The National tribune., 1894-02-08
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades All Along the
Line.
First Naval Expedition.

ing EpaHOko iHc ods, S'is
Wright, embarked on three small steamers
and came down to attack the 20th Ind, sta
toned at Chicamcomico n. G. The rebs
had TO wade about three miles to get to the
snore, and most of them got their ammuni-
,ion wet. They were about 1000 strong.
The Goth Ind. retreated down the beach TO
Cape Hatteras, 81 miles.
During the retreat Col. Wright saw
straggler in the marsh, who proved to be
Sergeant of the Goth Ind. He fired at Col.
Wright, who charged after him on horse
back. The Sergeant, in reloading, in his
hurry, did not get the paper off the cart
ridge, and his gun missed fire as Col. Wright
WAS close up TO him, and the Sergeant sur
rendered. Col. Wright afterward said that
that was the bravest man he ever saw.
"The Goth Iud. retreated to Cape Hat
teras There they met Col. Hawkins 9th
N. ", who seemed anxious TO meet the
Georgians. But the Monticello put in an
appearance, sheled the JohnDies and drove
them back, q very d snrgsnzed lot scattered
for miles. The Monticello was not very
sparing of her ammunition, and fired when
ever any of the Johnnies were i'll sight, who
were glad tn get back to their steamers and
put back to Roanoke Island. There was a
report that a number of the Georgians were
killed by the shells of The Monticello. The
beach would not average over half mile
wide, and was very destitute of trees nearly
all the distance.
have lived in that neighborhood quite
a number OF years, and write this as l have
heard 1t told over and over again by the
residents there to me, and know it is cor
rect. The people were highly incensed at
the treatment they received from those
GeOrgians, who put broken glass in their
meal barrels, ripped open feather beds, and
also shot citizen at KenDakelt who was
deaf But the residents there praise the
men Of the ooh Ind, who are all well
spoken OF, even to this day, by those loyal
people who live there close by the sea"
What Butler Didn't DO.
"P0tomac" writes: " am very much in
terested in Conlrade Welch's defense of Gen.
Butler against the effort made to disparage his
great talent as a soldier. But what amused
me very much was the quotation of Gen.
Buffers book, in which the author says that
wnen he arrived at City Point he WAS
tempted TO take command of the troops iii
person that night, and lead them into Rich
mOnd.' What an expression for man who
claimed to he a General about the matter,
when that was his duty to take charge in
person. What was he there for? 1t is a
pity that he did not yield to that tempta-
ton. We would have forgiven him that
sin, for it would have saved the lives of
many men of the Army of the Potomac
which were sacrificed to retrieve the plumbers
of such humbug Generals as Butler, who
lacked both the capacity to handle troops as
well as the nerve to put down insubordina-
ton of his subordinates, against whom he
.har uaH ba f..Iiu fD piah
which was within their grasp. | should
like 10 know what good tine 10000 men under
him accomplished? While Comrade WeIch
is explaining, / would like to know why
Gen. Butler moved towards Petersburg on
the 9th of May. and not towards Richmond,
as ordered by Gen. Grant, when he admits
that he knew the defenseless condition of
the place on the 5th of May"
Contract Surgeons.
P. P. W., Putnam, Conn, writes In your
issue of Jan. IL appeared an article from j.
ID. III. champOning the cause of the con-
tract Surgeons. l want to take issue with
J. ID. II. There was no law at any time pre-
venting these M. DIS from joining the serv-
ice, and by 20 doing enjoying all the pay and
benefits of Assis ant Surgeons and Surgeons
with chances of promotion in medical staff
That they preferred the contract system,
short me and good pay, to a commission,
is evident; that the pay WAS in all respects
equal to the services rendered in the hOspi-
tails is also a matter of fact. Many poor
wounded soldier has gone into wooden
oveIcoat at the hands of these noble con-
tract Surgeons or suffered untold agOnies
because OF their want OF skill aud LACK of
good horse sense, coupled with inattentiOn to
their duties"
Information.
Charles Marsh, Co. III, h n. Y. Fl. A,
Eagle Lake, Mimi, writes: q" should like to
know if the man is living whom | carried
off the field the 18th Of June, 1864 in front
of Petersburg. We Charged a forlOrn hope;
had TO retreat, every one for himself, under
Calling fire. Just ahead of me was u SOL
der, shot through the left thigh he drop
prd aud as | passed him he said: For Gon's
sake, don't leave me!' l turned, took him
on my back, and after a struggle got him
over the ditch and through the hedge then
got three of our own company, with q
blanket, and started to the rear We met
our Commissary- Sergeant with whisky for
the wounded, secured some for him, went on
till we reached an ambulance, where we left
him.
Why Don't They Writer
Mark, alias Frank Thomas, Ontario, Can
ada, has not seen any thing about the 10Uth
n. Y. for long time. He would particular
ly like to read something about Capt. Head
or Lieut.. Peter Kelly. He wants Joseph
Bailey, William Brown, John Smith, or
others of Co. A, TO write to him.
OF Interest to Some One.
Gen. J. p. Taylor, Readsville, Pa, has in
his possession brass medal or marker,
which was evidently attached to key ring
or some other piece of property, and which
is stamped on one side: VIM. Baker, Co. K,
LIST N. j. Cav"
Homes for Settlers.
G. Kneuster Maryville, Mo-, offers good
inducement to some one 10 either rent run,
or work for roller mill will give respon-
sible party with some money to invest q
chance to go into good paying business
that is well established.
r. d. Barber, ST. James, Mo-, says that
Phelps County is an excellent place for old
soldiers. There is Post already estab-
lished there. Its productions climate, soil,
and water are exceptionally fine. He
will cheerfully answer inquiries inclosing
stamps.
1t is suggested that comrades who are
desirOus of giving such information spare
themselves the labor of so much letter writ
ing, and for few cents have printed large
number of copies of the information cover
ing the whole ground.-EDIToR NATIONAL
tribune