The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-05

we We're put through the mill just the
same as 81 Kls&S, and Shorty were. W.
were here armtd and equipped, and had
plenty to do, drilling, building forts and
doing, picket duty out at Baily's Cross.
roads and Munsen,s Hill. In this way we
learned the art rpf war. and were moulded
into soldiers.
l was never;absent from my company
until May 20, 1850, when 1 was taken
down with what Dur Regimental Surgeon
called the quick consumption. at Franklin,
W. Va. With many others was left at
farm house six miles from Strasburg,
in charge of Corpr Charles Blenker, of
my company. Stayed here one day, when
we heard Capt. Ashby's cavalry were in
and 'toted' me to Strasburg. / was too
weak and sick to walk, and only weighed
about So pounds. There we all went to
the hospital in the Methodist church. A
number of our boys died there, among
them Corp1 Blenker; but for one COM
boiled linseed oil Il can smell it yeti, which
| was seasoned with salt and roasted onions,
which a Confederate lady gave me at the
request Of young Johnny of about my
own age, who was our prisoner and
wounded pretty badly. He belonged, if I
remember rightly, to the 10th Va. c. S. A.
He was my next bunky in the hospital,
and when we went into town I was re-
sponsible for his safe return. He got me
many a square meal from his rebel friends,
and if l had him here l would make him
ample return with compound interest.
81 remained in this hospital about 20
days, until my regiment returned from up
the Shenandoah Valley, when 1 skipped
without leave and rejoined my company,
still very weak, but on the mend.
"At the battle of Charlottesville, Va,
threw my drum away and picked up a
Springfield rife and cartridge box from
one of our dead boys, and went into the
ranks. Wounded in the last reb charge
on the breastworks, behind which we were
at the time. This was in the evening Of
May 2, 1863. was seriously wounded
three times-one bullet through the left
wrist, shell wound (fracture) on left
side, back of my head, and a bayonet
wound in the breast. I was left on the
field for dead. Came to Sunday
morning, May 3, and found myself pris-
had the courtesies of the following we'll
known hotels extended to me free of
charge during my stay there: First, at
Libby, where 1 was treated for my
wounds, then across Cary street, to Hotel
Pemberton; thea TO the world-renowned
hostelry called Castle Thunder, then back
to Hotel Pemberfon. At last we were
naroled. among the rest, to my great
surprise. Returned to my regiment and
served with them At Missionary Ridge and
through to the relief of Knoxville, Tenn
with the rest of the regiment reenlisted
as a veteran Jan,i 1, 1864. Our service
ended at Fort Pulaski, Savannah Harbor,
Ga, where we we're finally mustered out of
the service on Noys 80, 1865, after con-
tinuous service IN the field of four years,
seven months and II days.
"Since that time, have been in Cuba,
Boston, ST., Louis, Chicago, Nebraska, Col
orado, New Mexico, Arizona-in fact, in
about every State and Territory. At last
ended up here in Oregon about 16 years
ago, where l have been since. am now
living within the sound Of the grand old
Pacific Ocean; the beating of the surf is
my lullaby when l 60 to my rest. have
ranch and a good, comfortable home
since 1 have been here In November,
1887, I helped organize Co. K, I'd Reg't
Oregon National Guard. joined as a
private, and rose through all the grades
to Lieut. Colonel commanding the regi-
ment, and am now on the veteran rolls
of the State. have held many positions
of trust in County and State, and have
been Notary Public for over IA years, and
am now U. s. Commissioner for the Dis
trict of Oregon.
81 cannot close without thanking you
for your uniform promptness and fairness
in the management of The National Tri-
bune contests. 1t shall be my utmost en-
deavor to do what I can to enlarge your
subscription list. There is no better friend
on earth to the old boys in blue than The
National Tribune, of Washington, D. c.,
for it is always ready and willing, without
fear or favor, to take mp the cudgel in their
behalf, and in behalf of their widows and
orphans. May God bless the paper"
Comrade j. Ray, Decatur, ILL.,, winner,
reports as follows: "Born in ILL., Enlisted
July 10, 1861, in Co. A, 41st Ill. At Forts
Henry and Donelson our regiment took an
active part, holding the extreme right of
the Union line at Donelson, and were the
first regiment attacked on the morning of
the 18th. Led the advance of the army in
the occupation of Pittsburg Landing En-
gagged in battle of Shiloh and Siege of Cor
NTH. From there to Memphis, and thence
to Bolivar and battle of Hatchie, under
Hurlbut. In Grants North Mississippi
bringing up the rear of the in
fantry, after Van Dorm burnt our rations
at Holly Springs. Remained at Moscow,
Tenn, until Spring, then to Memphis, and
from there we marched and fought at
Coldwater, Miss, April 10. From Mem
phis to vicksburg in Maj. Lanman's Di-
vision, Sixteenth Corps. Landed at
Haines' Bluff, May 20; took position be-
tween Hovey andgthe river on the left of
the line of investHent of vicksburg, May