The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1902-05-22
JOHN w. TRITscH
Writes an Interesting Story of War
Life.
[Fairfleld Pickaway News.l

LOGAN, OHIO, May l2th, lSuZ'
Il. o. Harden:
While in attendance at the State
G. A. r., at Lancas-
ter, l met Harvey culberson of Co.
K, who informed me when 1 in
1uired after his brother James,
who was also a member of Co. X,
that James Culberson died at Sa-
bina, Clinton County, Ohio, on
Dec. goth, 1900. He enlisted Aug.
1st, 1862, at the age of 1S, and
was mustered out with the regi-
ment, June 13, 1865, at Camp
Harper, Nashville, Tenn. The
writer was personally acquainted
with the deceased, and / know
that he was good and faithful
soldier, always ready to do his
duty to his country.
1t is not generally known that
at one time he was taken a prison
er and was in the hands of the
Johnnies about 10 minutes, and as
l was present and saw the capture
take place, will try and give my
recollection of it.
The boys all remember when old
Billy Sherman cut loose from his
supplies, and moved around to the
south side of Atlanta to cut the
corn dodger line of Hoods army,
which consisted of the Macon rail
road, and also the Montgomery
road, which formed a junction
with the Macon road at place
called Rough and Ready, which is
about four miles from Atlanta, on
the south side of the city. On
August %, 1854, we went into
camp near the Montgomery road,
which lay in our front about one
mile. On the Goth a division was
ordered out to tear up the road,
which they did completely, and
while they were at it there was u
| detail made from the Goth to 90
out in front, short distance, to
see if we could secure anything in
the way of forage. There were
two men detailed from each COM
pany, under the command of LIEUT..
Mosure and sergeant. We had
not gone far until there was shot
fired at us from an old church
building that stood at the edge of
the timber, about hundred yards
from us. Leiut. Mosure then or
dered US to deploy as skirmishers,
and advance, but the under-brush
was so thick that we soon got tired
of that kind Of work and we told
the LIEUT.. that we were willing tc
take our chances by marching in
a squad in the road. The Leiut
consented, so we came out into the
road and advanced short distance
when we came to a house. The
lady of the house was standing al
the door. To our inquiries as tC
the Johnnies, she stated that she
! had seen none that morning. Sc
we passed on until we came to 6
by-road that led over to the ole
church, which we found was occu
pied by family of refugees
There were never any men about
the house, so we asked the lady il
there had been any rebels about
there that morning, and of course
she said "no," but we did not take
her wordfor it, but went in anC
searched the house all through
even to tearing up the bed ant
looking under a straw tick, anC
turning over anything that rebe
could hide under, but found moth
ing, although we were satisfied
that the shot was fired from thai
place. We then came out anC
looked under the building, bu
could see nothing. So we return
ed to the main road and started
on and had gone but short dis
tance until we found a rebel sworC
lying in the middle of the road
We picked it up and passed on tt
the next house which was only {
short distance. Here we again
made inquiries concerning the
rebel cavalry which we knew it tt
be, by the sword which we pickeC
up. She at first denied that any
rebels had passed there, but wher
we produced the sword she came
down the tree and said that quite
squad of rebel cavalry had pass