Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-10

He returned with his regiment to Buring-
ton. VT, and was discharged there July 3,
1865. In the year 1852 he was selected for
responsible duty along the Potomac near
Washington, to prevent rebel sympathisers
signaling across the river to Whites guer-
rillas and in pursuit of rebel spies IN the
vicinity of Sugar Loaf mountain.
The particular act of bravery for which
he was awarded the medal occurred at the
battle of MonocaCy, Md, July ., ls6f- IN
writing of this incident Chaplain George
E. Davis of the 10th Vermont Infantry
states:
Probably the most eminent service Alex
ander Scott rendered to his government was
in the battle of MOnccacy, in the maj
engagement with the enemy from 4 TO .
o'clock in the evening. when our left wing
was almost envelOped by the superior num-
bers of the enemy. Our ammunition had
given out and a hasty retreat was ordered
This order did not reach the 10th Vermont
until some time after the other regiments
in division had started for the rear, as
1t was impossible to convey the order to
us in our exposed condition.
almost as the retreat began the
color sergeant compelled by exhaus-
ton to fall out. Alexander Scott saw the
situation, and, although he already bore the
state flag, he grasped the national colors
at this moment OF great peril and bore both
flags from the field in safety. 1t was hot
day. For three days and nights We had
been without regular food or sleep and the
men were nearly dead from exhaustion In
all probability we should have lost our ma
tional flag had it not been for the action Of
Alexander Scott
Mr. Scott is member of the Medal of
Honor Legion. and he is also affiliated with
Washington Centennial Lodge, No. IA, F.
A A. NJ: Lafayette r. a. Chapter. No. 3;
Washington Commandery, No /, knights
Templar. and Almas Temple, A A o. NJ,
Mystic Shrine.
Twice Wounded, but Remains in Ranks
The story of how Edwin M. Truell, the
well-knOwn treasurer of the Washington
Humane Society, became entitled to medal
of honor is best told in a letter from his
colonel James A. Proudfit, to the governor
of his state Lucius Fairchild, which read
as follows: Il request brevet commission
for Private Edwin NJ. Truell. Company h,
18th Wisconsin, Veteran Volunteers. for dis
tnguished valor u The battle OF BAD HILL
near Atlanta. Ga, July p, 1861. In
charge of the regiment upon the enemy
works ne was severely wounded IN the
ankle. but kept on with his comrades ana
was afterward wounded in the right foot
and suffered amputaton or the leg DeIoW
the knee in consequence. He was always
with his company until that day, and was
In all respects model soldier
The requested commission was issued. to
rank from the date of the battle. and when
Captain Trueil learned afterward that the
medals of honor We're issued In recognition
of distinguished gallantry in action 1t was
only necessary to place this evidence on lille
in the War Department. to have his medal
promptly awarded. After being badly
wounded IN the engagement from which he
was Justly entitled to return to the rear
and to have his sufterIngs relieved Captain
Truel had the glorious satisfaction of as
sisting in the capture Of three lines OF rebel
works and many prisoners. not leaving ms
company until severely wounded the second
time and had taken permanent position for
defense at the earthworks last taken.
Major John Tweedale, assistant chief of
the record and pension division at the War
Department, was awarded medal of honor
for galIantry in action at Stone River,
Tenn, December 81, 1862. and January l,
1863. He was then a private in Company
L. 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Having
served the field to late period of the
war with distinction, he subsequently was
detailed for clerical duty at headquarters,
department of the Cumberland, March %,
1862. and by reason of the ability he dis
played he appointed chief clerk at the
same headquarters In July of that year.
Mr.. Tweedale afterward accepted position
as clerk in the War Department, and has
held various positions there. at one time
being chief clerk of the War Department.
He is a member of the Medal of Honor
Legion. and is also on several committees
OF the present G. \. r. encampment.
Member of Naval Force
Bartholomew Diggins, late ordinary sea-
man. United States navy, awarded the
congressional decoration for gallant and
meritorious conduct in the presence of the
enemy. he having been commended by name
in the official report of the officer command
Ing the gun division in which he served on
the [. S. S Hartford on the 9TH of August,
1851 in the action against Fort Morgan and
the euemV'S vessels In Mobile bay having
served with credit in all the enga gements
in which the Hartford participated during
the years 1852. 1853 and 1864 Such is the
report found in the records at the Navy De-
pIrtment.
Diggins Is now captain of the watch
at the Navy Department. and when seen
hy reporter he stated that he had been
four times wounded during the war Il
served under Admiral Farragut his flag
ship. the Hartford" said Mr. Diggins, land
| well remember the battles fought against
the various forts. saw the capture of
Nicks5urG, New Orleans, Port Hudson,
Grand Gulf and many Others and they
were exciting times. I was a member of
the admirafs barges crew, and was one of
the crew when, on the night of July >, 1864
under command of Lieut.. ]. c. Jackson. we
went in from the blockade off Mobile bay
and boarded and destroyed the blockade
runner IvaLhoe, which was discharging her
cargo at Fort Morgan. This act was per-
formed under heavy fire from all the forts
and batteries and 1t of the most
daring expeditions OF my experience. The
lead fell about us like haiIstoues. but we
succeeded in our attempt. 1t was most ex-
citing time"
Desperate Charge at Corinth.
Capt James W. Archer. who wears the
little knot eTnblematic Of bravery was seen
By a reporter al the pension office, where
he Is employed. In speaking of his own
services he was very modest, but the fol-
lowing account of the incident for which he
received the award of the medal was
CLEANED from him:
During the last days battle at Cornth
MISS. October T. 1862. in the last desperate
charge of the confederates upon the Union
forces. Mr.. Archer. who then a first
lieutenant of the 18th Indiana Infantry. on
the staff of Brig. Gen. y. B Buford, while
In line of his duty, on passing in the rear
OF regiment saw the lieutenant colonel in
command of the regiment fall badly
wounded. his horse also being shot
slight confusion in the regiment followed
seeing which Lieut.. Archer assumed com
nand and ordered the regiment to com
mence firing. The confusion instantly dis
appeared and the fire of the regiment was
so rapid and effective that the assauIting
columns of the enemy were unable to with
stand it. They waVered, halted. broke and
reiterated This break was the first III the
assaulting line. 1t spread In all directions
so that in a short time the rout was com
piete and the battle thereby won Capt
Archer speaks of the officers and men m
these terms: Every officer and man of