The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-07-24
At Interesting "Reminiscences.

At Interesting "Reminiscences.
One interesting Renaissance brought
out during the late visit Of the First
Minnesota survivors to Gettysburg has
Just co.ne to light On the fourth of
Jelly Capt. Henry Castle, uditor for
the postotfice department, Judge II. G.
Hicks and John ii. Thompson of Min
neapolis, and Maj. J. Q. Milne of Du-
luth, formed party which visited the
old Bull Run battlefield, Maj. Milne
has served in the First Minnesota, was
wounded at Bull Run and had not re-
visited the field since the battle, thirty
six year ago. He was naturally desir-
Gus to 90 over the ground where he
fought and especially anxious to exactly
identify the spot who're he fell. While
driving around he narrated to his COM
panions the incidents of the fight. At
about 8 O'Clock in the afternoon Of Sun
day, the day of the great battle; the
major WAS on the extreme front of the
line acting with the sharpshooters. 1t
was the eliminating period of the action
and the tarthest point in front reached
by the Union troops. Maj. Milne was
wounded simultaneously by one bullet
in the right arm aid another through
the lungs. He wheeled around and
started to the rear, when, after going
about twenty steps, shell bursting
over his head struck him with some
splinters and fcIled him to the ground.
He lay unconscious. bleeding at the
mouth from his chest and from his arm
His comrades came up, and thinking
him dead, took from his clothing his
personal effects. which they afterwards
forwarded to his parents, reporting that
they. had left him dead on the. BATHS
and two nights. He was conscious -
part of the time, but SO weakened from
loss of blood as to be unable to do any
thing for himself or attract attention.
Tuesday afternoon a rebel burial party
rolled him over on blanket, placed
him IN a wagon, hauled him five miles
to Manassas station over rough ~oad
then placed him in cattle car with
hundl eds of other wounded, and he
was transported to Richmond Here
for the first time his wounds received
attention. DR.. J. II. Stewart, surgeon
of the regiment, afterwards member of
congress from the st. Paul district, who
was also prisoner, attended to the
Al
his life was saved. After remain
ing IN Richmond several months he was
exchanged and sent home, where his
appearance was as that of one risen from
the dead. He was unable to resume
his place in the regiment and this ended
his military service.
The party arrived at the Henry House,
which was, as all know, the focal point
of the battlefield. Mr. Henry, the
! owner. Still lives there, is now eighty
five years old, but retains vivid recol-
lection Of the events Of the battle and
points out places of interest to visitors.
lhls house Is two miles distant from the
point which Maj. Milne had designated
on the map as being, in his opinion. the
place where he received the wounds.
But ter looking at the Topography of
the surrounding fields the major stated
his belief that he was wounded some
where IL that immediate eighborhood.
In the course Of his narration of the
events of the battle Mr.. Henry stated
that twenty years after the war cx-Goy.
William Smith. of Virginia, who was
colonel of the Fortv-ninth virginia in
| 1antry during the battle of Bull RIM. re-
VISITED The field. Col. Smith related 70
Mr.. Henry an incident connected with
the battle and pointed out the exact
spot where it occurred. He said that he
'1'1 charge of a burial party two DAYS
after the fight, and they found Yam
kec who was SO nearly gone that his
men did not consider it worth while to
attempt to save him, but the colonel
ailghtlng from his hotse took blanket
from under kis7saddle. His men rolled
the wounded soldier on the blanket.
then carefully lifted him up. pushed
1850 - i'i iAA'Si llIlp i-fc wagon ana
he was taten away. The colonel said
he had often wondered what became of
that wounded prisoner. Mr.. Henry
then pointed out the cXaC. s~ot where
that incident occurred and on going to
II Mag. Milne identified il positively as
the place where he lad fallen. Thus,
by one OF those wonderful condolences
which are constantly happening il con
nectlon with the war ..the major not only
identified the place most Interesting 10
hum, but for the first time learned the
name CT the man TO whom he owed
the preservation OF his life. 1t was win
earnest and tearful expressions OF regret
that MAJ Milne found himself unable to
thank his preserSer, rs Col. Smnh died
several years ago at very advanced
age But the dramatic circumstances Of
this discovery made an IMPRESSION On
ali who were present that will las, Is
long as the memory Of their visit Ia the
Bull Ran battlefield REMAINS.
Maj. Milne now resides in I57,IutE,
bu; more than twenty-five years ago he
represented the then Todd county dis
trict III the state senate anu has for
many years been 4 prominent citizen of
Mar IA