The National tribune., 1890-12-25
Read BETTER than Pension " on page :
PRAIRIE GROVE, ARK.
Marrow Escape or Two Iowa Soldiers.

Marrow Escape Or Two Iowa Soldiers
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Stories OF ouI
great civil war possess as much charm for this
generation Of young people rs those of the Revo-
luton did FOR orr grandsiTeS. and all interest,
ing incidents and "reminiscences gathered from
the lips Of our rapidly aging veterans should
be preserved and read, that patriotism may be
instlled into the youthful mind of those read
ers who may themselves take a soldiers part in
the defense Of our great country. The grim old
warriors who fought with Grant and Sherman
are now scattered over our broad land, engaged
in peaceful pursuits and while gathered around
the cheerful Preside delight 10 read the stO.
rios of the adventures Of their comrades. The
following was gathered from the lips Of Henry
p. Gortz, Of Shelby, Iowa, who at the age OF 81
enlisted in Co. A, Goth Iowa, and served through
the war. He is now n substantial farmer and
honored citizen Of Pottawatomio County, Iowa.
At the battle Of Prairie Grove, Ark, Dec. z,
1862, he made one Of the most daring escapes
from capture by the rebels on record. His
regiment made three gallant charges over open
ground and up 4 gentle slope 10 dense woods,
where the rebels were in heavy force, in the
face OF a severe fire Of artillery and musEetry,
and were three times rcpulsed with great loss.
On the last charge the line OF battle was three
m les long, and the field was covered with dead
and wounded
The Goth Iowa was ordered 10 lie down be-
hind q stake-and-rider rail fence. and here
they remained about half an hour, keeping up
a rapid fire upon the enemy. Gertz and two
comrades, Abraham Pickards aud Dick Rich
ards, of his company, were in "a corner Of the
fence somewhat separated from their regiment,
firing at the rebels. They were so absorbed IN
their work and the noise Of the artillery was
50 great that they did not hear tho command
for tho regiment 10 retreat, which was soon az
considerable distance. The enemy suddenly
appeared on the charge in double files and only
few PAGES distant Richards, thinking re-
treat impossible remained at the fence, but
young Gertz and Pickards started on tho run Of
about half a mile which then separated them
from the Union lines. When about 20 PAGES
from the fence a ball struck Gertz and passed
through his left thigh, and he exclaimed " ]
am shot! Pickards stopped and allowed
Gcrtz 20 place his arm around his shoulder, aud
they ran as one man under a heavy Ere, the
balls falling aronnd them as thick as bail,
GertZs bayOnct scabbard was shot away, and
balls passed through his hat and the sleeve Of
has blouse. Pickardss haversack, cautcen and
clothing were riddIcd with balls.
They ran toward the lines Of the 10th III.
Cav, who opened ranks 10 receive them. on
the order Of the officer commanding who asked
to what regiment they belonged, and, upon
being answered, exclaimed, You are brave
mcu!"
Tie regiments in this charge were the Goth
Iowa, goth Wis. 9th H., and Goth IEd. The
incidents Of this remarkable escape Impressed
themselves indelibly upon the mind Of Mr
Geriz, aud he would like 10 have any soldier OF
the 10Th III. Cav, who remembers the incident,
10 substantate his story. Among the officers
and soldiers Of this regiment who opened their
ranks 10 receive himself aud his companion
some one may chance 20 see this account and
vouch for its correctness in tho columns Of TN
NATIONAL TRIBUNE. by 40 doing he will
confer a favor upon old comEsde-in-aTrns.-
VETERAN Shelby, Iowa.