Cañon City record., 1907-08-29
GENERAL PALHER ALWAYS
IN THICKEST OF FIGHT

Colorado Springs, Aug. 23.-Many
are the stories OF war times that are
being swapped among the various
groups of veterans Of the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania cavalry at every oppor-
tunity. and incidents are brought to
mind that possibly have been forgotten
by some OF the chief actors. In the
majority OF the stories General Pal
mer Is featured In one woy or another,
and all the men apparently have some
personal Renaissance of their old
commander treasured in their memo
ries.
General Palmer was possibly the
most audacious cavalry leader in the
war;" said Milton Shaw. from Oil City.
Pa, a bright-eyed, alert little man, 70
years Of age. who does not look or act
like a man of more than so. He was
utterly without fear. and, while he
acted always with cool judgment and
due regard to the safety of his men.
he would often charge in with small
force where the average leader would
not dare to venture. On one occasion
l remember he entered a small town
in eastern Tennessee with 300 men and
by force OF a complete surprise routed
] 1000 OF the enemy and took more pris-
oners than we had men in the attack
ing party. On our way back to camp
we fell in with a provision train. heav-
lily guarded, which we captured. and
returned to camp laden with prisoners
and booty.
Some Thrilling Incidents.
"On only one occasion did l ever see
General Palmer mistaken in his cal
culations, but 1t was through no fault
OF his. for the enemy had purposely
placed a decoy, and by coolness and
hard fighting General Palmer extri-
Gated his men, although we lost heav-
lily. 1t was at Red Hill. one OF the
fercest battles OF the war. General
Palmer charged an important position
with his one regiment. not knowing
that 1t was a whole brigade he was
going up against We had cut our
way through barricade and the
Johnnies laid low until we got into
the very thick OF their men. Then
they came at US like hornets and We
knew that for once we were stung.
They cut on our retreat by concen-
trating at the opening In the barri-
cade through which we had advanced,
but the general was as quick OF wit
as they, and instead OF holding us to-
gether where they could concentrate
their nre upon US. he gave the word Of
command and we scattered like a
string OF beads when the thread Is
broken. each man making for the op-
ening that looked best to him. We
lost some prisoners and several men
Of our regiment were killed. but had
II not been for the quick wit of Gen
eral Palmer In terrible predicament.
our whole regiment would have been
cut to pieces.
Captured Blooded MARI.
Il wish Lieutenant Stewart Logan
was here" remarked Mr.. Shaw. sud-
denly growing reminiscent on a differ
ent tack. Il haven't seen him since
the war. but l sure would like to-"
Upon being informed that Stewart
Logan was actually In town. the little
mans eyes grew sull brighter and his
smile expanded into a laugh.
Il wonder II he remembers the time
he took 10 OF US and rode 20 miles in
the night to capture a blooded mare
belonging to General Bragg's chief Of
stAh. She was a beauty. all right. and
Stewart Logan was the man to ride
her. but I'll bet II the colonel knew
where We were that night Il would
have cost Logan a few days In the
guard house