The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-12-24
the 22d KY, 42d aid 10th Ohio, and oc-
~oeiOn ol1v onotl,ar rnus,nauk

the 22d KY, 42d aid 10th Ohio, and oc-
casi0nally another regiment.
Gen. Sherman, in his interesting Memoirs,
lays the blame of the failure of the assault
on Chickasaw Bluffs, Dec. %, 1862, upon
Gen. Morgan and Col. DeCourcey. 1t was
we'll understood by the men of DeCourcey's
command that the fatal charge was made Dy
him under protest, the result being precisely
what he predicted. Gen. Sherman states
that the men went as far as the first line OF
worke, beyond the bayou, and there Rugged
the bank and refused to go farther, which IS
true of few of the command only. How
do know? was nOnc0mbatant at the
time and assisting the wounded mile from
the place of the charge, and when neara
that they were to make the assault
hurried up, intending to join, but the
struggle was almost over by the time
reached their bivouac.
Two days later assisted in carrying our
dead off the field, many of whom were with
in 200 yards of the rebel Notifications, fully
one-eighth of mile beyond the first line OF
works.
1t may seem like presumption to call IN
question Gen. Sherman's statement, but
am fully satisfied that there are scores OF
men yet living who were there by those
peach trees and suffered capture while WALL
ing for reinforcements that never came.
Two months after this Col. DeCourcey's
health failed, and he went North. lie was
member of the military court that SEN
fenced c. L. Vallandigham to Punishment
into the rebel lines.
Being perfectly familiar with every road,
hill, and by-path about Cumberland Gap, 1t
was fitting appointment to put MIN IN
| command of brigade to operate on the
Kentucky side of the Gap, and am satlsned
| he did his duty well, and believe that but
for the intriguing Of aspiring officers ne
would have been properly rewarded.
Ordered under arrest, he returned to GIN
cinnati and asked for an investigation,
which, upon one pretext or another, or per-
+! haps more properly speaking, because there
| were no grounds foE his arrest. the matter
was deferred for time. Becoming impa-
tient he went to Columbus, and laid the
matter before the Governor. He had to
refer to Gen. Wright, in command at Gin
cinnati, who in turn referred him to Gen.
| Burnside. who was soon bottled up at Knox
vile, Tenn.
Disheartened, he turned his steps toward
England, and met Capt Botsford, OF our
regiment, at New York, who was going home
on a recruiting tour, to whom he told his
grievances, while the tears flowed like rain.
| At last he drew beautiful sword from It's
sheath, present from his regiment remark
| ing, "This is all have to remember my
service to America that is pleasant" he
kissed its blade again and again. He sailed
with the first vessel to England.
Why was all this ? You say. Simply pc
cause he was a foreigner, and had no polltl-
cal "pull" to secure this promotion, which
he richly deserved, and which Gen. George
w. Morgan heartily recommended, as the
records will show. He was strict discip-
linarian, and the man who was faithful to
every duty had no better friend than De-
Courcey, while for the shirk and the laRaard
he had the utmost contempt. The regiment
never lost the influence of his discipline !;
and when we returned to Camp Chase to be
mustered ont, the Ohio State Journal paid us
the fine compliment to say that "Of all the
regiments that have returned from the front,
the 18th Ohio was under the best discipline
and control"
If there is q comrade living who is able
to give the true facts about that affair OF
DeCourcey's at Cumberland Gap, there is
not man of his old brigade but who would
be pleased to hear it. He died in the north
of Ireland few years since.-NATHAN
COLLINS. Co. B. 18th Ohio, Wesifield, Ill.
S8vC0 HIS Llfe.-SAn Francisco, Cal
We publish below letter from Mr.. Ii. w.
Walter, of 933 S. 9th, this city, as it may be
Of vital interest to some of our readers. lie
writes: DIR. Peter Fahrney has saved my
+ life by the use of his remedy, the Dr.
PETERS BLOOD VITALIZER. / had ruT
, down to mere skeleton and was looking
terrible. had been troubled with dyspep
STA and impure blood for years; bottles O
the remedy cured me completely. l an
now strong and healthy, my complexion i!
|. good, my appetite excellent; / am sount
] man. Thanks to this old honest remedy.
But my case is not alone. One OF my
friends complained to me that doctors ane
drug stores had cost him over $4,000 within
short time without finding any help fo
/ his sick wife. advised him to stop at once
, and pay out no more of his hard earned dol
! lars without results. But what shall / do
he exclaimed, I cannot let my wife die, ant
t / have no faith in patent medicine Th'
e man himself was suffering from impur
{ blood, so that his face was as rough as nut
!. meg CRATER I told him that DR.. PETER
. BLOOD VITALIZER was not q patent medi
Q cine and advised him to try it. He sent TO
:. a box, and I am glad TO say that not onl.
: did his wife get cured, but his face is nov
i az smooth as ever. His name is Frit
J, Koldenstrodt."
WHO FOUGHT AT HELENA