The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-09


Captain Edward l.. Gilllgan was born
in Philadelphia, April Is, 1Si3, and en-
listed October %, 1861. He re-enlisted
at Culpeper, va, Feb. 1868. when he was
promoted to first lieutenant In 1864 he
was made a captain. He participated
in twenty-four engagements and was
wounded at Stony Creek, March 81, 1855.
Captain Gllllgan's decoration is due
to the capture of flag at Gettysburg
and brave conduct at the attack on the
Welden railroad in 1861. when he lay
along the roadside feigning death and
counted the enemy cavalry which was
charging his command in the rear. the
knowledge thus gained led TO the am
buscading and repulsing Of the enemy.
LIEUTENANT MKowN.
Lieutenant Nathaniel A. McKown,
of Tunkhannock. was one OF the gal
liant eleven who held Hokes brigade
and Picketts entire division at bay
for several hours at Bachelors Greek,
thereby saving Newbern y. &. from
capture. He was decorated, particu-
larly for the action noted as follows
in the Army and Navy Journal, of
Aug. 29, 1864:
Sergeant Nathaniel A. McKuwn, W
Company r, 5Sth Pa. infantry, ad-
vanced in front of our lines after the
repulse of the enemy capturing Con-
federate battle flag under severe
picket fire. He is recommended TO the
secretary of war for n medal for ga.-
laGtry. Sergeant McKown is rromot-
ed for good condu It to lieutenant in
the Sixth United States Colored
Troops" Lieutenant McKown did not
accept this commission but continued
with the Fifty-eighth until mustered
ouS in 1866.
The incident of the capture of the
flag occurred at Fort Harrison. The
Confederates had made two unsuccess-
full assaults. After the second repulse
McKown saw a Confele -t.e flag go
down about forty rods from the Union
lines, Despite the advi,e of his CON-
rades he crowded over the dead and
wounded lying between the two lines,
secured the flag and brought il bacS
in safety. General Butler urOn receiv-
ing the captured 1ag and hearing the
story of McKown's bravery made the
recommendation and promotion quot
ed above.
Lieutenant McKown is a native of
Susquehanna county and is So years
of age.
Benjamin E. Levy was born in New
York in 1S45 and enlisted at Yonkers
in May, 1861, as drummer boy in Com
pany G, First New York Infantry. He
re-enlisted in December, 1863, in the
Fortieth New York Infantry. Levy
saved a steamer through his bravery
and presence of mind in cutting loose
a water schooner which she had in
tow, which allowed her to pull away
from the Confederate gunboat that was
attacking her. He also carried two
stands of colops at Charles City cross
roads, after the sergeant and corpor-
ais had, in turn been shot down, thus
saving them from falling into the enc
my's hands.
A LACKAWANNA BOY.
Captain John G. Delaney, of Har-
risburg, who enlisted here when a mere
boy, won his medal for bravery at
Dabney Mills, Va, on Feb. 6, 1865 by
going between the lines and rescuing
wounded comrades. Captain A. H.
Mitchell, also of Harrisburg, was dec
GRATED with the medal for heroic con-
duct during the desperate charge when
the rebel lines were broken at Spott-
| sylvania.
First Lieutenant James r. Durham,
| of Washington, ID. c., the quarter
master of the Legion, is minus several
! fingers that he lost in fighting for his
| country. He received the medal of
honor for bravery in action on June
| IA, 1868, during the battle of Winchest-
| er. Lieutenant Durham was in COM
mand of a skirmishing party. They lay
| behind a stone wall several hours, not
| daring to cross it or show their heads
| above it, as it was certain death. The
| confederates were behind another stone
| wall about one hundred yard distant.
| Three OF company E were killed while
rising in order to get a shot. They
| were at last ordered over the wall and
! the gallant lieutenant, cheering the
boys on, was the first one over
They advanced about thirty yards,
| the bullets flying thick and fast on
| all sides They continued to advance.
when the lieutenant was struck in the
right hand and six or seven of his
men were also wounded. Two ad-
vanced so far as to surrender, fearing
to retreat. The lieutenant here found
that the line of battle had taken shelf
| er behind the stone walls and that he
and his men were far in advance of ii.
He ordered his men back, taking the
wounded with them. His right hand
and forearm was severely shattered.
The lieutenant participated in eigh-
teen battles and skirmshes, conduct
ing himself gallantly, and received a
brevet captains commission, and a
medal from his own state.
THE FIRST REBEL FLAG.
General ]. Madison Drake, of Eliza
beth, n. j., raised the first company
| of volunteers in New Jersey under
President Lincoln's first call for 5000
men, and served in the three months
campaign as ensign of the Third New
| Jersey regiment. He unfurled the first
Union flag on rebel soil, on the night
of May "a, 1861, when the army crossed
the Long Bridge into Virginia. Re-en-
listing in what became the famous
Ninth New Jersey rihemen, General
Drake served with that command un-
til April 13, 1865. In May 1864, young
| Drake, at that time q lieutenant in
command of a company, led the army
of the james from Bermuda Hundred
to Point of Rocks, and a few days
later he and his company led the ad.
vance against Drewry's Bluff, gallant.
Iy driving the confederates behind theii
works. In the terrible onslaught which
Beauregard made against the weal
Union line on the morning of May
16. Lieutenant Drake and his com.
mand, who had failed to retire with
the regiment, on account of the fog