The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-07
BRAVE SOLDIERS "
IN THE LATE WAR
Reminlscences Of Valorous Exploits
Cleaned from The Records.

Reminlscences Of Valorous Exploits
Cleaned from The Records.
GALLANTRY ABOVE THE ORDINARY
The Corporal Who Picked Up Shell
with Lighted Fuse at Vicksburs.
Ensign Rh0ades' Galiantry at Fort
Fisher..Capt. Julius White and His
Chicago Battery.
Washington Letter. in Globe. Democrat.
The war records continue to reveal
instances of individual heroism worthy
Of mention. of which the following are
a few: The siege Of Vicksburg fur
nished many heroes. but none Of a
higher order than Isaac Carman. late
corporal of Company A. 4Sth Ohio In
fantry Volunteers. When the storming
party from Blair's division. led by
L.awler and LaYandam. made the first
capture Of a Confederate fort, the flags
of the 18th Illinois and 4Sth Ohio were
placed upon the paraDets, and foated
undisturbed from 1880 in the morning
until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. when
the COnfederateS massed and by des-
perate charge retook their position.
The heroic deed of Carman Is related
by Captain POsegrate. who had COM
mand of Company A, one of the COM
panics which had fought its way into
the fort. His narrative Is as follows:
Our brigade captured the fort In its
front, together with quite a number Of
prisoners. The national colors Of the
4Sth Ohio and the nth Illinois were
planted on the fort. and a number Of
men We're detailed to remain there and
throw up counter works In its rear
My company halted on the ditch in
front of the fort between the two
bastiOns and held that position for sew
eral hours. There seeming to be lack
of strength on our part, no further
advance was attempted In the after
noon between 4 o'clock and O'Clock
the Confederate forces charged the
works and captured them, together
with our men who were In the fort and
drove off those who were on the es-
carpment. The charge was so sudden
and fierce that our own colors, together
with those of the 77th Illinois, were left
in the fort. and IT seemed as though
they were hopelessly in the hands Of the
enemy. was ordered to withdraw my
company from the ditch. and while
preparing to do so Isaac N. Carman
who was personally known to me.
reached my side and informed me that
he was determined to rescue our colors
l thought such an attempt hopeless.
but made no objection. At this mo-
ment a fuse shell thrown by the Con-
fedcrates came rolling down the escarp
into the ditch. The fuse was rapidly
burning. but Carman seized the shell in
his hands and hurled II back into the
Confederate works. where 1t exploded
On the instant he ascended the escarp-
ment. seized the coveted flag and COM
menced his descent. ! watched his eff
fort with admiration and anxiety. Just
as he had reached the abrupt declivity
into the ditch where we were one of my
men unfortunately changed his posi-
tion. receiving Carman upon the point
of his bayonet. intlicting what was
thought at the time to be fatal
wound. l thought at the time and
think now that Carman's action was
the most gallant witnessed during the
war;"
General McClernand, being much an
noyed by the work being done by the
battery of one of the confederate forts
at Vicksburg Immediately in front OF
him, ordered General Smith to have two
guns carried up a hill. from which they
could command the fort and effectual-
ly return the rebel fire. General Smith
went to several of the batteries. but the
officers demurred. said it would be i'm
possible TO accomplish. and meant ccr-
tain death for all who essayed it. Cen
eral Smith. not liking to give positive
order sent for Captain White, of the
Chicago Mercantile Battery.
Captain" he said, ''if you can get
two guns up that hill we will have the
fort in half an hour"
II will try General" answered White.
He went to his battery. told the men
the work that was before them. and
Immediately set on foot preparations.
All being in readiness, the men started
up the hill, carrying their guns. One
Of the guns was struck by shell from
The fort battery and several of the men
were killed. Captain White and his
party with the other gun reached the
crest of the hill in safety, double shot
ted it quickly and the captain himself
directing II was fired. 1t Is said that
the shot entered the mouth of a con-
federate cannon which was just ready
to be discharged. and exploded it. This
theory Is due to the widespread de-
struction which occurred. Many of the
cOnfederates We're blown into the air,
the cotton hales on top Of the fort
were set on fire and the fort rendered
a complete wreck.
tirely cut off from the outer world,
many of the wives of officers who had
command of the garrison We're in
Charleston. having been forced to go
there for protection. Among them was
the wife of Lieutenant Abner Double
day. The condition of the federals in
the fort was becoming serious. RatiOns
were growing scarce, and matches and
candles had given out. The condition
of the garrison was known in Charles
ton, and the women. whose loved ones
were nenned up in the fort, were nat
urally filled with anxiety and grief.
Mrs. Doubleday, under these crying cir
cumstances. decided upon an undertake
ing which not only showed the intens-
ity Of her devotion for her husband.
but proved her to be true heroine.
Securing a boat. she loaded 1t with pro-
visions. and in the dead of night. and
alone, rowed from Charleston to Sum-
ter. The danger of her being fired on
was great, but she took the risk, and
reached the fort in safety. When she
came within range of the sentries Of
the fort, the call rang out, who goes
there?"
The reply in woman's voice sur
prised the sentry. and several Of the
guard were sent down to receive her.
On learning who it was. and Of the
relief she brought, the Federals We're
overwhelmed with admiration. and the
attentions she received from men and
officers amounted to worship.
Major Henry T.. Tremain. of the Sew
third New York volunteers. was
staff officer, serving under General
Daniel Il. Sickles. hut at the battle of
Resaca, Ca. he volunteered to assist
General Butterfield in a charge. 1t was
during this charge that the brigade OF
Coburn began firing by mistake into