The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-12-29
A MEDAL OF HONOR.
Who Is Entitled TO the Credit of Capturing
the Cannon7


A T the battle of Averysboro, N. c.,
"a March 10. 1865 Cos. and @ of the
105th III. were deployed az skirmsh-
ers in front of the brigade COM
manded by Gen. Harrison, now President. The
brigade consisted of the following regiments:
10th Ind. 18th Ohio, 1924, lo5th, and 10th Ill
Our skirmish-line developed a strong line Of
the enemy, and were held at bay for few
minutes by the Johnnies, who were desperately
in earnest, as they were in the last ditch"
Myself and two comrades fOrvilie III. Taplin
and David J. Thomas) had advanced some dis
lance ahead of our line, and discovered one
piece of battery of six guns which the enemy
were trying to Withdraw. We made rush for
the gun, and by quick, decisive action drove
the gunners away and remained by the piece
until il was captured from US by an off,
Ger Of one of the regiments in our brigade,
which was lust then making a charge on the
rebel breastworks.
This officer ran ahead Of his command, and
with drawn sword commanded Us to surrender.
/ said: II is safe enough to take gun from
your own men, but you might have had more
fun IL you had come just little faster aud ar
rived a minute sooner"
A few minutes later, as we were again adj
vanciug / found road leading into the rebel
works, and could see the butternuts load
ing and firing their guns. Being alone at this
LltDS, anu tu8HAluR the DuliSIS WeTo COM
ing entirely too thick for comfort, / made a
dive for stump, which was too small for my
use; but being there to stay. l Rugged the
ground closely, and escaped with wound in my
shoulder that afterwards proved TO be quite seri-
GUS My coat, hat and knapsack were riddled
TO pieces My dilapidated appearance was fun
for the boys, but by order of Col. z. +. button
/ was hauled In an ambulance until we got
near Goldsboro. From there to Washington
my equipment consisted of one poncho blanket ;
had TO borrow gun from some comrade lin
another regiment) to "turn overD when mus
tered out of the service at Bladensburg
Maj. Blanding, the officer in command OF the
LIST S. G. ii. A.. was killed near the gun we capt
ured. Corp'l James Fay 1--WE used to call him
Casey, Of my company, took silver mounted
revolver from its holsters in the Majors belt,
and no doubt has il yet, If still living
Ny company had several men wounded in
this engagement. but believe none we're killed.
The survivors Of the regiment are growing old.
Many of them are scattered over the country
west of the Missouri River, each in bis locality
trying to make living aud home for his
family. Many are bearing heavy burdens re-
sulting from service in defense of the flag OF
our Union. Cheer up. bays grateful, patriotic
people will never cease TO show their regard for
the men who met the EARNED rebellion" and
whipped them back into the Union. think
we did the right thing. and did it CALAMITY,
especially in this fight and some one deserves
special commentator for taking that gun from
the rebels Comrades. is it the three boys oil
Co. g. or the officer who captured it from them 7
u. Rock WILLIAMSON, Sergeant Co. @. I05th
| ILL.,, First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth
Corps Humboldt, Neb.