Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-25
CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY,
The Ex xrerience OF a Co. B. Boy During
McClellan's Change OF Base.

At the recent annual reunion of Company
b., Third Maine Regiment, the following
vivid sketch was read by Comrade VIM. Nc
David;
Under some circumstances it is excusable
for man to write about himself, but under
no circumstance is it hardly in good taste
for him to make hero of himself Now
am no hero, nor do ever expect to be
one. don't think was cast in heroic
mold, and so, 10 not expect to ever astonish
the world with come great feat of arms or
deed of valor. But, there is no soldier, and
| think | can claim to be one, but had some
experience in his soldering days, which if
related now after a lapse of twenty four
years, might not be of interest to those who
have survived the bullets of the enemy and
the ravages of time.
suppose Company b of the Sd Maine
regiment, lst Division, 3d Army Corps of the
Grand Army of the Potomac was the bravest
and most gallant company of foot soldiers
that ever took the field to fight traitors at
home or foreign enemy abroad. (Of course
the members of other regiments may take
this with large degree of allowance. but il
We don't blow our own horn no one else will
for u.s. The history of Company b., up to
certain period, was my history, its hopes
my hopes. Yes, did hope to carve a name.
not only for myseif, but for the gallant little
company to which ! belonged Bat fell far
short cf my hopes, and after modification
and chagrin at lost opportunities. | was igno-
miniously 'gobbled up" by an enemy that 1
hated and foe that despised
On the 29th day of June 1852 Company
Of the Third Maine occupied an advanced
position in the intrencbments thrown up by the
left wing of McClellan's army on its advance
upon Richmond. Well do / remember, a.
no doubt some of you do the feeling of dis
appointment and dismay with which We re-
ceived the order to fall back and abandon the
works. | rebelled against it. Ny dander
was up, and whether should have taken
leg bailn at the first sight of the enemy or
not, | then felt that | would rather fight, or
die if need be-, than to fall back before q
dastardly butternnt Rut that soldier is the
left the works
Bows, we little knew then uha,
We were escaping. Had General
Heintzleman understood we obeyed
ms orders, you and nigh, net be
here to- night to enjoy tbs hospitality of Com
rade Folsom. A great battle vas going on
at that very moment. where Thousands Of
our gallant boys fell to rise no more. Thi.
vas the battle of Savsges's station. one of
the most desperately fought battles OF
the seven days fight. Gen. Heinizleman
was ordered to support Gen. Franklin, bu,
instead of doing so he made his retrea,
across White Oak Swamp, thus jeopardizing
the safety of two corps of Franklin's army.
We were not the first to cross the swamp,
however for Gen. Porter had preceded us fur
iber dow n. But were the first to cross at this
particular point and 40 Co b. was thrown
out as skirmisbers So soon as it had crossed
the extemporized bridge midway the swamp.
I recall to mind wildly nov how We jumped
from log TO log How careless and indiffer.
ent We were to the presence OF the enemy
and kept gaiiy on up the road and to farm
house, the first house -" had seen for months
Here some Inquiries made of the occu-
pants of the house - /. whereab 1uts Of
the rebels. But. 2. no rebels had
been seen by them = .sas, as a matter Of
fact, they were .; hundred and fifty
rods of us. W - TO reach a main
highway, the Cha tity road, which
led down the psbinsuigs tosaryls the Jane.
river, but how near We were to it we didn't
know, but we we're. in fact. nearer than We
had any idea Of. We passed as skirmisheri
through the open fields Of the farm and finally
entered another piece Of woods. We we're
feeling our way cautiously along. keeping in
very good line for skirmishers, nov and ,her
hearing q slight rumbling Of artillery which
admonished US Of the near approach to the
enemy, when all AT once hang went the re-
4 port Of gun soon followed by yells and I
murderous volley. We had come upon ths
rebels and we're thus sAluted.
/ This attack was made upon our right ant
came fre m rebel regiment formed obliquel,
to the road, and of course raked rs right ant
left occupied the extreme left, and look
ing in the direction Of the firing could se'
nothing but cloud Of smoke and our owl