The National tribune., 1902-09-04
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades Along the Whole
Line.
A MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER.

A MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER.
James f. Bates. of Whitman. Mass,
writing of deeds of bravery and conspicu-
Gus gallantry under fire. performed by
men of the rank and file during the civil
war, of which no mention has been made
in prominent way, says: my comrade,
George A. Edison, entered the service as
minute man in 81, and served four
years and three months. Lincoln's call
for the first $1,000 men came, and the
Governor of Massachusetts was called
upon for troops, and her Volunteer Mill
tia rallied to the defense of the country.
The order came to our little village of
South Abingdon, Mass, on the eve of
April 10, Co. +, of the 4th Reg't, leaving
the next morning early for the front. 1t
was on this date, April 16, 81, that Com
rade Edison went early to his work at
Hobart's mill, in his native town of East
Bridgewater, Mass, carrying his dinner
as usual. BY chance he heard that Capt.
Aliens company E) was to take the
train for Boston that morning. Throw
ing off his work clothes, and leaving his
dinner-pail hanging on the nail, he took
the first conveyance to South Abingdon.
some four miles distant, and arrived
there in front of the armory just as the
company was forming line. He presented
himself to Capt. Allen, and asked if he
could go with the company. The Captain
told him. You are just the man we
want He was given a musket, fell into
the ranks, and went with the company on
their three months service at Fortress
Monroe and Newport News, Va, not even
going home to bid his parents a good-by.
This was his prompt answer to the coun-
try's call But it was while serving as
a Sergeant in the 1st Mass. Cav. (after-
wards designated the Independent Battal-
ion Massachusetts Cavalry that he per-
formed a deed of coOlness and bravery
under fire that is well worthy the recOg-
milton of a medal of honor. This event
took place on or about Aug. -. 1863,
while his command was stationed at Nor
ris Island, s. c.. he being detailed at this
time as mounted orderly for Brig Gen.
Joshua B. Howell. The General was in
command of the front line of works, and
on this occasion desired to make recon-
nOissance, to ascertain the position and
strength of the enemy. Taking Edison,
his orderly, with lin, and statiOning him
close by magazine, with the remark to
keep near enough to observe whatever
may take place. entered with a few
staff officers splinter proof at the ex
treme front to recOnnoiter the enemys
position. The enemy Immediately opened
fire on the proof completely demolish-
ing the structure, burying the General I'M
derneath the sandbags and debris and rem
dering him unconscious. Serg't Edison OBJ
served what had taken place. and. realiz-
ing the perllOus situation of his General,
went to his rescue, and though exposed
to a deadly fire of both artillery and in
fantry from the enemy's works, dug his
superior officer out from under the debris
and wreck of the proof and alone brought
him to the rear, and saw that he was car
ried on a stretcher to the hospital. This
act was duly recognized by the General,
who a short time afterward wrote a let
ter to Gov. Andrew, of Massachusetts,
strongly recommending his orderly as
worthy of promotion, which Edison later
in his service received
CROSSING THE TENNESSEE.
Replying to a statement by Cyrus A. B.
Fox. Seth ILL.,, appearing in n recent issue
of The National Tribune. Jos F. Siefert,
First Lieutenant, Co. X. and later COM
manding Co. A, 37th Ohio. TIC Writ St.
Youngstown, o., writes: There were 13O
hold about 40 men. Maj. Charles Hipp.
31th Ohio, commanded the pontoon fleet.
The call came for volunteers to handle
the boats. Men We're wanted who were
good swimmers. In case enough volun-
teers were not secured, company COM
manders We're ordered to detail enough to
make the number 651. Our brigade, COM
posed of the 4th W. Va, 3Oth Ohio. 37th
Ohio and 47th Ohio, furnished the re-
quired number of men. The best bOatman
in each pontoon was to act as pilot, and
have entire command of the boat' These
130 commanders of the fleet were called
together for instruction. Maj Hipp Or
dered that each boat should follow the
one just ahead of it. Maj. Hipp took the
advance in small skiff with one man.
was in boat No. Z and in command. We
had orders to wrap the rowlocks and oars.
in order to prevent noise. We started
about l o'clock a. m. The 9th and Sth
Mo-, the 116th Ill. and another regiment,
the 55th ILL.,, believe, composed the First
Brigade, and were the first to move out
of the creek into the Tennessee River. A
rebel battery of four pieces was directly
across the river, stationed there to guard
the mouth of the creek. We could plainly
see the pickets by their fire. In my boat
there were three Officers-two Captains
and one Lieutenant They belonged to the
9th or Sth Mo. We made the first land
ing in safely, then returned to the opposite
shore for another load. When l returned
our men had the entire party of rebel pick