The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-21
A SOLDIERS COMPACT
Recollection of the Rebellion by N
M. Puffer

M. Puffer
The first post of the Grand Army of
the Republic organized in this town
was at North Bennington in 1868, and
was named after Col Newton Stone
of the Second Regiment who was
killed at the Battle of the Wilderness
May ), 1864. 1t was organized by
Andrew J. Noyes, who was n member
of Colonel Walbridges company and
the first man from Bennington to
shed his blood for the Union. This
post did not prosper. After a time
1t was transferred over here and liR-
gered along for a while but finally
gave up its charter.
Apparently the glorious ending of
the war and fraternal association of
family and friends was all the happi-
ness the veterans desired in those
early days, but in speaking of Andrew
Noyse, reminds me of an experience
that may be of interest as one of the
parties to the incident is still living
and another will be we'll remembered.
II was just a month from the date of
the Second Regiments departure from
Vermont that they we're on the field
OF battle at Bull Run, Va.
Deacon William b. Murphy and
Andrew were good Christian boys,
tenting and marching together and
had made sort of compact to look
after each other In case OF sickness
or trouble. When Andrew was
wounded the deacon made him as
comfortable as he could and went on
with his company into the fight, pro
missing TO come to his assistance as
soon as they had licked the enemy.
1t did not turn out that way, however,
for in q short time our troops were
routed and came flying back almost
lpanic stricken, Murphy and James
Williams DIETER known as Jim)
rushed over to help Andrew of the
field but found him so severely
wounded that he could not be moved
AS the Rebels were then swarming
over the brow of the hill in plain view
Noyse begged them to run for their
lives. jim saw that nothing could be
done and realizing that haste was the
better part of valor in his case
fled. AS he tells II there would have
been no trouble in playing checkers
on his coat tail.
AS he ran down out of the woods
he got mixed up with Rhode Island
Regiment that was in full retreat ant
their colonel was frantically trying tC
stop them. Sitting upon his horse
with his sword high above his heaC
he cried out: Men OF Rhode Island
halt. | beseech you TO turn back here
: You are running away like sheel
while your gallant general is on IN,
field Of battle fighting" One OF hi
men passing on the run said: "Col
= onel. you just tell the darn fool {,
fight If he wants TO. We are goin
home"
Deacon Murphy, being very consc
entious and remembering the compaC
between Noyse and himself would no
desert his friend. believing when cal
tured that he would be allowed {
take care OF him. This did not worl
however, for he was hustled of wit
: other prisoners on foot while Andre'
. was placed In an ambulance and 4
ken to n hospital, and | do not thin
|, they met again until after the wa
u for as soon rs he was able to -
about he was exchanged and discha
c ged for disability.
$ Murphy was an inmate OF Libby pr
u son In Richmond for the next 81
I months. when he was paroled an
n soon after joined his command. Tn
II seems q small matter rs you read
yet It was brave act, one OF yer
r few instances during the war whel
h a man allowed himself to be capture
k by the enemy for no other purpos
k than the hope of assisting his cor
n rade IN distress. lie was afterwal
r wounded In battle but was able
is serve his full term Of three years