The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-20
A BRAVE SOLDIER.
The Recovery of the Body of a Soldier Killed
at Cypress Creek, Ark.

The Recovery of the Body of a Soldier Killed
at Cypress Creek, Ark.
Army of the Republic at Washington,
ID. c., brought 10 light many facts not
heretofore known By the surviving
relatives Of soldier killed in the war for the
defense of the Union. A one-armed soldier,
named Scott, from Eureka Springs Ark, was
showing TO two strangers an old canteen that
he got from his brother, who, while member
of New York regiment, had found it hanging
on cannon. Scott, without knowing il, was
exhibiting the relic 20 a brother of an officer
who gave his life 10 preserve his country from
disunion and destruction. From Scott was
learned the quarters of Lieut.. c. NJ. Greene,
formerly of Co. B, Sd Ark. Cav. who, with
Mai. T. S. Clarkscn, recovered the brothers
body from the hands OF the enemy, and from
Lieut.. Greene IL was ascertained where Mai.
4. S. Clarkson, Postmaster at Omaha, Neb.,
Junior Vice Commander Of the Grand Army
could be found, both of whom gave some par
ticulars not previously received in the letters
to the family from Col. Ryan.
William Hotchkiss Ritter son of Nathan
and Elizabeth Ritter, and brother of Y. T..
Ritter. of Brooklyn, y. Y, and ID. A. Ritter,
Washington, d. C., was born in New Haven
Sept 10, 1888, and previous to enlistment had
lived in Hartford, Boston, New York. SAUCER
ties, and Brooklyn, anG rcSlocd at Inc latter
place when the war began.
At the first call of President Lincoln for 75-
600 men TO aid in the defense OF the Nation s
Capital. Lieut.. Ritter joined April 10. 1861, Co.
ID. Capt 0ttiwell's company, 18th n. Y, under
command of Col. Daniel Butterfeld and served
with the egiment at Washington aud in Yir-
GINA until its return Aug. ), 1861. With few
friends he enlisted again, to join Gen. Fremonts
Body Guard at st. Louis; but before their
arrival at St Louis Gen. Fremont was recalled
and Ritter. with his friends, Joined the famous
Merrilrs Horse of Missouri, cavalry reg iment
1000 strong, under command of Col. Lewis
Merrill, Captain Of the Regul.,' Army who
was soon promoted TO Brgad Ter General The
regiment was organized at 81. Louis in Septem-
ber, 1861. and was composed of three ompanes
recruited in Cincinnati, three in northwest
Missouri, two in Michigan, one in ST. Louis,
and one of men from Michigan, New York,
ard Missouri
Ritter joined Co. G. and WAS promoted May
], 1863, from Corporal to battalion Sergeant
Major Co. G was the escort or body-guard of
Gen. Dav idsop. who, with his 1900 cavalry
alone captured Little Rock by crossing the
river ten miles below aud lighting his way to
the city. Ritter described in a letter dated
Sept L. 1863, the part he took; AS our army
advanced on both sides of the river took an
American flag. with six of the escort, Oh the
bank OF the river 10 show Gen. Steele opposite
how far our men had got up The river. We
kept on line with our skirmishers SAW hard
fighting and heard bullets and shells whistle
about as close as they generally go and not hit.
Two of cur cannons were captured aud again
recaptured within 20 feet of me. while did
nothing but sit Oh my horse and keep the Gag
all right. i think the rebels didn't like the
Stars and Stripes, for they sent their lead very