“To go into detail, and give a minute account of the many instances of gallantry, pluck and determination displayed by the subject of our sketch, would be beyond the scope of our present purpose, as they, at the same time, would only tend to multiply instances, without lending any additional proof. But we cannot, as it directly bears on his letter of resignation, with accompanying letters of endorsement from distinguished Generals, pass over that singular and noble proof of unexampled bravery—his assuming the command of his Colonel Butler, when the latter showed signs of cowardice.
“The affair took place at Walker’s Ford, on Clinch River, in East Tennessee, where the division to which O’Neill’s regiment was attached was stationed, to dispute the passage of the Southern troops, which in large force occupied the adjacent country. O’Neill had only a few days before rejoined his command, after the illness incurred in his chase after Morgan, and was at breakfast when the alarm was given that the enemy had surprised the advanced guard, and were attacking in force. Springing on his horse, he rallied the company of picked men he commanded, and for a long time held the advancing forces of the enemy in check, to give time for others to form line of battle. But the enemy were rapidly getting in rear of the Union troops, and O’Neill fell back on the main body of his regiment, just in time to hear his Colonel cry out, ‘Oh, God! all is lost! save yourselves, men, the best way you can. Nothing is left us but retreat!’ ‘Not by a long sight!’ shouted O’Neill, as, sword in hand, he dashed in front of the mob of soldiers, upon whom panic and the example of their commander were rapidly doing the work of disorganization. ‘Men,’ continued he, turning to them, ‘all of you who mean to fight, fall in with me.’ The effect was almost miraculous. About one hundred and fifty of the fugitives rallied, and with these he drove back the advancing columns of the enemy, saved the day, and, though severely wounded in the action, remained master of the field.
“Of this attack, a correspondent of the Indianapolis Daily Journal, of January, 1864, says:
‘The rebels, finding we were retreating, determined to drive us into the river. About three hundred mounted men came over the hills, charging Company “A,” 65th Indiana, and three companies of the 5th, commanded by Col. Butler and Capt. Hodge. Our boys began to waver. The Colonel tried to rally them to no effect, when O’Neill rode up and took command. Taking a Henry rifle from one of the 65th boys, he commenced firing, at the same time yelling at the men to charge them, which they did. For about five minutes it was the most frightful scene I have ever witnessed. Out of the three hundred Confederates, only about twenty went back mounted, the balance being killed, wounded, and dismounted. A rebel officer, afterwards taken, admitted the loss of twenty killed and forty wounded in the charge. This so effectually checked them, and convinced them that a charge would not pay, that we very easily held our ground until the wagons and guns had crossed the river. But our brave Lieutenant, O’Neill, received a wound in the thigh while we were making our last stand. He rode out all day, never seeking shelter, cheering his men. When other officers had given up all as lost, he replied, “Not by a long sight.” He met with a hearty response from the men. We afterwards learned that we were fighting three brigades, among them the “Texan Rangers.”’
“There is no nobler instance of daring or pluck, or of presence of mind, or decisiveness of character, equal to any crisis, than this. But what is the sequel? The Colonel, narrow minded as he was cowardly, was piqued at young O’Neill’s gallantry in repelling the attack, which at once stamped himself with cowardice, and lowered him, as a consequence, in the estimation of his brother officers. After the battle he sent a report of the officers and non-commissioned officers whom he recommended for promotion, omitting the name of O’Neill. This was a direct insult to the man who displayed the most bravery, and had saved them from a watery grave, a fiery death, or, worse than all, an ignominious surrender. It at once aroused all that was stern in his nature—to have such a coward offer him an insult. He went to the Colonel, and demanded if it was true that he had sent the names of certain officers to the Governor for promotion, and noncommissioned officers for commissions over him, and omitted his name altogether. The Colonel replied in the affirmative. ‘Then,’ said O’Neill, ‘I shall never serve another day in your regiment.’
“We give these particulars in detail, as well as his resignation, not only on account of its boldness, but as some people try to put a different construction on the fact of his sending in his resignation at that time. Conformably with his determination, he went to his quarters, where, after a fortnight, he prepared his resignation, and sent it to headquarters. In the interim, the Colonel sent one day to know if he would drill the regiment. O’Neill sent back to know if it was an order or a request; on being assured it was the latter, he complied. He was expecting to be arrested every day; but the Colonel was too much of a coward, as he was afraid the consequences would be rather unpleasant. After a few weeks, his resignation was sent to headquarters, with letters of disapproval—but endorsing his complaints, and testifying to his bravery and efficiency—from Gens. Sturges and Stoneman. Comments on these letters would be superfluous, as they speak forcibly for themselves.
“CAMP NEAR PARIS, KENTUCKY, April 7th, 1864.
“Sir: I have the honor herewith to tender my resignation as First
Lieutenant of Company ‘I,’ 5th Cavalry, 90th Regiment Indiana
Volunteers, on account of promotions in the regiment, which have
placed men over me whom I cannot consistently serve under. Some of
them, Captains, have been Sergeants in the same regiment since I
have been First Lieutenant; and while I have a high regard for these
officers personally, I can never allow myself to be commanded by
them in the field.
“I served in the regular army nearly four years, in Utah,
California, and on the Peninsula: as private, Corporal, Sergeant,
and acting-Sergeant-Major, and have been in the regiment, as
Lieutenant, sixteen months.
“The enclosed copies of letters from Generals Hodson, Judah and
Stoneman, with others from the present Colonel of my regiment, and
the former, Colonel Graham, recommending me to Governor Morton, for
the position of field-officer in one of the regiments being
organized in Indiana, will show that I am not undeserving of
promotion in my own regiment, and that I have some cause to be
dissatisfied with not receiving it, and with having officers placed
over me whom, in point of military knowledge and experience, I
cannot regard as my superiors.
“I certify, on honor, that I am not indebted to the United States
on any account whatever, and that I am not responsible for any
government property, except what I am prepared to turn over to the
proper officer on the acceptance of my resignation, and that I was
last paid by Major Haggerty to include the twenty-ninth of February,
1864.
“Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
“JOHN O’NEILL, First Lieut., Co. ‘I,’ 5th Ind. Cav.
“Rather a bold epistle this! He tells his commander squarely he will not serve under officers whom he considers his inferiors in military knowledge. We shall now give the accompanying letters to which he refers, from Generals Sturges, Judah and Stoneman, which furnish unquestionable proof of his ability and military capacity. These letters, from men of fine military experience, are very high references of O’Neill’s ability. The following is that from Major-General Stoneman:—
“HEADQUARTERS 23D ARMY CORPS, March 8th, 1864.
“I knew Lieut. O’Neill well on the Peninsula, and as a brave and
worthy officer, in whose judgment and capacity I had the greatest
confidence. I hope he will receive the promotion to which his merits
entitle him, that of a field-officer in a colored regiment.
“GEORGE STONEMAN, Major-Gen., Com’g. Corps.
“That from General Judah is equally as commendatory. If the one refers to his bravery on the Peninsula, the other testifies equally to his daring during the war:—