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

led his division until he was severely
wounded.
For distinguished gallantry and good con-
duct in the defense of Harper's Ferry, Va,
May 26 to 80, 1862 Brevet Major General
Rufus Saxton, retired, who lives at ISL
10th street northwest was awarded the
medal of honr.
Brevet Major General Absalon Baird, re-
tired, 1130 III street northwest, voluntarily
led detached brigade in an assault on
the enemy's works at Jonesboro, Ga, Sep
TENDER l, 1864, for which service he re-
ceived the congressional badge of courage.
In the engagement at Williamsburg, va,
May 5. 1867, Martin Conboy, second lieu
tenant, Company B, 37th New York 1nfan-
try, now living at 401 street northwest.
took command of the company in action,
the captain having been wounded, and ham
died it with skill and bravery. He was re-
warded with a medal of honor.
John Cook, bugler in Battery b, Atm
United States Artillery, volunteered at the
age of fifteen years to act as cannoneer,
and as such volunteer served gun under
terrific fire of the enemy at Antietam, Md,
September IT, 1867. He now lives at 112S
Park place northeast and wears a medal
of honor.
The congressional medal was presented to
Brevet Colonel Charles F. Rand Of 122S
18th street northwest for his service in
the battle of Blackburns Ford. Va. July
IS. 1861. Colonel Rand at that time was a
private in Company K, 18th New YORK In
fantry, and he remained in action when a
part of his regiment broke in disorder,
joined another company and fought with 1t
through the remainder of the engagement.
While major of the Sth Missouri Infantry,
at the battle of FickSburg, Miss, May ~,
1863. Brevet Brigadier General Dennis I.
Kirby of 132 18th street southeast seized
the colors when the color bearer was killed
and bore them himself in the terrific as
sault on the works. He was awarded a
medal of honor January 81, 1894.
In Battle of Winchester.
James R. Durham, second lieutenant,
Company E, 18th West Virginia Infantry,
was seen by a reporter at the patent Of
flee, where he told the story of how he
came to receive the medal of honor for
bravery in action June A. 1863, during the
battle of Winchester. In his account Lieu
tenant Durham said:
'On June IA, 1863 the 10Th West Vir-
gnia Infantry left the Notifications at
Winchester and were marched to stone
wall on the hills the opposite side of
the Romney road. We encountered the en-
envy at the top of the hills and immedi-
ately an order was passed along the line to
fall back. The greater part of the regi-
ment obeyed and formed a line some dis
lance back, leaving me in charge Of
number of skirmiSherS at the wall, where
remained until pm, when an ad-
vance ordered.
I'VE had been lying behind the stone
wall several hours, because to cross it or
even show our heads above it was certain
death. Already three of my men had been
killed while rising to get a shot. When
We're ordered over the wall l turned to
my boys and shouted a 'Good-byer and
Come onp l was the first one over the
works of the enemy. We advanced about
thirty yards, the bullets flying thick and
fast on all sides, when / was struck in
the right hand. Six seven of my men
We're also wounded about the same time.
Two advanced too far, and fearing to re-
treat, surrendered. l discovered that the
line of battle did not intend to advance
farther, but instead took shelter behind
stone walls. |, therefore, ordered my men
back, taking our wounded with us. On
our retreat two three others were
wounded. After reganing our lines / eX-
amined my injuries. and for the first time
found that my right hand and forearm
were severely shattered. l reported at the
hospital and retreated with the command.
The next morning L was obliged to ride
fOrty-five miles a bareback horse to es-
cape capture. while my wound was still
bleeding. | was unable to report to my regi-
ment for duty for the next six MONTHS
One of Four to Volunteer.
Capt. Felix Brannigan, one of the assist
ant attorneys in the Department of JUS
tice, was awarded medal for services per-
formed before charlottesville, Va, May 9,
1863. Captain Brannigan was at that time
a private in Company A, 18th New York
infantry. On the night of the date men
toned firing was heard in front of the posi-
ton occupied by General Berry's division
and volunteers were called for to go out
ana locate the enemy. For this perilous
service four men responded among whom
was Private Branngan. The men sepa-
rated into two squads and succeeded in get
ting close up to the enemy's lines. where
they obtained important information which,
was of great value to the Union forces
Ihey also discovered that General stone
wall Jackson had been shot. The scouts
reached their own lines and made their re-
port. For this act the medals Were awarded.
Col. M. Emmett Urell, who was recently
elected commander-in-chief of the Spanish
War Veterans, received the honorable dec
Grafton of his country for gallantry in aC-
ton at Bristoe Station. Va, October a.
1868. In addition to being a past comman-
der of the Department of the Potomac G..
A. r., he holds the position of lieutenant
colonel, % Regiment, District of Columbia
National Guard.
He enlisted as a private in the ID Regi-
ment. New York State Militia (S2d Volun-
teers), April II, 1851 when seventeen years
of age. His regiment subsequently became
part of the LIST Brigade, ID Division, I'd
Army Corps, and he participated with his
regiment in the first battle of Bull Run.
He was promoted through the different
grades to first lieutenant; he was breyetted
captain for gallant and meritorious serv-
ices at the battle of Fair Oaks and major
United States Volunteers for gallant
and meritorious services at the battles of
Bristoe Station and the Wilderness In the
action at Bristoe Station, October a. 1862,
he was shot in the right arm and through
the body, and was left on the battlefield for
dead. He recovered sufficiently to go back
to the front again and was finally honor
ably discharged on account of wounds re-
ceived in action May a. 1864.
A Famous Regiment
Mr. Cyrus B. Lower is the chief of d.
vision In the Agricultural Department. and
the story of how he obtained his medal of
honor follows:
Mr. Lower served the first two years of
the war in the 23d Ohio Infantry, a regi-
ment remarkable for the fame it's various
commanders afterward achieved among
them being Col W. S. Rosecrans, Col.
Rutherford B. Hayes and Lieut. Col. STAN
ley Matthews. William Mckinley was also
borne on it's rolls. Lower afterward Joined
the celebrated ''Bucktails' of Pennsylvania,
one of the most famous regiments of the
war. The medal of honor was awarded to
him for gallantry in the Wilderness May 7,
1864. Although wounded in his right knee
and ordered by his commanding officer 20
go to the rear he kept his place in front
and fought with conspicuous bravery. On