Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-10-23

When one encounters in print the life story
of some Scared veteran Of the civil war, q
feeling Of admiration and sympathy is the
certain result. Accustomed though we are
life. there Is something peculiarly attractive
about these old war records, serving, as they
do. as q sacred passport to the heart OF every
true American. Thousands found their rest
on the field Of carnage or in the hospital, but
their comrades, when the struggle was over
and the victory won, returned to their homes
and began anew the battle of life.
. John D. Scace, the widely known ccntrac-
tor and building mover Of Albany, N. Y,
has had an unusually interesting fife, and
when seen by reporter recently at his home,
No. is Bradford Street, told of his many ex.
periences and adventures while serving
under the old dag in the late war. Although
having endured ill the hardships and pri-
vations Of life in the ranks, Mr.. Scace bears
his more than half . century Of years with
an elastic step and keen mind, taking an
While still . boy, his family moved from
Albany, his birthplace, to Pitts6eld, Mass,
and here he was educated. He mastered the
carpenters trade, became member of Berk-
shire Lodge, No. 81, l. 0. o. F., and was
entering upon . successful business life when
came the call from Washington for men. All
that had made Massachusetts, famous in
Revolutionary 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, a. . private, became
Company A, Forty-ninth Regiment, Nassa-
chusetts Volunteer Infantry. Under the
one Of but short duration, the men were en-.
listed for nine months only. Scarcely were
they uniformed and armed before they were
ordered to the front. The regiment, which
Mt the time was under the command of Col.
w. F. Bartlett, served in the First Brigade,
First Division, Nineteenth Corps, and par.
ticipated In some Of the hottest battles Of the
great rebellion.
Mr.. Scacc, at the time, was but twenty-five
years Of age, and he remembers we'll with
what beating heart he FIRST fell in line. His
regiment was ordered South, directly through
the enemy's country, with Baton Rouge a.
the digestive point After several months Of
weary marches. during which Company A
passed through several lively scrimmages
With the enemy constantly lowering about
Iouisiana was reached. An evacuation fol.
lowed. Citizens and the rebel soldiery Sta
TONED in the city fed like frightened sheep,
bearing with them what goods they could
carry and setting. torch to the rest. The
beautiful capitol building, which he'd been
converted into . war prison, had also been
fred, 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, promoted to cor.
Poral, was in the thickest Of the melee, and
describes the scenes in . graphic manner.
Although the city had ALLEN almost without
a blow given or received, fight was not far
on, 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
Corporal Scacs was severely wounded. A
minnie ball struck his LEFT thigh and, grazing
the bone, narrowly missed the great artery.
He was retired to the camp at Baton Rouge,
but recuperated 30 rapidly that he entered
soon sfter, again into active service. The
battles Of Port Hudson and Donaldson Vile
tcllowed, with all their thrilling episodes.
Dit was not long after this that, By reason
Of the expiration Of his term of enlistment.
h Vas honorably discharged. His respite
was not long one, however, for he soon II.
terward re-enlisted, to serve for the remain.
der Of the war. For meritorious action he
had been raised to the sergeant's stripes, and
ns such served in Company A, Sixty.6rst
Regiment Massachusetts, v oil unteer Infantry.
under Col Charles +. Walcott. During tis