The National tribune., 1906-07-12
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades Along the Whole
Line.
A Beautiful Sight.


Second Divisions of the Fourteenth
Corps who remembers the illumina-
tion in the valley of the Chickamauga,
May 6, 1854, AZ years ago Our divi-
sion lay north or northwest of Ring
gold, and the Second was up on the
hills, just a little south or southwest.
On that day we were issued candles;
why, never knew, for we had no par
ticular use for them at that time. The
men had their tents all up, and many
cut small pines and set them up around
their tents, and when night came they
divided the candles up into about two
inch pieces, and stuck them in rows on
their tents and all over the branches of
the little pines. For about three hours
1t was the grandest sight 1 ever saw.
The only reason l could ever see for
to make the Johnnies think we were all
over that country. 1 have never seen
any mention made of this bright little
patch in history
Oldest Soldier.
George H. Steele, Co. X, 40th Iowa,
Norman, Okla, adds his mite to the
''oldest soldier" controversy in the fol-
lowing sketch of ]. ]. Overton: Com
rade Overton was born Oct. 5, 1897.
He served as a drummer boy in the
War of 1912, and as a private in the
Indian wars, the Black Hawk War,
and the Mexican War. In August, 1862,
when 65 years old, he enlisted as Cap
tain in the 40th Iowa, Co. D. His COM
mission was withheld for several days
on account of his age, but he finally got
il through the influence. of the Colonel
of the 40th, Col. John A. Garrett. Capt.
Overton and Col. Garrett had served
in the same company as privates
through the Mexican War. Capt. Over
ton was very brave man, was in every
march and battle that the 10th Iowa
took part in, and always led his COM
pany in the thick of the fight. He was
beloved by all the regiment. He was
a good citizen, never touching tobacco
or liquor of any kind. He was a spare
built man, but very nervy and deter
mined, and did his duty at all times.
He lived at Long Beach, Cal, and died
there two years ago at the advanced
age of 107.
Loaned His Shoes.
James Shanklin, Co. c, 41st Ohio.
who enlisted in 1861 and served three
years, taking part in the siege of Cor
inth, the battle of Stone River and
many other engagements, who was
wounded at Orchard Knob, was in the
march from Murfreesboro to Nashville,
to Louisville over the Cumberland and
Wild Cat Mountains, and who at the
expiration of his term of service had
moi had enough, but reenlisted for one
year, tells why he was not in the battle
of Shiloh. The commanding officer of
Co. c, 41st Ohio, when on a forced
march was wearing a pair of rubber
boots which hurt his feet terribly, and
he asked Comrade Shanklin to let him
take his shoes, keeping up as best he
could. The change was made, but the
Cvl1F hTfN fN1
Shanklin SO badly that he took them
off finally and marched along in his
stockings, joining the company as it
crossed the river that evening. His
feet were in such condition that Capt.
Wiley detached him the next morning
to guard the knapsacks during the
days battle.
The First on Top.
O. d. Pitchford, Co. A, 9th KY,
Scottsville, KY, claims for his regiment
the honor of being the first on top of
Mission Ridge, instead of the 18th Ind,
as claimed by Comrade Murphy. Com
rade Pitchford was recruited in the
southern part of Kentucky in 1861,
when it was all mans life was worth
in that locality to declare himself a
Union man, or a Lincolnite, as the reb-
els called them, and he had to leave his
home under cover of darkness to enlist
In the army. He knows what the re-
bellion meant from start to finish, and
does not like 10 have what little honor
possibly belongs to his regiment taken
from it. He says the 9Th KY carried
the skirmish line for the brigade on the
occasion of the battle of Mission Ridge
from the firing of the signal guns from
Orchard Knob to the top of Mission
Ridge, with nothing in front the whole
time but Johnnies.
Thanks for Help.
S. A. Linton. Athens. Ala, wishes to
express his appreciation and sincere
thanks through the soldiers friend, The
National Tribune, for the generous re-
sponse to his call for help for schools
In his part of the State He received
letters from nearly all of the Northern
States, and found the hearts of the men
who wore the blue as open and filed
with the spirit of the Master as when
In defense of the dear old flag 40 years
ago. He wishes especially to thank the
ladies of the North who have given
him much help, and to tell them that
''the seed has been planted, the plant
has budded, and will soon bloom to be
JOY not only here, but through all
sternity.Io
Old Song Wanted.
Matthias H. Lowe, Co. G, Sth Pa. Cav,
Calvert, Pa, would like very much TO
have the words of a good old song of
1852, which he has forgotten, and will
be very glad If some one will send them
to The National Tribune. The words
were something like this:
"Under the homestead roof,
Nestled so cosy and warm,
While soldiers slept with little or
naught
To shelter them from the storm.
Chorus.
"Brave boys, where are they,
Who went at their country's call?
And yet, and yet, we cannot forget,
How many brave boys must fall"
The Gabbord Family In the War.
William Herndun, Co. B, sth KY,
Lancaster, KY, who has seen much in
The National Tribune about families
In the war;" youngest soldier" "old-
est living veteran" etc, sends the fol-
lowing interesting item. He says that
Isaac II. Gabbord, of Owsley Co, Ky.
had five sons and SO nephests in the
Union army during the COS. and that
the County furnished more soldiers for
the Federal army than 1t had votes in
1861. The Gabbords were about the
largest family in Owsley County, but
there were other loyal families there
who furnished nine and seven men
each.
The ProvfdentinI Spring at AndersonviIie
John w. Prickitt, Sergeant, Co. K, I'D
Ohio, Hershey, Neb.. was a boarder al
Ahdersonville Hotel at the time the
spring burst out from the dry Garth