The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-01-23
UNLUCKY DAVID.
Vermont Soldier Who Wa. Always Getting hit.

Vermont Soldier who was Always GettiDg Hit.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: David was in
many respects a model soldier. When he en-
listed it was to help put down the rebellion.
Besides, he was ambitious, and fully intended
to be one of the very best soldiers in the gallant
old 10th Vt. This regiment was in all the en-
gagements Of the Army of the Potomac from
Mine Run through the terrible battles Of the
Wilderness and Spottsylvauia and from there to
Cold HarbOr, where it captured 700 prisoners
more men than the regiment had in its ranks.
The regiment had its full share of tho fighting
around Petersburg until July 6, when the di
vision to which il belonged (the Third, of tho
Sixth Corps received orders to move to Balti-
more, and from there to Frederick, Md, where
it arrived in time to take an, important part in
the battle OF MOuocacy, fought July 9, 1864.
Every Union soldier who fought in that en-
gagemcnt from Gen. Lew Wallace, who com
manded on the field down to tho humbost
private in the ranks fully realized that this
was a struggle TO save from capture the Capital
of the grandest Nation on earth, aud they
fought as on no other occasion. 1t is probable
that here the regiment won its greatest glory,
rs did all other troops who fought on that
bloody field. No body of men ever fought Mt
greater odds, as they were OutuumbcrCd four
TO one during the entire forenoon, and aftor
that time by at least seven To one, and yet they
rcpulScd every attack and held every foot of
ground until nearly surrounded, and then cut
their way out, and slowly aud sulcniy retired,
fighting rs they went until the enemy saw fit
TO pursue them no farther,
If someone would write of the brave deeds
of tho 10th Vt. on this one battlefield, it would
form an interesting chapter in the history of
tho war. Ii would of necessity begin with
Gen. Henry, who commanded the regiment
during that engagement Had he been given
the command of an army corps, he would have
C..1 e., Ia Ill
command. he was willing to fill any position
and accept any command that might be given
him, aud he expected his command to follow
wherever he chose TO lead The list would in
clude tho gallant Mai Dillingham; and Cap;s.
Damon, Abbott, Thompson, Foster, Salisbury,
Dewy, Styles, and so on down to the last man
in the ranks, for all were heroes on this occa-
sion.
Can't. George f. Davis. with his little band
of skirmishers on the west bank of the river,
contributed so largely to the success of the day
as To deserve moro than special mention, II
was his band of heroes that helped to thin the
ranks of the Georgia battery in tho grove be-
yond until they had made 81 graves in that
beautiful grove. When the retreat was finally
ordered, il was this gallant Captain who had to
fight for the possession of the west end of the
railroad bridge that he might cross his men
over and save them from capture and then,
on reaching tho east end of tho bridge, had to
cut his way through thin line of the enemy,
who had them surrounded.
What might not be said of those brave boys
who were shot while on the bridge and fell 10
feet TO the river below, and whose blood mingled
with its waters and was borne on with the cur
rent down TO tho Potomac, aud then went whirl-
ing on to Washington, that tho great kind
hearted Lincoln might know the sacrifice had
been made aud the Capital saved?
The next fight the regiment participated in
was Winchester, where Mai. Dillingham; was
killed. lie went into that fight knowing il 10 be
bis last. While tho Sixth Corps lay IN line wait
ing for the Eighth aud Nineteenth TO get into
position. this gallant Major IN a conversation
with the writer, said enough 90 convince any
one that ho had had prcscniimcnt. A little
later, when we had advanced just over the
brow OF the hill, | saw him just as the fatal
shell struck him on tic hip. carrying a portion
OF Il away The shock did not throw him TO
the ground. and he made three attempts to
raise himself TO a perpendicular position. 1t
was vain struggle, and when he finally went
down to rise no more, tho regiment mourncd
the loss OF one its brayest md best.
After Winchester the regiment participated
ia all of Sheridans great battles in the Valley,
and then returned tot Petersburg I'm time for
the final assault, and was one of the FIRST Fogi-
meuts inside tho cnCmy's works. Nor did its
glory end here, for IL was an important factor
at Sailors Creek, aud did valiant service in the
capture of Ewcll's Corps, II may be we'll that
its record of engagements should close with this
battle. for it could retire with its banners en-
blazoued with is battles. aud glory enough for
every soldier who fuughtEin tts ranks. Perhaps
no one knew better than David of the glorious
record the regiment was making aud ho longcd
10 30 through at least one battle, SO that some
of It's honGrs might bo his, but his wish was
not 10 be realized
a =
always ready to do his whole duty the truth
has only been half told for David was one of
the solid men Of the regiment Of course such
"A soldier could be relied upon, in camp or out
of camp, ON the picket line--in fact. anywhere,
except In battle, and there he was OF no earthly
account. II was always quito relief to his
comrades whom he was safely of their hands,
aud they knew he had been carried - the rear
when tho battle was on, for they knew it had
10 come.
IL must be understood that David was no
coward; on the contrary, he could march into
battle ns bold and fearless rs any man in the
regiment, but right there his usefulness would
come 10 m end-bat IL was his bnld.
About five fest six inches high, very broad
across the shoulders and back, and broader
still lower down, in fact. here he was all out
OF proportion, and here il the cause of all his
trouble Just as soon ~ tho battle commenced
David was sure to be hit, and always in his
broadcast parts. The boys would often guy him,
aud tell him ho must not blame the Johnnics,
for he was so broad they could not help hitting
him.
In one Of the great battles OF the Army of
the Potomac David was wounded early in the
fight as usual, aud this time by u raking shot in
the usual place They were only flesh wounds,
but deep aud painful besides, the location was
such IS to make IL entirely out of the question
for him 10 assume sitting position. lie was
carried 10 the renr his wounds properly at
tended TO- aud then he was sent 10 the general
hospital in New York Iiarbor When his cond-
ton had SO far improved rs to admit of his being
b0istered up in bed, he wrote his chum one of
his characteristic letters, and the way he
described the holes that rebel bullet had
made, aud summed up It's work with the works
OF nature, brought down the house, and will
long be remembered by tho boys Of his COM
pany.-T ii. WHITE Lieutenant 10th VI,
Shmgc Springs, Cal.
Write 10 f. A. Armstrong, Detroit Mich, for
his GAR. or S. Of V. Price List. Sent free.