The Tomahawk., 1918-05-30

E ~ IS % NM
speedily followed by number Of others, and vim
ming the appreciation of Major WEIGH of his reg
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 minnie ball.
ION the morning of December 13, 1862, while the
Fifth corps was drawn up in line Of battle on STAT
ford heights waiting for orders to cross the Kappa
hanock river and enter Fredericksburg, Colonel
Stockton, commanding the Third brigade, Flrst
division, called upon the Sixteenth Michigan Tor
volunteer to carry the new brigade flag that hao
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, we'll known to Major WEIGH, now
commanding the regiment, won for him the covet-
ed prize, much to the chagrn Of several other COM
rades who valiantly 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 lou
yards of the enemys 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
mys missiles during the charge
1T was in this battle, Sunday, December a.
1862 while the brigade lay oil 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 we'll as remark
able valOr by running the gauntlet through a rail-"
road cut for canteens Of water for the sick ana
wounded comrades who could not be removed from
the lines; this at a time too when the enemys
sharpshooters stationed as to command
the ground a considerable distance In the rear or
the brigade lines. It this distinguished service
;n cl>, u, fhn fn1n n 81
yicilant 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 or
his service from Gaines Mills to Fredericksburg,
and for reasons best known to ITSELF decided that
the medal was earned at the frst-named battle,
with continuing merit to the end Of his military
service
"Perhaps the.most dangerous duty that n soldier
can be engaged in is that of scout In a book pub
lished after the war, and called Hampton ana his
Cavalry, the following definition Of scout IS
given: The scouts Of the army did not constitute
q distinct organization, but suitable men volunteer
ing for this duty were detailed from the Inherent
commands The position required not only cool
ness courage, zeal and intelligence but special fac
ulties born in some few men,.
.The line of demarcation between n scout and
spy was at times very defined, for, rs the scouts
we're usually dressed in enemy's uniforms when
subject to the penalty Of spies if taken within the
enemys lines, and they were not without pleasant
experiences Of that sort
Undoubtedly one of the most distinguished Oh
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, 1885, in Philade'~
mia Pa and enlisted June II, 1862 in Company
K. First West Virginia cavalry, and served nntii
August IT, 1865. His services were not only re-
markable but most valuable to the cause. lie was
bne of the most daring and most trusted OF sherl-
dams scouts.
"Once, while scouting for Averill, 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 10 ah
other that he allowed to depart. Inc nrst tln'e
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
10 miles inside of the Confederate lines but nov"
md managed to dodge the enemys bullets anu get
hack alive vOwing at every jump never 10 go Oh
scout duty again. He soon recovereo Irom lis
fright. however and started out on announcer Trip
While with Sheridan he was asked to locate the
notorious partisan leader. Maj larry dimore' anu'
~ possible effect his capture.
.After several days hard work he found gilmore
stopping in q large country mansion near MOOT
field, W. Va. This he reported to sheridan VINO
sent with him about fifteen scouts under Co'ohei
Young. They dressed in Confederate uniforms
and, followed by 300 Federal cavalry at distance
Of several miles, to be of assistance In case the
true character of the scouts was discovered, they
arrived near Gilmore's command abogt daybreak'
and Rowand wect forward alone and, single hano-
cd captured the vfdette without shot being nree-
The scouts then entered the family mansion and
took Gilmore out Of bed and back to Sheridan
headquarters"