Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-05-30

:
speedily followed by number Of others. and win
ming the appreciation Of Major WEIGH Of his regt
ment, who was witness Of the heroic act he
was in the front rank Of the charge back upon the
enemy, and in the almost hand-to-hand conflict
that followed fell severely wounded through the
left hip by q minnie ball.
ION the morning Of December ID, 1862 while the
Fifth corps was drawn up in line Of battle Stat
ford heights waiting for orders to cross the Kappa
hanock river and enter Fredericksburg, Colonel
Stockton, commanding the Third brigade, First
division, called upon the Sixteenth Michigan for
volunteer to carry the new brigade flag that had
just reached the command. Sidman, but now par
TALLY recovered from his wound, sprang from the
ranks and begged for this duty. His patriotism and
fidelity to duty. well known to Major WEIGH, now
commanding the regiment, won for him the covet-
ed prize much to the chagrin Of several other COM
rades who valianty offered their services Lead
ing his brigade on its famous charge up Maryes
heights in that terrible slaughter under Burnside.
he was again wounded, but not SO severely as to
prevent him from planting the colors within 15O
yards Of the enemy's line, where they remained
for 80 hours. Three days later he proudly bore his
flag back across the Rappahanock. marked by
broken shaft and several holes, caused by the enc
"It was in this battle, Sunday, December IA,
1862, while the brigade lay all day hugging the
ground behind the Slight elevation few yards
In front Of the enemy, momentarily expecting an
attack, that Sidman, with cOmrade Of his own
company displayed humanity as well as remark
able valor by running the gauntlet through rail-
road cut for canteens Of water for the sick and
wounded comrades who could not be removed from
the lines; this at time too, when the enemy's
sharpshooters were so stationed as to command
the ground considerable distance in the rear Of
the brigade lines 1t was this distinguished service
Of humanity at Fredericksburg, in the face Of
yigilant 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
war department, with full record knowledge Of
his service from Gaines Mills to Fredericksburg,
and for reasons best known to ITSELF decided that
the medal was earned at the frstnamed battle,
with continuing merit to the end Of his military
service.
Perhaps the most dangerous duty that soldier
can be engaged In is that of scout. In book pub
lished after the war, and called Hampton and His
Cavalry the following definition Of scout Is
given: THE scouts Of the army did not constitute
distinct organization but suitable men volunteer
ing for this duty were detailed from the different
commands The position required not only cool
ness courage zeal and intelligence but special fac
ulties born in some few men.
s'The line of demarcation between scout and q
SOY was at times very ildefned, for. as the scouts
were usually dressed in enemy's uniforms which
they had captured they were by strict military law
subject to the penalty Of spies If taken within the
enemys lines, and they were not without pleasant
experiences Of that sort.
"Cndoubtedly one Of the most distinguished Of
This class was Archibald Hamilton Rowand Jr,
who received the medal because OF the Endorsement
Of General Sheridan, who knew and appreciated
his great services to the cause.
"Rowand was born March 6. 1S45. in Philadel-
min. Pa. and enlisted June II, 1852, in Company
K. First West Virginia cavalry. and served until
August II, 1865. His services were not only re-
markable but most valuable to the cause He was
one of the most daring and most trusted OF Sheri-
dams scouts.
"Once, while scouting for Averil, he was cap
tured but told such plausible story to the Con-
federate officers about being Confederate Scout
with verbal orders from one distant general TO an
other that he was allowed to depart The first time
he was detailed on scout duty his two companions
were shot and killed. On his next trip his com
rade and his own horse were killed when they were
is miles inside of the Confederate lines, but Row
and managed to dodge the enemy's bullets and gel
back alive vowing at every jump never to go or
scout duty again. He soon recovered from his
fright however and started out on another. trip
While with Sheridan he was asked to locate the
notorious partisan leader, Maj. Harry Gilmore. and
If possible, effect his capture.
aAfter several days hard work he found Gilmore
stopping in a large country mansion near Moor
field W. Va. This he reported to Sheridan. wht
sent with him about fifteen scouts under Colcne
Young They dressed in Confederate uniform:
and followed by 800 Federal cavalry at distance
of several miles, to be of assistance In case TIT
true character Of the scouts was discovered, the!
arrived near Gilmore's command about daybreak
and Rowand went forward alone and, sngic-hand
ed, captured the vidette without shot being fired
The scouts then entered the fa8ily mansion ant
took Gilmore out of bed and back to Sheridanl