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Poor “Dirk” Russell. the veteran gob d:er of many battles, died too soon. For a quarter of a century he tried to find the ''onfederate soldier who wrested from his breast at Gettysburg the Gen Kearney medal for bravery, which he had worn In other actions.He almost worshipped Gen Kearney did this private of the Rhode Island bat-tery, and the medal which commemorated the enviable end of that gallant commander at the head of his soldiers at t’h an titty was prized by Russell aboveall other relies and treasures.The battery to which Russell belonged, battery K, 1st U I L A. was composed offellows who knew no fcifr. Their guns were advanced right in the teeth of the foe, and these they thundered away until captured by overwhelming numbers ordered to retire, Private Dick Russell paused to spike the gun and make it unserviceable for the enemy, but the d» lay brought him In contact with a tall confederate, whose sword stroke cut the m» dal from the gunner’s breast, Russell hastened to obey the repeated orders of his otth er, and as he leapedover a caisson the confederate grabbed the medal.When the war was over the government presented the brave soldier with abronze medal for bravery, but he didnot value it m highly as that Kearneymedal, lost at Gettysburg.He died a few year* ago, and duringthe week Of Ids death he spoke of themedal and hoped if it * ver turned up his son would keep it as an heirloom and pass It down to posterity in memory of the dead general fit whose honor the medal was struck. *And now it has come to light, and on Wednesday Mayor McGuinimss had the pleasure of putting it into the bunds of Dick s widow.The name ol the confederate swordsman was Dancer. If* has held themedal for 30 years as a memento of hi* share in the capture of that battery, but a fortnight ago he thought it would make him f»*el betur to restore it to the gallant Irish euluier. He sent it tothe thiy or. ■ 1 ; ' :
Newspaper Details
Boston Sunday Globe
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Sun, Feb 21, 1897
Page 78
Full Page
Clipped by
Bob V.
USA 20 Jul 2019
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