The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-10-02
Jerry Rusk In Battle.
o,n..l wiltshire sst'srssl4 IN An".HAss sen


during the war At the bzttIe Of the
Twenfy-seeond Of July, when the heroic
McPherson fell, Rask was in command
at the front and l,st ane-third Of his
men. During the battle he was once
fairly cut of from his command and sur
rounded BY Confederate soldiers armed
with saber bayonets. His sword was seiE-
&c. /. and he WAS ordered to surrender, but
drawing his pistol, he used it with such
deadly effect that he broke through his
assaiIants and escaped with a slight
wound in his leg and with the loss Of his
sword an horse-the animal being lit
orally riddled with bullets
At the battle of Jonesboro, Colonel
Rnsk followed Hood back into Alabama.
then returned to Atlanta; and in Sher-
mans march to the sea" he had com
Of the advance of the Seventeenth corps,
having the skirmishers, pioneers, engin-
eers and the pontoon train under his
charge. In the Carolina Campaign, from
Beaufort Island north, he Was breyetted
colonel, to date from March Is, 1865. and
on the same day was brevetted briga-
dier-general for gallantry at the battle Of
salkahatchie in February previous. A
very exciting occurrence attended, the
crossing of that river. General Mower
was in command of the division in which
was the regiment commanded by Colonel
Rusk.
The division was moving north from
Beaufort directly toward theiriver, while
the remainder Of the army. Of Sherman
was conyerging toward the same point
Where the crossing had to be made the
enemy was in strong force on the other
side, and defending the crossing with
heavy infantry column and batteries Of
artillery. The only approach to the ford
was along narrow road through 4
swamp which was then covered with
water too deep to permit the movement
OF cavalry or heavy guns. 1t was posi-
tion almost as strongly proteeted and as
difficult TO capture as the cele.rated
bridge Of Lodi.
RACING TO TIE Fa0Sr.
There was a r2ce among all the divis-
ions to frst reach the crossing. and on
the morning just before the point was
within attacking distance Movers di-
vision was in the lead, and the brigade
in advance Of the division was that to
which Rusk's command was attached.
Mower rode up with the staff and could
not find the commander or The brigade.
He inquired Of Rnsk where the officer
was, to which the latter replied that he
did not know, but that he was ready to
move at once. Mower replied that he
could not wait for the return Of the
officer, but would move another brigade
RGsk was indignant that he should be
ignored.
'-He did not wish. = as be said, 80 be
cheated out Of the lead" Going up TO
Mower, he said ~Gener.l Mower. pro-
test against being left behind, because it
Is not my fault that the officer is absent.
want the advance Mower, however
would not listen. He went away, order
ed the division forward and put the other
brigade in the advance.
Later Mower seems to have recalled
the protest. He found the route to the
crossing an embarrassing one, whereupon
he said to one of his staff officers, Cap
tain de Grasse; Bring up that colonel
who objected TO remaining behind and
we'll give him taste Of what he's yearn-
ing for" Rusk received the order from
the aid, and rode up to Mower and asked
him if he had any orders.
-None," he said. ~Drop right down
there" pointing to the crossing; throw
your men in and clear that road, wish
to get to the river If you don't DO it
right III know it. That's all now go
Rusk got his command in position and
charged down the narrow causeway that
led to the ford, and which was swept BY
the she'll and musketry Of the enemy.
UNCLE JERRY A HERO.
His men were cut down in dozens. but
he perseveIed aAd gained the position
after desperate contest. In the charge
a shell cut the brow-band of the bride
of the coIoneFs horse the animal fell to
the ground and threw the rider over his
head
The colonel scrambled to his feet, and
although considerably bruised, headed
the column on foot The same shell
took of the head of his bugler and killed
two other men who were Immediately
behind him. The tremendous cannon
ade demoralized the staff Of Mower, who
were following in the rear Of Rusks
column, and they took cover BY leaving
the causeway and taking refuge in the
swamp. but found that route impossible,
and were obliged to dismount and make
their WY on foot
Colonel Rask carried the crossing. II
made the crossing" he says, -and was
successful reported back to Mower,
who ordered another brigade IN to re-
.ieve Us, and then We went back into
camp He had scarcely reached camp
when a messenger from Mower ordered
him to report to headquarters. Rusk
was nonplussed at he reception ofthis
order, as be was not certain as to whether
he Was to be commended or condemncd
for what he had done
MOWERS KEczPrEoS-
II was in doubt afterward said Uncle
Jerry. Mower used to get little full
at times, and did not know what to ex-
pect." tie fixed up and rode over to !
Movers quarters. Colonel Christianson
was standing in front of Mowers tent
as Rusk rode up, and offered to carry in
any message which he might wish to
send Rusk replied that he had been or
dered to report to Mower. and must see
him in person Just then Mower from
within the tent called, 'Ceme in Come
ini'
Colonel Rusk pulled aside the flap Of
his tent, entered and saluted the general.
The latter glanced at him for an in
slant and then said Yes, sir, sent for
..-....