The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-06
THE REGULAR BRIGADE.
A Comrade Differs with Col. Nudge as to
Its Formation.

A Comrade Differs with Col. Nudge as to
Its Formation.
THOR some time past there has been con.
X siderable controversy about the Regular
| L. Brigade, Army of the Cumberland
First, about the capture of the rebel
battery near Graysville, Ga; and, second, about
the makeup of the brigade most writer's claim
ing that volunteer regiments belonged to it,
although we never heard anything about il
| until that little matter of the capture of the
battery was published in your paper. Then,
the 18th Mich, and how many more don't re-
member, claimed to have belonged to the bri.
gade and had hand in that capture.
from April, 1862, to April, 1865, and was with
the Regular Brigade from the time of its Or
ganization at Nashville, Tenn, until my dis
charge, in 1865, and was never absent from it
during that time, ought to know something
about tat least. In a general way.
Now, about this capture of the battery.
/ was present with my company and remember
well how we fred a volley into their camp and
hearing their cries Of Don't shoot; we sur.
render" and then marching into their camp
aud receiving their surrender. The 18th Inf,
think, took charge of the prisoners, and what
regiment took charge of the guns and camp
equipage l don't know, as our regiment soon
after moved out and marched to Graysvile the
same night. There may have been volunteers
and In such small place as battery camp we
would necessarily have been in close proximity,
and, therefore, / claim the Regular Brigade
captured that battery and they only; and
further claim that the 18th Mich. did not be-
long to the brigade at that time, as is claimed
by one of the writers.
In your issue of Aug. 10, see communica-
tion entitled. "The Regular Brigade" by Com.
rade Melvin Nudge Lieutenant-C Colonel 11th
Mich, giving his version of the history of the
brigade, and am sorry TO see that even an Off
Ger can make mistakes of memory. Right here
let me give mine. Until the Fall of 1862 Say
October or November) the 18th. 10Th, and 10Th
Regulars were brigaded with the 1st Ohio, 9th
Ind, and 9th KY. DIETER known then as the
Louisville LEGION. But, as stated, some time
in those months Il forget the exact date) we
were separated, the volunteer taken out, and
the 18th Regulars added to the 18th, 10th, and
10Th, thus, with battery II. 9th q. S. Art, form
ing the Regular Brigade; and under the Corps
formation we became, / think, the Second Bri-
gade, First Division, Fourteenth Corps and re-
manned as such until the reorganization OF Sher-
mans army. preparatory to his famous march
to tho sea, when we were detached from the
Fourteenth Corps and were sent back to Chat
tanooga. where we were assigned to garrison
duty on Lookout Mountain. l cannot remeEl-
Dor that there was volunteer regiment at
tached to our brigade during all that
time. even temporarily, and if, as Col.
Nudge claims. the 18th Mich. was temper
arily attached to our brigade in front of
Atlanta, it must have been very short time
only, and has entirely slipped my memory. If
80, why was it SO? What became of the brigade
to which the 18th had belonged, and why were
they taken out of it and attached to the Regu-
lars, when their time had 30 nearly expired
they being discharged before the battle of Jones.
boro, as Col. Nudge himself says. He further
L., L..
consisted Of six battaions of the 10th, 18th, and
18th Regulars" ignoring the 10th Regulars al
together), land the 18th Mich" Idoubt either
of the Regular regiments at that time had one
full battalion to the regiment. do know that
the 10th Inf was with us at the time he speaks
of. but don't remember anything of the 18th
Mich. being in our brigade. ! know it was in
the division. dsp
He also says: 'Tt was the largest brigade in
Sherman's army, being equal to seven average
regiments" in which Ithink he is again in
error. We had been all through the campaign
had borne our equal share of fighting and suf-
fered our equal proportion of loss in killed,
wounded, sick and missing and from my own
observation am satisfied that our four regi-
ments were not nearly equal to seven average
regiments. But am glad to have the Colonel
speak so we'll of the charge OF the brigade on
tho rebel works at Atlanta. as | think they
merted all the praise he gives them. But III
that must also take issue with him when he
says, 1.-THE 18th Regulars scaled their main
works." ETC. My recollection of the formation
in that charge is this: Brigade in two lines;
first line, 10Th Inf On right 18th on left;
ond, OR supporting line, 18th OH right 10th on
left; and as saw it, it was the 10Th, and not
10Th. that charged up to the rebel main line.
Boys Of the Regular Brigade, show up if you
are not all mustered out Which is right Col.
Nudge or your humble servant? We may both
DO wrong to an extent, as it is matter of
memory With both Of us.--WM. G. WEBER,