The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-09-11
4 WAR REE;IYIIIIHIScENCE
Scenes at Hatcher's Creek and
Petersburg Recalled.
John B. Scace Speaks to Reporter Of Stirring Scenes
Escaped with Slight Wound but, Like Other Vet
eTanss Has Suffered Since-A Story that
Reads Like Page from History.
From the 4Albony, ". y, Journal.

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
to tales of heroism and suffering in everyday
life, there is something peculiarly attractive
about these 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
their comrades, when the struggle was over
and the victory won, returned to their homes
and began anew the battle of life.
John E. Scace, the widely known contrac-
tor and building mover of Albany, n. Y,
has had an unusually interesting life, 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 flag in the late war. Although
having endured all the hardships and pri-
vations of life in the ranks, Mr.. Scace bears
an elastic step and keen mind, taking an
active interest in private and public affairs.
While still boy, his family moved from
Albany, his birthplace, to Pittsfield, Mass,
and here he was educated. He mastered the
carpenters trade, became a member of Berk-
shire Lodge, No. 50, I. o. o. F., and was
entering upon successful business life when
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
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 as private, became
Company A, Forty-ninth Regiment, Massa-
chusetts Volunteer Infantry. Under the
common impression that the war would be
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
at 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.. Scace, at the time, was but twenty-five
years of age and he remembers well with
what beating heart he first fell in line. His
regiment was ordered South, directly through
the enemy's country, with Baton Rouge as
the objective point. After several months of
weary, marches, during which Company A
passed through several lively scrimmages
with the enemy constantly lowering about
the tanks and rear, the capital city of
Louisiana was reached. An evacuation fol-
lowed. Citizens and the rebel soldiery sta
toned in the city fled like frightened sheep,
bearing with them what goods they corld
carry and setting torch to the rest. The
Ucdutuul CdplIOl puilulIlS, WHICH Ndu Do6n
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, promoted to cor
poral, was in the thickest of the melee, and
describes the scenes in a 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, a
few days march out of the capital, in which
Corporal Scace 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 so rapidly that he entered,
soon after, again into active service. The
battles Of Port Hudson and Donaldsonville
followed, with all their thrilling episodes.
1t was not long after this that, by reason
of the expiration of his term of enlistment.
he was honorably discharged. His respite
was not long one, however, for he soon af-
terward re-enlisted, to serve for the remain
der Of the war. For mertorious action he
had been raised to the sergeant's stripes, and
as such served in Company A, Sixty-first
Regiment, Massachusetts, Volunteer Infantry.
under Col. Charles L. Waleott. During the