The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-06
PICKET SHOTS.
From Alert Comrades All Along the
Line.
A Letter from Col. Mcclure.


" " not say that Col. Mcclure CON-
manded the 47th III. on its cam
paign in and around Vicksburg, but did say
that he did not command Co. at that time
but was doing duty on Gen. Tuttles staff
Comrade Godfrey incloses letter signed John
d. Mcclure peoria, III. }, which reads: " l re-
ceived line from you this morning asking
some questions about my service in the 47th. /
would say that was detailed to do staff duty
on the staff of Gen futile just before we left
Young's Point, on our march around Vicksburg,
and served with him until ! was wounded in
front of Vicksburg on June IL. was picket
officer and was posting picket by order Of
Gen. Sherman, he having sent for me to come
to his quarters 30 that he might show me
where he was to construct some cover for sharp
shooters, and he wanted me to post chain of
pickets so as to protect the Engineer Corps
while at this work. The rebels got possession
Of the point before we did, as it was within so
yards of their works. While attempting 10
carry out this order / was shot through the
right lung. was Major, and acted as picket
officer My commission as Colonel is dated
June 30 1863, and signed by Richard Yates as
Governor of Illinois.
The Youngest Soldier.
Capt John H. Roberts, Go. F, 9th Me-, Past
Department Commander of Massachusetts,,
GAR, says that Morris E. Bancroft, of his
company, enlisted for three years. aud at the
expiration of his term re-enlisted in the same
company and regiment and was mustered out
of the United States service with his regiment
In January, 1866, having served continuously
four years and five months. He was born no
the 18th of June 1S49 making him but IL
years and two months old when he enlisted. He
carried musket during the whole term of his
service, and was only 16 years and seven months
old when he was discharged. He was but 10
years and 10 months old at the close of the war,
or when Lee surrendered and was at Apo.
mattox at the time-a veteran with nearly four
years of hard service to his credit, and not 10
years old. He was in all of the battles in
which his regiment participated, and contrib
uted his full share in helping it earn its envi-
able reputation. He now lives in Pioneerville,
Idaho. Pass it around and match this record
whoever can until which time Bancroft stands
at the head" Comrade Bancroft proposes to
join the Grand Army Post at Boise City, Idaho.
the first visit he makes to that city. He lives
100 miles from there, up in the mountains, but
will 60 down for that purpose.
Information Asked and Given.
Saml NJ Bird, 153 North Fifth street, Phils-
delphia, Pa, desires information of Edmund
r. r. Davis, of Anderson Troop, 18th Cav, and
Captain of the 9th Colored Heavy Artillery,
who has been missing since 1872; all knowl-
edge Of his whereabouts has been unknown to
the members of his family, Masonic brethren,
Grand Army Post members and acquaintances
generally. Capt. Davis, as his war record
shows, was daring and brave soldier having
slept in Gen. JOS. f. Johnston's tent In rebel
uniform for three nights; was with Gen. Pal
mer and Maj. Ward within the rebel lines when
the latter was shot, Capt. Davis escaping amid
shower of shot, by swimming the river on
horseback. Capt. Davis was known 10 be in
the Secret Service by the authorities, and
very valuable man, and yet his wife is unable
to procure a pension on account of her inability
to prove that he Is dead.
Elizabeth OConnell, Lockport, N. Y, says:
about the first Of February, 1882, my hus-
band. John OConnell, left his home, and on
the 18th day of February, 1862, / received
letter dated at New York City, stating that
he was going into the army on the 9th OF Feb
ruary as Second Lieutenant without nam
ing company or regiment) to Cedar Keys, Fla.
That is the last communication / ever received
from him from that day to this. In 1855, after
the assassination Of President Lincoln, friend
of mine received letter, and in looking over
my old papers | found part of the last letter
mentioned. The part | have reads like this:
Il have been prisoner since September, 1868,
until the 7th of August last, when [ was par
doned by President Johnson" The descrip-
ton of my husband, John OConnell, is as
follows: Hight. over six feet, slim build, square
shoulders, but not broad shoulders; sandy COM
plexion hair, very dark red mustache, sandy;
whiskers, sandy ami heavy; eyes, gray; eye
brows, heavy and sandy; rather quiet man in
speech and action (; deep bass voice. Any soldier
who reads this notice and knows of John OCon-
nell would confer a favor on a soldiers widow
and child, who was born after the father left
his home. by addressing as above.
James Lamb, 2310 street northwest, Wash.
ington, D. c., wants information of his uncle,
Hugh ONeil who served in the 47th Pa, he
thinks in company of that regiment during
the late war.
Col. w. L. Mcknight, Charleston, Tenn,
would like to communicate with w. l.. or w.
FL. Mckee, of New York City, in regard to the
sword of Capt. George c. Whatley. 10th Ala,
c. S. A., who was killed at Antietam in Sep
TENDER, 1862, or receive any information that
will lead to the recovery of the sword to fam
lily of the late Capt Whatley.
Mrs. A. G. Kent, daughter of the late Judge D.
c. Underwood, of 1446 Rhode Island avenue
northwest, Washington, has the Bible belonging
to Henry L. Doyle, Co. C, 144th N. Y, which was
picked up ON the battlefield, which she will
gladly return to the owner or his relatives.
Capt. d. w. Houghton, Commissary- Gen.
erals Office, Washington, picked up an old army
canteen at one Of the Reunion tents on Grand
Army Place during the Encampment. The
canteen has the number 80 stamped upon it,
and some initials which cannot be made out,
they being very indistinct There are also
Dl0OQ5LalnS Oh Inc CduUe6u, WHICH eVluoutly
belonged to some veteran who attended the
Encampment. He can get the canteen by ad-
dressing Capt. Houghton.
A. B. Cramer, Co. f. s0th Ohio, Havana,
Iowa, lost his discharge from the above-na
regiment in 1864, and would be pleased to get
it again.
Correcting recent misstatement N. Kash-
land, who lived in San Francisco for years,
says that Col. Baker is not buried in Oakland,
but in Laurel Cemetery, San Francisco.
Mrs. w. NJ. Shaw, South Paris, Me-, wants to
know, by letter, if any other State besides
Maine has Womans State Relief Corps. She
will be grateful for any information concerning
the matter.
D. G. Proctor, COS Howard avenue. Washing
ton, D. c., wishes S. III. Bogardus, 1921 N. Y,
who recently wrote a communication in THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE regarding the service of
the regiment, to tell him by letter in which
issue 1t appeared
Joe Plant, Co. d, 9th Mass, South Coventry
Conn., has complete act of the files of The
NATIONAL TRIBUNE, which he would like to
sell.
Maj. Clifford, 638 Pennsylvania avenue south
east, Washington, who is n member of the
Reserves Association (Bucktails),
reports tho following incidents Just on the
eve of going into the battle Of Fredericksburg,
Va, Daniel Carr, Co. A, 18th Pa. Reserves,
gave his watch to e. Cody. son of Confederate
soldier living at near Fredericksburg, for |
safe.keeping until after the battle. COmrade
Carr never returned for the watch, and it is
supposed that he was killed, wounded or taken |
prisoner. Cody, in whose care the watch was