The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-04-23
.PAWNS HIS CLOTHES
RATHER THAN
ASK AID
James Hosier, Aged Civil
War Veteran, Arrives in
st. Paul Penniless, on His
Way to Iowa-Cared for
by Veterans.

With pride and starvation battling
for supremacy within his battle-scarred
breast, James J. Hosier, seventy years
old, and a veteran of the Civil war,
walked the streets in the vicinity of the
union depot for two hours yesterday
morning, wondering how he would be
able to reach his home at Alden, Iowa,
without asking his comrades for aid.
Pride won.
This old soldier, who Is almost to-
tally disabled by the seven wounds he
received in the performance of his duty
as color-bearer in the historical bat
tie of Cold Harbor in 1854, had never
before been compelled to ask for aid,
and rather than commence now, espe-
cially when he was among strangers,
he pawned his trunk at Third street
shop for enough to live on until he
could write home for money.
Mr.. Hosier arrived in st. Paul yes
terday morning from Great Falls
Mont, where he went two years ago to
work as sheep herder in hopes that he
might earn enough money to raise the
mortgage on his little home in Iowa.
A week ago his Montana employer fail
ed, owing him $3.50. All he could get
was enough to bring him as far as ST.
Paul. When he arrived here yesterday
he was penniless, and there was no one
in the city whom he knew. After
thinking the matter over, he decided
that he could not stand the humility of
asking aid at the hands of strangers,
and rather than do so he secured
few dollars on his trunk.
Later, when he met a comrade on
the street, he related his troubles, and,
with tears in his eyes, told of what he
had done. He was taken to the office
of Isaac L. Mahan, commander of the
Grand Army in Minnesota, in the fed
eral building, who made arrangements
to secure transportation for the old
soldier.
Color Bearer in Memorable Battle.
Mr. Hosier bears the marks of seven
severe wounds received by him June
8. 1864, while acting as color bearer in
the One Hundred and Twelfth New
York infantry, at the battle of Cold
Harbor, Va. In that memorable battle.
which lasted for twelve days and
nights, and which cost the Union
forces 1895 men killed, 10,570 wound
ed and 2,450 taken prisoner, the color
bearer received the wounds which al
IlIOSl COSI IIllII Ills l14S. Ills SIll1IG
jaw was shot away, and the teeth now
in his head were purchased for him
by the government.
On the third day of the battle at
Cold HarbOr, in a desperate, but I'M
successful charge made by the Union
troops upon Lees intrenchments. the
young color bearer was dreadfully
wounded and fell with his flag in plain
view of the enemy, by several of whom
he was quickly surrounded and taken
prisoner. Four Union men rushed in
and rescued him, but two of them lost
their lives in doing so. So great was
the demand upon the Union forces
during the next few days of this bat
tie that it was impossible to care for
the wounded. and for six days and
seven nights, the unconscious man,
suffering from seven bad wounds, was
temporarily cared for in the shade of
trees by day and with no shelter at
night The hard earth was his only
bed. When he was finally removed to
a hospital. it was found that there
We're twenty bullet holes through
his clothing.
Mr.. Hosier receives a small pension
and has always been able to care for
himself without asking assistance.
Until four years ago. he was supported
by his son, but that son is no more.
He gave up his life at Porto Rico in
1898 IN defense OF his country.
AT Commander Mahans office. in
the federal building, yesterday after
noon, the old veteran told T h G o b e
his story, and when he told of the
kindness of Comrade Mahan in look
ing after his welfare he wiped a tear
from his eye.
Il have a little home at Alden, Iowa
where my wife is awaiting my return
said Mr.. Hosier. II went West, think
in 7 ierI,f h HI
ey, for l wanted to pay off the mort
gage on our little home before 1 died
Now, after two years of work my saw
ings are swept away"
Comrade Hosier is being we'll cared
for in st. Paul. and today he will be
sent to his home, and the trunk which
he pawned rather than ask for aid viii
be taken home with him.
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