The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-16
COWAN'S BATTERY.
sers't Webster At Cedar Crsrk. and the Guidon OF
NsKaishfS Battery.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: | have been
much interested in reading the STORY Of y
Cannonoer" and, with a few minor differences,
bclieyeit correct Ina the matter Of my battery
tCowan's, lst y. Y. Ind'p'tl he calls it Van
Ettens.' When IL left Petersburg for Wash.
inEtou, nj the time Of E9Tly's raid, Capt.
Cowan was IN command, aud continued to COM
mand il till a few days before the Winchester
battle, Sept. 10, l-6i. Getty's Division went
out on a raid a few days previous TO Sept. 10,
aud our battery was tho only one with the
division that day. Capt. Cowan was wounded
by rebel sharpshOoter. In this affair we were
faced by three rebel batteries, aud 1t was a
lively time.
After tho Spottsylvania battles all the bat.
tcries in the Army Of the Potomac were reduced
TO four guns. This was true Of the volunteers
and, think, the Regulars also. We had but
four pieces ut Cedar Greek aud did not lose any
OF them, though we brought one of the field
tdcd up under the Timber with the prolonge.
wish TO relate little Of my experience. /
was Sergeant of the first piece in COwan's
battery, and my detachment suffered severely
in the Cedar Creek fight. At Winchester, Sept.
~, lost my gunner, who was almost fatally
wounded, and ut Cedar Greek my Corporal OF
the caissOns had his first experience at tine gun.
lie was naturally little modest, and somewhat
nervous. He remarked, as be placed the sight
on the gun, Web don't know a thing about
it, | said, "Oh! well, yOH can never learn
younger" and proceeded to show him how to
give the proper sight. This took place under
a hot fire of rebel artillery, rs well as a sharp
rattle Of infantry fire. He had not fred over
four rounds when he received a painful wound
in the foot. / lifted him on my horse and sent
him 10 the rear. This was in the first position
of our battery.
then took the gunner's place and served
there for about 10 minutes, and during that
time received four tips " the first across the
end of nv nose, the second on the left wrist,
the third or the elbow of same arm. and the
fourth and final on the LETT thigh about an
inch below the groin. II was and Is terrible
wound. The ball remained lodged for over IL
months, and it was finally removed by DR..
Reed, Gen HancoCk's Surgeon, at Mckim Hos
pilaL Baltimore.
After receiving this wound I picked up a
musket and, leaning on this. made slow prog
ress to the rear. Alittle 20 the right and rear
OF our position was an orchard, under one Of
the trees Of which was an artilieryman, hold
Ing his horse by the bride. | was about 10
give up being weak from loss OF blood, but
l said 10 him: "Comrade lend me your horse
till can reach a Surgeon"
He asked me what battery belonged to. /
said " COwan's. l,t y. ""
"All right" said he, and as be helped me
mount the horse, he said, When you get
through with him send him back 10 tho GuidOn
OF Battery NJ, 9Th g. >. ART
| was informed later on that this comrade
was killed. Can You give me any information
as 10 the facts? / can never forget that kind
ness. There Is no question in my mind that
this act saved my lie. The conrade left all
OF his equipments on tho horse, and 1 sent the
horse back by young cavalryman, who had
lost his horse ia the fight. Please give mo the
facts and II tho cOmTSde Is living. his address.
w. L. WEBSTER. Sergeant, CoWau's lst y. y.
battery, Auburn, n. Y.
THE records show that the Acting Guidon OF
Meningitis battery that day lBowmanJ was
wounded and captured. but we have no means
OF asrertaining his subsequent fate.-EDToR
NATIONAL TEmUSE.I