Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1886 — COL. DAVID H. PATTON. [ARTICLE]

COL. DAVID H. PATTON.

Col. David H. Patton, independent candidate for this senatorial district, is a Kentuckian by birth, 49 years of age. Excepting two years passed in the public school of Covington Kenr tucky, his life, like .hat of most American boys, was spent working on a farm—that best place of all to develops muscle, manly independence and good habits. In 1857 the family bale adieu to tfieir Kentucky home, takiny up their residence at Waveland, Montgomery county, Indiana,’where David, then in his twe. tietb year, entered the Wave land Collegiate Institute, completing a scientific course in the year 1860 Cnoosing the Medicr 1 profession he began bis studies under Dr. Florer, one of the most skillful practitioners in that county of learned medical men While engaged in the study of bis chosen profession, Fort Sumpter was bombarded, and the South sought by force of arms to destroy the government In those xciting times the youths of that obscure village felt the shock of battle, and many hastened to tender their services to their country. A meeting was held by t s e sub-

ject of this sketch and his former classmates and friends, at which ir was determined tnat their services j hould be tendered the government just as soon as it meart protracted, earnest, deadly war. Wbeu toe news came of the disastrous defeat, of the Federal forces at Bull Run, the future Gel. laid aside his books, relinquish' ed his cherished ambitions for the with twelve others hastened to New Albany to join the 38th Indiv '’ready organized and ready for the field. It can never be supposed : hat tl ey enlisted from any but patriotic motives, as the regiment was thoroughly or anized; nor was oneof the thirteen knewn to a man in the organization. Of the Held and staff officers of that regiment, history make honorable mention; Col.B. F. Scribner, since general, and popu« larly known in the army as “gaiiant little Scrib;” Lieut. Col- W. I Gresham, historically kuowu as Gen. Gresham, since postmaster general, and now the distinguished and popular judge of the federal court; adjut.-, ant D. F. Griffin, since Col., who died full of honors. It would seem as if the chances of preferment of the unassuming young man from the country village was meagre, indeed, in the company of such men. He was chosen by his Col. one of the color guards, The regiment passed into Kentucky, and after innumerable skirmishes and marching and counter marching for nearly 1 800 miles, they were face to face with the confederates at Perryvfile, where a battle was fought, either in the interest of the confederacy or idiotically, no one has yst been able to determine which. It was the fate of the 38th Indiana to bear a onspicuous part on that field where thetr per tentage of loss was as great as that of either of the contending armies at Waterloo. Of the color bearer and guard, Patton and Sullivan alone stood erect, and the former, as Col. Scribner will testijy could touch the colors any time during the engagement. Of the seven that lay upon the ground five were killed outright and one dangerously wounded. The flag staff was shot In two twice, and the colorsjwere shot into shreds on thatjdav. and willjbejsbowa to the .citizen s oUthis district as they were when carried off the field on that occasion. Their next severe engagement was at Stone River, whore the colors wero pierced by 31 balls and private Patton again so distinguished himself that Col. Scribner rewarded his gallantry with promotion. The regiment participated in the capture of Look-out Mountain and the “battle in the clouds,” in which they again distinguished thomselves. The regiment served in the Atlanta campaign, parti Dipating in all the battles till that city was taken. I i the battle of Jonesboro, Lieutenant Patton rendered signal service to his tountry and received the highest praise of ’ is commanding officer being styled the “Hero of Jonesboro’s Skirmish line.” To fully understand :he importance of the service rendered| it must Le understood that Jonesboro was the key to Atlanta, and that certain works lying in front of Carlins’b igada was the key to Jonesboro; and Carliss brigade was ordered to take the works Two regiments were ordered to attack, but were repulsed with heavy loss. Two more were ordered to the attack which were also repilsed, but they ha 1 succeeded in getting < 1 »e enough to the works to leirn that an abatis lay just in front cf the work that would have to be torn away to make room for the assaulting column General Carlin ordered Lieut. Col Gtiffih to take the 38th as it was al there was left, and he must take the works Col. Griffin ordered Company G, Captain H- F. Pt rrj, and company H, Lieutenant David H. Patton, as skirmishers to take advantage of the smoke and gathering shades of evening, reserving their fire, to move noiselessly as possible tearaway the abatis and open a way to carrv the works. To the bravery of Col. Patton on that occasion Col. Griffin, in his farewell address to the regiment (page 336 Indiana’s Roll of Honor, vol. 2d,) feelingly alludes, vhen he says; “To the brave boys I can but sav ibat everything is due to their valor on the field, and remember that now you have a leader in the commander of Jonesboro’s gallant skirmish line,” meaning Captain Patton. After the fall of Atlanta the 38th went with Sherman to the ea; from Savahnah they marched into North Carolina, where the commissioned officcts of the regiment, to settle ali doubts as to seniority and to make tne service more efficient drew up the following agreement: Camp 38th Ind. Yet. Vol. Infantry . Goldsboro, N. C. Apr. 3d, 1865. We the underoigned officers o' the 38th Regiment Indiana Ve'. Vol,. believing ths£ on account of disputed titles to Senio. ity and for other reasons, that it will be conducive to the

good of the Regiment to designate the persons to fill the field offices by ballot among tne officers; Do hereby designate our desire to hold sack ballot, and waive all rtght or supposed right of Seniority Robert Middleton, Ist Lisut. Cow “C." J. L. Mirtyn, Capt. Co. “A. ” Win. C. Shaw, Capt. Co. j . M.ll zznrd Lieut, and A djutar.t. S. Pawsen, Chaplain. George W. Faulkner, Capt ~G “ EmsfrylH. wastfrtn i W.D. Moore, Capt. Company J. * Benj. Owen, Ist Lieut. A . J. Crandall Ist Lieut. Co. “H * Milton H. Jordan, Ist Lieut. C '.“E.” John A. Sueckels, Capt. Co K J. A. Donelson, Ist Lieut. Co. “D.* J H. Seaton, Ist Lient. Co. “K. * Ben. Park Dewey, Capt. Co. U F. W D. H. Patton, Capt. Co. ‘ And held an election with the following result: For Col.— P. n. Patton, 15 votes, showing that ne was the unanimous choice of his brother officers, every one voting for him, The following recommendation o f Lieutenant Coj- McMahon, of the 2.lst Ohio, to Adjutant Terrell and Gov. Morton is highly complimentary of itself, but rendered mure highly so when it is remembered that t* 4> person recommended, if honored with the commission, would supercede that brave and generous offioer; Headquarters 21st Rrgt. Ohio Yj®. Vol. Goldsboro, N C., March 20, lS€dL W. H. H. Terrell, Adjutant Gen. of Indian*. Sit: I have the honor to serve In the Brigade with the 38th Indiana Vet Volunteer Infantry. The offiC ts of that regiment afe i e;Qmna«»ding their senior Captain, David M. Patton, for promotion, and J, being long associated with this Regiment in our brigade, feel uo in erest in its success, and in the promotion of an officer wno has long since deserved the honor sought for nltn. During the Campaign againat AU lanta, Savannah, Columbus*, anil Goldsboro, I had an opfio,ifufeßy to form a high opinion of Captain Fatton’s merit as an officer arid true &o|* -dior which justifies my recommending him to his Governor as well qualified ror a Regimental Commander, I iug in command of the Brigade during the afternoon of March lfith, at the battle before Bentonviile, North Carolina, and Captain Patton being iu command of bis Regiment after the fall of Captain Lowe* The eon* duct #f Captain Patton in battle came under mp notice. 1 eansot speak too highly of bis conduct on that field- Ho fought bis Regimoat skillfully, and to its utmost capaos-y. I am with great respect, Your obedient servant, A. McMAHAN, Lieut. CvL Com’g 2let Regt. Ohio Infantry Yol». A r d in conclusion of this matter we will say that Oapt. Patton edbis commission making of his regimeDt and comtnafilgfr oj his brigade. He enlisted in tho regiment the least known and the most unassuming man In it, and without social or political Influence, aided only by his own brave heart, upright life and strong arm, he won hia wajr to the h’ghest honors of the eonr* mand, and left it the best known and most loyed man of all. in civil life he has been equally successful whe*» ther as a student iu college, a man ia his proiession.'a citizen, orbreederof fine stock. He nas betraved no trues, but bravely met every responsibility and conscientiously discharged every duty. Always aid at ail ti'ares the unobtrusive and efficient man, and though he does not boast of “an eaijr competency.” he has the far greater satisfaction to know that he lias made easy the path of lire for many; increased the burdens of none, not has he e ei taken advantage of the ignorance or straightened circumstances of his fellow man ts pil* up ill gotten gains, but for efiij®.; dollar that he possesses he has retXifhed to the government and society an honest equivalent. His military record is a heritage that his children will prize above gold and silver, and will stimulate them to noble deeds and aspirations. Victory always perches upon the banner where he fights, aurl after his battle in November, the stars and stripes will proudly wave over him as they did at C hanap on Hills, Stone River.* at Lookout craggy heights; at Buzzard's Boost Gap; at Kenesavr Moulin ß 7 Jonesboao’s deadly field; at Atlanta; as they did from Atlanta to the sea; as they did at Bentouville where tej struck the confederacy the last tfme. If a stainless life; if fair deatisg wPh his fellow man; if eminent ah Sity, ifc distinguished military service, if any or all these are yet esteemed and honored among men. then, w® colonel David H. Patton be be next Senator from this district.:- Goodland Herald.