Enoch Stahler, miller and soldier

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ENOCH STABLER

MILLER

SOLDIER

First Lieutenant Third New Tork Cavalry
Member of the Loyal Legion

PRICE FIFTEEN CENTS

AT ALL NEWS STANDS

OR OF THE AUTHOR

ENOCH STAHLER, 222 N. Capitol Street

WASHINGTON, D. C.

Copyright, 1909. by Lieutenant Stahler

26A«-'09

LiKUTicNANT Enoch Statiler.

ENOCH STABLER

MILLER AND SOLDIER

Alas, yon kiiozc I am no vannter, I ;

My scars can ^vitncss, dniiib althoiiyJi they arc,

That my report is just and full of truth,

But soft! methinks I do digress too much.

Citing my zvorthless praise: O pardon me:

For zvhen no friends are by men praise thcmselz'cs.

— Titus Andronicus, Act I'. Sc. III.

This is not a ghost story nor a piece of fiction of any kind ;
for I pride myself on trying at least to be a real man, and on
having served two quite real and useful functions in life —
for about fifty years that of a practical miller, having worked
in some fifty different flouring mills, and for four years a
soldier in the Federal Cavalry, where I had some quite trying
experiences.

The very unusual character of one of these was the occa-
sion which in the first instance led to the writing of this little
work. I was a First Lieutenant in command of Company C,
Third New York Cavalry, which formed a part of the I'irst
1 brigade of General Kautz' Cavalry Division of the Army of
the I'otomac, during the campaign of 1864.

On October 6th of that year T was in command of the vi-
dettc posts in front of the ])icket-linc of our Rrigade to the
right of the Darbytown road not many miles from Richmond,
which city we expected to reach. I got there on the evening
of the next day, but not in the way I anticipated.

Our vidette posts were located on the night of the 6th in an
open field beyond a rail fence, a few rods from .a piece of
woods. Across this field and stretching round our right was
another piece of woods.

It had- been learned late that afternoon through two de-
serters from the enemy that extensive preparations were being
made by the Confederates to attack our cavalry and capture
or destroy it before the infantry should come up. In con-
sequence of this report I kept very wide awake all night.

THE DAY.

It was fine October weather and the morning of the 7th
dawned as fair as a laughing girl. Long before day glints of
brightness in the openings prophesied victory for the oncoming
light ; and though the sullen blackness of the denser clouds
seemed ominous, as the seried columns of the dawn advanced,
every vestige of the gray in the heavens seemed to fade away
in blue. And there was one circumstance about it which was
fortunate for some of us, though not specially so for myself.
The wood exactly to our rear and nearly eastward was so
thick that the glimmer of dawn did not show through, but it
did illumine somewhat the thinner thickets to our right and
front. About 5 a. m., some of our pickets were certain they
descried men moving in those thickets.

Instantly every individual man of Company C was on the
alert; and none too soon, for as it was learned afterwards,
the enemy counted on us as already "gobbled up."

"Ping, ping," came their bullets, and "Crack, crack," went
our reply. The horses, all except my own, were ordered to
the rear, and the men to de])loy in the woods and retreat to
the main line firing as they went.

I was at this time the owner of two horses, one a light sor-
rel, which T had ridden that morning, and the other a darker
sorrel, which a colored l)oy, I'anquo, who had taken a fancy to
my personal company, was jicrmitted to ride.

I had barely mounted and was watching the increasing

signs of life in the distance, laughing to myself that the enemy
shouUl expect to do any execution at such long rang©, when
my horse was pierced by a ball.

It was not a new experience, I had had a horse shot from
under me on the Trent road near Newbern, N. C, and knew
that a dying or badly wounded horse, especially in the face
of the enemy was something to be abandoned as promptly
as possible ; and much as 1 hated to leave this sorrel to his
uncertain fate, it seemed necessary to do so.

A RETREAT.

Thus dismounted we backed slowly out of the woods, and
at first took position in a redoubt near the edge of the woods,
*one of the works left by McClellan in his campaign. Here
we found men from Captain Bern's and Captain Richardson's
companies of my regiment, who formed the reserve picket,
and I think some of the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Colonel
Robert M. West of that regiment, who commanded our Bri-
gade at this time, says in his report :

"The picket reserves harassed the advance of the enemy,
fighting on foot in the woods, and. as I believe, deceived them
as to the kind of troops they would encounter. The enemy
consumed about one hour driving in our outposts, and de-
termining where to strike us. Our picket reserve on the
Central ( Darbytown ) road divided and came in by the left
and right : Capt. Dern, Third New York Cavalry, commanded
on the right: Captain Richardson, same regiment, on the left."
(See Report of Lieutenant Col. Ferris Jacobs. Comdg. 3d
N. Y. Cav., appended, Exhibit A.)

We were all soon forced to retire because of the enemy's
flank fire on our right. Halting at a ditch perhaps a quarter
of a mile to the left and rear of this redoubt, we made another
attempt to check the enemy's advance. T had only my re-
volver to fire with and had hardly begun the operat'ion when
something struck me in the left elbow and the arm fell limp
at my side. This coming as the culmination to a night of sleep-
lessness and a very active morning, had a very depressing

effect up(Mi me. A cavalryman to my right, one of our own
men, had also been wounded, and just then exclaimed:

"Lieutenant, I'm hit, help me!"

"I've got one too, my boy," I replied, "but I'll do what I
can for you."

Getting out of the ditch, I sent a man to assist the wounded
soldier, and finding another depression a few rods rearward,
seated myself on a bank of earth, feeling that I was entitled
to take a rest. Strangely enough my arm was not bleeding a
drop, yet the crunching sound of the bones as I moved it was
dismal enough ; while in the intervals of the pain which oc-
casionally developed there, I should have certainly dropped
off into a profound slumber, I was so utterly knocked out, had
not an officer who was hurrying by said to me :

"Are you wounded, sir?"

"Yes," I ejaculated with an eft'ort.

"Well, get to the rear as quick as you can, we are all liable
to be captured."

WADE Hampton's legion.

There was indeed no time to consider wounds or rest, for
the bugles were sounding in our front and Hampton's Cavalry
Legion was coming down upon us su])ported by infantry and
artillery. Rising with all the languor of a society exquisite,
if I could have obtained any kind of a stimulant I should
certainly have taken it ; but I could not secure even a drink
of water.

Shambling along half dead with sleeplessness and loss of
energy, I noticed General Kautz and his staff within a few
yards of my course, and shortly afterwards an orderly mount-
ed on a small dark horse overtook me who immediately dis-
mounted and insisted on my getting on his animal. I was
loath to mount a strange horse, especially in the condition of
my arm, but finally did so and rode some distance, the soldier
keeping pace on foot. Then I got off, for the horse was rest-
less and I thought it more agreeable to walk.

Experienced horsemen know well the difference between
riding a horse to which one is accustomed and a strange ani-
mal. Whether it was a case of "Christian Science," where
one has but to think of a thing and it is then realized, I was
wondering where that little darkey of mine could be with my
other horse, when whom should I see galloping toward me
with the stateliness of a prince but Banquo on my dark sorrel.

"Is yo hurted, Massa?" he said pulling up.

"Yes, Banquo, pretty well done up," I replied.

With great difficulty I managed to mount the dark sorrel
from the left side, Banquo holding him steady, and I rode on
rejoicing, having such confidence in my horse and my own
power to guide him, believing that I would soon be out of
harm's way. But the sacred injunction, "Take heed lest ye
fall," was never more applicable; for now came the cap-
sheaf of my misfortunes. I was moving over a corduroy
road at a rather moderate gait, holding the horse back some-
what, as his galloping sent thrills of pain through my dangling
arm, when a horse-holder— a soldier riding one horse and
leading three others — came dashing up at full gallop from my
right and rear. His sabre-hilt caught in the cross-bar of my
horse's bridle, the animal reared straight up in the air, and
I went in reverse, striking the corduroy with the back
of my head and shoulders.

Stunned for the instant, when I came to myself, hardly
able to sit up, it seemed very doubtful whether life was worth
living. There were many others moving in my direction, so it
was impossible to lie there very long undisturbed, whether one
desired to do so or not. A cavalry soldier belonging to my
own regiment, mounted on a magnificent black horse, stopped
l)y my side, dismounted and said:

"Here, Cai)tain, can T help you any?"

"H you will only give me a drink of water," [ answered,
"I will be all right."

His canteen was empty. He fastened his horse to a near-
by Inish and with canteen in hand ran over to a little stream,

filled it and had barely returned, when we were surrounded
by some fifteen Confederate soldiers.

"Surrender !"

"O, yes," — though it did seem a shame that the soldier
should be captured on my account.

"Where is your revolver?"

To be sure — where was it ? The weapon had disappeared
when my arm was struck and I had not thought of it since.
I was glad now to realize it was gone.

A SL'Rc.ICAL OPERATION.

On the righthand side oi the Darbytown road about four
miles from Richmond, under a fly-tent made of a wagon cover,
and on a table improvised from four stakes and the door
of a stable, a Confederate surgeon removed the broken joint
and trimmed up the bones of my arm. Before taking the
chloroform I had begged him to save the arm if he could.
He said nothing, but his looks and the condition of the limb
were both against my wishes ; and I was surprised when
coming to myself to find the arm still there, though I was un-
able to move my fingers, and not for years to come would that
apathetic fore-arm obey the orders of the controlling brain
or the eflforts of its nerves and muscles in the slightest de-
gree. The bullet which lodged in the elbow is still in my
possession.

Twenty- four years afterwards I became satisfied, after cor-
respondence, that Dr. John J. Bozeman, then a resident of the
town of Ninety-Six, South Carolina, assisted by a Dr. Green
— both surgeons of the Hampton Legion — performed that
opperation ; (See correspondence appended. Exhibits I] and
C) and T have felt grateful to them ever since, because,
though but a shadow of useful aid. as human limbs are com-
monly rated, by dint of care and exercise that left upper limb
has come to possess something of the flexibility and utility
of the body of a python, the trunk of an elephant, or the
tenacle of an octopus, surprising my friends oftentimes by
the singularity of its movements.

Flexibility of Arm.

According to the report of Lieut-Colonel Ferris Jacobs in
ccmmand, our Third New York Cavalry lost that day 52
men in killed, wounded and missing, while there some eight
pieces of artillery which we were supporting and 100 horses
captured ; but this was not remarkable in view of the fact
that besides the Hampton Legion, the Seventh South Carolina
Cavalry, Traynam's Squadron, and the Twenty-fourth Vir-
ginia Cavalry, were all pitted against us.

That night found me in the Hospital of Libbey Prison,
Richmond. Two other officers of my regiment had been
captured : Lieutenant Leyden and Lieutenant Herman E.
Smith, on the staff of the Brigade Commander, Col. West, of
the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Lieut. Smith died that
night in Richmond.

As an inmate of Libbey, I was in a condition of bodv and
mind so entirely played out that while it would have been im-
possible to ])erform any kind of manual labor, or to make any
physical exertion beyond the sim])lest sort, and im])ossible to
think or reason consecutively, 1 could ruminate sluggishly, and
s])ent mncli timo imising in a very dull and prosaic way over
the past.

8

I was then serving my second term, having enrolled at
Rochester, N. Y., July 17, 1861, and re-enlisted at the end
of two and one-half years service, in the field. I had parti-
cipated in all the encounters with the enemy in which my im-
mediate command was engaged, including the following :

ENGAGEMENTS OF THE 3D NEW YORK CAVALRY.

Ball's Bluff, • October 21, 1861.

Winchester, Virginia, March i, 1862.

Trent Road, North Carolina, May 15, 1862.

Neuse Road, " " August 20, 1862.

Little Washington, North Carolina, Septeird^er 6, 1862.

Near Tarboro,

Rail's Mill,

Kingston,

Whitehall,

Goldsborough,

Jacksonville,

Trenton,

Trent Road,

Gum Swamp

Bachelor's Creek,

Warsaw,

Tarboro,

Street's Ferry, N. R.

Bottom's Bridge, Virginia

Stony Creek, , "

Nottoway L>ridge, "

Chula Station, "

Blacks and Whites

vSouth Quay, "

Before Petersburg, "

Staunton Bridge, "

Roanoke Bridge, "

Reams' Station, "

Prince George C. PI., "

Johnson's Farm "

November 3, 1862.
7, 1862.
December 14, 1862.

16, 1862.

17, 1862.
January 15, 1863.

" 20, 1863.
March 14, 1863.
May t6, 1863.

" 21, T863.
July 4, 1863.

" 20, 1863.

" 25, 1863.
February 7, 1864.
May 7, 1864.

" 8, 1864.

" 12, 1864.

" 14, 1864.
June 2, 1864.

" 15, 1864.

" 25, 1864.

" 26, 1864.

" 29, 1864.
Sept 15, 1864.
Sept. 29, & Oct. 7, 1864

SOLDIERING FINISHED.

I now realized that my work as a soldier was over, if not
work of every sort. Besides my useless left arm, I had a
sabre cut in the right hand, received in line of duty at New-
bern, N. C, a bullet wound through the right side of my neck,
received at Nottoway Bridge, Ya., when calling in the skir-
mish line, a hernia of the right side, and a very sore upper
spine and shoulders, particularly the right one — the cause,
as I now believe of an aneurism which developed later in my
rieht arm as well as rheumatism of the back.

X-Ray of Elbow.

lO

I was well taken care of in Libbey Prison Hospital, possi-
bly better than the average Union prisoner. This may have
been due to the fact that the authorities thought I would not
last very long, or possibly to the fact that I had lived in the
South before the war and had some friends in Charleston,
South Carolina.

In October, i860, nearly six months before the civil war
began, at the age of twenty-f©ur, I went to Charleston. S. C,
and engaged as Second Miller with the firm ' of Clawson
Brothers of the Clawson Mill, proprietors also of the largest
steam bakery in that city ; but later was engaged as First
Miller and took charge of the mill. I remained there till May,
1861, when it became a little warm in that latitude for a man
of Northern proclivities. However, the fact that I had ac-
quaintances' South was no hindrance to my getting an early
parole— despite the fact that for a few days I was entirely in-
different about it and in doubt whether I should ever be of
any use to the world or myself again.

As already referred to, I was bred to the miller's trade.
Born in the city of Lockport, N. Y., May 25, 1836, at the age
of 15 I w'ent to work in the Murray Mill (named after John
T. Murray), at j\It. JMorris, N. Y., and was employed in that
and various other flour factories, including the Spaulding
Mill, Lockport, and for a few months at Guelph, Canada,
until I went to Charleston. Would I ever perform such work
again ?

November 17, I, was paroled at Varina, Virginia, and trans-
ferred to the Hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, where I was
confined to my cot for about four months. Being then able to
return home to Lockport, my convalescence was more rapid.
February 13, 1865. I received an honorable discharge from the
U. S. military service on account of physical disability.

RETURN TO MILLING.

It is almost death to a man of active habits to remain idle.
It appeared that way to me, and with my knowledge of the

1 1

miller's trade, 1 felt impelled to take some position where I
could direct, if I could not directly perform, such labor. In
the fall of 1886, with my arm in a sling, I took a position in
the Douglass Mill at Lockport, the identical place left when I
entered the military service in 1861, and seven months later,
I took charge of the Model Mill, in that city, where I remain-
ed seven years, and where I ground S3. 50 wheat.

During this period I was married to Miss Eleanor Wiley,
and rejoice in the possession of two children. -a boy and a
girl, Fred Wiley Stabler, and Mrs. Alice May Pettit. now
both happily married and with families of their own.

Ever an advocate of clean and careful milling, regarding
my vocation as. a practical science of the highest value to
man, I had a desire to go to Minneapolis, then, as now, the
greatest flour milling mart in the world. In 1873 I went
to Minnesota, and after brief sojourns in the towns of Minne-
sota City and Beaver, reached jNlimieapoHs. in the winter of
1874. I subsequently worked. in the Cataract, Holly, Dakota,
Old Empire, Galaxy, Pillsbury "B" and North-^^'estern Mills,
and was with Washburn "A" at the time of the historic ex-
plosion in that structure on the evening of !May 2. 1878.

THE HISTORIC EXPI^OSIOX.

There were fourteen men killed. It occurred about 7
o'clock in the evening, before the night shift had gone on
duty, luckily for myself.

I was Second Miller on the night force, there being but two
reliefs at that time, one going on duty at 12 M., and the other
at 12 midnight. The exact cause of that explosion was the
occasion of a bitter and long-continued controversy with suits
in the courts, but it was agreed that in some way the ignition
of dust produced the force which blew ofif the roof and burst
the walls of the mills. The following mills were destroyed :

Washburn "A," with 48 run of stone.
Humboldt, with 8 run of stone.
Diamond, with 6 run of stone.

12

HAROLD AND "BOBBIE" STAHLER
Grandsons of Lieutenant Stabler.

13

Pettit, Robinson & Go's., with 15 run of stone.

Zenith, with 6 run of stone.

Galaxy, with 12 run of stone.
Another explosion occurred at a mill where I worked at
one time, though not at the time of the accident. It was one
of the Pillsbury mills, now used as an elevator, which explod-
ed December 4, 1881, resulting in the death of two firemen.

Lieutenant Stahler (at 55 Years)
After the destruction of Washburn "A," I worked for some
time in Washburn "C," then at New Ulm, and was em-
ployed in special work for some months in the mill of Kim-
ball & Beady at Forest Gity, Minnesota. Returning to Min-
neapolis I worked for various periods in the Holly, Palasade,
St. Anthony and Dakota mills. The last named of these, the
Dakota, I was Superintendent of altogether for some ten
years; and the character of the work may be estimated from

14

a laboratory certificate made out by a wholly disinterested
expert and without the knowledge of the manufacturers. (See
Appendix, exhibit D) During my last year of service with
the Dakota, the St. Anthony Mill was added to the combina-
tion.

In 1888 I entered the employ of Clark and Curtis, as Super-
intendent of their mill at Spokane, Washington, where I re-
mained five years, returning in time to take in the Exposition
at Chicago, in 1893. I subsequently worked about a year in
the Mill of Harvey and Henry at Buffalo, New York, and
was employed for some months for a firm in New York City
engaged in putting a patent bolter upon the market. Seized
with a severe attack of erysipelas which prostrated me for
some eight months, it was a number of years before I re-
covered my strength.

For a considerable period, now a night watchman in the
Government Printing Office at Washington. D. C, I have
many a lonely hour to reflect upon the years that have 'gone,
and to meditate upon the future. Without any special re-
grets for a past too active in what seemed to be my duty to
admit of much error, yet sometimes regrets will come for
deeds undone and hopes unattained, — sometimes, in the
language of Kipling:

"The night falls heavy as remembered sin
That will not suffer |)eace or thought of ease."

But what is the use of murmuring or lamenting? The
earth is fair and life is sweet, and he who lias not labored
can never know -real enjoyment.

15

APPENDIX.

EXHIBIT A.
HEADQUARTERS TIHRD NEW YORK CAVALRY.

In the field, October lo. 1864.

Captain : — I have the honor to report that about dayHght
on the 7th instant the enemy attacked my picket Hne at
Johnson's house. Captains Richardson and Dern. in com-
mand of .the picket-Hne, immediately in front of tliat portion
of the works occupied by the Eirst Brigade, held the enemy
in check for more than an hour, but after stubborn resistance
were compelled to retire, Captain Richardson's portion of the
line withdrawing in the direction of the right of the Tenth
Army Corps, and Captain Dern falling back and occupying,
with his reserve of about thirty men, the work upon the ex-
tension of the right of the work held by the Fifth Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry. Here Captain Dern continued for a short
time to resist the enemy (then advancing in line of battle
about 2,500 or 3,000 strong), but was shortly compelled to re-
tire within the main line of works, which he did across an
open field under a heavy fire and with slight loss. Reforming
his line the enemy advanced in three lines of battle, moving
directly through the ravine upon a redoubt held by a section
of the Fourth Wisconsin Battery, supported by two reserve
squadrons of the Third New York Cavalry in line, mounted.
I was then ordered by the general to dismount these squad-
rons and post them in a ditch lying along the road and upon
the left of the redoubt mentioned. After the enemy had
reached the ravine, the section, in charge of a sergeant, lim-
bered up and retired. \\'hen the first line of the enemy
emerged from the ravine my line opened fire, when about two
hundred of the enemy ran forward, throwing down their guns,
with loud cries of "Deserters !" The enemy being then within

i6

a few yards of my line, I withdrew it to the redoubt upon
the road and again commenced firing, the rebels who had
thrown down their arms having resumed them upon being
fired upon by the line behind them, ^^'hile in the redoubt I
soon perceived that another column, which had driven the
Second Brigade back into the sorghum field on my right and
rear, were directing their line of fire into the redoubt, upon
which I withdrew past divii^ion headquarters to the woods
beyond, where T attempted to make a stand and failed. After
a variety of vicissitudes I assembled my regiment in front of
the line of works occupied by Terry's division, and reported
to the colonel commanding the brigade at the signal tower
on the right of the line.

My casualties (so far as known) in this engagement are
as follows, viz : Lieutenant Gregory, Company H, wounded
slightly ; Lieutenant Stabler, Company C, wounded and miss-
ing ; Lieutenant Leyden, missing ; men killed, 3 ; wounded
and missing, 2 ; missing, 30 ; horses missing, 49.

And I am. Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. Jacobs, Jr.,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Third New York Cavalry.

Captain Alman,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brigade, Kautz's Cav. Div.

''"Corrected List.

Killed Wounded Captured or missing

Of. Men Of. :Men Of. Men Aggregate

I 3 2 13 2 31 52 .

I?

EXHIBIT B.
Toncy Creek, So. Ca., Mch. 26th, 1888.
Mr. Enoch Stahlek.

Dear Sir:

I see in the Atlanta Ga. Constitution of the 28th Mch. No.
that yon say you were wounded the 7th of Octoher, 1864, at
one of the Battles about Four miles below Richmond, \'a., on
the Darbytown Road and fell in the hands of the Confederates
and was treated with medical attention and had an operation
performed by you think the Surgeon of the Hampton Legion
and as I was a member of the Legion and a participant in
several of the engagements below Richmond and as memory
is always fresh of the past struggle that we were engaged in,
I deem it my duty and will with more than pleasure give you
all the information I can in regard to your inquiry. I think
that Dr. John J. Bozeman was our Brigade Surgeon at the
time you write of and was assisted by Dr. Green, whom I
think emigrated west since the War and died. We had 2
other assistants from some of the Counties in the lower part
of South Carolina, Drs. McCloud and McClain, but whether
alive or not I am unable to tell you at this writing, and I am
not certain but what Dr. Bozeman is dead, but if he is living
his address is Ninety-Six Abbl. Co., So. Ca. I am most con-
fident that he is the man that you want to find and I hope
that he may still survive and that you may still meet him with
love and friendship, as the old wounds are all healed up and
we are always glad to shake hands and talk with those who
wore the Blue as we are with those wdio wore the Gray and to
talk of and about the incidents of the past. At the time you
were wounded our Brigade, which was Gen. M. W. Gary's,
now dead, was detailed as local defence for the city of Rich-
mond and therefore all of our duty and fighting was below
and around the city up to the time of its evacuation. Our
Brigade was composed of the Hampton Legion, the 7th South
Carolina Cavalry, TraVnam's Squadron and the 24th Virginia

Cav. I give you the latter names as they may be of some
help to you in seeking out your incjuiry. Assuring you that
I am ever ready and willing to give you all the information
i can and help at any time, I am

Respectfully and Yours Truly,

E. II. Acker.

P. S. Any information I can give you will be given with
])leasure and ])rom])tl^^ E. H. A.

EXHIBIT C.

Ninety-Six, Abbeville Co., So. Ca. Mch. 28th, li
Capt. Staiiler:

Dear Sir: — I have just seen your communic^vtion from
Atlanta Constitution copied by Charleston News and Courier
(S. C).

At the time you were wounded I was Surgeon of the
Hampton Legion and on duty with that command. The en-
gagement was on the Darbytown road. I performed several
operations on that occasion, but do not remember your par-
ticular case. You do not say that the operation was performed
by Surgeons of the "Hampton Legion."

If you were certain that the operation was performed by
Surgeons of this command I must have done it — otherwise
I did not. Let the matter be as it may. I cannot but appre-
ciate your very generous and appreciative communication.
The duties of surgeons and physicians are responsible and
when their labors are appreciated their hearts are made glad.

The time your arm was operated upon, we were open ene-
mies, both we thought battling for a just cause. You were
victorious and we unfortunate. You were generous. The
din of battle has ceased and peace and harmony exist. Both
sections have recuperated and all are happy and prosperous.

It was my lot to treat and operate on many L'nion soldiers
and it was my pleasure and delight to render them a kindness
when in my power. You say should this (your letter) meet

19

the eye of the surgeon "you would gladly send a photo of th<.'
arm and follow soon after with a visit myself." Nothing would
afford me greater pleasure than to receive both, whether or
not I did the operation. My home, though an humble one, is
more than welcome to you. We can dwell under the same
vine and fig tree together.

If agreeable, let me hear from you at your convenience.
And now wishing you much happiness and prosperity, I re-
main

\''ery sincerely your friend,

Capt. Enoch Stabler, J. J. Bozeman, M. D.

21 16 Third Avenue, Ninety-Six, So. Ca.

Minneapolis, Minn.

EXHIBIT D.

Certificate, issued July 31.?/, 1888, by Cheuiical Expert IVil-
lard H. Morse, M. D., of Westfiehf N. J.:

CERTIFICATE.

Having determined that the brand of flour of which the
sample "C" was a specimen of the best, chemically and ])rac-
tically, of any made in Minneapolis, I next sought to com-
pare it with the "P. W. M., 000" Hungarian Flour. I will
not detail the steps taken, nor the results of composition, but
to the credit of American industry and skill, it is to be noted
as my determination that the Minneapolis flour is not only
to be described as the equal of the Hungarian in all that
makes for the most sui)erior flour, l)ut I am justified in stat-
ing that there is not as much chemical difference between the
two as was determinetl between the "M" and "C" samples.
This Minneapolis flour is not only as good as the llungarian.
but il is identical, — an Americanized Hungarian.

The sample "C" is the Sunlight patent flour of Brown's
Dakota Flouring Mills, and is made from wdieat that is ecjual

20

to the best Budapest, by the Hungarian or gradual reduction
process. I am totally unaccjuainted with the manufacturers,
and they have no cognizance of my researches, while I did
not know their flour till the investigation was complete. Now
knowing it, I do not hesitate to say that if there is no better
flour in the world than that of ?\Iinneapolis, the Sunlight is
the best in the world.

(Signed) Willard H. Morse, M. D.

Chemical Expert.

EXHIBIT E.

INAUGURAL PARADE, MARCH 4. 1909.

Headquarters of the Marshal,

J'eteran Grand Division,

New York City. Feb. 24, 1909.
General Orders
No. V.
I. The Marshal of the VY^teran Grand Division announces
the following additional appointments of aides on his staff:

A IDE-
Lieutenant Enoch Stabler.

II.. All communications should be adtlressed to General
Arthur Hendricks, Room T^yi, Treasury Department, Wash-
ington, «D. C.

By Command of

Major General ( ). ( ). Howard,

Marshal.
Arjiilk I I|':ndkicks,
O ferial: Chief of Staff.

(Signed) 11. I'.. Moulton.

Adjutant General.

Hayworth Pub. House, Wash 1> U

21

THE CASE OF ENOCH STAHLER.

F)Y Norman L. Reynoli^s, M. D.. Chicago, III.

The case of Lieutenant Enoch Stahler, wounded and oper-
ated upon by a Confederate surgeon, CJctober 7, 1864, on the
Darby-town Road near Richmond, is in certain respects one of
the most remarkable on record.

In the annals of surgical practice comparatively few cases
are recorded such as this. In the Medical and Surgical His-
tory of the war of the Rebellion 2,678 cases of shot fracture
of the elbow are reported. 1.147 were amputated, 938 treated
on the "expectant conservative plan" and 598 cases were treat-
ed by excision of the joint.

In the majority of cases treated by excision they became
stiff or anchylosed and the muscles became shrunken or atro-
phied due to the disuse and to paralysis from interference with
the nerve supply, but in the case of Capt. Enoch Stahler Pro-
vidence was on his side and left the nerves and circulation
in a normal condition.

The remarkable thing in this case is that Captain Enoch
Stahler at an early date began to use this useless limb which
caused him many hours of pain, but by persistent use he has
full possession of the hand and wrist with many movements
.of what was the elbow joint, its place being taken by the
ligaments formed and strengthened by years of persistent
use. He can make a complete turn of the forearm, bend it to
right or left, also backward and at the same time has it under
control.

A glance at the illustrations ( i))). 7 and 9) will show this
flexor of fore is produced by the biceps and bicepital fascia
or lacertus fibrosus. Extension is gone as the insertion of
triceps is removed.

The missile which struck Lieutenant Stahler's arm, appears
from inspection to have been an ounce ball hred from a

22

Sharp's carbine. As it struck with force enough to enter the
arm and imbed itself in the joint, it must have shattered the
lower extremity of the humerus and upper extremity of the
ulna including its two processes, the olecranon and coronoid ;
though it seems to have left the head of the radius nearly
intact. The strong ligaments including the anterior, the ex-
ternal lateral and the orbifular, all except the biceps tendon
and the oblique ligament, were either destroyed outright or
rendered useless through the destruction of their attachments.

Fortunately, as it appears, there was no bleeding directly
caused by the ball. The brachial artery being at this point
on the anterior side of the arm, opposite the ])oint of the
elbow entered by the ball, and the larger su])erticial as well
as deep-seated veins and arteries, being forward of the wound,
bleeding did not occur probably until the wound was treated.

The operation of the surgeon — believed to have been Dr.
John J. Bozeman of the "Hampton Legion" — was a highly
creditable one. though performed in an emergency and under
circumstances not warranting the most careful attention or
treatment.

From the cicatrix it would appear that incisions were made
extending from the wound, and the head of the ulna sawed oiT,
but that the lower part of the humerus with its oblicjue end,
the result of the ball's action, was not changed.

In flexion or contraction of the flexor digitorium muscles
the arm is shortened, which shows that the deep fascia in
this case is very important. Supination and jironation take
place largely from twisting at the elbow.

The ulnar nerve is also unmolested, which passes between
the inner condyle and the olecranon process of ulna.

This case is remarkable for the fact that there is a false or
pseudo joint, the movements being due to the deep fascia being
strongly (levelo[)ed from persistent use.

A CARD.
Jn March, 1888, the following card was printed in the "At-
lanta Constitution" and in the "Charleston News and Courier,"
and resulted in the receipt of the two letters printed on pages

23

ly to 19, and those which follow from surgeons who had serv-
ed in the Confederacy;

A SKILLFrL CONFEDERATE SURGEON.

The undersigned was in the Union force engaged in action
with Hampton's Legion, before Richmond, on the 7th of Octo-
ber, 1864, about four miles from Richmond on Johnston's
farm on the Darby-town Road, and having been wounded in
said engagement, I desire to know the name of the surgeon
who performed an operation upon my left arm.

At the time I was in command of Company C 3rd Regiment
N. Y. Cavalry, and was taken prisoner; the operation referred
to was the removal of the elbow joint of the left arm, and
was performed on the right hand side of the Darby-town Road
on Johnson's farm about four miles from Richmond ; the field
hospital was in a tent ; there were two surgeons present ; the
operation proved to be a most remarkable one; and I am
anxious to learn the names of the surgeons who did it, if
alive, in order that they may be made aware of the skillful
work performed, and should this meet the eye of either, I
should be pleased to send him a photograph of my arm to be
followed later by myself.

Enoch Sta filer,
2116 Third Ave., Minneapolis, AHnn.

F-^NocH Stahler,

21 16 Third Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
My attention being called to the above card taken from the
Atlanta, (ui.. Constitution, 1 will say that I am of the opinion
that Dr. Jones and myself performed the operation referred to
and should it turn out to be so I should be pleased to see you
at my liousc, so that we could talk over those painful reminis-
cences. Hoping t<. receive the ])hotograph, also f.)r vou to
follow it soon. Respectfully,

My address, X. 11. Murphy, M. D.

Louislnu-g, iM-anklin County, X. Carolina.

24

Charleston, S. C, 21st March, li.

Enoch Stahler, Esq..

MinneapoHs, Minn.

Dear Sir: By this mail I forward you a copy of the
Charleston News and Courier, on the fourth page you will
find a marked place which contains your letter.

I am one of the surgeons of the Hampton Legion, and
figured around Richmond in all the battles.

The Darby-town Road is familiar to me ; I cannot recall
any of the circumstances or the operation you speak of; my
colleagues, Drs. Parker and Frost are also in doubt, and we
are under the impression that Dr. J. J. Bozeman of Ninety -
six S. C. is the gentleman you are looking for. I would sug-
gest that you write to him as well as to the other gentlemen
who assisted him ; and you will soon find which is the person
you are in search of.

It gives me great pleasure, though a stranger to you, to
have read your letter and be able to respond to the same.

These little things are what makes us down south feel that
we have been and are now one country, that the past is for-
gotten and forgiven, and that in the future there is an indi-
soluble Union. Perhaps '61 to '65 is a blessing after all.
Though I am not positive that I am the M. D. you want, yet
still all I can say is that if you come to this city and let me
have a look at you I can tell you more about it.

A warm Carolina welcome will greet you.

Very truly yours,

I. Somers Bui.sr, M. D.

Deans, Anderson, S. C, Mch. 22, iJ
Mr. Enoch Stahler.

Dear Sir: I see in last week's Constitution, you asked for
the address of the surgeon of Hampton Legion. Dr. John
Bozeman was our Brigade Surgeon, and he doubtless is the
man you are looking for.

Bozeman was surgeon once, but was promoted to brigade
surgeon. His assistant's name was Green. Dr. Bozeman
was raised a neighbor to me in this county, but at this time

25

lives at Ninety-six, Abbeville Co., S. C. I myself was in that
fight and belonged to the Legion, and remember to have seen
the Dr. on the field that day.

If you will write to him I guess he can tell you all about it.
We captured a man that day by the name of Ben Smith, that
had deserted the Confederate army. Did ycui know him? He
belonged to the cavalry. He was condemned to be shot, but
got out by playing crazy. I was personally acquainted with
Smith; he was no good. Hampton Legion captured 8 or 9
pieces of artillery and one hundred horses at Darby-town that
day. Yours truly,

W. T. Dean.

Herndon, Burke Co.. Ga.. March 24th. r<
Enoch Stahler,

21 16 Third Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
Dear Sir : I see an advertisement in the Atlanta Constitu-
tion in reference to finding the Confed. surgeon who ampu-
tated your limb, and having been an old Reb. myself and
having the utmost confidence in representations of a brother
soldier on either side, who had the courage to face the music;
I write you for inquiry, concerning the enclosed letter.

I am anxious to negotiate a good big loan on property lo-
cated here for business purposes, and would not like to be
taken in by a sucker on the fly ; therefore I enclose his letter,,
to you, and beg a quiet investigation and report before I pro-
ceed in the matter, and should it ever be in my power to aid
you in any manner will be only too happy to do so. I enclose
postage. Very truly,

Carlton T. Belt,
Beltwood,' Burke Co., Ga.

Sumter. S. C. Mch. 26. 1888.
Capt. Enoch Stahler,
Minneapolis, Minn.
Dear Sir : Inclosed find article from News and Courier,
containing your letter making inquiry for surgeons (of Hamp-

26

ton Legion) who operated upon your arm Oct. 7th after the
engagement upon Darby-town Road.

I think Dr. Jno. J. Bozeman of Ninety-six Abbeville S. C,
performed the operation. I was with the command from its
organization in 1861 but am under the impression that I was
serving with the 7th S. C. Cavl'y at the time of the engage-
ment referred to, but might have assisted Dr. Bozeman; if I
did the operation has entirely escaped my memory and I
would esteem it a favor if you would send me your photo-
graph, also of your arm. Dr. Bozeman is a most excellent
gentleman and if I am correct in my opinion, I would like
very much to see him enjoy the distinction his operation en-
titles him to.

He, like a great many of us, was actuated from true and
patriotic principles (in the late war and unpleasantness) ; we
conceived that our cause was a just one — we put our all upon
the altar — we lost, and now by the exercise of true courage
we submit and hope that by united effort we will out of chaos
and ruin, establish our south upon a broader and more lasting
basis than ever before.

We have a delightful climate, fertile soil, warm hearts and
offer to our friends up in the frozen regions of the blizzard
stricken section a home with us.

We want live energetic white men to come among us — to
settle up our lands.

Say to your friends that we will give them as warm a re-
ception as we gave them upon occasion of Darby-town engage-
ment, but of a different character.

Yours very respectfully,

H. J. McLaurin, M. D.

70 Hasell St., Charleston, S. C, April 2d, 1888.
Mr. E. Stahler,

Minneapolis, Minn.

My Dear Sir: Yours of Mch. 29 is just received. Dr.

J. S. Buist to whom some one sent your notice in an Atlanta

paper brought it to me some days since. It was subsequently

published in the Charleston daily paper, News and Courier.

27

Dr. Buist was not with Hampton Legion at that time, nor
was I, having been promoted.

I gave the Dr. the names of the surgeons who I thought
must have been present and 1 at once wrote to them myself.

Dr. H. L. McLaurin, Sumter, S. C. answered that he was
not present, but thought that Dr. J. J. Bozeman, Ninety-six,
S. C. and Dr. Green (the latter is, I think, dead) must have
performed the operation.

Since then 1 have received a letter from Dr. J. J. Bozeman.
to whom I had also written, who remembers the fight and had
operated on several union soldiers at the time but could not
remember the circumstances or names of the parties except
that his field hospital was on the right hand side of the Darby-
town Road, four miles from Richmond.

I at once wrote to him suggesting as I had done in the first
instance that he should write to you. I have no doubt that he
has already done so and if you have not received a letter from
him by this time, you had best write to him. and I am sure he
will respond promptly.

There is another clue in my mind, that is if Dr. Bozeman
did not do the operation there is another surgeon whose name
I do not know, who may have done it.

I will seek out his name and give it to you if you will
answer this after hearing from Dr. Bozeman.

I am glad to hear of your recovery and appreciate the grate-
ful feelings you entertain for the surgeon who performed so
successful an operation.

I may add that Dr. Buist brought me your photograph and
letter to him this morning, and should you come to Charles-
ton, would be glad if you would call at my office, yo Hasell
St., Charleston, S. C.

Very respectfully yours,

Francis L. Parker, M. D.

Charleston, S. C, June 22, 1888.
Mr. E. Stahler,

Minneapolis, Minn.
Dear Sir: I was in the battles around Richmond, but not

28

associated with the Hampton Legion; I was surgeon of ist
S. C. v.. Greggs Brigade, I do not think therefore that I
could have performed the operation on your elbow.

Your letter here has excited a good deal of interest in your
case and discussion as to who the surgeon was.

In time of battle there was liable to be transfer of service
and in that way it may have happened that an officer detailed
from some other command thkn the H. L. served you.

Please excuse the long delay in answering your letter.

Yours truly,

F. L. Frost, M. D.

President of the Ashley Phosphate Company.

Columbia, S. C. April 5, i!
Capt. E. Stahler,

Dear Sir: I saw your notice in several of our papers and
received your letter of March 29th, 1888. I have been ex-
pecting the surgeon who operated on you to make known his
name. I will state that I was the surgeon of the Hampton
Legion from Jime 1861 to Dec. 1863; I was then transferred
to the 2nd S. C. Cavalry, which was formerly a portion of the
Legion.'

When you were wounded, I was chief surgeon of Div.
(Hampton's) and was not connected with Gen'l. Gary's Bri-
gade which consisted of the Hampton Legion, 24th Va. and
7th S. C. Cavalry.

The surgeons of the Hampton Legion at that time were
Dr. Bozeman and Green; of the 7th S. C. C, Drs. McLaurin
and Frank Frost; the surgeon of the 24th Va. I do not know.

Col. A. C. Hashell, now Judge H., was in command of
(iary's Brigade that day. He says it was on the 7th of Oct.
and not gji the 6th.

General Lee had determined to make a general advance on
our left flank and orders had been issued ; during the night
two men deserted and informed the union army of our in-
tention, and on advancing the next morning Hashell with a
squadron charged the surprised picket post and struck Genl.

29

Kautz's Div. He claims tliat the division was made to yield
and was pursued some miles.

He himself with a man in returning toward our lines en-
countered Genl. Kautz with a body guard of 75 men and
charged the column, wounding one man in the arm and an-
other in the neck. He was shot in the head and left for dead
on the field.

Genl. Kautz caused his surgeon to examine him and place
a jacket nnder his head. The soldier with him, strange to say,
charged down the whole length of the column between the
two files and was captured uninjured.

Genl. Bratton's S. C. Brigade had the infantry brought up
to support Gary's command. Hashell and Kautz have com-
miniicated with each other and I believe have talked it over.

Our State Medical Association meets here April iith and
we would be pleased to have you come on and assist in the
search for the important person.

Col. Hashell wishes to talk it over with you. I will write
to the surgeons and see what can be learned.

Hoping to see you with us and promising you a jolly time.
I remain, Yours etc.,

B. W. Taylor.

30

ENOCH STAHLER.

MH.LKR AND SOI.DIER.

Enoch Stabler ! Men of your kind,

Who fight for their country and do their thity.

With never another thought in mind

Hut to face all odds in a cause so glorious.

Leave all craven falterers far behind !

Whatever happens, they are victorious.

And their lives have a wondrous undying beauty !

Enoch Stabler ! You need not pine

If venal tongues do not sing your praises,

If no laurel crowns round your brow entwine. —

For what need you care for reputation

Bought by dollars that rattle and shine

When you are part of that mighty Nation

Whose name moves the world and whose splendor dazes?

Enoch Stabler! Man among men.
That starry banner we call "Old (ilory"
Is purer for this — that never a stain
Was placed upon it by vile dishonor —
That such men as you again and again
Fought for our Land, and shed luster on her.
And share for ever her deathless story!
Rochester, A])ril 24th.

— I). V. II. In Rochester Posf-lLvprcss.

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