Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-09-23
SOLDIERS STORIES.
ENTERTAINING "REMINISCENCES
OF THE WAR.
Graphic Account of Stirring Scenes
Witnessed ON the Battlefield and in
camp-veterans of the Rebellion Re-
cite Experiences of Thrilling Nature


Yes" said Peter Price OF company
II. One Hundred and Twenty Fourth,
Ohio, Il was good jumper in the
army, but never said jumped across
a river, as the boys reported. was
one OF Hazen's hellions, otherwise
member OF Hazen's brigade Of the
Third division Of the Fourth corps.
At New Hope church, Georgia, May
n, 1864. Sherma- sent Hazen against
what he supposed was the left wing
of Johnson'S army In the air. Hazen
struck, however job sons right wing
at a point where the line bent TO con-
form TO tie hills along Pumpkin Vine
creek. The rebel line was not in the
air at all. as We soon found out, but
was compact and ready for business.
However. we marched TO our left.
came to contact with Claiborne's diyi-
sion, charged and drove the rebels into
their main works. where they were
REINFORCED by Walkers division. We
could go no farther but we held our
charged us. The brigade in retiring
left our regiment in an exposed posi-
ton on the extreme left, and we were
soon cut off The boys fought like
furies. and. checking the rebel adj
vance. made dash for the rear the
enemy following close. was late in
starting and the rebel skirmishers
were abreast Of me when 1 reached
Pumpkin Vine creek.
AS we came to the creek at a full
run 1t seemed TO some Of the boys
about sixty feet wide To me it did
not appear more than six feet wide.
and made the jump OF my life, clear
ing the stream. Those who didn't
jump were captured. but went across
with a good deal of company. Before
this. in going down the hill l brought
up against log and fell, head first.
over ii. A rebel right at my heels
struck az me with his mnsket and
orderd me to surrender But | kept
up my rolling. tumbling performance
until / regaIned my feet. jumped the
creek and getting behind a tree, gave
my pursuer as good as he sent.
Il never think of that scramble and
jump but am reminded Of Sheridan's
remarks about RLsser's rebel cavalry
in the Shenandoah valley, In 1864
When they came down the valley after
Sheridan. Rosser's men wore wreaths
of laurel and ivy around their hats.
After they found Sheridan and went
scurrying up the valley, the farmers
suggested that they wear pumpkin
vines around their hats because they
were good runners. At Pumpkin Vine
creek was 4 good runner and a good
jumper. and so | live to tell the tale
Of that hot fight"
4 made pretty far Jump myself.
said Comrade Murray, That was at
the second battle OF Bull Run and |
was then in the Third Michigan. At
first we were held in reserve. but later
were in the very thickest of the fight
and under the heaviest fire l ever ex-
perienced in the army. We stood it
for a time and then the regiment melt
ed away and cut away on my own
hook. Near US was the emhankment
OF n railway from which the rails had
been taken, and | made a dash for
that In the belief that IL could get
over l would find shelter from the
murder0us ire still raking the field
As I came to the emhankment the
problem Of how to get oYs- beset me.
hut just then a she'll burst right be-
hind me and propelled by the result
ing commotIou In the air went over
that emoankment like bird.
But there was TO depression on the
other side, and | was as much exposed
as ever. Then made M way to the
woods near. and there | found Captain
Walters OF our regiment. man named
Fish. and several others. and we put
up good sort of n fight Pretty soon
General rhil Kearncy came riding
down 10 that neck OF woods to see
what was the matter with his line
He rode right into our squad. and.
refining back bis horse. asked to what
regiment we belonged. Walters told
him and explained how we got there.
and said he didn't know whether any
others Of the regiment got away or
not kearney burst out with. You
cowardly sons Of guns. 1 never saw
Michigan man run before and rode
away.
AS he let us, indignant over his
rough speech. a shell struck Fish aud
he Went down. terribly mangled. Wal.
ters and I carried him 10 an ambn.
lance and | was detailed 10 60 with
him 20 the hospital, where Dr. u. W.
Bliss, who atterward became famous,
tried - save Fish by amputating
leg. He failed. but he held on To
me. and All that night served as the
assistant Of DR. Bliss in a good many
amputauons, Kearney's rough words
ringing 10 ley ears, 1 remembered.
however Kcarncy in another Incident.
and forEavc him At Harrison's
Landing our company was on picket
when Kearney rode down upon us
II was a warm day, and the boys were
lying ai,Nt in some disarray when we
saw the general coming
We hustled into houses and cot
into line ny the time the general was
ready for his salute. We expected
scoring, but Kcavney, looking about
spied a man under guard. and asked
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