The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-15

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from the body of dead soldier on one of
the battlefields of the late war, and now in
possession of Lawrence Canova OF this city
Saturday Mr.. Canova received the follow
ing letter:
PASADENA, CAL, Aug. 3, 1889.
LniOrence CGnoUd, Esq.
DEAR SIR-Friends or mine in various
parts of the country have called my atten-
tion to a notice in the Jacksonville (Fla.)
Times Union, referring to the memento of
ga dead hero" and consisting of a Colts re-
volver, presented to E. f. c. Klokke, Chi
cago, April, 1861, as inscribed, and now in
your possession. The presenter, Charles j.
Wilder, subsequently captain in the Thirty
ninth Illinois infantry, was killei il one of
the battles in front Of Richmond while
gallantly leading his company. He was
true friend, brave soldier, and | cherish
his memory. The preseutee, your CORE
spondent, to-day is alive and WE'LL and
would value the memento on account of
many "reminiscences it recalls.
Ii found upon dead union soldier near
Knoxville, Tenn, as stated in the notice, !
cannot account for its presence there.
lost it in June, 1852, near Jasper, Tenn, in
an hour of dire peril Together with two
Others, had the misfortune to walk into
an ambuscade. The moment | shall never
forget. Without the slightest warning of
tents of a well-directed battalion fire, con-
centrated on the narrow road or pathway
Of which we were the central figures. NY
companions were both mounted The one
in advance, an orderly, fell, together with
his horse at the first fire The horse was
killed. The orderly, though wounded in
several places, and taken prisoner, recovered
and was one OF the first to greet me on my
return to Chicago with my regiment, fat
and hearty.
The first fire was Immediately followed by
a second, the result of whica was that nv
other companion, captain and acting
major. was also badly wounded and un-
horsed. Thanks to tho fact that was on
foot and the firing high, l escaped unhurt,
though the intent was sincere aud bullets
plenty.
1t may have been due to my overweight
imagination of the moment, but | have
always thought that on that memorable oc-
cast n could see the bullets in the air they
were so thick. both my companions being
placed horS de combat, and not feeliDg
able TO cope with the forces in front, with
no other arms than my sword and the pistol
In question, ana regarding a trip to Libby
as imminent and not inviting, l made a
break for the rear for liberty and re-
endorsements. l found both, but in my
hurry to reach them, part of the way being
~ CAAO oiSO EAlbAy NOuIOCNl uOi % "a
the disabled chaplain, and evidently having
neglected TO button the holster on my previ-
ously drawn pistol then replaced, lost the
revolver, which now, after lapse of twen-
ty-seven years, is brought to my notice in
this unexpected and remarkable manner.
Until recently | have Teen resident Of
Chicago. Ill health in my family has forced
me to seek milder cline, and here to Cal
lfornla, my future home, the notice men
TONED has been sent. l take for granted,
from its language, that you would restore
the memeuto to its former owner. | shall
De happy to receive the same, and will take
pleasure IN its stead to send you a revolver
suitably inscribed and of the latest pattern
and construction. Hoping to hear from
you, am, very respectfully.
E. +. G. KLoKKE,
Late First Lieutenant, Company a, oath
Illinois Infantry, and Brevet Major
Mr. Canova will at once forward the pis-
toi, and thus an old veteran and the me
mento of narrow escape from death will
once uIore clasp hand.