The National tribune., 1898-08-18

SHHFTER IN THE CIVIh MAR.
"reminiscences of a Member of Coburn's
Brigade Regarding Interesting Episodes.
Editor National Tribune: A recent
statement that during the civil war Gen.
Shafter was a prisoner in the hands of
Gen. JOS Wheeler, in the Hispano-Ameri-
can war his subordinate in the operations
before Santiago is a curious illustration OF
how easily memories may be at fault.
1t is true that the greater portion OF Col.
John Coburn's Brigade, of which Mai. VIM.
r. Shafter, 18th Mich, was member,
were taken prisoners, after a desperate
fight of several hours, at Thompson
Station, Tenn, March S, 1853. But 1t is
not true that the opposing force was COM
manded by Gen. Joe Wheeler. Col. Co
burns Brigade, with a battery and de-
tachment of cavalry, was sent out from
Franklin, Tenn, as a reconnaissance, un-
der orders from Gen. Rosecrans to ascer-
tain what force the enemy had in front.
On the second day he encountered
heavy force under Ma. Earl Van
Dorm, with the result that out of his small
force of ,864 men as were killed, 2i'
wounded, 1 ISL taken prisoners, and only
ais escaped. Gen. Van Dorn's command
comprised four large brigades under
Gems. w. III. Jackson and Jas. w. Mar
tin, division commanders, and n. b. For
rest, F. c.. Armstrong, J. w. Whitfield,
and G.. B. Cosby brigade commanders.
They lost 357 in killed and wounded.
Among the officers commended in Col.
Ceburn'S official report of the battle we
find the name of Maj. VIM. r.. Shafter.
He is also favorably mentioned in pre-
liminary reports made by the Adiutant
General arfa a CT n hrlpade
before Coburn's S return from Libby Prison.
Gen. Absalom Baird, division commander,
in his official report of the affair uses this
language:
The bravery of the little band surround
ed and captured was so conspicuous as
10 elicit the applause OF the enemy HIM
self and we are informed that Coils. Co
burn and Gilbert and MAJ. Shafter, of the
18th Mich, were permitted on this account
10 retain their horses and side-arms.
Il may be of interest TO follow this part
of Gen. Skaters military career little
further. Released from captivity, he re-
turned to Murfreesboro with his regiment
early in June, 1868, and about this time
was promoted TO the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. In September of that year the
policy of arming the negroes was estab b
lished IN the Department of the Cunber-
land, and Lieut.-Col. Shafter was COM
missioned Colonel and given command
of the 18th u. S. Colofed Troops. After
few weeks of drill and garrison duty at
Murfreesboro the regiment was trans
ferred to Nashville, where it became
famous for perfection of drill and diSci-
plino, and SO efficient in its assigned duty
of guarding Quartermaster's stores that
when 1t was sent in pursuit of Hood after
the battle of Nashville, Gen. j. l.. Don
aldson, Chief Quartermaster wrote to the
commander of the army:
This regiment was given me for my
necessary work here, and would like it
ordered back L need E"
On the morning Of the memorable Dec.
Is, 1854, when Gen. Thomas's superb
army was hurled against the intrench-
ments OF Hood with such force that that
boastful lighters lines crumbled TO frag
ments, Col. Shafter and his regiment were
assigned TO Gen. ThOs. j. MoEgan's Bri-
gade of Celofed Troops.
Gen Morgan, in his report says: "An
excellent regiment, the 18th U. 5. Colored
Troops, under a brave and gallant officer,
Col. Shafter, reported to me, instead of the
18th u 5. Celored Troops"
In the charge upon Hoods lines Col.
Shafter was given command of a demi-
brigade the 18th and 44th u s. CoIored
Troops, which carried the rife-pits and
pushed forward beyond the line of their
supports until stopped by deep cut of
the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad.
The losses OF the nth was the heaviest OF
any regiment in the brigade.
Gen. Morgan official report again says
"COl. Shafter acquitted himself we'll, is
cool and brave and good disciplinarian "
Such qualifications won for the gallant
Colonel commission in the Regular
Army soon after the close OF the war and
to-day his country reaps the benefit oi
the same coolness, bravery, and organiz-
ing talent displayed in the wonderful
success at Santiago de Cuba.
When Col. Shafter assumed command
OF his regiment of colored troops he die
not resign his commission as Lieutenant
Colonel OF the 18th Mich. so when Col
Henry G. Gilbert, one of the bravest and
best of men, was killed in the aSsault
and capture OF a rebel four-pun battery al
Resaca, May Is, 1854, command of the
regiment devolvcd on Maj. Eli a. Griffin
That gallant officer also fell in death /:
month later in the bloody struggle at New
Hope Church leaving the regiment ii
charge of Capt. John j. Baker Tha
officer had not yet been mustered a.
Major when he was wounded at Peaci
Tree Greek, July 20, and Capt Davi,
Anderson assumed command
IL was not until November lust befor
the army left Atlanta for the march to tn
sea. that the vacancy occurred in tn
Lieutenant-Coionelcy by resignation G
Col. Shalter that allowed Mai. Baker I
obtain his well earned promotion
i often wondered when promotion afte
promotion Of juniors passed by Wm. II
Shaster leaving him ranking Colonel
the United States Army for IS years
whether there was not in il something {
moral reuibution for the time when h
blocked promotions for the line officers {
the 18th Mich, and still wonder why
did it. My knowledge of these incident
in the early military career of the no
distinguished General comes mainly frol
the fact that i was mem ber of Coburn
Brigade.-Haryey Reid, Maquoketa low: