The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-25
Special from a STAFF Correspondent.

Camp Alger, Va, June 24.-The Sec
ond brigade, our immediate neighbOrs,
received sudden orders this morning to
pack up and proceed at once to New
port News. Before they could drop
their canvas the order was counter
manded and the remaining portion of
General Duffield's brigade, battalion
of the Thirty-fourth Michigan and the
Ninth Massachusetts. was given the
preference. Wire-pulling in Washing
ton it is said, is responsible for the
change.
General Goblin assumed command of
the Third brigade today and announced
Lieutenant a. Wilson Norris, of the
Eighth, as acting adjutant general and
Lieutenant Nichols, of the Twelfth, as
his acting quartermaster.
on the return from the march today
the cavalry surprised the Third bri-
gadc Just outside the camp and at
tempted to cut off the rear guard, at
tacking front and flank. The main
body Of the troopers were routed and
penncd in the woods, where they sur
rendered to Major Wood. The squad
who attacked the flank would have
succeeded but for the timely arrival of
Captain Corwin and Company II, who
were sent back double-quick to rein
force the rear guard.
The troopers were vanquished and
their color-bearcr captured. General
Graham witnessed the engagement
from his quarters on the hill with a
field glass.
OFFICERS PLEASED.
The Third brigade lads are highly
pleased with their excursion to Mary
land, and their officers are highly
pleased with them. Their conduct was
that of the true soldier all through and
i'm every respect Their successful re-
sistancc of the cavalry attacks, the
endurance they displayed on the
march. the intelligence with which
they carried out the orders of their
officers. their abstinence from cxcesses
of a mischievous nature GO put it
lightly out of consideration for some
brigades which previously made the
trip, and, above all, the cheerful and
unComplaining manner in which they
underwent the hardships Of the march,
saying by the zest which character
lied their every act that they wanted
the experience just as much as their
superiors wanted that they should
have it. This is what we need" you
would hear them say. I'VE ought to
get this right along" And it would
be said with a refreshing enthusiasm.
There is not a single particular in
which the Third brigade did not ex-
cell every one of its predecessors on
the practice march. In the morning
particularly they We're complimented
most lavishly by Captain Fish. who
had charge of the attaching cavalry.
In conversation with Major Wood he
said; II never saw a line guarded so
well. We could not approach any part
of it at any time on the march. / am
sure the results would have been dis
astrous to us had We tried it,"
THE FOURTH CAPTURE.
There was a fourth trooper cap
tired it later developed, and ii was a
very gratifying capture for the priS-
oner proved to be the tantalizing fell
low who dogged the rear of the line
all the way from Falls Church to the
Palisades. The capture was made by
Captain RObling and Company G. As
soon as the brigade sighted it's camp
ing place Major Wood, who had charge
of the exterior guard, dropped them
back to the bridge to establish an
outpost and a picket line across the
Potomac valley.
Mr., Trooper, from the top of the
Palisades, saw his own comrades
Camped at the end of the bridge and
the infantry column winding along the
opposite shore, some distance up the
river He thought the coast was clear
and rode incautiously along the pike
right into the midst of a squad of
Robling's men, who had discovered
him some distance off and secreted
themselves by the roadside to await
his coming. He was much chagrined
when he found himself surrounded and
taken prisoner within sight Of his
camp. lie was paroled on condition
that he would walk to his own camr
leading his horse, confessing to his
comrades that he had been made pris,
oner.
One of the prisoners taken by the
rear guard was Drought before MajOi
Wood, and questioned. He refused tC
talk. Major Wood told him If he didn't
talk he would have to walk. M
talk" said the prisoner smiling good,
naturedly,
HAD To WALK.
Must walk then" replied the maio,
with an equally gracious smile. Tn,
prisoner was dismounted and had Il
trudge under guard in all the dust IN,
five miles that remained to be coy
cred
THAT was big game you captured
major" remarked Doctor Merriman
when the camp had been reached.
did you know him" queried tn,
major.
Know him? Why. yes. That wal
Coehrane, Of Brooklyn, surgeon o