The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-03-15
BRAVE AS SPARTANS.
How Thirteen rIankato Troops De-
feated $50 Rebels.

How Thirteen rlankatO Troops De-
| feated $50 Rebels.
| Gen. ]. W. Bishops "Story of a
Regiment" narrative of the service
of the Second Regt., MINI. VOL Unfit,
in the civil war, contains the follow
ing concerning a squad of Mankato
soldiers, which should always be
treasured in memory on account of
the bravery displayed:
"On the 18th FEB. 1863 foraging
party of two corporals and twelve
men, under First Sergt. L. n. Holmes,
all of Co. III, went out to the front
three or four miles for corn. They
were loading their wagons from a
large and well-filled crib when they
were suddenly surrounded by two
companies of Confederate cavalry,
numbering about 125 men. The cav
airy charged down upon them, firing
their carbines and yelling Surrender,
you id Yanks.' Our boys in the
crib did not think it necessary to sur
render, but commenced firing in re-
turn with deliberate aim, emptying a
saddle with almost every shot, and
the astonished cavalry soon quit yell
ing and withdrew out of range for
consultation; then decided that they
had had enough of the id Yanks'
and disappeared altogether. Our boys
filled their wagons, picked up three of
the wounded rebels and seven rider
less horses which the enemy had left
in the field, and returned safely to
camp. Two of the wounded died next
day. Several others, slightly wounded,
got away by the help of their COM
panions. Col. Van Derveer, command
ing the brigade, was much elated by
the brave conduct of theo Second
Minnesota boys, and issued special
order complimenting them by name.
Gen. Steedman, commanding the di-
vision, thought the affair sufficiently
creditab to my command to Justify
a special report to department head
quarters, describing the fight; refrain
ing, however, from any mention of
the names or regiment of the men
engaged"
The following are the orders re-
ferred to:
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE,
| NEAR NASHVILLE, Tenn,
February, 1868. }
"The colonel commanding the bri-
gade takes pleasure in commencing
the conduct and sturdy valOr of LO-
vilo n. Holmes and fourteen nom
commissioned officers and privates of
Co. III, I'D Regt. MINI. Vol, for the
heroic defense made by them near
Nolinsville on the 18th inst against
the attack of two companies of rebel
cavalry numbering 125 men, and re-
pulsing them with loss.
This little affair is one of the
most creditable of the campaign, and
deserves to be remembered and cited
as worthy the emulation of all.
The colonel desires that the names
of these worthy men and brave sol
diers may be preserved.
First Sergeant LOvilo n. Holmes.
Corporals Samuel Wright and Will
lam A Clark.
Privates Nelson Crandall, James
Flanagan, Samuel Leslie, Louis
Londrash, Charles Liscomb, JOSEPH
Burger, Byron E. Pay, Charles Krause
John Vale, Samuel Loudon, Milton
Hanna, and Homer Barnard have hi
thanks.
By order of
f. VAN DERVEER,
Colonel commanding Bird Brigade
JOHN r. BEATTY,
A. A. Adjutant General"
"REPoRT OF BRIG. GEN. JAMES
B. STEEDMAN,
CONCORD CHURCH, Feb. Is, 1868.
COLONEL A forage train of ter
wagons from my command, will
escort of two companies of infantry
and while four of the guarded by
thirteen privates under the command
of sergeant, were being loaded one
and a half miles from Nolinsville
were attacked by $50 rebel cavalry
The sergeant Immediately formed his
men, took shelter in cabin near the
wagons and repulsed them, wounding
five, three OF whom | have prisoners:
killing four horses, capturing three
horses, seven saddle and three guns.
Two of our men were slightly
wounded.
Very respectfully,
JAMES B. STEEDMAN,
Brig. Gen 3rd Division.
| COL G. GODDARD,
Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Staff
These men were all enlisted in
Mankato. Capt. Holmes resides here
still. Wright lives in Indiana. Clark
is farmer in Belgrade. 1t is not