The National tribune., 1901-01-10
DOLAN'S DOINGS.
The Story of Brave Man Who Served coun-
try and Comrades.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: where
are the survivors Of our old commando is
the question often asked by comrades who
have not had an opportunity to meet each
ether since parting, when their organiza-
ton was mustered out. 1t would appear
TO be good means of keeping them in
formed through THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
With its thousands Of subscribers.
There is scarcely a member 81 the list
y. Y. M't'd Rifles who does not remember
Lieut.. John DOlan, who was First Ser
geant of Troop 4. When | first knew
him, at Camp Suffolk, Va, his dark, flow
| ing beard, penetrating, hazel eyes, COM
| manding figure and dignifed bearing al
! ways commanded respect. His general
| appearance would Indicate that the pulpit
| had lost Ii minister of the Gospel when
| Dolan chose the sword in defense Of the
| Union. But outward appearance is often
deceptive, and it was thus in his case
| Behind his calm exterior there was n
spirit of daring not excclled by that of
any man i'll the command. He would not
only take great risks for the cause
| but also for a sick or weary com
rade. On Dec. 13, 1863, while lead
| ing the advance guard Of an expedition
| against the enemy consisting of Robin
| sons Battalion Of Confederate Cavalry,
stationed at Charles City Court House,
| he rode boldly up to a Confederate picket
loaded, almost at the same time grabbing
the gun of the unsuspecting Confederate
and cOOlly informing him that he was n
| prisoner. The expedition, by capturing
| the picket and completely surprising the
enemy, was enabled to capture the whole
battalion without the loss Of q man. Credit
| is due to a Confederate Sergeant named
| Wilson, who was a former member of
Robinson's Battalion. He had given us
considerable 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 Water.
| Va, May -, and paroled May %, 1863.
The Confederates treated him and his lit
| tie command with uncommon decency, out
| of respect for his courageous fight against
superior numbers.
Dolan's regard for his superior officers
and his comrades is Illustrated by the fol-
lowing: The Napoleonic Captain of Co.
ID received his commission as Major in
| August, 1862, and TO show his appreca-
ton of the honor conferred upon him,
deemed it proper to have a social time
with his fellow-oflicers. TO carry out his
plans he had procured d five gallon key Of
| the best whisky procurable and placed it
in his tent under guard Of faithful con-
traband. The regimental band had ar
| rived from new 1OrK, ana WIS ulScOuTS-
ing patriotic music in front of the Major S
tent. The darby servant, with others from
neighboring officers quarters, We're enjoy
ing the music, and became so engrOssed
in the sweet strains that the keg 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 indulge too freely
and set bad example for the rank and
file, who were too apt to follow bad rather
b than good examples. The resolution 10
save them was suddenly formed; he quiet
ly stepped up, taking the kes as well as
he could under the protecting folds of his
cavalry cape and bearing it away to Co.
AS quarters. The company was out. He
gathered all the canteens available, re-
turned to his tent, filed them and deposit
ed them under the floor of his tent in
an excavation secretly prepared for the
deposit Of liquid and other treasure. The
keg was broken up and hid in the border
of the Dismal Swamp.
Dolan and his company were soon afteI
called out on a scout down into North
Carolina, where important captures were
made, not without hard service and ia
|, tiguing march. Upon returning Capt
Sanger said:
, "Dolan, this has been a tiresome march
1t would revive me wonderfully if l could