Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-07-20
and should on scores OF occasions dis
tinguish himself for deeds OF valor during
the four years OF that conflict.

tlnguish himself for deeds OF vaior during
the four years Of that conflict.
To quote fro m the history OF the Second
Maine cavalry, the record of General
Squirting began when he enlisted from
orland in September, 1851.
He was made first lieutenant OF Co. D,
first Maine cavalry, and began to dis
tinguish himself as soon the command
reached the front. He soon became
captain, and in the early service OF the
regiment in Maryland, secured permission
to do scout duty. Dressed in citizens
clothes, he succeeded in enlisting in the
Confederate service. That night, with
seven Confederates, he camped beside the
Potomac, intending to ford the river in
the morning. When the others were
soundiy sleeping, Capt. Squirting gathered
up all the arms, then aroused the seven
sieepers and marched them to Frederick,
Nd, where he turned them over to the
provost marshal.
During the retreat of McDowell's army
from the Rapidan. Gen, Squirting gave
splendid exhibition OF the material of
which he was made. The first Maine
vas protecting the retreat and endeavor-
ing to hold back the Confederate forces
Capt. Squirting found himself surrounded
by the enemy. Dismounting behind a
haystack, he brought his carbine into
use. He was dead shot, and the rapid
ity and accuracy OF his fire was sufficient
to throw his enemies back. Taking
advantage OF their monetary democrat
ization, he sprang upon his horse and
dashed toward his regiment. Recovering
themselves, the rebels sent a shower OF
bullets after him.
He was in the battle OF Brandy station,
and received a bullet through the thigh.
This was not sufficient to keep him out OF
service for great length OF time, for
twelve days later he was in fight at
Upperville and in hand-to- hand en-
gagement, received severe sabre cut upon
the right hand,
When the second Maine cavalry was be-
ing organized, Capt. Squirting asked to be
assigned to it. His request was granted,
and he was with that organization for the
remainder OF the conflict. The second
was sent to Louisiana and not to the army
OF the Potomac, as Squirting much hoped
it would be, but there he had plenty of
opportunity to display his dashing
bravery. On one occasion he and three Of
his men laid in wait in the hedge around a
southern mansion all night waiting the
whom they captured.
At one time, with detachment, he
travelled i25 miles through the enemy's
country, captured fifteen rebel soldiers,
forty-six horses and mules, four wagons
and thirty male negroes, all OF which he
brought back into the camp.
During the campaign against Mobile in
1865, Col. Squirting (he was then lieuten-
ant-colonel OF his regiment) captured q
staff officer - Lieut.. Watts, of Gen.
Ginton's staff-and two OF his men. Col.
Squirting had advanced to his picket line
at night, when he heard voices approach
ing. Proceeding some distance, he be-
came convinced that the men approaching
were Confederates, so crouching down in
the bushes he permitted the three men to
pass when, stepping into the path, he de-
msnded their surrender.
"who are your" asked the officer
"a live Yankee" was the answer as
| Squirting opened fire. He wounded two
of them and captured the entire party.
For this act OF bravery, he was highly
complimented.
Such are the men who owned the
weapons which to-day have place OF
honor in the adjutant- geheral's office at
Augusta, and this story by no means ex-
hausts the acts OF bravery by Gen. Spurl-
ing during the years of conflict.