The state herald., 1918-05-24

I'm 1A\Nk0A
speedily followed by number of o.hers nnd WIN
ming the appreciation of Major welch of his regi.
ment, who was u witness OF the heroic act. lie
was In the front rank Of the charge back upon the
enemy. and In the almost hnndto-hnnd conflict
that followed fell severely wounded through the
left hip by a minnie ball.
"On the morning of December 49, 1862, while the
Fifth corps was drawn up In line Of battle on Staf
ford heights waiting for orders TO cross the Kappa
hnnock river and enter Fredericksburg Colonel
Stockton, commanding the Third brigade, First
division called upon the Sixteenth Michigan Tor
volunteer to carry the new brigade flag that hau
Just reached the command. Sldmnn, but now par
TALLY recovered from his wound sprnng from the
ranks and begged for this duty. His patriotism ahd
fidelity to duty. well known to Major Welch, now
commanding the regiment won for him the covet-
ed prize much to the chngrln of several other com
rades who vanntly offered their services Lead
ing his brigade on Its famous charge up Maryes
heights. In that terrible slaughter under burnside.
he was ngaln wounded, but not so severely as to
prevent him from planting the coors within 100
yards of the enemy's line. where they remained
for 30 hours. Three days later he proudly bore his
flag back across the Rappahanock. marked by
broken shaft and several holes, caused by the enc
my's missiles during the charge.
at was In this battle, Sunday December H.
1862, while the brigade lay all day hugging the
ground behind the slight elevation Few yhFus
In front Of the enemy. momentnrily expecting an
attack, that Sdmnn. with comrnde OF MS own
company. displayed humanity as well us remark
able vnlor b. running the gauntlet through rail-
road cut for cantcens OF water for the sick ana
wounded comrndes who could not be removed from
the lines; this nt n time, too. when the enemys
shnrpshooters stationed as to command
the ground n considerable distance In the rear OF
the brigade lines. 1t this distinguished service
Vrala rl n
ygilant enemy and with almost certain death star
Ing him In the face that prompted his officers In
recommending him for the medal OF honor. The
wnr department. with full record knowledge or
his service from Gaines Mills to Fredericksburg.
and for reasons best known to Itself. decided that
the medal was earned Mt the irst-nnmcd battle
with continuing merit to the end OF his military
service.
"perhnps the most dangerous duty that soldier
con he engaged In Is thnt OF scout. In book pub
Ilshed after the war. and called Hampton ana hiS
Cavalry the following definition OF scout IL
given: 'rhc scouts of the army did not constitute
n distinct organization. but suitable men volunteer
Ing for this duty were detailed from the dherent
commands The position required not only cool
ness courage zeal ana inteliigehc' bu' hpecii INT
ulties born In some few men,
"rbe line of demarcaton between scout anu
spy WIS mt times very illdcned for. as the scouts
were usually dressed In enemys uniforms wich
they had captured. they were by strict military inw
subject to the penalty of spies II taken within tho
enemys linec. nnd they were no, Wi'p""' p''"'""'
experiences OF that sort.
"Undoubtediy one of the most distinguished OF
this class was Archibald Hamilton Rownnd. Jr.
who received the medal becnuse OF the Endorsement
of General Sheridan. who knew and appreciated
his great services to the cause.
"Rovand was born March o. 1916, In Phiadei-
phia, Pa. and enlisted June II. 1862, In Company
X. First West virginia cavalry. and served until
August H. 1865 His services were not only re-
mnrknbe. but most valuable to the cause. He was
one Of the most daring and most trusted OF shcri'
dnn's scouts.
"oncc while scouting for Avcrill, he was cnp
tured. but told such plausible story to the Con.
fcderntc officers about being Confederate scout
with yerbnl orders from one distant general 10 "n'
other thnt he wns allowed 10 depart. The hrst uine
no WINS detniicd on scout duty his two companions
wore shot nnd killed. On his next trip MS COM
rode md his own horse killed when they were
10 miles inside OF the Confederate lines, but Row.
and nnpngcd to dodge the encmys bullets nnd get
bnck nIige vowiDg mt every jump never 10 20 on
scout duty again. He soon recovered from MIS-
fright however, md started out on nnothcr trip.
While with Sheridan he was asked to locate the
notorious partisan leader. Nal Harry gilmore. and'
IL possblc, effect his capture.
.Af,cr several days hard work he found Gilmore
stoppIng In lnrgc country mnnrion ncnr Moor
field, W. Va. This he reported to Sheridan. who
sont with him about fifteen scouts under Colonel
Young. They dressed In Confederate uniforms
nnd, followed by 800 Fcdcrnl cnvnlry Mt distance
of several miles. to be OF assistance In case the
true character Of the scouts WINS discovered. they
arrived near 0ilmorc's command nbout dnybrcnk.
and nownnd went forward nlonc md, sinRle'bnnd'
cd cnpturcd the yidetio without shot being ired.
The scouts then entered the fnmily mnnson md
took Gilmore out Of bed nnd bnck to sherdnn's
headquarters"