The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-12
HE DESERVED A MEDAL.


Among the papers OF the late Col. 2. A.
Smith, editorial writer of the Journal, found
In his Office desk since his decease. is a doc
ument which afforded him natural grati-
fication when il came into his hands. early
in 1902. About that time medals Were issued
by the War Department to certain soldiers
for special acts of bravery in the Spanish
american war. and newspaper discussion
of the matter. perhaps, led to the attempt
by members of Colonel Smiths old COM
mand to right what they felt was an in
justice done him in similar award dur
ing the civil war. Not until after petitions
to that effect had been filed with the War
Department was he informed Of the effort
that was being made. copies of the papers
then being sent him. He spoke OF the act
to his office associates with much feeling.
While he realized. as the petitioners did not,
that the incident was a closed one with the
department and the records would not be
opened at so late day, he felt greatly
pleased at the loyal remembrance Of him
by his old comrades and their voluntary
testimonial to his bravery in the far-off
days.
AS matter of interest to Colonel Smiths
many veteran friends in Indiana the docu-
ment describing the DARING act OF SdA-
liant soldier is here given:
Ito the Honorable Secretary Of Wal.
Washington, d. c.:
ut has always been my feeling. and
know that the same feeling exists among
te q r she MaDe eTv an that
injustice has been done to Major Zemro A.
Smith. Of said regiment, In the matter or
saerS OF of tho e sd ee
Artillery. which had been captured by the
enemy In the action at the Boydton Road
were given 70 the oeers
Lieutenants Prince A. Gatchell and Benja-
min F.: Cakes of the same regiment f fSs
recommendation of q staff officer.
Matters had been very quiet In our part
| Of the line while the troops were being
put in position; A portion Of Pierce's bril-
| gade, third division, Second Corps. was
| placed in the front line with the two pieces
| of artillery above alluded 10 Immediately
| in its rear. while the First Maine Heavy
Artillery. with several other regiments OF
the first brigade, formed second line in
rear of the second brigade and on the
which stood in the large open field. Imme-
| diately In front Of the second brigade was
| large belt of timber. From this belt OF
timber the enemy suddenly emerged with
a volley and a yell, and In very few
minutes the regiments of the second bril-
gade were scattered to the rear. the men,
| together with the caissons, rushing pell-
nell through the first brigade, thus leaving
| us in the front lire. The order, Forward,
was at once given by General De Trobri-
| and, and the regiments OF the first brigade
rushed down the decline at a run to meet
the enemy, who were rapidly advancing,
| firing as they came. Our charge and a
| flank fire from another division on our left
| sent the enemy back into the edge OF the
| belt of woods from which they came. and
| from the cover of which they opened
| CALLING fire. Several hundred Of the enemy
had advanced so far as to conceal them
| selves In the clump Of forest growth above
| mentioned. on our left. Colonel Shepherd,
of the First Maine Heavy Artillery, had
| just rushed down the line with the right
| wing of his regiment to secure these men
| as prisoners, which left Major Smith in
| Major Smith at the time. and the two field
| pieces stood within few rods OF the belt
| of timber fully covered by the nearby
! Shepherds men had passed, I heard
Major Smith shout to his men, I think We
Major n se Smith NTH we ali made rush for the
| guns. The first one reached was quickly
secured and hauled of by the draTope.
| ing the whole AFFAIR, We closed in on the
other gun and dragged 1t from the field I
was shut OF by the crowd from getting
| hold of the dragrope Of the second gun.
and so unlocked the lock chain and pulled
by that thus being eng IN c the rear CARS as we
everything that was going on AS we were
| moving out under fire, we were met by
| Lieutenant Gatchell, above referred TO.
| coming out from another direction with a
| large squad OF prisoners. These he quickly
| deployed alongside of the men who were
hauling the second gun, which the enemy
perceived and stopped their fire on US.
/ IT never saw a more brilliant act during
my service. nor an act that required more
nerve than that displayed by Major Smith
| and the men under him In voluntarily
| rushing across the open field to within
dozen rods of the enemy's lire to secure
| those lost guns.
| CHARLES ]. HOUSE.
Late First Lieutenant Co. G. First Maine
| Heavy Artillery.