The Benson signal., 1918-05-25

i + aasss @SSSss
speedily followed by number of Others and win
ming the appreciation of Major Wech of his regl-
ment, who was a 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 cOntlct
that followed fell severely wounded through the
left hip by minnie ball.
q "On the morning of December 13, 1862, while the
Fifth corps was drawn up in line of battle Stat
ford heights waiting for orders to cross the appa
hanOck river and enter Fredericksburg COlonel
Stockton, commanding the Third brigade, F1rst
division, called upon the Sixteenth Michigan for
volunteer to carry the new brigade flag that nau
just reached the command Sidman, but now par
TALLY recovered from his wound, sprang from the
ranks and begged for this duty His patriotism ana
fidelity to duty, well known to Major Welch, now
commanding the regiment, won for MIN the coVeI-
ed prize much to the chagrn OF several other COM
rades who valfantly offered their services Lead
ing his brigade on it's 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 1oO
yards of the enemys line where they remained
for 80 hours Three days later he proudly bore his
flag back across the RappahanOck, marked Dy
broken shaft and several holes caused by the enc
mys missiles during the charge.
"It was in this battle, Sunday, December H.
1862 while the brigade lay all day huggng 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 ana
wounded comrades who could not be removed from
the lines this at time, too, When the enemy )
sharpshooters stationed as to command
the ground considerable distance in the rear OF
At.oh do +
of humanity at Fredericksburg, in the face OF
vigilant enemy and with almost certain death star
ing him in the face, that prompted his officers IN
recommending him for the medal OF hOnor Ihe
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 first-named battle,
with continuing merit to the end Of his military
service.
"Perhaps the most dangerous duty that soldier
can he engaged in is that of scout. In book pub
lished after the war, and called Hampton and His
Cayalrv' the following definition of a scout IS
given: THE scouts of the army did not constitute
a 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 1ntel1gence OUT speclal 1dc
ulties born in some few men,
s"The line of demarcation between scout and
snv was at times very illdened, for as the scouts
were usually dressed in enemys. uniforms Wnlch
thew had captured, they were by strict military Id"
subject to the penalty of spies if taken within the
enemv's lines, and they were not without pleasant
experiences Of that sort.
.11ndonhtedlv 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
"Rovand was born March 6, 1845, in Philadel-
nbia Pa and enlisted June II, 1862, in Company
K. First West Virginia cavalry, and served untll
Anerst IT, 1865. His services were not only re-
markable. but most valuable to the cause He was
o of tho most daring and most trusted OF Sheri-
dams scouts.
, .Once while scouting for Averill, he was cap
tnred hut told such plausible story to the Con
federate officers about being Confederate scout
with verbal orders from one distant general 10 all
other that he was allowed to depart Inc nrst tlhe
no was detailed on scout duty his two companions
vere shot and killed On his next trip MS COM
rade and his own horse were Killed When tney were
"a miles inside of the Confederate lines, but ROW.
a a,onoood to dodge the enemy's bullets and get
hool, alive vowing at every jump never to go on
eoou+ du+v again. He soon recovered from MS
frioht however, and started out on another TRIP
while with Sheridan he was asked to locate the
notorious partisan leader, Maj Barry Gilmore and
if possible, effect his capture.
"After several days nard Work HS lounu "iIo0 Y
s+onninq in a large country mansion near Moor
fold w Va This he reported to Sheridan, who
cont with him about fifteen scouts under Colonei
Young They dressed in Confederate uniforms
and followed by 800 Federal cavalry at distance
Of several miles, to be of assistance In case the
true character Of the scouts was discovered, they
arrived near Gmore's command about daypreak'
and Rowand went forward alone anu slngie-llanu'
cd captured the vidette without shot being fired.
Thn scouts then entered the family mansion and
took Gilmore out of bed and back to Sherldans
headnuarterS."