The National tribune., 1906-02-01
Mis- SIS SIP PPI

tnanders, one who had earned the af-
fection Of his men, not less through re-
spect for his character than by his un-
falling sympathy and care in all
situations and who was commended
to the confidence and esteem of his as
sociates and superiors by talent and de-
votfon OF the first order joined to every
quality that stamps a man among men.
The fiery Holcomb, wounded in the
assault of the 9th, yet refusing to leave
his duty to another, fell early on this
fatal morning at the head of his regi-
ment and brigade. in the first moment
of the final charge of Weitzeps men.
This was another serious loss, for Hol-
comb had that disposition that may, for
want Of better term, be described as
the fighting character. All soldiers
know 1t and respect 1t, and every wise
General, seeing it anywhere among his
officers, shuts his eyes to many blem-
fsh and pardOns many fault that
would be severely visited I'm another:
yet in Holcomb there was nothing to
overlook or forgive. AS he was the
most prominent and the most earnest
OF the few officers of the line that to
the last remained eager for the fatal
assault, so he was among the earliest
and the noblest Of it's victims
"Mortally wounded at the head OF
Weitzels Brigade fell Col. Elisha B.
Smith, of the Hath N. Y. Barely re-
covered from a serious illness, his spirit
could not longer brook the restraint OF
the hospital at New Orleans with the
knowledge that his men were engaged
with the enemy. Thomas was Ill and
had received slight wound Of the
scalp; this brought Smith to the
head Of the brigade; his fall
devolyed the command upon
Lieut.-Col. Van Patten; for though
Thomas. unable to bear the torture in
fiicted upon him by the sounds Of bat
tie, rose from his sick-bed and resumed
the command, his weakness again over
came him when the days work was
done.
Losses Of the -sth n. II.
mo regiment at Port Hudson ap.
preached the 9Th y. III. in the number
and severity of its losses. no brigade
suffered SO much as Paine's, to which
this regiment belonged, and no division
SO much as Emory's, under the com
mand of Paine. On this day Fearing
division, and Lull having fallen in the
previous assault, the regiment went
into action 217 strong. led by Capt
William NJ. Barrett; of this number
122, or Sc per cent, were killed Oh
wounded. On the 9th of May out oi
29S engaged, the regiment lost 124, OIL
Al per cent.
Next to the 8th y. II. on the fata
roll stands the 4th Wis. This nobl.
regiment, at all times an honor to tn,
service and to Its State. whence cam,
SO many splendid battalions was
shining monument to the virtue O
steady. conscientious work and stric
discipline applied to good material
Bean had been instantly killed by
sharpshooter on the 29th of May: tn
regiment went into action on the 14tl
of June 220 strong, commanded b.
Capt. Webster p. Moore: of these, IA
fell, or 63 per cent. In the first as
sault however, II had Jared better, 1t
losses numbering but 60.
THE eccentric Currie. who came 4
the service from the British army. witt
the luster of the Crimea still about him
rather frightened than dimmed by tim
and distance, fell severely wounded ol
the same fatal crest. He was struck dow
at the head Of his regiment, boldly lead
ing his men and urging them forwar,
with the quaint cry Of Get on. Iads!' s,
well known to English soldiers, yet s,
unfamiliar to all Americans as to draw
many a smile. even in that grim mo
ment, from those that heard it.