The National tribune., 1899-04-06
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What the Veterans Have to Say
About Their Campaigns.
FIRST b. c. CAV.
Sailors Transformed into Mounted Troops.
Tho Wilson Raid.

SdAokb AAAhsIoFhhou s"t~ AA~~FS'
Tho Wilson Raid.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: For years I
have been watching THE NATIONAL TRIB-
UNE to see something from the comrades of
the 1st D. C. Cav, but so far have failed.
The regiment was made up principally of
men from Maine, who were more used to
lying out on topsail yard in gale than
mounting horse. About the Goth of june,
1864, q negro regiment was dismounted, and
we took their horses. That night, with three
days' rations, we started on the Wilson
Raid. The next day the fun began. 1t was
amusing to see the different positions the
sailor lads would place themselves in. My
chum, who had followed the sea for eight or
10 years, swore that Richard might give
his kingdom for a horse, but he would give
months pay for pillow"
On the 25th, the day was II years of
age, we came to the Roanoke River. Up to
this time we had been having everything our
own way. Across the river earthwOrks
| were thrown up and a battery was stationed.
We dismounted, formed in skirmish-line,
and charged on the river, for what purpose
do not know. They opened up with grape
and canister, and. as we got close enough,
with musketry. Part of us got to the river,
and then were ordered to lie down in the
long grass, and that was all the protection
we had. l think it was about or 10 a. m,
and all of that day we lay there under the
June sun, and every time We moved the
| grass volley from across the river would be
| the result. How many were numbered there
] never knew, but do know that they lay
all around dead and wounded.
| After darkness came we got out. From
that time until we got to our lines it was
hot work. Wade Hampton got ahead of us,
aud we had to cut our way through. If
had been older, probably would have re-
| membered more about 1t. But know they
drove us into the dismal swamps and across
| railroad cuts that seemed impossible to cross;
also rivers to swim. After this our next ex-
perienee was the three days fight of the
Weldon Railroad, ODD, Oath, and 25th of
August. l believe.
The first day, Capt. Sargent Of my COM
pany (M), was ordered to take his company
and drive from the timbers sharpshooters that
we're picking off the officers. The 1st d. C.
were armed with the Henry repeating rifle,
16- shooter, and on that account we did a
good deal of infantry work. Sargent was a
| very heavy man, not SO large, but feshy, and
better or braver man was not in the army
| always full of fun, and goblin battle. We
started out on double-quick across corn
field. Part way across We came to an open
ing in the cOrn-a watermelon-patch, l think.
Capt. Sargent was winded and ordered n
halt and lie down. As he went down he said
in his jovial way:
Now lay me down to sleep
All done up in little heap,
If should die before wake
Hang me upon u hickory stake.
After moment of rest lie got up and said:
"Now, boys. up and at them"
1t would have been good chance for him
to have said up and give them -" but
never remember of hearing him use pro-
fame language. He Made two or three
jumps and fell. l was that iclose to him
that actually fell over him. Il got up and
looked around Capt. Sargent was lying on
his back, dead. He must have died in
stantly, shot with an explosive bullet right
square between the eyes. As looked at
the wound saw small piece of copper
wire sticking out of the opening. pulled
it out 1 think it was some four or five
inches long. / carried it with ME for some
months. and then lost it in Salisbury Prison.
We took him back to camp, and while some
of the boys were making box, l took a
couple of grain-sacks. and went to planta-
tion about half mile off, and got them full
of ice to pack around him; made two trips
took my horse, Of course. Then from the
same place we took an old tip-cart and har-
ness, hitched up one of the pack-mules to it,
and with Corporal and two men, sent bis
boly to City Point, and from there to his
home. somewhere near Bangor, Me.
In 1888 was at the Reunion at Topeka,
this State. At the Troop Hotel met man
from Maine. l happened to mention my
regiment. lie asked what company. told
him, and he asked my Captains name. |
told him. eyes" he said, land he was
killed with an explosive bullet. l knew
Capt. Don Sargent well. He and went to,
the same school," That is the first and only
time have ever heard anything about Capt.
Sargent from the day helped carry him off
the tield.-JosEPH W. FLETCHER. Co. NJ,
lst d. c. Cav, and Co. II, LIST Me. Cav,
Kan.