The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-08-09
ATRYING SITUATION.
Signaling the Presence of Forrest in the
Face of Almost sure Death.

Alta meeting of II. p. Merrill Post. 40,
Depat tment Of Michigan Bay City, Mich,
Comrade George W. Butteriield, Co b, I'D
Mich related an incident Of more than
usual interest which happened June I, 1853,
about I o'clock p. m lie was attached to
the Signal Corps and stationed about IS
miles south from Nashville, near Franklin,
Tenn, on the Harpeth River.
The point was accupied by small force
OF observation distributed along the bank OF
the river, and commanded by Col. Baird.
Pickets were posted at the end ofthe bridge
on the opposite side of the stream, and the
signal station was an elevated Platform in
full view or the river and in communication
with another signal station three miles dis
tant, toword Nashville. where there was
considerably larger Union force.
The rebels occupied Columbia, short
distance away, with a strong force. About
o'clock in the afternoon the picket posts.
stationed at the end of the bridge across the
river, was ATTACKED and retired bringing
with them prisoner. who reported Forrest
preparing to attack with 1000 men,,
After exchanging a few shots with the
enemy Col Baird rode up and directed
Lieut. Howgate to signal the next station
the presence of the enemy in force and ask
for reinforcements.
Lieut.. Howgate, after preparing the mes
sage, called for volunteer to signal the mes.
sage Private Johnson volunteered. and
seiIiny the flag mounted the platform, but
before he had attained standing position
the rebels fred full volley and Johnson
fell, pierced with six bullets.
Another call was made for a volunteer to
take his place. But the exposed position,
the force of the enemy and their evident
purpose to prevent the signaling made the
attempt hopeless. and certain death to the
man attempting it:
private then suggested TO Col. Baird who
was standing by that It was but three miles
to the next signal station, and a man might
ride there in 10 minutes. Col. Baird &C.
cepted the suggestion and dispa ched a
mounted man with the message at once.
After about l5 minutes the messenger re-
turned. hatless. his horse in foam, and re-
ported strong force Of the enemy between
the stations, and he was unable to deliver
his message.
Col Baird then said the signal must be de-
livered. Lieut. Howgate then directed the
five men of his station to draw cuts, and
marked figures to 5 on slips Of paper. No.
| to Nag The signals. No. was drawn first,
then No. 2, and then Comrade Butterheld
drew No. /. II was nearly the first time he
had heard the whistle II bullet, being
new in the field. The next day he would be
20 years of age. and what seemed 10 him
, the certainty of death made the situation a
trying one and for the m 'ment. unnerved
/ him and made him speeches.. But after
moment he recovered himself and signaliz'
ed his determination to make the effort
Taking of his coat and seizing the flag. be
mounted the platform and was greeted with
a storm OF lead. But he waved the flag and
signaled the message. though before its con-
cluson battery had joined the musketry
Dire and was hurling shells at the operator.
As the last word was delivered by the way.
ing flag Butterfield fell in faint from the
platform, and was picked up by his COM
rades as dead An examination, however
showed that his body was unscathed. Four
bullets had passed through his trousers.two
through his sleeve the top OF his cap was
shot away, and the flag was struck BY i42
bullets 1t was more than week before
| nervous shock he had sustained, but he was
consoled with the fact that he had delivered
| the message without single mistake, and
that timely help arrived and drove Forrest
| from the fisld,-M. M.AspREws in National
| Tribune