Heroic Deeds in Battle.

(From the New York Sun.)

IT is such deeds as Sergeant Gaines Lawson of Company D, Fourth Tennessee Infantry, performed which are the greatest glories of humanity. It was during the engagement with the Confederates under General Joseph Wheeler at McMinnville, Tennessee. As the enemy approached the town, of which the Union forces were then in possession, Captain T. N. Reeves was ordered with his company to hold the main street east of the court-house and resist the approach of the main body of Wheeler's army, consisting of several thousand cavalry. While they were defending the street Private John M. Edington was shot in the breast and fell, as was supposed, dead. The company was ordered back fifty yards to a more commanding position across the street in the rear of the first position. No attempt was made to remove Edington, as it was supposed that his death had been instantaneous. But when the company had taken up its new position, movements in Edington's body showed that he was still alive. Rapid firing from both sides was going on right over his prostrate form. Sergeant Lawson asked for permission to leave the ranks and go after Edington. He was advised of the great danger, but was not to be dissuaded on that account. He started. A volley was fired at him, but a merciful Providence saved him from harm. Raising up the form of his wounded comrade, he carried him back to the Union line while a storm of bullets raged around him. Edington was taken into a house and died within five minutes. The character of the wound which Edington was known to have received made it one chance in a thousand that he might be saved, and yet, that he might have that one chance Sergeant Lawson willingly risked his own life.

On the second day of Chickamauga, Lieutenant Anthony Taylor, of Company A, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, had command of the couriers of General Rosecrans. When Longstreet

made the charge that broke the Union line, Lieutenant Taylor was at headquarters, on a little hill a short distance from the house owned by the Widow Glenn. As the disorganized troops fell back Lieutenant Taylor dashed forward and made heroic efforts to rally them, and, failing, was the last Federal soldier to leave that part of the field. It was Lieutenant Taylor who secured the information which led to the capture of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy.

The story of the gallantry of ColorBearer John Keggins, of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth New York Infantry is one which cannot fail to thrill any man with blood in his veins. It was at Lookout Mountain. As Geary's line swept around the point the Union artillery in the valley below was firing upon the enemy, which occupied the mountain-side. Not recognizing Geary's men, they continued shelling, greatly endangering the lines of their own troops. With that sublime courage that sometimes marks men in great emergencies, the brave Keggins jumped upon a stump, where he was fully exposed to the view of both armies, and waved his colors frantically to attract the attention of the Union battery. The rebels, surmising his object, and realizing the advantage to them of having the Union battery continue in its mistake, directed a deadly fire upon the heroic fellow. Two bullets passed through his clothes, grazing the skin, and another ploughed his hair and scalp, but he accomplished his object.

During the hottest part of the fight at Chickamauga an order came to Company F of the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteers to send a corporal to the colors quickly, as the color-guard had nearly all been killed or wounded and the colors of the regiment were in imminent peril. There was no corporal left in the company, and Captain Kilmer asked if there was a private who would volunteer. It seemed like volunteering to go to an almost certain death. There

was a moment's silence, and then Private George S. Meyer stepped forward. "I'll go," he said. As Meyer started Captain Kilmer remarked, "I will see that that man is promoted." Twenty minutes later Kilmer was killed and his

company almost annihilated. Just as Meyer reached the color-guard the man who was holding the colors was shot dead. Meyer lifted up the flag and planted it on a little knoll in the face of the enemy. He was wounded, but stood bravely by the precious emblem, only carrying it away when there were no troops left to defend it.

Adjutant Arthur McArthur, a boy eighteen years old, was with his company when the assault was made on Missionary Ridge. As the Union troops ascended the ridge in brilliant array the color-bearer was shot and killed. Mc

Arthur seized the colors from the hand of the stricken man, and, bearing them aloft, cheered his men up the mount, and was one of the first to plant the Union colors upon the crest.

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