The National tribune., 1896-05-14
DRUMMED INTO COLUMBIA.
10th Iowa Boy Tells How He and His
Comrades Led Kcnnedy's Command.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your
issue Of April 8 Lieut. Col. Kennedy, of the
T 18th Iowa, pays his respects to Lieut.. Nc
Peak with regard to his entry into Columbia
wish 10 add to his statement something
important and in justification to myself and
comrades who went with the Colonel and
marched at the head of his regiment into
this hotbed of secession. These boys, now
men occupying prominent positions in our
country, should at least have been mentioned
for the part taken in connection with Col.
Kennedy on this memorable occasion. Just
why the Colonel left us out could not say.
4 know that a Drawer or more gentlemanly
officer did not leave Iowa TO fight for Old
Glory, and for his regiment, the 18th
Iowa, there was not a better regiment.
/ have read THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE for
many years but have never in all that time
read of anyone trying to write up or give in
detail history Of drum corps in the Union
army. L don't feel qualified to do it, but
Will relate some experiences of the drum
| corps of the 18th Iowa, and the part this
drum corps took upon its entry into Column
bia. l had been drummer in the 18th Pa.
| went to my home in Iowa and enlisted in
| the 18th Iowa, Co. G.. The regiment was
organized at Keokuk, and we drew drums
| '6l. Some of my happiest times spent in
the army were while marching down Keo-
kuk's main street drumming on dress pa
rade while I thought all of its good-lookinS
| girls were looking at me-
H. L. Reid was our first Colonel. This
was his home. rs we'll as the home of our
beloved General, w. w. Belknap. We pro-
ceeded down the river, arriving early Sabbath
morning, April 6, at Pitt-bUrg Landing.
Having brother in the Sd Iowa, | went ont
10 The front and found him, and while with
the 3D. heard the first long roll of the open
I ing Of the great battle OF Shiloh. Hurrying
back 10 MY regiment | found them in line.
A staff officer took us to the 'front.' Forma-
ton perfect, with drum corps at its head,
we received our baplsmal fire. 165 men fall
ing killed and wounded.
|. Our duty was TO carry our wounded to
the rear on strctchers TO the Surgeons. We
were always expected TO be with the reg-
| ment 10 time of battle, unless in the dis
charge of this duty.
Our drums were not giving satisfaction,
and my chum, long-headed fellow by the
name OF John S. Bosworth, conceived the
idea of bursting these drums with the ex-
ception of one, to be used to play the calls
upon.
The Colonel in command, Leut.-Col. He'd
rick, whom we all loved, investigated and
found these drums worthless. SO our officers
through the persistent efforts OF our AGjutant
(Pomu,uZ), who was an artist himself n
lover OF good music, rs well as good Judge
| of Garibaidi 1--WE dTummers called il whisky,
procured for US 10 new brass drums with
extra heads, from New York, sufficient to
last MS during the war.
So at the time Col. Kennedy crossed the
river and went into Columbia his regiment
not having any drums, the drum corps>o of
the 18th Iowa was detailed to go with his
command. The Colonel, in speaking of
just before reaching the Capitol-how the
haf-crazed blacks ana an occasional rush for
the old flag by an escaped Yank made it
an exciting scene, with the rattle and bang
of The best drum corps in Shermans army,
and the inspiring music of such tunes rs
:" The Girl | Left Behind Me-" Johnny
Comes Marching Home" etc.-said is it
any wonder that the natives gathered around
as and gave expressions OF joy? Why, boys,
to me this was better fun and | lad more
laughs TO the square inch than ever did at
any circus" So / think we arc Justly ELI
titled TO our share of whatever honor there
is in it,
Upon our arrival at the State Capitol
Building the men stacked arms in the aisle
of the building. The flag was placed upon
its roof. / went out TO take look at the
city. went up a street where the fire was
raging. Two persons were standing in
front Of a building; they were of The Jew
ish persuasion, and had small stock Of
notions. took hasty inventory of stock, !
found some dried beef, tobacco, and what at |
the time thought was soda water but was |
Holland gin. Knowing that some of the |
boys were afflicted, as well as Big Ben, Fife |
Major of the 18th, with malaria, | took as |
much as | could carry hack to camp The |
patrol captured me. / gave them the slip, |
and landed that medicine in the basement |
of brick building in which Col Kennedy |
had his quarters.
We boys made night of il, SO that we
had no reyeille next morning. and when
ordered TO rejoin our regiment, Big Ben
was ordered to play. There were too many
holes in his fife, and he could not find the
right one. / imagine | can see Col. Ken
needy laughing yet at the lud;crous sight.
Davis had his leg taken off before At
lanta. Co DIS drummer went foragng for
chicken for sick drummer, and never came
lack. | have learned he was blown up on
the steamer Sultana coming home drop
tear when / think of his sad fate Big
Eeaiteu H. -. i yer ~ Il prosperous merchant
of Salem, Mass. The balance of my boys, /
know, are good citizens
i saw Gen. Govan (Confrderate) out here
ago. He carries a gold-healed
cane presented him by Crocker'S Iowa Bri-
gade. If the Johnny OF the ID h Ala
Govan's COM mand who captured my drum
and photo of my best girl on the ODD of
July before atlanta, when Govan's COM
mand turned our flank, sees this. should
like to hear from him.-liENRY METZ,
Winlok, Wash.
A Hundred Miles 10 the Doctor
is a long trip, but who would not gladly
make IL If by so doing one could rnIieua |