The National tribune., 1896-05-14
PICKET SHOTS.
From Alert Comrades All Along the
Line.
Entering Columbial

Fl. Fl. Collins, Lieutenant, 9th Mich. Cav.
writes: ALLOW me 10 reply to J. G. Ken
nedy, of the 18th Iowa, in regard to being
| the first to enter Columbia. Not that
wish to pluck one Laurel from either him
or Gen. Howard-both of them were fighters
and gallant men-but they should give the
cavalry credit.
"Gen. Kilpatrick's Cavalry marched nearly
all night Feb. 10, 1865, reaching Broad River
about daylight. The bridge was gone, our
| pontoon-train was in the rear, and before
the wagons reached us, and pontoons were
laid down, it was about 8 o'clock.
While laying the pontoons no troops
could be sighted in Columbia. All that
| could be seen was a train of cars backing in
to take away our prisoners from the stock
| AIDE. We reached the s,ockade, think, about
10 a. m. We saw no troops of any kind, and
wentinto camp close by. There was small
yellow flag on the courthouse at that tins.
Some time after getting into camp we saw
the Stars and Stripes floating on the court
| house. Had any of the cavalry commanders
seen nit they could have put flag on the
building before the 18th Iowa did.
After resting about two hours in camp
fire broke out not FAR from the State-house.
The wind blowing stiffly, smoke caused us
to move camp mile to the right. After
so much controversy and contention about
Columbia, the cavalry puts in n claim as
being the first troops in Columbia, not
withstanding Col. Kennedy's declaration"
Deserves the Honor.
Joseph Hartsock, 55th ILL.,, Davenport,
Iowa, writes: "A medal OF honor was
granted April 90 to Dr. Orion P Howe, of
Sutton, Neb., Corporal, Co. G, 55th ILL.,, foy
most distinguished galiantry in action in
the assault on Vicksburg Miss., May 10.
1863. The medal was forwarded to Dr.
Howe the same day. Thus after SO years
comes this reward for brave and gallant
deeds on the battlefield, which have been
perpetuated in letter of Gen. w. II. Sher-
man, written at the time to Secretary STAN
ton, recommending Orion Z. Howe for an
appointment TO a cadetsbip in the Naval
Academy at Annapolis, Nd, which was in
due time made, and he studied for one or
two years, but failed to complete the course.
The brave deeds of Orion p. Howe have
been immortalized by beautiful poem, by
Boxer, beginning:
When Sherman stood beneath the hotties. fire
That from tile line of Vicksburg cleaned
About Gettysburg.
3. Fl. Trip, Middletown, Mo-, writes: II
am about to put in print some facts in re-
gard TO the battle of Gettysburg, and want
every comrade who sees this, and was with
the First and Second Brigades, First Divis-
ion, First Corps, to write what they can re-
member of the first days battle, and all lie
can remember about the march from En-
mitsburg to the place where they first met
the rebels. State the time of day the march
began what was seen on the road; what
time you reached Cemetery Ridge; the hour
you reached Gettysburg and what you saw
in the town. Tell me the time you reached
Seminary Ridge, and when Gen. Reynolds
was killed. If you have diary, written at
the time, that will be better than what you
can remember. Write it all out just as you
would tell it to me, and send to me at Mid
dletown."
EwelPs Capture.
Lars E. Johnson, Lieutenant, 9Th Wis,
Wiota, Wis, writes: In your issue of April |
80, w. K, Galesville, Wis, asks who capt
ured Gen. Ewell. 1 was present on the ex-
treme right of our line ol-battle; CO. G of |
our regiment being sent out on skirmish |
line to protect our right flank Serg't Cam |