davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
Of Jan y, 1888, Comradc Albert n. Swift, Ist
=. Y. Dragons, Brownsville, Mimi, takes me
to task lor writing a little bit about the Cedar
Greek fight, Oct IS, 1864. / DO not ask any
odds Cf CoIDrade Swift or any other person liv-
ing. ] was there on that day, and the Sixth,
Eighth and Nineteenth Corps was there too,
and the CaSaIry Corps was there also. When
Comrade Swift says that the Vermont Brigade
was not II the Cedar Creek fight, he is little
Of lis base. There was quite a spTinkling Of
Green Mountain boys 10 that fight In the
Second Brigade Second Division. Sixth Corps,
were the I'd, ID, 4th, 5th, 9th and 18th Vt, and
in the Third Division. Sixth Corps, was the old
10Th Vt, and in the Nineteenth Corps was the
Sth Vt
Did ] make any claim Of capturing any can
non at New Market Races Oct. 8, 1864? ] did
not; Tor 1 was not az that place on that date
Bet we were at the battle Of Cedar Creek Oct.
j., 1864 and the Official report which is before
me, tells how dear it cost the VeFmonters, too.
NOW, as to the cannon captured at Cedar Creek,
/ find copy Of a receipt 10 the Green Mount
ain volunteers for tue following: 161 prisoners,
and among them one Major General (Ramseurl,
one Colonel, one Lieutenant-C Colonel; also three
batlctags, % cannon, IA caissons, II army
wagons, six ambulauces, So sets of harness for
artillery, a. sets Of wagon harness, SO horses
and 50 mules. Now, coIurade I do not want
the II guns you captured Oct 9, 1564,-not one
Of thcm.-M. Y. b. DAVIS, Co. L, ID VT, Chel-
sea, v
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
Of Dec Is, under the head of ," Fighting Them
Over" Capt Joseph ii. Moore Co. B, I47th Pa
makes this remarkable statement in reference
to the battle Of Lookout Mountain: 1.-THE
Second (Col. Cobham's) Brigade was in the ad-
vance and formed the first line, extending up
to as near the walled rock at the top az his
right could reach, while his left extended down
the mountain-side fully half way to the foot
The First lCandy's) Brigade followed next,
and the Third (Green's) Brigade brought up
the rear. Each brigade was about 100 yards
in rear Of the other"
The facts in the case are that Green 3
Third Brigade, at that time commanded by
Col Ireland, was in the advance and stayed in
the advance during the entire charge; a state
ment that every soldier of the Third Brigade
who took part in that glorious battle above the
clouds viii vouch for. There we're no Union
soldiers in advance Of US. The incidents Of
that charge along the face of the mountain ara
too wildly pictured on my mind to ever for
get who were in advance. We surprised a
camp Of rebels ia the act of cooking their
breakfast, when about half way from the start
ing point to the end Of the mountain They
probably would not have been there If the Sec
ond Brigade had gone over the ground ahead
ofus.-E. T. HOPKINS, First Lieut., Co e. 149th
n. Y, Fayetteville n. Y.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
Take keer Of yourself !"
Think Of a private, now, perhaps,
Execution Of Youtafal spy

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: AS we featk-
er- bed heroes Of the Mississippi De-
pastment have no monuments TO build, nor
field Of Gettysburg on which to build them,
We shall have 10 fall back on something else
to toOt our little horns about. Reading the
q Boy Spy in Dixie" reminds me Of little in
cident that happened at Little Rock, Ark, in
the Winter Of 1863, "a.
Late in the afternoon Of the I'd Of January
the writer, with quite a number of his Tegi-
ment were detailed for some unknown and
sudden duty. We were marched up in front Of
ST. Johns College used for a hospital), where
we discovered a gailOws had been erected.
Other troops, including cavalry and, / think,
artillery. arrived on the ground, and all formed
into hollow square, the infantry, with fixed
bayonets, forming the inside line, the cavalry,
with drawn sabers. the outside. 4 tremendous
sleet had fallen, and the whole face of the earth
was one frozen glare. The troops, in getting
into position had 70 use their muslzets to steady
themselves, and even with this precaution many
fell. None OF US up 70 that time knew what
Was coming, but rumor ran through the ranks
that rebel spy Was TO be executed.
After waiting for some time an ambulance
containing the doomed man sitting on his cof-
I'm, drove up, escorted by q small squad of cav
airy. The ambulance was driven under the
gallows and the swinging end-gate used for a
trap.
After prayer he was swung of and the TO
pBRnant job soon completed. / think we al
felt sorry for the poor boy, and would willingly
have saved him If we could consistently with our
duty. he Was but IL year5 old, and was hung
IN the yard Of the college where he was edu-
Gated. His name was David o. Dodd. lie was
captured . miles south OF Little Rock
while Aauking cur cavalry pickets with map!
and dispatches for the enemy. - &. KEN
WORTHY, Cox, Both Iowa, Stanton, Neb.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
a cERIsra1As TNcIpENF.

Mrs. Kate Browulee Sherwood contributed the
following poem 10 the Yeterulis Christians Carol,
published sy the Brooklyn Reiiei and Employ
nlent Bureau. il eas FOUNDED upon Az incident ia
tire family q - ,gar5 A. D1bey ChrstuIas. 1873
which LED 10 tine institution u the annual Christ
mss dinner given 70 che widows and orphans OF
Union VeterEss- aud disabled cosursdes under tbs
auspices Of Sac memorial and Executive Commit
Tee Of the GAR Of Kings County, New York.
The poem hss been set 10 music by BoratiO Q.
King, and S oae n Inc gems q the VctsroA's
ClIrtsnbas Cts9i
The merry c,ri.traas feast wss spread around the
with al L. llests and all The sweets that happy
home fffaed
The fathe1 ba.ss 10 gracious glance upon HIS Low
with son ana dszgbaer. right and Iefs, % crown q
prosperyas lae.
C7soTrLg.Iit. eut sc belle yo merry bsilst Corns
ba1s . leet that stray
There's room within year Fathers house
tlis holy Christmas Day.
But scarcely was The feast begun. until rap was
Witaia the bosom Of the host it saddest memories
stirred
-AlasJ' he sid that THE glad day, a-sbiyering
The honaeiess I'd the ffiendlszs ones should wan
der 10 agld lEO.'
What seek ye here?" Che maiden said. behind
"A little bssaa.o the stranger said; Tn feeble
The boss sprane Up, his heart on frei the beEEAr
AZ ia lsDr
TIE dear Grand Army badge upon ais ragged
jacEes wore.
Gene. oonsrute mere are meal aud drink, and
here are pipe and bowl.
And coffee aud tobacco; come, refresh your weary
soul
Come I'll you down and take your ease. Tor long -
time enluEes.
Upon this blessed day OF days whasever's mine Is
yours.
Before the Christmas feast they sat these brothers
bsftle-bogn.
Ths one in roadeloth, one IN rags Of earthly tree
sAoru.
TAsy iilsls knew, who wondered at this tramp Of
low degree,
o. sss thai bind the soldiers brave IL close fraasr-
nity.
Fer they hsd brayed the battleist ard fought ths
frenEieG foe
And aboulder e, to shoulder stood where guns
were fg5ng low;
Ans thay had seen long ranks swept down before
arakiH2 Gre
Ard torn sne bleeding a. their feet their comrades
dear expire.
eoifisr's frame;
And th9y had yearned with homcsiek hearts for
EnWH thai camel
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
THE HAPPY FAMILY.
They Lived on the Fat of the Land.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Co. A, 4th Ill.
Cav used to have soEae rollicking fun in the
old times. Our mess was a regular organization.
All candidates for membership had TO be mi
tiated, which ceremony was performed as fol-
lows: There was man in the mess, weighing
200 pounds, called Mae" He was chief mi
tiator, and would stand inside the door of the
tent, and when the candidate would enter he
would jump upon him and wollow him, and
the rest of the Happy Family" sometimes Is,
or even 15l would follow suit Then he was
initiated into the Happy Family"
Each member was expected to furnish his
share of the grub; and if he did not do his part
of that duty, we would pick at him and make
life such burden to him that he was glad 20
do his part of the work or leave the mess alto
gether; and if be- left, we would lake in anyone
else to fill his place. The result was constant
supply of victuals, and the best to be had.
There was, however, more than to get it. We
had TO hide it rs well from the officers. Boys
from another mess, when they were out of
"chuek," would go to the Happy Family; if
they hadn't it, it was no use to look elsewhere
We would always tell them, if they could
not help get it, they could not help eat it.
Work brings on pleasure" you know.
One time there was some horseradiSh, sugar,
hams and fresh eggs in the Commissary. The
guard told Us where the 1uxuries were, and as
luck would have it / was sentry. Our mess
had arranged it that I should whistle when
the coast was clear. gave the arranged signal
(having a bad cold at the time, it sounded not
unlike chicken sneeZe) and three of the mess
came out of the thicset near by, and we
silently made a move upon that tent. Welifted
the wall, slipped in, and helped ourselves to
everything.
The Major (WeBtle) had said just previous to
the raid: Boys that hor5eradish and hams
look SO good; it makes my mouth water when
l think of it."
vi course the next morning the Major dis
covered the draw, and search was put in mo-
contingency. On the night of the raid we had
a creek hard by. Our spoil was secreted in
this impromptu cache, all covered up and safe.
The Majors search proved fruitless and when
he came IN the next day he would see us eating
our spoils, and say:
" You fellows live high"
"Yes; that's the way to live"
''Where did you get such fine grub7
"Oh, Major, why don't you ask if there ID
any more where we got this2"
Why, yes; tell me if there is any more"
Yes, plenty more down town; and It il
mighty good. Why don't you buy some too "
As the Major could not get anything out OF
| our mess, be laughed and went of, after saying
You fellows must get an uneommonly large
salary, or you couldn't afford ham, horseradish
| and sugar these hard times. Good day, boys.n
GOOD day, Major and good luck" The
motto with us was ITO have fine victasls at
any cost or risk" The Happy Family remain
| ed IN full force during the entire war-GEoRGE
| GIBBONS, Invale, Eeb.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
Let Your Light Shine.

In ninety-nine cases out Of hundred sue-
cess is ths stamp of merit. There may be
enough seeming exceptions to prove the rule,
but the proposition will stand. How is sue
cess attained2 Yariously In business per-
haps the essential of essentials is judcious, per-
sistent advertising. Men who are up to
snuff" have grasped the idea. Many examples
might be given. Probably none would better
illustrate the truth of the above than r. w.
Tansill, the cigar manufacturer of Chicago.
Before he came into the field the opinion prs
vailed that cigars could be sold only by em-
ploying traveling-men. Mr.. TaDsill thought
differently. He thought that an honest arti-
Gle, at fair margin of profit, and literally ad-
vertised in newspapers, could be sold direct to
the retailer. thus saving to the dealer the
large item of expense represented by the high
priced trayeling-man. The plan worked from
the start Dealer and smoker caught on to
such a surprising extent that, even at the small
profit he reserves for himself, Mr.. T. Is now
recognized as one Of the solid men of Chicago.
He has kept faith with his customers and
with the public, and the name of his Punch y
cigar is household word. Honesty, and
originality, and pluek-AED ADvERTIsIEe-
did
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
Pittshnrg Landing.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your yalu-
able paper of the 10Th of January, 1883, is an
article headed Something About the March
TO Shiloh" In it is the old statement except
in this instance it stated that to Gen. VIM.
Nelson, instead of TO Buell., " is due the credit
of saving the army of Gen. Grant" etc. Now,
] was in the line which was last formed to re-
sist the last charges made by the rebels to capt
ure Pittsburg Landing and Grants army, and
helped, az did all that was left Of our regi-
ment, to pry out of the mud one of the two
large cannon and navy hOWitZer which
had been hauled up from the Landing, under
the supervision Of Col. Webster, which, with
10 other cannon brought back from the
field were placed in position pointing TO the
hill on the other side of the hollow IN our
front. In this hollow was a branch which ran
into the river, widening as il approached it, and
its mouth was filed with water II feet deep, get
ting shaiiower as it went inland. Opposite this
gap no the high banks the two gunboats took
position with broadsdes to the gap and guns
pointing up this hollow but of course would
not fire till our men in front all came out Of it
and the enemy got into it. Other detachments
OF Grants army were helping Us, bat none Of
BuelPs. We remained here till every rebel
who had made an effort TO get to us in the
charges made, got back out of range of the ter
rife firing of those % cannon in their front
and the destructive fire of the gunboats on their
tanks when they reached this hollow.
/ know, and so does every other man who
was there, that nc help could be rendered ua
in the way Of firing On the enemy by troops
even if they were in iine-down under the
banks, which raised above the shore 90 TO ITO
feet. Nor could anyone see our lines from tho
opposite shore; for if they could, we could
have seen them. This we could not do without
going back to nearly the brink of the bank, or
climbing tall tree, or by some other mode Of
elevating ones self to look over. If anyone
had been opposite that gap, and the gunboats
not in line of their sight they might have seen
up that hollow little way, bat could not then
have seen much of our lines.
After the cannonadng had ceased and the
smoke had cleared away, nothing could be seen
IN our front but bruised and broken trees In
about 20 minutes a regiment of Nelson's Divis-
ion came and halted near US and came to 8
front. Then we sat down and eat our first meal
since morning. Now if there was any other
reserve artillery" but these three cannon
which were worked by Grants men, would
like TO learn whore they were at the time OF
this cannonading. Those demoraIized fellowf
ne saw under the bank bad been that way sincs
the long roll beat in the morning, when they
ran from the front.-HERRY WAKEFoRD, FirEi
Lieutenant, Co g, Doth H., Norris City, Ill.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
A Merry Soldier.
FUoHz,, (OoyoN R,Lr !


The boys in blue" did many a daring
deed in old war times; and now they are
scattered all over the Union, quietly moving
among us, too modest to tell what they
did, except in the glow of the freight Of q
Winter night. We are going to expose one of
them. A comrade of Riverside Post, Charles
A. Lantheaum by name, in 1861 was a soldier
of the 18th no, Col. Van Horn commanding.
At the siege of Lexington, Mo-, where Col.
Mulligan of the Irish Brigade" distinguished
himself by bis obstinate defense against heavy
odds, the 18th were quartered in the college
building. There was magazine of powder in
the basement aud when the rebels began
firing red-hot balls, the situation became seri-
Gus. The balls would penetrate one or two
partition walls, and then spin round on the
floor, burning their way through till there was
only an inch board between them and the mag
azine The Colonel tried to get debris shoYeled
over the roof of the powder magazine, but
there was not time. At this critical point, Lam
theaum offered to shovel the balls out of the
windows. He was permitted TO do SO and aG-
tually kept the building clear of the dangerous
missiles, composed of and 12-pound balls,
till the bombardment ceased. When it is con-
sidered that ne not only had to be under fire
to do this, but also had TO work over a powder
magazine which would blow him into eternity
If hot shot struck it, we cannot but admire
his coolneas and bravery. And there vera
many such.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
How Granger Rstaliated vita the Old Rias


Gen. Joe Shelby is in Lexington on viElA
He was at the Morgan Mansion looking at q
portrait Of Miss Sallie Strother once famous
bluegrass belle and afterwaTd the Baroness
Fahnenborg and told the Lexington TfahScrspi
story concerning her. He said that he was
much in love with Miss Strother, and became
very jealous of the attentions of the then Lieut..
Gordon Granger, who came on furlough from
the Army to visit Lexington, and spent almost
every day with Miss Strother. Gen. Shelby
says he Shelby happened to find large
United States flag in this city, and he took it
TO his room and wrote on it In large letters,
Headquarters Of the United States Array"
He got long rope and tied the flag in the
middle OF It, and going in the night Up TO the
Hunt residence, where Mics Strother stayed,
he climbed high up in locust tree in front OF
the Hunt house and tied one end Of the rops
on it. he then took the other end of the rope,
and, climbing tree on the other side, stretch
the flag across the street high in the air Ia
front of Miss Strother'5 home Next morning
the joke gave such publicity to the future Gen.
Changers loye-making that he went away
thoroughly embarrassed by the merriment that
the young men made at his expense.
Thirty years after Gen. Granger went into
the Federal army and Gen. Shelby into the
Confederate. After the war had gone against
the Confederate arms Gen. Shelby retreatsa
with his command TO Mexico to join Maximil-
ian. Soon after he got on to Mexican soil, and
was lying in camp barely over the Mexicsn
line, there came one day and camped on the
American side Of the line body of Federal sol
diers who were evidently afraid to violate the
neutrality of Mexico by following Shelby or 70
Mexican soil. They lay in sight Of each other
for three days without any communication.
Finally, under fsg Of truce Shelby sent 8
messenger TO Granger's camp to make some Ia
quiTies, and among other things to find whs
was in command, and signed his name TO the
communication. Gen. Granger read the note
with surprise and sent the messenger back
with kindly note, which ended
" am Gordon Granger, the man you drove
out Of Lexington, KY, with United States
flag, and now I have driven you out of tho
United States with the same old Gag
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
Ex-PRIsoNERs OF WAR.
What They are Doing Throughout the Country.
HEADQUARTERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, I
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 81, 1883. I

OFFICERS, 1851
President, W. H. Powell, Beileville, III.
ce-PFesdent, A. IT. Decker, New York..
Chaplain Rev. G. @. Mctabe Ohio.
Historian Frank =, Moran, Philadelphia, Pa
Secretary and Treasurer, L. p. Williams, Wash
ington, ID. O., tP. o. Box z27l
T. r. Aldrich, President of the Cattaraugus
County IN. " Association, says: 1--WE have
about 80 members, and think will have about
40 at our annual meeting in January for the
you would notify me how to proceed under the
new order of things, and send me any circulars
or documents that will interest the members"
Lieut.. Nelson W. Hayes, Co. l, 34th Ohio,
Sharon Springs, Kan, was in the same battle with
Gen. Powell, President of the National AsSocia-
ton, on the 18th Of July, 1863, where both were
severely wounded and captured and taken to
Libby. He says of Gen. Powell: " remember
him as one of the brayest, Christian soldiers
ever knew. After his capture, upon some false
charge, he was lodged for about six weeks in 9
cell in the basement of Libby. His wound
was SO bad we all thought he could not live
under such treatment but he survived all and
was finally exchanged"
Cattaraugus County Ex-Prisoners of War AS
ISOLATION at the regular annual meeting held at
Ellicottville, n. Y, Jan. IL elected the follow
ing officers: President, Thomas r. Aldrich; w.
P, E. L. McCutcheon; Treas Chester Deming;
Sec, c. E. Whitney, Chap w. H. Peck; Ex-
Freeman Easterly.
The ex-prisoners of war of Montgomery
County, n. Y, met at Amsterdam and organ
lied an association with the following officers,
and Endorsed the prisoners of war pension bill /:
President, @. N. Ballou First V.-P., Daniel
Grant; Second V.-P, a. D. Canning; Treas, A.
]. easier.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

And they had lain with burning wounds beneath
the sun and rain,
their awful pain.
They sat until the shadows fell along the crowded
street,
And talked as only soldiers can when severed sol
ders meet;
OF tender memories that crown the craters Of the
war,
Like blossoms of the breath of God on Alpine cras
and scaur.
And then the stranger went bis way, but never
more to roam
The hand of comradeship had given him hope and
heart and home.
And never on the crowded street, where thRnkless
thousands pour,
This soldier of q Union saved shall beg from door
to door.
Let Governments forget their sons who fought the
glorious fight
Let Legislators scoTn aud scoff, let politicians
slight;
The brave boys that have borne the brunt wiz not
forget their own,
For Christ the Lord is King indeed on His eternal
throne!
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
Grants Sorrel War Horse.
Detroit Epenino Joltrnal.l

"The first time saw Gen. Grant to know
him" said Maj. Osmun to knot of story tel
lers the other day, was in the November OF
1854 | was then attached to Hancock's head
quarters, aud was sent to carry dispatch TO
Gen. Grant. 1t was raining for all it was
worth, and the mud about those Petersburg
trenches was like glue. Putting my horse TO 8
gailop, was getting over the ground at good
rate, and soon met and passed a solitary rider
astride little sorrel horse The mans SLOUGH
hat was pulled down over his eyes, and the rain
was coursing in streams down on the poncho in
which he was closely wrapped. moment later
| came up with quite q group of riders, and
catching sight Of lot of gold BRAID jumped at
the conclusion that | had struck some Gen
erals staff / asked if they knew where Gen.
Grant was and one of them said
why, boy, you've just passed him.
Without word / wheeled my horse and
dashed back to the solitary figure ahead. As 1
came up he seemed to take in the situation, for
he said sharply:
"'Who are you looking for, young MANI
"'Are you Gen. Grant?' / asked eagerly.
My names Grant he said stifiy, holding
out his hand for my dispatch. Then he said !:
Why didn't you come TO me at oncef
"I-I'-
"'Well, whatP'
"'I didn't think you were Gen. Grant
90 You didn't? Why didn't your
81 saw his eyes twinkle above his cigar, that
must have gone out three or four weeks before,
it looked so bad. So l ventured to tell the fact:
:" BecauseI didn't suppose Gen. Grant would
ride such looking horse as that
He burst out into hearty laugh, and Gen.
Badeau told me afterward that it was the frat
time for a week he had heard Grant laugh.
The General reeeipted on the envelope for the
dispatch and dismissed me, saying:
The next time you are sent to Gen. Grant
perhaps you Will know him.
" But after that took my dispatches to the
Chief OF Staff"
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
The Sting Removed.


He put on his hat, started slowly for the door,
hesitated, came back, sighed deeply, and took
the lilywhite hand in his own and pressed it to
his lips.
Kate" he mnrmured, / have waited long
oh, how long for this opportunity. VIII
you, Kate, viii you, darling, be minePh
Henry" she replied, With look half of sor-
row and half Of determination, sit can never
be-"
Never be! On, Why have you permitted
me to hopper Why have you encouraged me,
only to stamp upon my bleeding hsart at last p
lam sorry, Henry; but can never be youEs.
l have other objects in view"
"Other obiectsr
Yes, Henry; l cannot consent to belong sa
any man. I intend that you shall be mine"