The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-09-01

Clinton. This boat was 80 heavily laden that
three companies Of our regiments A, b, and ID.
were transferred to the small river steamer
Gen. Banks On Oct 81, the signal on the dag
ship said get under way, and, like n company
Of soldiers falling into line, each steamer took
its place as ordered. We sailed in three
lines or divisions. our vessel being the last in
the middle division. Everything passed as
well as could be expected until the night of the
29th when q severe storm, one Of those terrible
northers that so often sweep the coast of Texas,
burst upon US with all its fury. When moru-
ing dawned the Gulf Of Mexico was dashed into
q mass of foam; the steamer groansd and
twisted in every joint, and it looked as though
we were about to be mustered out for good.
The Captain and Pilot, with anxious faces, were
pacing the deck. We hoisted signal of dis
tress. bat the vapor was SO thick we hardly ex-
pected to be seen. The Captain. who had been
making careful examination, said to Col.
Murray: " Your horses or men have got TO go
overheard, for if she is not lightened immedi-
ately she will go down in less than half an
hour" The fife rail was taken out and the
horses were backed over as fast as possible.
Then followed the heavy battery gear; even
harnesses were, in the intense excitement,
thrown over. To the greater part OF the boys
this was their first experience on the ocean
waves. Sea-siek, wet and anxious, no one
thought of eating. We were finally picked up by
the steamer Empire City. If ever there were
thankful hearts. they could have been found
on board the old Gen. Banks Then there was
specializing as to the fate of the other crafts,
some even poorer than OURS. On the afternoon
of Nov. !, arrived of Brazos Isle. our place OF
rendezvous. While waiting off the bar for the
tide to rise sufficiently to let the large steamers
pass over, officers and men were eagerly scan
ming the shore for the enemy. II see sand
battery with five guns" says one. We then
anticipated warm reception. But upon land
ing the next day only one man was found, and
he ran away.
Rebel Bravery.
w. E. Webster, Of the Sixth Corps Auburn,
N. Y, says: i cannot agree with Comrade
McCoughtry in his article of Aug. 4, headed
Not Particularly Came / served in the war
from 1861, and was discharged Aug. ), 1865, by
reason of wounds, and in all my experience
did not witness any cowardice on the part OF
the rebels They were Americans, good
fighters; not any better than the Union army,
but just as good. Nearly if not all of its officers
were West Pointers, and, as the darky minister
says understood their business The CON-
rade asks if any comrade ever saw the gray
back stand up against Us man to man, etc.
How was it at Antietam; again at Williams
burg. May s. 1862, in their charge on Gen. Han
cock; again at the Bloody Angle in the Wilder
ness; at Cedar Creek, Va; at the First Bull Run;
at Malvern Hill during the Seven Days fight,
OF feCreat from hlcHmOnQ! W0eu any ComIduo
who served at the front and burnt powder says
these rebels were towards we know better.
The statement in regard to Picketts charge ID
not true The battery in which / served de-
liyeYed double canister at 10 yards, and it
was not at the backs of the rebels. The bravery
of the rebels making that charge may have
been equaled, but never eXcelied. Human
flesh never faced more terrible fire of lead or
iron. / cannot see what is to be gained by this
belittling the service of any foe. 1t IL a ques-
ton in my mind whether, the Union boys
would have done any better had the situation
been reversed. Another thing Is overlooked
by this comrade. Compare the difference in
rations furnished Us by Uncle Sam and those
the rebels were furnished. ] saw and read
diary Of one Adjt Jenkins, Of the 18th Vs.,
killed in Pickett's charge. In it was written
the allowance furnished their regiment daily.
At Mine Run my attention was called to dead
rebel killed on their skirmish-line. I never
saw so thin q person. In his haversack was
small handful of hard, yellow corn, and
quantity of rock-salt tied up in greasy rag.
Surely this man ought to be thankful he was
killed. In conclusion / wish to say the rebels,
man to man, were just as brave, just as good
soldiers as the Union soldier, not any better.
They were Americans, and il the United States
were to declare war you would find the South
ern men at the front with their Northern
countrymen."
How's This for One Company.
VIM. McAdam, Of Wheeling states that he
sends the following to show that his Co., K, 1st
VIVA. Cav, had goodly number of brothers
enlisted during the war. Norris and Geo. j.
Matthews: Jos. and John N. Donovan; John J.