Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21

Durfee, Grim and a man whose name is '.un-
known"
Ricketts, battery came directly in front of
company of the first Minnesota and gave the
enemy couple of rounds OF grape and
canister, which threw them into the utmost
confusion Merritt and mis- companions took
advantage OF this to advance on color bearer.
Merritt commanded him to surrender and
seized the colors. As he did so Durfee said:
Sergeant, when you take il hold on to it. ;"
The party then ran for the regiment. but the
confederates rallying pursued, firing volley
which killed Grim and the unknown. The
next volley killed Durfee and wounded Merritt
in the leg. Another bullet went through the
breast pocket of Merritt's shirt and shivered
his pipe in pieces. He dropped his gun. but
held on to the flag, running fast as it was
possible with Eounded leg. Before he had
gone far ne was hit on the head apparently
with the stock of mushet. 1t knocked him
down, but did not knock him senseless. The
confederates pulled the flag from his hands
and fell back on the run.
The first Minnesota regiment suffered the
largest loss of any regiment on the First Bull
Run field and later in the war, at the battle OF
Getty sDurg, suffered. the greatest regimental
loss in my battle in proportion to the number
engaged.
Merritt. assisted by Dudley, who was unhurt,
manaS ed to escape FROM the field in the general
rout. With some difficulty lie obtained a place
and lay down next fat man and they
quarreled some about the space they were
each entitled to. After awhile the fat man
became quiet and Merritt sought more COM
Portable, attitude by placing his head on the
fat mans stomach, and as the latter made no
objection some OF the others in the wagon
followed his example. and Merritt in telling
the story said he felt somewhat mean because
he had quarreled with such kind and obig-
ing fellow. All night they rode in this manner
do lurht gu e .lt.AN
had been using dead man for a pillow.
Reaching Washington. Merritt remained in
hospital for about thirty days, when he re-
covered from his wound and rejoined his regi-
nsent in Maryland. He served with gallantry
during the remainder Of the war and took part
in all the battles of the famous second CORPS,
Army OF the Potomac.
Many years after the war Merritt received
The following letter;
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WAsHGNGroN, April /, 1850.
Sir: transmit to you the inclosed medal Of
honor, winch, as the inscription shows. is from
tine Congress to Sergt. John Ct. Merritt, COM
pany X, first Minnesota volunteers"
This medal Is awarded 10 you under the pro-
visions of law for gailantry at the battle of
Bull Run in July, 1861, where you we're
wounded while III advance of your regiment
In connection with this award | find occasion
to remember with renewed pleasure and graft
tude the patriotism OF Miunescta's citizens who
in answer TO my call as governor, at the first
dawn of the war period, vaiiantly responded
with cheers, the trumpets and the drums of the
first minnesota regiment, OF which you were a
mc1aber.
ALEX. Ramsey,
Secro .ary of War.
Samuel T. Pingrec, company E, third YER
mont infantry. For bravery in action at Lees
Mills, Va, april lG, 1862. This Vermont regi-
ment riyaod She celebrated English beef
rs, ha
feet ten and half inches i'll height aud I61
pounds III weight. Under the leadership Of
Capt. Pingree, who was wounded twice during
the Eight, four companies, ID, L, + and X.
fordsd the Warwick river AT Lees Mills, one of
the dOfenscs o. Yorktown in the face OF a ter
rife lire and not being we'll supported were
driven back with loss of 81 killed and
wounded out of 1872
A GALLANT MAJOR.
Thomas ". Hyde, major seventh Maine in
iantry, distinguished bravery at Anticta Nd,
September II, 1862.
Finding it necessary TO dislodge the enemy's
sharpshooters. who were annoying Union bat
terry of four Napoleon guns, whiie the battery
was in full play, Co. Wu. H. Irwin ordered the
seventh Maine out for that purpose. The
seventh advanced in front OF the skirmishers
of the brigade on the lef.. The major threw
Oul SAlFIiiSuerS ana soon drove In those of the
enemy from the edge of a corntield and hol-
low IN front of timber. The battalion was
ordered forward and as the enemy opened fire
on 1t from the front aud left flank a charge
was ordered, and with fixed bayoaets the
men rushed forward with a cheer, led by the
gallant ma Or. 4 body Of the enemy in an
orchard to the left being faNhed broke and
ran. Those directly in front, behind haystacks
and outbuildugs. also broke and their colors
having fallen the seventh pushed on up the
hill 10 secure them. when a rebel regiment
suddenly rose from behind a stone wall on it,;
right, poured in a volley and at the same time
they double-quicked around to the left to GU:
OF the retreat. Those in front seeing the
small number of the Union troops had rallied
and advanced in force. Looking back a2d sec
ing no support, 80 escape being surrCun ied
Maj Hyde marched the regiment By the lett
flank. formed them Oh q crest in the orchard,
poured yoi!ey into those who were endeay-
oriEg 10 cut of the retreat, and faced those
IL front. There the regiment received Il severe
fire from three directions. A rebe! battery
opened on them wish grape and they met with
heavy loss. but were shielded some by the
trees of the orchard. Having disposed of most
of their cartridges the regiment retreated
through the orchard, gave the rebs another
yolIcy as they attempted 20 follow, which drove
them back. and cloS'n, up on their colors tho
remnant Of the regiment marched back in
good order to their Old position on the left of
the third brigade. The affair had lasted per-
h1pS thirty minutes The color sergeant was
killed and all the color guards shot but one.
who brought off the rcgimenjal fag, rddIed
with bullets. OF the ISL mon who went into
action Il were killed, 63 wounded and 20
missing.
Thomas ". Greig. second lieutenant com
c, sixty-frst New York infantry. Clinton
Guard.' For daring bravery and capture OF
the flag OF the fourteenth Alabama egiment at
Antletam.
The siE;y-first might well be called the alma
mater OF some o. the abless soldiers OF the war.
Maj. Gen. Francis e. Barlow, Mnj. Gen. Nell
son \. Miles, Brig Gen. George W. Scott were
its coionels. Ii captured two stands of colors
ut Autictaru.
Frank NJ. Whitman. private company &.
thIrty-fifth Massachusetts. for distinguished
services al Autetam and Spottsylvania.
Major Sidney Willard was in command 0s The
thirty fifth at AEtietam and was killed while
cheering on hls men. The regiment lost AZ
killed, 100 wounded and 6missing III this battle.
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