The Washington herald., 1907-12-01

Hampton. Va. which was named Camp
Troy. though afterward called Camp
Hamilton. The Second New York State
Volunteers was the first Northern regi-
ment 10 bivouac on Virginia soil
Promoted After First Fight.
There IS no room here 10 go into the
details Of the Olmstcd war record, but
the next four years We're exceedingly
lively ones for the young man from
Troy.
Beginning at Newport News as cap
tain OF the company he had raised. he
was transferred 90 Camp Butler on the
James. and under Gen Butler, took
part in the battle OF Big Bethel. after
which he was made Northumberland
He was at Seven Pines, Fair oaks, and
the seven days battles of Savage Sta
ton. Glen Dale. and Malvern HiII, the
last being fought on July ]. 1852. on
June - he was specially commended
by Gen Hooker, and on July I won
a brevet for gallant and meritorioCs
conduct
A little later came a period of III
ness which made a temporary leave Of
lbsence necessary. but carly IN Sep
tember ne was at the front again. in
command Of the One Hundred, and Fiji
teenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. With
that regiment. attached 10 the Army
or the Potomac. he fought at Freder-
iCk>turg At Chancellorsvile he was
transferred back TO the Second New
York and ther. its time having eX-
pired. returned win his men 20 Troy
There they were mustered out on May
FE It.
front again. joining the Fifty-ninth
New York Volunteers on July 3, 1868,
at Gettysburg.
sees GettysbarE Conflict
As he had not yet received his new
Acommission. however. he could not
fight. but was obliged TO wait through
that day OF the greatest battle OF the
whole civil war as citizen. He wit
messed Pickett's famous charge. but
could not take part in repeiling it.
For various technical reasons he did
not get into active fighting again until
November 3, 1864, when he was mus
tered in aS colonel and transferred 10
the First Brigade, Second Division,
| Second Army Corps. In this position
ne served with credit to the time Of
disbandment. June 80. and final dis
/ charge. July i, 1865, having been
/ brevetted brigadier- general on Feb
! ruary l.. 10 date from April 9. The
| brevet was because of skill displayed
/ in handling his brigade al Armstrong
/ House. Va. on February ..
! Gen Olmsted was before Petersburg
on March . and in the final action four
/ days later. taking part in severe fight
/ Ing. but his greatest service was, rea-
dered on April Z. He was serving under
/ Gen. Barlow at the time, and was sta
toned with his regiment at High Bridge
/ 4 number Of men came along. and one
Of them spoke 10 Olmsted-
DO You see those two little trees away
/ off yonder?' asked the Confederate
| OImsted saw and the Confederate
continued: I want 10 give you some
| information that possibly YOU will thinR
I ought not 10 give you. Just beyond the
trees is the little wagon road bridge
over Flat Creek. which runs into the
Appomattox. 1t is the only bridge over
the creek for miles. 1t has been set OF
FIRE. and If it burns down it will not be
possible for the Northern army 10 get
across and follow Lee But It can be
put out easily if work is begun at once. '
Knew south Was Defeated.
.Who are you?" questioned Olmsted
Immediately interested, but possibly &
little doubtful of his man.
why. I'm q Confederate officer was
the reply. "and ] was loyal to the Soutf
so long as it was any use. But. my
friend. the war is over; it is finished
and 1 know II well enough. If Lee gets
away now. theren be a little more fight
ing. and some hundreds more men NAY
, be kined-maybe some thousands. II
won't 10 any good TO the South. though
nor anybody else That's why I'm tell
ing you this. The end Will come righr
soon. anyway. and, that being so. the
sooner the better. My fathers hous,
is over that way and I'm going there
| want TO start on the job of beginning
life over again as soon as / can"
Possibly Gen. Olmsted hesitated for
moment since his superior, Gen. Barlow
was not ut hand to give orders Tor tb,
| saving of the bridge. But il was only
| moment before Olmsted saw his wa,
clear to taking the responsibility himself
and as soon as possible two regiment
were sent as fast as they could so - th,
bridge.
| There they worked IKE good fellows
throwing water from the creek upon th'
| burning structure with wooden boxes, tlI
buckets-with canteens even-anythins
and everything that would hold waite
and upon which they could lay thei
hands. Some Of the things they use,
would hold mighty little water, but man,
hands were engaged on the work, an,
the fire was extinguished in surpris
ingly short time.
II was over that bridge that the Sec
'ond Army Corps passed on its way 4