The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-10-14

right and slightly to rear of battery, and
commenced, as we thought, breakfast
appetizer by the short work of exterminat-
ing the balance of the Southern Confeieracy
in Virginia. Suddenly clear and distinct
rang out the command: Cease firing; you
are firing upon our own men"
On hearing this Order | thought l would
make use of the rf]e-pit or breastwork |
knew to be close at my right aud front.
ducked my head, and rapid advance to the
works, bullets seeming to come from all
directions. / saw the Johnnes scramb!ing
over from the opposite side, all seeming
eager to be the 6rst to make my acquaint-
ance
My first thought was, Roberts, you are .
gOner this .ime, sure" My second thought
was Of Andersonville. / about-faced at
once. But what was my surprise not to
see any of them. The Johnnies kept up
their firing and clamor of Halt. halt! in
my rear, flank and front. The idea of the
regim. Mt retreating did not enter my mind
just then. | started of, for the Johnnies
were a few in front, quite a considerable
number on my immediate right and all the
rest of the rebel soldiery in Virginia was in
close proximity to my immediate rear, with
the exception of one or two graybacks as
running-mate on my left.
But the Johnnies got more numerous ali
the time in front Of me until passed through
our camp-the tents which we left standing
-whereat most of them in advance began to
halt and investigate. Your humble servant
headed for hollow between some low hills
iust back and left of our late camp, expect
ing minie-b ball to catch him in some part
the anatomy at every jump. The thought
of Andersonvills kept my propeilers at work
and right faithfully did they perform said
duty, until the first angle or two around one
of those hillocks, which l endeayored to
keep between myself and the yelling John
MES.
/ would not have you think was scared.
By no means; but l wished TO prevent them
from observing the tin soldier-like actions of
one of Uncle SamueFs boys in blue. Find
ing that the bullets had almost ceased to
come in ray direction, and taking long
breath or two, and asceriaining that was
all present if not accounted for short OBJ
servation made me acquainted with the sur
roundings. / soon found some Of nay regi-
ment and We soon found the cOlOrs, and, of
course you and every body know what fol-
lowed.
In the early morning we had been On the
left flank Of the Nineteenth Corps. So, after
regaining our former camp at night, /, with
TIVE of my company, went out over the ground
occupied in the early morning to look for the
body of our First Lieutenant, Geo. W. Quay.
We found him, and, strange TO relate he had
all of his clothing on; all the pockets were
turned wrong side out the contents removed
and laid upon his breast undisturbed. He
bore no ensign Of rank; he was dressed as
private solGier having bnt n few days Dreyl-
ousy received his commission, not having
had time to procure Lieutenant's uniform.
Fastened securely On the outside Of his coat
collar was button or pin with the combined
emblems of the Masonic and Odd Fellows
Orders engraved thereon. Inside his pocket
book were receipts signed by the Secretaries
of the lodges of the Orders for dues paid.
We buried the body on the brow of a hill
close by. At the head of the grave we placed
board with the name, company and regi-
ment thereon, and rude cuts of the emblems
E ". ROBERTS, Co. c, 9Th Ind, National
Military Home, Milwaukee, Wis.