The National tribune., 1890-03-20
BATTLE OF KINSTON.
, Little Sarcasm from a Pennsylvania Man.

EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: Is it not sur
prising how the imagination Of some people
leads them into error, rs in the article OF Com
rado JAS NJ Rogers Co. II, 10th Conn? In
referring to the matter no has spread himself
and has in himself become a mighty host. In
valor he has become the peer of the shepherd
lad who slew tho Giant Prince of Gath. Com
rade Rogers Is utterly Unconscious of the fact
that there are yet two of us left of the 10000
brave boys who were present at tho battle of
Kinst0n, n. C., on Dee. IA, 1862 lie takes y
position that will not be corrob0rated, and
/ most respectfully ask him to share the honor
and not sweep over all of Gen. Fosters disci-
plined and courageous lines Of battle, and drive
the enemy with a wild rush over the blazing
bridge, putting out tho fire and going into camp
two miles in advance of force of 10000.
The 10th Conn. will not claim anything of
tho kind, for they are honorable men. There
were no three lines of battle at kinston for
this 10th Conn. man To go over. Neither were
there any regiments there who preferred distant
conflict to close honor. Every regiment, large
or small, went 10 where il was assigned, and
stayed there aud did its whole duty, regardless
of this one man, who, no doubt at some future
time will tell the world Chat he did it all. For
the life of me / cannot comprehend how this
10th Conn man expects TO force the impression
on tho thousands Of living comrades that 800
men could drive the enemy, when 1900
equally brave men could not This man is
within msclf dclusiou and q snare. Com
rado, you either dreamed what you say, or else
you are wholly regardless of honor. To my
certain knowledge there was no one regiment
that cut of $50 prisoners, and then in their
cageruess continued their wild rush, for moth
ing could check their martial afdor. Now, 1t
so happened that the 10th Conn, 4ith Mass,
s5tt, 92d, 9sth and Tooth N. Y, the 10lst and
103d Pa, were all close to the bridge when the
rebels passed over. The batteries shelled them
as they ran pell-mell up the hill without any
shadow OF an organization. The artillery con-
tinued its work Smelling tho town, until the
Inst rcb had disappeared, and their floating
rags were all hauled down IN knst0n. Then
and not until then began the advance OF the
first Union troops across tho much burning
bridge. Except, perhaps this 10th Conn. man,
who was 10 doubt two miles in advance and
had gone into camp making out his report Of the
victory aud recommending himself for promo
ton for moritorioss service. | don't like sar-
casn.it always has vinegar in it,-but in this
case | cannot help il. The eplthet is too dam
aging Dishonor is heaped upon the heads OF
the comrades OF bis own State. Cowardice is
flung tu the faces of the whole expedition 10y
their preforring distant conflict to close honor
| The wild rush for glory, the martial ardoi
blazing hercely IN this mans breast Is perhaps
the sole cause of the victory TO the Union arms
at kinston Bridge
Now comrades. my suppression Is that this
10th Conn. man has not been fairly dealt with
| lie should have "A medal. This medal should
be n head, which represents the advance. II
should have two long ears, indicating two miles
| in advance and extending from the open jaws
n small pendant with the words zee haw,
| would be appropriate. Permit me 10 say that
/ Gen. Fosters expedition from New Bcrnc. ~ e..
/ to kinstDn Whitehall aud Goldsborough, wai
a success n every respect, and that in each o.
/ the three engagements the troops without ex
| ception distinguished themselves by beinG
| prompt in obeyinR every command from thcii
/ supcrioFs. But far be IL for them 10 have been
| so cowardly as TO refuse 20 90 down through
| that awful swamp aud over that terrible burn
| ing bridge. proferrug distant conflict TO Close
honor-JAcoH ID. BRowN, Go. ID, l0lst Pa.
| Maria Pa.