The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-06-28
Renaissance of the War by a High Private in
the Rear Rank.

the hPAf haHks
EDITOR NATIONAB TRIBUNE: The 91st H.,
on being mustered into the service at Camp
Butler, Springfield, H., was ordered to the
front, and was stationed along the Louisville
& Nashville Railroad TO guard it. Co. d, being
detached from the regiment, was stationed at
Elizabethtown, KY, to guard the bridge and
commssary stores at that point. On the morn
ing of Dec. 81, 1862, our Captain having
ceived word that we might expect an attack
from Gen. John Morgan at any moment, or
dered the company into the stockade and
every man to a portfolio. A stockade is
kind of fort made by setting heavy logs end
ways in the ground, with portfolios to shoot
through.) There we waited for further devel-
opments which soon came in the shape of q
solid shot whizzing over our heads and an
other went crashing through the stockade, scat
tering bark and splinters all around US.
The rebels had planted a battery on hill
just in the edge of the town, and were playing
on the stockade at q lively rate. We opened
fire on them with our Springfield rifles but
they were at too great distance; and our Cap
tain, not wishing to be penned up like rats, or
dered US to retreat up into town, where we
could fight at a better advantage.
He told me to shoulder box of cartridges
and bring them along / did so, but the box
was very heavy, and / could not keep up with
the company. The rebels had opened on us
with grape and canister, and when | got as far
as the railroad bridge the shot was pattering
! around me on the rocks pretty lively. l
thought discretion the better part of valor so
| | dropped the box of cartridges and lodged in
! behind the stone abutments of the bridge to
wait till the storm blew over In short time
| the firing ceased. Then l heard q most un-
earthly yell, and on looking out from behind
my cover saw the Johnnies coming pell-mell
down the Hill, yelling at the tOpo their voices,
"Kill the - Yankees. Let none get away! !"
/ Co 7 orqvy1ad hack my hole and VISnnd
about that time that could pull the hole in
| after me- From my hiding place [ could see
| the Johnnies crossing the creek above and be.
| low the bridge, some of them not more than
two rods away. Very soon the firing ceased
and all was still. l looked out to see if the
coast was clear, resolved to follow the company,
| let come what would. Suddenly the =" Halt "
rang in my ears, and on looking around, i'm
mediately behind me, on an old crow bait of a
horse, was a young rebel, whom 1 suppose was
about 16 years old. He had his carbine point
ed at me, and yelled Surrender"
All right, sir" replied, as politely as
could.
"Turn that gun the other way and fire ii
of" said he.
The gun is empty" I replied
1 believe you lie. Pull the trigger and
let's see, says he.
1 did SO and showed him that the gun wa!
empty.
Nov" says he, "right-about face-march
double-quick !" He asked me where the bal
ance of the company was, and / told him did
not know. He said, know where they are
They have surrendered what few amt il
HI, and there's where you'll be ID
quick if you don't git faster than that. Now
git" looked around at him, and saw tina
he still had his carbine pointed at me, and az
l imagined that ! saw blood in his eye, con
cluded to git as fast as l could. When | go
up into town what sad sight met my gaze
Pools of blood. and here and there dead com
rades were lying in the streets and on tn,
brick payements, with their CHASTITY faces up
turned to the sun, which showed how gallant!
the little handful Of men held cut against sucl
overwhelming numbers. There l found tb
company drawn up in line with their gun
stacked over a huge fire, and rebel officer wa
taking their parole of honor not to take u
arms until legally exchanged, which took plac
in about six months.-HENRY BEARD, Co. d
9lst H., Streator, III.