Saturday, November 10, 2012

Colonel Lewis Benedict.

Lewis Benedict.

Birth: Sep. 2, 1817.
Death: Apr. 9, 1864.

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. He served during the Civil War as Colonel and commander of the 162nd New York Volunteer Infantry. He was captured at Williamsburg, spent months in various Confederate prisons, led attack on Port Hudson, and was killed at Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Before the War he was an Albany City Attorney and a New York State Assemblyman. Wife:Susan Stafford Benedict (1791 - 1869.) Burial:Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, Albany County, New York.

BENEDICT, LEWIS.—Age, 45 years. Enrolled, September 9, 1862, at New York city, to serve three years; mustered in as colonel, October 18, 1862; killed in action, April 9, 1864, at Pleasant Hill, La.; prior service as lieutenant-colonel, Seventy-third Infantry. Commissioned colonel, December 3, 1862, with rank from: September 9, 1862, original.

Benedict, Lewis, colonel; age, 45; enrolled Sept. 12, 1862, at New York; mustered ia Oct. 18, 1862, at New York, for 3 yrs. or war. 1862: Oct.,- present; commissioned Sept. 9, 1862, and ordered by Gov. Morgan to Riker's Island to organize a regiment; remained there until mustered into the service of the United States ; Dec., present, * * * commissioned Sept. 9, 1862, by Gov. Morgan, of New York, and ordered by him to superintend the formation, assembling, and command of the cos. of this regt. at the general rendezvous; claims, as due him, pay from date of commission to Oct. 18, '62; * * * last paid Nov. 9, '62, by Major Thos. B. Oakley, paymaster ; paid from Oct. 18, '62, to Oct. 31, '62, but Paymaster Oakley calculated that period at, and paid * * * for only,"l3 days; there is one day's pay due on last muster. 1863: Feb., present; * * * Major Usher paid Col. Benedict for that day (Oct.), sick in quarters on muster day ; Apr., last paid to Mar. 31, '63, absent on sick leave ; * * * June, last paid to Mar. 31, '63, absent; comdg. 2nd Brig., 2ud Div., 19 A. C. * * * Aug.,
absent; comdg. 1st Brig., 3rd Div., 19 A. C; * * * Oc*,, last paid not known; absent, comdg. Ist Brig., 3rd Div., 19 A. C; Dec, same remark, 1864; absent, detached service, comdg. 3rd Brig., 1st Div.; Apr., last paid to Dec. 31, '63; killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Apr. 9, 1864. M. O. roll of F. S. : killed in action, Apr. 9, 1864, at Pleasant Hill, La., while in commaniof 3d Brig., Ist Div., 19 A. C.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Justus Wardwell Blanchard.

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Justus Wardwell Blanchard.

Birth: 1811.
Death: 1877.

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned a Captain in the 3rd New York Volunteers in 1861. He was at the battle of Big Bethel, took part in the Banks Red River expedition and was in the siege at Port Hudson. Promoted to Colonel in command of the 162nd New York Infantry Regiment in 1863, he was with General Sheridan through the entire Shenandoah Campaign in 1864. For his dedication to duty and service, he was brevetted Brigadier General of US Volunteers on March 13 1865.
Burial: Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, Albany County, New York

BLANCHARD, JUSTUS W.—Age, 45 years. Enrolled, September 9, 1862, at New York city, to serve three years; mustered in as lieutenant-colonel, October 18, 1862; as colonel, June 18, 1864; mustered out with regiment, October 12, 1865, at Savannah, Ga.; prior service as captain, Oo. E, Third Infantry.Commissioned lieutenant-colonel, September 12, 1862, with rank from September 9, 1862, original; colonel, May 31, 1864, with rank from April 9, 1864, vice L. Benedict killed in action.

Blanchard, J. W., lieut.col.; age, 45; enrolled Sept. 12, '62. at New York; mustered in Oct. 18, '62, at New York, for 3 y's, or war. 1862: Oct., present; commission bears date Sept. 12. with rank for Sept. 9, '62; borne as Justus W-Blancard ; Dec, present ; claims as due to him pay from date of comniissiou to Oct, 18, '62; * * * last paid Nov. 9, '62, by Maj. Thos. B. Oakley, paymaster; paid from Oct. 18, '62, to Oct. 31, '62, but Paymaster Oakley calculated that period at and paid for only 13 days ; there is one day's pay due on last muster. 1863: Feb., present, comdg. regt.; * * * tliere is one day's pay due on that (Oct. ) muster ; Apr. ,last paid to Dec. 31, '62, present, same remark; June, same; Aug., last paid not known, absent on detached service, S. O. 195, 19 A. C. * * * ; Oct., last paid not known, absent, detachcd service, New York, S. O. 195, Hd. Qrs. 19 A. C; Dec., last paid to Oct. 31, preheut.comg. regt 1864, Feb., same ; Apr., last paid to Dec. 31, 63, present, comdg. 3rd brig., lst Div.. 19 A. C, back pay due from Sept. 21, '62, to Oct. I8, being then in coniinaiid of regt., and doing duty at Riker's Island, N. Y.; June, last paid to Apr. 30, '64 ; colonel, present conidg. rogt., back back pay due as It. col. from Sept. 21, '62, to Oct. 18, 1862,having joined for duty at that time, date of commission or regtl. appointment, Apr. 8, '64; mustered in June 18, '64, at Morganzia, La.; Aug., last paid to Apr.30, '64, present, comdg. regrt., back pay due as It. col., from Sept. 21, '62, to Oct. 18, 1862, baving joined for duty at tbat time ; Oct., last paid to Aug. 31, '64, present, comdg. regt. ; Dec, same. 1865: Feb., last paid to Feb. 28, '65 ; same remark; Apr., same; June, last paid to Apr. 30, '65, present, comdg.regt. Aug, last paid, Apr. 30, '65, absent, det. service, S. O. No. 8. Hd. Qrs. Diat. Savanuah. July 22. '6 5. Mustered out with F. and S. Oct. 12, '65, at Savaunah Ga., last paid to Apr. 30, 1865..

Two Daly's 162nd, New York Infantry.

Daly, Anthony, private Co. B; age 18; enrolled Sep. 1,'62, New York, and mustered in Oct. 14, '62, New York, for 3 years. 1862: Oct., present; Dec, last paid to Oct. 31, present, $2.00 prem. due, G. O. 162, Oct. 21, '62. 1863 : Feb.,
last paid to Dec. 31, present, tiued by sentence of Reg. C. M.,$8.00, S. O. No. 31 ; Ap''l, last paid to Dec. 31, present; June, last paid to Dec. 31, absent, hosp'l at New Orleans, wounded at P. H., May 27; Aug., last paid to Dec. 31, abseut, discharged at St. James' Hosp'l, New Orleans, surgeon's certificate, Aug. 13. Muster-out roll of co.: discharged Aug. 13, '63, on account of wounds received at Port Hudson, La., on the 27 of May, 1863.

Daly, Patrick, private, Co. I. 1864: Feb., absent, sick; transferred from Co. 1, 174 N. Y.V., Feb. 17, '64, per S. O. 47, Hd. Qrs. 19th A. C. ; enrolled Nov. 29, '62, at New York; mustered-in Dec. 4, 62, at New York, for 3 years; Apr. to Dec., inclusive, absent; sick in New Orleans. 1865: Feb., dropped from the rolls and reported deserted, having in most cases been absent from the regt. for nearly 18 mos., aud not heard from during that period ; Apr., last paid to Dec. 31, '63, present; previously reported deserter by error; Jane, Jasr. paid to Dec. 31, '63 ; discharged June 23, '65, Finley Hosital, Washington, D. C.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Three Faces Of First New York Dragoons.

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Olney, Corydon C. Age, 21 years. Enlisted, Aug. 13, 1862, at Nunda, N. Y. ; mustered in as private, Co. I, Sept. 3, 1862:
appointed corporal, Jan. 1, 1863; sergeant, April 1, 1864; first sergeant, Oct. H», 1864; mustered in as second lieutenant, to date Jan. 31, 1865; mustered out, June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.; commissioned second lieutenant, Jan. 31, 1865, with rank from Dec. 1, 1864, vice Lewis, promoted; brevetted first lieutenant and captain: died, at Long Branch, N. J., Oct. 6, 1886.As a soldier he stood high in the estimation of his company; always at his post of duty, filling his several positions with courage and ability.

Tadder, William W. Age, 22 years. Enlisted, Aug. 13. 1862 at Independence, N. Y.; mustered in as private, Co. E, Aug. 10, 1862; appointed sergeant, Sept. 3, 1862; first sergeant, date not stated; mustered in as second lieutenant, to date Dec. 3. 1864; first lieutenant, to date Dec. 6. 1864: mustered out with company June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va.; missioned second lieutenant, .Jan. 31. 1865, with rank from Dec 2, 1864, vice Crittenden, discharged; first lieutenant. .Jan. 31, 1865. with rank from Dec. 5. 1864, vice Callaghan. promoted. Bradford. Pa.

Godfrey, Wyman H. A. Age, 19 years. P]nlisted. Aug. 11, 1862, at Attica, N. Y.; mustered in as first sergeant, Co. C, Sept. 3, 1862, to serve three years; mustered in as captain, Jan. 30, 1863; mustered out, June 30, 1865, at Clouds Mills, Va. ; commissioned captain, March 12, 1863, with rank from Jan. 30, 1863, vice Taylor, killed Quincy, Mich. Though perhaps the youngest company commander, his duties were performed with eflicienct.


Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Captain Anthony Taylor, Pennsylvania.

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Anthony Taylor.

Birth: Oct. 11, 1837.
Death: May 21, 1894.

Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He enlisted as a Private on August 22, 1861, and was mustered into Company A, 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. Promoted several times, he had been commissioned as 1st Lieutenant on May 8, 1863. He was serving at this rank when he performed an act bravery at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia on September 20, 1863 that garnered him the CMOH. His citation reads "Held out to the last with a small force against the advance of superior numbers of the enemy". His Medal was issued on December 4, 1893. He finished out the war receiving a promotion to Captain of Company G on June 1, 1865, but was mustered out on June 21, 1865 before the promotion was official. He was one of six 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Civil War (the others being Sergeant Everett W. Anderson, Lieutenant Colonel Charles M. Betts, Private John G. Bourke, Colonel William J. Palmer, and Private John Tweedale). (bio by: Russ Dodge) Search Amazon for Anthony Taylor
Burial: Saint James the Less Episcopal Churchyard Philadelphia Philadelphia County Pennsylvania,

Frederick Lyman Tremain.

Frederick Lyman Tremain.
 
Born:: 1843, Greene County New York.
Death: February 4, 1865.
Burial: Albany Rural Cemetery.
Menands, Albany County, New York.
 
TREMAIN, FREDERICK L.—Age, 19 years. Enrolled, July 22, 1862, ait Albany; mustered in as first lieutenant and adjutant, Seventh Artillery (originally One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry), August 18, 1862, to serve three years; assigned to Co, C, January 1, 1863; discharged, November 14, 1863, to receive promotion as captain and assistant adjutant-general on General Davies' staff; commissioned first lieutenant and adjutant, September 8, 1862, with rank from July 21, 1862, original.
 
TREMATN, FREDERICK L,—Age, 21 years. Enrolled, January 30, 1865, before Petersburg, Va.; mustered in as lieutenant-colonel, January 30, 1865; died, at Cavalry Corps Hospital, February 8, 1865, of wounds received at Hatcher's Run, Va., February 6, 1865; formerly captain and Assistant AdjutantGeneral,United States Volunteers, First Division, Third Cavalry Corps; also first lieutenant and adjutant, Seventh NewYork Heavy Artillery Volunteers. Commissioned lieutenantcolonel, November 30,1864, with rank from November 29, 1864, vice Avery, promoted.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

The Essex Battle at Fort Henry.

 
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No. 2. Report of Flag-Officer A. H. Foote, U. S. Navy, commanding naval forces on the Western waters.
CAIRO, ILL., February 7, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 6th instant, at 12.30 o'clock p.m., I made an attack on Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, with the iron-clad gunboats Cincinnati, Commander Stembel; the flag-ship Essex, Commander Porter; Carondelet, Commander Walke, and St. Louis, Lieutenant-Commander Paulding; also taking with me the three old gunboats, Conestoga, Lieutenant-Commander Phelps; the Tyler, Lieutenant-Commander Gwin, and the Lexington, Lieutenant-Commander Shirk, as a second division, in charge of Lieutenant-Commander Phelps, which took position astern and inshore of the armed boats, doing good execution there during the action, while the armed boats were placed in the first order of steaming, approaching the fort in a parallel line.

The fire was opened at 1,700 yards' distance from the flag-ship, which was followed by the other gunboats, and responded to be the fort. As we approached the fort under slow steaming till we reached within 600 yards of the rebel batteries the fire both from the gunboats and fort increased in rapidity and accuracy of range. At twenty minutes before the rebel flag was struck the Essex unfortunately received a shot in her boilers, which resulted in wounding, by scalding, 29 officers and men, including Commander Porter, as will be seen in the inclosed list of casualties.* The Essex then necessarily dropped out of line astern, entirely disabled, and unable to continue the fight, in which she ha so gallantly participated until the sad catastrophe. The firing continued with unabated rapidity and effect upon the three gunboats as they continued still to approach the fort with their destructive fire until the rebel flag was hauled down, after a very severe and closely contested action of one hour and fifteen minutes.

A boat containing the adjutant-general and captain of engineers came alongside after the flag was lowered, and reported that General Lloyd Tilghman, the commander of the fort, wished to communicate with the flag-officer, when I dispatched Commander Stembel and Lieutenant-Commander Phelps, with orders to hoist the American flag where the secession ensign had been flying, and to inform General Tilghman that I would see him on board the flag-ship. He came on board soon after the Union had been substituted for the rebel flag by Commander Stembel on the fort and possession taken. I received the general, his staff, and 60 or 70 men as prisoners, and a hospital ship containing 60 invalids, together with the fort and its effects, mounting twenty guns, mostly of heavy caliber, with barracks and tents capable of accommodating 15,000 men, and sundry articles, of which, as I turned the fort and its effects over to General Grant, commanding the Army, on his arrival in an hour after we had made the capture, he will be enabled to give the Government a more correct statement than I am enabled to communicate from the short time I had possession of the fort. The plan of the attack, so far as the Army reaching the rear of the fort to make a demonstration simultaneously with the Navy, was prevented by the excessively muddy roads and high stage of water, preventing the arrival of our troops until some time after I had taken possession of the fort.

On securing the prisoners and making necessary preliminary arrangements I dispatched Lieutenant-Commander Phelps, with his division, up the Tennessee River, as I had previously directed, and as will be seen in the inclosed order to him,* to remove the rails, and so far render the bridge incapable of railroad transportation and communication between Bowling Green and Columbus, and afterwards to pursue the rebel gunboats and secure their capture, if possible. This being accomplished and the Army in possession of the fort and my services being indispensable at Cairo, I left Fort Henry in the evening of the same day, with the Cincinnati and St. Louis, and arrived here this morning.

The armed gunboats resisted effectually the shot of the enemy when striking the casemate. The Cincinnati [flag-ship] received 31 shots, the Essex 15, the St. Louis 7, and the Carondelet 6, killing 1 and wounding 9 in the Cincinnati and killing 1 in the Essex, while the casualties in the latter from steam amounted to 28 in number. The Carondelet and St. Louis met with no casualties. The steamers were admirably handled by their commanders and officers, presenting only their bow guns to the enemy, to avoid exposure of the vulnerable parts of their vessels. Lieutenant-Commander Phelps, with his division, also executed my orders very effectually, and promptly proceeded up the river in their further execution after the capture of the fort. In fact, all the officers and men gallantly performed their duty, and, considering the little experience they have had under fire, far more than realized my expectations.

Fort Henry was defended with the most determined gallantry by General Tilghman, worthy of a better cause, who, from his own account, went into the action with eleven guns of heavy caliber bearing upon our boats, which he fought until seven of the number were dismounted or otherwise rendered useless. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. H. FOOTE, Flag-Officer, Commanding U. S. Naval Forces Western Waters.

* Casualties of the Essex.

W. D. Porter, Commander, Scalded.
J. H. Lewis, Paymaster, Scalded.
T. P. Terry, Third master, Scalded badly.
S. B. Brittan, Master's mate, Killed by cannon shot.
James McBride, Pilot, Killed by Scalding.
M. H. Ford, Pilot Killed by Scalding.
John Mathews, Quartermaster, Scalded badly.
A. D. Waterman, Captain, Forecastle, Missing.
Henry Gemfer, Fireman, Missing.
Samuel Bayer, Fireman, Scalded badly.
John Laritz, Fireman, Missing.
James Coffey, Seaman, Killed by Scalding.
Dana Wilson, Seaman, Killed by  Scalding.
J. P. Brens, Seaman, Killed by Scalding.
N. McCarty, Seaman, Scalded.
H. Heagan, Seaman, Scalded.
John O'Harra, Seaman, Scalded.
John Costello, Seaman, Scalded.
J. J. Phillip, Seaman, Scalded.
B. Soula, Seaman, Scalded.
James Arguss, Seaman, Scalded.
Thomas Willctt, Seaman, Scalded badly.
Benjamin Harrington, Seaman, Scalded badly.
William O'Brine, Seaman, Scalded badly.
W. H. Maxay, Seaman, Scalded badly.
T. Sullivan, Seaman, Scalded badly.
Thomas Mullen, Seaman, Scalded slightly.
James Bedard, Seaman, MissingH. Reynolds, Seaman, Missing.

Doctor Horatio N. Small.

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Doctor Horatio N. Small, second assistant surgeon, had but recentl}' graduated from the Medical School of Dartmouth College, and brought with him a warm commendation for the position from the faculty. He was a faithful and conscientious worker and gained the good will and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. After the
consolidation of the Seventeenth, Doctor Small served as assistant surgeon of the Thirteenth New Hampshire Infantry, and was thence promoted to be surgeon of the Tenth. When the war closed he settled in Portland, Maine, and became one of the most successful practitioners of that city His death was widely lamented and he left behind a large circle of appreciative friends.

Small, Horatio N. Field  and Staff; Born  Buxton, Maine.; age 23 ; ressidence Lancaster; appointed Asst. Surg. November. 4, 1862 ; must.in November. 14,1862; mustered out April. 16, 1863. 


Monday, November 05, 2012

Neriah B. Kendall.

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Captain Neriah B. Kendall. Commissioned April 29th, 1865. Mustered out December 6th, 1865, with the regiment.


Captain Kendall enlisted from Joliet, Ill., and served continuously up to the muster-out of the regiment, with the exception of three months spent in Libby prison. He enlisted as a private soldier and was mustered out as Captain commanding company, which of itself is a sufficient commentary on his ability and devotion to duty without further altiloquence from the writer. He was wounded in the head and taken prisoner May 16th, 1864, at the battle of Drury s Bluff, Va.; was reported " killed and left on the field" at the time, and in consequence of such report his funeral sermon was preached at Joliet by Elder Crews, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was perhaps the only person in the regiment who had such a distinction forced upon him, or was placed in such a paradoxical position dead, yet alive. It may be mentioned in this connection that he has been a very live man ever since " there are no flies on him." He acted as Adjutant of the regiment from January 28th, to September 10th, 1865, when Adjutant Doud was assigned to the First Brigade.

After the war, in July, 1866, Kendall went to Omaha, Neb., and was appointed civil engineer on the Union Pacific railroad, remaining in that capacity until the completion of the road in 1870, when he received the appointment of chief engineer of the Nebraska railroad, serving until 1874, with the exception of one year spent in Arizona and California
exploring a route for the Atlantic and Pacific railroad. He then resigned his position and gave up railroading, and soon engaged in the milling, stock, and land business, which he has since followed.

It is presumed that in his travels and explorations in the far west he discovered the long-lost " Aladdin s Lamp," and has been rubbing it, much to his advantage, ever since. He has considerable landed interests in Omaha, Lincoln, and rough out the State of Nebraska, and has some little personal property besides enough, in fact, to warrant him in saying that he feels quite prosperous. He makes his home and headquarters at Lin coln, Neb.


39th., Illinois Infantry.

Kendall, Neriah B. Enlisted from Joliet August 9th, 1861. Vet eran. Promoted Corporal January 1st, 1862. Wounded and taken prisoner May 16th, 1864. Promoted Sergeant August 15th, 1864; First Sergeant November 1st, 1864; First Lieutenant July llth, 1865.  (See Captain Kendall, Company G.)

Battle of Drury's Bluff.

Captain N. B. Kendall of Company G (then Corporal) was wounded by a rifle bullet which struck him on the head, causing a severe scalp wound and a great confusion of ideas. McKee of that company says that he passed him just after he was hit, and Kendall was crying out " O! I m dead! I m dead! " and the presumption is, that anybody under the same circumstances would have been somewhat "mixed up" as regarded their condition.

Robert Marchall Bellinger.


Robert Marshall Bellinger,

Sergeant Co. "A."
54 Rose St., Battle Creek, Mich.
 
 
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Born in Barry County, Mich., August 4th, 1845 ; enlisted at Battle Creek, Mich., September 15th, 1862, as Private in Co. "A," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Sergeant June 28th, 1864; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honorably discharged, after participating in 36 engagements.
 
INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
By R. Marshall Bellinger.

At the Battle of Yellow Tavern, May 11th, 1864, our Regiment was ordered to charge up a hill by column of ours through a cut, but meeting with such fierce resistance the cut soon became so blocked with dead men and horses that further advance was impossible, and we were then ordered to dismount and fight on foot. As we charged up the hill and through the timber we came to a cleared field. Comrades Adams, Burk and myself of Co. "A" were together; "there might have been others with us, but do not remember." To our right and front we could see what I took to be the 1st Michigan cavalry charging mounted Rebels ; to our left on a hill about twenty-five rods from us was a group of Confederate officers ounted and standing still, displaying a fine battle flag. Adams said, "Let's go for that flag," and suiting the action to the suggestion, started to climb the fence,; I pulled him back, saying, "We can reach them from here," and taking aim across the fence I fired.  An officer fell forward on his horse, others of the group took hold of him and immediately rode to the rear over the hill out of sight, Adams remarking, "You have winged one of them." There has been much speculation as to who shot the Rebel General Jeb. Stuart, who was wounded that day, dying the next. The 1st Vermont, 5th and 7th Michigan all have claimants. If General Stuart was shot with a revolver bullet or by a mounted soldier, I have no claim, but if he was shot with a carbine bullet while mounted and standing with the group with the battle flag, I have every reason to believe that my bullet did the work, as it certainly hit some officer, be it honor, murder, or whatever it may be called.

At the Battle of Smithfield, August, 1864, Co. "A" was thrown across the river, "I think the Opequon," through a covered bridge ; advancing about eighty rods we were deployed on a ridge parallel with the river. I was on the extreme left of the line and the country to my left and front was open, on my right and front, timber. I soon heard a bullet zip by, but could not see where it came from. I soon saw a puff of smoke from a tree top about forty rods in front of me, and a bullet struck the L of C., ground about four feet to my left. Dismounting and laying my carbine across my saddle, I fired. The next bullet from my friend struck the ground at my feet, the next hit my horse, inflicting only a slight wound. We exchanged six or seven shots when I saw my Confederate friend slide down the tree and hostilities ceased. As I was a very good shot and my Confederate friend certainly was, I rather enjoyed the scrap and paid little attention to the rest of the line. Hearing rapid firing on my right, I mounted and looking to the right and rear I saw our men just entering the bridge and a number of Confederates right on their heels. I made straight for the river, about thirty rods below the bridge, when five or six Rebels started to head me off, firing their revolvers and yelling, "Surrender, you Yank!" On nearing the river I saw that the bank was about four feet above the water, so throwing my feet out of the stirrups and giving my horse both spurs, he made a great leap into the river, landing in deep water and pulling for the other bank, which was low. As I rode out the Rebels on the opposite bank were still firing their revolvers at me, so I gave them one parting shot, not stopping to see where my bullet went, but  rode up the hill and joined the Regiment, dripping wet. Adjutant Charlie Pratt, formerly of Co. "A," said: "I want to congratulate you on your escape; I watched your race for the river and remarked to the Colonel that you were a goner this time and it looked that way to me for a time."

In October, 1864, Sheridan's Army lay stretched across the Shenandoah Valley on the north bank of Cedar Creek facing south. On the night of the 18th our Regiment was detailed for picket on the right flank. After posting our pickets well in front on the south side of the Creek, we went into camp on a hillside on the north bank. After eating our supper and feeding our horses, everything being quiet, we went to sleep, leaving our horses saddled and bridled. During the night the Rebel Infantry quietly stole through our picket line in front of our Infantry, marched along the bank of Cedar Creek between the picket line and our army and created no disturbance until they struck the camp of the 7th Michigan Cavalry.

The first thing I heard was a volley of musketry at close range and the zipping of bullets. Every one was on their feet and mounting their horse in a moment ; officers were shouting for their companies to fall in ; evidently the order was understood for us to fall back, as everybody broke for the rear. It was just at daybreak, but so foggy we could see little but could hear a good deal. We were in a pocket formed by a high bluff on the west, a board fence on the north, and the Rebels on the south and east. There was a narrow gap in the fence near the bluff and all seemed anxious to be the first one through it. I was riding a horse at that time known as "Dan Rice," on account of his circus performing habits, which consisted of his balking or standing still and kicking when first mounted. Whether he thought he would show more courage than the men and stand his ground and kick the Rebels back into the Creek or what, I never knew, but he stood still and kicked, and the more I spurred him the higher he kicked. The Rebels were getting very close for I could hear their voices very plainly as one said, "There is a good horse, Sam, catch him." I do not know whether he meant my horse or not, but do not think Sam would have dared gotten near enough to Dan to catch him while he was kicking. All this time the Rebels were advancing and firing; bullets went zipping past me, and it seemed to me that every one of them hit the fence near me. "I can almost hear them now, over thirty-seven years later." The thoughts of Andersonville made the situation desperate, and having my carbine in my hand I struck Dan on the head which knocked him down. I stuck to the saddle and when he regained his feet he was ready to go, and so was I. Riding through the gap, I circled to the right and soon found the Regiment in line on higher and more open ground, actively taking part in the great battle which has gone down in history as the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Emmons P. Bond, 14th., Connecticut Infantry..

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Chaplain Emmons P. Bond was born in Canterbury, Conn., and graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1851 and from the Madison University Theological Seminary, N. Y., two years later. Upon his graduation he settled as pastor of the Baptist church in New Britain. He was occupying this position when he was mustered as chaplain of the regiment November 13th, 1864. Mr. Bond remained with the regiment as its chaplain a little over five months, resigning April 26, 1865. He returned to bis pastorate in New Britain where he remained until 1867, when he became Principal of the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield. he was later, Seventeen years, pastor in Wethersfield, being a portion of this time associate editor of the Religious Herald of Hartford. Declining in health be gave up professional work in 1896 and went to live with his son in Pennsylvania, where he died February 28, 1899. Chaplain Bond was scholarly and refined and was much esteemed in tin- communities where be labored. His service with the regiment covered so brief a period, that but few of the men became personally acquainted with him.