Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-15
DAREDEVIL BRAVERY.
How Lieutenant Eagan. When Too Badly
Wounded TO Stand. Fought On.

About twenty-five years ago said
well-known army officer. ''the Modoc In
dian war. in the lava beos of southern
Oregon ana northern California. was in
progress In 1t occurred some as severe
lighting. under adverse circumstances, as
ever came to the lot of the United States
army Among the troops engaged In that
war was the Ninth united States Infan-
try. 1t Is well known that this regiment
was never permitted to take any part in
the Civil war, but was kept during that
whole eventful period on the Pacific
slope. 1t was not the fault of the officers
of the regiment. yet they felt very sensi-
tive on the subject.
Among the officers of that regiment
was young lieutenant, whose name l
shall mention later. On the evening pre-
ceding the heaviest fight that occurred
during the campaign remarks We're made
rejecting upon the courage of what they
designated as the California contingent
meaning thereby the Ninth Infantry.
These remarks came to the ears of the
young lieutenant, who Immediately
sought their author, and in the presence
of large number of his felow-offi GERS,
resented the aspersions in the most Wig
orous terms; branding the man as a mod
er Ananias. and also announcing that i'm
mediately after the fight which was Stat
ed for the following day he would person
ally make good all that he then said.
'Furthermore, as the matter of person
al courage had been put in question. he
ing morning he should wear his full uni
form, and he challenged me author of the
disparaging remarks to do the same.
That night the commanding general sent
for this lieutenant and informed him that
in the charge that was to DE made on
the following morning he was going to
give him the next position to the post of
honor that Is. the left Of the line. Any
soldier will know that when troops are in
line of battle the left is equally exposed
with the right. 1t happened. therefore.
that on the morning of the battle the Cal
ifornia lieutenant, true to his word. APP
peared in command of the left of the line
in full uniform, and as it was well known
that such an exposure was to court al
most certain death, not another officer
did so appear. Notwithstanding the leu
tenants emphatic challenge.
In the gray dawn of the following hour
the troops lined UP in front of those ter
rible obstacles known the lava beds.
The command, Forward was given, AMI
over they went. first one and then an
other, in the face of a whitening fire from
the saVagcS behind piles of rocks. some
i've and some fully forty feet in height,
the California lieutenant. in full uniform.
at the head of his company on the left of
the line. The right was crushed and fell
back, but the left. encouraged by its com
manders splendid example, held its
ground
las may be Imagined. the officer in full
uniform received the attention of every
and they finally brought him down with
a rifle ball through his thigh, cutting the
tendonS 10 his leg. Calliag two soldiers
instead Of permitting them to carry him
off. as the wished 10 do. he placed hand
on the shoulder of each. and, thus sup
ported. he fought on, until by sheer loss
of blood his whole strength gave way
and the soldiers laid him down till the
fight was all over. His gallant conduct
on this occasion won for him the undying
friendship Of the late Major-Gcneral
Crook to whose department he was soon
after called. To his own yalor AMI this
friendship the United States owes is that
he is now Brighten. Charles p. Eagan
commisSary- general Of subsistence.
The Modocs touched the button in the
lava beds Of Oregon and President Me
kinley has done the rest. The same
conluct in the British army would have
won the Victoria cross; in the French
army it would have brought the cross Of
the Legion of Honor. In the United
States army it won only the friendship of
General Crook AMI yet We fancy if Cen
eral Eagan were now to choose between
them all he would take the latter
Washington Star.