The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-06-15
For the REPORTER.
of Gen. Howard

Now that Gen. Howard has been here
at Skowhegan and the people have had
the great privilege of seeing and hearing
him, brief sketch of some OF his words
and acts while he was In command of
the Third Maine Infantry, may be of
interest To many of your readers. 1t
will reveal more clearly his kindness Of
heart towards his men, as well as his ex-
eellent characteristics as Christian
man and soldier.
The Third Maine was mustered into
the L. 5. Volunteer service at Augusta,
June 4, 1861, and the next morning left
for the seat of war, Col. o. o. Howard
in command. The regiment went by
rail TO Fall River, Mass, thence by boat
TO New York, thence by rail to Washing
ton. There were fears that In marching
through Baltimore there would be
trouble as the bloody experiences of the
Mass. Sixth were fresh In mind and the
Third Maine WAS the next regiment that
WAS TO pass through the city. First be.
fore reaching the city the train WAS
stopped, the men left the cars and form
| a. > ia INV USiO AiFCA CdSL kCn lOuuuc
of ammunition. Col. Howard gave in
structions to the officers and men what to
do IN case OF an attack on the part OF the
disloyal citizens Of Baltimore. The regi-
ment was to march through the city by
| platoons and the officers were cautioned
10 keep the platoons sufficient distance
| apart go that they could wheel into line
either to right or left at the word of
! n nd nd m Hro -
| necessary. Col. Howard told US not to
manifest any disposition to be the ag-
gressors. No matter how many seces-
sion flags were waved nor how many
threats were made, they were to pass
seemingly unnoticed on the part OF his
men, but If man was Injured by shot or
orickbat, he should wheel the entire
regiment into line and open fire. We
were on the way TO fight secession and
may al well begin 10 Baltimore as any,
where. The regiment passed through
without moestation although many
rebel flags were waved from windows
and other disloyal demonstrations made.
The regiment reached the National
capital on the evening Of the sixth and
was permitted to occupy rooms in some
of the public buildings over night, Sleep
ing on the floors. Next morning the
boys were hungry and without rations.
Col. Howard took US TO large restau-
rant or some other large building where
a breakfast for all had been provided,
and standing by the side of long. board
tables we enjoyed a substantial meal of
loaf bread, meat, butter and coffee at
Col. Towards expense. Our beloved
colenel stood By the tables and asked
the divine blessing. While here, he
asked me il remembered the incident.
The same day the regiment went into
camp a mile north of Washington on
Meridian hill. At this time the rations
were miserably poor. Hardtack, old
and musty, coffee of the poorest quality,
and often tainted meat. We supposed
that we had no right to stand such treat
ment and forty-fve members OF Co. FL
concluded they wouldn't, so a paper was
drawn up at the suggestion of some dis
satisfied ones, stating that the under
signed refused to obey orders and per.
form military duty until suitable rations
were furnished. 1t was bad move, but
we we're young in military discipline and
were not aware that we were taking such
II disobedient course. After forty-five
had signed 1t one of the men threw the
document into the colone's tent. 1t
was Immediately picked up and read. A
rumpus was on at once. Capt. Heath
was ordered to fall Ia Company II on
the company grounds and directly Col.
Howard made his appearance with the
hated and disloyal paper in his hands.
The names Of those who had signed il
were read and ordered to remain, while
the rest OF the company were dismissed
Then Col. Howard talked to the men
like father. He said that in the light
OF military affairs the signing of the pa
per was crime. That he could have
every man court martaled and severely
punished. He knew that the ratiOns
were poor and he was doing all possible
to procure better. Owing TO the fact
that we were young in the service and
did not realize the true meaning of such
action, he would overlook it all If we
would promise never to be caught in the
like again. The promise WAS readily
given and Capt. Heath was told to let it
all pass as though 1t had never been.
The regiment broke camp at Meridian
hill on the morning of July sixth,
marched through the capital and took a
boat for Alexandria. We marched by
the hotel where Col. Ellsworth was shot,
out by Fort Ellsworth that was named
for him and mile further on, and
olVouaced in an open field. The night
before rebel pckets were near this field.
That uight on parade Col. Howard told
us that we were in close proximity to
the enemy and liable at any moment to
be attacked. Ia fact he expected it that
very night. We were further out on the
front line than any other regiment and
he should expect the officers and men to
be cool and brave and show the spirit OF
true soldiers. The men lay down to rest
with entirely different feelings than ever
before. The mighty conflict was about
TO begin. That night the long roll
sounded. This meant danger. In five
minutes the regiment was On the color
line ready for any energy, but there
was no call for blood shed Just yet. II
was Col. Towards device to test the
reliability Of his command.
Gradually the regiment worked out
towards the Bull Run battle field.
About this time Col. Howard took two
companies from the regiment as an es-
cOrt and went down twelve miles distant
TO Mt. Vernon. The writer was fortu-
nate enough 10 be a member of one OF
the companies selected to go. It was
the only opportunity that ever came to
me to visit the tomb of Washington. Il
came to me as one chance ID five. On
reaching the grounds the companies
stacked arms in front of the large dwell
ling once occupied by Washington. Col.
Howard spoke few words saving that