The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-08-29
Scenes

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 a 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 B. Scace, the widely known cOntrac-
tor and building mover of Albany, N. Y,
has had an unusually interesting fife, and
when seen by reporter recently at his home,
No. 10 Bradford Street, told of his many OK
periences and adventures while serving
under the old flag in the late war. Although
having endured all the hardships and pri-
yations of life in the ranks, Mr.. Scace bears
his more than half century of years with
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 Pittsfeld, Mass,
and here he was educated. He mastered the
carpenters trade, became member of Berk-
shire Lodge, No. 81, |. 0. o. T., and was
entering upon successful business life when
came the call from Washington for men. All
over the country the word sped, and excite
LlCIiJ ran HlSu. All luS Oltl-tiIlG DhlElOIlSlll
that had nude Massachusetts, famous in
Revolutionary days was fired to its utmost.
Every town nd village sent out its squad or
company.
The company in which Mr.. Scace enlisted
In September of 1862, as u private, became
Company A, FOrty-ninth Regiment, Massa-
Chusotts 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
ct the time was under the command of Col.
w. +. Bartlett, served i'll the First Brigade,
First Division, Nineteenth Corps, and par.
ticipated in some of the hottest battles Of the
great rebellion.
Mr.. Scacc, at the time, was but twenty-five
yClrs of age, and he remembers we'll with
what beating heart he first fell in line. Ills
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
Louisian. 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 could
carry and setting torch to the rest. The
DeHulllul CdplIOl DullulLlg, WHICH Iau DceIl
converted into a 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, a fight was not far
off, for word was received that large force
Of the enemy was fast approaching.
A bloody battle onsued 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. Ills respite
was not long one, however, for he soon af.
terward re-enlistad, to serve for the remain.
der of the war or meritorious action he
had been raised to the scrgeant's stripes, and
ss such served in Company A, Sixty-irst
Regiment, MassachusettsF Volunteer Infantry,
under Col Charles +. WslcOtt, During the