Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-31
MEDALS OF HONOR.
Major ]. II. Evans, Co. II, and w. w
Noyes of the Second Regiment Re
warded for Distinction.


Major ]. II. Evans, Co. II, and w. w.
Noyes of the Second Regiment Re-
warded for Distinction.
The adjutant generals office has received
notice from the war department at Wash
ington, that medals OF honor have been is
sued by Congress to Brevet Major Ira
Hobart Evans OF Austin, Texas, late cap
tain 18th U. s. colored troops, for distn-
guished bravery at Hatcher's Run, Va,
April 2, 1865 and to Mr.. William Wallace
Noyes of Montpelier, VT, late private Co.
r, ed regiment, Vermont volunteers, for
gallantry in action May 12, 1861, at Spott-
sylvania, Va.
Major Evans enlisted as private in Co.
b, 10th VT. regiment in which he served
until promote TO the colored troops
letter from Brevet- Ma jor Gen. William Biz
ney, United States volunteers, gives vivid
account OF Major Evans's bravery at that
time, which has received such important
recognition by the government. Gen. Biz
ney says: "In the early days of April, 1860,
when Gen. Grant was moving on Peters
burg, my division (the second Of the 25th
army corps held portion of the Union
line near Hatcher's Run.
An afternoon assault on the rebel works
being intended, it was very important to
learn what changes had been made in them.
| was directed from headquarters to have
the newly arrived deserters interviewed.
Being unwilling to order any member OF my
staff on SO dangerous duty, | called for a
volunteer Capt Evans was the only one
who responded. Dismounting, he passed
rapidly over the ridge in front OF the divi-
sion, being at that time the only Union SOL
der in view from the rebel lines The enemy
opened a sharp fire OF musketry upon him,
and continued it until he disappeared in one
Of our rifle pits. Having questioned the de-
serters and obtained the desired informa-
ton, he returned through another shower OF
bullets and reported to me. 1t was a gal
liant feat and bravely achieved"
In regard to the bravery OF William Wal
| lace Noyes, a letter from his captain, Day
ton 7. Clark, who was in command of the
second regiment on that day, shows why
this gallant soldier was also honored by
Congress. "By reason Of the sneavy losses
incurred during the Wilderness campaign
and the detail of our only field officer on
picket duty that day, the command of the
second Vermont regiment devolved upon
me- Very early in the morning, the second
regiment, with others, was ordered forward
through piece of woods, through small
/ Sleui iub anu Shhi S0u JIG iSpSi iIuc NhiSI
was was protected by breestwork:
at the further end of this clearing.
| As the commanding officer of the regiment
my duties caused me to move up and down
the entire length OF my line, and you may
| be sure that | had all | could attend to
The men were reaching over the breast
works and firing into the co federates on
the other side as well as try
ing to punch them with bayonetts, ant
the confederates were doing the same thing
l noticed Private Noyes standing on the tol
of the breastworks within some 10 or l.
feet OF where e,large number of confederate'
were lying low, and he was eiberatelJ
drawing a Lead on each one of these as fas
as his comrades could pass up freshly load
cd muskets to him; the number of shot
fired in this way | could not pretend to tell
but certainly there were not legs than Is
and it may have been twice that number.
Noyes was then but young boy, scarce
ly sixteen years OF age, and this campaign
was about the first of his soldierln. but b
had real courage that then and ever after
until he was wounded, made m ready t,
face every and any danger | consider tn
above one Of the bravest acts that | know
of during the war of the rebellion"
Major Evans and Private Moves will re
ceive the hearty congratulations OF all Yer
monters who learn OF heir good fortune.