The National tribune., 1902-03-27
ALL QUIET ALONG THE POTOMAC.

teers. for distinguished gallantry at Per
ryyille, KY, Oct. s, 1852
ALL QUIET ALONG THE POTOMAC.
r. B. Valentine, Co. b, Bucktails, Dun
cannon, Pa, writes: about the middle
of February, 1862, my company was de-
tailed as picket on the Alexandria and
Lynchburg Pike, about three miles from
camp in the direction of Dranesyille. We
were guarding a bridge where the pike
crosses a deep creek. Our headquarters
were on the north side OF the creek; on
either side were old fields; about so yards
from the creek was heavy timber. On the
right about 1,200 yards from our position
a ravine started and ran east and west
about 300 yards and then made sharp
bend to the south, following that general
direction until it entered q main stream.
Our yidets were along the ravines. Several
men had been killed while on picket along
this ravine, and one had lost his life only
few nights before my company went on
duty. The first night that We were on
duty the weather was so disagreeable that
none Of the men could sleep; there was a
heavy gale and rain and snow were falling
w. A. Holland, of my company, after re-
turning from duty, wrote out the poem
entitled, All Quiet Along the Potomac
A few days later one OF the boys sent |
copy to Bloomfield; it was published in
the County paper; our company received
two or three copies. Later the poem was
copied in a Washington paper. After the |
battle Of Antietam it was set TO music. |
There are 10 or IL members of my COM
pany living here who will corroborate my
claim that W. A. Holland is the author of
All Quiet Along the Potomac
SCATTERING. .--,-
J. G. Nits, Co. F, 33d Ohio enlisted in
August, 1861. He participated in the
campaign in eastern Kentucky, under
Gen. Nelson, and later Joined Buelrs
army at Bacon Greek; then was with
Gen. Mitchell on his famous raid through
Tennessee and Alabama. Later was at
the battles of Perryyille, Stone River,
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and in
the Atlanta campaign. He was discharged
at Rome, Ga, Oct 10, 1864. He was
three times wounded and participated in
one more battle than his regiment. Com
rade Nits favors a service pension bill.
Comrade C. A. Harding, of Andover
n. j., thinks that he has found the young
est soldier of the civil war. Comrade
William Van Ripper, of Tranquility, was
born March %, 1S49. He ran away from
home to enlist, and was enrolled in the
I'd n. J. Cav, July %, 1861. His father
went to Washington to lay the case be-
fore President Lincoln. and secured the
release of his son, who at the time of his I
months of age. The father and son re-
turned TO New Jersey, but within few
months the boy was again with the COM
pany. He later served as Aid to Gen. 5
Fitzpatrick.
Chas A. Cole, Co. /, 49th Mo-, Box,
Okla, claims the honor of being one of ;
the youngest soldiers of the civil war. He
was born at Lexington, Mo-, May, 1850;
he left home in July. 1863. and joined the
\
hard service against Quantrel and An
derson. In August, 1864, he entered the !
United States service as member of Co.
|, 10th Mo. He was at Spanish Fort and
Mobile; later, marched to Montgomery, !
and was there at the close of the war. He I
is Commander of Capt. Reeder Post, 81, /:
Department of Oklahoma.
A. Fl. Hulburt, Lock Haven, Pa,
writes: I'm regard to the controversy that
has been going on the past 80 years, with
Out satisfactory settlement as to who is
the youngest soldier, | would like you to
all the young soldiers and COM
rades to write up their history. and let US
settle the matter once for all. and who
ever is the youngest, let US take off our
hats to him. This is a matter of no great
because there was enough
glory in having been soldier in the grand
struggle to go around; but | would like
to see the question settled for good"
r. H. Bolt, Cashier of the State Bank
If Otterbein Otterbein, Ind. writes that
MS father w. L. Bolt 22d s. c., was
at South Mountain, Sept. IA,
1862, and was cared for by a member
If the Pennsylvania Bucktais. A can
zen of water was given TO him and he
vas placed under shelter of n rock on
he mountain side and a blanket loaned
o him for the night. Mr. Bolt. would
ike to hear from the PENNSYLVANIA sol
lier who probably saved his fathers life.
J. G.. Bartholomew, Co c.. 4th Ind.
Jaw. New Richmond, Ind. replying to
IN inquiry of Comrade Elbert NJ Hendry,
n Il recent issue of The National Tri-
,une, says that Col. J. 2. Leslie, 4th
nd. Cav. is buried in the Soldiers Cir
lie. OakwOod Cemetery, Warsaw, Ind.
Col. Leslie was Il physician. and left a
arge practice to enter the army. His
widow never remarked. Comrade Bar
holomew thinks she is still living.
Chas. e. Potter, Co. A, 18th Ind, Co
umbus, Ind, presents the claim of Dr.
}. III. Mennett, of Keath Post, 13, Column
of the G. A r. DR.. Men,
lett was born March s. 1850. Comrade
Potter himself is very young Past Com
nander, having been born Aug. 8, 1S4S.
John Wells, Wilcox, H., requests that
ome comrade write for The National
Tribune sketch of Fighting Tom
Knowles" where born, date and place of
eath, and also of his service in the u. s
Navy, especially with Farragut at Mobile
Bay.
Byron L. Cave, Lancaster. o., would
ike some comrade to send him u copy of
he war song. s"rramn Tramn the Rovs /