The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-06-30
PICKET SHOTS.
From Alert Comrades Along the
Whole Line.
Loomis's Battery.

J. c. Vorhes Co. A, 1st Mich l.. A.,
Rochester, Mich, writes: Recently Lieut..
G.. w. Witherspoon, Co. Fl, 14th Mich, speak
ing Of the charge at Johnsboro and the cap
ture of four guns, said two of them formerly
belonged to G. o. Loomis's battery, of Cold
water Mich, which were taken at Stone
River. In the Stone River battle we lost
heavily-men and horses, but no gun.
1.-The only time Battery A lost guns was at
Chckamauga, Sept. 10, 1868. We were
then in Scribner's Brigade, Baird's Division,
Thsmas's Corps. Our brigade was sent in
early, about 6: 30 O'Clock q. M, as we sup
posed, to find the enemy. Anyway, we found
him, and he was willing to fight. He was
waiting In the timber and bush for Scribner's 5
Brigade. On discovering. the rebels they
were near and on our right flank, a strong
division in line passing ours long distance
each way. | remember their appearance as
very engaging, but not at all attractive.
The center of the division gave us wither-
ing fire, while the flanks at once ciTcled
about U.s.
'Our brigade held ground until entirely
surrounded, when firing ceased, for little
talk and to get better acquainted. One OF
our guns got away without loss; another gun
was moved ont from amidst the enemy hav-
ing only the lead riders, two cannoneers, and
gunners, with horses badly hit. When a
short distance away detachment of the
enemy followed and opened fire. Their Off
wheel horse was hit in the head, laying him
down. With the horse across the tongue,
the enemy coming on close, the men had no
thought to leave their gun until their
Lieutenant came along and advised them to
run, rs they would yet be taken prisoners.
This gun was left perhaps 30 rods towards
our line, from which the enemy did not move
it, and it was retaken soon after.
Under One Flag.
J. III. Steger, Captain and Assistant Adju-
t-General, Volunteers, ST. Louis: " At
this time, when the boys are going into camp
and barracks, to fit themselves to uphold the
Did fiag / think it proper to relate an incl
lent of our civil war. 1t was just before one
Of the bloody battles between the Army of
The Potomac and the Confederates under Gen.
Lee Two of Lees staff officers had been
,ent to the front. during the night, to observe
md make note of the position of the Federal
army, at that time under Maj Gen. John
Pope. When daylight came, and the haze
lad lifted so as to afford view of the Fed
,ral camp, over which the Stars and Stripes
we're proudly floating, one of the officers who
lad resigned from the Regular Army to cast
MS fortunes with the Confederacy) looking
owards our banner as it bravely fiaunted
,ver the camp, turned to his companion and
said: '' Isn't she pretty?" For a u.oment
lis heart had turned to his first love; but
{ was only for moment, for within the
lour he, in the line of duty, was doing all in
1is power to lower that banner. Yes, she
IS pretty, "and the thicker the fight, the more
hazardous the work of keeping her afioat,
he more beautiful she becomes and the closer
we rally to protect and. advance Old Glory.
We are Americans
Rebel Prisoners Well Fed.
A. W. Hall, Ayr, Neb., writes: s. In look
ng over your paper | noticed some inquiries
,y T. r. Burton, Co. III, 10th Kan, regard
ng prisoners at Camp Morton, Ind. l was
me OF the guards at the camp from Septem-
,er, 1858, to December, 1864, having been
transferred from Co. ID, sd ILL.,, to Co. A,
,th Reg't, V. r. c., on account of a wound
eceived at Corinth Miss. Oct 2, 1862. As
)rderly-Scrgeant of Co. A, with the other
)rderlie5 of our regiment, it was part of
ny duty to call the roll of the rebel prisoners
very morning. My squad numbered about
800, and | know whereof | speak when /
ay that the prisoners were well fed, with just
is good rations as we had, and received just
IS much.
- In the Spring there was some sickness
lmong the prisoners, and Col. Stevens ordered
potatoes and onions added to the rations.
These our prisoners never got at any of the
ebel pens in the South, and l know as fact
hat there was distributed among the prison
IT'S about 500 pairs of shoes, rs many of them
we're nearly barefooted when they came there,
md we did not have the heart to make them
stand in line (while we were calling the roll
n this condition, when there was snow on
he ground.