Harlan J. Swift
Petersburg, VA
07/30/64
AN IMPROVISED BODYGUARD
WHEN on the 30th of July, 1864, the Confederate works at
Petersburg were converted by the explosion of Lieutenant-Colonel
Pleasants' mine into the horrible "Crater," Company H, of the
Second New York Mounted Rifles, dismounted, was posted about 100
feet away from the enemy's works and with the crash and tumult of
the explosion they received the order to charge with the
remainder of the brigade across a small rise of ground and take
position at the first line of the Confederate defenses. Second
Lieutenant Harlan J. Swift, of Company H, a medal winner in this
affair, relates:
" Of course it was hot work, but was in no way a surprise,
because our entire line had been waiting long for just such an
experience. We reached the objective point in short order, to
see the enemy going pell-mell toward their second line of
defense, a considerable distance away on the Jerusalem plank
road. As we reached the top of the first line I could see
several Confederates not far off, and, calling my company to
halt, I sprinted on after the fugitives. I was very good on my
feet and soon overhauled four of the men who, with guns loaded
and bayonets fixed, had given me such a stubborn chase.
" Placing the muzzle of my revolver against the temple of one of
the 'Johnnies' while still running, I ordered the four to
surrender, which they did instantly, fancying, I suppose, that I
had my whole company at my back. Then I formed them on either
side and in front of me-as a protection against possible shots
from their more speedy companions-and so marched them back to our
line."
Source: Deeds of Valor, p. 404
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