Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-02-04

Told By DIT. John r. Nagel.
The bravest deed within my recollec-
lions of the war was performed by q
member OF the dismounted cavalry,
whose name do not remember. lie did
il in a spirit OF Self-sacriice aud cool
heroism such as rarely can be found In
connection with a desire for nOtoriety or
praise and that explains why he IS
anonymous. The deed was one which
was carried out under peculiarly trying
conditions. IL has not been mentioned
TO my knowledge before, and l hope
that it may fall TO the lot Of this IN
+ known hero 70 see this acknowledge
ment of his act Of bravery.
was az the time, rgeOn-in-chief Of
the diSmOunted cavalry under Colonel
Young NOW of the 4th u. 5. Cavalry
who fell, seriOuely wounded at the Bat
tie Of KernstOwn, few days after the
event 90 which my story relates.
The exact date of the incident was
July Is, 1864. Our regiment formed
part OF the advance thrown ont by Cen
eral Wright from his corps, which num-
bersd $4,000 men. The advance was
composed Of a brigade, under General
ThobOrn.
The enemy, under General Rhodes,
consisting OF an entire division, proved
too much for our inferior numbers.
We were forced 90 retreat.
To explain this story better II is ne
cessary t0 describe the scene OF operas
tiOns. The Federal position was on tho
same side Of the river-the Rappanhan-
mock I think-as the rebels; with the
unfortunate feature that we were be-
tween the enemy and the stream, which
was, however, fOrdable. The opposite
bank rose in uudulating slopes where
90 retreat would be ia safety. Facing
us was open country with a good deal
Of the wooded ground on our right.
Among the trees were the hospital
tents.
BY the time that our forces were be-
ginning 90 wayer before the enemy
daylight had partly given away. The
enemy made a determined assault and
broke through our line, parting IL IN
the middle The left section was
somehow overlooked by them, and
they concentrated their forces TO the
task of driving our right into the river.
This was accomplished. Many reached
the other shore in safety, but hundreds
were drowned In the deep holes that
abOunded there, and many more fell
victims 70 the scathing fire Of shot and
shell that the enemy poured into US.
Being ia charge Of the wounded IL
way my duty TO convey them early In
the combat 20 place OF safety across
the river. While there l witnessed the
deed OF bravery which I wish TO record.
When our men began TO retreat across
the water il was noticed that one OF the
regiments on our left had left It's cOlOrs
on the field. They could be plainly
seen from an elevated position. A dis
mounted cavalryman who had crossed
over saw them.
Without a word, he calmly reforded
the river and deliberately walked be-
tween the lines of fire TO regain posses
sion Of the trophy which would, few
minutes later, have fallen into the enc
my's hands The balls whizzed around
him, but he never hesitated in his firm
resolve 90 save the colOrs. BY a miracle
be escaped unhurt.
We saw him pick the precious draper
les from the ground and wind them
around his body. Then, as deliberately
as be had gone % their rescue, he walk
ed back again; passed safely through
the hall Of bullets and recrOSSed the
river.
was called away to attend nv pa
tieuts at that mome0t. There was moro
work for me tbs Z / could dispose Of.
The opportunity of Identifying my hero
had gone, and was unable 20 find him
afterwards. But the colOrs were saved.
They belonged 70 the 10th Ohio Regi-
ment JOHN T. NAGEL-