Volume 15 , Issue 21

1898 - What Veterans Had To Say About Their Campaigns

In The National Tribune, Washington, D.C., Thursday, November 17 1898. The Editor received from veterans (volunteers and regulars0 articles of from 500 to 1000 words, written exclusively for "The National Tribune," and for publication in the news feature entitled: "Fighting Them Over."

I will not transcribe all of them here, but you can follow the link to read more stories of veterans written in 1898, concerning the civil war, such as "The Jonesboro Charge," where a 74th Ind. man tells of the exciting rush for the rebel works.

There is also a "Non-coms" story of his service in 1864 with the 22nd Ind. Battery, Hood's Invasion. There is also a story of how three Ohio cavalrymen broke up a social party in a "Bushwhackers In A Trap."

A Varied Experience

There was one story, "A Varied Experience," by John B. Wolf, Tipton, Missouri, who wrote: "I enlisted about July 1, 1862, when but 15 years and three months old, in what was called Missouri Home Guards, U. S. Reserve Corps; served three months, and then, on October 20, 1861, enlisted in tCo. B. 2d Ill. L. A., Capt. Chapman's battery. We went with Fremont to Springfield, Mo., and back, and at St. Louis were put in charge of a battery of siege guns and went to Shiloh. It was our battery upon which the last line was formed on the evening of the first day's fight. I was in the siege of Corinth, having charge of oxen with which we hauled our guns, but the bulls got the Wolf (not the bears) down with nervous prostration so that he nearly died, but rallied again. I was at the Corinth fight in the Fall of 1862 (Oct. 3 and 4), and then after a long time got in the light artillery again, and was in other fights. I was always at my post. I was mustered out Oct. 24, 1864, being then about 18 years and six months. I am now broken in health."

Summary Execution

This is an explanation of a mysterious war tragedy, written to the editor of the National Tribune, by Simpson Harris, Co. I, 192d Ohio, Findlay, Ohio.

"In a communication of Sept. 15, J. E. Hott, 3d W. Va. Cav., of Long Glade, Va., speaks of a monument erected to Capt. Summers and Serg't Koontz, who it was said were brought to a place designated in his letter and shot without trial. As I was a member of Co. I, 192d Ohio, then camped at Hood's Hill, VA., I will give the details as they come to my mind. After the surrender of Lee's army a squad of Confederate cavalry met and disarmed a squad of Union cavalry, taking their arms, horses and equipments. This being contrary to the rules of war, there was an order issued by the Commanding General that if the parties who violated their parole were found they should be executed without trial.

"In August, 1865, it was learned that some of the men were located in Page Co., Va. A scouting party of a Pennsylvania regiment, under the command of Lieut. Col. Hussey, 192d Ohio (Col. Butterfield being then absent), arrested Capt. Summers and Serg't Koontz. The Captain of the company refused to execute the order there, but concluded to take the men into camp. He took them to within about a half mile of camp and halted.

"Word was sent to the Lieutenant-Colonel by the Captain that the men were there, and he wanted to know what he should do with them. The Lieutenant-Colonel being very strict in having all orders carried out, they were executed.

"I would occupy too much space if I were to relate all the incidents connected with this sad affair, but will say that the action of the Lieutenant-Colonel was not approved by the soldiers under his command. One circumstance which was reported at the time was that the day that Capt. Summers was executed he was to have been married to one of Virginia's damsels, and it was reported that by reason of so great a shock the lady lost her mind. "I understood that those two were the only ones of the rebel party that were ever arrested. Negotiations were immediately entered into whereby the order was revoked and the balance went free. If anyone has the poem o the subject composed by a member of the 192d I would be glad to receive a copy."   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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