Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-25
The Experience of Captain Harry
Palmer in Two Wars.
He IS NOW VISITING IN OTTUMWA
An Interesting Talker-TelIs of Visit
to Manila, and of Experience of Over
Year in Rebel Prisons During Civil
War. ,s

IWo wars, Will ulaIOIy VI ulOlC lhoh
unusual interest. Captain Harry
Palmer, of East Liverpool, Ohio, is the
gentleman. After three years SER
vice in the civil war, carrying several
wounds received in that terrible war,
having been shot through the body,
at the battle of Gains Mill, over year
in the rebel prisons of Belle Isle, An
Jacksonville and Crews Tobacco ware
house, and later with record in the
Spanish-American war, that includes
battle of Malate, and few days later,
among the force that captured the city
of Manila, is part of record that
proud. Captain Palmer is visiting at
er, on East Maple avenue. Captain
Palmer was member of the Tenth
Pennsylvania regiment of volunteers
whom it will be remembered passed
through this city in May, 1898, enroute
to the Philippines After his return
from Manila Captain Palmer returned
to his home in East Liverpool, O., where
he has been engaged in the publishing
of a newspaper in that city, up to
within short time ago, when he dis
route to the far west.
Talks to Courier Man.
CAPTAIN Palmer Is an interesting talker,
and for short time yesterday evening he
some of the experiences he had passed
through, in his service in two wars. His
most recent experience was with the tenth
/ Pennsylvania In their flying trip to Manila.
He has record Of sixteen years. in the
Pennsylvania National Guard, and during
that time was the best shot In the organi-
zation He was captain of the connells-
vile company In the tenth, when he re-
moved to East Liverpool, and of necessity
had to resign his position. Shortly after.
out and he at once offered his services.
He was too old by tenwears, but apparently
that made but little difference. A slight
% sna % OF %a ae s n the se weEs all
color bearer Of his old regiment, although
he was a resident of another state. He
started for the philippines with his regl-
June Is. The regiment sailed for Manila,
July II, as part Of the second expedition
under General Greene
In First Battle.
| The regiment at once landed, and July 81,
$50 Of its men, including Captain Palmer.
in that campaign. The first was at NAL
eighty-two shots at the spaniards. The as
|
lost seven men killed and thirty nine
wounded, two Of whom died later, August
| 10, he also took in the fighting on the
| streets of Manila, as the victorious Ameri.
can army entered that city, and captured
it. He was in Manila until October 5, when
Of war. and returned home. He gives some
interesting details as to the cost Of his re- e.
turn home. from Manila, 1t having cost
loF ha fror iS
der to get home, this will seem miraculous.
but 1t is In part explained by the fact that
he was given transportation by water by
/ the government.
Friend Of Colonel Hawkins.
CAPTAIN Palmer was a personal friend Of
of the fghting tenth. whom It will be re,
membered expired ON board ship while he
was returning to America CAPTAIN Palmer
say of the dead hero. He says Colonel
Hawkins was soldier mar excellence.
j. In the Civil War.
1t was CAPTAIN Palmers experience In the
civil war that he tells the most thrilling
stories. He enlisted at the first call fol
three years and seven months He, wa.
wounded twice, and at the battle of Gaine:
Mill he was shot through the body. HI
,e Sstafd u he
and mourned as dead for over year. Dur
ing this experience he was q prisoner OF
, Belle Isle, In Libby and in Crews Tobacco,
warehouse, near Libby.
Escaped From Prison.
: He was one of four men who escaped
, from Crews warehouse, through the con
nivance of friend, d. Norton, corpora
In the rebel army. They drove out Of Rich
mond at night with colored driver. The!
made their way through the country until
within seven miles of the Union lines
They swan the James river several times
doing all their travelling by night. Dur
ing all this time they existed on growin
, turnips and what food they could obtai
at negro cabins After the little party ha
been out fourteen days and nights, the
began to get braye when suddenly the
farmers and returned to the -vedette post
of the rebels and then transferred to Rich
!, , mond They were taken before Genera
Widner, and with their hands upon. B
! BILE, they were given the alternative o
; swearing they would never attempt to e,
, cape again. or be placed In separate cell
in the basement Of Castle Thunder, wit
: balls md chains. They took the oath an
were later transferred to Andersonvill
prison Captain Palmer was In this priso
before the stockades were built. Durin
: men were confned at one time Of whic
q number 1900 starved to death.
: He Was Exchanged.
He finally was exchanged by impersona
Y ing q dead sailor, William Morrison. HI
y arms were tattooed by Frank Garland TIL
chief gunner on the old Cumberland, til
! same as were Morrisons, and after man
i hardships he regained the Union line