The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-07


! there could not have been but few seconds of
time between the first and the last. l
know that Gen. Charles G.. Harker, commander
of the First Brigade Second Division. Fourth
Corps, was one of the very first men who did
reach the summit of the Ridge; and he it was
who captured the piece Of ordnance known as
the Lady BuckDer" and whose breech was so
heated from recent firing that it took away the
portion of the Generals pantaloons that on or
binary occasions he was wont to sit on, and in
lieu thereof for the next y hours he used his
hat At that time the 125th Ohio was all
around him, but / cannot say that our flag was
the first on the Ridge, nor could / say that it
was not the 65th III. It might have been
either the 74th Ill. the Gath or 65th Ohio, or
the Sd KY, the 9th Wis. They were all
there, and al about the same time, and while l
believe in claiming all tho glory for cur own
organizations that We can in reason, | think
there are other organizations that arc entitled
to degree of credit also. But In his poem
Comrade Lammey forgets that there was any
other States represented in the war. So much
for the battle of Missionary Ridge.
Now, in regard to The order to charge at
Franklin, Tenn, Nov. 30, 1864, the same COM
rade says truthfully that much has been said
and more written as to whether an order was
ever issued for the charge made by the First
Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Corps, on
that memorable afternoon, and says that Gen.
George w. Smith probably the Colonel Of the
S6th III. states that there was no order issued,
but says that Gen. Emerson Opdycke the
brigade commander, said TO him (Smith):
Colonel, / have no orders. We must do the
best we can"
It is painfully evident to me at this remote
date-for it is q years since that charge was
made-that there is a mistake somewhere The
facts in regard TO that charge are substantially
these: Two years prior TO that Both day of
November, 1864, our regiment (the 125th Ohio,
"Opdycke's Tigers") had been biyouacked at
Franklin, Tenn, and had done guard duty
there for two or three months and built the
fort that is still there, and in consequence of
our stay there had become acquainted with the
inhabitants of that beautiful little city. Among
them WAS family by the name of Carter, and
oar reserve post was at or near his house a
brick mansion on the south line of the city
We had not been in Franklin for nearly two
years, and as our brigade had had hard service
at Columbia and Spring Hill the day and
night previous to our return to Frank
lin. we were sent TO the rear of our line.
some 20 or 30 rods, TO rest and refresh our
selves. Al the same time Col. Opdycke went
into the Carter house, and was there when the
brigade in cur immediate front gave way
There was no time to lose, and Sergeant
Thomas Sharp, Of Co. e, 125th Ohio, saw the
danger, and with quick military decision, born
Of the peril Of the moment. ordered the 125th
to form line, take arms, and charge, which was
done as quick as thought; and with yell we
pushed forward, followed by the rest of our
brigade. We were met by Col. 0pdycke just
as we struck the rebel lines in our trench, right
at the Carter house. Had we waited for the
conversation referred to by Comrade Lammey
between Opdycke and Smith, would not had
an opportunity to have made the charge
have Travelled from west to east aud from
east 10 west, but have always failed to find an
instance where q private soldier ever had any
hand in putting down the rebellion. But let
it be recorded TO the honor of Thomas Sharp
(wbo had been reduced to the ranks for un-
military con6uct), whose indomitable will and
presence of mind made it possible for the First
Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Corps to save
the day at Franklin, and as i believe, to in
fuenee III great measure the final outcome Of
the war.
Further, I wish to say that was not, before
the war, acquainted with Sharp, nor have /
ever seen or heard from him since we were
mustered out at the close of the war.
Now Tor Comrade Lammey's poem, in which
he eulogies Illinois and Ohio, but forgets the
other States that were represented in the
Franklin affair. He says:
Now, Illinois stands ready,
Now, Ohio 10 her aid
For portion o. our line alas
ls broken and Gismaycd."
But not word for Kentucky.
Whose 81 Infantry WAS there that day,
Aud formed a solid barrier
Ihat ho human power could sway.
And 50 think, my comrnde,
That al were entitled to praise.
When we look back through the years
IotIsose dark and terrible days.
B. :. YOUNG, Private Co. II, l25th Ohio.