davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
History Of the Army Of ,h. poton,,.

Editor National Tribune: l wish TO
know If you intend publishing your
History of the Army of the Potomac
as running now in The National Trib-
une? Let me say to you as a humble
adviser that this history of the Army
eff the Potomac should be published by
all means. 1t is a history which under
no circumstances should be lost. For
myself, / shall be willing to pay any
price for it and cheerfully. What | SO
much ,hjoy is the insight we get into
the character of the various command
ers. leading and subordinate, in that
gallant army, annealed in so many bat
ties. and never fought to it's full capaci-
ty until Gettysburg, and then later on.
when Grant drove it to Richmond
straight thru the Confederacy. The
wedding out of the incompetents. the
rise of new men, is faithfully portrayed.
Pope's campaign appears in a new light.
Thru II all appears the dauntless spirit
of the American soldier, for he fought
braveiy and well always. with or with
cut competent leaders, and when he did
have them he was resistless.-B. NJ.
West, Germantown, O.
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
THE NINTH CORPS Az ANT1ETAM.
Burnsidcs Unsatisfactory Management
on the Left.

Editor National Tribune: In your
comments on Burnside and Rodman al
Antietam neither is given a fair deal
You include Rodman in one paragraph
| with the other three division command
ers of the Ninth Corps, and say of all
that they were fairly respectable SOL
diers and appeared to advantage on the
defense, tho on the aggressive not one
of them even incidentally distinguished
himself" Yet. less than 20 lines further
on, you write. Rodman was killed gal
lantly leading his men,
OF Burnside you assert that when
about 1 O'Clock the corps was finally
aligned on the crest west of the Antie-
tam, Burnside Withdrew ii unnecessari-
ly, and thus relieved the Confederate
line of an exceedingly dangerous pres
sure from that quarter
/ have been much interested in your
story of the various campaigns and in
several instances could have borne tes-
timony to your accuracy, but the fore
going is inaccurate.
1t was at least p. m. when, attacked
by an overwhelming force of A p
Hills Corps, which, stretching beyond
and around our left, pouring in not only
a terrible front fire, but also an enfilad-
ing and rear fire, upon us, the 4th r. l.,
the then extreme left regiment of the
army, was doubled up like a jackknife
and forced to fall back It's loss was
1O2 officers and men out of 247 who
entered the field. The next regiment
to the right was the 18th Conn. which
had just arrived that day from home,
and green, undrilled and poorly Off.
cered. it faded away Ike dew before
the SUM- These troops were, not with
drawn, neither was the Ninth Corps
withdrawn that ever heard of before.
A few of us were driven from the field.
but our places were at once taken BY
Ninth Corps men-Scammon'S Brigade,
! think-and nightfaIl found our line
intact to the brow of the hill overlook
ing the ravine, out of which these few
had been driyen.-Albert e. Shoies, 4th
r. l.. New York, N. Y.
Comrade Sholes is usually very accu-
rate in what he writes in regard to op-
erations in the army and what he
states in this case is correct with sol.ie
notifications. Gen. Burnside reports
that about sundown-
1T being apparent that the enemy
was strongly reinforced, and that we
could not be reinforced. the command
was ordered to fall back to the crests
above the bridge. which movement was
performed in the most perfect order
under cover of the batteries on the
hight, the same formation, being adopted
that was made before the attack"
Gen. A. p. Hill says that he only had
about 1000 men, With which he drove
back Furnishes Corps of Is 400 men,
All of the writers on the battle agree
that Burnside retired unnecessarily for
over a mile. and left the way open for
Lee to re-estabiish his line and protect
his retreat across the Potomac. Burn
sides operations on the extreme left of
the line were feeble and ineffective, and
to him is in large measure due the
indecisive character of the battle at
Antietam.-Editor National Tribune
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
LEMUEL COOK,
The Inst Survivor of the Revolutionary
War,

John A. Copeland, 9th ~ Y, Roch-
ester, n. Y, writes that Hon. Peter A.
Porter, son of Col. Peter A. Porter, who
was killed by seven bullets while lead
ing the Sth N. Y III. A. at Cold Harbor.
ment to Lemuel Cook, of Clarendon
107, and was believed to be the last
survivor of the Revolutionary War. He
enlisted at the age of II, and was with
Washington at Valley Forge and York
town. The Selectmen of his native
town. New Haven, Conn, RENTED his
poll tax on account of wounds received
in service. Two other claimants con-
tested the rights of Cook to be consid-
cred the last survivor. One of these
was Daniel Frederick Bakeman of FIRE.
donia, N. Y, who claimed to have serv-
ed in Capt. Van Armin's company OF
Col. Willetts New York regiment, but
his name could not be found on any
roster of New York troops. He was
given a pension by special act when he
reached the age of 107. The other
claimant was John Gray, of Brookfield,
who died IL hours before Bakeman
His record in the Pension Bureau shows
that his claim was rejected by the De-
partment. He claimed that he enlisted
at Fairfax, Va, but saw no active SER
vice. After his rejection by the Pen
sion Bureau he was pensioned by spe-
cial act. This leaves Cooks claim un-
challenged. The Foreign Wars Asso-
citation is pushing Cooks claim at Wash
ington and Albany, and desires the help
OF patriotic people everywhere.
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
A Pension for nm Insane Man.

The Dover, Tenn, Courier has a state
ment of the case of James Warner, who
has been for sc or 40 years a uniaua
character in Stewart County, Tenn. Jas.
Warner served four months in Co. H.
lst Pa Cav, and afterward made his
home in Stewart County. He was dis
charged from the service for mental
weakness. Twice he had been placed
in the Asylum for the Insane at Nash
Vile, and each time he made his escape
and went back to the County. He would
be allowed to run at large for awhile,
when the people would demand that
the authorities take him up. He was
kept in Jail for about IT years, and
seemed 50 like it. Some 10 years ago
he quit talking, and was not known to
speak to anybody except when the Jail
was burned down last year, when he
began to talk again. He has cost the
County something like $1,000. and he
has now been allowed a pension of s12
a month, with the Dover Bank & Trust
Co. qualifying as his guardian.
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
ESCAPED BILL ANDERSON.
Past Chapinin-fn-Chief brahms Tells an
Experience.

Editor National Tribun: I was much
interested in the account of the death
of Bill Anderson, in a recent number of
YOUR valued paper. 1t recalls vividiy
past experiences. / was within Is miles
of the place at the time of the occur
renee. was a lad of 16, member os Gen.
Rosecrans's staff fclerk and orderIy}
and was laid up in the house of Mrs.
Price. wife of the Sheriff of the County.
who. an heroic Union woman, was ten
derly caring for me at the time, having
been left there by the General as the
result of terrible fall into a well SIS
feet in depth, on the last Price raid
The accident laid me up three months.
the sole Union soldier in that city, when
word came that the terrible Bill was
heading, with 700 men, for Lexington
fwhere ] was), and would kill me.
Preparations had been made (for |
could stand. tho with difficulty to dress;
me up in girls clothes. put me in a
Kitchen as a hired help, when news
came that he had been killed in the
above fight ] never was happier in
my life. He died fighting, with the
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
snch, Saved the Country.

Editor National Tribuae: II am
soldiers wife, When th& wsr against
the Union was opened z was almfst
Is years old; lived at hofnc-how hap
py we were in that home of loved and
loving parents and children, fond and
affectionate sisters and brothers, There
were four brothers in that happy fam
ily.' Came to them the voice of Presi-
dent Lincoln, uttering the call of the
country for rescue-a cry of distress
from the Government to its sons so-
saVe-its life. -. Two of the boys leaped
to the defense and enlisted in Co. e,
4thl Ohio. Came again the country's
cry for help, and another brother left
the household circle for the battle-line
and entered ther-,1st Ohio -Gap.----Yet4
again we heard the call of the assaiIed
and struggling Government for help,
and the fourth brother went from our
sight, away TO the South, to take up
the burdens of war-and our home
yas bereft of brothers and boys. Our
parents had surrendered their sons.
their pride of life, that the Government
might be rescued from the rebels, who,
led by traitors. sought its dissolution.
Oh. that hOmel How changed it was.
now, without any of our darling boysi
One never came back. He was killed
at Fredericksburg; died for his coun-
try In February, 1863, / married q
soldier, who was serving his country
in the 41st Ohio. He veteran anized, and
May IA he was killed at the battle of
Resaca-and | was soldiers widow,
though yet but girl in years. In
1866 / married again, becoming wife of
veteran of the 10th Ohio He is one
of five brothers who served their coun-
try in that war that established the
Union as indissoluble. Forty-tv years
we now have toiled together. We
have reared four daughters and a son.
We have taught them loyalty; have in
spired them with patriotism; have in
structed them in love of country and
to honor the Flag their father de-
Tended. We have taught them that il
is wrong to honor traitors, disloyal 20
exalt an antagOnistic flag and TO erect
monuments in honor of men because
they assailed their country's Govern
ment. Our boy is member of the
Sons of Veterans; our girls belong
actively to the Daughters of Veterans;
their father is a Comrade in the G.
A. r., and I do what / can as mem
ber of the w. r. c.-to which every
loyal woman should belong.-Mrs. L.
H., Wooster. o.
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
LEES LOST ORDER.
1t Was Found by Some Piekets From the
9th Ind.

Editor National Tribune: .t1aflng mao
a hand in McCleiian's famous fiasco in
Maryland. in September, 1865. 1 am
naturally very much interested in your
account of it, published in The Ma
tional Tribune. You seem to be in
doubt as to how Gen. Lees famous or
der. 191, got into the hands of Gen.
Mcclellan, and may not be ayerse to
being enlightened on that subject. AS
1 am cognizant of the facts in the case,
] will give them to you just as they
transpired On that fateful Sept. 1S,
1862, at about O'Clock q. m, Serg't
Cater Capt-l John NJ. Bless, Corp1 b.
w. Mitchell and Private David B.
Vance, all of Co. F. 27th Ind, were
lying down at a picket post behind a
clump of bushes just outside Frederick
City, Md. After being there short time
Sergt Bloss raised up, and in looking
around saw an envelope in the high
grass, and asked Mitchell to pass it
over to him. Mitchell picked it up, and
passed it to Vance, who was lying next
to him, and in doing so two cigars
dropped out of the envelope. Vance
ut once passed it TO Serg't Bloss, whe
being an educated young man. saw i'm
mediately that it was an important
document, and hurried with it to Col
Colgroye, who was in command of the
regiment, not more than a half mile
at"o vi. NoiSio'S, ou 4esiuAiiS ~, lSS-
ogniZed its Importance, and in turn
hurried it to Gen. Mcclellan, who re-
celyed il not later than 11:30 o'clock
on that day. This is the true story of
the finding of Gen. Lees lost order, No
191. and to sHbstantiate this statement
I refer You TO Capt. David B. Vance.
Co. G, 27th Ind, Brownstown, Jackson
County, Ind; Lieut.-Col (then Capt.)
John r. Fesler, S22 Fletcher avenue.
Indianapolis, Ind, and 1 trust you will
confer with them, especially Capt.
Vance. who was one of the star per-
formers in this eventful episode. and
the only one of the trio now living. I
have no personal interest in this mat
ter, and only desire that history may
truthfully record the finding of this
famous order. Balsley, Captain, Co.
III, 27th Ind, S02 Lexington Ave, In
dianapolis, Ind
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
why Hooker Was Appointed.

Charles +. Benjamin. who occupied
confidential and responsible positions in
the War Department and at the head
quarters of the Army of the Potomac
contributed to Battles and Leaders" a
long article, giving the inside history of
the decision to appoint Hooker after it
was decided to remove Burnside. He
says:
THE choice being narrowed to the
Army of the Potomac, process of ex-
clusion began. Franklin was under a
cloud. and was considered out of the
question: Sumner had many qualifica-
tions. but his age and growing feeble
ness were beyond remedy: Couch was a
possible second, and still more likely
third choice: and, briefly, the selection
was found to lie among Hooker, Rey-
nolds and Meade. The first-named had
strong popular lead. but Gen Hal
leck. backed by the Secretary OF War,
contended that there were reasons of
an imperative character why he should
not be intrusted with an independent
commant Of so high a degree of re-
sponsibility. Stress was laid upon the
fact that in the dispositions for the at
tack of Marye's Hights Gen. Burnside.
who at that time could have had no
valid motive for Jealousy of Hooker.
had iEtrusted him with no important
part, altho he was present on the field
and of equal rank with Sumner and
Franklin, to whom the active duties of
the battle were assigned. President
Lincoln apparently yielded TO the views
of those in charge Of the military de-
partment of affairs, and thereupon Hal
leck confidently inquired of Reynolds.
IL he was prepared TO accept the COM
mand. Reynolds replied that he ex-
pected to obey all lawful orders COM
ing to his hands, but as the communica-
ton seemed TO imply the possession of
an option in himself. he deemed it his
duty to say frankly that he could not
accept the command in voluntary
sense, unless liberty of action should
be guaranteed to him considerably be-
yond any which he had reason to ex-
pect He was thereupon dropped and
the choice surther and finally restricted
TO Hooker and Meade, with the chances
100 to ] in favor of the latter by reason
of the fixed conviction of the Secretary
of War that the former ought not to be
chosen in any contingency Stanton
knew that there were two Hookers in
the same man. He knew one as an ex-
ceIient officer. mentally strong clever
and tireless and charming (almest mag
netic) in address. 1t was the other
Hooker on whom he wished to take no
chances
Hooker and Meade were in camp.
attending TO such military duties as the
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
F,.riougi,ni. Soldiers Home 10 Vote.

Editor National Tribune: Can you
give me any light on the following in
cident which occurred in the FAN of
'64 showing the kindness and thought
fulness of President Lincoln. As un-
derstand the situation, it was this: All
soldiers who We're in hospitals at that
time during the Presidential electiono,
who were able to go home. were al
lowed to go and vote unless the States
from which they came had given them
the privilege Of voting on the field The
only States that / know of which failed
TO pass the law allowing the soldiers to
vote on the field We're Massachusetts
and Michigan. There may have been
others. Can you tell me, in your paper
how many States received the benefit of
the order given by President Lincoln :?
have never seen the incident referred
TO in any history or anywhere Per-
haps it may have been mentioned, how
ever. / was in the hospital at Freder-
ick City at that time, and returned to
my home in Massachusetts for the pur-
pose of voting, taking advantage of the
generous offer and the opportunity of a
most welcome furiough of Is days The
privilege came as a surprise, and was
received with great enthusiasm by 1.-The
boys" We never forgot it, and think
of it as one of the kind and gracious
acts of our noble President Lincoln. 1
am greatly enjoying the history of the
Army of the Potomac, lSlich appears
from week to week in The National
Tribune. as 1 served in that army from
Antietam to Lees surrender at Apo
mattox.-Geo. L. Cooley, Sunderland.
Mass.
Scanning the returns for the Presi-
Dental election Of 1864, it would seem
that Maine, Rhode Island. Connecticut,
New York. Ohio and Pennsylvania We're
the only States that allowed their sol
'diers to vote IN the field.-Edftor Ma
tional Tribune
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
captured and Acconnted For.

Editor National Tribune: / read a
good deal about the best cavalry in the
Cedar Creek fight. like to read the
sayings of the comrades The best cav
airy was in Custer'ss Brigade at that
fight. This receipt was given our regi-
ment: Received of 1st VT. Cav. at the
battle of Cedar Creek, 161 prisoners,
among them one general officer (Maj.-
Gen. S. ID. Ramseur, North Carolina) /,
one Colonel, one IfehtehantCo Colonel,
three battle flags, 23 pieces artillery, IA
caissons, II army wagons, SIX spring
wagons and ambulances, r83 sets artil-
lery harness. rs sets wagon harness. 9S
horses. So mules.-C.sM.3tee. Provost
Marshal of Third Cagalry, Division; G..
H. Rogers, Lieutenant and Provost
Marshal. Second Brigade, i7ihird Cavalry
Division. Gen. Sheridan states that no
regiment has captured so much since
the war commenced. First Sergeant
Co., +, 1st VT. Cav, Quaker Hill, Conn.
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
VISIT TO INCOIN'S HOME IN
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
An Interview Tint Frightened the Lives
of Three Boys.

Editor National Tribune: / have been
much Interested in Every Day Life of
Abraham Lincoln in your valuable pa
per- Early in 1861 / was teaching in
Harristown, Ill. I suggested to two
young men attending school that we
go down some day to Springfield and
call on the President-elect. We called
in the morning, and We're directed to
the parlor to await his coming Having
finished his breakfast, he came in and
gave us cordial greeting. I told him
where we We're from, and he seemed to
know the locality well, and Inquired if
l knew a Mr.. Hanks, near Decatur
replied / had been at his home several
times. He said he was ready to go to
his Office, and IL we would excuse him
a moment he would walk with u.s. As
we left the gate and walked across the
alley we stepped down a step, when he
added: THAT reminds me of our trip
Last week. Wife said we must go and
see our relatives before we go to Wash
ington. AS we left the cars nothing
would do little old man but hold the
umbrella over the coming President AS
We stepped down a place like that
felt / had the umbrella hang on my
hat with the old gentleman swinging at
the end of the handle He had not no.
ticed the step, and was very full of
apologies" 1t was very pleasing to
hear Mr.. Lincoln relate the incident in
his own inimitable manner. The two
brothers may remember other remarks
as We walked towards the State Capitol
with that great and good man. Abra-
ham Lincoln. We LITTLE thought that
day, as we walked with him, that be-
fora two years all three of us would be
soldiers in the war of 1S61-65, and be
often marching to the words, 1--WE are
coming, Father Abraham, 300, 900
more"
l am sure that half hour with him at
his~home and walk down the street was
pleasure to each of us during the
years that have interviewed since that
bright morning. The two brothers We're
John and Richard Hamilton, and should
these Hnes be seen by them 1 would be
pleased to hear from them. They both
went from Macon County in Illinois reg
iments. but i have forgotten the num-
Der. ] met them both on the Atlanta
campaign with others from that same
III Harristown.-Edwin P. Walker, Cap
tain, Co. A. seth ILL.,, Washington. d. C.
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
Stories Emineny Worth Telling of Experiences and Adventures
in The Great National Struggle.

bride reins in his teeth, revolver in
one hand and a saber in the other
| enlisted March IS, 1864. / was
born March 4, 1S49, and as / was with
my regiment six months before enlist
ment, l have the honor to have been
one of the babies of the late unpleas-
antness. l have in my possession an
autograph letter from Gen. John Pope
for efficient service. 1 also have the
honor of having served as National
Chaplain n-in-Chief, G. A. R., elected in
Chicago, in 1900, of which / feel very
proud. 1 have been for the past l.
years Chaplain of State Prison at San
Quentin. Gal, and am sorry to say 4
sometimes meet old soldiers here who
have forgotten that the war is over
A. brahms, Past haplain-in-Chief, San
Quentin, Cal.
The National tribune., 1908-03-26
MUSTERED OUT.

HAYS.-At the old Hays homestead
Allegheny County, Pa. Oct. 81, 1907
William S. Hays, aged 65 years. COM
rade Hays served in Co. C, 103d Pa,
and Won distinction by his bravery and
efficiency. He never married. A broth
er. Comrade James f. Hays, of BaIti-
more, Md. survives him.
STOCKDILL.-At his home in Punk
sutawney, Pa, April 29, 1907, Peter A.
stockdin, aged SIS years. Comrade
Stockdill served in Co. D, SD Pa, and
in Co. NJ, 5th Pa. H. A; was wounded
at Fredericksburg and never recovered
fully. His widow, two sons and a
daughter survive him.
HEWITTS.--At his home in Fort At
kinson, Wis, July %, 1907, Thomas l..
Hewitts, aged 65 years, seven months
and five days. Comrade Hewitts enlist
ed at Fort Atkinson Aug. Is, 1851, in
Co. A, 1st Wis. Cav. He lived in pain
and suffering for many years from
causes arising in his country's service.
He is survived by his widow, son and
a sister.
j. Lee Hurst, .Adjutant. Post SO. Nc
Keesport, Pa, sends an account of the
memorial services for nine comrades of
the Post who were mustered out in
1907. These We're: Thomas Doran, Co.
G, 206th Pa; John Booth, Co. E, 55th
<hiiooH d. SdlipDcil, IT,
Pa: James RenoIds McClelland, Co. F,
2Sth Pa; George r. Brown, Co. M, 18th
Pa: Samuel w. Collins. Co. F, 18th Pa. !:
Joshua w. Everett, Co. E, 9Th Pa;
VIM. Husten, co. f, 5th H. A.; George
Smith, Co. A, 31st N. Y.
HALE.-Near Gardner. Kan, Dec. 2,
1907, Charles n. Hale, aged 50 years
Comrade Hale served in Co. c, seth
Ohio, and was severely wounded at the
battle of Stone River. He was-a mem
Der of o. B. Gardner Post, 447, and
also of the Masonic Order.
LEHMAN.-At Lashley, Pa, Jan. IL,
1908. Isaiah Lehman. aged II years
Comrade Lehman served in Co.=H, 2aSth
Pa.
CRISWELL-In Granite Falls
Wash, Jan. ~, 1908, David CrisweH
aged 81. Comrade Criswell served in
the 105th Pa. for nearly four years, and
was prisoner for over five months
He was buried with Grand Army hon
ors, and is survived by widow and six
children.
HENDRIX-At Husum, Wash, B.
Hendrix, at the age of rs. Comrade
Hendrix served in the 5th Mo. Cav as
First Lieutenant. He leaves widow
and two sons and daughter.