The National tribune., 1901-08-15
BRAVE ACTS UNREWARDED.
Two Members of the Ohio Brigade Who De.
serve Medals of Honor

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In my
letter published in The National Tribune
in May | ended the article with the close
of the battle of Corinth. In this | wish
to follow the affair somewhat farther, and
incidentally mention the heroism of two
brilliant young officers, neither of whom
has received Medal of Honor.
What | here state / refer for corrob-
grafton to Maj.-Gen. g. NJ. Dodge, one of
the most gallant leaders in the war of the
rebellion. | also refer to the certificate
of Gen. Mendal Churchill (since deceased
from wounds, on file with that of Gen.
Dodge's in the War Department.
During the battle of Corinth, at the
moment when the Confederates In four
columns were pressing hard upon the Ohio
Brigade, Confederate regiment bore
down upon the 9th Ohio. A Confed-
crate color-bearer went down with his col
ors. The Union soldier who seized the
flag was shot by Confederate officer,
who then shouted to his men to save the
colors. 1t was then the brave and
daring Sergeant (since Major Chas. II.
Smith rushed forward in advance of his
company, and with his musket compelled
the surrender of the Confederate officer
as he was in the act of shooting the
wounded Union soldier the second time.
know the gallantry of Maj. Smith saved
the life of the Union soldier. He brought
the officer to the rear a prisoner, and
saved from recapture the flag, which to-
day hangs in the Relic Room of Ohio's
Capitol. No medal was granted for this or
the gallant act of Capt. Frank T. Gil
more, Co. A, 63d Ohio, Ohio Brigade. The
dreadful fire of the oncoming Confederates
had torn and separated the 63d Ohio into
fragments, when Capt. Gilmore, gathering
all remaining near him, joined them onto
the 9th Ohio, and between that regiment
and the 1lth Mo-, and when Gen. Stan
ley again ordered an advance led them
into the bloody fray, thus displaying
bravery unsurpassed on any field.
That thrill of ecstacy which victory
brings was here intensified by an act of
the commanding General. Rosecrans had
lost his temper when the troops attacked
by Price had temporarily given away, and
had hardly time to become appeased by
their subsequent good conduct, still nurs-
ing his wrath, and having seen Van Dorm
had met with different reception at the
hands of the Ohio Brigade, he was dis
posed to eXtol the men who fought near
Robinett, at the expense of those who had
fallen back. So riding to the crest we
occupied and pointing to the right he
said: Il have just come from a part of
the held, where some of our troops re-
treated like old women; but now | know,
not only from what l heard and what |
saw from distance, but also from these
piles of dead along your front, that | am
in the presence of brave men-so brave
that take my hat off in your presence,
and thank you, in our country's name,
for your great valorr'
The soldier who heard these words will
not be likely to forget them, nor the an
pearance of Gen. Rosecrans as he adj
dressed US, hat in hand. During the af-
ternoon the brigade was ordered to re-
connoiter to the front. We felt our way
Al
rebel hospital. Here we rescued Col,
Mower, llth Mo, who early in the day,
installing the enemy's troops for ours, had
been wounded and taken prisoner.
After the battle Gen. Mcpherson, with
a brigade of infantry, arrived from Jack
son, Tenn. He had been compelled TO
make a WIDE detour, and came to us
sI farmihgton. His troops were
fresh, ana he was given the advance when.
the next morning, Oct. >, we moved for
ward IN pursuit Of the retreating en-
envy. When we had advanced as far as
ripley the army was ordered back to Co
rinth, Gen. Grant deeming it not prudnn.
to push farther.-W. III. III. MINHUEN,
New Lexington, o.
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