Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-02-14
DOLAN's DoINGS.
A Daring Yank Who was Ever Ready
for Fighting or Adj
venture.

There is scarcely member of the
First New York mounted rifles who
does not remember Lieut.. John Do
Ian, who was first sergeant of troop
A. When [ first knew him, at Camp
Suffolk, Va, his dark, flowing beard,
penetrating, hazel eyes, commanding
figure and dignified bearing always
commanded respect, says Crawford
Griswold in the National Tribune.
His general appearance would indi-
cate that the pulpit had lost a min
lister of the Gospel when Dolan chose
the sword in defense of the union.
But outward appearance is often de-
ceptiVe, and it was thug In his case.
Behind his calm exterior there was
spirit of daring not excelIed by that
of any man in the command He
would not only take great risks for
the cause, but also for sick or weary
comrade. On December 10, 1868, while
leading the advance guard of an ex-
petition against the enemy consist
ing of Robinsons battalion of con-
federate cavalry, stationed at Charles
City Court House, he rode boldly up
to a confederate picket, demanding
to know why his gun was not loaded,
almost at the same time grabbing the
gun of the unsuspecting confederate
and coolly informing him that he was
a prisoner. The expedition, by cap
turing the picket and completely sur
prising the enemy, was enabled to
capture the whole battalion without
the loss of a man. Credit is due to a
confederate sergeant named Wilson,
who was a former member of Robin
sons battalion. He had given us con-
siderable trouble on the picket lines
by his desperate daring and deeds
against our lines at Williamsburg, but
was finally captured and joined our
troops, doing good service as a guide.
Dolan was captured at Black Wa
ter, Va, May IL, and paroled May %,
1868. The confederates treated him
and his little command with uncom-
mon decency, out of respect for his
courageous fight against superior
numbers.
Dolans regard for his superior off
GERS and his comrades is illustrated
by the following: The Napoleonic
captain of company D received his
commission as major in August, 1862,
and, to show his appreciation of the
honor conferred upon him, deemed it
proper to have social time with his
fellow officers. To carry out his plans
he had procured a five-galIon key of
the best whisky procurable and placed
it in his tent under guard of a faith
full contraband. The regimental band
had arrived from New York, and was
discoursing patriotic music in front
of the majors tent. The darby serv-
ant, with others from neighboring
officers quarters, were enjoying the
music, and became so engrossed in
the sweet strains that the key of
spirits was forgotten.
Dolan passed along about that time
and spied the unguarded tent. Like
flash it occurred to him how awful
it would be if any officer should in
duIge too freely and set a bad exam
pie for the rank and file. who were
too apt to follow bad rather than
good examples. The resolution to
save them was suddenly formed; he
quietly stepped up, taking the key as
we'll as he could under the protecting
folds of his cavalry cape and bearing
it away to company AS quarters.
The company was out. He gathered
all the canteens available, returned to
his tent, filed them and deposited
them under the floor of his tent in