Have you ever heard of The National Tribune? This Washington, D.C. newspaper served as a national forum for Civil War veterans, allowing them to share their memories, opinions, and experiences with comrades across the country. While researching Edward S. Vernon of Corning, Kansas, we discovered several letters he submitted to The National Tribune. The video below offers an overview of those letters and the stories they preserve.
Edward Vernon’s Letters:
National Tribune 2 Decf 1909 page 7
What Troops First Entered Columbia, S.C.
Editor National Tribune: There has been much dispute about what troops first entered Columbia, S.C. I was Sergeant of a forage squad of 30 men from the 78th Ohio, and for a few miles south of Columbia we passed thru a very poor country, not much but scrub-pine and piles of sand, so there was no use to try to find anything to eat. On Feb. 16 we arrived near the river opposite Columbia, and on the morning of the 17th Capt. Roberts, the commander of our forage squad, took us up the river to where some troops were laying a pontoon bridge across Saluda River. Gen. Sherman was there, and I don’t think I was more than one rod from Gen. Sherman when one of his staff officers called his attention to a flag just raised on a building over in the city, and the General took his field-glasses and looked and said: “That
sure is our flag, and who raised it?” I heard that evening when we got into camp that the 13th Iowa boys had put that flag there, and I think the 13th Iowa boys are entitled to the honor of raising the first Stars and Stripes over the Capital of South Carolina in 1865. —
Ed. S. Vernon, Corning, Kan.
National Tribune
23 Sept 1886 page 3
Who Burnt That Cotton Gin.
To the Editor: On the 22d of March, 1863, the Second Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Corps, received marching orders whilst in camp at Vista Plantation, Miss. We were soon aboard the boats and in the night we sailed down the Mississippi River, landing at Eagle Bend, 20 miles above Vicksburg. We learned that we were sent there to reinforce Gen. Sherman. Our knapsacks and camp equipage were sent back to our old camp. We stayed there a few days and then returned to Vista Plantation, where the rest of our division was still in camp.
The 30th Ill. got transportation and started back about midnight, but the 20th, 68th and 78th Ohio had to remain until 3 o’clock next day before our boats arrived. We got to our old camp about dark, and then we began to hunt for our knapsacks and some of the boys accidentally fell upon some Sanitary stores and thought they were sutler goods. They consisted of fish, liquors, potatoes, etc. They were soon issued out in grand shape, and some of the boys got into trouble about them next morning.
While we were gone all the bedding of our old camp was carried off by other regiments. The next morning the boys saw a cotton gin and some other buildings back of Logan’s headquarters, and we concluded we would have some boards to sleep on. Accordingly large delegations from the 20th, 68th and 78th Ohio made for the buildings, and I imagine I can see the boards and shingles flying from those buildings and the boys coming back to camp with arm loads. About that time the old gin was discovered to be on fire, and soon the order came for all who had got lumber from the buildings to report with the lumber at regimental headquarters, and we were formed in line and marched toward brigade headquarters. We strung the lumber all along the road as we went along. Pretty soon a staff officer met us and ordered us back. Then we began to pick up our lumber, but we were halted at regimental headquarters, our names taken, our lumber measured and charged against the three Ohio regiments. I tell you the boys swore vengeance if it was kept out of our pay. Who burnt the cotton gin, and who paid for it? — E. S. Vernon, Co. F, 78th Ohio, Corning, Kan.
The National Tribune 3 Sept 1891 page 3
DODGING BULLETS.
A Close Call for an Ohio Comrade at Atlanta.
Editor National Tribune: In August, 1864, when we were closing in around Atlanta, Ga., I was placed in charge of two picket-posts, and we were so near the enemy that we had to relieve pickets before daylight, so we could not be seen by the rebels. On our right, and the next post to us, the enemy seemed to have good range early in the morning, for one of the boys got a red streak cut along his neck, and he called to the rebels and said, “You can’t do that again,” and the very next shot struck the poor boy and killed him.
During the day we had some close calls. There were four of us on the post where I was most of the time. One of the boys had a hole shot through his hat, one was struck with a spent ball on his shin, and another was touched lightly on the neck by a ball. Still we would venture to pass from post to post. We did not build any fire; so one of my bunkmates on my left went to camp and made some coffee, and when he came back he called to me to come and we would eat supper. I picked up my haversack, stepped up out of the ditch and just started when a ball whistled by my head. I looked in the direction from whence it came, and just then two or three more bullets passed unhealthily near me. I then started to run to the next post, and as I turned I caught my foot under a grape-vine and fell, and just as I fell I think there must have been 10 or 20 bullets pass over me.
Did I not dodge a bullet? I think my falling saved my life. When I fell the rebels raised a yell, and I have no doubt they tell how they killed one bluecoat, for I did not get up, but went on my hands and knees to where the hot coffee was. We did not eat for about one hour, for that volley and that yell caused quite a noise for a time; even the artillery took part, and our division picket officer came out to see what caused all the racket, and he came very near getting a dose of lead.
— Ed. Vernon, Sergeant, Co. F, 78th Ohio, Corning, Kan.
The National Tribune 29 March 1894 page 3
Ed Vernon, Co. F, 78th Ohio, Corning, Kan., writes:
“At the battle of Champion’s Hill, Miss., our regiment was on the slope of a hill facing the rebs, and there was a hollow between us and the enemy. During that fight I remember of seeing a white bull pass along that hollow going to our right. I have talked with several of the old soldiers who were in that fight, and have failed to find any one who saw the animal. I hope to hear from the boys of the Third Division, Seventeenth Corps, who saw that bull. Where did he come from, and where did he go?”
The National Tribune 16 Nov 1899 page 3
CHARGING UP BRUSH MOUNTAIN.
Taking an Important Line of Works Without a Struggle.
Editor National Tribune: One evening in the latter part of June, 1864, Co. F, 78th Ohio, got orders to be ready to go on picket next morning at 3 o’clock with one day’s cooked rations and full equipment. As we were only to go on picket, the boys talked the matter over and concluded that we knew what was best, so we would only take our guns, ammunition and canteens, and would send some of the boys back to camp to make coffee and fry meat, as we could not make any fires on picket line.
So in the morning, at the time ordered, we were marched out and placed on picket, relieving some pickets who were on duty when we went out. The men we relieved told us to keep still, as the rebs were so close they could hear them talking.
Soon after daylight we got orders from Capt. A. L. Waller to be ready at a moment’s notice to advance. The order came to deploy as skirmishers, guide right, and advance. We expected to be shot at as soon as we started, but kept moving through woods and fields, but still there were no rebs in sight.
When we had advanced about a mile it began to rain, and it just poured down for a few minutes, and the skirmishers were halted till it stopped raining, and then we advanced again.
After we had crossed a field we looked back and saw our Third Division, Seventeenth Corps, in battle-line, following us. When the skirmishers had advanced about two miles we very suddenly came out of thick woods, and right up on top of Brush Mountain were heavy fortifications, and we could see some rebs.
We did not know how strong a force was in those works, but our Captain said: “Let us charge them, boys.” So up the mountain we went. As there proved to be only a picket-line in the works, they got out in a hurry. The main force of the rebs had been sent to their left, where they were expecting an attack, and our officers had advanced our line to capture their works whilst they were away.
As soon as we got possession of the works our Captain called for a few of the boys to go with him down the other side of the mountain, and I think John Tanner, Lew Huffman and Joel Runion went with him. In a few minutes they came back with a wagon, four mules and a rebel Sergeant. I think Lew Huffman drove the mules, and there were cooked beef and warm cornbread in that wagon, so our company got a good dinner, if they did leave their rations in camp, and we got possession of a strong line of works on Brush Mountain with but few shots.
— E. S. Vernon, Corning, Kan.
The National Tribune 22 Aug 1901 page 1
Comrade E. S. Vernon, Corning, Kan., winner 45th prize, a leader in his part of the State, writes:
“Nearly missed, but wouldn’t care if I had. Truth is, I consider I strike a bulls-eye prize every time I renew my subscription—I do so love to read The National Tribune. Born near Zanesville, O., 1842; enlisted as private in Co. F, 78th O. V. I., December, 1861; discharged as Sergeant July, 1865. In Second Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Corps; in Gen. Grant’s command from Fort Donelson until after fall of Vicksburg; then with Gen. Sherman from Big Shanty to close of war. With regiment in every engagement it had. Never struck except by spent ball. Saw many a good boy fall, some of them by my side. Never in hospital; never a prisoner.”
The National Tribune, 28 Aug 1884, page 6
The 78th Ohio.
To the Editor: I have been reading The Tribune and watching to see if any of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Corps, would write to The Tribune, and at last D. W. Wood, of the 20th Ohio, has led off. Well do I remember the 22d of July, 1864. I saw Gen. McPherson ride along our line for the last time. My comrade of the 20th is mistaken about our brigade commander on the 22d, for Gen. Leggett was commander of the Third Division, and Gen. R. K. Scott was our brigade commander until he was captured, and then Col. G. F. Wiles took command of the Second Brigade.
Boys of the Second Brigade, do you remember how we jumped over our works and fought on one side and then on the other? I think it was one of the hottest fights of the war. Gen. Force commanded the First Brigade, Third Division, until he was wounded. I was on the skirmish line at one time that day over towards Atlanta, and Ira Rhinehart commanded our company, and I assure you it was a hot place and we came near being taken in by the rebels. Boys of the Second Brigade, let us hear from you; keep the ball rolling. You need not be ashamed of the Third Division, Seventeenth Corps, (Logan’s old division.)
— E. S. Vernon, Serg’t, Co. F, 78th Ohio, Corning, Kan.
The Courier Tribune, 3 Mar 1921, page 2
THEY ALSO MARCHED WITH SHERMAN.
In response to The Courier-Tribune’s inquiry as to veterans of the Civil War who marched with Sherman to the Sea, E. S. Vernon writes there are four members of his Post in Corning who participated in the triumphant march. They are: Joseph Stiers, Company C, 9th O. V. C. with General Kilpatrick; Wm. Thompson, Company F, 85 Indiana V. Infantry in 20th Army Corps; D. N. Rose, Company B, 64 Regiment Illinois V. Infantry, First Division 17th A. C.; and E. S. Vernon, Company F, 78th Regiment O. V. V., 3rd Division 17 A. C.
As stated last week, Justice John W. Larimer is the only member of George Graham Post who participated in the March to the Sea. The late Thomas Magee, who died a few years ago, was another member of Sherman’s army. The two used to march together around the hall as the pianist played “Marching Through Georgia.”
It has been suggested that the soldiers who marched through Georgia have a reunion. Comrade Vernon would like to hear if there are others in this community. Readers of The Courier-Tribune will also be interested.