Adjutant Howard Cooke, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth regiment N. Y. V., at
Port Hudson, related the following incidents of the battle of the fourteenth of June:
Drummer Alex. Clearwater especially distinguished himself by his exertions in carrying off the wounded.
He took charge of a squad of four negroes, and went through the field in discharge of his duties unmindful of the balls which were flying around thick as rain.
He was wounded while trying to rescue General Paine--the same fate that met all others who attempted it.
Wouldn't you like to hear of Col. Lew. Benedict?
He led a charge down on the left, and with his colorbearer reached the top of the parapet.
Here the sergeant was killed by a shell, and the Colonel seized the color, when his regiment being forced back, he was compelled to retire, which he did without injury.
The following is an extract of a letter from
Adjutant S. B. Meech, of the Twenty-sixth Connecticut, written after the battle:
I saw Colonel Benedict standing just in front of me, where I was wounded on the edge of the ravine, looking intently at the rebel works, while bullets and shells were flying about very thick.
He walked to the rear as composedly as if he was out for a stroll.
I think he is a fine officer.
One of his officers died in this hospital this A. M. Lieutenant Haven, I think, was his name.
