Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-01-07
Civil War Stories
Howard Loved His Men.

Inc recent uedIu Ol GSuSl Oh " "
Howard brings to light the following
story, hitherto never made public,
showing the mans method Of dealing
with his subordinates and the esteem
in which he was held by them.
Colonel Yates of Michigan was given
permission to enroll sufficient num-
Der of mechanics to comprise a regi-
ment at the beginning OF the civil
War. He went from shop to shop in
the different towns of Michigan, and
before long had secured the requisite
number He promised each man SIT
a month-quite an advance over the
infantry-and outlined to a great de-
gree their duties. They were to do
no fighting, but were to be held in
reserve, and were as heavily armed
field and were detailed to all sorts
of mechanical work, often being far
in advance of the regular troops build
ing bridges, blockhouses. railroads, re-
pairing locomotives and cars, and his
tory says that they were a very eff
cient regiment, and were many times
exposed to the cavalry of the enemy.
When they received their first pay
1t was, to their surprise, the same as
that paid to the infantry, instead of
the SIT promised. Naturally indig-
nant, they complained to Colonel Yates
and everyone having anything to do
with the matter, but finally decided
to await another pay day. The next
time they received the same amount.
The boys got together, but could for
mulate no plan Of action. They were
in the land of hostilities, and deser-
ton was not possible, even if contem-
plated Finally, my brother, Garland
B. st. John, a private in this eng1-
neer's corps, said to his bunkmate,
doc, let's stock arms" and Doc Web
er said: eff you'll start it, we will
follow" This action was not entered
into blindly, for they knew what the
consequences would be. The next
morning after breakfast my brother
said Come on, Doc" and they were
Joined by a third, and then by others,
until fifty rifles stood IN that stack.
Of course, they were all arrested and
sent to the guardhouse.
My brother, being the leader, was
asked what he was going to do, and
he replied 1--WE will stand trial, and
[ want General o. o. Howard to de-
fend u.s. This was granted, and this
grand and just man took care OF the
case before the powers higher up. He
had seen and knew Of the work of the
mechanics, and explained that they
were even more useful than the in
fantry in many instances, and being
mechanics and engineers, ought to re-
ceive the pay promised at the time OF
their enlistment. The result of the
affair was their acquittal, and a grant
ing of their full pay from the day
they were mustered into the service.
1t is needless to say that no one
ever held warmer place in the hearts
and memory of the men Of that First
Michigan engineers and mechanics
than did General o. o. Howard, The
regiment proved it's loyalty and eff
cheney all through the war, notably
in the building of the Waterworks at
Chattanooga, which stood the test of
a quarter of a century. Many pom
toon bridge they threw across a river
for the troops to cross on while a rain
of bullets from the foe was poured
upon them.
And now, like most of those in the
| corps who have ere this met the last
great enemy-my brother among the
number-this grand old Christian war
rior, General Howard has gone to his
rewards. H. st. john, in the Rocky
Mountain News.