The National tribune., 1897-01-21
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades All Along the
Line.
0Me Flag Of the sth Tenn.

writes: In recent issue is A Color-bear-
er's Opinion / agree with the comrade, and
believe there are medals Of honor granted
where they are not entitled to them. But
there are some who hold certificates OF serv-
ice granted by the commands they were in
who try to make some, at least, believe they
are medals of honor. We have some OF the
latter class in our own country. Is 1t not
surprising. after 80 years, there are certain
soldiers who can relate from memory things
that happened during their service, but
never put it in print. ! know In my own
case that when ! refer to my diary l am
surprised to find incidents recorded that
have been forgotten.
q know we lost our regimental colors in
front of Atlanta, Ca, Aug. 6, 1864, when our
brigade, consisting of the 9Th Tenn, 18th
and 10Th KY, Tooth Ohio, and 63d Ind, Of
the Third Division, Twenty-third Corps,
made charge on the rebel works and were
repulsed, losing 400 men killed and wounded.
The 9Th Tenn, being in the opening In front
of the works, were exposed to the main fire
from the enemy, and one of our color-bearsrs
went up to the works and punched the flag
staff through between the head-log and
works at the Johnnies. They took hold Of
the inner end Of the staff and drew the flag
staff and color-bearer over the works, and
took him prisoner. The other color-bearer
being dead. they came out and took the other
cOlOrs"
"There We're Others"
8. G. Ferguson, Sergeant, 35th Mo-, hay
Springs, Neb., would like to say few words
about Helena, Ark, on July 4, 1863 We
read, says he, sin late issue how the 33d
Iowa did 80 well in that brush with the
enemy. The writer Of the article seems to
want all the praise for the whole job, not
even mentioning the brave Gen. B. +. Psen-
tiss, who commanded, and the 35th Mo-, 18th
Ind. BILLY McClains regimsnt), also the
gunboats Tyler and Connestoga, which isy
in the river opposite tho town, and threw
their shells over our heads out into the
woods. They did it so thick and fast that
some 4. 800 Johnpies. in trying toescapet them,
ran into town to find a hiding place behind
the sutler shops. But they were badly
fooled. They ran into the 35th Mo. anu
18th Ind, and were marched down town,
and instead of resting at Hotel de Sutier were
hustled aboard steamer lying at tho
wharf and forwarded to Memphis.
".Now, comrade of the 33d Iowa, we don't
want to detract one iota from your regi-
ment's record, but would say that you did
both lost many brave men on that day.
Had not those two gunboats done such good
execution think things w0uld have turned
out differently. The brave 33d and other
Iowa regiments and detachments would
have lost more heavily than they did, or got
badly licked in the end. We were out
numbered almost four to one on that MEM
Orable OCCASION"
In the Front Line Of Battle.
J. @. A. Campbell, Co. B. 5th Iowa., editor
and publisher Of the Bellefontaine Republican,
Bellefentaine, O., writes: "On the 18th Of
May, 1863, Hovey's Division attacked the
center of Pemberton's line at the battle Of
Champions Hill, Miss, and after driving
the rebels some distance were in turn driven
back, the rebels having been strongly rein
forced from another part of their line. The
5th Iowa, of which was member, was sent
in with the rest of the Third Brigade, Of
Crocker's Division, to check the rebel adj
vance. We charged through Hovey's Divis-
ion, which was pluckily fighting, as 1t fell
back and in turn drove the rebels.
Zone of Hovey's men, member OF the
oath Ind, came to me and asked me If he
could fight with my company, as he had got
separated from his own command. / told
him certainly and he took his place in our
line. The last saw of him was when he
held up his hand to show me that he had
been wounded, having had finger shot
away. He was then in the front line.
AFTER the capture Of Vicksburg, and
while returning from Jackson, where we had
gone to give battle to 10 Johnston, we were
hurrying along the road Chat leads over
Champions Hill, after big rain, endeavoring
to get across Black River before dark. AS
we hurried past frame house, that stood
with its gable end to the road, saw three
or four soldiers on the porch skinning hog
strange occupation for soldiers, and recog-
nized in one of them my Indiana friend,
mentioned above. was glad to see him
still alive, and said, Hello! You were at
Champion HILL and he immediadiately re-
piled, There now and had passed the
end of the house, and was out Of sight and
hearing.
thinking the matter over afterwards,
remembering his There now to his COM
rades and knowing that once in awhile a
soldier shot his own finger off to keep from
going into fight, and knowing that this
Indiana soldier was with my company, and
not with his own, part of the time during
the battle, wondered if it were possible that
he had been accused of cowardice and Of
shooting off his own finger. was anxious
to set him right, but did not know his name,
and never met him or his regiment again.
"a day or two ago it entered my mind to
try your columns to set him right before his
comrades, if he still lives, and if he was so
misiudged.n