By "One Who was There
[Written expressly for the Northern Indianian] by Reub Williams
William R. Sapp, 20th Ind
As proposed in our preceding number, we shall devote some space
to giving publicity to deeds of daring and adventure has performed
by our Kosciusko boys. In doing which we know of nothing more
deserving of mention then the military life and services of Sergeant
William R. Sapp. To all of our towns people he was well known
as a bright and promising youth. Possessing all the dash and courage
so essential to the success of the soldier, it is to be regretted
that his death came so soon, and our country deprived of the services
of so gallant a soldier.
It was early in the summer of 1861 when our hero, fired by the
reports sounded from the battlefield, and feeling it his imperative
duty to step forward and join the ranks of our country's defenders,
that he enlisted as a private of Company C, 20th Indiana.
To speak of his choice of a regiment in which to win for himself
bright laurels would be useless. The history of the 20th Indiana
Volunteers is known to every intelligent citizen of our country.
Its conduct on a hundred bloody fields attests its gallantry and
the material of which it was composed, and the fact that it was
one of the five regiments selected from the Army of the Potomac
for the purpose of quelling the New York riots speaks favorably
for its discipline and the high regard entertained for it by the
army commanders.
Shortly after his enlistment the regiment was ordered to the east
to take part in the great struggles soon to take place on the
sacred soil of the Old Dominion. From this time forward he was
engaged with his regiment in all the great battles of the east,
till his death in 1864. Among the actions in which the Twentieth
were engaged, are the second battle of a Bull Run, Williamsburg,
Yorktown, Chancellorville, Chickahominy Swamp, Seven Pines, and
Malvern Hills. During the two fearful assaults upon Fredericksburg,
and that glorious but terrible battle of Gettysburg, their conduct
reflected credit on not only themselves, but the whole Hoosier
State.
At Hatteras Inlet the Regiment acquired a double fame. Warring
not only with traitors on the one hand, they had to encounter
the danger of the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
Having been landed on a barren Sandy isle at low tide, they came
near being swept off entire by the tide as it came in. Losing
all their baggage and effects, they considered themselves fortunate
in escaping with their lives.
During all these trials, Will remained at the post of danger ,
and from all we can learn regarding his course in the army, we
can only arrive at the conclusion that he was a model soldier.
Of this we are assured from the fact that after a long period
of faithful service, he was rewarded by an appointment as a Corporal
in his company, and afterwards when the Twentieth was reduced
to a skeleton regiment by battle and disease, he was further advance
to the grade of Sergeant-certainly a mark of distinction in so
gallant a regiment. He continued to hold this position until his
death.
They had reserved for him to remain an honored member of his command
until the close of the rebellion was at hand, and just when the
dark and lowering cloud which had darkened our land for so long,
was beginning to rend assunder, and the "silverlining"
was becoming visible, and Will was congratulating himself upon
a safe return to the "loved ones at home" his end was
drawing near. A hard and cruel fate it seemed indeed which would
crush to atoms this happy dream of love, and leave his airy fabric
a baseless vision.
It was during the ever memorable campaign of 1864, our hero fell;
at a time when the grandest campaign ever known in modern times
was being inaugurated. Lt. Gen. Grant's perseverance and genius,
backed by a million of muskets, was beginning to tell up on the
enemy. The army of the Potomac was again moving upon Richmond.
The Wilderness was reached by conquering obstacles which had before
been deemed impregnable.
On the morning of the fifth of May, 1864, the columns of the opposing
armies were all moved into position for the dreaded slaughter;
to re-enact the scenes of horror occasioned by the first battle.
Here, as on former fields, the advantage rested with the enemy;
he had been allowed all the time and labor necessary to render
the naturally strong position nearly impregnable. Every foot of
the ground in front of our army now bristled with gleaming bayonets.
The very nature of the ground precluded the use of artillery to
any important extent; consequently the fortunes of the day rested
in a great measure upon the bayonet. Nothing daunted Gen. Grant,
[who] at once adopted the offensive. The various corps and regiments
silently took their places in the prescribed order for the assault.
All knew that bloody work was before them, and that many of their
number must find their graves on that dreary field.
It was early in the conflict that the gallant Second Corps defiled
into line preparatory to the assault, and took their position
midst the swamps and morasses of the Wilderness in front of the
enemy's line.
When all was in readiness the bugle sounded the advance, and our
long lines advanced to the assault. In a short time the rattle
and crash of musketry tells us that the murderous work is progressing,
and that our boys are fast finding their graves amidst those dark
and dreary woods. For hours there is no lull the conflict. But
at length comes the announcement that the Second Corps had carried
the enemy's line in their front, capturing large numbers of prisoners,
colors, munitions of war, etc. Victory perches upon the banners
of the old Second Corps. But the gladness of all is tempered by
the fact that thousands of our brave boys lie dead or dying on
the route. Yes! Thousands who but a few hours before held a living,
tangible existence, had appeared at the bar of God, to render
up their account of all earthly things.
Among the regiments of the Corps that had particularly distinguished
themselves, was the Twentieth, which had again as always before,
covered itself with glory. It had been among the first to pierce
the enemy's line and plant its colors on their works.
During that fearful charge, one of the most brilliant which history
records, the brave men of the twentieth, went down like stubble
before the fire. Our hero was among those, who in the moment of
victory, was launched into eternity. When victory was barely won,
he received the wound which sent his spirit to Him who gave it.
Receiving a severe wound in the thigh which shattered it so badly
that he could only fall to die, surviving only a few hours. When
all was over, the mortal remains of William R. Sapp were consigned
to the damp and mouldy clay of the Wilderness, where the cheering
rays of the sun could scarce enter to make the solitude more supportable.
Here his remains reposed until the close of the war, which allowed
his bereaved friends to secure them that they might consign them
to the family lot in the village cemetery of his own loved home,
there to repose near the remains of a dearly loved sister, who
had also found her mast resting place on earth.
It was in November, 1865, a dark and dismal afternoon, I was passing
where had been his home in life and strength, when I was asked
to assist in removing a package from the wagon of the American
Express Company. I complied. But a chilll pervaded my whole system
when I assisted in removing a long, strong box, and saw that the
volunteer had returned! Will Sapp had come home for the
last time.
The next day we took our places in the sad procession which followed
the remains to the grave. A few moments after, he who had left
us with the bloom of health mantling his cheek, was laid to rest
in the quiet grave yard, there to remain, a touching monument
to our national honor, until the morn of the Resurection.
Northern Indianian April 5, 1866
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