D-Day – One Sailor’s Memoir

American troops landing at Omaha Beach, with large obstacles blocking their way.

There were about 150 of us on each of the L.C.I.’s and transported over with L. C. M.’s and rafts in tow—these were all filled with explosive materials. We were given, immediately, our final destination orders and already knew the type of job to be done. On the way over we were frankly told that many of us would be killed—now that was a comforting thought. The price of freedom was going to be expensive. Our particular mortality rate was very assuredly in the 10% range of survival.

We were supposed to arrive at 0330 but must have been later as it was. nearing daylight, and things were quite visible. The others that arrived before were the Rangers and the glider corp. The gliders were engineless planes that were towed over from England and then set free. These “planes” carried combat ready troops but had it very rough as many crashed into the trees and stone walls.

Capt. Gridley is Dead

Capt. Gridley

The Brave Commander of the Olympia No More.

DIES WHILE ON HIS WAY HOME

The Fatality Probably Results From an Injury Received at Manila—No Details Known—He Was Born In Indiana, Appointed From Michigan and Served With Farragut.

Capt. Charles V. Gridley, the commander of the Olympia, Admiral Dewey’s flagship, in the Manila engagement, is dead.

Secretary Long yesterday received the following telegram from Paymaster William M. Galt, who is returning to Washington at the end of his term:

“Kobe, Japan, June 4, 1898”

“Secretary of the Navy:
“Capt. Gridley died today. Remains accompany me on Coptic. “GALT.”

June 2, 1861 – Ohio Troops in Western Virginia

On Friday, Cols. Kelly’s and Irvine’s regiments were at the burnt bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, four miles beyond Mannington, and sixty miles from Wheeling. These bridges were so far restored that trains with troops passed over.

A detachment of the Wheeling regiment was fired into at Glover’s Gap, by a rebel. He would have fired into the second train, but was shot by men who got out of the first train at a curve.

June 1, 1861 – The Case of John Merryman

John Merryman, esq., of Baltimore county, President of the Maryland Agricultural Society, was arrested on Friday of last week, by order of the Government, and taken to Fort McHenry to await an investigation on a charge of Treason. On the petition of the prisoner, Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, on Sunday issued a writ of habeas corpus, which was served on Gen. George Cadwallader directing him to produce the body of Merryman in Court by 11 o’clock, Monday.  

At the appointed hour Colonel Lee appeared in Court and slated that lie was instructed by General Cadwallader to express his regret that pressing duties in connection with his command prevented his appearing before his Honor in person, and to present his response to the writ. General Cadwallader in his reply states that Merryman was not arrested with his knowledge or by his order or direction, but by Col. Yohe acting under order of Major Keim,“ and is charged with various acts of treason, and with being publicly associated with and holding a commission as Lieutenant in a company having in their possession arms belonging to the United Slates, and avowing his purpose of aimed hostility against the Government.