The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-11-16
FLIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF THE OLD
CAMP FIRES"
BY ONE OF THE "o1D VETS. =

"Cold Harbor," said General Grant,
us, think, the only battle l ever fought
that would not fight over again under
the circumstances, and have always re-
GREETED that the assault was ever made
The LIST Maine Artillery, while acting as
infantry, lost more men In the Union
army than any other regiment in assault
ing Petersburg, June 18th, 1864. The
regiment lost GOA killed aud wounded OF
the 900 engaged, in twenty minutes.
At the surrender of Vicksburg, Con-
federate soldier went up to Union sol
der, who was riding on white pony.
and sang out, 'See here, mister, you man
on that little white horse DANCED II you
amt the hardest Teller to hit ever saw;
I've shot at you more'n hundred times,
and darn me il l could hit you. !"
After the battle of Stone River, when
General Rosecrans was riding abo ut camp,
he came across some regiments that were
being drilled, and they raised a shout.
As be rode along be took off his cap and
said, "All right, boys, all right; Bragg's
good dog, but hold fast's better
This expressed his feelings as to tho kind
of victory he had won over Bragg.
The men OF the Gath New York Regi-
ment, wore the first time ia battle, the
white straw hats, which made them con-
spicuous during the ''Seven days fight. "
These hats were presented by Mrs. Joseph
Rowland, wife of the Colonel. AS the
hats drew upon them the particular atten-
ton OF the enemy, they were discarded
] after the retreat TO the James River.
A watch key was found on Lookout
Mountain recently, which belonged to
General Hooker. Tho key is In the shape
of butterfly, with wings outspread. On
one side is engraved pointer dog, across
this is inscribed in bold, plain letters,
"Nov. 10, Joe Hooker, 1868" Upon the
other side is pair of crossed bowie
knifes. Lying near the watch key was
found an old canteen.
Adjutant General McClelland has been
making an overhauling of his department
at Harrisburg. Pa. He discovered the
flag and staff held by President Lincoln
when at Gettysburg, on July 4th, 1864,
he described the government as one ''Of
the people, by the people, and for the pee-
pfe.' The flag was examined by scores
of visitors and 1t was suggested that the
standard be taken TO Chicago and placed
on exhibition during the Worlds Fair.
Foremost among the rejoicing victors
at Nashville, was General Steedman, un-
der whose command were the colored
troops. Steedman had been lifelong
Democrat. As he rode over the field,
Immediately after the rout Of the enemy,
with grim smile, as he pointed to the
fleeing hosts, 81 wonder what my Demo.
cratic friends over there would think OF
me II they knew was fighting them with
bigger troops"
General Hubert had three times order
ed Colonel Topper, OF the 4lst Illinois, to
take his regiment to the rear, at the battle
OF Shiloh, they having run out of ammuni-
ton. Colonel upper SAID, 1--WE viii moi,
and we must not, give up this position. "
He ordered the men TO fix bayonets, and
said, "We will use the cold steel before
we will be driven back" About this time
rebel bullet went crashing through his
forehead, and he fell, being supported by
Sergeant Major James Coleman, who as
sisted him TO lie down. This was his last
battle, and he sleeps in the cemetery at
Decatur, Illinois.
Lieut.. Bayard Wilkinson, who COM
manded Battery G, 4th United States Ar
tillery, at Gettysburg, was one of the
most heroic episodes of the fight. He was
but 10 years old. Young Wilkinson, by
his fearless demeanor, held his battery in
| an exposed position on the Union right.
General Gordon finding 1t impossible 10
advance in the face OF Wilkinson's fire,
directed two batteries of his command
TO train. every gun upon him. Wilkinson
was bfought TO the ground MORALLY
wounded, and his horse killed. He died
where he fell, but just before he expired,
be asked for water. A canteen was brought
TO him as be took II, a wounded soldier
lying next to him begged "For Gods sake
give me some !" He passed the canteen
untouched TO the man, who drank every
drop 1t contained. Wilkinson smiled on
the man, turned slightly and expired
One night In November, 1868, shortly
after the battle Of Mine Run, Va, com.
rades Jacob p. Wenner and John g. Hun
terson, OF Co. d, Sd Pa. Cavalry, were
riding together, when Wenner received a
wound from concealed enemy, whose
shot went through the right side, came
out on the left side and entered his arm.
Comrade Hunterson took his companion
to the field hospital and remained with
him till morning, when il was found ne.
cessary to amputaie the arm. Not seeing
him again, he supposed be was dead, bul
at the late reunion OF Gregg's Cavalry, a,
Washington, Comrade Hunterson was
called by name by one-arm veteran, who
was heavily bearded. 1t was Wenner
who recognized him. They parted beard
less boys, twenty-nine years ago. Wen
ner came from Chicago, to try and fnd
Hunterson, to ask him and his family tt
stop with him when visiting the Word'i
| Fair.
The historic log cabin which was Gen
eral Grants headquarters during the mos
important part Of the civil war and which
now stands in Paramount Park, PhIladel
phia, is fast falling into decay. From /,
Grant issued his orders ratifying Sher
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