For Conspicuous Bravery

Everybody in Ann Arbor and a great many throughout the county know Comrade Conrad Noll, and those who do know hiia wlll be pleased to learn that even at this late day, more than 32 years after the oconrrence of the deed of bravery a gratefal country has recoguized aud sent to hiin the reward of that bravery. Receutly Mr. Noll received a letter from Col. F. H. Ainsworth, askiug hirn if be was Corporal Conrad Noll, who -was recommended to receive 'a medal for gallantry at Spottsylvania, May 12, 18(54, and wbether he had ever received such recognition. He wrote back that he was and also sent his discharge to Col. Ainsworth, accompanied by au affidavit to the effect that he was the person naiued. A week ago last Saturday Comrade Noll received from Washington a brouze medal bearing this insoription : "Cougress to Conrad Noll, Sergeant, Co. D, 20th Michigan Volunteers, for gallantry exhibited at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1804." The rnedal was aocompanied by the f ollowing letter : "Record aud Pension Office, "War Depaitmeut, "Washington City, July 28, 1896. "Mr. Conrad Noll, "Late Sergeant, Co. D, COti Mich. Vol., Aun Arbor. Miobigan. "Sir: - I have the honor to iuform yon that, by directiou of the President aud in accordauce with the act of Congress approved March 3, 1863, providiug for the presentation of inedals of honor to such officers, non-commissioued offleers and privates as have most distiuguished themselves iu actiou the assistant secretary of war has awarded you a medal of honor for most distinguished gallantry in action at Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864. "In uiaking the award the assistant secretary nsed the following language: " 'This non-coiurnissioued officer seized the colors, the oolor-bearer having been shot down, and gallantly fought bis way out with them, thongh the enemy were on the left flank and rear. ' "The medal has been forwarded to you today by registered mail. Upon the receipt of it please advise this office thereof. "Your discharge certifícate is herewith returned. " Very respectfnl y, "F. H. AINSWORTH, "Colonel, U. S. Army, "Chief, Record and Pension Office." On receipt of the medal Mr. Noll made the following auswer acknowledgiug it: "A. H. Ainswoith, "Colonel, U. S. Army, "Washington, D C. "I acknowledge the receipc of the houorary medal and return my sincere and heartfelt thanks to our government for the honor thns conferred upon me. I shall whenever occasion occurs wear it with honor aud pride over a loyal and patriotic heart, and feel happy to think that our glorious aud great country enjoys tbe blessing of peace, happiness and unity, after snob a great struggle between brothers. May it last forever. "CONRAD NOLL." The facts leading up to Mr. Noli receiving the medal, briofly told are as follows : At the battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse, May 12, 18(54, whictf was oue of the hottest battles of the war, the brigade of which the 20th Michigan was a part, was ordered to charge ou au 18 gun battery. Wheu less thau 100 yards away the battery opened fire with grape and canister on the devoted men who composed the regiment, and eary second man in the 20th Michigan was killed, woundbd or taken prisoner, 148 being left after the engagement was over, 50 being killed outright. There were only two in the regiment who did not have a bullet hole somewhere through tbeir clothing. Wben within less than 20 yards of tua enemy, Co. E stooped behiud a clump of bazel brush to shelter itself iu a measure frona the hail of bullets. The bushes were very shortly mowed to the gruuud as though cut by a sickle. Mr. Noll then pulled bis knapsack over his head to protect himself from the leaden hail and his blanket was left rolled up on his shoulders. When he got through that fearful fighc he found the blanket cut completely in two by the bullets which had struck him. The command being given them to rise a hand to hand n'ght with the enemy ensued iu which the color sergeant had his arm shot ofï. Mr. Noll, who was one of the color corporal3 grasped the colcrs aud called out "Boy?, rally rouud the flag. " They d'd rally and the regiment fonght its way tluough the rebels. One incident of that desparate encouuter will ahvays live fresh in the minds of the old boys of the 20th. Capt. Porter, of Co. E, was called on by the rebel captain to surrender. To this demand Porter made answer "No, by gosh, I guess not. But, you come with me!" and grasping the southerner by the collar of his coat, Porter carried him off a prisoner to the union lines Early in July the same year, Mr. Noll was lying in the hospital at Petersburg, haviug been wounded in the leg by a mine explosión, when his promotion to sergeant was brought to him and also word that he had been recommended for a medal for gallantry at Spottsylvania by Major General Parker, and that the recommendation had been forwarded to Washington. As bafore stated it was 32 years before Mr. Noll heard anything more of it, but he is just as proud of it as if he had received it in 1864.