Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-25
A CAMPAIGN EPISODE.
"Andy" Held the Advance Position
After the Regiment Fell Back

With deep interest the survivors OF
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth regi-
ment, Pennsylvania volunteers, are
awaiting the appearance OF the forth
coming history OF that regiment, which
Will come from the press in a few
weeks. The records of the war de-
partment, the pocket diaries of officers
and men. the faded letters from the
soldier boys at the front to loved ones
at home as well as the memories OF
the few survivors, have been searched
for facts in order that the achieve
ments of this famous fighting regi-
ment, in which Pittsburg was SO deep
ly interested Is years ago. may not
fade entirely into oblivion, says Pri-
vate John T. Porter, In Pittsburg Dis
patch.
Truly Truth Is stranger than fic-
ton" No dime-novel literature ever
contained more thrilling adventures,
more hair-breadth escapes or more in
dividual deeds OF heroism-not fool
hardness nor dare-devilism, but cool
valor and pluck-than this history or
the One Hundred and Fifty-ffth.
To the schoolboy as we'll as the
psychologist the story of Andrew
White is replete with human interest
and affords rich material for refiec-
| ton.
This former boy was mustered into
the service with the regiment while
he was yet 10 years old. He was quite
| larOn HE utn "a
| ance OF being much older than he
really was. Almost illiterate he had
polished manners, the correct use of
language and the dignified department
! of West Pointer. But notwithstand-
ing these accomplishments he was
still only child in years and feelings
and as such did not take military dis
cipline at all seriously.
If he did not take kindly to disagree
able picket duty Andy" as he was
| Familiarity called would not go on
duty. If the skirmish line appeared an
uncomfortable or dangerous place he
would not be found there. Desiring
to visit his home he did not consider
| the formality of securing a furlough
necessary, but went without one. I'm
pervious to advice, admonition or
threats, he did about as he pleased.
AS one of his officers has expressed 1t,
| ANDY" was like the Irishman's flea.
for when you attempted to put your
finger upon him he wasn't there. I'm
der the same circumstances an older
man would have been made to suffer
severely for such erratic conduct, but
this boys extreme youth and apparent
constitutional responsibility saved
him from severe penalties.
When Gen. Grant assumed command
of the armies and initiated the Wilder
ness campaign on May 5, 1854. with
the avowed determination to fight it
out on that line If it took all sum-
mer," ANDY" Whites nature seemed
to change.
All symptoms of his constitutional
defect disappeared and his bearing be-
came courageous. During the follow
ing Is days of continuous fighting he
was always at the front ready for
duty. always answered TO his name at
roll call, and never shirked any dan
gerous service. On June Is, 1864,
when the regiment made the memoir.
able charge on the enemy's works In
front of Petersburg. which resulted In
such dreadful carnage in its ranks.
"Andys" conduct was heroic. Escap-
ing unframed, he risked his life many
times in rescuing wounded men who
had fallen on the field close to the
enemy's works. In the darkness OF
the night he crept up almost under
the enemy's Notifications in search or
dead and wounded men.
On June %, few days later, when
the regiment was forced back from
an advanced position 1t had taken.
Andy" White held his ground. He
was missed from his company. and on
search instituted the next day he
| WAS found still in his advanced posi-
to save. for the sake of the 4.OOU.O,
Y, slaves whose shackles he helped tc
IS kick loose, and that have since beer
t. melted into plowshares that he has
E. patiently drawn all over the south
T. pulling along with him the black mar
y holding to the handles behind-for al
W these and other reasons let the mule
e stand as our national emblem in place
of the discredited and predatory eagle
And perish the man who shall attempt
to pull him down-as he certainly will
~ vuless he stands afar on
"fne immortal Garfield once said:
!, I never meet boy in the street
- without feeling like lifting my hat tc
- him. so great are the wonderful posi-
bilities wrapped up under his ragged
coat
!. I'm common with millions of others
=, I feel the same way about the mule.
- never meet one in the road or pasture
~ without raising my haiti don't he'