W. E. Rowe Civil War Veteran

W. E. Rowe Interesting War Experiences
Narrow Escape #27
Ironton Register 19 May 1887

Submitted by Debbie Meinhart

“Ah there, Capt. W.E. Rowe, you were a soldier of the brave old 5th WV. And I know you have a “Narrow Escape” you can give the Register.

“Well, yes,” said the Captain, “I have had a few, but I should be allowed a little time to think up a good one.”

“This is a matter that doesn’t require much thinking, Captain – only a little exercise of the recollection, for the experiences of the boys, you know, are the first things in the memory.”

“That’s true. Well, the 24th of July 1854 was a memorable day for many of us. I see by your last issue that it was to Major Davidson. I happened to be there. The rebs were about on us, and Gen. Hayes gave some order about the regiment wheeling to the right. We were about to do it when the 23rd and 36th Ohio Regiments got mixed up in our lines, and everything became topsy-turvy, for the rebel batteries were then scattering, their grape among us, and their ranks in plain view, sweeping down on us. Hayes saw it was no use and said, “Every man for himself,” and the way we went.

“By the time our boys got huddled together between two fences that came to an angle, there was an opening through which the boys were hurrying not half as fast as they wanted. Just then, a shell exploded right through, so I ran back a panel or two, along with Pete Leighty and Tom Spradling, and we got over the fence and struck out towards the hill together.

“We were behind the other boys and running abreast of each other. The grape and canister flew thick around us. I thought every minute that I would be struck. The grape whistled passed out ears and tore up the ground at our feet. Before we reached the brow of the hill, poor Tom Spradling was struck by grapeshot and fell. I never saw him again.

“A few steps further, we caught up with the boys, and we found Hugh Willis lying on the ground, shot through the leg. We put him in a blanket and carried him away, and thus Hugh escaped from falling into the hands of the enemy.