The National tribune., 1896-07-09
THAT LAST CAMPAIGN.
An Ohio Man Tells More About shields.
Diyisinn in thu. XaiIey.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / was glad
TO see the story of Shields's Division in the
issue of May %. / was q member of the
Goth OHIO, Third Brigade. Comrade Quinn
says that within five or six miles of Port
Republic the men began to get rumors of
the disaster to CarrolPs Brigade.
Six miles from the bridge | met CarrolPs
troops sitting along beside the road asked
some of the 1st Va. Cav band what they
were doing there. They said they had been
up to the bridge and got into hornets
nest, and had to get out quick. From what
could learn there was no force of rebels at
the bridge when Carroll arrived. Members
of the 18th VIVA. Cav. told me that they set the
bridge Oh fire three different times, aud Car
roll ordered it put out, and finally said he
would shoot the next man who set il on fire.
lie said he was going TO hold the bridge, and
that he would make his eagle a star.
The story about Daum is incorrect as also
the attack and loss OF guns. After dallying
around quite awhile, when they might have
destroyed the bridge dozen times and got
out Of danger, the rebels got Is guns in
position on the opposite bank, which was
much higher than our side. and of course
u hurry; at least, that was the way they ex-
pressed IL.
We moved right along to the position
Quinn speaks of, about two miles from the
bridge, which was the line-of- battle the next
morning. On our left was ridge covered
with scrub timber, extending 10 near the
bridge. The cOmrade says nothing of the
reconnaissance along that ridge to ascertain
II cannon could be gotten along unobserved
TO near the bridge, so they could down it
with the field guns, which Daum said they
could not do from the position of the coal
pitt"
We found it too rough for the purposes
wanted, and returned, getting back after
dark, and so dark you couldn't see your hand
before you. We were terribly mixed MP.
Those who were there will never forget il.
We camped along the edge Of the woods, per-
haps 30 or 40 rods from the coal pit"
Aud now comes another funny part of
Gunn's history. He says: Shortly after
sunrise the rebels made an attack" etc
As soon as it was light enough to see the
bridge Jackson's wagons were seen passing |
over with the troops, and our batteries i'm |
mediately began to she'll them. They soon
got batteries in position and returned COM
pliments. For awhile the shells were hying |
cooked our breakfast. / can only speak of /
the old bloody Goth Ohio. Probably the /
others did the same We were short few
days while coming up the Valley, as on ac-
count Of the incessant rains our transporta-
ton could not keep up. We had to go for a
few sheep, hogs and calves, for which we /
had plenty OF scrip to pay.
Now, IN regard to the fight, Quinn has |
described little of it tOlerably correct, but /
fails to give much of interest. The first /
attack was made on the ridge mentioned, Us /
the rebs could come Hnobserved. They I
soon after attacked on the right resting on 4
the river, but were repalsed and some pris-
oners taken.
Every body in our brigade knew "Scotty"
Told ScOtty, we called him) Of the 9Th Ohio
He was "a dark, swarthy Scoichman, prob
ably 80, and $50 or 200 pounds weight. He
wouldn't perform any military duty;
wouldn't carry his gun or traps when on a
march. If there was chance for any fight
ing he was on hand. He could load his gun
on the run, and was good shot. He had
great ambition to capture a flag, which he
did at this battle, and for which he received
a medal from the Government. 1t was said
at the time that lie shot five color bearers
before he finally got the flag, while the 9th
Htu INC Acbo Cu tHC Iuu Ills WsiS the SEOTy
at the time.
On his way back he drove off the cannon.
The day after the battle Scotty took an an
bulance and drove up to the battlefield
under flag of truce and brought off the
body of the Adiutant, who was killed in the
action. / attended his burial at Luray, be-
side cedar tree little out of town.
Quinn is very much mistaken if he thinks
there ~ doubt in the mind of anv person |
acquainted with all the circumstances as TO
who was to blame for the failure to burn the
bridge. Read Shieldss orders to Carroll.
He urges, commands, and almost begs him
10 cut Jackson off from Richmond, telling
him what chance he has to win fame etc.
/ never thought Gen. Shields brilliant
officer. Col. Kimball won the battle of
for which Shields got so much
credit and promotion. He committed
blnDder in remaining at Columbia Bridge,
% miles back, when he should have been
within supporting distance, at least, with
the First and Second Bngades, which were
much the heaviest in the division.
There was not common soldier but knew
there was no possible likelihood of Jackson
trying to cross at that place after Fremont
had him 10 miles above and was pegging at
him. And we had no fears of Fremont
falling back-Guinn to the contrary not
acknowledgement he had been steadily