The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-08
A war REMINISCFNcE,
Scenes at Fiatcher's Creek and Peters,
burg Recalled.
John 3. Scace Speaks to Reporter Of Stirring Scenes
Escaped with Slight Wound, but, Like Other Vet
Grams, Has Suffered Since-A Story that
Reads Like Page from History.
From the Albany, N. Y, Journal.

When one encounters in print the life story
OF some Scared veteran of the civil war a feel
Ing of admiration and sympathy is the certain
result Accustomed though we are to tales O.
heroism and suffering in everyday life, ther,
Is something peculiarly attractive about thest
old war records, serving, as they do, as
sacred passport to the heart of every true
American. Thousands found their rest on the
/ field of carnage or in the hospital, but theiI
comrades, when the struggle was over and the
victory won, returned to their homes and be-
| gan anew the battle of life.
John b. Scace, the widely known contractor
and building mover of Albany, N. Y, has had
an unusually interesting life, and when seer
by reporter recently at his home, No. l;
Bradford Street, told Of his many experience,
and adventures while serving under the old
dured all the hardships and privations Of life
in the ranks, Mr.. Scace bears his more than
half century of years with an elastic step and
keen mind. taking an active interest in pri.
vate and public affairs.
While still boy, his family moved from
Albany, his birthplace, to Pittsfeld, Mass,
and here he was educated. He mastered the
carpenters trade, became a member of Berk.
shire Lodge, No. SO, /. o. o. F., and was en-.
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 Massachusetts, famous in Reyo.
lutiOnary days was fired to its utmost. Every
town and village sent out its squad or company.
The company in which Mr.. Scace enlisted
in September of 1862, as Il private, became
Company "A, Forty-ninth Regiment, Massa
chusctts Volunteer Infantry. Under the com
mon impression that the war would be one o
but short duration, the men were enlisted fol
nine months only. Scarcely were they uni
formed and armed before they were ordered tc
the front. The regiment, which at the time
was under the command of Col. w. +. Bart
| lett served in the First Brigade, First Divis
ion, Nineteenth Corps, and participated in
some of the hottest battles Of the great rebel
! lion.
Mr.. Scace, at the time, was but twenty-five
| years of age, and he remembers well with
what a beating heart he first fell in line. Hi,
regiment was ordered Sonth, directly through
the encmy's country, with Baton Rouge as
the objective point. After several months o.
weary marches, during which Company A
passed through several lively scrimmages with
the enemy constantly lowering about the flank.
and rear, the capital city of Louisiana wa.
reached. An evacuation followed. Citizen.
and the rebel soldiery stationed in the city fled
like frightened sheep, bearing with them wha
goods they could carry and setting torch t
the rest. The beautiful capitol building
which had been converted into war prison
had also been fired, and the boys in blue
swarmed in, just in time to save their captive
comrades from perishing in the flames. Mr.
Scace, who had been, while en- route, pro
NOTED to corporal, was in the thickest Of the
melee, and describes the scenes in graphic
manner. Although the city had fallen almost
without blow given or received, fight was
not far of, for word was received that large
| force of the enemy was fast approaching.
| A bloody battle ensued at Plain Store, q few
| days march out of the capital, in which Cor
poral Scace was severely wounded. A minnie
ball struck his left thigh and, grazing the
bone narrowly missed the great artery. Ht
was retired to the camp at Baton Rouge, but
recupcrated so rapidly that he entered, soor
after, again into active service. The battle.
of Port Hudson and Donaldsonville followed
with all their thrilling episodes.
1t was not long after this that, by reason o
the expiration of his term of enlistment, he
was honorably discharged. His respite was
not a long one, however, for he soon afterward
re-enlistcd, to serve for the remainder of the
war For meritorious action he had been
raised to the sergeants stripes, and as such
served in Company A, Sixty.irst Regiment,