Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-11
vALoR OF THE COLOR BEARERS.
Some Thrilling Incidents of Bravery
in the Face of Death.

in the Face of Death.
From the ST. Louis Globe-Democrat.
The story of the gallantry Of Color Bearer
John Keggins of the 10th New York in
fantry Is one which cannot fail to thrill any
man with blood in his veins. 1t was at
Lookout mountain. AS Geary's line swept
around the point the Union artillery in the
valley below was firing upon the enemy
which occupied the mountain side. Not
recognizing Geary's men, they continued
Smelling, greatly endangering the lives Of
their own troops With that sublime courage
that sometimes marks men in great emer-
gencies, the brave Keggins jumped upon a
stump, where he was fully exposed to the
view OF both armies, and waved his colors
frantically to attract the attention Of the
Union battery. The rebels, surmising his
object and realizing the advantage to them
in having the Union battery continue In its
mistake, directed a deadly fire upon the
heroic fellow. Two bullets passed through
his clothes, grazing the skin, and another
ploughed through his hair and scalp but
he accomplished his object
During the hottest part of the fight at
Chickamauga an order came to company Il
of the 101st Ohio volunteers to send a cor
poral TO the colors quickly, as the color
guard had nearly all been killed or wounded
and the colors of the regiment were In i'm
minent peril There was no corporal left In
the company, and Capt. Kilmer asked if
there was private who would volunteer
1t seemed like volunteering to go to an al
most certain death. There was moments
silence, and then Private George s. Meyer
stepped forward. 9TH CO." he said. AS Meyer
started Capt. kilmer remarked: II will see
that that man Is promoted" Twenty minutes
almost annihilated. Just as Meyer reached
the color guard the man who was holding
the colors was shot dead. Meyers lifted up
the flag and planted 1t on a little knoll in
a IL Cd
but stood bravely by the precious emblem,
only carrying it away when there were no
troops left to defend it.
Adjutant Arthur McArthur a boy eighteen
years old, was with his company when the
assault was made On Missionary Ridge. AS
the Union troops assembled the ridge in bril-
liant array the color bearer was shot and
killed. Macarthur seized the colors from the
hand of the stricken man, and, bearing them
aloft, cheered his men up the mount, and
was one of the first to plant the Union colors
upon the crest.
Corporal George Green Of company H.
eleventh Ohio infantry. and Private II. r.
Howard of the same company were among
the first to scale the upper line of the con-
federate breastworks on Missionary Ridge
They made right for one of the enemy's
flags, in the face of a fire, and, driving its
protectors from it, Green tore the emblem
from its staff put it in the breast of his coat,
and continued on with his company in the
pursuit AT the conclusion of the battle he
turned the flag over to Brigadier General
Turshin, and received his compliments. Both
Green and Howard were recommended by
Col Street for prom otion as reward for
their valor.
First Sergeant F. w. Judge of company K .
seventy-ninth regiment of New York vol
unteers, known The Highlanders," per-
formed a thrilling act of bravery during the
assault on Fort Saunders, Tennessee The
rebels, under Gen. LOngstreet, ASA ulted the
fort with a view to the capture of Knoxville
The garrison Of the fort consisted of the
seventy ninth volunteers and Benjamin's
battery. Iongstreets force was vastly
superior, and the assault was made with
Vigor and determination. The rebels had
passed all the distractions and obstacles in
front of the fort, were showering shot and
Shell into the fortified lions, and for a federal
to show his head meant q perfect storm of
bullets. A rebel color bearer, followed by
about fifty men of the color guard had
crossed the ditch in front of the fort and
planted his colors on the side OF the works
The rebel yell rang out. Sergeant Judge
saw the waving emblem of the enemy heard
the shout of triumph, and his blood boiled
with rage. Sprjnging up from his position
where he had been comparatively protect ed
While firing his piece, he leaped upon the
parapet, and running along where the fla Q
had been planted, while shot and shell split
the air around him, he seized the color and
returned with it in safety to the port A
mighty cheer went up from his comrades
many of whom embraced him in their adj
miration of his courage and the eXuberance
of their joy over his safety. 1t was not long
after that the heroic young sergeant re-
ceived his commission as captain