The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-01-25

before the order reached II to retire. II had
been left alone Tor some time, the troops on
the right and left having retired to the rear.
When the coors were seized its Colonel (Ja'
cob G. Frck) was near the Color-Guard its
Lieutenant. Colonel (William n. Armstrong;
in the hands of the enemy, to escape a few
minutes later in the confusion caused by
the fire of our batteries and its Major Jos.
eph Anthony, supposed to be mortally
wounded, was being carried from the field
Capt. John Stoneback of Co. n, rushed
TO the rescue of the colors. lie was tall,
powerfully built man or dark complexion.
The sword-thrust aimed by him at the fore.
most rebel was turned aside by the Colonel,
who desired to take him prisoner, but was
followed by blow from the captains fist,
which staggered the audacious Johnny and
in the rush then made by other brave men
Of the guard (the names Of whom have es
capped mel, the colors were retaken, and
the prisoners captured marched to the
rear
The thickness of the underground delay
ed those carrying the wounded Major, as
well as the Color. Guard, aud when the
Gag was seized all near rallied TO its rescue
You published in your issue of Aug. IL q
mess OF silly stuf about the affair from the
pen OF W.N. Williams, which has so far "a IL
relates to the colo,s and movement of the
regiment, not the slightest foundation in
fact.
In the first place. Matt Quay had no regi
mcnt. He resigned as Colonel of the l3itb
regiment prior to the battle of Fredericks-
burg, Dec: H. 1862. The l3tth was gallant.
ly led at the battles of Fredericksburg and
Charlottesville by Leut.-C Edward ".
Brien The l3ith was nowhere near the
l20th, nor were the colors Of the l3ith near
that regiment. Mr.. Williams does not
know what he is talking about when he
says, 1--WE were ordered to retreat. and in the
movement our regiment became somewhat
diSintegrated on account OF not under
standing orders" Tire truth is we had no
orders to retreat, and therefore held our
ground long after all Of the regiments of
the brigade on our right, as well as French's
Division on our left, has retired. What
was the Color-Bearer OF the l3ith doing
there in our ranks? IL is all miserable rot
had no orders to retire, and only did 80
after having been notified twice-once by
the Captain of Co. A and again by the Ad.
jutant-that the enemy had already passed
by my right and was getting in my rear.
Then, that might frustlate the evident
purpose OF the enemy to capture my regi.
ment tJok the responsibility to retire
without orders, The command to face by
the rear rank was given clearly and dis.
tinctly-my voice was very strong and loud
the General of the brigade stating in his
official report that he could hear it above the
din of battle-and think no one failed to
hear it. The regiment marched in perfect
order to the rear and there was no misunder.
standing of the order and no dsintegration
In our march to the rear the attempt was
made TO capture and carry off the colors OF
the 18th but the attempt was sigually de-
feated by the brave men of the 10Th. Capt
Stoneback displayed great gallantry on the
occasion. One Of the audacious rebels would
have felt the point of his sword had | not
promptly struck II to one side. He then
used his powerful sledge. e.hammer fist and
sent his antagonist sprawling to the ground.
These are the facts pure and simple. with
out fur her elato ut on I'll c e o e conclude
and repeat that l, is m're rot TO talk about
Matt Quav's rIs IN mt an the iiag of the
l34th in connection with the episode OF
capturing and recapturng the colors of the
l29 at Chancellorsville May g. lS63.-J. G.
FRICK in National Tribunen