Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-08-13

commanded by Colonel Stone, since
Governor of his State. Upon reaching
the railroad cut Colone, Dawes shout
ed: Where is the colonel of this regi-
ment?" Major John A. Blair, who COM
manded after Stone was wounded.
snapped out: "NNho are your Dawes
quick reply was: I'm commander OF
this force. Surrender or l will fire.
Major Blair promptly passed his sword
to the colonel, and the Second Missis'
sippi grounded arms and was marched
to the rear. Just before the charge was
made Colonel Dawes horse was shot
under him.
For his heroic work at Gettysburg he
vas warmly praised by brigade, div+
| sion and corps commanders.
Early in 1864 the regiment swore IN
for three years more. Half Of their
| original number had fallen by the way
side from sickness or on battlefields,
but they were ready for nor service
| willing to stay until school was out. On
a bitter cold night they were loaded
onto freight cars at Culpeper. Va, and
trundled to Washington. A few days
later all Milwaukee turned out to vel
come them. Banquets were rendered,
receptions offered. speeches made.
What a glad spell it was! Colonel Bragg
drew up his boys in line and said: go
home. men, and enjoy yourselves. Four
weeks from tomorrow report here
ready to return to the field"
Colonel Dawes went to Marietta,
Ohio, on the way to Wisconsin. When
we assembled to return to the field we
found Colonel Dawes there, as modest
as ever and blushing like a maiden.
Clinging to his arm was a beautiful
bride. The regiment loved the colonel.
hence it forgave him for marrying
without its consent, and then fell in
love with his bride. and to this day
they have Il lover in every survivor Of
the "Old SIXTH
In the battles which followed COlonei
Dawes was as brave and commanded
with as much skill and GOODNESS as ever.
but when it was proper for him to pro
tect himself from whistling bullets and
bursting shells the boys thought he took
advantage of it a little more readily
after there was a Mrs. Dawes than he
had before. In those frightful contests
down through the Wilderness. at Spott-
~sylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor and
to Petersburg. Colonel Dawes was as
quick to construct a bullet proof in
which to est rs any man in the bri-
~n1n vIVho r,o flAyn M - %N,.Cn tha,n
days? No one was counted lacking in
courage who protected his life by dig
ging holes or building breastworks.
He and his men were under fire nearly
every day from May 4 until July 16.
Rain or sunshine, march or battles,
found the colonel daily writing a few
words to a little woman back in Ohio
to let her know that he was still in the
land of the living. but some Of these
letters did not leave the army on time.
Because Of that fact there was much
| sorrow at Marietta for a few days in
Cincinnati papers announced the death
Of Colonel Dawes. Imagine the sorrow
with which the young bride received
the news that she was a widow. a sol
dier's widow. The report was not con-
tradicted for several days. While the
young wife was in her Ohio home heart
brokenly weeping. her brave husband
was CALAMITY leading in a battle every
day. A wounded man Of the Sixth said
Colonel Dawes fell in battle. A CORE
spondent included the name in the list
| Of casualties.
Imagine the Joy in that home when
this letter from Colonel Dawes reached
it: I'VE have had continual fighting.
We charged on the enemy's rifle pits
again on Thursday. That night, May
II, we stood in mud over my boot tops,
firing all night. DO not give me up il
you see me reported killed. Such
things are often mistakes. The loss Of
my regiment now amounts to $50 killed
and wounded, many Of our best and
truest."
Upon returning from the war General
Dawes engaged in business at Marietta,
Ohio, where he still lives, one Of Ohio's
II ost distinguished citizens. respected
Dy all MISSES. lie server TWO terms In
Congress, and the Republicans came
near making him their candidate for
Governor some years ago.
General and Mrs. Dawes have a very
| interesting family. The sons are sue
| ceeding in life-men above the average.
Accidental bravery.
A Senator from a Southern State Is
reported by a Washington correspon-
dent as telling an amusing story in
which he added a part himself, the
scene Of which Is laid in the civil war.
The Senator commanded a Confederate
regiment which, in a certain engage.
mnet, occupied a sunken road.
A Union battery was pouring shot
straight across the country, but it all
went over the heads Of the regiment in
the sunken road. In the midst Of the
fiery shower the colonel climbed up the
bank and stood behind a large pine
tree which grew there.
This looked like a brave act, but
events showed that the colonel had a
safe position. He had been there but