Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1907-09-27
A CAMPAIGN EPISODE.
ANDY Held the Advance Position
After the Regiment Fell Back.

FhhS' h'N NNh'''Shh SoShs
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 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 45 years ago, may not
fade entirely into oblivion, says Pri-
vate John 7. 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 of
the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth.
To the schoolboy as well 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 13 years old. He was quite
large for his age, having the appear
| 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
familiarly 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 furlough
necessary, but went without one. I'M
peryious to advice, admonition or
| threats, he did about as he pleased.
| AS one of his officers has expressed it.
| 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
e.. l~,,N
this boys extreme youth and apparent
constitutional irresponsibility saved
him from severe penalties.
When Gen. Grant assumed command
| of the armies and initiated the Wilder
ness campaign on May 5, 1864, 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 18, 1864,
when the regiment made the memor-
able charge on the enemys works in
front of Petersburg, which resulted in
such dreadful carnage in its ranks.
"Andy's" conduct was heroic. Escap-
ing unharmed, 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
tho enemy's Notifications in search of
dead and wounded men.
On June %, few days later, when
the regiment was forced back from
an advanced position it 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 posd-
ton, but badly wounded in the leg.
He suffered an amputation, and upon
recovery was honorably discharged
from the service. From that time to
the date of his death few years ago
his career was an eventful one, which,
however, has nothing to do with his
military service.