The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-03-27
ARMY RECOLLECTIONS
BOUND TO GET THERE.
Incidents of the Fourth Maine Regiment
Recalled BY Old Soldiers

l. D. Haskell, principal owner OF the Dos
fight, In which the Fourth Maine Regiment
figured, relates the following:
~ was along with the army as a reporter;
there was quite party Of US, oil young fell
lows. We had passed through many aAd
various scenes during that battle, had wit
messed the iirst attack, the advance and the
repulses, had taken note of the Rankings and
the charges, aud the artillery duels. The
rush and roar OF battle was new. strange and
wonderful. But we were destined to see
that which Is still more wild and fearful thing
to see, ;he confusion, the bedlam OF a panic
stricken army.
A short time before this disastrous point OF
the battle came, | was fortunate enough to
contribute to the servic Of my country q
horse. With several others had been OBJ
serving the advance from the rear OF single
horseman coming on at q furious gallop, his
horse covered with foam aud dust he was
noticeable figure even In that time OF i'm
mense excitement. When q few rods away
the horse stumbled, made one last mighty
effort and fell forward, dead. In moment
was by the riders sidei no questions were
needed, no time given us to conjecture The
young fellows words were all sufficient: 'Oh
what will dov he exclaimed, and he covered
his face and wept like child 1 am the
bearer OF dispatches to Gen. -; 1 must
get there. There is not time for me to reach
him on footN No need, said 1; you can
have my horse
I'm AN instant had dlsmounted and the
courier was ia my saddle. and thus contrib
ated u horse to my country's cause Soon
after came the panic. / was making the best
OF circumstances possible on foot aud alone.
Everyone was for himself Amid the flying
soldiers, the onward uvak kpnche OF horse and
foot, tine wild-flying, terfbr-strcken artillery
horses, the rumbling, ungainly army wagons,
the SHOUTS, and curses OF drivers and riders
amid all this one was alone. To the right
and left, to the rear and front, as far as the
eye could see all was confusion, like an open
sea in wild and fearful storm.
"In the midst Of all the wild movement to.
wards Washington there came plunging, leap
Ing, swaying right and left, but always to-
wards Richmond, four horses, four frantic,
foaming horses attached TO an army wagon,
aud on the canvas cover OF that wagon were
the letters, 4th Maine Regiment the
driverl Setting bolt upright, streams Of
| Precipitation running down his brown and
| hardy face, eyes afiame and voice pitched to
discount all the confusion, the man from
| Maine was stemming the onward flood to the
national capital. halted him. got up on the
seat with him and asked him where he
thought he was going, all In moment, and
| got an answer just as quick, and forcible
| enough to be 10 fashion with the times: i
am under orders to 20 forward and meet my
regiment he cried, and by gosh, I'm goin
II l have to run over the whole d-d confed
crate armyl'
| II soon explained the situation to him.
We succeeded in turning the team about, and
thus we went with the balance OF the moi
| toward Washington. The driver was dead
tired and almost exhausted for want OF food
and sleep. insisted on his lying back IL
the wagon, and letting me drive for him
would like to know who this Fourth Maine
man was who, when everybody was on the
right up into the teeth Of the confederacy.'