The National tribune., 1908-03-12
PICKET SHOTS
Pssa Alert Comrades Alsss ths whsie
AT Gaines's MillA

George ". Hoefier, goth N. T.. Gene
va, N. T., says that his regiment oe-
longed to the Ninth Corps, and was IN
the Third Brigade Of the Second Davi-
sion. at that time commanded by Gen.
Davidson. When Lee attacked our right
wing at Gaines's Mills the enemy
fought furiously, but were repuised
every time. The night came on very
dark, and the General ordered every
abie-bodied man to go out in front OF
the breastworks and help build fort
to be finished before daylight. rms
was done with logs of wood mounted
for cannon. By daylight every man
was back inside the works waiting to
see what the enemy would do with the
artillery all in good position. On the
morning of June % they came out with
their well-known yell and rushed at
the fort. As they swarmed upon it the
artillery opened and made a fearful
slaughter of them. The enemy then
attacked our breastworks, but were
again repulsed with heavy loss. Next
they came out with a flag of truce and
several wagons TO carry away their dead
and wounded. The truce was granted
to give us more time to get away, and
the men marched as fast as possible to
reach White House, where Hoef1er's
brigade was stationed in the woods on
the left. One brigade was ordered to
move out and draw the enemy out. The
enemy came in heavy lines, when our
artillery opened with great effect. Dur
ing the afternoon an engine with cars
loaded with all kinds of explosives was
sent to the bridge over the Chickahom-
fny. where 1t blew up with tremendous
crash, and Kept the enemy on the other
side of the bridge.
A Loyal West VirxinIan.
When the war broke out Comrade
p. H. Keck, 9Th w Va, was living in
the southern part of Cabell County, w.
Va. and completely surrounded by Sc
cession neighbors. The times became
30 bad that he, his two brothers and
his father decided that they would be
safer in the army. His father and
youngest brother went into the Sd w.
Va, while he and his elder brother en-
listed in Co. D, 9Th w. Va, going along
with the first squad of Union soldiers
he had ever seen. He left his mother at
home with six children. Their secession
neighbors were enraged at four men,
bers of the family going into the Union
army, and made frequent forayS upon
the house, taking away whatever they
could find worth taking. At one time
his mother hid a lot of clothes which
her husband and sons had sent her in an
old potato hole in the garden. Unfor-
tunately she took them out one day to
sun them, and that happened to be the
day for a visitation, and the rebels took
every stitch of them. She also bought
three large hogs with the money sent
her from the army, but just as these
were ready to kill a Confederate Cor
poral and guard came along and con-
fiscated them. While she was worry
ing along trying to support the family
In this manner her husband and three
sons were doing their duty in the army,
for which they received about Sc in gold
per month. Such services and sacri-
fees in support of the Union should be
recognized. but Uncle Sam seems to
have forgotten them. Comrade Keck
served out his three years and then
yeteranized, was never in the hospital
but one day, and that was after he was
severely wounded at Winchester In