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1893
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July 1893
SEVERAL important papers, intended for this VETERAN, must wait for September. Mrs. Elizabeth Ustick McKinney, of Moberly, Mo. writes fully the history of the Missouri Confederate Home. A Grand Army veteran gives " the fate of two flags," the Forty ninth Georgia and Second Wisconsin, asplendid sketch of Hon. Eugene A. Nisbet, author of Secession Resolutions in Georgia, a thrilling story of Gen. Adams in battle of Franklin, by Tom M. Gore, Walthall, Miss., the history of the Confederate uniform, accounts of various reunions, and a multitude of gratifying indorsements of the VETERAN, by individuals and organizations, which cannot be gotten into this issue. A poem, " Nature's Heralds of Fame," by James G. Holmes, of Charleston, and " A Boy's Opinion of General Lee," by Jno. B. Colyar, of Nashville, are also of the list. His father was a Confederate Congressman.
Confederate Veteran August 1893.
JUST as the VETERAN goes to press an exquisite pamphlet is discovered in what was thought to be only a duplicate copy of the fourth edition of the Confederate Veteran Association Annual of Kentucky. It is a "heart tribute,"by Joseph M. Jones, Adjutant General and Chief of Staff to John Boyd, Major General commanding the Kentucky Division. Both publications will be reviewed for the September VETERAN.
THE location for the Confederate Monument in Oakwoods, Chicago, is a low place, in very black soil. The graves are in circular ridges around the point on which the monument is to be erected. There are no headstones to the place, nor other mark, except the ridges, save one headstone, on which is neatly carved, "James W. Leak, Company C., First Alabama Regiment. Died Feb. 12, 1865, aged 20 years, 2 months, 14 days."
THE Old South (Coleman, Texas), protests against the perpetual use of illustrations whereby " the Federal warrior is always a neat, trim, clean shaven, closecropped chap with honesty and candor stamped on the brave young face, while the wearer of the gray has an abnormally heavy and long moustache, a goatee hanging down upon his breast, and a great shock of hair falling to his shoulders, covered with a broad slouch hat, under which is a surly face with a villainous eye. In these pictures we detect the had of ignorance when we know it is not malice. When the Confederate is made to speak it is ' You'uns or we'uns,' which is not idiomatic of the language of the South."
IT was a gracious and proper thing for the Grand Army of Veterans to endeavor to return trophies to the Confederates at their reunion in Washington City last summer. A picture of Mr. Theo. Cooley was sent to J. W. Lawless, Commander of Post No. I, at Nashville, who delivered it to the owner after nearly three eventful decades. In returning thanks for the picture Mr. Cooley states that it is one of a half dozen that he had taken at Huntsville, Ala., late in December, 1861. The picture was taken from him. while with a large number of prisoners at Stevenson, Ala., a few days afterward. In this letter Mr. Cooley pays high tribute to the late Lieut. Holiday Ames, who was of the 102d Ohio, whose generosity to him, when a prisoner, made them close friends ever afterward. The gallant Federal officer, in delivering last messages before his death, remembered this friend in Tennessee.
THEIR GAME OF POKER WAS SPOILED.
L. T. Dickinson, Adjutant N. B. Forest Camp, Chattanooga, Tenn., gives this vivid sketch. Many a veteran will remember how true it was to life. Comrade Dickinson writes: "This sketch represents an incident which occurred in the autumn of 1862, and of which I was an eye witness. Col. Wm. E. Jones' brigade of cavalry was raiding in West Virginia, we were halted in a road leading into the town of Moorefield, Hardy county, while our advance was trying to ascertain the number of yankees in the town. There was always a number ( and a good big number, too, ) of gamblers in the army who never missed a chance of plying their trade, and always carried with them the tools to do it with. Our company was no exception to this rule. While halting as above stated. several of our card fiends climbed the fence of an adjoining cornfield, where the shocks were still standing and where they could procure all the 'chips' in the shape of gra.ins of corn they were looking for. Spreading an oil cloth on the ground, the game of poker proceeded, with much interest to the participants, when, suddenly, there came a b o o m from a neighboring hill, followed with a 'where is ye whereis ye where is ye bang!' A shell had struck the ground and bursted about twenty feet from the poker players, scattering a cart load of dirt over the card party, but hurting no one. All the players fell over one another in a heap, save one, Charlie Hutton by name, of Company A, Maryland battalion. He held a ' full house,' three aces and a pair of tens, and there were 'chips' enough up to feed his horse for a day. Not even the boom rattle smash, with the accompanying load of dust, could persuade him to throw up his hand. As he lay back on his elbow with one foot in the air, he yelled out in the direction of the yankees, ' Say, you fellows over there, don't be careless with them things.' Charlie was heartbroken that the only 'call' he got was from the musical voice of the bugler, who quickly sounded 'Mount.' Gen. Jones had use for us in a little game of bluff of his own. Our battalion was quickly sent off to drag brush on a dusty road to make the yankees believe another brigade was coming up."
F. C. Marsden, Shreveport, La.: "Inclosed find postal note for three subscriptions. Let the truth be known, it only adds new laurels to the fame of the boys in gray, and the matchless women of the South." He again sends four more subscriptions.
Confederate Veteran August 1893.
U. C. V. REUNION AT BIRMINGHAM.
The Birmingham reunion, it is generally known, has been changed to October 2 and 3) from September 15 and 16. Many good reasons were assigned for this second change, and rain or shine, hot or cold, there is to be no further postponement. It is greatly desired that there be a large attendance at the unveiling of the Confederate Monument at Chicago. It is the only monument in honor or in memory of Confederate dead on Northern soil. Gen. John B. Gordon will preside at the Chicago meeting, and Hon. W. C. P. Breckinridge will make the oration. The official programme is as follows:
1. Meeting to be called to order by Commander of Camp Hardee, in a few remarks, who will introduce the Rev. Dr. Thos. R. Markham, Chaplain General of the United Confederate Veterans.
2. Prayer by Dr. Markham.
3. Introduction of Gov. Jones, of Alabama, who will deliver the address of welcome.
4. The Chair will introduce Gen. John B. Gordon, Commander in Chief, who will reply to the Governor's address of welcome and address the Convention.
5. Commanding General will call the Convention to order.
6. Roll of Camps called and registration of delegates. 7. Appointment of Committee on Credentials. 8. Appointment of Committee on Resolutions. 9. Poem, "The Veterans of the South," to be read by the author, Henry Clay Fairman.
10. Annual oration by .
11. Report of Committee on Credentials.
12. Reports of officers and standing committees.
13. Reports of special committees.
14. Unfinished business.
15. New business,
l6. Election of officers.
17. Installation of officers.
There will be a grand review at 5 P. M. on the evening of the 15th, all of the old soldiers marching in line, crippled in carriages, and at which time it is expected that all the Confederate Generals now living will review the parade, and at its conclusion personally receive their old comrades. There will also be a barbecue during the Convention complimentary to the veterans. On the night of the 15th there will be an entertainment in the Winnie Davis Wigwam illustrative of the history of the Confederate States. Each State will be represented by one of its most beautiful girls.
Camp Forrest, of Chattanooga, proposes to give a barbecue on the battle field of Chickamauga, and an excursion rate of one dollar for round trip from Birmingham, which it is hoped will enable every old soldier to visit this, one of the great battle fields of the war.
Gen. John C. Underwood, commanding the Department of the Northwest, United Confederate Veterans, has arranged for an excursion from Birmingham to Chicago, Johnson's Island, and other points of interest, for a round trip rate of $10. This is a renewal of the rate made for July. At Chicago they will participate in dedicating the Confederate Monument there.
One of the most important things to be considered at the reunion is the report of the special committee appointed at the last Convention to recommend a suitable history of the United States for.the use of our children, and to condemn histories now in use that are unfair and unjust to American valor.
LETTER TO MRS. GRANT, AND HER REPLY.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA., July 4, 1893. Mrs. U. S. Grant
Dear Madam: At a largely attended meeting of Camp Hardee, No. 39, U. C. V., to day, a resolution was unanimously adopted inviting you to attend the reunion of the Confederate Veterans to be held in this city on the 15th and 16th of September next, as the guest of this Camp.
It becomes my duty and pleasure, as Commander of the Camp, to extend this invitation to you, and to assure you that the men who wore the gray will extend to you a welcome as genial as our Southern sun, and will be proud to do honor to the illustrious lady who was so cordial in her reception of Mrs. Davis. We feel that your presence at this reunion will be good for you and for us good for our common country, and that it will testify to the world that the people of the South, those who fought from conviction, and maintained, for four long years, the unequal contest, have nothing in their hearts but respect for the brave and true men who opposed them, and are ready now, should occasion require, to show their willingness to uphold and defend the Union of our fathers.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Jos. F. JOHNSTON, Commander.
MERRYWEATHER FARM, WESTCHESTER Co., N. Y., July 18, 1893. Jos. F. Johnston, Commander Camp W. J. Hardee, No. 39, U. C. V.
My Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of July fourth, containing the compliment of an invitation to me to attend the reunion of Confederate Veterans in Birmingham on the 15th and 16th of September next. My time at that date is already engaged, but I have systematically declined all such invitations, as I have received, to attend reunions of your brothers of the Northern armies on the score of not being able to endure the fatigues of such occasions.
I do not doubt that your veterans would do every thing, consistent with the object of their meeting, to add to my pleasure during my visit. Gen. Grant was conscious of a generally friendly feeling toward himself in the breasts of Confederate soldiers, and your unanimous resolution inviting me, his widow, to this reunion evidences that his belief was well founded. Will you please thank the members of your Post, at their next meeting, for the honor they have wished to do me? Yours very truly, JULIA DENT GRANT.
The meeting of Tennessee Division of Confederate Soldiers at Jackson has been changed from October II and 12 to October 18 and 19, so that all Tennessee Veterans who want to go to Chicago can return home in good time for the Birmingham reunion. An official order has been issued by the President, Hon. John M. Taylor, and sent out b
Miss Minnie Hill, Culpeper, Va.: "I inclose postal note for $3, with names of six subscribers to the CONFEDERATE VETERAN. I feel the greatest interest in your work, and will do all I can to aid in the cause so dear to all southern people."
Confederate Veteran August 1893.
THE counsel of a friend is that the VETERAN is advertising the war journal, prefixed by the sacred name Confederate, to its profit. This consideration has not been overlooked, but this friend is informed that Confederates are a peculiar people. Their intense devotion to the cause for which they sacrificed " every thing save honor," is too sacred for them not to be positively exacting in regard to the literature they use. There never was in the history of journalism perhaps before this, such zeal on the part of so many people in behalf of any publication absolutely gratuitous. When the VETERAN subscription list was published in April a friend seemed surprised, and said that the war journal would utilize it, but that did not deter its publication. The VETERAN has had its own say on the subject, and did not expect to refer to it any more unless to emphasize the importance of sustaining publications of merit, and not to be deceived by a name. A recent letter from a highly responsible gentleman in Missouri contains the following:
* **l despise a hypocrite, and to see a wolf in sheep's clothing trying to play the friend of the South. I have had all the numbers sent me, and outside of the statistics it is no good, for I have failed to see one solitary sentence of Southern sentiment in any of them, coming from the editor or publishers. They must have in some way got on to your subscription list, for I think all I have seen lately have had copies sent them. I suppose they are getting ashamed of their old war wood cuts, as they are soliciting the loan of the pictures of a long list of Southern Generals, Governors, Congressmen and Senators, as they say, to have them copied and published in the war journal.
What do you think of a column in the VETERAN for questions and answers, and for inquiry for old friends and comrades? Do not let up in your good work, for you have the backing of every subscriber to the VETERAN. Hope to see 10,000 subscribers by January '94.
The zeal in trying to get that publication into every place where the VETERAN has patronage belies the professed friendship in the LaBree letter published in July. It was known by the ostensible head of that publication that the editor of the VETERAN had quite limited resources, and the idea that his associates could down the VETERAN by heading its soulless journal with our own name must have been captivating. Remember that it was started three months after the VETERAN, and never showed it a courtesy until after three months more, when it became apparent that the Southern people were determined to sustain a representative of their own in heart and experience. A subscription has just come from Washington that was not wanted. The compliment (?) is not returned. Never have I paid a penny for the sheet. Its patronage could not in any way be beneficial to the South. Friends of the VETERAN should see to it that a publication only half as large as it, on inferior paper at double the price, should not be supported by Southern money if they can help it.
FUNDS FOR THE GREAT MONUMENT.
IT was expected that a statement of amounts received for Davis Monument at Richmond would appear in this issue of the VETERAN, but requested reports have not been received at time of going to press. It is desirable and important that our people be well informed on this subject before the annual reunion at Birmingham, at which time the situation should be discussed and
co operative action taken by every patriot who desires a typical Southern monument, of which all the people will be proud.
MRS. C. I MALONE, of New York, has sent to S. A. Cunningham $25, and Mr. J. M. Arnold, of Covington, Ky" has sent to him $36, which amounts have been forwarded to Treasurer Ellett, at Richmond.
MRS. SARAH E. BREWER, of Nashville, has secured and paid to S. A. Cunningham three subscriptions of $100 each from W. T. Hardison, Nat. F. Dortch, and John M. Gaut, all of Nashville. This sum ($300) has been forwarded to Richmond.
MEMPHIS, TENN., May 31, 1893. Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, President Jefferson Davis Monument Association
Dear Sir: It is my pleasure to inform you that at a meeting of the Ladies Confederate Memorial Association of this place, held at the Peabody Hotel May 29th, this organization, which I have the honor to represent, decided, by an unanimous vote, to supplement our Jefferson Davis Monument Fund, a total of $345.82, by an appropriation $154.18 from funds of our Association, and to forward at once to your Treasurer, Mr. John S. Ellett, the round sum of $500. Our only regret is that it is not five thousand. This seems a time most fitting to cast in our mite toward the erection of the great monument to the memory of our beloved leader. May it soon tower toward the sky! In this connection let me say that we have for some time been accumulating a "Jefferson Davis Monument Fund" by a system of contribution boxes which had, up to last December, yielded only the meager sum of $54.87, and we had grown ashamed of the pittance with such a dignified title, so we made a bold venture and hired a professional concert company, "The Swedish Quartette," and our Grand Opera House, for one night, decking it profusely with bunting, ribbon and gray moss (Confederate colors), advertised largely the company and the cause, and cleared $290.95, although our expenses had been more than $300. Our treasurer, Mrs. O. E. Bayliss, has this day forwarded
229 Confederate Veteran August 1893.
a draft to Mr. Ellett. When "times" are better we hope Memphis may do better.
Very respectfully, MRS. KELLER ANDERSON.
Jefferson Davis Monument Association, Rooms of the President, Richmond, Va., June 6, 1893. Mrs. Keller Anderson, Memphis, Tenn.
Dear Madam: Your esteemed favor of May 31st received, in which you inform me that you have forwarded to our treasurer five hundred ($500) dollars for the Jefferson Davis Monument Fund. I beg leave to assure you of our very cordial appreciation of this generous donation on the part of the Ladies' Confederate Memorial Association of Memphis. We feel greatly encouraged at this manifestation of your hearty interest in the work we have undertaken of erecting a memorial to the President of the Confederate States. Your example will doubtless stimulate others to help in this good work. I will take this opportunity to inform you that the laurel wreath which was forwarded to my care was placed with my own hands on the casket of President Davis as it lay in state in the capitol building of this city. I took the card which accompanied the wreath and presented it to Mrs. Davis, who was very much touched at this remembrance from her old friends.
With sincere esteem, I am respectfully yours, J. TAYLOR ELLYSON.
Our Association sent a laurel wreath a crown of victory as a final tribute to onr beloved President, Jefferson Davis, " whose patriotism barely missed the gleam which shines upon the laurel leaves of victory." MRS. KELLER ANDERSON.
Geo. E. Boggs, Waynesville, North Carolina: "A friend has called my attention to the fact that you do not give my name correctly in your list of contributors to the Davis monument fund at this place. You give it Wm. Boggs. There is no such person here. Please send me a sample copy of your paper."
ABOUT THE BATTLE OF SABINE PASS.
To THE EDITOR : The June issue of the CONFEDERATE VETERAN contained an article on the battle of Sabine Pass, Texas, September 8, 1863, sent you by myself. I did not write the article, but revised it by request. I am reliably informed that that description of the fight was in all essentials correct.
The July issue of the VETERAN contains a letter, sent from the Confederate Home at Austin, and credited to Mike Carr, a survivor of the battle, discrediting the article published in June, and reflecting upon Mr. Jack White, whose name appears in the June article as authority for many of the facts therein stated. Carr's (?) letter wa.s a surprise to everybody here who know him and Jack White. With the people of Houston, whom Capt. Jack White has served officially and otherwise for more than twenty years past, his word is as good as his bond. And now to correct the great injustice done him, I request that you give equal publicity to the following, which Mr. White has just handed me:
CONFEDERATE HOME, July 24, 1893.
FRIEND JACK There is an article in the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, published at Nashville, Tenn., having my name attached as author. I hereby denounce the article as fraudulent. No person had any authority to write such an article or to sign my name to it. wrote the article. * * * *
Respectfully, your friend, MICHAEL CARR.
I have no inclination to enter into any discussion with or any one else upon this question, but simply ask that justice be done Jack White, whom I believe to be the personification of truth, honor and valor. He is a plain, rugged old Irishman, nearing the grave, and so far as I can do so, I shall always seek to protect him against defamation under cover of forged names. I know how he was regarded by Maj. Dick Dowling, who was my personal friend, ana if he were alive he would indorse every word I have said about " Captain Jack."
Yours fraternally, Houston, Texas, July 30. WILL LAMBERT.
Before the above correspondence was received the editor regretted the misfortune of having published the letter accredited to Carr, although supposing it to be true. This little publication is not to be a channel for controversy. It was an oversight to permit an article criticising a gallant soldier. The objectionable sentence should have been erased. Mr. Carr gives the name of author of the article, which is omitted to avoid further controversy. Comrade Lambert, I am sure, will grant this omission.
No, comrades, our generals quarreled too much. Those who were conspicuous in controversy are nearly all dead, and we too are passing away. The VETERAN will not thoughtfully permit another ugly sentence about a comrade that can do nobody any good.
Vic Reinhardt, Terrell, Texas Dear VETERAN: J. E. B. Stuart Camp, No. 45, U. C. V., had its annual reunion August 3, near the city. There was no programme. The crowd began to assemble about 9 A. M., and increased until there were two thousand or more. Mr. Hal Manson, of Rockwall, Capt. Daniel, of Forney, Dr. J. A. Anthony, Rufus Choate, and a few others, made short talks. It was a real reunion of veterans, lying around and doing as they pleased, generally found in groups, telling of the days long ago. The meeting was a success. The CONFEDERATE VETERAN was spoken of in words of praise, and many new subscribers promised. I send you eight herewith.
A. H. McAllister, Cotton Plant, Miss., July 31 Editor CONFEDERATE VETERAN : I take pleasure in reporting the organization of a Camp at New Albany, Miss., on July I, which was named Camp Gen. M. P. Lowry, in honor of one who was as good a soldier as served in the Southern army, and who was a true soldier of the cross as well, having distinguished himself prior to his death, in 1885, as a leading Baptist divine in our State. We enrolled over eighty members at our first meeting. We expect to hold our next meeting on the first Saturday in September, when we anticipate at least one hundred more to enroll with us.
Gainesville, Texas, August 1 Editor VETERAN: At the annual meeting of Joseph E. Johnston Camp, No. 119, U. C. V., the following comrades were elected officers for the ensuing year, J. M. Wright was unanimously re elected Commander, W. C. Brown, First Lieutenant, S. B. Murrell, Second Lieutenant, W. A. Sims, Adjutant, D. Baum, Quartermaster, Dr. C. C. Walker, Surgeon, C. W. Cobb, Officer of the Day, Rev. A. J. Harris, Chaplain, A. R. Birdwell, Vidette.
230 Confederate Veteran August 1893.
MEMORABLE WORDS OF TWO MEN.
The last words of Capt. James Lawrence, as may be seen by the entrance to the old cemetery around Trinity Church, were, "Don't give up the ship," and they remind me of that terrible night at Franklin, Tenn., in November, 1864, where my Confederate Brigadier, O. F. Strahl, just before receiving the first of the three shots that ended his life, said, "Keep firing."
We had captured and were in possession of the enemy's last line of breastworks, at that particular place, but were exposed to a terrific enfilade from a cotton gin across the Columbia turnpike. The deep ditch was nearly filled with our dead, and many of our men had crossed over this last line, after a hand to hand encounter with the stubborn foe. The colors of my regiment were carried beyond it, but had fallen from a lifeless arm and lay between the lines. In addition to the enfilade fire mentioned the enemy was well protected within the walls of a large brick residence, Mr. Carter's, about sixty yards distant. The situation was such that some of our men, posted on the side of the captured embankment, fired while others passed up the loaded guns. Gen. Strahl stood in the ditch and passed up these loaded guns as they were handed him by the men of three lines of battle, who had protection from the front embankment. Those who were firing fell rapidly as they were exposed to the enfilade and the direct shots, and would become new targets by every flash from their guns, as it was in the night.
Volunteers had ceased to fill the vacant places on the works, and the General had resorted to asking the men about him, "Have you shot any?" When he asked me I made no reply, but arose from where I had been lying and loading, just back of the entrenchment, and on taking position I rested one foot on the pile of my dead comrades that by this time had about filled the ditch and the other on the embankment. It was about one hundred yards to the cotton gin, still occupied by the enemy, and there was only one other to assist me in firing. The well aimed fire from the enemy had so exhausted our force that I thought we should either try and get away or surrender, and asked my commander what we had better do. His answer was given without hesitation, "Keep firing." I had fired guns then until my shoulder was black from bruises, and the exhaustion had caused my throat, down into my chest, to seem as dry as dust, and I was extremely discouraged. My associate was shot, and, falling against my shoulder, shrieked heavily, and I asked him how he was wounded. Almost simultaneously with the shot that soon ended his groans, I think, another struck the General, who threw up both hands and fell on his face. I thought him dead, but he was not, and replied to my query of the soldier, that he was shot in the neck. He then inquired for Col. Stafford, that he might turn over the command, and crawled over the dead in the ditch to where Stafford was killed, almost in standing position by the dead around him. Within a few steps of the line of works, as Gen. Strahl was being carried to the rear, one of two other shots proved instantly fatal. I am grateful, now, in being able to pay this tribute to one of the most gallant men that ever fell in battle.
I have gone, since that memorable night, to the little Episcopal Church at Bolivar, Tenn., where a beautiful memorial window has been dedicated to him.
No nation will ever erect in his honor such a monument as that by Trinity Church to Capt. James Lawrence, and the enemy may never vie with his comrades in his honor, but the beautiful tribute inscribed to Capt. Lawrence could not be re used better than in setting forth the character of Otto French Strahl.
The foregoing account was embodied in my story of the battle of Franklin, but in this brief form the repetition will be acceptable to those who read it, while it will be new to thousands of others. S. A. C.
ERRORS IN REPORTS OF BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.
GEN. S. G. FRENCH, WINTER PARK, FLA.
I have never been much inclined to be a critic, for I have never forgotten Gil Bias' criticism of the Arch Bishop's sermon, yet I will kindly call your attention to some errors in your article in the April number, "Battle of Franklin," page 101.
Speaking of Gen. Hood at Spring Hill, Hood knew and he saw that he had possession of the road on which Gen. Schofield was retreating from Columbia to Franklin, and that Schofield was between him and S. D. Lee, who was left at Columbia. Hood went to Spring Hill to get in the rear of Schofield, and accomplished completely that much of the object he had in view. He did
(not] see that his army was thrown across the road, but went to Peters' house, I believe it was, rested, ate his supper, went to bed, woke up in the morning, and behold, Schofield had marched all night along by his camp fires, and was then at Franklin! My division took the advance, and Hood said to me, " Gen. French, we have lost the great opportunity of the war." My reply was, " Yes, the Yankees marched along here all night lighting their pipes at our camp fires." This was heard and repeated by some soldiers as a literal fact, whereas it was not quite true in general.
2. You say, " He rode to Stephen D. Lee," etc. Now, Lee was not at Franklin, we left him at Columbia.
3. You write, "Gen. Loring, of Cleburne's division, made a speech," etc. Gen. Loring was on the extreme right, and formed one of the three divisions of Stewart's corps. Walthall was on his left, I was on Walthall's left, and struck the enemy's works directly in front of the gin house near the Columbia pike. Cleburne was on my left, and so on. We started, as it were, from the circumference of a wagon wheel, marched each in the direction of the spokes, and overlapped at the hub, which would represent the enemy's works. Hence Loring's left was overlapping Walthall, Walthall over me, and I over Cleburne on the pike. One of my brigades, Cockrill's, lost sixty five per cent.
This is merely to point out the errors in the article. We had but two pieces of artillery at Franklin, all, save these, were with S. D. Lee.
The errors referred to, it will be recalled, are those of S. A. Cunningham, editor of the VETERAN, who submits that he accepts with thanks. The identity of the officer to whom Gen. Hood addressed himself and shook hands, the two being on their horses and no other horsemen near them, when he said, "General, we will make the fight," he would like to know. The only circumstance on that awful night about which he has written, and which has been copied at one time or another by nearly every leading newspaper
231 Confederate Veteran August 1893.
in the South, is concerning the identity of this general officer. He was near the two Generals, heard Hood's remark, here quoted, distinctly, and saw the officer return to his command just east of the turnpike and near where a band of music played as we started on the charge. It may have been Gen. Pat Cleburne. Who now living can answer?
(NOTE The word " not " is added to the statement of Gen. French where It says "he did not see his army thrown across the road," as that was evidently intended.]
REUNION AT AIKEN, S. C.
Barnard E. Bee Camp of Confederate Veterans met .at Aiken, S. C., July 21, anniversary of the first Manassas, and had a reunion with the Aiken Camp. Resolutions of respect were passed for the late C. C. Jones, of Augusta, Ga. The officers for the past year were re elected unanimously. The Journal
REUNION AT AIKEN, S. C.
Barnard E. Bee Camp of Confederate Veterans met .at Aiken, S. C., July 21, anniversary of the first Manassas, and had a reunion with the Aiken Camp. Resolutions of respect were passed for the late C. C. Jones, of Augusta, Ga. The officers for the past year were re elected unanimously. The Journal and Review says:
The CONFEDERATE VETERAN (monthly, 50 cents per year, Nashville, Tenn.) was indorsed as the organ of Barnard E. Bee Camp, U. C. V. Commander Teague has sample copies for gratuitous distribution. Comrades will apply for them.
At the conclusion of the business meeting Capt. B. H. Teague delivered an address. An impromptu address was also delivered by Capt. J. Rice Smith. Capt. Teague described the beautiful monument in Augusta. surmounted by a private soldier. In commenting he said:
Stirred by a pure love of his country, of his home and fireside, the private soldier rushed to arms for their defense at the first call, regardless of the perils of battle or the hardships of the camp. The wife of his bosom and his beloved children were left to the care of trusted but untried slaves. He came from the halls of learning, from the huts of ignorance, from the counting room, from the farm, he was a professional man, he was a day laborer, he was rich and he was poor. Regardless of social position or conditions of wealth, animated and inspired by the love of a common cause, they became bands of patriotic brothers, and, shoulder to shoulder, they battled with a heroism the world had not known before, and for four long years they kept the world from overrunning this fair Southland
Was he only valorous and distinguished as a victorious warrior? Follow him in Stonewall Jackson's campaigns. Mark his patience along the forced marches. Rushed along over hill and through dale, in mud or sand, drenched by rain or scorched by sun, barefooted at times, burdened with twenty five pounds weight in the shape of musket, accoutrements, ammunition, blanket, etc., his haversack containing a small pone of stale cornbread and a slice or two of rancid bacon, his canteen most of the time empty, aroused from night's sleep or started from day's rest, he obeyed with a willingness and promptness which characterize only the devotee to a sacred cause.
Such were the private soldiers who fought for the South during the bloodiest civil war the world ever knew, and despite the odds of three to one in number of men, and with a skeleton navy, shut in by blockade from foreign aid, they nearly achieved independence. The faith he had in the righteousness of his cause was beyond the imagination of his foe. It made him suffer every ill with composure and cheerfulness."
HOW TO PROCURE THE BEST HISTORY.
EDITOR CONFEDERATE VETERAN
DEAR SIR.: I note that your Fayetteville, Ark., correspondent takes the " War Journal for the historical documents published in it." Permit me, through your columns, to say to all who desire to post themselves as to the true history of the war) that if they take the War Journal for that purpose, and it does no better than it has so far, they will have to read it about three thousand years before they will be competent to form an opinion.
To those who are not aware of it, I would state that the Government is publishing all of the records of the war, both Confederate and Union, in book form. There will be 107 books, of an average of nearly 1,000 pages each. Of these, 82 books have already been bound, and are available. As far as published, they bring the war in Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, etc., up to about November, 1864. The advance prints bring some sections up to January, 1865. These records contain all of the official reports, orders, correspondence, etc., of both sides, that the War Department has been able to secure. By a careful study of them one can form a very fair idea of the truth, and can judge fairly, the ability and character of the various officers of each side, and without a study of them no one can possibly arrive at the truth or be competent to render a better decision than can a mariner at sea, in a storm without compass) determine his course. To take "war" journals that publish only garbled records to suit the publisher's fancy, no more posts one as to the truth than to hear only a portion of the evidence of one side in some important trial.
The Government is also publishing copies of all the maps made of the battle fields, etc., by each side, that it has access to. These maps come in what is called "atlas" form, five sheets in an "atlas."
As I have all of these publications, and very many others considered authentic, besides very many lists, tables, etc., that I have prepared for my own convenience, I shall be happy to furnish any information in my power to any of your readers free of charge. I will inform them where they can obtain the proofs of any battle or event that is, in what books found, and cost of same (I have none for sale, but they can be bought from the Government), also the atlases in which battles named are shown, and cost, so that no one who cares to post himself need longer go through life lop sided, having to depend on what Tom, Dick, or Harry may say or write, or what any journal may publish. I have very many records of which the Government has no copies, and the Government has many that I have not, but what I have is free for the benefit of any who may want to know the truth on any point or about any affair, so far as can be determined from. the records of the witnesses of the two sides. Ask for the information you desire, and you shall freely have whatever is in my possession. Do not depend on the opinions or assertions of any one when you can readily obtain all the available and reliable evidence there is.
G. E. DOLTON,
18 S. Main St., St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis, July 22, 1893.
Confederate Veteran August 1893.
INDORSING THE VETERAN.
Room cannot be given to all of the many kind things said of the VETERAN. Many very complimentary personal notices are in type which cannot be used at present. The request for official indorsement has met with gratifying responses. Some of these are given now. John L. McEwen Bivouac, Franklin, has " indorsed the VETERAN as its official organ," and has requested its Commander, B. F. Roberts, to give notice. Frank Cheatham Bivouac, Nashville, adopts it unanimously as its official organ, and instructs its delegates to the State reunion at Jackson to vote for it as the organ for Tennessee Division.
HARRODSBURG, KY., July 24. We would have answered your letter sooner, but have had no meeting of our Camp, the Williams Preston, No. 96. We have seen a majority of the members, however, and are requested to answer indorsing the VETERAN.
BUSH W. ALLEN, Com.
JOHN KANE, Adjt.
Gen. George Reese, Pensacola, Fla.: I inclose you clipping from Daily News showing the action of Camp Ward. The Camp donated $10 toward properly taking care of the graves of Confederate dead in Northern cemeteries. The following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That this Camp desires to express its high appreciation of the valuable and intensely interesting journal, the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, published by S. A. Cunningham, of Nashville, Tenn. We indorse this journal as being truly Southern in tone, and recommend it to the consideration of veterans as being worthy of a place in their libraries.
Resolved, That Joseph E. Johnston Camp, No. 119, United Confederate Veterans, located at Gainesville, Texas, takes pleasure in commending to all soldiers of the late war, and to their children, the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, a monthly magazine published in the city of Nashville, Tenn., by S. A. Cunningham, as worthy of their patronage and support. It is ably edited, and gives facts concerning the late war not obtainable from any other source. Its monthly visits to the members of this Camp is a pleasure both to the old veteran and his household. It should be in the home of every old soldier.
J. M. WRIGHT, Capt.
W. A. SIMS, Adjt.
Geo. C. Snyder, Secretary of John C. Breckinridge Camp, at Lexington, Ky., writes, July 22: "At a called meeting of Executive Committee of our Camp yesterday, we agreed to officially indorse the VETERAN."
Headquarters of N. B. Forrest Camp, No. 3, United Confederate Veterans, Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 2.Whereas, the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, published in Nashville, Tenn., by S. A. Cunningham, is a periodical of much interest and value to the ex Confederate soldiers and their families, and should have a wide circulation in the State of Tennessee and throughout the South, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the paper be given the official recognition of N. B. Forrest Camp, No. 3, Confederate Veterans, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Camp No. 4 of the United Confederate Veterans. The above resolution was unanimously passed by N. B. Forrest Camp at their regular monthly meeting.
L. T. DICKINSON, Adjt.
J. F. SHIPP, Com.
Will Lambert, Houston, Texas, Commander Dick Dowling Camp: Officially, I commend the CONFEDERATE VETERAN to all my old comrades. It is one of the truest and most reliable Southern historical publications I have ever read, and every old Confederate who can hustle up a half dollar ought to subscribe to and thereby help maintain it in the good work it is doing. Don't forget to send me my May number. I would give you $1 for the January number.
OKLAHOMA CITY, July 15. S.
OKLAHOMA CITY, July 15. S. A. Cunningham, Editor CONFEDERATE VETERAN, Nashville, Tenn., Dear Sir: At a meeting of Capt. D. H. Hanmer Camp, No. 177, U. C. V., your paper was adopted unanimously as the official organ of the Camp.
J. O. CASLER, Adjt.
J. W. JOHNSON, Capt.
RIDDLETON, TENN., July 16, 1893. S. A. Cunningham, Editor VETERAN, Nashville, Tenn Dear Sir: I am directed to forward you the following from Ed. Bradley Bivouac, No. 30, at the recent (July) meeting, and to wish you all sorts of good luck.
Fraternally,
W. W. FERGUSSON, Sec.
Resolved, That, recognizing the importance of supporting a publication especially devoted to the interests of our organization, and neartily indorsing the course pursued and the ability with which the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, at Nashville, Tenn., has been conducted by comrade S. A. Cunningham, we cheerfully recommend to the State Association, at the next annual session at Jackson, to make the CONFEDERATE VETERAN the official organ of the Tennessee Division. Adopted unanimously.
LEWISBURG, TENN., July 15. At a meeting of Dibrell Bivouac, No. 12, held today, the following indorsement of the CONFEDERATE VETERAN was unanimously adopted. They say:
Our attention has been called to the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, now being edited and published by our intelligent and enterprising friend, S. A. Cunningham, at Nashville, Tenn. We regard it as the best publication we have seen in reference to the events connected with the great civil war, and we most cordially approve and commend its publication, and believe it worthy of a subscription from every true Confederate soldier. Many of us are personally acquainted with its editor, comrade Cunningham, and know he was a gallant soldier, and worthy of the support and esteem of our comrades throughout the country.
W. G. LOYD, Sec.
W. P. IRVINE, Pres't.
Geo. N. Ratliff, County Collector, Randolph County, Huntsville, Mo., August 3. "Inclosed you will find herewith $11.50, St. Louis exchange, for which mail the VETERAN to
(here follows 23 names. Ed.] I have only seen one copy of your paper, and we are heartily in sympathy with you in your efforts. In the war we were with you, and we have never loved our people less since."
G. K. Meriwether, Dallas, Texas, sends a list and writes: " I enjoy the VETERAN more than I can express."
T. A. Bunnell, Erin, Tenn.: This makes sixty six that I have sent you, and every subscriber likes it.
233 Confederate Veteran August 1893.
GEN. A. P. HILL
PARTIAL SKETCH OF HIS THRILLING CAREER, BY DR. J. WILLIAM JONES.
The omission of his name from the list of Lieutenant Generals killed in battle, in the VETERAN, induced Dr. J. Wm. Jones to suggest the error, and he has supplied a paper that he wrote at the time the Hill statue was unveiled in Richmond last summer. Dr. Jones. in his introduction, quotes from President Davis in calling him the "gallant and glorious little Powell Hill."
If an intimate personal acquaintance, warm friendship, and close association with him during the most eventful period of his life, an ardent admiration for his character, a high estimate of his ability as a soldier, a full knowledge of his career, a sincere love for the man, and an honest desire to vindicate his name and fame at the bar of history, constitute qualifications to speak of A. P. Hill, then I think I may, without improper egotism, claim that I have at least some right to be heard on this noble theme.
AT HOME ON FURLOUGH.
I first met A. P. Hill at his old home in Culpeper, where the bright buttons, lithe figure, and manly bearing of the West Point cadet "at home on furlough" attracted my boyish fancy and excited my boyhood's ambition that I, too, might go to West Point and be a soldier.
It seems but yesterday that I saw in Culpeper and in Washington the young artillery officer whom I so much admired, or when I met him. in Culpeper when he had just brought to his old home his bride, the beautiful and accomplished sister of the afterward famous Confederate General, John H. Morgan.
When at Harper's Ferry in the spring of 1861 the Thirteenth Virginia regiment was organized of volunteer companies, who were among the first in Virginia to take the field, and in which I had the high honor of being " high private in the rear rank," it was with great joy that I recognized in the new colonel nay old friend A. P. Hill. From that day until the close of his life I watched his brilliant career as he rose through the successive grades of Brigadier General, Major General, and Lieutenant General. Since the war I have studied his history in the light of the official records, and my admiration for the man and the soldier has steadily increased as the years have gone on.
A. P. Hill was one of the most thoroughly accomplished soldiers whom the war produced. Educated at West Point in the palmy days of the Academy, he had graduated with honor, and devoted as he was to his profession he had, as a young artillery officer in the United States Army, earnestly studied the great campaigns of the great soldiers of history, and sought by every other means in his power to perfect himself in all that pertains to the art of war, or the details of the duties of the soldier. He was, therefore, considered by his fellow soldiers as high authority in every thing pertaining to military matters.
When appointed Colonel of the Thirteenth Virginia regiment at Harper's Ferry in the early spring of 1861, he proceeded at once to organize, equip, drill, and discipline his regiment until it was soon pronounced one of the finest in the service.
NOT EVEN TIME TO PREACH.
I well remember how rigidly he enforced his orders for frequent drills. I had never myself been a member of any volunteer company until the "Louisa Blues" were called into service on the memorable 17th day of April, 1861, and I felt it my duty to enlist soon afterward in the ranks of that company. The first Sunday I spent at Harper's Ferry I made several appointments to preach, but I was put in the " awkward squad," drilled six hours that day, and sent on picket that night, so that I did not get an opportunity of wedging in a sermon.
I am sure your readers will pardon the natural pride of an old soldier in his own regiment if I shall say that there was no better regiment in the army than the old Thirteenth Virginia, which gave to the Confederacy one Lieutenant General, one Major General (James A. Walker), and one Brigadier General (J. E. B. Terrill) a regiment of which Gen. R. E. Lee once said to me in Lexington, " It was one of the best regiments I ever saw in the field," and which Jeb. Stuart, Stonewall Jackson, Ewell, Early and others mentioned in terms of high praise in official reports. I would not detract from the just mead of praise due to the other field officers, the company officers, and the rank and file, which was composed of as splendid material as ever kept step to the music of Dixie, yet it is but simple justice to say that the after efficiency of that grand old regiment resulted in no small measure from the impress left upon by its first Colonel, A. P. Hill.
During the winter at Manassas Gen. Hill was for most of the time in command of the brigade, and so mingled rigid discipline and kind consideration for the command as to win the respect, admiration and
ove of the whole brigade, as he had always had of his own regiment.
MADE BRIGADIER GENERAL.
In the early days of 1862 Gen. Hill received his well deserved promotion, and with his commission as Brigadier General was put in command of the famous old brigade which Longstreet had commanded.
When Gen. Lee (with that far reaching strategy and bold determination which pre eminently characterized him) decided that instead of waiting for McClellan to take the initiative he would himself attack the enemy in his entrenchments and drive him from before Richmond, he assigned to A. P. Hill the important and delicate duty of crossing the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge and moving down on the enemy at Mechanicsville to drive him off, so that Longstreet and D. H. Hill could cross at that point and join in the further advance.
An important part of the plan was that Stonewall Jackson, fresh from his splendid Valley campaign, should move from Ashland and flank the position at Mechanicsville and Ellerson's Mill, But Jackson was detained by the burning of the bridges, the felling of timber across the roads by which he moved, etc., twenty four hours beyond the time that he told Gen. Lee that it would be necessary for him to consume in making the march, and fearing that the enemy might discover Gen. Huger's weakness below Richmond and march over him into the city, Gen. Lee decided that it was best to wait no longer for Jackson, and ordered A. P. Hill to advance on the enemy. This he did in superb style.
I never shall, forget the thrilling scene in Jackson's corps as A, P. Hill's guns opened at Mechanicsville on that memorable afternoon of the 26th of June, 1862, and the "foot cavalry" made the hills and valleys and woods ring with their Confederate yells as they eagerly pressed forward with anticipation of coming victory. Hill moved forward in fine style and drove the enemy from their position at Mechanicsville, thus opening the way for Longstreet and D. H. Hill, whose divisions were thrown across the Chickahominy at that point.
In the early morning of the 27th of June the Confederate troops on the north side were in motion, and the Federal forces, under gallant Fitz John Porter, awaited them in positions naturally strong, but which had been fortified with all the appliances of engineering skill and ample material.
LITTLE POWELL A STRIKING FIGURE.
It was my privilege to see that day a number of our leading generals. Our grand old chieftain, R. E. Lee, clad in a uniform of simple gray, and having the bearing of a king of men, Stonewall Jackson, in his dingy uniform, mounted on " Little Sorrell " sucking a lemon and evidently very impatient at the delay in the advance of his column, stern old Ewell, who impressed one as being every inch a soldier, Jeb. Stuart, in his fighting jacket, and with the bearing of the "flower of cavaliers," and others who were "winning their spurs." But no soldier whom I saw on that historic day impressed me more than A. P. Hill. Dressed in a fatigue jacket of gray flannel, his felt hat slouched over his noble brow, sitting his horse with easy grace, glancing with his eagle eye along his column as it hurried past him into battle, and yet taking time from his pressing duties to give me a warm grasp of the hand and a cordial greeting as he inquired after "the boys of the old Thirteenth," I was more impressed than ever before with his soldierly bearing, and said to a friend as he rode off, " Little Powell will do his full duty today." And right well was this prophecy fulfilled. Encountering the enemy in his strong position and heavy entrenchments near New Cold Harbor about 2 o'clock P. M., Hill bore the brunt of the fight for about two hours until Jackson got into position, and Longstreet went to his assistance, and then bore his full share in the grand charge which swept the field along the whole line of Cold Harbor and Gaines's Mill, capturing fourteen pieces of artillery and many prisoners, and driving the enemy in great confusion from every position. I may not give in detail the further movements of those seven days of carnage and Confederate victory, which raised the seige of Richmond and drove McClellan's splendid army to the cover of his gunboats at Harrison's Landing. * * *
THE BATTLE OF FRAZIER'S FARM.
No soldier bore a more conspicuous part or won more laurels in those great battles than A. P. Hill. He especially distinguished himself and covered with glory his "Light Division" in the battle of Frazier's Farm, where alone at first and afterward supported by Longstreet, he made a fight and won a victory which Gen. Lee had designed to make complete by having Stonewall Jackson cross Whiteoak Swamp and strike the enemy in flank and rear a movement which Jackson, for once in his brilliant career, pronounced "impracticable," and failed to execute. It was during these movements that an incident occurred of which President Davis told with evident gusto. The President was reconnoitering at the front when he met Gen Lee on the same business and remonstrated with him, saying, "This is no place for the commander of the army." The General gently explained and rejoined, "It seems to me that this is clearly no place for the Commander in chief of all our armies." "Just then," said Mr. Davis, in telling me the incident, "gallant little A. P. Hill galloped up and exclaimed, 'What are you two doing here? This is no place for either of you, and as commander of this part of the field I order you both to the rear.'" "We will obey your orders," was the laughing reply, and they moved a little to the rear and became absorbed in a consultation about the situation, when Hill again galloped up and exclaimed, "Did I not order you away from here, and did you not promise to obey me? Why, one shot from that battery over there might deprive the Army of Northern Virginia of its commander, and the Confederacy of its President.
SEEN AT HIS BEST.
After the brief rest succeeding the seven days around Richmond, Hill was assigned to Jackson's corps and sent to join him near Gordonsville. He was an active participant in the battle of Cedar Run, where Jackson defeated his old " Quartermaster General Banks," and led his Light Division on the field just as some of Jackson's troops had been thrown into great confusion, and just in time to turn the tide of battle and save the day.
As I saw him at the crisis, with coat off and sabre drawn, throwing out skirmishers to stop stragglers, tearing off the bars of a lieutenant who was skulking to the rear, and giving his clear, crisp orders as he hurried his veterans into the fight and hurled back the blue lines who were advancing flushed with victory,
he seemed to me the very personification of the genius of battle, the very beau ideal of the soldier.
At second Manassas, during the crisis of the struggle for the famous railroad cut, Hill sent a staff officer to inquire of brave old Maxey Gregg how he was getting on. " Tell him," said the old hero, " that our ammunition is exhausted, but rocks are very plentiful, and we will hold our position with them until we can get ammunition." Sending his staff and couriers to fill their haversacks and pockets with cartridges and distribute them to the men, Hill himself galloped to the line and excited the wildest enthusiasm as his clarion voice rang out: " Good for you, boys! Give them the rocks and the bayonet, and hold your position and I will soon have ammunition and reinforcements for you."
CAPTURE OF HARPER'S FERRY.
Crossing with the army into Maryland, A. P. Hill performed a most important part in the capture of Harper's Ferry, with its garrison of 11,000 troops, a large number of small arms, seventy three pieces of artillery, and an immense supply of stores of every description. He was left to parole the prisoners and secure the stores, while Jackson hurried to Sharpsburg, leaving him orders to follow as rapidly as possible.
Hill's forced march from Harper's Ferry to Sharpsburg and his rush into the battle at the critical juncture, changing the whole face of affairs, and converting threatened disaster into splendid victory, are among the most brilliant achievements of the war. With 2,000 of the advance of his division he rushed on the field at double quick, and with the help of other troops, who rallied at his coming, checked Burnside's victorious legions, and then drove them back in such confusion that he was soon calling piteously for reinforcements, and McClellan sent him that famous message:
I have not a man to spare you. If you cannot hold your advanced position, then hold the bridge to the last extremity. The bridge! The bridge to the last man. All is lost if the bridge should be lost.
AT HAMILTON'S CROSSING.
A. P. Hill remained with Jackson in the valley, led his advance across the mountains to join Lee at Fredericksburg, held the front line near Hamilton's Crossing on December 13th, and contributed his full share towards winning that great victory. I remember seeing him after the battle visiting, as was his custom, his field hospitals, looking after the comfort of his wounded, and with his own hands lifting some of the poor fellows into more comfortable positions.
I may add that I met no general during the war who was more careful to make proper provision for his sick and wounded, who gave more personal attention to them, or who was more tender and sympathetic to the suffering.
He greatly enjoyed the rest of the winter at his headquarters near Moss Neck, enlivened as they were by the sunshine of the presence of wife and babies, but he diligently employed his time in preparing his "Light Division" now bronzed veterans of many a glorious field :for the next campaign.
With Jackson on his march to Chancellorsville and flank march to Hooker's rear, he was moving his division into line of battle to take the advance when Jackson was shot down by his own men, and, after giving his chief needed personal attention, Hill hurried to assume command of the corps and finish the brilliant movement which Jackson had so auspiciously begun, but he was wounded himself soon after and compelled to relinquish the command and leave to "Jeb" Stuart dashing, glorious Jeb Stuart who was sent for and put in command, the glory of carrying line after line of the enemy's breastworks, as he gave the old corps the watchword, "Charge, and remember Jackson," and rode at the head of the charging columns, singing in clear notes that were heard above the din of battle
Old Joe Hooker, won't you come out of the wilderness?
HILL'S THIRD CORPS.
Soon after Chancellorsville A. P. Hill was put in command of the Second corps until the Army of Northern Virginia was divided into three corps, Longstreet being retained in command of the First, grim and gallant old Ewell being promoted to the command of the Second, and A. P. Hill being made Lieutenant General and placed in command of the Third corps, which was made to consist of Heth's, Anderson's, and Pender's divisions.
Gen. James Longstreet, in an article written several years ago for the Century, severely criticises General Lee for the promotion of A. P. Hill, naming other officers whom he considered his superiors in merit, saying that Lee recommended it because Hill "was a Virginian," but Gen. R. E. Lee, in his official letter to President Davis recommending the creation of the three corps and the officers to command them, says that he preferred A. P. Hill because he regarded him as "upon the whole the best soldier of his grade with me." That was a great deal for General Lee, always careful in his recommendations, to say, and the world will take his judgment in preference to that of General Longstreet.
HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
It may not be improper to add that I called the attention of President Davis to General Longstreet's criticism, and asked him if Hill's being a Virginian had anything to do with his promotion, and he wrote me very fully, saying, among other things:
So far from that being true, I should at that time have been glad to have appointed one of the lieutenant generals from another State, as there had been complaint in certain quarters that Virginia was getting more than her share of the promotions. But the truth was that A, P. Hill was so clearly entitled to the place, both on account of his ability as a soldier and the meritorious services he had rendered, that General Lee did not hesitate to recommend him, and I did not hesitate to make the appointment.
And certainly Hill's after career in command of his splendid corps at Gettysburg, in the campaign of 1864, and during the seige of Petersburg, fully justified the good opinions of Lee and Davis.
WOULD NOT LEAVE HIS COMMAND.
I remember how hard I tried to induce him to go to the house of a friend when he lay in his ambulance near Spottsylvania Court house, too sick to mount his horse, and his surgeons begged him to take a "sick leave," but he firmly and persistently replied, "No, I cannot leave my command, and just as soon as possible I shall take charge of my brave fellows again."
COURAGEOUS UNTO DEATH.
But, alas! the end drew nigh. A. P. Hill had spent a delightful winter at Petersburg, cheered by the presence of his wife and children, but his health was poor and his surgeons had persuaded him to take a " sick furlough " and rest for a season at the house of a relative in Chesterfield County, but he had left strict injunctions with his staff to be notified of any threatened movement) and accordingly on Saturday, the 1st of April, he hastened back to his headquarters, and when his thin line "stretched until it broke," as General Lee expressed it was cut in sunder in the early hours of Sunday, April 2, Hill at once galloped to the scene and exerted himself with even more than his accustomed gallantry to re establish his lines.
Finding this impossible, for the enemy outnumbered him fully five to one, and he had no reserves, he determined to reach and take personal command of the part of his corps which had been cut off, and it was in this brave attempt that he was shot down and instantly killed by a squad of the enemy whose surrender he had demanded.
His body was recovered by a charge of the members of his staff, and the headquarters guard, and was temporarily buried at the home in Chesterfield, whence he came to take command of his corps.
No general orders announced his death, no guard of honor attended his burial, for the grand old army of which he had been so conspicuous a member had taken up its sad march to Appomattox Court house.
But he has lived in the hearts of his old corps and of loving comrades, he will live in life speaking bronze that loving hands have reared, and he has passed into history as one of the noblest, truest, grandest soldiers of all the bright galaxy that made the infant Confederacy the admiration of the world, and will extort from posterity an endorsation of the noble sentiment of the English bard
No nation rose so white and fair,
Or fell so pure of crime.
FOUND BY A VETERAN NORTH.
TERRE HAUTE, IND., July 3, 1893. EDITOR CONFEDERATE VETERAN
DEAR SIR: A few days since, on my way from Chicago home to this place, I discovered on the car seat in front of me a publication of some kind, and upon examination I found it to be a monthly issue entitled, CONFEDERATE VETERAN, for June. We of the North have some very handsome and attractive looking persons of the opposite sex, but I know of none more so than Mrs. Maggie Davis Hayes, as represented on the front leaf of your publication. I should like to take it for a year, but am. very anxious to have Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, ana 5 of Vol. I, and if you can, by some hook or crook, as the boys say, get me the above numbers, I will pay you twenty five cents each for them, besides taking and paying the yearly price for it. The little work entitled, "The Southern Cross," you refer to on page 186, I am in hopes to possess in the near future. Your cut of "Shiloh Church" looks as natural as on January 1, 1862, with the exception of the "Sibley tents." I took very great pleasure in reading the extract of T. M. Hurst's address on the "great battle of Shiloh." I met Miss Maggie in Washington with her father when a little girl. Write when you can,
With respect,
HENRY WARREN.
CORRESPONDENCE.
A lady in a personal letter from Jacksonville, Fla., July 23, states: My son is a subscriber tor your plucky and loyal CONFEDERATE VETERAN, and each month I enjoy reading the interesting matter contained therein. The picture of the trio of Southern heroes on the front page of July issue is grand. 0 how vividly do they recall to my memory the days spent in Richmond, Va., during the entire war! I was present at Gen. Jackson's funeral, and today preserve as a memento of that sad occasion a bunch of flowers which were given me as a keepsake from his casket by Gov. Letcher's daughter, who was a friend and school mate of mine. Gen. Jackson's remains were then lying in state at Gov. Letcher's mansion. The picture that the VETERAN gives is one of the best I ever saw of Gen. Jackson.
Though far from my old home in Tennessee, I am still wide awake to any and every thing that she does which may redound to her credit, and surely your Southern paper should be a source of pride to the State. I may be able to send you a few literary contributions, which may prove interesting to your readers personal reminiscences of the war, and the few years after the war, when the Freedman's Bureau reigned supreme in the Southern States.
Col. W. C. R., of Columbus, Miss., tells this: His command was ordered to the front, and had to cross a creek, and the men were ordered to take off their shoes and lower garments and wade the stream. The line of march was down a lane, and just as they approached the creek a man and woman in a buggy crossed. There was no chance to dodge, so the command was given to " open ranks" and let the buggy go through. The lady had on a veil, and in silence the buggy passed along. When they had proceeded about half way through the line the ludicrousness of the scene struck the boys and a shout of laughter rang along the line, and the Colonel says, as he turned in his saddle to look back, the man and woman were shaking with the contagion.
S. A. C.: A long train of soldiers traveled in the Carolinas from Charlotte to Columbia. There were two ladies in the rear, a passenger (!) car. It was crowded, and many of the soldiers had to stand up. One sallow faced fellow begged a gentleman to let him have his seat, and they exchanged positions. It was concluded by the gallant young fellow, afterward, that he had been imposed upon, and when he asked the fellow in his seat to change back, and he declined, comments were in order, and he told the fellow who was playing off sick that he was a "tar heel." Gossip of such nature continued until the lazy fellow, in a sort of whining tone, said: "He's climed simmon trees, you can tell from the seat of his breeches that he's climed simmon trees! " All the passengers roared, and the two ladies cast off all dignity and participated with the men in hearty laughter. The la.dies looked like sisters. They were very attractive, and were much honored in the tedious journey. I journeyed with them the next day to Charleston. Just before the train arrived at the station I told the senior that I had seen them almost constantly for two days, and would be glad for their cards. She wrote, " Mrs. Ed. Means and daughter."
THE STORY OF A GOURD HEAD.
What caused me to construct a "gourd head" is more than I can explain, unless it was suggested by his Satanic majesty. As to how I utilized it read and see. One day in the winter of 1863 I found, near camps, a long handle gourd about the size of a man's head, and out of such material as I could command I covered it, dressed it with hair from beef tails, etc., until, at a short distance, it resembled somewhat a man's head. Before it was perfected I was detailed to go on out post duty, and took my masked gourd with me, intending to give it the finishing touches. At this date the pickets of the two contending armies would at times discover and hail each other, exchange newspapers, swap coffee for tobacco, or visa verse pass a few not unfriendly words, then each go his way without attempting to take the life of the other.
On the day above alluded to I was stationed beside a fallen tree, near the edge of a river swamp. About an hour after I had taken my position I saw a " blue coat" stealthily gliding along through the undergrowth of the swamp, and when within about one hundred yards of me, I hailed him with, "Hello, Yank, who are you looking for?" He sprang behind a tree and answered, " Looking for you, Johnnie Reb. Have you got any tobacco to trade for coffee?" I replied that I had, but we had not conversed long until I discovered that the Yank was somewhat nervous, and watched him. closely, though neither of us had made any hostile demonstrations. Suddenly he raised hie gun to his face, and as suddenly I ducked behind the log. And now I felt that both of us could not get away alive, and determined to try to get my work in first. After a few moments suspense I thought of my masked gourd, and placing my hat upon it raised it above the log high enough to seem to peep over. Bang, went Yank's gun, and a minnie bullet pierced the gourd, and it fell by my side. I remained perfectly quiet, feeling assured that he would soon come to relieve my dead body of my tobacco. In a short time I heard him coming. The "old scratch" whispered to me, " Now is your time," but something else whispered, "Don't kill him, it would be murder, take him prisoner." I knew that his gun was empty, and that I had every advantage of him, so I raised up and presented to his breast my cocked rifle, I never beheld such a look of surprise. He stood within ten feet of me, motionless, it seemed almost breathless. I ordered him to drop his gun, come round to my side of the log and take a seat on the ground. He obeyed without any hesitation, and when he was seated I pointed at the gourd. He stared at the gourd then at me, and seeing me smile he dryly remarked, "Well, I'll be d n! " After a few moments reflection he again spoke, " You have outyanked me, Johnnie, but I hope you will not let me be sent to Andersonville." I inquired of him his name and residence, when he informed me, John Hall, of Columbus, Ohio. I asked him* if he had relatives living in Texas, and he replied that his uncle moved from Ohio to Texas about twenty years before, and when last heard from was living near Leesburg. I felt interested, and inquired what he knew about his uncle's family. He mentioned the names of the children, and among them George Hall, about his own age, who was his favorite cousin and playmate when they were boys in Ohio. I then told him that he had just attempted to murder his cousin George. "I am George Hall!" Pale and trembling, he exclaimed, ''O my God, can this be true?" and wept like a child. I then told him that he was free, exchanged "baccar for coffee" with him, but kept his gun and ammunition. He insisted that I should take what greenbacks he had to buy me another hat in place of the one he had spoiled with a bullet from his Enfield. He explained that his reason for firing was that he thought it his only chance to save his own life, thinking I would shoot him the first opportunity. He disappeared in the river swamp, and I saw him no more until after the war, but Cousin John is now my Texas neighbor, votes the Democratic ticket, and is the best friend I have on earth.
SAMMY, KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON. W. A. C.: On a march at night Gen. French's division was moving when those tiresome and exasperating halts occurred so often that the men became worn out with the oft repeated command to "move up." Gen. French was trying to get his Quartermaster to push the headquarters team to the front, as the enemy was dangerously near in the rear. The men having dropped down by hundreds in the road to sleep it was almost impossible to get a team through without running over the men. Gen. French became impatient and rode forward to see for himself. He began to order the men out of the road with an occasional oath. In the midst of his career a thin, sharp voice, just off the road, sang out, " O Sammy, keep your shirt on, don't burn your shirt." The General was furious, and rising up in his stirrups said: "I will give fifty dollars to know the man who said that." It is needless to say he did not find out, but laughter was heard along the line for some distance.
This story recalls a night march down Sand Mountain, Ala., as Hood came to Tennessee. Cheatham's command had been halted for some time, and he was working his way to the head of the column to extricate a wagon from the mire. The soldiers were very tired, and lay asleep in the roadway. "Mars Frank" could not get along except in the middle of the road, and his aids pressed the men to. give way. By and by Cheatham, impatient but affectionate as well, said, " D n it, boys, you know I don't want to ride over you."
DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS FREE.
Edie Hickain, an aged negro woman, is the plaintiff in perhaps the most remarkable case ever tried in the courts at Booneville, Mo. She is an old ex slave, and brought suit against her master, Joseph Hickam, for $5 a month wages as a family domestic for twenty four years, during which time she claims to have been kept in ignorance of her emancipation. The suit was instituted in 1889 for $1,400, and resulted in a judgment in her favor for $700. The defendant appealed to the Kansas City Court of Appeals, which remanded the case to the Circuit Court of Cooper County, which now renders a decision for the defendant.
The exchange from which the above is clipped does not suggest a chromo to the lawyer who " worked up " this case.
G. T. Morgan, Russellville, Ky., writes: "I am one of the boys, and I take the VETERAN. Am well pleased with it, and will do all I can to increase its subscription list here. I am the first one who su
CONFEDERATE GENERALS.
A. M. Sea, Jr., of Louisville, Ky., sends the following carefully prepared list. He corrects some errors.
NAME BORN DIED
Samuel Cooper...........N.Y,,June 12, 1798.. .. Cameron, Va., Dec. 3. 1876.
Albert S. Johnston......Ky., Feb. 2, 1803........ Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862.
Robert E. Lee.............Va., Jan 19, 1807 ...... Lexington, Va., Oct. 12, 1870.
Joseph E. Johnston.....Va, Feb. 3, 1807........ Washington, D. C., March 21,1891.
G.T.Beauregard.......... La., May 28. 1818. New Orleans, La., Feb. 20, 1893.
Braxton Bragg............N.C., March 27, 1817. Galveston, Texas, Sept, 27, 1876.
E.Kirby Smith...........Fla., May l6, 1824...... Sewanee, Tenn, March 28, 1893.
GENERAL, TEMPORARY RANK.
John B. Hood..............Ky., June 1, 1831...... New Orleans, La" Aug. 30, 1879.
LIEUTENANT GENERALS.
James Longstreet ....... S. C., Jan. 8, 1821
Leonidas Polk............ N.C" April 10, 1806.. PineMountain,Tenn.,June 14,1864.
Theoph. H. Holmes... N. C., 1804................. Fayetteville, N. C., June 20, 1880.
William J. Hardee...... Ga., 1817.................... Hydesville,Va.,Nov.8,1873.
Thomas J. Jackson......Va., Jan. 21, 1824...... Guinea's Station, Va., May 10,1863.
John C. Pemberton......Pa.,Aug. 10, 1814...... Penllyn, Pa., July 13, 1881.
Richard S. Ewell .........D. C., Feb. 8, 1817...... Springfield, Tenn., Jan. 25, 1872.
Arnbrose P. Hill.......... Va., Nov. 9, 1825........ Petersburg,Va" April 2, 1865
Daniel H. Hill..............S. C., July 12, 1821..... Charlotte, N. C., Sept. 25, 1889.
Richard Taylor............La., Jan. 27, 1827....... New York City, April 12, 1879.
Stephen D. Lee............S. C...........................
Jubal A. Early............ Va., Nov., 2, 1816......
Richard H. Anderson..S.C.. 1816.................. Beaufort, S. C., June 26, 1879.
Alex. P. Stewart..........Tenn., Oct. 2, 1821.....
Nathan B. Forrest....... Tenn., July 13,1821... Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 29, 1877.
Wade Hampton........... S. C., March 28, 1818.
Simon B. Buckner.......Ky., April 1, 1823......
Joseph Wheeler..........Ga., Sept. 10, 1836......
John B. Gordon ...........Ga., Feb. 6, 1836........
242 Confederate Veteran August 1893.
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