The National tribune., 1899-07-13
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What the Veterans Have to Say
About Their Campaigns.
FACED SHOT AND SHELL.
New Ycrks IIs;h Regiment Made Gallant Record In the
Civil War.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: II we
tIrn back the pages of history we will find
thrilling and sorrowful events i'll which the
l1Sth y. Y. took active part. After the
battle of Drewry's Bluff. May 16. 1864. the
news that came brought sorrow into many
homes in Northeastern New York where the
regiment was enlisted. 1t was as fine a
body OF young men as went out of the
State. They faced shot and shell. disease
and Imprisonment, urged thereto by true
patriotism. The following is an extract
from letter written by Chaplain Chas. l..
Hagar to his family:
The enemy attacked our entire lire
about 4 O'Clock, Monday morning Con
ceaed by dense fog, they We're enabled to
approach US with comparative safety.
They were driven back at various points,
but at length, outflanking us. we were
Obliged to retire To our inner line of defense.
Burham's Brigade, of which our regiment
formed a part. fought nobIy. At one time
the rebels raised and waved white flag,
when the order was given to cur men to
cease firing. Soon after, they poured in a
volley and charged upon Us.
Our loss is very heavy. Lieut.. Col.
George f. Nichols is wounded in the head
and slightly across the side. His clothes
were riddled with balls.
Il have been searching the hospitals
all the forenoon to find Adjt John L. Carter
and Capt. Pierce, who are missing. ] fear
that they are taken prisoners. The Ad-
jutant w ounded in the arm, and when
last coming from the field; but
tn others of our regiment, was
the enemy. He was taken
James Reay, when last seen, had his
leg broken, but he was waving his hand to
our men and shouting, Give it to them,
boys" Oakley Smith, "a connection of Mr.
Oscar Biinn,) most exemplary young man,
volunteered TO carry musket,, Qlc was
ordnance clerk,) and was instantly killed" !"
\ letter received in Plattsburg soon
after the battle, from William III. Finn,
said: q have conversed with great many
of the men. and they are all loud in their
praises Of the bravery and daring spirit of
Lieut.-Col. Geo. F. Nichols, who COM
manded the regiment during the engage
ment."
Serg't Burke wrote that Co II went into
the action with 41 men and came out with
II.
The regiment mustered less than $50
after the battle.
Another account is in relation to Capt.
| Walter III. Benedict, of the 96th n. Y. Ii
goes on to say: The circumstances attend
ing the death of this gallant officer are
these: The outwOrkS of Fort Darling had
| been captured, and our men were inside.
In the course of the night breaStworkS had
been thrown up, but they We're not exten-
sive enough to cover the whole line. Capt.
Benedict was with portion of the men on
one of the TANKS uncovered; and being seen
| by the enemy, a shell was thrown into the
group. One or two privateS were also
killed and several wounded"
Mention is made of the late Rev. n.
| Wardner, brave Chaplain of the 11Sth:
chaplain Wardner accompanies the regi-
ment wherever there is work to be done.
Among other of his doings is the capture OF
rebel Captain, and the bringing of him
within our lines. There were bur Two
alternatives in the case, he was either a
dead Captain or prisoner"
| These heroic events of the past thrill
the blood and also stir up tender memories.
The 10th, the Goth, the 11Sth, a part OF the
60th and of the nth Regiments were men
from Northeastern New York, the 18th, and
| the 11Sth from Clinton and Essex Counties.
Members of the GAR. Posts and all
who love and honor heroes will be stirred
| by these "reminiscences. We have occasion
to be proud of the brave men of our northern
| tier of Counties in every war that has been
waged. Revolutionary heroes, warriors OF
1872, those who fought under Scott and
Taylor and Wool in Mexico, the later
heroes of 81 and of '9S-honor to them all
to the many who have fallen asleep, and to
those who remain! Cover the dead with
the tender flowers of memory! Bank their
graves with the fragrant blossoms of the
field! Cherish those still with us! They
offered their lives for their country and their
| fellows-no man can do more! God bless
| them forever!-VET.