The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1897-05-18

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
40 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 beg IN anew the battle of life.
John B. Scace, the widely known contrac-
tor AMI building mover of Albany, N. Y,
has hld an unusually interesting life, and
when seen by a reporter recently at his home,
No. Is Bradford Street. told of his many ex-
Deriences AMI 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 m IRE than huff century of years with
an elastic step and keen mind, taking an
n.eive interest in private and public affairs.
While still boy, his family moved from
Alb my his birthplace, TO Pittsiield, Mass,
and h re he Is educated. He mastered the
carpenters trlde, became a member of Derk-
shire Lodge, No. So, |. o. o. F., and was
entering up)n successful business life when
came the clll from Washington for men. All
og,r the country the word Sped and excite
ment ran high. All the old-time patriotism
tn It had nude Mass lchusetts famous in
Revolutionary days was fired to its utmost
Every town and village sent out its squad or
conptny-
The company in which Mr.. Scace enlisted
in September of 1862, as private, became
Company A, Forty-ninth Regiment, Massa-
chusetts Volunteer Inflntry. Under the
com non impression that the war would be
one of but short duration. the men.were en-
listed for nine months only. Scarcely were
thy uniformed and armed before they were
orl,red to the front. The regiment, which
at the time was under the command of Col
w. f. Bartlett, served in the First Brigade
Fist Division, Nineteenth Corps, and par.
sicioated in some of the hottest battles of the
grrlt rebellion.
Mr. Sclce, ut the time, was but twenty-five
ears of age, and he remembers well with
what beating heart he first fell in line. Iii.
regiment vas ordered South, directly through
the cnemy's country, with Baton Rouge 4.
the objective point. After several months @
weary marches, during which Company a
passed through several lively scrimmage!
With the enemy constantly lowering abou
the II links and rear, the capital city o
Louisi I'M was reached. An evacuation fol
lowed. Citizens AMI the rebel soldery sta
toned in the city fed like frightened sheen
bearing with them what goods they coult
cry and set-ing torch 10 the rest. Thu
brautiful capitol building, which had beer
converted into Il var prison. had also beer
fired, and the buys in blue swarlaed in, jus
in fine 10 save their captive comrades from
Ierisliing in the flames. Mr.. Scace, VIII,
hril heen.'while en- route, promoted 10 cor
J.l,ai, was in tic thitl5est Of The melee, anC
q 'seihes the scenes in graphic name:
hI'lldugh the city had fallen almost withou
how given or received, fight was not fl
oil, fr word was received that 4 large fore
Of tie cnclny was fast approaching.
A bloody battle cnslled at Plain Store,
f'w days mlreh oHt Of the capital. in whicl
Carioral E,;lce was severely woundcd. !
Innle bail y.rUcb his LEFT thigh and, grain,
TIE bone, narrowly missed The great artery
lie was retired tO'thc camp at Baton Rouge
bat recuperated so rapidly that he entered
soon after again into active service. Tn
battles of Port Hudson and DonaidsonviIl
followed, with all their thrilling episodes.
1t was not long after t.is that, by rcasoi
Of the expiration of his term OF enlistment
lie Was honorahly discharged. Ills respil
was not a long enc however for he soon nj
forward re-ellistcd, TO serve for the remain
der of the wa'. For meritorious action h
had been raised to the scrgeant's stripes an
pc such served in Company A, Sixty-firs
Regiment, nssachusettsVoluntcer Infantry
under Col. Charles I. Walcott. Dur4As tl