Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-13
VETERAN TELLS
OF EXPERIENCES
OLD SOLDIERS LOOK FORWARD
TO COMING GATHERING WITH
GREAT PLEASURE.
CAMP IN THE SOUTH
Chattanooga Has Been Selected as the
Meeting Place for 1918 Encamp-
mont Which Will be Held
Sept. 1920.

Chattanooga Tenn, Sept 12.-Capt
w. w. Mcdonald, Of Albuquerque, New
Mexico, member Of the national coun
ell of administration, G. A. r., was II
the Chattanooga campaign of 1853, ant
had some interesting experiences here
with the 96th Illinois regiment, o.
which he was member He writes tt
the Chattanooga Encampment associa'
ton that the veterans all over the
northwest are taking a lively interest,"
In the coming encampment, Sept. 1920
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
Relating his war time experience here
Capt. Mcdonald says in part:
Likes Chattanooga.
II am glad that Chattanooga was
selected. Around it clusters more civil
war battlefield interest and more sad
memories for the veterans who fought
there, each for his own ideal, than on
any other battlefield. I was private in
Co. "I'' 96th Illinois volunteer infantry
Col. Thomas E. Champion command
Ing. ! was in the battle of Chickamauga
from Friday evening Sept. 18th until
shutdown of the goth. Our division
streets corps at 2 p. m. Sunday. His
troops were on timbered ridge west
of the Snodgrass house.
1T ts true history that Gen. George
n. Thomas saved the Army of the
Cumberland from serious disaster, and
it can as truthfully be said that Gen.
Steedman's division saved Gen. Thomas
from a complete route, If not capture.
Our brigade was stationed at Moccasin
point over a month during the siege of
Chattanooga, and lived on an ear Of
corn a day for good part of the time.
Our brigade was in the battle of Look
out mountain. The 96th Illinois was on
the right Of the brigade, bringing the
right of the regiment up to the palisade
which surrounds the mountain top. The
s6th gained the highest point Of any
regiment engaged in the battle.
1.-THE Cravens house on the side Of
sary store by the confederates. I got
piece Of picked pork out Of this house
just after the 96th Illinois and the Sth
Kentucky regiment had thanked the
confederates out Of their breastworks
south and west Of the house. Our
brigade camped on the nose of the
mountain that night. Gen. Whitaker,
being Kentuckian, asked Col. Barnes,
of the 9Th Kentucky, to call for fifteen
volunteers from his regiment to place
old glory on the top Of the mountain,
which they did without any opposition,
as the confederates had left the noun
tain during the night. Then both regi-
ments went on top Of the mountain and
remained there ten days.
Viewed Battle From Mount.
Our first day on the mountain was
spent in viewing the battle of Mission
airy ridge, and whcn.i late in the even
In. we saw the army Of the Cumber-
land start on the grand matchless
charge up the ridge and take the last
line Of works occupied by the enemy,
we said: Well, the Army of the Cum
berland, as victors, can look out over
the Chickamauga, the valley Of death,
where. two months before. they had
met defeat by these same confederates
and feel satisfied; it was worth the
cost
II was on the Atlanta campaign from
start to finish. Our regiment and
brigade after the battle Of Chattanooga.
became the second brigade of the
first division Of the 4th army corps,
and took part in the battles of Frank
lin and Nashville. Our corps was in
East Tennessee when Gen. Lee sur
rendered, and was mustered out at
Nashville, June 10th. 1855"
Accepted Challenge.
Veteran Daniels, age IS years, Of De-
troit, Mich, who has been issuing chal-
lenges for foot race during the G. A.
II. encampment here, must back down
or run. His challenge has been accept
ed by Veteran M. Wolfe, Of Chattan-
ooga. Wolfe Is a local locksmith, and
says he can beat any man in the Grand
Army over seventy years old In foot
race. II no one will meet him on foot,
he suggests bicycle race.
I. Confident that he can defeat Veteran
Daniels. Mr.. Wolfe is ready to meet
him in track duel any time during the
six days Of the encampment. Mr.. Wolfe
n a ~ no
which played an active part in the civil
war for the northern cause. He Is will
Ing to meet any visitor over the age Of
20 years IN foot race, and strongly
believes that Veteran Daniels will re-
turn to Detroit beaten.
Mr.. Wolfe himself issues a challenge
to any veteran over 70 years of age to
race him on a bicycle. The locksmith is !
very enthusiastic over the probabilities
Of bicycle race, as he has been a con-
slant rider of wheel In his late years.
He takes pride in the fact that he can
pedal his bicycle unusually fast for a |
man Of his age, and he will endeavor to |
arrange race during the encampment |
To Entertain Union Survivors.
Among the many social functions
that will be given by society people Of
during the coming en-
Of the Grand Army Of the
al 1OllOI VI Tie VlSlIlHR VET |
Grams will be reception by Mrs. E. A. !
at her home on the side Of
Lookout mountain some afternoon dur
ing the week.
Her original plans contemplated only !
those who are left of the Second Ind
lana cavalry, in which her father, the
late Lieut.. Joseph West Starr, COM
Troop I, or the BLACK Horse |
Troop But her interest in making the |
event at her home a great success and |
pleasant for as great a number as con-
sistent, has induced her to add the |
survivors of the First Virginia cavalry,
Of which an uncle was lieutenant COL
onel, and the First Minnesota which
was brigaded with the Second Indiana
cavalry at the battle of Chickamauga. ,
Hence any survivors Of these three |
regiments who come to Chattanooga |
will be welcome to the delightful camp /
fire and entertainment which Mrs. |
Wheatley is arranging 1t will probably |
be on Thursday, Sept. IS from to 8 |
o'clock. = .s-.... a.
A Brigade Reunion.
W. A. Payton, Secretary 125th ILL.,, |
Danville, ILL.,, wants the comrades Of the [
old Third Brigade, second division, |
fourteenth corps, to hold a brigade re-
union Thursday Sept 18th, at or near
the old Cloud House, now Fort Ogle- i
-, l.