Mayor Ollum Interesting War Experiences
Narrow Escape #39
Ironton Register – August 11, 1887
Submitted by Linda Adkins
The soldiers of Proctorville are very backward and modest in relating their war experiences. One of the best soldiers of the war was Mayor Ollum. We knew that his escapes had been many and narrow and sought him out to get one for publication.
He did not want his name in print as performing any heroic action and referred your reporter to the Home Guards for “Narrow Escapes.” After a good deal of evasion, seeing that although he had escaped on many other occasions and there was no chance now, he struck his colors.
Remarking that your reporter would make an excellent book agent of fruit tree men, he began to narrate the following interesting experience:
“I belonged to Co. A 2nd WV Cavalry. The — at Five Forks, April 1, 1865, we were engaged in bringing ammunition and supply trains from Petersburg to Dinwiddie Court House. General Crook attacked the rebels at Dinwiddie and drove them to Five Forks, where he ran out of ammunition. On receiving a fresh supply, we changed our front and had a very sharp engagement.
“About nightfall, we were driven back. I sat picket on horseback the whole night. What this means, only a soldier that has experienced it can tell. The next day, I fought on foot until the rebels were driven into the woods in the afternoon. We lay in front of the works for some time and were then sent on the right of our Regiment in advance. We drew up directly in front of the earthworks.
“Here, the rebs had stationed a Regiment of Cavalry. We charged, and a severe hand-to-hand engagement occurred. Backward and forward, we surged and fought, every man taking care of himself and paying little attention to military order or discipline.
“Prominent among the rebel ranks and foremost in the fight was a tall broad-shoulder North Carolinian. I singled him out and resolved to try and get him. He saw me coming towards him and seemed just as anxious for an introduction. He came right for me, blood in his eyes and a saber lifted over his head. We closed, and our sabers clashed right and left. But I found it too much for me and began to give way, disrupting every inch of the ground as I retreated. Still, he came on, death intent.
“I was beginning to think over my past life and ponder the grand possibilities of a future state of existence. My home and friends and all the cherished memories bringing our lives together crossed in a solemn procession before my mind. Just as the mournful consolation that I thought I died, it was the death of a patriot, was beginning to soothe my heart, a shot was heard behind me, and that tall Hercules dropped from his horse dead. I turned around and saw Colonel Allen seated with a musket.
“That was a ‘narrow escape’ you had, Sergeant,” said he with a laugh. I never asked him questions, but I am sure he fired a shot that saved my life.
“He spoke verily, feeling the solder friends he made in the war, and was then ready to mail a letter to an old comrade whom he had not seen in years. “Though I think as many relatives as any man,” he said, “some of my old army friends can not be supplanted in my affection.
“I have just thought of another little incident which I will relate,” broke the Squire amid the above conversation. “It is a ‘narrow escape’ but not one of mine. We were lying flat on the ground just over the top of a bluff to escape the shells of a rebel battery, pouring an incessant fire over our heads.
“The hill was thickly wooded, and now and then, a limb of a tree would be cut off and thrown in our midst or huge splinters torn off and flying in every direction. We were in no danger of the fire as all the shots went eighteen or twenty feet above us. Captain Campbell was lying next to me and, with the remark, “I believe I’ll change,” rolled down the hill.
“He had just taken his new position when a large shell glanced from a limb dropped to the ground on the spot the Captain had just left. It would have struck him fairly on the small of the back and wouldn’t have left enough of him to feed a chicken. When it exploded, it tore a large hole in the ground to bury a horse. I at once got into this and quickly formed an earthwork for protection. What are you doing in my grave,” said Campbell. “I think it is the safest place on the hillside just now,” and I stowed myself snugly away.”
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