The National tribune., 1894-11-22
RESCUED HIS BODY.
Devotion TO Their Colonel Led to Noble
Sacrifices by the 9TH Pa. Cav.

Devotion TO Their Colonel Led to Nobl
Sacrifices by she 4th Pa. Cav.
| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: wish t.
relate something about the battle of st
Mary's Church, June "a, 1864. There ar,
circumstances attending this battle which
could never be forgotten by any of the com
rades, who were there or not, on the account
of the death of our brave Col. George III
| CovOde. Ii ever there was a Colonel In tn,
army who was beloved by his soldiers il
was honest Geo. II. ICovode. 1t was Boys
let us make charge on that line and take
| TT; or, Boys, have you all plenty to eat
| Can | do anything more for you? Are
your clothing and arms all right?"
Who of the comrades could 20 back or
such q man as that? The boys fought tc
the last to secure his body. The killed
wounded and missing in this battle were 81
men, and only about 300 of the regiment
was In the engagement.
The Second Division, Cavalry Corps, COM
manded by Gen. d. Mem. Gregg, was attacked
by two divisions of rebel cavalry and one
of infantry. Alter a desperate resistance we
retired to new positions, but each time we
were Outfanked and compelled to retreat
Among the killed was our beloved and gal
liant Col. Covode.
Several attempts were made to carry the
body of our dying Colonel from the field.
One was made by Serg't Rankin, of Co. b.
He was wounded and Compelled to retire.
Another one was made by Capt. George w.
Wilson, Co. H; Lieut. w. H. Slick, Co d;
J. n. Tautlinger, Co. ID, and others.
The body was placed on a litter of rails,
and the bearers had retreated but short
distance, when they, TOO, were compelled to
abandon the attempt Capt. Wilson was
ielled by blow from rebel musket, and
was captured. Darkness only put an end 10
the un, quail contest.
During the night the division retired and
joined the Cavalry Corps at Haxall's Land
ing, on the james River. On The following
day Gen. Sheridan crossed to the north side
of the river, where we remained about two
weeks.
On the 4th of July Hon. John Covode,
father of our lamented Colonel, visited our
camp TO learn par ,iculars of the sons death,
and, if possible to recover his body. Lieut..
Paul called on Mr.. Covode at Gen. j. Irwin
Gregg's Headquarters and volunteered to
enter the enemy's lines, and, if possible, get
the Colonefs body. Gen. Gregg said he
could not detail the Lieutenant on such a
dangerous mission as entering the enemy
lines, but would give him letter to Gen.
ID. Mem. Gregg, division commander, who
gave Lieut.. Paul note addressed to Gen.
Sheridan, corps commander, asking that
Lieut.. Paul be allowed to 20 on his errand
of mercy.
The Lieutenant started on his Journey the
same day, after dark. The following COM
rades accompanied him: Serg'is Sam King,
Co. l.; II. NJ Kerr, Co. f, aud Albert Mar
tin Co. ID. Gen. Sheridan, after reading
Gen. Gregg's note, said he would not pre-
vent the Lieutenant from entering the
enemy's lines. He also reminded the Lien
tenant of the result in case of capture. He
ordered transport to take the party across
the river, and to return them when the adj
venture was concluded, ifthey were alive.
The party crossed. The enemy's picket
line WAS about eight miles from the river.
The Lieutenant prOceeded,in very cautious
manner. AS they neared the picket line
they saw the reflection of the fires. S-rg'ts
Kerr and King dismounted, and taking to
The woods on each side of the road crawled
to the line, where they saw three rebs fast
asleep. This was the enemy's outpost. The
Sergeants did not disturb the watchful oc-
cnpants. After a short consultation they
retraced heir steps and took road leading
to the left of the pickets. {
Alter going some distance inside the lines
the squad healed for the main road again.
Alter going three or Tour miles they came
across two of their dead comrades, who had
been killed in the fight Of the 9th nit; also,
two of their wounded, who had b. en- with
out attendance during the nine or 10 days.
Their wounds were full of mag ots, aud they
were in pit,able condition, indeed, and if
help had not come soon it would have been
too late. AS they passed on they saw others
of their dead comrades.
At last they came to a log cabin near
where the ColonePs body had been left.
They awoke the colored man, described the
ColonePs peculiarites, when lie took the de-
tail 10 the spot where Lieut.. Paul Temem-
bered the Colonel had been lett. The Lieu
tenant and party removed the slight cover
ing of earth, and at once recognized the
Colonel by his peculiarly formed teeth aud
flannel shirt. The latter was an odd pat
tern. having been made at his fathers mills
at Ligonier, Pa.
The detail returned with the body to the
river shortly after daylight. The following
night Lieut.. Panl started with detail OF
81 men and ambulance and secured the
wounded men above mentioned. Lieut..
Paul for his persistency and bravery was
promoted to Major. Col. Covode was buried
near Ligonier. where the bodies of his wife
and parents rest.-W. c. YARD, Co. K, 4th
Pa. Cav, Omaha, Neb.