davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
PREFERRED TO FIGHT.
Running Missourians Not Seen at the Frank
lin Battle.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: l do not
care to reply to Capt. Henry A. Castle in
your issue of Dee s, nor to COmrade J.
Frederick, of the 50th Ohio, in regard to
what they saw and know as TO the battle
of Franklin, Tenn, fought Nov. 80, 1864.
We were the advance of the Sixteenth
Corps, and were attached to RugerS Divi-
sion of the Twenty-third Corps at the bat
tie of Franklin, having joined Schofeld's
army at Springhill Tenn; viz: 44th Mo.
and the I'D ILL.,, the former being the
regiment to which l belonged Go. HI,
and will say right here that no man or
comrade, ever, in his history, saw a
Missourian run, whther in battle or any
where else where there was danger.
MissOurians would always prefer to fight
than to eat. They We're, Mt that time,
and are now, made of that kind Of stuff.
OF course, that is what kept Missouri in
the Union, and its soldiery were Of that
bulldog tenacity that where they got a
hold they never let loose. Kansas, Hi
nois, Iowa and Ohio were never in it with
Missouri on the battlefield.
A MisSourian on the battlefield knew
nothing but to fight, and was never
known to be stampeded, and never took
that which did not belong to him. The
Missouri soldier in battle was so engaged,
especially in the battle of Franklin, that
he did not know whether Opdycke with
his brave boys went into the battle with
the left in front or the right in front; or
whether they went in at all or not. He
was not watching Opdycke. He had his
eye on the Johnny-that is, as far as he
could see; for you know it was night a
little while after the fight commenced, so
it would have been impossible in that
terrific roar in the darkness, to have told
Opdycke from any other comrade, and it
was q very poor time for a cOmrade to
take observations; even if he wanted to,
he could not do it.
Now to business The 44th Mo. was
stationed at the works on the Columbia
Pike, with right extending West: its left
lay up to the pike on the west SIDE, with
battery of artillery of four guns eX
tending across the pike. Thus stations d.
we were the main support to this batery
on its right, with the Carter House
directly i'll our rear. AS we presumed,
occupying the center of the field. the 10th
Ohio was located in our front. occupying
what was called the front line of w0rks.
Some 200 yards in our advance. at the
first onset of the Johnnies, the 50th Ohio
gave way and came back over us. The
MiSsOurians We're there to stay, at fear
full loss; but no rebel ever got between
their works and the Carter House, ex-
cept as a prisoner, but hundreds of the
I'd and Sd Mo. (COnfederatel gave up their
lives in front of our regiment.
After the battle we learned that the
boys of the 50th Ohio that were born in
Coshocton Co, Ohio, where | was born.
rallied at the river and returned and
joined our regiment and helped us clean
the whole business up, and the balance
of them from other Counties, as | said
before, may be running yet. "And let MS
give credit where credit is due."-J. 2.
PLATT, Co. III, 44th Mo-, Cameron, Mo.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
PUSHEDf
BY JOHN A. JOYCE.

BY JOHN A JOYCE.
When the flag Of our Union was shot from
Its staff
By rebels, defiant and blunt,
We rushed to its aid with a shout and
laugh.
And we pushed to the battlefield front
At Shiloh and Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, too,
We rallied around at hunt
For warriors In Gray who ripped up the
Blue,
When we pushed to the battlefield front.
When stay-at-home copperheads sneakingly
struck
With sneer and a hiss and n grunt.
We shouldered our musketS with pride and
with pluck,
And we pushed to the battlefield front.
When the toes Of the dying and eyes Of the
dead
Turned up ike fiat-bottom punt,
We rallied again and went right ahead
AS we pushed to the battlefield front.
But now, when they need US no more in the
line,
And our lives have grown weary and scar,
We are twisted and tossed like an old noun
tain pine
And are pushed out Of ranks to the rear.
When the day of election again comes around
In November. the Fall Of the year,
The "Old Soldier and friend at the polls
will be found
To vote the M. c." to the rear!
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
Mill Spring Battle.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The 9Th ..
celebrated the 39th anniversary of the
battle Of Mill Spring, at Central Turner
Hail. Cincinnati. This was the first sub
stantial victory achieved by Union arms
up to this time, Jan. 10, 1862.
The forces on the Union side, COM
manded by Gen. G. Fl. Thomas, consisted
of four regiments Of infantry; 4th KY,
Col. Speed S. Fry: 10th Ind; I'd Minn., Col.
Van Cleve; 9th Ohio. Lieut. Col. Hammer
ling: Col. Robt. l.. McCOok, commanding
I'd Minnesota and 9th Ohio and Kinney's
Battery.
At dawn on the morning of the 10Th,
the Confederates. under Gen. ZollicOffer,
attacked fierceIy. slowly driving the 10th
Ind. and routing y olford's cavalry, on the
outposts, when the 4th Ky. took position
on the left of the line and made stubborn
resistance.
The ID MINI. and Ssh Ohio now reach
ing the ground from their camps in rear,
stayed the battle, and sharp fighting was
done, bayOnet to bayonet. BY order of
Lieut. Col. Kammering the two right
companies of the 9th Ohio were detached
to reach the left flank of the enemy, and
when seen in position the bugle of the 9Th
Ohio sounded the charge, which was
obeyed with soul-stirring hurrahs. The
enemy's left was rolled up. and the other
three regiments now joining in the charge
routed and drove the enemy from the field
The pursuit continued until ut dark we
arrived in front of the enemy's intrench-
1nents, which were abandoned by them
during the night. and we took possession
of their artillery, horses. transportation
and supplies. We found it about the best
e0iIippcd fortified camp we had ever seen,
fine barracks and all that.
Returning from there after few days
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
A RECKLESS RIDE.
A Fools Errand 1t Proved To Be. But Was
Rather Exciting.
ings, Neb'

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: l quote
from the history of 1fth Ill Cav, page
93. an extract from Col Graham's report
of battle of Walkers Ford, East Tennes-
see, He says:
convinced that an attempt would be made
to surround and capture my command. L
decided at once to move, but several of
my scouting parties being several miles
out, | could not get my force concentra-
trated till near midnight, when, all being
in. | moved quietly on the road to Walk
er's Ford, leaving Co. NJ of the 9th Ind.
Cav. at a point where th. road from
Blain's Crossroad. comes in
Whenever Tread the above, and look back
and review the events of that second day
of December, SO, and Of my lonely, and
l must say, lucky ride during the night
of December /, / feel as though l was
born with more luck than good Judgment.
On November 80 and December ], we
had been having bot times with the
enemy's cavalry on the Knoxville road,
some four miles from Maynardsville, and
during the afternoon of December j, we
gradually fell back to that town. and at
dark went into camp near the forks of the
roads that led to Walkers Ford. About
$50 q detail of Sergeant and nine men
from my company joined other details,
making a force of 40, who were to guard
our ammunition train through to Walkers
| Ford.
l was a member of said guard The
officer in command If any memory is cor
rect, was Lieutenant from Go. L, 14th
! ILL., Cav. We moved out on the left-hand
road leading from Maynardsville to Walk
| er's Ford, and about midnight reached Il
point near Brooks, then halted.
Pretty SOON the Lieutenant came to
! Sergeant Anderson, who had charge of
the detail from my company, and said to
! Anderson: 5i .ts
81 want three volunteers to carry dis
patch back TO the command"
''Men, who will volunteer" said An
| derson. No one seeming anxious to tackle
the job. 1 finally spoke up and said that
would go, for one. No one else volun-
teering, then saidfthat l would go alone.
The distance from Brooks back to May
nardsville is about seven miles. The
night was fiercely cold, the roads frozen
solid and in many. places glass of ice.
| The moon was nearly full, but heavy
clouds overspread the sky. When the
moon became -unobscured, one could see
plainly quite distance:
| | reported to tho Lieutenant and re-
ceved the dispatch with instructions to
deliver it to the brigade commander, or
his Adiutant- General. Before starting
| asked the Lieutenant in case the COM
mand moved out which route it would
| take. He replied:
'"rhe same road we came on, and no
doubt you will meet it half way
My mount was the best of the 13 that
l straddled during my term of service;
surefooted and as swift as the wind: had
no fears of being caught in a fair race.
| With an intelligence almost human, he
would obey my every command, and
trusted to him to warn me Of approaching
danger.
Those days the whole country for 20
miles adjacent to Knoxville was overrun
by squads of rebel cavalry and bands of
ing the command, had no fear of Being
The National tribune., 1901-04-11

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The
death OF Gen. Prentiss brings to my mind
an incident at Helena, Ark, while Gen.
Prentiss was commander of the post at
that place, which came near resulting in
a bloody fight between Union soldiers.
Gen. Joe Mowers Eagle Brigade, com
posed of the 47th Ill, Sth Wis, 9Th Mimi,
11th Mo-. and the I'd Iowa Battery, left
Memphis on March u, 1868, for Nicks-
burg Tor thereabouts). The boys were
pretty well tuned up and ready for any
thing that should turn up i'll the way of
racket.
The first place we landed after leaving
Memphis was Helena, Ark. Some of the
boys went ashore to take in the town.
Helena was garrisoned by some recruits
and home guards. The 11th Ind. was en-
camped at the fort overlooking the town.
The recruits objected to our boys max
ing themselves too free with things they
came in contact with, and undertook to
drive the boys back on the boats. The
boys of the Eagle Brigade had seen too
much service to allow recruit to die
tate to them.- Col. Weber, 11th Mo-, or
dered Capt. Green TO take his company
and 20 out in the town and bring the
boys back to the boat, but Green got
mixed up in the ''scrap" and then it be-
came free for all"
About this time Prentiss appeared on
scene anu AlOWtE u get HIS
men on the boats and pull out. Someone
threw a black bottle at Prentiss from one
Of the boats and knocked his hat off, and
the General became furious, and turned
his horse toward the fort at a twO-forty
gait.
Soon the 18th Ind. was seen coming
down the hill on a doube-quick, with
fixed bayonets and colors flying. BY this
time most of the boys had returned to
the boats. The boats were cast off and
we were out in the middle Of the stream
when Prentiss and the 11th Ind. arrived.
/ am satisfied if we had remained on
shore until Prentiss arrived with the 18th
Ind. there would have been a hot time il
that town.
The I'd Iowa Battery cleared the decks
and had their guns charged with canister,
ready for action. Every man of the Eagle
Brigade stood ready with his gun loaded
and paid no attention TO the appeals of
the officers. We were taken across the
river and landed on an island, which con-
| tanned about II or 20 acres of sand and
| willows, and remained there about 10 days,
| till the water came up on us. We went
| aboard the boats again and went down
the river and landed at Young's Point,
where we got all the canal-digging and
| fighting we wanted for the rest of that
Summer.-JosEPH JONES, Co. G, 1lth Mo.
| Loami, Ill.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11

we crossed Fishing Greek in January,
with ice floating and up TO the breast in
water; camped near Some.set for a while.
and ordered to Louisville to take steamer
for Nashville. We were halted in front
of the Gait House, and each OF the four
regiments above mentioned. was pre-
sented with fine silken. United States
flag. inscribed. Presented to the 9th Ohio,
I'd Minn.. 10th Ind, and 4th Ky, by the
Loyal Ladies of Louisville, for their hero
ism at the Battle of Mill Spring, Jan. 10,
1862
Now Of the celebration by the 9th of
this 39th anniversary.
When coming to the hall. we find il
finely decorated with the National colors
and the old battle flags OF the 9th, fine
lunch and other refreshments were pro
vidcd, and-a most glorious time was had
generally.-FRANK HERMANN, 9th Ohio,
Cincinnati o.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
A CLOSE CALL.
Az Experiment With the Alligator sub-Ma-
rine Boat.

rine Boat.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In re-
sponse to request of William Simmons,
to hear something from naval veterans. |
submit the following:
Some time in 1862 Lieut.. Commander
Thos. o. Selfridge, Jr., came on board
the receiving-ship North Carolina and
called for II volunteers for dangerous
and hazardous enterprise. He stated that
he would not ask any person TO go any
place that he would not go himself, but
he could not tell the nature of the ex-
petition, as it was to be kept secret.
/ was boy then, between II and Is
years old. Among 80 others l jumped
over to the starboard as volunteer
Out of the so. /, with II others, was Sc
lected.
We were then ordered to start for the
Washington Navy Yard. In a few days
our commander mustered and marched
us down to Navy Yard dock. where for
the first time we were Informed Of the
nature Of our enterprise.
The submarine boat Alligator, some
thing the shape of big cigar, was float
ing there in a slip, and large crowd of
naval officers and others were waiting to
see an experiment that was expected to
create q revolution in naval warfare.
We entered our novel craft one at
time through a man-hole that we could
just squeeze through, our commander en-
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
A CHANCE TO MAKE MONEY.

have berries, grapes and peaches a year
old, fresh when picked l used the Cali
fornia Cold Process. Do not heat seal
the fruit, just put it up cold, keeps perfectly
fresh, and costs almost nothing, can put up
a bushe in ten minutes. Last year | sold
anyone will pay a dollar for directions when
they see the beautiful samples OF fruit. As
there are many people poor like myself, I
consider 1t my duty to give my experience
to such and feel confident anyone can make
one or two hundred dollars round home in q
few days. / will mail sample of fruit and
full directions to any of your readers for
nineteen Q9) two cent stamps, which Is only
the actual cost of the samples, postage, etc.
FRANCIS CASEY, st. Louis, Mo.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11

l,ss Margaret denies the whole affair or
prepares at once To get legal separation,
if that farce is necessary, she is child
"f mine no longer. III write anil tcll her
So. Iii make will-I'll leave my money
IT, :ou-to charity-anybody. Will You
act FOR meI' fiercely.
''RCaly. my dear Mrs. Keep. i should
prefer not to have anything to 10 with it.
lrut il you insist, l will find an attorney
who can take your Instructions
AT least. then, you will carry note
for Ee:'
Wouldn't it be rather 5ettcr-to 90
and seq Margaret:" suggested The lawyer
viii. much sweetness. Mrs. Keep reared
her golden head like Il war-horsn scentinS
battle.
Possibly. When?'
"Shc would be glad TO see you Mt any
tirrr. I'm sure. The Ashbcls went over
or the last boat. They took Margarcts
trunk. which ! had the man bring down
while you were at breakfast. They will
pIobab bly, move over TO the Point unless
ytu can persuade Margaret to return
here
Very thoughtful: Very thoughtful all
round. They We're all III the conspiracy
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
Into Spanish Fort.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your
issue of Jan. 10, Comrade ]. J. Merrill,
Of Belyidere, ILL.,, Co. b, 95th ILL.,, wants
to know which regiment first entered
Spanish Fort, Ala. | can say that it was
the 47th ILL.,. for / was one of the num-
ber The 47th H. at the time the charge
was made numbered about 400 men. It
was | o'clock at night when we started,
Col. Barnum leading. We went on a keen
jump. The regiment all started, but there
was only small number reached the
Fort Col. Barnum and Gen. A. j. Smith,
Adjutant-General, and II men were all
that reached the Fort, and we had been
there 30 minutes before any other troops
came out. Then, if | am not mistaken,
the SD Ill. came out in skirmish line to
the front, shooting into the Fort. We
shouted to them TO know why they were
shooting at their own men, for they
planted their flag on the outside Of the
Fort and gave three cheers and we of
the 41th answered back with three groans
There were hard words between our little
band and the SD, and Col. Barnum and
the Colonel of the SD both drew their
swords. but Gen. Smith stepped up and
stopped the fight.
/ have a razor that / captured that
night in Spanish Fort out of rebel Of
ficer's knapsack, and have shaved with
it once week ever since; money could
not buy it.
Wake up, old 47th, let us hear from
some OF you.
If Charley Crawford is on this side of
| the Great River, / should like to hear
| from him.-PAUL J. WARD, 47th ILL.,,
Eagle Brigades, Kingsley, Iowa.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11

Yes sir: want to register, sir?' He FUN
bled stupidity around and handed Mr.. Bett-
son pen. Cant let you have a room
Just at present." he added with something
of professional pride. Lady and gentle
man came in at 1 o'clock last night and
took the last
II do not wish to register. thank you
1 came in merely to look over your ar
rivals in search of friends. All, you have
a fine house. sir. superb situation. Hum
fine house" Mr.. Bettson looked around
the big edifice with an air of apprecia-
ti0n.
I'VE think it's about the best place on
the lake" replied the night-clerk. and he
struck the gong on the counter before him
consequentially. As the reverbrations
died away. Mr.. Bettson asked:
Have you anyone in the house by the
name of Slars?"
''W Gilbert Sears and wife, Summer
dale, Massachusetts," repeated the Gle k.
That's the parties l spoke about; came
in last evening after midnight,-caught i'll
the tornado, you knOw,-bOat upset, got
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
Heart
Pains

are Natures warning notes of
approaching danger from a dis
eased heart. IF you would
avoid debilitating diseases, or
even sudden death from this
hidden trouble pay heed to the
early warnings. Strengthen the
hearts muscles, quiet its nerv-
Gus irritation and regulate its
action with that greatest of all
heart remedies, DR.. Miles
Heart Cure.
"Darting pains through my
heart, left side and arm would
be followed by smothering, heart
spasms and fainting. DR. Miles
Heart Cure has entirely relieved
me of those troubles"
JOHN VANDENBURaH,
2s6 Kewauuee st., Milwaukee, Wis.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
TAKING OF CHATTANOOGA.
Comrade Devices Says the ssth Ohio, of wag.
ner's Brigade. Went over Be ore the Mount
ed Intantry

tu
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Please al
low us to call Comrade Benz. +. Miller
TO order rs to statements and misstate-
ments made by him as to the taking of
Chattanooga, in the issue Of Jan. 3, last.
never saw before any claim that
mounted infantry or cavalry was first to
enter the Gate City. But it was without
doubt Wagner's Brigade, from the op-
positc bank of the Tennessee River, and
the 9th Ohio was the first regiment of
that brigade.
The right wing, with our colors, under
command of Col. Milton Barnes. after
wards Secretary of State in Ohio, went
over in fat ferryboat and planted our
colors on Cameron Hill, overlooking the
town. The brigade crossed in this way.
Our regiment, divided into squads, went
through the town and took in all rebs.
We gathered them near the Crutchfeld
House.
1t is true the rebel army had retreated,
probably the day before, but there were
plenty of rebels left when we went over.
Some deserters gave themselves up and
others had to be persuaded in vigorous
way. My recollection is we were in the
city two hours in advance of Wilder's
mounted men, just because the situation
was such. Had our position been re-
versed, of course, the 92d H. would have
DetH HTSI 10 enter. AS II ~ every
who was in the 9th Ohio Sept. 8, 1863,
will never consent to part with its we'll
earned laurels. When the 92d did come
they We're under orders from Rosey to
push the retreating enemy, which as foot
men we could not do. After 80 years we
can't allow some other regiment to steal
our ''glory."
Had COmrade Miller looked towards his
left and the Tennessee River, he might
have seen the Stars and Stripes already
there. / know whereof l speak; for Gen.
Rosecrans ordered Gen. Wagner to detail
our regiment to garrison the town on &c
count Of its being first to enter and hold
it; all of which is a matter Of record, and
for this very reason the regiment was not
engaged at Chickamauga. But when we
were driven back our g.ment with fixed
bayonets, helped, under orders from
Rosey and Garfield, to reform our shat
tered battalions south Of the river. The
writer of this was on special detail with
Lieutents. Foraker and Fitch, of the Sig
nal Service, and was in the battle Of
Chickamauga.
Oh, no, Comrade. There is honor
enough for all; but let us be fair. Speak
up, 9th and all of Wagner's Brigade
JOSHUA DEVICES, Co. D, 9th Ohio,
Barnesville, o.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
ering last and fastening the water-tight

tering last and fastening the water-tight
cover.
Shortly we realized we were sinking.
Soon it became harder to breathe. / felt
a curious sensation in my chest that kept
getting worse and worse. The air-valves
would not work. Some of the men COM
meneed to faint. 1t was a terrible or
deal. We all thought Davy Jones had
us sure. / was frightened, but happened
to look at our brave young commander
in the stern with a countenance as COM
posed as if in a drawing-room, and this
gave me some courage; but | was scared
all the same.
After what seemed a long time the
people on the docks grappled us and
brought the Alligator to the surface and
the man-hole was opened, just in time
to save our lives. As it was, majority
of the old tars were hauled out in dead
faint.
I believe the same old Alligator is now
housed in one of the sheds of the Wash
ington Navy Yard, and very few know
anything about its history.-WM. F. FIS-
IGAN, $40 Fargo avenue, Buffalo, n. 7.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
DR.. Miles
Heart Gore

controls the heart action, aceel-
crates the circulation and builds
up the entire system. Sold by
druggists on a guarantee.
DR.. Miles Medical Co., Elkhart, Ind.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
Annual conyeution of Indispa W.RC

Mrs. Laura s. Burr, Department President,
Anderson, Ind, in General Orders just issued.
announces that the 18th Annual Convention
OF the Department OF Indiana will convene at
Logansport, May 10.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
GARLAND THEIR GRAVES.

Nos. 1ssd VI, Combined.
The words and music of this Decoration Day and
Memorial song Book ara new. 1t contains Solos,
Duets, Quartettes and Choruses for mixed and male
voices Is nicely bound and large size.
Price per copy, 25 cents; dozen copies, $3.50.
GAREANDS. Nos. i, II. HI. Nv. v. and VI.
Either number contains sufficient music for Memo
rial Day Price per copy Is cents dozen copies Sl5O.
THE BUGLE CALL. Reunion Song Book.
Price per copy, Is cents: dozen copies. S1.5o.
Laurel. wREATHS. A book of Recitations
for Memorial Day, Reunions. etc. Price per copy, rs
cents.
Either sent by express mail prepaid. upon receipt
of price send all orders to e. W STRICKLAND,
(an Old Soldier,) Huntington, Indiana.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
If Yen Have Ishcumasism

Send no money, but write Dr. shoop Racine, Wis
Box 80. for six bottles OF DIR. Shops Rheumatic
Cure, exp. paid Ifcured pay $50 If not Is Is free.
The National tribune., 1901-04-11
TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY.
Almost a Riot.

Take Laxative Bromo QulnIne Tablets. AL druggt
refund the money If it falls TO cure. E. w Grow
signature is on each box. 25c