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

emily in front of the troops supporting the
brigade on its left. who would soon be upon
us. and account of the darkness We
would be unable to distinguish friend from
foe. We were also receiving a murderous
hre from the enemys works. 1t was sug-
gested that we capture the battery. Scarce
iy was the suggestion made than we made
a dash for the work In front, and in a mo-
ment we were making our way through the
abatis. BY chance / gained the abatis at a
weak point and passed through, followed
by Sergt. Brownlee, and possibly others.
Most of the men went up by a narrow path
at another point. l jumped into the ditch
ana climbed the parapet which was scarce
~ reached when Sergt. Jackson Sargent Of
COMPANY ID of the 9Th, appeared upon the
works with one stand of our colors. My
appearance on the parapet was met with a
leveIed musket. which fortunately missed
flre. Jumped into the works and was
barely inside when a bayonet was thrust
through my face and a sword thrust re-
turned for it that fully repaid the wound
given me as | killed my assailant. At al
most the same time l was struck a severe
dow on the head with a sword The rest
OF nv brief stay in the work is confused
scramble from which had my assailants
peeh fewer in numbers 1 should scarcely
nave escaped. But they could not fire for
Tear OF killing their own men and their
HShting was restricted to the use of bayo-
nets and dubbed muskets
During the struggle l was once seized
ana my overcoat partially pulled off, and it
was probably at this time another bayonet
wound was given me in the back, as the
bayonet passed through my inner coat be-
tween my shoulders. while my overcoat re-
manned intact. This was the most severe
wound or the three, the bayonet entering
the spine and penetrating 1t nearly to the
spinal cord. My recollection of what fol-
lowed is Indistinct, but l was pulled upon
the parapet by Private Henry H. Recor,
Company A, 9Th Vermont. who incurred
great danger in assisting me. and received
a Sunshot wound
m al of t.
ward WEIGH. private in Company d, 54th
Ohio Infantry. for his gallant conduct as a
member of the volunteer storming party
during the siege of Vicksburg, Miss, May
-. 1853. OF $50 men who engaged in the
assault all but twenty-three were killed. 1t
was one of the bravest charges of the siege,
although unsuccessful. Mr.. WEIGH is en-
ployed in the War Department. and has
resided in this city for many years.
While engaged in a reconnaissance along
the Berryville and Winchester pike, in Vir-
ginia. September 49, 1864, Isaac Cans of
this city succeeded in capturing the coIors
of the Sth South Carolina Infantry. At that
time he was a corporal in Company E, I'd
Ohio Cavalry, and he was awarded a
medal Sept TENDER 49, 1864.
A Thrilling Experience.
Maj. Marion T. Anderson, assistant
cashier of the Washington city post office,
has had thrilling war experience. With
becoming modesty he related the incidents
in his career to a reporter.
Mr.. Anderson had just returned to his
home at kokemo Ind, from the North
western Christian (now Butler) University,
at indianapolis. While in attendance at a
church service Sunday, April IA, 1861, he
heard the pastor read a telegram announc-
ing the surrender of Fort Sumter and the
call of President Lincoln for 10 900 volun-
teers for service of three months. He i'm
mediately started for his home, and a few
days later Joined Company c, eth Indiana
Volunteers, serving with that regiment
until it was discharged August s, 1861. On
the 1st of the following October he re-en-
tered the service in Company ID, 51St Regi-
ment. and was made orderly sergeant. After
the battle of Shiloh. in which his regiment
participated, he was made second lieuten-
ant, and several months later he was in
trusted with the command of his company.
He saw vigorous fighting until December
81, 1862, when he was wounded in the bat
tie of Stone river, having participated in
that engagement as captain. On the Goth
of April, 1858, he started with Col. A. D.
StrCight in the expedition into Bragg's rear.
The ammunition of the forces
hausted, and on the I'd of May Col. Streight
sent forward a force of 200 picked men,
with Capt. Anderson second in command
for the purpose of securing a supply of
ammunition at Rome, Ga. When the small
force arrived at that point it dscov-
cred to be guarded by largely superior
force. and the purpose of the expedition had
to be abandoned. The detachment was in
sore straits-cut off from the main force.
surrounded by the enemy and destitute of
ammunition, 1t was compelled TO follow the
example of the main force and surrender,
May 3, 1861. The entire brigade was taken
to Richmond and confined in Libby prison,
the famous bastile of the confederacy.
While there Capt. Anderson was one of
Seventy-five officers of like rank who were
one day required to draw lots to afford two
victims to be hanged in retaliation for some
executions of rebel spies made by Gen.
do in r,pIrx
Capt. Andersons escape from Libby,
after seven months confinement. with one
companion, is one of the most stirring Incl
dents connected with the history of that
prison. This daring project is thought to
have been the first successful escape from
Libby. The release was chara cterized by
many dangerous risks and trying exposures.
and the two men were scarcely more than
alive when they reached the Union lines.
He was given a leave of absence. at the eX-
pration of which he Joined his old regi-
ment, having declined the proffer of the
cOlonelcy of a new regiment.
Five Lines of Breastworks Captured.
During the two days severe fighting at
Nashville Tenn, December Is and Is, 1864,
ne was with his regiment in the hottest
portions of the conflict. charging and carry
ing three lines of breastworks the first day,
and two more the second day. In the ter
rife charge by the Sd division of his corps
tuted the sixth line of battle a the begin
mig of the movement. When within 800 or
400 yards of the enemys works the five
front lines lay down under calling fire. AS
commander of his regiment he urged these
lines to move forward, but they refused.
Squirting his horse over the five lines, he
ordered his regiment, with fixed bayonets.
to follow his lead at doublequck The
gallant regiment swept over the five lines
of PROSTATE men, following their intrepid
leader through murderous fire and were
on the eve of gaining a victory, when Capt.
Anderson was shot through the hips and
spine by a keen-eyed sharpshooter. He
was thought to be mortaly wounded and
the surgeons gave him no attention for
twenty-four hours, but he rallied and was
able to join his command in the spring of
1863.
Congress presented Major Al.-erson medal
for his conspicuous gallantry at the battle
Of Nashville, Tenn, December 10, 1864. in
leading his regiment over five lines of bat
tie that had lain down under CALLING fire.
Major Anderson has been an active work
er in the Grand Army Of the Republic for
over twenty years, being commander of the
Department Of the Potomac in 1895, and
holding several other important positions In
that department during the time.
BreVet Major General Charles II. Smith
retired, who besides at 1928 Q street north
west, was awarded medal of honor April
H. 1895. for services performed at the bat
tie of st. Mary's Church, Virginia July 81,
OF he