The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1894-02-24

cry ono felt like hugg3ng him for his
brave act. Lon Mock marched no more
with us In that campais1A The result OF
his cNerhon was a severe cold, and he
gradually went down TO his grave and
survived the war but a short time. His
brave act in front OF Petersburg has not
been forgottcn. however, and every sprine
when his comrades strew his grave with
flowers the story OF his hcrolsm is rotold
by thuSe who personally knew OF the aC-
ton. lie never received promotion, and
his hcroism Is only one OF the many brave
deeds done by our volunteer soldiers which
never saw any other reward than the
gratitude OF their comrudes.
W. a Stone,
The coolest bravery l witnessed during
my terms Of service at Leesburg, Mo. Gen
cral 1'Jm Ewing, with a battalion OF the
Fourteenth Iowa Veteran Infantry. mum
ocrng loo men. and 10 or so Missouri
safe militia, We're forced to evacuate Plot
Knob by the advance OF Marmauuke's ana
Sne,Oy's commands said 90 number S0OV
or iutJ, EWING attempted TO reach Roila
when ne evacuated f"ot Knob After a
running fight OF twcnty-foUr hours, his
ured and hungry htle command. being
pressed in flank and rear took refuge ia
d deep cut OF the railroad ~ the village OF
Leesours at dark
Inc lines of the enemy We're drawn we'll
about the belsaglred nt.te command. The
commands OF the enemy we're plainly
heard While adjusting their lines for. as
general h wing believed, night attack, In
front OF the oe4edBurvd forces and inside
OF the advance lines OF the enemy was a
large barn with several hay stacks sur
rounding It, General Ewing called for a
volunteer from the trenches TO steal in
side and ,hrolgh the enemy'S lines and set
lire TO the barn and hay stacks IN oriler 10
ugn; up the ned in front Of the be.cagured
ultie band and about the lines OF the
enemy Earl j. Lamson. corporal OF
company Is. Fourteenth Iowa, offered him
self as the desired incendiary. / warned
him OF the imminent danger OF such an
undertaking ana the few chances OF e.
cape from capture or death. He replied,
~ fully comprehend the danger but Cen
eral Ewing believes 1t necessary for the
safety OF this command thar the barn shall
be fired, and j can't do my country a bet
ter service than TO attempt to perform
the service" lie stripped himself stole
was soon lost to sight As we waited with
bated breath for the result seconds seemed
minutes and minutes hours Soon. however,
commotion was discovered among the
euemys troops, and about the same time
a twink,ing light was discovered in the
upper part OF the barn through n gable
window. About The same tne shots IN
Vulnerable were heard and the noise OF
tramping men was carried 10 us ON the
night air. In the midst Of the noise aud eX-
fcitenen. Lamson came bounding toward
the railroad cut with the speed Of race
horse. As he leaped ever tho blrucaGe
thut had bcel lastlly erected on the brink
OF the cIt, ne drew long breath and said,
shes well fired, hoys" by the time he
reached his comrades the fire wss going
in full force and the whole grounds sur
rounding the railroad cut wc.e lighted up
so that with our nuskets ann two Parrot
guns we had with us we were soon able
10 beat Marmaduke pack out OF range
The may buraed nearly all riEht and mann
t1iucl a light 50 thc garrison was saved
from capture. Daylight came and the
enemy was kept at bay until Colonel Beve-
ridge arrived from Rol!a with reinforce
mcnts and Ewing conducted his brave
is alive and resides at West Superior. WIS
W. s. Lucas