News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-11-26
Editor Nelys and Cttizen:-

Editor Ne,us and Citizen:-
Have you not often turned with mental
nausea from the snob, the aristocrat of
the Goldfish brand, and from the syco-
phant? Inversely have you not felt an ex-
pansion of your better self in the pres.
ence of great-grandsons .and daughters
of Labor whose toll of brain and heart
and hand have extended Gods blessings
and have elevated mankind?
We recently met such an one on the
streets of Washburn City. North Dakota,
an old gentleman in workman's garb, tall,
er, CT, man whose countenance bespeaks
hon sly, intelligence, benevolence, and
towering will.
We raised our hat, grasped his hard,
right hand and felt the pulsations of his
strong, true heart. Yes Captain Marsh,
that's what they call me-" Your
man that helped make other men famous
and got no place in history lor yourself"
"But, Prof, this Ihave, a clean conscience
peace with God, and an experience
| which is better than millions"
Since that self introduction, we have
mad the honor of several visits with the
G tptain land of his own solofion, he placed
in cur hands for several days, autograph
letters, orders, and testimonials of Gen
erals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Buell,
Terry, Miles, Custer, of several admrals,
and of mark Twain,'' "Buffalo Bill"
and of other famous persons, both men
and women.
HELPED SAVE GRANT AND THE UNION
ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF PITrSBURG
LANDING
Beginning his career on our great rivers
when he was only fourteen years of age,
Captain Marsh was already an expert
enced navigator at the opening of the
Civil War. Many of his ''river COM
panions" cast in their lot with the rebels.
But Grant Marsh stood by the Old Flag,
''ne to the cause of the Union.
He was in charge of supply boats, when
r"uie aud Grant captured Forts Henry
and Donaldson.
At Savannah, a river port, seven miles
below Pittsburg, on the Tennessee,
Marsh was ordered to free a stranded
barge which was laden with new, army
wagons. There he frequently met Gen
eral Grant whose headquarters were on
the bank, 10 the Cherry Mansion"
,Vfter several days of toll, the vessel
was nearly ready to float. when on Sun
day morning, April 6, 1862, the roar
battle rolled down from Pittsburg. Rush
ing aboard theTigress with General Grant
and staff. Marsh steamed rapidly up the
river.
They met the John Warner. An officer
left that steamer, and came aboard the
Tigress with dispatches for Grant who
quietly laid his plans, issued his orders;
and remarked that he would surround
the enemy. just before they reached the
Landing, the General and his staff
mounted their horses, and. when the
gang planks were run out, they trotted
ashore, up the hill, and joined their hard
pressed army.
Captain Marsh formed high opinion
of Grant during that short journey. He
now believes that Grant ranks with Mt
poleOn in military ability.
Later in the day, General Rollins,
Grants Chief of Staff, came down to the
shore, and, drawing revolver, threat
enea to shoot several cowardly river cap
tains who were about to run away with
their steamers. Pale and quaking, the
captains returned to their duty.
Rollins staid there long time direct
ing matters, and never once appeared to
notice the cannon balls and shells which
plugged into the ground near him, killed
men around him, crashed into boats aud
tore up wharf pianks almost under his
feet
Returning to his own steamer, the
John j. Roe, Captain Marsh piled her all
day between Savannah and Pittsbnrg,
bringing up troops. All that night he
spent 10 conveying Buelps tfoops across
the Tennessee to Pittsburg Landing. The
Roe alone transported ten thousand SOL
diers across that night, the divisions OF
Nelson and Crittenden, amid a rain storm,
that raised the river eight feet once
the Roe crossed with an eutire brigade
aboard.
1t is generally believed tina, the coming
of Buell. saved Grant and his army at the
Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or shiloh.
At best, Grant found extreme difficulty
in living down the prejudice against MIN
self by the disasters of the first day
battle, the "bloody Sunday"
Not to n ention the work of the other
steamers and the cannonade from the
Union gunboats, it is clear that the ten
thousand soldiers brought across the
Tennessee on the John Roe, were suit