Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-11-01

When one encounters in print the life story
of some Scared veteran of the civil war,
feeling of admiration and sympathy Is the
certain result. Accustomed though we are
TO tales of heroism and suffering In everyday
life there is something peculiarly attractive
about these old war records, serving, as they
do, as "A sacred passport to the heart of every
true American. Thousands found their rest
on the field of carnage or in the hospital, nut
their comrades, when the struggle was over
and the victory won, returned TO their homes
and began anew the battle OF life.
John b. Scace the widely known contrac-
tor and building mover of Albany, n. Y,
has had an unusually interesting life, and
when seen by "A reporter recently at his home,
No ID Bradford Street. told of his many ex-
periences and adventures while serving
under the old flag in the late war. Although
having endured all the hardships and pri-
vations of life in the ranks, Mr.. Scace bears
his more than half a century Of years with
an elastic step and "A keen mind, taking an
active interest in private and public affairs.
While still a boy, his family moved from
Albany, his birthplace, to PittSiield, Mass,
and here he was educated. He mastered the
carpenters trade became member OF Berk-
shire Lodge. No. 81, |. o. .. F., and was
entering upon successful business life when
came the call from Washington for men. All
over the country the word sped, and excite
ment ran high. All the old-time patriotism
that had made Mass lchusetts famous IN
Revolutionary days WAS fired "a its utmost.
Every town and village sent out It's squad or
company.
The company in which Mr.. Scace enlisted
in September Of 1862 rs a private, became
Company \. Forty-ninth Regiment, Massa-
chusetts Volunteer Infantry. Under the
common impression that the war would he
one of but short duration, the men were en-
listed for nine month, only. Scarcely were
they uniformed aud armed before they were
ordered 10 che front. The regiment, which
M the time was under the command OF Col
w f. Bartlett served in the First Brigade
First Division. Nine, enth Corps, and par
tcipated i'm some OF the hottest battles of tn
great rebellion.
Mr.. Scace. at the time was but twenty-five
years of age, and he remembers well will
what beating heart he first fell IN line. III
regiment was ordered South, directly through
the enemy's country, with Baton Rouge a
the objective point. After several months @
weary marches, during which Company
passed through several lively .scrimmage
with the e5emy constantly lowering abou
the hanks and rear, the capital city Z
Louisiana was reached. An evacuation 70
lowed. Citizens and the rebel sOldery sts
toned i'm the city fled like frightened sheer
bearing with them what goods they coul
carry and setting to,ch to the rest. Tn
beautiful capitol building, which had bee
converted into war prison, had also bee
fred and the boys in blue swarmed in, ju
in time to save their captive comrades froi
pershng in the flames. Mr.. Scace, wi
had been, while en- route, promoted TO 60
poral. was in the thickest of the melee, an
describes the scenes in n graphic manne
Although the city had fallen almost wthol
blow given or received, n fight was not f
of, for word was received that large for
Of the enemy was fast approaching
A bloody battle ensucd at Plain Store,
few days march out of the capital, in whiC
Corporal Scace was severely wounded.
minnie ball struck his left thigh and, graziI
the bone, narrowly missed the great arter
He was retired to the camp at Baton Roug
but recuperated so rapidly that he entere
soon after, again into active service. II
battles of Port Hudson and Donaldsonvil
followed, with all their thrilling episodes.
Ii was not long after this that, by reas
of the expiration Of his term of enlistmeI
he was honorably discharged. His resp
was not long one, however, for he soon
terward re-enlisted, to serve for the renal
der of the war. For meritorious action
had been raised TO the sergeant's stripes, Of
as such served in Company A, SiXty-hl
Regiment, Observation-Disclosures Infantr
under Col. Charles L. Walcott. During I