The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-05-17
SOLDIERS DEPARTMENT.
a WAR "REMINISCENCES.

0Do OF the Most Thrilling lncldento ~
shcrman's Mississippi Campaign.
A Mr.. Miller. Of Michigan, who was
recently prospecting in the lumber dis
trict of Ouacl,ita parish. was soldier
in the Federal army during the civil
war. While in Monroe he related
story. based on memoranda from his
diary, which was subsequently COM
mitted to writing by . correspondent
of the Monroe Bwllegin. 1t is here re-
peated:
Seeing Colonel Moorman's name
mentioned so prominently in your
State papers, recalls to my mind our
meeting during the war and the Incl
dents attending it. We did not get
near enough to each other 10 shake
but were still near enough together for
me to note. record and vividly rcmcm-
Der his GOODNESS and courage under
fire.
When Sherman's command reached
Canton. Miss. on their return march
from Meridian to Vicksburg. about
February, 1864. il halted for day or
two, and was sent back with forage
wagons and an escort Of about $50 men
to the village Of Sharon. distant eight
miles Here we left the main road and
went ont to the house Of Il Mr.. Gilmer,
where we understood forage could be
had. 40 precaution leaving some pick
cts at the junction Of the main and by
roads. 1t seems that the van OF Jack
sons command had encamped on the
plantation of Mrs. Baldwin (where
We had also formerly encamped) }. about
four miles beyond Sharon, and that
jackson had sent out towards Canton
q scouting party consisting OF his
escort company and detachment of
about 12O men from Bailentine's regi-
ment. under the command Of his Adj
jutant-General. Captain George Moor
man. and his aid-de-camp. Lieutenant
Crump. Upon reaching Sharon and
learning that the Federals were near.
they at once started after US. We had
been to the farmhouse and had started
for the main road when our scouts no
titled MS Of the rapid advance of the
Confederate cavalry; and as the spot
was an admirable one for an ambush.
rs We knew not their numbers. and
as they had MS cut of from both our
command and the main road that led
to Canton. We at once concluded to
ambush them
Those of our men on horseback were
dismountcd and the infantry taken out
of the wagons and thrown across the
road into some scrubby oaks. which
nearly obscured rs at an acute angle in
the road. which would enable all Of
our men to fire with effect. A pet
bear, which had been taken from the
farmhouse. was tied behind one Of the
wagons, and this wagon. with the
mules headed toward Us. was posted
about thirty yards up the road as a
decoy.
Very soon VIC heard sounds Of np-
pr0aching horsemen and several pistol
shots fired at our teamster. who, rs
previously arranged. promptly moved
inside our lines. Immediately three
horsemen. with their pistols in their
hands. galloped up to where our wagon
had stood-only twenty or thirty yards
from us-and thinking charge was
being made by their entire command
our men fired
As the smoke cleared away only
three Confede1afes were in view. their
horses standing still and one Of them
Captain Norman as l learned next
day. leaning over holding his dead
friend and comrade on his horse. and
directing the soldier with them to ride
back and prevent the command from
falling into the trap.
1t seems that the Confederate officer
left in immediate con1nand understood
the situation. for he ar once dismounted
and deployed his men At very short
distance from us. They were so close
that We could hes. :heir every move
ment. and not knowing but that they
might rush upon MS at any moment,
We fired two more yolleys at the group
in the road.
At the second volley Captain Moor
man was still holding Lieutenant
Crump. whose body had fallen over on
his horses neck. and at the third vol
ley the soldier had returned and was
holding the dead Lieutenant upon his
horse while Captain Moorman was un.
fastening the blanket straps upon his
saddle that he might Herewith secure
the body upon the horse and convey il
to headquarters. which subsequently
learned he and his companion succeed.
! ed in safely doing by making their way
through the fields and woods. After
our third volley We hastily mounted,
and escaped capture by the quickly
pursuing Confederates only by tho aid
of colored guide. who conducted us
\ by road hut little travelled. We lcf1
one of our wagons. which was fas
tened on stump. and had to be aban
dOned.
The events of that day can never
forget. Overcome thousand shots wer.
6rcd at that trio Of cavalryman. TIL,
largest Of the party. Captain Moor
man. appeared to he = mere youth bu
had q handsome and soldiery look
He was dressed in : bright new uni
form which made him very conspicu
Gus, and such was our proximity tina
We could have counted every button OF
his coat; and on account Of the angl,
in the road he was. Of the entire party
the nearest to us, and rather between
his two companions and our fire. Ye
| the fatal ball OH that occasion seemet
20 pass around its most conspicuou
and direct object and find its lodgmen
| in the smallest and apparently leas
exposed Of the three.
The soldier we capnlred said tina
| Captain Norman had intended I,
press on and make dash into Canto,
/ for gaze into the eyes of his ''sweet
heart" then living there. and to learl
| what he could about Shennan's move
ments. Which of these motives wa
the prime one actuating the Captain
shall not pretend to say. Tothe brav
! coldior ha shownd himsalf IN no eifho