The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-24
AS TOLD BY CONGRESSMAN W. A. STONE.

Our regiment, the 18th Pa, when We were
in the virglniu swamps just previous TO the
hattie Of Petersburg, had charged into piece
OF woods and recaptured q rifle pit which had
been taken from our forces by the Conleder'
Gtes. 1t began to rain furiously just as We
drove the enemy out and got possession.
Right in front Of our company the pit took
sharp turn. A few rails, logs and limbs OF
trees had been thrown down and dirt piled
upon them from both sides The ground
was very swampy and the rain soon formed
quite depth Of water ON each side in the
trench The Conlederltes kept up brisk
fire, and We mad to settle down In the mud
and water to obtain any protection. Night
came on and the rain and the firing still kept
up.
About midnight it was discovered that
the water was washing the earth away in
front and that il was necessary for somo one
to get over and shovel on new covering at
the angle in front of us, or otherwise our pro-
tection would soon be gone. Captain Hart,
then commanding the company which lay at
that point, hesitatcd to order Il detail, and
called for some one TO volunteer to engage in
the dangerous work. The enterprise was not
only dangerous, but it was hundred chances
to one that tine person attempting it would
be carried to the rear riddled with bullets
It WAS positively cer.ain taat as soon rs the
sound OF the shovel was heard the enemy y-
ing directly in front and but a short distance
away. would direct their fire TO that spot.
Eery one saw the situation and the danger
and naturally, no one was in haste TO yolun-
taar. Finally a private, named Lon Mock, Il
man OF delicate FRAME vino had enlisted in
Company A, from We!lsboro, Ticga CJanty,
Pa, stopped to the front and said without any
flourish, andas though It was the most >rdin-
airy affair a his lie, that kn wculd undertake
thejob. Theterrible campaign Of 1864, aad tho
dempness and malaria o.the Virginia swamFs,
had told upon his health, and he hardly looked
able to Lift shovel, much lass to muster
up nerve enough 10 undertake the prob
| Qbly fatal work IN hand. He had always
done his duty, but in u very uRostenta-
tious way, in no manner distinguishing
himself, Rad it was with much surprise
that his comrades saw him step to the front
Thea they had all hung back He did not
seem to be anxious to 80, and there was no ali
0fbrly0do about him. Hesimply esteemed tn,
to set be in the line Of his duty, and Il that
was the case # made no difference to him
whether the performance was dangerous OF
not. He saw, also, that the lives OF comrade,
were at stake, and that 1t was necessary fol
some one to throw up the defence that had
been washed away, in the interes: Of saving
LIE.
A shovel was obtained. and Mock climbed
over the ride pit, and began lis work. Sur
enough, as soon as the sound of the shove
was heard the bullets Of the Confederates be
gan to fall thick and fast about him. On,
struck his shovel fair on the fiat surface ant
sent it spinning out OF his hand, but he q
once picked it up and shovelsd away again II
though nothing had happened. Every on
held his breath expecting every moment tina
Mock would be struck, and willie We wer
crouching behind the pit in comparatiy
safety, he shoveled as leisurely as though h
were digging in his garden at home. How b
ever escaped was a mystery to us all. Fo
fifteen or twenty minutes be worked ther
, with his back to the enemy under r constan
and rafting FIRE until the breach was repaired
and then climbed back saying quietly; Z"
guess it is all right row boys" and every on
. felt Ike hugging him for his brave act. 10
Mock marched no more with US in that can,
paign. The eresult ofhis exertion was sever
cold, and he gradually went Down 10 his gray
and survived the war but q short time. HI
brave act in front OF Petersburg has not bee
/ forgotten, however, and every spring whe
e his comrades strew his grave with flowers III
= story Of mis- heroism is retold by those VIII
I personally knew Of the action. He never n