Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1910 — BILL GOOSEQUILL’S REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BILL GOOSEQUILL’S REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR.

Published for the First Time by The Rensselaer Republican. All Rights. Reserved. [lnstallments occasionally when Bill feels fitten.J

The Bull Run incident, which I related last week, has doubtless created in you a demand for more about one of the nations great heroes and I shall not disappoint you. I want you to understand the full extent of my bravery and the many sacrifices I made that my country and myself might be saved. I belonged to the only Illinois regiment that was in the siege of Petersburg. We were the first infantry t< cross the river into Robert E. Lee’s front and I was the first man to get back on the other side. It was th< morning of the 9th of April. Genera Lee’s advance guards struck us just at the break of day. You hear a good deal about the young bloods in Rensselaer rushing the can, you should have seen the Johnnies rushing the can(nister). I was in a position wjierc I could see it all. Just at my left and only a few steps away stood one oi Sheridan’s cavalry officers. He was standing behind a tree and when he saw me, he thundered: “What is your name?” “Bill Goosequill,” said I. “Where are you from, Bill?” “Chicago, sir,” said I. “Get out of that hole you big Chicago coward,” said he “and go on with your command.’ “Yes, d— you,” said I, “yot want tc get into this hole yourself.” I went through this battle unscathed too, and never got a hole in my clothing either fore or aft. There were some remarkable escapes from injury and court-martial those days, I can tell you. This is the secohd installment of the true narrative of my army life. BILL GOOSEQUILL.

Here is Bill As he appeared after the battle of Bull Run.