Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-01-29

Individual Heroism.

soldiers Of the Union armies, abound
with interesting matter. Here are
few more relating to the operations of
the Western troops in the Armies of
the Tennessee and Cumberland.
In the battle Of Shelbyville, Tenn,
the right wing of Gen. Rosecrans'
army had driven the left wing Of the
Confederate army, commanded by Gen.
Joseph Wheeler, into the town Of
Shelbyville. The Confederate force,
which numbered 5000, formed a line
just at the outskirts Of the town to
defend their stores. A battery Of four
guns pointed north commanded the
principal turnpike This battery was
well supported by dismounted cavalry
on the right and left. Gen. Rosecrans
decided to attack the center and, II
possible, ride right over the battery.
/ The Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry and
the Fourth United States Cavalry
were selected for the assault. The
pike was SO narrow that it was neces-
sary to make the charge in columns Of
four. Maj Cas-. G. Davis Of the Sew
enth Pennsylvania would have proper
ly belonged on the right Of the second
squadron, but he volunteered to lead
the charge, and his offer was accepted.
He took his place in the front of the
leading column of fours A volley from
the Federal cannon was to be the sig
nal for the charge, and when all was
In readiness Maj. Davis raised his
sword aloft the cannon doomed, and at
the instant the gallant troops dashed
forward, Maj. Davis in the lead, the
beau ideal Of a magnificent trooper.
The Confederate guns belched forth,
but their deadly missiles did not stop
the rush of the courageous cavalry
men. Again they doomed, and one of
rushing horsemen, sent two men and
three horses to the ground in a heap.
The Federals, with the valiant Davis
still in the van, were now close upon
the breastworks; it was too late for
another volley, and the Confederates
fell back in terror. Right over the
breastworks the cavalry went, and soon
were dealing death to the panlc-stricken
rebels. The Confederates could not
stand the onslaught, and made signs
Of surrender. Three hundred Of them
and the battery complete were taken.
Gems. Wheeler and Martin escaped by
swimming the river, many Of their
troops following their example, the
rest scattering in all directions, getting
away as best they could. The number
Of Union cavalry in this charge was
100, and in gallantry and success it is
the war.
At the battle of Stone River, the
Confederates had caused stampede in
one wing of Gen. Thomas army, and
the Brigade Of the Cumberland was
ordered forward by Gen. Thomas to
hold a position until the broken line
could be reformed. The brigade was
successful in stopping the advance of
the enemy, and the broken troops were
rallied and soon again presented solid
front. The desired object having been
accomplished, the Brigade of the Cum
berland was withdrawn. As it retired
from "the cedars" and started across
an open field, the Confederates dis
charged a volley. Col. Henry Douglas,
y. S. A, who commanded the First
Battalion, was struck by shell, and
with a cry he sank to the ground. Mai.
H. B. Freeman Of the Eighteenth Cav
airy saw his brother officer fall, and
running to him, under fire Of the
enemy, who were not more than $50
yards away, raised him up, and sup
porting him in his arms, carried him to
a place Of safety.
First Sergt. Il. w. Judge Of Company
x, Seventy Regiment of New
York Volunteers, known as "The High
landers," performed a thrilling act of
bravery during the assault on Fort
Saunders, Tenn. The rebels, under
Gen. Longstreet assaulted the fort with
view to the capture of Knoxville.
The garrison Of the fort consisted of
the Seventy ninth New York Vo1un-
teers and Benjamin's battery. Long
streets force was vastly superior, and
determination. The rebels had
passed all the distractions and OBJ
stacles In front of the fort, were
showering shot and shell into the forti-
fcatfons, and for a Federal to show his
head meant perfect storm of bullets.
A rebel color4bearer, followed by about
fifty men Of the color guard, had
crossed the ditch in front Of the fort
and planted his colors on the side OF
the works. The rebel yell rang out
Sergt. Judge saw the waving emblem
of the enemy, heard the shout of
triumph and his blood boiled with
rage. Springing up from his position
where he had been comparatively pro
tected while firing his piece, he leaped
upon the parapet, and running along
where the flag had been planted, while
shot and shell split the air around him.
he seized the color and returned with
If in Safctv fn tho fort