The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-03-11
AS TO SAVING WASHINGTON
Comrade Watson Also Has Something to
Say about Medals of Honor.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: see that
Comrade r. B. Wilson claims the Kanawha
Division, or two regiments of it, saved
Washington. Gen. John Porter was at OF
close to Centerville on Aug. 80, 1862, and
his command was part of McClellan's
army. / should like to know how Porter
got there, if he did not march from the
Potomac. At the time the two regiments
were retreating he must have been between
Centerville and Washington.
Comrade Wilson says that before they
reached Washington they could hear steady,
sullen roar of artillery in direction OF
Manassas, and that Pope's army was holly
engaged in battle. The battle was fought
29th and 3Oth of August, 1862, and do not
know how much of McClellan's army was
in the battle but I do know Reynolds
Division was in the fight. 1t was part of
McClellan's army. Gen. Meade was in
command of one brigade of Reynolds's Divis-
ion, and early on the morning of the 29th I,
with two men, reported to Meade for Orderly
duty, but cannot say when Reynolds re-
ported to Pope. But when we reported we
found them where we bivouacked the night
of the 28th, and when we were sorely
pressed on the Goth, heard Reynolds say
to Meade that he did not see why Porter did
not support him, for there had been two
orders sent him to come up, and he had had
time to be up from Centerville.
There is proof enough that he was be-
tween Bull Run and Washington when
Comrade Wilson claims there was no troops
except the two regiments Of the Kanawha
Division.
A word in regard to soldiers receiving
medals Of honor. think there are some
receiving them that are not entitled to them,
but where soldier exposed himself to save
other troops, and went further than his
orders, and then was complimented by his
officer for bravery, he is entitled to one.
will give an example.
The writer acted as Orderly for Gen.
Meade at Manassas. At one time his bri-
gade was being fianked and he deployed the
Bucktail regmeatalong the embankment of
the pike, On thesfeftsof his command, then
withdrew the rest Of brigade Meade Or
dered me to send the first Bucktail l came
to to the Colonel (MeNeel I think and tell
him to Withdraw and fall back in rear of
brigade. The first men saw were four in a
fence-corner, and ! gave one of them the
order. He sworsat me and told me to 60
myself. &
This man could have slipped up the bank
along the pikes and not exposed himself
much, but seeing the Bucktails were likely
to be fanked, / put spurs to my horse and
went fully 200 yards to the Colonel and
gave him the order myself There was a
perfect hail ofa Rinie> balls around me.
When I returned 10 Meade he inquired Of
me if knew whether The Colonel received
the order. told him / took it myself, and
he replied by saying that he did not order
me to go, for he thought it would be certain
death for man on horseback.
Then l reported to him what the man
said that l ordered to 20, and that if the
regiment remained where it was it would be
captured. Meade took my name, company,
and regiment saying l should be compli-
mented to the regiment for bravery and
service rendered.
A short time after I became sick and was
in hospital at Washington for 26 days.
While there an order from Gen. Reynolds
was read to my regiment complimenting me
and ordering me promoted, but as l was
absent never heard any thing Of the order
till February, 1865. l had been promoted
to Sergeant by that time, but not in compli-
ance with Reynolds's order originating from
Meade.
/ think those of the Bucktails who are
living and engaged in that battle will recol-
lect me, as the Orderly that dashed along
their line mounted on a large black horse
j. M. WATSON, Go. II, 41st Pa. Reserve Cav,
and Go. l., 1st Pa Vet. Cav, Walnut Grove, o.