle,
which lay Just al the edge of the woods spoken
of by Comrade Prather, when the skirmishers
halted and waited the advance of the line,
which came on in good shape until it closed up
on u.s. Then the Johnuies rose up and poured
out their first volley. 1t was then we lay down
and were ordered 10 wait for orders As far as
fixing bayonets is concerned, the 3ith Ohio al
ways started in with fixed hayoEets, and did
not have 20 do that after we got into fight; and
while laying there our Adutaut. NJ i. Hawkins
OF Cincinnati, saw staff officer advancing
at rapid rate from Gen. AyeTell, who was TAX
ing in the situation from brick house nearly
mile in the rear. Supposng il was orders TO
advance, he raised up, pushed forward, hat and
sword ia hand, and called on tho 9th to come
ahead. Now, did we 60, or did we let the rebel
cavalry ride through and through us Com
rade Prather, you are as badly mistaken as if
you had burnt your last suit OF clothes The
regiment never lost its line, but breasted the
storm; aud as we held the left of the line,
know that no cavalry came within gunshot of
us. After the line started forward and we had
routed their line Of battle, a Sergeant of our
company called the attention of some OF us 10
the approach OF the cavalry spoken of by Com
rade Prather, but when they saw their infan-
try in full retreat they obiqued 10 the left, and
all the shooting and hallooing that we could do
had no effect. but on they went.
No, comrade-no rebel cavalry ever rode
Through and through" the Saith, and there
was no cause for the 3Ith 10 rally and close up
on the left flank of tine 9lst Ohio, because We
went into the action in perfect line and main
tanned ii 10 the last, as can be verified 10y every
member of the regiment. Our company lost 10
men out of 81 in line.
The brigade fell back some two miles that
evening and went into camp / asked our
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, VINO Was IN SOlLiiauu OF
the regiment, why we did not go forward. He
replied that he had fallen back for position"
Next morning we went into Winchester and
stayed there until Early came, driving Crooks
out of the Valley on July a, when cur brigade
was pushed ont TO his support aud We took our
place on the right Of his line; but We could
not long Withstand the fierce onslaught of Eary's
victorious legions. and had to give way.
Here allow me 10 say that the cause gave no
better or Drawer man TO its defense than fell
here in the person of our Leut.-Col Shaw He
fell mOrtally wounded and was carried from
the field back 10 Bunker Hill on our gum
blankets, and there died aud was placed in
common army wagon and hauled to Williams
port, Nd, and from there sent TO his home at
Bucyrus, q.
As 10 numbers and the fight in general, with
few exceptions Comrade Prather is correct
Twas gallant brigade, led by as gallant man
as ever bestrode a horse.-JoNATHAN HARLAN,
Co. III, Saith Ohio.