The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-09-17
SOLDIERS STORIES.
ENTERTAINING "REMINISCENCES
OF THE WAR.

Graphic Account Of Stirring Scenes
Witnessed on the Battlefield and In
Camp-veterans of the Rebellion Re-
YES" said Peter Price OF company
II, One Hundred and Twenty Fourth.
Ohio. Il was a good jumper i'm the
army. but never said jumped across
a river, as the boys reported. 1 was
one of HaZen's hellions, otherwise a
member of HaZen's brigade of the
Third division of the Fourth corps.
At New Hope church, Georgia. May
q. 1864, Sherman sent Hazen against
what he supposed was the left wing
of Johnson's army in the air. Hazen
struck, however. JOhnsOn's right wing
at a point where the line bent to con-
form to the 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 divi-
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
position until the two rebel divisions
charged us. The brigade in retiring
left our regiment in an exposed posi-
tiOn on the extreme left, and we were
soon cut off. The boys fought like
furies, and. checking the rebel ad-
vance, made dash for the rear, the
enemy following close. was late in
starting and the rebel skirmishers
were abreast of me when l reached
Pumpkin Vine creek.
'.As we came to the creek at a full
run it seemed to some of the boys
about sixty feet wide. To me it did
not appear more than six feet wide,
and l made the jump Of my life, clear
ing the stream. Those who didn't
jump were captured, but 1 went across
with good deal Of company. Before
this, in going down the hill brought
up against log and fell, head first.
over it. A rebel right at my heels
struck at me with his musket and
Orderd me to surrender. But / kept
up my rolling. tumbling performance
until 1 regained my feet. jumped the
creek and getting behind 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 ROsser'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 good runner and good
jumper. and so I live to tell the tale
Of that hot fight"
Il made pretty fair jump myself"
0dlu OOhlduc nat Wdc at
the second battle of Bull Run, and 1
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 I ever ex-
perienced in the army. We stood it
for time and then the regiment melt
ed away and l cut away on my own
hook. Near us was the embankment
of a railway from which the rails had
been taken, and I made dash for
that in the belief that IL could get
over l would find shelter from the
murderous fire still raking the field.
AS / came to the embankment the
problem Of how to get over beset me,
but just then shell burst right be-
hind me and propelled by the result
ing commOtiOn in the air 1 went over
that embankment like bird.
But there was no depression on the
other side. and was as much exposed
as ever. Then l made my way to the
woods near, and there found Captain
Walters Of our regiment. a man named
Fish, and several others, and we put
up a good sort of fight. Pretty soon
General Phil Kearney came riding
down to that neck Of woods to see
what was the matter with his line.
He rode right into our squad, and,
refining back his 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. never saw a
Michigan man run before and rode
away.
'As he left us. indignant over his
rough speech. a shell struck Fish and
he went down. terribly mangled. Wal
tiers and / carried him to an ambu-
lance and I was detailed to go with
him to the hospital. where DIR. D. w.
Bliss, who afterward became famous,
tried to save Fish by amputating a
leg. He failed, but he held on to
me, and all that night served as the
assistant Of DIR. Bliss in a good many
amputations. Kearney's rough words
ringing ip my ears. / remembered,
however. Kearney in another incident,
and'I forgaye him. At Harrison's
Landing our company was on picket
when Kearney rode down upon u.s.
1t was a warm day, and the boys were
lying about in some disarray when we
saw the general coming.
1--WE hustled into blouses and got
into line by the time the general was
ready for his salute We expected q
scoring. but Kearney. looking about.
spied man under guard, and asked
why he was under guard at such a
time. replied that he was under
arrest by orders of the Lieutenant
commanding the post for fighting in
quarters. Fighting HE'LL said the gen.
eral. Isn't that what he enlisted for
We want fighting men in front. Re-
lease him and send him To his quar-
ters. or put him on duty Then he