. Army life : a private's reminiscences of the Civil War . nreckless of life, and all else save his countrys honorand safety, who would rush far out to the front, leadthe way, and inspire the hearts of his exhaustedcomrades! In that moment of supreme need thewant was supplied. Lieut. H. S. Melcher, an officerwho had worked his way up from the ranks, andwas then in command of Co. F, at that time thecolor company, saw the situation, and did not hesi-tate, and for his gallant act deserves as much as anyother man the honor of the victory on Round a cheer, and a flash of his sword, that se
. Army life : a private's reminiscences of the Civil War . nreckless of life, and all else save his countrys honorand safety, who would rush far out to the front, leadthe way, and inspire the hearts of his exhaustedcomrades! In that moment of supreme need thewant was supplied. Lieut. H. S. Melcher, an officerwho had worked his way up from the ranks, andwas then in command of Co. F, at that time thecolor company, saw the situation, and did not hesi-tate, and for his gallant act deserves as much as anyother man the honor of the victory on Round a cheer, and a flash of his sword, that sent aninspiration along the line, full ten paces to the fronthe sprang—ten paces—more than half the distancebetween the hostile lines. Come on! Come on!Come on, boys! he shouts. The color sergeantand the brave color guard follow, and with one wildyell of anguish wrung from its tortured heart, theregiment charged. The rebels were confounded at the struck them with a fearful shock. They recoil,stagger, break and run, and like avenging demons. REMINISCENCES OF THE WAE. Ill our men pursue. The rebels rush toward a stonewall, but, to our mutual surprise, two scores of riflebarrels gleam over the rocks, and a murderous vol-ley was poured in upon them at close quarters. Aband of men leap over the wall and capture at leasta hundred prisoners. Piscataquis has been heardfrom, and as usual it was a good report. This un-looked-for reinforcement was Company B, which wesupposed were all captured. Our Colonels commands were simply to hold thehill, and we did not follow the retreating rebels buta short distance. After dark an order came to ad-vance and capture a hill in our front. Through thetrees, among the rocks, up the steep hillside, wemade our way, captured the position, and also anumber of prisoners. On the morning of July 3d we were relieved bythe Pennsylvania reserves, and went back to therear. Of our three hundred and fifty men, one hun-dred and thirty-five had been kil
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