The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-16
LOTS OF POWDER WASTED
A Maine Comrade Tells of Battle between
Union Troops.

A Maine Comrade Tells of q Battle between
Union Troops.
"HE following affair which came under
my personal observation, shows how
Il much shooting can be done without
killing:
In the Fall of 1863 the First Brigade, Second
Division, First Corps, composed of the 18th and
39th Mass, 10th Pa. 104th n. Y. and 18th
Me-, was camped near Bealton, Va. About
noon on Nov. 81 q mounted man came rushing
into camp, shouting "Guerrillas!" causing an
unusual alarm. Our regiment, being nearest
the scene. fell into line on the run, in the
shortest possible time, and started in pursuit
in the direction of Warrenton, forming COM
pany and regmental organization on the move.
1t was wet day, but after race of mile or
two We came up with small supply train
which had been captured by Mosby's men, who
had cut the animals loose and escaped, leaving
the wagons in an old field near the timber.
Our regiment returned to camp, leaving our
company aud another under command of the
Lieutenant-Colonel to guard the wagons until
fresh teams came to remove them. Arms were
stacked, and the men lounged around the
wagons, till all at once a squadron of cavalry
came in sight short distance away, when the
scene became lively again. The mistake was
mutual each took the other for the rebel guer-
rillas. Our men flew to arms, and the cavalry
formed for q charge. In less time than it
pell- nell, shouting and firing, the mud from
the feet of their horses flying in air. Our men,
without orders, at least heard none, fell back
short distance into cover of the timber. My
attention was fixed intently On the movement
of the cavalry, and the first thing heard from
my comrades was a rafting volley from the
rear. There l stood for moment between the
two fires in ridiculous position, decidedly
uncomfortable, until a shout few yards to my
left and rear attracted my attention. Seth
Seavey, of my company had taken position
in clump of trees and beckoned me to join
him, which / was not slow to do. The brave
fellow afterward fell shot dead, at Spottsylva-
MIA on the fatal 10th of May 1864 When 1
Joined him he had fired his gun, and was trying
in vain to reload before the horsemen reached
u.s. begging me at the same time not to shoot
until / was sure
Previous to that time had been detailed to
shoot beeves, and was good shot, Seavey
and myself were the only ones of our COM
mand in sight of the cavalry, who were max
ing straight for us, led by officer several
yards in advance of his command. We felt
certain they were rebels, although clothed in
Federal uniform. That was no new trick with
the men of Mosby, and my thought was to
shoot the leader and escape into the timber
aud join my command. Pausing moment to
make certain OF my aim, raised my rifle and
took deliberate aim at the breast of the leader
but cannot describe my feelings for a moment
that followed, as my piece missed fire, and in
Jump or two he was beside us, with drawn
saber eyes flashing shouting aud demanding
the namo of our regiment. He was unable to
reach us, OH account of the trees that protected
u.s. We told him our regiment and asked his,
feeling greatly relieved to learn that it was the
1st n. j. Cav. His men at once matted, and
drew out the fire from our comrades in the
timber, who were keeping up a heavy fire all
tho time. quickly took circuit around them
to avoid their FIRE, and came up in the rear,
acauaintng them with the mistake. They at
first doubted me- and asked me how came to
be in the rear, which was explained, and they
ceased firing and went out and met the cavalry,
when the officers had lively set-to, censuring
each other for bringing on the fight. Strange
as il may seem,-there were from 100 to 200
men engaged, and several hundred shots fred,
Il believe but one man was hurt, and he, Ed
ward Sibley, of my company, was but slightly
wounded I should be glad to know the name
of the officer came so shooting, and to
know if he realized how narrowly he escaped
death He was large, tall young man, with
dark beard, / think. l have thought many
times what terrible thing it would have been
if had hurt him.-H. +. ANDREWS Co. ID,
18th Me- Audubon, Iowa.