The National tribune., 1907-09-19
HIS RECORD.
wa, in the First and Last Victories OF
the War-The Last Big Gun Fired.

Editor National Tribune: Since you
have solicited many times "reminiscences
of the late unp!eaSantrleS, take tne
opportunity to respond in my humple
way as an old coffee cooler. On the
evening of April IA, 1851, Mr.. j. Bruner,
young lawyer, and myself TOOK our
selves to the old court house IN Bath,
Mason City, ILL.,, with three candies, ana
proceeded to organize company Ior
the war. The minutes show TWO OF US
present. The motion by myse1 tnat
Bruner act as Chairman was carried
unanimously, benches not voting, and
chair then appointed me Secretary
cloud applause from BrunerD Ine
Secretary called on Bruner for talk
on the issue of the day, whlch was
cheered by the Secretary. (Benches NOT
allowed to enthuse.) 1t was motioned
TO adjourn and meet April 10, 1861.
The next day Bruner and self got out
big handbill announcing meeting, tell
ing of the enthusiasm displayed the
night before The meeting was called
to order with Bruner in the chair, X;
Berry Secretary, after which the roll
was called, and found Attorney Bruner
and Berry answering to their names.
After a short talk from Bruner and
Berry the roll was opened, and 16 good
and loyal boys were enrolled, making
IS ready for defense of Old Glory. On
motion we adjourned to take team on
the 18th and go up TO Havana, the
Countyseat, and finish the enlistment
for a company There % Joined us from
Mason City and % from Havana we
elected P. J. Walker, of Mason city,
Captain; NJ. E. Jones, of Havana, First
Lieutenant, and j. Bruner, of Bath, Sec
ond Lieutenant, after which the Cap
tain appointed the non-commissioned
officers and your humble servant drum
mer Gee whiZ, what a time we had!
On April %, 1851, we took train for
Peoria, ILL.,, and the next day FORMED
a regiment, Col. Leonard +. Ross cons
manding On May "a, 1861, we were
mustered into the United States service
for three years by Capt. John Pope, U.
S. Art, designated Co. X, 18th ILL.,, and
at once took the field for action. Oct.
21, 1861, we had an engagement with
Gen. Jeff Thompson, of st. Joe, Mo-, at
Fredericktown, Mo, which was a vic
tory for us, capturing one cannon and
700 men. That was the first Federal
victory May %, 1868, 1 was promoted
to Captain of Co. C. 48th u. S. C. T.,
at Goodrich Landing, La, and was with
the regiment at the battle of Blakely,
Ala, April 2 to April II, 1865, when It
capitulated with $4,000 men, it being
after Lee had surrendered. This was
the last battle of the war. and the last
big gun was fred at big flatboat load
ed with rebels retreating down the Tom
bigbee River for Mobile by a colored
Artillery Sergeant, which came near
hitting the boat about two miles away.
Therefore, 1 claim the honor of being
in the first Federal victory and the last
battle of the war, that of Frederick
town, Mo-, Oct. 21, 1861, and April IL,
1855, at Blakely, Ala. 1 also served %
days in the $4,000 call. which I think
entities me to an honorary badge. 1
was mustered out of service at Baton
Rouge. La, Feb. 4, 1866. My great
grandfather was in the Revolutionary
War of 1776. both my grandfathers
were in the War of 1912, and my faith
er, Garrison w. Berry, was Captain in
Col ]. ]. Harding's regiment in the
War with Mexico My oldest brother.
William, was also with Col. Harding in
the War of Nauvoo, ILL.,. when they
drove the Mormons out of Illinois into
Missouri, and now I am here in Utah
fighting politically the Mormons for
their un-American principles, and ex-
pect to stay till this black spot on Old
Glory is cleared away. Then we will
have a beautiful emblem (the flag)
without stain or blemish.-C. r. Ber-
ry. Captain. Co. C. 4sth U. S. c. T.. Salt
Lake City, Utah.