Physical Training For The Soldier:

The importance of physical training to him who goes into battle, whether officer or soldier, can have no better illustration then in achievments [sic] during the late battle of Chancelloreville [sic] of the captain of the color company of the 102d Regiment, N.Y.V. a man thoroughly trained in the use of his muscles and his sword. After a desperate hand to hand conflict with a captain and a color sergeant of the 12th Georgia, he finally wrenched away the sword of the captain, a stalwart six footeer [sic] disarmed the color sergeant, tearing his colors from the flag-staff, when he found two more butternuts upon him. Seizing his musket from one by sheer strength, sent him spinning on his back, and then seized the other, an ambulance sergeant in three minutes having taken without assistance, one captain, two sergeants and one private. The name of this hero is William Nelson Green. He retains the sword by leave of his Brigadier General, and the flag was sent to Gen. Hooker by his order. {N.Y. Tribune

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 30, 1863