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This page is part of The Georgia GenWeb Project a AHGP Project and is hosted by USGENNET |
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Confederate Veteran Misc Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 4 Nashville, Tenn., April, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOUISIANIANS IN THE VIRGINIA ARMY Capt. B. T. Walshe The Army of Tennessee organization of Confederate Veterans had its annual banquet in New Orleans recently. Report of that occasion has not been furnished the VETERAN, but the Times-Democrat, on the Sunday morning following, contained an address by Capt. B. T. Walshe, President of the Army of Northern Virginia Association, in which he responded for that body as follows: "I speak more particularly now of the infantry of that army, but to those named should be added such splendid soldiers as Col. J. B. Walton and Col. B. F. Eshleman, the first and last commanders of the famous battalion, the Washington Artillery, and of which the first four companies served in Virginia; and Capt. Louis E. D'Aquin and Capt. Charles W. Thompson, both of the Louisiana Guard Artillery, the first named killed while commanding his battery at Fredericksburg, and the latter also killed while in command at the second Winchester. These and many others have already joined the silent majority, excepting only four: Nicholls, York, Penn, and Eshleman. "Mr. President, I will not attempt to speak of the ;glories of that wonderful army, the Army of Northern Virginia. That record is part of the history of the Confederate States, giving luster and prominence to the soldiers of the South; and as I can not add to the fame of our comrades and of ourselves as part of that army, still, sir, I may, I think, properly mention as far as I can recall the names of those gallant spirits who died doing their duty as soldiers. Necessarily brief, I will: confine my remarks to the infantry, and to those gallant men only who were either instantly killed or mortally wounded while commanding Louisiana regiments or battalions of infantry serving in Virginia . . . . "The recita1 of these memories of the past must bring to us all, as it certainly does to me, the warm friendship and affectionate regard we soldiers had for each other in those days of camp-life, marching, and battle. "The Louisiana commands serving in Virginia were as follws: The First, Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth---in all ten regiments of infantry---the First, or Dreux's; the Second, or Wheat's Louisiana Tigers; the Fourth, or McEnery's; the First and Second Louisiana Zouaves; the Washington, or St. Paul's Foot Rifles; in all six battalions of infantry, the first four companies of the Washington Artillery, the Louisiana Guard Artillery, the Donaldsonville Artillery, and the Madison Artillery (Madison Tips), in all seven companies of light artillery. "These commands lost in battle the following field officers, killed or mortally wounded while in command: First Louisiana Regiment, Lieut. Col. Michael Nolan, killed at Gettysburg; the Second Regiment, Col. Isaiah T. Norwood, mortally wounded at Malvern Hill, and Col. John M. Williams, killed at the third Winchester; the Fifth Regiment, Lieut.-Col. Bruce Menger, killed at Spottsylvania Court-House; the Sixth Regiment, Maj. Arthur McArthur, killed at the first Winchester; Col. Isaac G. Seymour, killed at Gaines's Mill; Col. Henry B. Strong, killed at Sharpsburg, and Col. William Mbnaghan, killed near Shepardstown, and to these, I think, I can properly add Col. Joseph Hanlon, last colonel of the regiment, who was shot through the body at the first Winchester, never fully recovered, and died shortly after the close of the war; the Seventh Regiment, Lieut.-Col. Charles DeChoiseul, killed at Port Republic, and Major Aaron Davis, killed the day before at Cross Keys; the Eighth Regiment, Col. Trevanin Lewis, killed at Gettysburg, and Col. German A. Lester, killed at Cold Harbor; the Ninth Regiment, Maj. H. L. Williams, mortally wounded at Gettysburg; the Tenth Regiment, Col. W. H. Spencer, killed at second Manassas, Col. John M. Leggett, mortally wounded at Chancellorsville, and Major Thomas N. Powell, killed in front of Petersburg; the Fifteenth Regiment, Lieut.-Col. R. A. Wilkerson, killed at the second Manassas; the First Battalion, Lieut.-Col. Charles E. Dreux, the first Louisiana officer to fall in the war, killed in a skirmish on the Curtis Farm, near Newport News, July 5, 1861; the Second Battalion, Maj. Robert C. Wheat, killed at Gaines's Mill; and the Louisiana Zouave Battalion, Lieut. Col. Gaston Coppens, killed at Sharpsburg. "And so it came to be regarded that the Army of Northern Virginia was invincible. At the last they were overwhelmed and-overpowered by the vast armies recruited from every clime and commanded by that great soldier, Gen. U. S. Grant, who had his immense army supplied and equipped as no army has ever been in modern. times." Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 5 Nashville, Tenn., May, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WOMEN OF NORTH CAROLINA M. L. Shipp Our women have always been active in advancing any good cause, and especially were they helpful in the dark trials during and directly after the war. The women of North Carolina were no exception to this rule, and by their untiring exertions have done much to keep alive the memory of those who so nobly sacrificed themselves upon the altar of their country. The following extracts were made from a paper hy Mrs. M. L. Shipp, in the woman's edition of the News and Observer, May 20, 1895, in regard to the most prominent association of the state: "The Ladies' Memorial Association of Wake County was formed in 1865, when it was necessary to remove from the grounds of the Pettigrew Hospital the remains of the Confederate soldiers buried there. It was but a short while after the Federals took possession of Raleigh before the Mayor was notified that they admired the spot where rested the Confederate dead, and ordered that they be moved at once, or they would be thrown out in the country road. A town meeting was called, and the association formed, Mrs. L. 0'B. Branch being made President; Miss Sophia Patridge, Secretary; and Miss Annie Mason, Treasurer. The other charter members were Mrs. Henry Miller, Mrs. Lucy Evans, Mrs. Robert Lewis, Mrs. Mary Lacy, Vice-Presidents; Miss Margaret Iredell and Mrs. John Devereaux. "A resting-place was selected for the re-internment of the beloved dead, and, with the help of the young men and boys of the town, the work was successfully accomplished. The graves were comparatively few at first, but none were safe from Sherman's 'bummers,' as there was scarcely a new-made grave anywhere but what was opened by these men, in search of treasures; so it was a sacred trust, most religiously kept by the young men and women, to visit these graves almost daily and see that they were kept in order. The association grew in numbers and the interest increased. Many Confederate dead from the country were moved to this spot, and the grounds were laid off and improved by Serg. Hamilton, a soldier of the Confederate army who lost both eyes from a wound. "After the death of Gen. Jackson the 10th of May had been selected as Memorial Day, when the citizens were to repair to the cemetery to participate in the services there. No procession was allowed unless the United States flag was carried, and, as it was several years before the ladies were so much 'reconstructed' as to march under this flag, the gathering was without special order or ceremony. The services were very simple, but impressive in the stillness of the forest. "To raise funds to care for the Confederate dead and erect a monument to their memory every legitimate means was resorted to by the association. Many entertainments were given in town, and the young people would go to villages near the town and assist in giving entertainments there. This was not done without risk, as it was reported that contraband articles were for sale, such as Confederate flags, a strand of Gen. Lees hair, pictures of President Davis or any Confederate general; so there would be the sudden appearance of a bluecoat with orders to search the room for these contraband articles. None were ever found however, and the efforts of the ladies were so successful that they were able to raise funds sufficient, with appropriations from the state, to erect the monument now standing in the cemetery. By this time the town and sta¢e were in a measure relieved from martial law, and a fitting dedication was allowed. "The Ladies" Memorial Association of Wake County is still in existence, and through its efforts not only the Confederate dead of North Carolina, but of other Southern states, have been brought from the field of Gettysburg and the United States burying-ground at Arlington, and now rest together in this cemetery. Through their efforts, also, the Home for Old Soldiers was secured, and after thirty years the state has honored her soldiers by placing a monument to their memory in the capitol grounds at Raleigh. "The success and noble work of the association is mainly due to its first President, Mrs. L. O'B. Branch, who so nobly put aside her own grief to care for those who, with her husband, had given their lives to the cause of truth and justice." Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 5 Nashville, Tenn., May, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHIPS THAT PASSED AT NIGHT Capt. E. C. McDowell Account of Passing the Batteries at Port Hudson, 1862. The following interesting account of the fight between the Confederate shore batteries at Port Hudson, La., and the lower Mississippi fleet, under the command of David G. Farragut, the renowned Federal admiral, was written by Capt. E. C. McDowell, who participated in that memorable encounter as a lieutenant of artillery. The Captain is a tried and true veteran, and a member of the John C. Brown Bivouac. His recenk appointment by the President as Assistant Quartermaster U. S. A. gives marked expression to the sentiment for genuine unity between the North and South. Such acts by the dominant party will hasten the realization of mutual sympathy and interest. It is a vivid, as well as correct, account of the fight at Port Hudson, La., between the Confederate shore batteries and the fleet of Admiral Farragut, March 14, 1863. In this fight the man-of-war "Mississippi," on which Lieut. George Dewey was executive officer, was burned and the "Richmond" and "Essex" disabled: In 1863 the Confederates held Vicksburg, Miss., and Port Hudson, La., and thereby controlled the Mississippi River between these points. This part of the river was very essential to us, as we thus kept up communication between the departments East and West. Red River emptied into the Mississippi same miles above Port Hudson, and down it we brought thousands of cattle and great barges of corn to feed our army in the Eastern Department. The Federals had undisputed control of the Mississippi as far down as Vicksburg, and from its mouth as far up as Port Hudson. For the purpose of cutting off our supplies from the West and also as preparatory to the besieging of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, it was all-important that the Federals should get control of the river between these points. The fleet of the upper Mississippi, taking advantage of a dark night, ran a gunboat, the "Indianola," by the batteries at Vicksburg, and thus they secured control of the disputed part of the river. Gen. Gardner, in command at Port Hudson, called for volunteers. An old ferry-boat was barricaded with cotton bales, and, manned by as brave spirits as ever trod the deck of any craft, joined a similar expedition sent from Vicksburg, who went in search of the "Indianola." The combined expeditions found the "Indianola," sank her, and captured the crew, with all her supplies. This enterprise should be written up by some old Confederate who was in it. He would confer a great favor on the readers of the VETERAN in giving a detailed account of this expedition and the names of the volunteers. Lieut. Sherwin, who was subsequently killed by a hand-grenade at Port Hudson, was one of the volunteers aboard the ferry-boat " Beaty." Then it became necessary to run other ships by the batteries, and this was done by the teacher and trainer of Dewey, Commodore Farragut---a Tennessean, by the way who was in command of the fleet below Port Hudson. He selected a dark night, March 14, 1863. About 11 P.M. his fleet was put in motion. Our signal corps on the west side of the river gave warning with signal-rockets and also set fire to a pile of combustibles than had been prepared opposite our batteries. This bonfire lighted up the river and put the ships attempting to pass in bold outline. Our first battery was a single gun, a rifle siege-gun, commanded by Lieut. Kearney. The next battery was a single gun; an old navy "thirty-two pound smooth bore. This was the only hot-shot battery served at Port Hudson, and was commanded by Lieut. E. C. McDowell. The next battery was a two-gun battery, commanded by Lieut. Castalanos. The next was a two-gun battery of twenty-four pound siege-guns, commanded by Lieut. D. D. Phillips. Then, next, came two Columbiads, one commanded by Capt. Sewell and one by Capt. Coffin, and then came three thirty-two pound smooth-bore guns, served by a detachment of the First Alabama Artillery Regiment. In all, our guns on the river front numbered only thirteen, and they were "out-of-date." The Federal armament consisted of fifteen mortars, on boats advantageously located under a bluff below the fort, and which made the "heavens lurid with bursting shells. The "Hartford," the "Richmond," and "Mississippi" were men-of-war carrying ---"Hartford," twenty-eight guns, and "Richmond" and " Mississippi" twenty-four guns each. I do not know how many guns the "Essex" carried. Besides, there were other gunboats that lay out of our range below, and kept up an incessant fire upon us. The "Hartford," which was the commodore's flagship. came in the lead, with Farragut fled in the rigging (this was protection against his falling, if he should be wounded), and the "Albatros," as tender, lashed to the side presented to our batteries. Next came the "Richmond," with her tender lashed to her side. These seemed to be the only men-of-war they sought to run by. The man-of-war "Mississippi" came next, followed by the "Essex." The rest of the fleet took position just below, and poured shot and shell into our batteries. When the "Hartford" was abreast of our batteries we open~ed fire. The "Hartford" and "Richmond" did not respond, their purpose being to run by; but the "Mississippi" poured a broadside into us, and was gallantly supported by the " Essex," an ironclad. The "Hartford," with tender, dashed by, but a lucky shaft cut the pipe of the " Richmond," completely disabling her. She floated at the mercy of the current; she drifted almost against the shore. We poured shot into her at close quarters with great damage. Her officer cried for quarter. Her tender, had cut loose and retreated down the river. Finding the "Richmond" disabled, we concentrated our fire upon the "Mississippi." She fought gamely, but was soon disabled, and ran aground on the bar opposite and in full range of all our batteries. When she was fully in flames the current carried her stern around, her bow released its hold on the bar, and she floated off down the river, turning round and round as she went. Just as her broadside was broadly on us the fire had reached and heated her guns, and she delivered a grand broadside fire on us, as if herself fighting. The "Mississippi" was commanded by Capt. Malancthon Smith, and Lieut. George Dewey was executive officer. I suppose the wounded and a number of her men escaped in the small boats. Capt. Smith and one hundred and twenty-five of his men swam or waded ashore, and were made prisoners. The Lieut. Dewey is now Admiral Dewey, of Manila fame. When we had ceased firing upon the "Richmond," and she floated out of reach, her tender took charge of her and towed her down the river. The "Mississippi," grandly beautiful, floated on down the river. The fleet saw its danger and made all haste to flee. When she had floated to a point a short distance below where the fleet had been the fire reached her magazine. The flames and fire leaped heavenward hundreds of feet, then went out, and all was darkness, succeeded in a few seconds by a it thundering explosion. The next morning the river was free of the enemy's fleet, and we had peace for forty-eight hours. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 6 Nashville, Tenn., June, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MUCH ABOUT RETURNING CONFEDERATE FLAGS Unknown When making the plea in the April VETERAN for worthy recognition of patriotism in the South and asking that, as evidence, Confederate flags be returned, there was hardly any hope of such generous response. The leading spirit in cooperation is Capt. Theodore F. Allen, of Cincinnati, who took it up promptly, and wrote to leading newspapers and to eminent men in the North, and it has become a theme of public discussion. The Press-Post, of Columbus, Ohio., through an entertaining contributor, Mary Hobson (Hobson is a fine name, and especially so at this time), says: The ex-Union soldiers of Columbus and vicinity, touched by the readiness with which the Southerners now spring to the defense of the flag which they once assailed, are preparing to receive the ex-Confederates with every token of good will. I talked with more than fifty ex-Union soldiers in regard to the return of the captured flags, how they expected to greet the ex-Confederates, and the advisability of having reunions with them in the future, and during these talks was given an exhibition of moral grandeur unparalleled. An "open letter" of Col. Alien, which has been published extensively, addressed to the veterans of 186-65 ----Loyal Legion, the Union Veteran Legion, and the Grand Army of the Republic---states: The present war for humanity having demonstrated that the ax-Confederate soldiers and their sons and the ex-Union soldiers and their sons are one in devotion to our united country, and that we are all good Americans now, fighting under one flag---is not this the right time to wipe out the last trace of ill feeling engendered in the "argument" of 1861-65, and return to the survivors of the Southern regiments the battle-flags which have been held for the last thirty years or more as war trophies at state capitals of the North and at the War Department in Washington? Is it not best that this shall be the free act of the survivors of the Union army, the men who won the battle trophies, rather than leave it for our descendants, another generation, to do? There is not much that the veterans of "our war" can do in the present war except, maybe, to make the way smooth for the younger men, whose fathers fought on either side during 1861-65. In this connection A. O. Mitchell, present Commande of Wells Post, said: "We shall welcome the ex-Confederates who come here with all the cordiality due from soldiers to soldiers." Mr. John A. McKenna's reply was equally cordial. Mr. John H. Sherry: "They took defeat like the brave men they were, and now, after thirty-seven years, they are proving themselves worthy of every consideration. So, in my opinion, their flags should be returned and everything possible done to maintain the unity of interest that now exists." Mr. William Gittan said: "Reunions between the blue and the gray are a good thing, especially since our numbers are getting smaller each year. I shall welcome most heartily the veterans who come here this week, but I shall not shake hands with them." "Why not?" was asked, thinking the expression very strange. "Because they didn't leave me any hands," he replied, holding up two gloved artificial semblances of such. "Worst of all, they were taken just three days before the surrender of Lee." Mr. Richard Albrittain, whose left arm is mutilated and almost useless from a gun shot wound received at the siege of Vicksburg, said: "As to the flags, I can see no reason why they should not be given back. The people of the South began to return swords and other trophies of war to our soldiers in the early seventies; and if they really wish the flags, I favor their return." Gen. Wilson said: "As to the flags, send them back. The men who fought under them are as loyal to the stars and stripes now as if they had never thought of any other standard. They know as well as we do that their flags represent nothing that exists to-day, but they are dear to them because of associations connected with painful memories. 'All sentiment,' some would say; but it is the kind of sentiment that lurks in many American hearts, and is rather difficult to eradicate. I would like to have some one send me the sword which contains my name, and was valued more than ordinary arms because the gift of a dear friend. It may be perfectly useless, and I know if it were not that I should never use it again; but still I would like to have it." Mr. A. J. McCune, an ex-prisoner of war, said: "Every Southerner is as true as steel, and it's time for the wagon drivers and bounty-jumpers to keep still and let the past be buried in oblivion." Capt. J. B. Allen, who carries an empty sleeve, said: "Between the soldiers who fought there never was personal animosity like that which existed among some who never knew the real meaning of war. When, at Appomattox, Lee with proud dignity surrendered to Grant, who said, 'Let us have peace,' there was no true soldier heart that did not echo the seritiment; and, following the example of their great leaders, each of these deemed it best to keep silent. But of course there have always been some fools and fire-eaters who have engendered more bitterness among the young people of to-day than we had in the ranks at any time." Mr. William M. Armstrong replied: "I heartily endorse everything that will bring us into closer friendship with the people of the South. I have an intense admiratian for them, and it's odd that this was first awakened during a fierce engagement. It was in Tennessee. Our men were stationed on a slope of ground behind parapets with head-Logs. You know what head logs are? Yes? Well, the only danger to which we could possibly be exposed during an attack was from our own batteries, which were so placed that they could fire over our heads. In such cases shells often burst before they reach their inttended destination, and thus play havoc in the ranks they are meant to serve. Everything was against any who should attempt to come up, that line, but a force of Confederates tried it. Their front lines were mowed down by the batteries, but on they came, as though they meant to take everything before them, until one could but wonder what madness possessed them. Again and again they were repulsed by merciless firing, but every time they would reform and come marching back as proudly as if on review, until---would you believe it?---they charged us seven times, and every time they came nearer, until in the last desperate assault our defenses were reached, and, clambering upon them, they fought like madmen with the butts of their guns until our batteries swept them down in a heap. I never saw anything that could equal it in my life, and I have seen some thrilling sights. While they were fighting so "heroically I felt like cheering them myself. It was such a magnificent effort that, although victory was ours, it seemed trivial and mean because so easily won, especially when we watched the remnants of that gallant band fall slowly back, leaving the ground covered with gray-clad figures. Since then I have always thought that such foes would be worthy having as friends. I have made frequent visits in the South of late years, and have met many ex-Confederates, with whom delightful friendships were formed. They have such exquisite courtesy in their own homes that I should have much regretted it if arrangements had not been made to make their visit here as pleasant as possible. If they wish for the return of the flags, I don't see why they should not have them." Said Mr. Joseph Baker: "The return of the flags would doubtless strengthen the regard which the people of the sections now have for each other." Mr. Simon Small exclaimed: "I think our soldiers should not only welcome the others as guests of the city, but like comrades go out and help them decorate. That's wthat I intend to do. Their flags should have been returned long ago as proof that their loyalty, which is now so evident, is unquestioned." Mr. Walter Weber, an ex-prisoner, replied: "We have asked the ex-Confederates to a camp-fire with us, and have thus expressed our good will toward them, but they have not invited us to participate in their memorial exercises. I think we should wait until they do so before we give this any serious consideration." Mr. John Logan exclaimed: "There is nothing that I would not do to make the 'Johnnies' feel that we are pleased to have them with us, but there is just one thing I'll never do, and that is help decorate at Camp Chase, or any other place where the Confederates are buried. The Southerners are brave and noble men. I honor them for their many high qualities, I appreciate meeting them in reunions and elsewhere; but I maintain that there should be a difference in the honors given to the men who died under our flag, true as steel, and those who died with their faces turned away from our government and toward one which they hoped to have. It's the proper thing for them to rememiber their dead in this way, but the Southerners themselves would be the last to expect us to assist them." C. W. Fowler: "As we have but one flag now, and as all Americans are supporting it, I don't see why we should keep the flags taken in battle." Mr. Thomas Jeffery, Past Commander of McCoy Post: "The combatants in the civic struggle, as individuals, felt no bitterness even during the war. The flags should be given back to those to whom they are dear because of personal associations connected with them." Col. William Knauss "The Press-Post knows my opinion of these subjects like a book. I have been advocating the decoration of the graves of ex-Confederates at reunions with those who are living for a long time. Yes, I believe in the return of the flags, and in everything conducive to the harmony among our people. But talk about being patriotic! I have just returned from Louisville, and for every flag that cities of the Nortth have on their public buildings that city has five. Loyalty to the Union is intense throughout the South. I am glad that the majority of our people are not like the prominent man who to-day remarked that he could see no reason why the Southerners should wish the return of the flags, unless it was to perpetuate the old principles, just as their organizations aim to do. Against this I have in my possession a copy of the bylaws of a Kentucky order, and there is not a single sentence in it that would not be a credit to any society however patriotic." Capt. J. Hobensack's statement was: "There is no animosity toward the South to-day, but I don't think the flags should be returned unless the regiments that captured them are willing that this should be done. They secured them at fearful cost, and if they consent to this no one else should object." Mr. Charles Robbins replied: "I advocate the return of the flags and as many reunions as possible. We can not see too much of the men whom we ardently admire, even when they were our sworn foes. Respect for bravery can not be controlled." Mr. Frank Betts: "I am heartily in favor of everything that will show that soldiers can fight and then be truest friends." Said Adj.-Gen. Axline: "Of course reunions between the blue and the gray are advisable; they develop fraternity in a remarkable degree. Now that the boys of each section have enlisted to fight a foreign foe, the last vestige of resentment has been swept away, and every act of ours should demonstrate tthis to the world. As to the flags, I was sitting by Gov. Foraker when he wrote that message in regard to them, and at that time I fully concurred in it; but this war has changed my views, and now I say, Give them back." Capt. C. T. Clark said: "There never was enmity between ithe fighting soldiers North and South; they always respected each other, and with us the respect deepened into pride that our opponents were Americans. Ever since the war we'have talked over the events of it in a friendly way, so I favor reunions. The Confederate was a rebel, not a traitor. We fare are rebels against laws and institutions we don't like; so why not decorate the graves of rebel soldiers?" Dr. James C. Krosen: "Now, about the flags. Were I an ex-Confederate, I should not desire them. because of the painful memories they would arouse. It would be like opening an old wound long healed, but if they think differently, and the return of the flags will strengthen the bonds of fellowship between us, then I should advocate giving them back without delay" Said Capt. Jothn Dana: "I was out such a short time that my experience as a soldier scarcely counts, but I think their standards should be sent back." Maj. John Chaplin, an ex-prisoner of war, responded: "Reunions between the soldiers North and South are certainly to be commended. We favor the coming of the ex-Confederates to pay tribute to the memory of those who were dear rto them in their darkest, saddest days, and we shall accord them most hearty welcome. As to the flags, we would just as soon have the flags under which we suffered things too hideous for "history to record kept out of sight." Mr. Henry Kalb: "I was at Camp Chase and helped decorate last year. That is convincing proof of how I feel toward our opponents in the war of the rebellion." Dr. N. Elliott: "There are no narrow antipathies between the soldiers, and they will do all in their power to convince others that this is so." Isaac Hussy: " Manv ex-Union soldiers intend to help decorate the graves at Camp Chase. I favor reunions and the return of the flags." B. F. Minear: "I worked at Camp Chase all day last year, and shall, of course, do everything possible to demonstrate ito the men wtho will be there next week that the feeling which brings them is understood and respected. Yes I favor the return of the flags." John A. Lawrence "The return of the flags will accomplish more toward convincing others that we do not cherish resentment than any words we may utter." Mr. Lewis Kline: "Returning the flags will be an act in accord with what we have decided to do: welcome the ex-Confederattes and bury the past completely." Mr. George W. Gossan: "The return of the flags is in accord with the feelings of those who will be with the ex-Confederates at Camp Chase this week." Mr. C. D. De Vennish: "When our last camp-fire has gone out others will remember that we welcomed to one in Columbus men who came to decorate the graves of those who died our foes. Can even the return of the flags, which I consider proper, give better proof of our having buried animosities?" Fred Weidman: "We face our foes and decorate our graves together now; so why hesitate about returning a few flags if the Southerners desire them." Mr. Frank Drake: "Give the boys a hearty welcome, return the flags, and bury the past." Dr. Saddler: "The return of the flags would have a decided effect upon those who do not yet understand that the blue and the gray are united in thought and action." Col. W. A. Taylor: "The Confederates, after they thad appealed to the tribunal of war, accepted its decision as final. This settled itt between the soldiers. Most certainly the flags should go back to them. Thoughtful people do not malign the motives of the Southeners in desiring them, and do not hesitate to say that this much should be conceded to those who are proving their loyalty in every way." G. W. Bassett: "All meetings of blue and gray are of interest, but this one will shave even greater significance than any that have preceded it. I shall go to Camp Chase because I believe in everything that can further cement the bond existing between former combatants." Capt. Kennedy: "As we near the time when we shall all camp elsewhere old animosities fade away." Mr. H. K. Forbes: "Give back the flags, I say, to the men whose loyalty is unquestioned---those whom we shall welcome as guests next Saturday." Mr. W. S. Brazilius: "I am for reunions, return of flags, and everything that will show that the spirit of fraternity is complete between the soldiers North and South." Mr. John Jones said: "Life is too short to keep alive any feeling that may once have been manifested between the sections. Their differences were settled in battle. The soldiers cherish no resentment now; and even in the bitterness of strife individuals, when they met, could not forget that they were brothers. I remember one instance when this brotherhood particularly impressed me. It was when it was thought advisable to remove my foot because of gangrene resulting from a wound. The surgeon, a kindly faced man, said to me: 'Where are you from?' I replied: 'Columbus, Ohio.' 'Indeed!' said he. 'Do you know Dr. Hamilton?' 'Certainly,' I answered; 'I lived near his office when he first hung out his shingle.' My questioner's face brightened as he said: 'Dr. Hamilton and I were classmates at Philadelphia. It is singular that while we are no relation we have the same name. A warm friendship existed between us. It is pleasant to meet with some one that knows him. I will see what I can do for you.' He did much, for through his skill and care I was compelled to lose only a portion of the foot. I do not see why the flags were not returned long ago." History does not record a more sublime spectacle than that furnished by the veterans, who, seemingly forgetful of their own wounds, would cover the scars of their former adversaries with the folds of the captured flags and the flowers which they shall scatter upon the resting place of men who died their foes, but whose comrades in arms are now their loved and trusted friends. Their words are typical of the whole North's better self. The Baltimore Sun: "With the outbreak of rhe Spanish war the American civil war seems to have ended for good. Lee and W'heeler are wearing blue uniforms, and they and many others who wore the gray, or whose fathers followed the fortunes of the Confederacy, are now marching under the stars and stripes. Nor is this all: Senator Foraker, of Ohio, one of the most ultra Northern partizans, says: 'It would be a good thing at this time to return the Confederate battle-flags." The Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, a strong Republican paper, says: "The time to give back the captured flags has come. Ohio wants no longer the trophies taken from her sister states so long ago. She would rather restore them once more to the hands and tender care of those who first bore them aloft, as a token of love for her sister commonwealths, whose defeat in war thas long since been turned into a victory of peace." The Philadelphia Press, another leading Republican paper, says: " It is believed that the time has come when the North should no longer cherish these tokens of a divided country. The spirit shown by the South in the war with Spain, the loyalty it is displaying to the flag of the Union, the readiness to volunteer and bear its share of the burdens, and the willingness for the time being to sink all political differences and present a united front to ithe enemy have made a profound impression on the country. It is the final and convincing proof that the war between sections is ended, that the country is united as it never was before in aim and purposes, and that the American people form an indissoluble nation." It is announced that at the annual meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic, which will be held in Cincinnati in September, a proposition will be made for the return to the South of all the battle-flags captured during the war. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 7 Nashville, Tenn., July, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GETTING EVEN WITH GENERAL ROUSSEAU Unknown Among Tom Ford's chums were several incorrigible foragers. When Gen. Rousseau, the gallant Kentuckian, commanded the division he gave strict orders against foraging. One day he saw Ford's chums carrying a dressed sheep to camp. And was directed to arrest the foragers and march them to his side. "You have been stealing sheep," said the General. "We killed this one in self-defense," said a young butcher. " He was about to collide with us." "Non-sense! Take that mutton to my headquarters, and go to your camp," snapped the General. The next day the same batch of foragers was again caught with a large, fat sheep(?), well dressed. This time the General scolded them savagely. As on the previous occasion, the mutton was sent to the General's mess and ea~ten by him and his staff. A few days later, when he and some friends rode through camp, the men in Ford's company barked like so many Newfoundland dogs. He demanded of the captain to know what it meant. One of the foragers was trotted out. "What do you mean by barking as I came into this camp?" "Well, General, you remember that last sheep you had taken from us and sent to your mess?" "Yes; but what has that to do with this infernal bowwowing?" "Everything, general. That wasn't a sheep at all; it wets a Newfoundland dog." For half a minute the proud-spirited officer looked hard at the man. Then he laughed and rode away. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 7 Nashville, Tenn., July, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AN INCIDENT OF ROCKY FACE RIDGE Lieut. Andrew M. Sea, Louisville, Ky. Thirty years ago the Confederate army of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was camped in the vicinity of Dalton, Ga., in a fertile and beautiful valley, although destroyed fencing and uncultivated fields indicated the presence of armed men whose trade is destruction and war. A mile north of the town ran a chain of small mountains, called Rocky Face Ridge, which were impassable for horse or vehicle, except at gaps, several of which were within a few miles of Dalton. Across the ridge on the north side lay the Federal army of Gen. Sherman. Several spirited engagements had taken place at Rocky Face and Snake Creek Gaps, invariably resulting in an enforced order to "shinny on your own side" to whichever army attempted or temporarily effected a passage of the ridge. After several days of maneuvering and ceaseless vigilance on both sides it became apparent that Gen. Sherman intended forcing a passage through the lower gap, which, if successful, would have turned our left flank and placed his army in our rear, and, of course, cut off our communications. But, able soldier as Gen. Sherman was, he had in Gen. Johnston a foeman worthy of his steel;" and if the passage had been attempted, the enemy would have found braver and more determined men than defended the pass at Thermopylae. Indeed, nearly our whole army was within striking distance of the lower gap. To mask his real purpose, Gen. Sherman sent a division of his army under Gen. to make an attack and, if possible, force a passage at the upper gap, some two miles northeast of Dalton. It is to this division my story relates. My section of artillery was encamped by the side of the main road, which led up the valley and was halfway between Dalton and the gap. The battery boys were lounging about the guns in rather a listless, lazy sort of way, unsuspicious of danger. I was lying under the shade of a small tree, aimlessly gazing across the open ground in my front, when I became interested in the movement of a rapidly approaching horseman. Upon his nearer approach I at once recognized Maj. Gen. S_____ , who I briefly informed me that a division of Federal troops was driving our small command through the gap, and would soon be upon me on its way to capture the town of Dalton and the supplies of our army. He ended his hurried information by ordering me to put my guns in position for action and "fight them to the muzzle of the guns." Meanwhile he would hurry any command he could find to my support. Well, this was an eye-opener sure enough! Just think of it! "Fight them to the muzzle of the guns" simply meant to die or be captured in your tracks; sacrifice yourselves and guns to gain a little time, and that, too, absolutely without support. Why the order fairly took my breath. I was not one of those men who never felt the sensation of fear. Still I had hitherto summoned courage enough to go in and stay when comrades were around me and I felt that I had a fair chance; but with two pieces of artillery and without support to fight a division of the enemy flushed with success seemed preposterous. I confess that I was decidedly rebellious, and my thoughts while preparing for action were not the most pleasant. Still the order was peremptory, and left me no discretion. What could not be helped must be endured. The enemy did not approach as rapidly as I anticipated, and our little band was disputing every inch of ground; but the firing was perceptibly getting nearer and nearer. Just then my attention was called to another rider coming directly from the front. He was kicking with both feet and beating his jaded horse with his saber-scabbard. He was a badly demoralized, straggling cavalryman. On he came to the battery, and, checking up his horse, breathlessly asked what command that was. Upon being informed, he partially turned in his saddle, and, looking in the direction of the enemy, he said, "Now, damn you, I reckon you'll stop!" and away he went, kicking and spurring for dear life. The incident was so supremely ridiculous that my poor boys forgot their own peril in their jeers and laughter. Looking at the figure of the retreating cavalryman, our eyes were gladdened by the sight of a body of infantrymen coming from Dalton at a double quick, and riding at the head of the column was Gen. Reynolds, who commanded a small brigade of Virginians and North Carolinians. He was a small, delicate looking man, calm and absolutely fearless; a stouter heart never beat in human breast. These qualities had been apparent on many a bloody field. Early in the war, on Gauley River, W. Va., his splendid judgment and dauntless courage had saved the day, and ever since he had been known as "Old Gauley." My relief at seeing him may be imagined, and I said: "Well, General, you never saw a man so glad to see another." "Why, what's the matter? Had you in a tight place, didn't they? But it's all right, Lieutenant. If I can't take my fleet-footed Virginians and my 'tarheels' and whip any division of Yankees that ever lived, my name ain't Gauley Reynolds, and I want you to see me do it." The absolute confidence of his assertion and his evident eagerness to begin were inspiring and contagious. Asking him if he would take the responsibility of ordering my gun, to accompany him, he answered, "Certainly!" and told me to fall in after his first regiment. Very soon the column was thrown into line, and, the proper distribution of troops made for the reception of "our friends the enemy." When our gap-guard, which had been steadily and surely driven before overpowering numbers, came in sight of our line of battle they and we raised a tremendous yell, which was doubtless the first intimation the enemy had of our presence. But they too were veterans, and not to be stopped by yells. On they came, confident and defiant. When they had advanced within forty yards of our line Gen. Reynolds gave the command to fire, and instantly flashes of fire and storms of lead and iron succeeded each other in rapid succession. The enemy recoiled as from the mouth of a volcano. Several times they rallied, but only to met the same murderous fire. Verily, "hell had broken loose in Georgia." Their loss had been heavy; they knew that they were on our side of the ridge, and they doubtless imagined our force much greater than it was. They fought with less determination, and there was some evidence of confusion in their lines. Gen. Reynolds detected this, and gave the command to charge with the bayonet. Nothing could with stand the impetuosity of that charge, led by the General in person. The enemy gave way in defeat, and utter rout followed. Everything was abandoned in their eagerness to reach the gap, and our victory was complete. What a change within a short hour! Then I fully expected to be butchered or captured at my guns; now I was exultingly pouring shot and shell into the ranks of the beaten foe. The General's entire confidence in his command had been verified. The genial, convivial gentleman, the able and intrepid general of whom I write, has also passed over the dividing-line between time and eternity. Peace to his ashes! We shall not soon see his like again. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 8 Nashville, Tenn., August, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER Unknown Gen. Joseph Wheeler is one of the most remarkable military men of history. As a major general in the United States army down in Cuba his character was illustrated by him being on the skirmish line with fifty soldiers and climbing a tree to inspect the situation about Santiago. He is associated with some of the most thrilling events of the Confederacy. In February, 1865, it became necessary to know about the movements of Sherman's army across Pedee River, in South Carolina, so he selected Mr. J. B. Nance, and the two, a lieutenant general and his bugler, swam the stream to the side of the enemy, going on a regular scout. The river was swollen and very swift, and it took a three mile swim for them to land where desired. The General was dressed as a private, and was to be called "Sam Johnson" in the event of capture. This thrilling story deserves place in the VETERAN. Dr. J. A. Wyeth, of New York, has written recently for Harper's Weekly a thrilling story of how Gen. Wheeler kept the Federal army at bay in Shelbyville with a few men until it became necessary to leap their horses from an embankment on Duck River to escape. Maj.-Gen. Joseph Wheeler was born in Augusta. Ga., September 10, 1836, and graduated at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1859. He was a lieutenant of cavalry in New Mexico in 1861 when he resigned to enter the Confederate service. He became a lieutenant of artillery in the Confederate army, then a colonel of infantry, a brigadier-general, and a major-general, and finally a lieutenant-general of cavalry. He commanded the cavalry corps of the Western army in 1862, and was made senior cavalry general of the Confederate armies May 11, 1864. He declined a professorship of philosophy in the Louisiana Seminary in 1866, and in 1869 became a lawyer in Alabama. He was a Representative in Congress from Alabama almost from early after the war. As a cavalry officer, at twenty-six years of age he received the thanks of the Confederate Congress for his magnificent service, and of South Carolina for defending Aiken. He was both a strategist and a fighter---audacious, tireless, aggressive. He was present at Pensacola, and captured Prentiss' Division at Shiloh, covering the retreats from Shildo, Corinth, and Perryville, and winning commendation from the Confederate generals. He turned Rosecrans' flank at Murfreesboro, capturing troops and wagons, and destroyed much of value to the enemy. He distinguis'hed himself at Chickamauga, and after the battle made his famous raid around Rosecrans' rear, destroying twelve hundred loaded wagons. In the East Tennessee campaign the retreat from Mission Ridge, and the struggle from Chattanooga to Atlanta, he performed prodigies of valor, capturing great wagon trains and thousands of beef cattle, and thwarting Cook's great raid. During Sherman's march to the sea Gen. Wheeler defended Macon and Augusta, and hung on Sherman's course through Georgia and the Carolinas, thereby evoking President Davis' commendation. Gen. Wheeler was wounded three times, and had his horse shot under him, and seven of his staff-officers were killed and three were wounded. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 10 Nashville, Tenn., October, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PICKETT'S BRIGADE AT GAINES'S MILL J. Cooper, Adjutant U. C. V., Fairfax, Va. The charge of Pickett's Division at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, brought out that heroic commander so prominently as to obscure largely the facts of the charge of his old brigade at Gaines's Mill, June 27, 1862, which, I think, equaled, if it did not surpass, it. Never having seen an account of that battle from my standpoint as a participant, I write the facts as they occurred to me. Pickett's Brigade was composed of the Eighth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-Eighth, and Fifty-Sixth Regiments of Virginia Infantry. He took command of them in March, 1862, while on the way from Centerville to Yorktown. After falling back from Yorktown to near Richmond, Lee's army received orders, on June 25, to cook three days' rations, draw eighty rounds of ammunition, and be ready to march at sound of the bugle. About 8 P.M. that day the order was given to fall in, and a hard night march began. The next morning we were halted on the Mechanicsville pike and near the bridge that crossed the Chickahominy River. Jackson's troops were then arriving on the north side and rear of Mechanicsville to attack McClellan's extreme right and rear, so as to open the way across the river, which was then covered by the enemy's guns. The battle raged with varied success between Jackson and the enemy from the middle of the afternoon until after dark. At night the enemy fell back, and the way was clear. Then the army, under Lee, moved across the river. By sunrise the next morning, June 27, the two armies of Lee and Jackson were ready for the aggressive, and moved in the following order: Longstreet on the right, parallel with the Chickahominy, Jackson on the left, and Hill in the center in echelon. Heavy skirmishing was kept up in the front until Cold Harbor was reached, when McClellan formed line of battle, his left resting on the Chickahominy, his right extending in a crescent shape around, so as to protect his base of supplies at the White House and Savage Station, on the York River railroad. His extreme left was fortified by three lines of breastworks, with a line of battle in each one and artillery in their rear, so they could concentrate the fire over their heads to the front and an enfilade with heavy guns from across the river. McClellan and one of his corps commanders, Gen. Fitz John Porter, considered this point impregnable, and it looked suicidal to attempt to carry it, but three brigades were selected to charge it. They were Pryor's, Pickett's, and Kiemper's. It was plain that if that stronghold be carried the day was won. The sun shone brightly and the atmosphere was clear, and every move that Lee's troops made could be plainly seen by the enemy. Pryor's line advanced to the attack, and in a short time was almost annihilated. Pickett, with his five regiments, went in on a double-quick, and, being hid by the smoke of battle, approached to within thirty or forty yards of their first line of intrenchment, where, in the intense heat and the dense smoke, they involuntarily threw themselves flat upon the ground and commenced firing. The roar of musketry was so terrific that it was impossible to hear anything else. The men knew, however, that heavy work was intended, as each man had his eighty rounds of ammunition. This continuous firing was kept up, neither side knowing the proximity of the other, on account of the smoke. Finally the firing of the enemy somewhat slackened, and the sun set, as it were, in blood, with neither side having gained any advantage. At the slight lull in the enemy's fire, Gen. Pickett ordered a charge, to which his brigade responded promptly. The "Rebel yell" resounded over the din of battle, and soon his men were within the enemy's first fortified line, when its occupants surrendered. Then the second gave way and fled, and the other line became panic-stricken and fled also. One battery of four guns, about one hundred yards in their rear, out in a field, gave Pickett a parting salute of shot and shell as his men scaled the last breastwork, and they fled with the others. Twelve guns were parked on the edge of a peach orchard, somewhat in the rear of the Watts house, which the left of the brigade had not yet reached. The Eighth Regiment was below, on the extreme right of the Watts house, in pursuit of the fugitives and as soon as they got within range less than three hundred yards, the enemy opened fire with grape and canister from those twelve pieces, which stopped the pursuit; but they killed and wounded more of their own men than of the Confederates. Their terrible fire was of short duration, for as soon as the left of the brigade got close enough those guns were silenced and the fire in Pickett's front ceased, and the day was won. So strong did Gens. McClellan and Porter think this point in their line that the latter established his headquarters at the Watts house, but hastened away when the lines were broken. The defeat was complete; his left was broken, and the ground held by the Confederates, his right cut off from his supplies by railroad and York River. McClellan re crossed the Chickahominy under the cover of night with what he had left. Twenty pieces of magnificent-looking artillery were left in Pickett's front, but the horses were either killed or so badly wounded they had to be killed. I have seen if stated that Gen. Hood's troops carried those fortifications, but that is a mistake. Just as the left of Pickett's Brigade had captured those twelve guns Hood's troops entered the field, marching in column. The writer saw and asked an officer what command it was, and was told by him that it was Hood's. Should that officer be living and see this, he would corroborate this; so would Gen. Pryor. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VI, No. 11 Nashville, Tenn., November, 1898. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BATTLE OF CHICKASAW BAYOU Gen. Stephen D. Lee Gen. Stephen D. Lee, Agricultural and Mechanical College, Miss., replies to criticism of an address by him: Dear Comrade: In the September number of the VETERAN Comrade C. R. Orr has an article headed "Jealous of Well-Earned Honors," in which he takes exception to some remarks made by myself in presenting the flag of the Forty-Second Georgia Regiment at the reunion at Atlanta. The remarks were of a general character, and intended merely to. be complimentary to a gallant regiment which had done good service at the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, under my command. I was certainly unfortunate in my language if I conveyed the idea that the Forty-Second Georgia alone was entitled to all the credit for the victory gained at Chickasaw Bayou. My intent was to recall the gallant services of that regiment under my command in that particular battle. Several flags were presented at the same time, one to the Thirty-Ninth North Carolina Regiment by Gen. Gordon in which he stated that that regiment had been in fifty-seven engagements and "had won fifty-six of them." Certainly Gen. Gordon did not intend to convey the idea that that regiment had done all the fighting and won all the glory of fifty-seven battlefields. The official report is the one which always makes up the record, and I refer Comrade Orr to Vol. 17, Part 1, Series 1, in the record of the Union and Confederate armies, published by the government, to be found on pages 680-684. My report says: "About 9 A.M. (December 29, 1862) he (the enemy) attempted to throw a pontoon bridge over the lake to my left; as soon as the attempt to pontoon the lake was discovered my line of battle was pushed to the left by two regiments, to throw them in front of the threatened point. The two regiments were the Forty-Second Georgia and Twenty-Eighth Louisiana. About 10 A.M. a furious cannonade was opened on my position by the enemy. He at the same arranged his infantry to storm my position. At II A.M. his artillery fire ceased, and his infantry, 6,000 strong, moved gallantly up under our artillery fire (eight guns), crossing the dry lake at two points, one being in front of vacated pits and the other 200 yards from my line. Here our fire was so terrible that they broke, but in a few moments they rallied again, sending a force to my left flank. This force was soon met by the Twenty-Eighth Louisiana, Col. Allen Thomas, and the Forty-Second Georgia, Col. R. J. Henderson (sent to the left in the morning), and handsomely repulsed. Our fire was so severe that the enemy lay down to avoid it." In the same volume the following is found in Col. Allen Thomas' report, who commanded the two regiments, the Twenty-Eighth Louisiana and the Forty-Second Georgia: "At about 11 A. M. I observed the enemy crossing the bayou in large force and forming line of battle with evident intention of storming our works. At the same time he threw out a force across the fence to your left (S. D. Lee's), opposite my extreme right, for the purpose of turning your flank. I immediately advanced the remaining companies of the Twenty-Eighth Louisiana and Forty-Second Georgia, and compelled the enemy to retire with considerable slaughter. By this time you had completely routed his column which had attacked your center." This explains the gallant action of the Forty-Second Georgia, which I alluded to in presenting the flag. My report further says: "The troops under my command behaved with great gallantry, officers and men. Besides the regiments already mentioned for gallantry I would mention the Third, Thirtieth, and Eightieth (Sixty-Second) Tennessee Regiments, occupying the pits where the enemy made his most formidable attack. They displayed coolness and gallantry, and their fire was terrific." Further in the report, among the officers mentioned by name I find Col. C. J. Clack, James J. Turner, Third and Thirtieth Tennessee, and Col. J. A. Rowan, Eightieth (Sixty-Second) Tennessee. I was in a position to see the effect of the fire from the center of my line of battle where the Tennessee regiments were, and also the fire from the Forty-Second Georgia and Twenty-Eighth Louisiana to the left of the Tennessee regiments. The fire of these two latter regiments into the flank of the enemy, which was deploying to their right (to my left), and to the left of the Tennessee regiments, was the decisive and culminating feature of the battle. The terrible fire of the regiments in the center, coupled with the equally terrible fire of the two regiments named taking the enemy's troops in the flank in the act of deploying, was so terrific that the entire body of Federal troops lay on the ground. The loss to the enemy was 200 dead on the field, 21 commissioned officers and 311 noncommissioned officers and privates were taken prisoners, four stands of colors and 500 stands of arms were captured. My report puts down their loss at about 1,000. Reports of the Medical Department of the Federal army place their loss at over 1,700 killed, wounded, and prisoners. I hope that Comrade Orr will be pleased with these extracts from the official reports, and that he will generously consider, if he thinks the Third Tennessee bore the brunt of the fight, that there were other regiments on the field entitled to some credit also. He says further that the Third and Thirtieth Tennessee, with the aid of some artillery, did about all the fighting. These two gallant regiments did splendid fighting, but he is in error when he thinks they "did about all" of it. My report will show that all the regiments and artillery engaged were entitled to full credit for that splendid victory. Certainly the prevention of pontoons being thrown across the lake to my left, and the firing into the flank of the enemy in the act of deploying was a most important feature of that battle. I would not do wrong to any Confederate command of soldiers if I knew it. I am proud of being a Confederate soldier myself, and I am proud of being a comrade of the gallant men not only of the Third and Thirtieth Tennessee, but of all the commands I had the honor to serve with. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VII, No. 1 Nashville, Tenn., January, 1899. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGIMENT CAPTURED BY ONE CONFEDERATE Charlie Wells Ex-Sheriff Charlie Wells tells a remarkable story of what occurred while the Seventh Georgia Regiment was campaigning in the Valley of Virginia. The hero of the wonderful feat is Capt. James L. Bell, a popular conductor who daily takes his train in and out of Atlanta on the West Point road. The story is strictly true, and is known to all the surviving members 'of the Seventh Georgia regiment. It illustrates how whole bodies of well-disciplined men are liable to sudden and uncontrollable panics. During Gen. Grant's advance on Richmond the Seventh Georgia regiment, after a day of hard and almost incessant fighting, found itself on the confines of a large field, across the center of which ran a straight deep ravine. The exigencies of the battle had, in a measure, separated the regiment from other commands on either flank, and, although the firing was incessant about them, no enemy was visible in their front. They had just repulsed an attack made by the Nineteenth Wisconsin regiment and a portion of a New York regiment. The latter had fallen back through the field and were lost to view. Dusk was fast gathering. The men of the Seventh were weary with a long day's fighting and were taking a needed rest. It was with these surroundings that Sergt. Bell thought he would reconnoiter, and, climbing over the works, he moved stealthily across the field and obliqued so as to meet the ravine at its head. Here he beheld a sight which almost paralyzed him. The ravine was full of Federals, and he had run full upon them. To retreat would have been dangerous. It was one man against hundreds, and Sergt. Bell determined in a moment to capture the regiment and take the colors with his own hands. Without a moment's pause he dashed boldly forward, firing his musket full into the ranks of the enemy, crying: "Surrender! Throw down your arms!" The Seventh Georgia heard the cries and shot, and dashed across the field, but too late to rob the gallant Bell of the honor achieved by his daring act. Bell had captured them single-handed, and had in his possession the colors of the Nineteenth Wisconsin Regiment. The captured regiment was sent to the rear amid great laughter, and Sergt. Bell became the hero of the hour. It was the opinion of many that had the regiment appeared across the field it would have been saluted with a volley and an obstinate fight would have ensued; but the sudden apparition of a single wild figure darting out of the gloom, yelling and firing into their midst, so disconcerted them that they yielded to a genuine panic and were prisoners almost before they knew it. When Sergt. Bell dashed at them at the end of the ravine one man arose up and surrendered, then another and another, and in less than two minutes they were all prisoners. Capt. Bell is a hale, handsome man of about fifty-five, with grizzled hair and mustache. He is as modest as he is brave, and this story comes from the lips of his comrades who were with him and who witnessed the remarkable feat on that October day. In 1884, in conversation with a friend, Capt. Bell expressed a great desire to know the fate of the gallant color bearer whom he had met on the field of battle so long ago. The friend, without informing him of his intention, inserted in a Wisconsin paper a little notice to the effect that the color bearer of the Nineteenth Wisconsin regiment, if still alive, would please confer with James L. Bell, Atlanta, Ga. The notice brought from Barraboo, Wis., the following, by Phillips Cheek, Jr.: "Your card received, and I should have replied ere this, but was at Minneapolis at the National Encampment of the G. A. R., in command of the Department of Wisconsin; hence the delay. John Fallen, sometimes called Fowler, was color bearer of Company A, Nineteenth Wisconsin Infantry. He was captured with his regiment at Fair Oaks, Va, From there he was sent to Libby and Belle Isle, afterwards to Salisbury, N. C., where he remained until they were all released. By the aid of comrades he got home, but was so reduced that his friends did not recognize him, and was mentally an imbecile. He remained so for two months before he was able to recognize his mother. From that time, as a farmer, he did what he could to support his family. The people were very kind to him, and elected him Treasurer of the town of Freedom, Wis., each year for five years, which helped him financially. In May, 1881, he was attacked by a disease which carried him to the other shore. As evidence that he was esteemed, the G. A. R. post of Freedom, Wis., is called 'John Fallen Post.' His early death was the result of imprisonment in the Confederacy. My only brother was a member of this company, and was killed in August, 1864, in the trenches before Petersburg. It is a source of gratification to us, his relatives and friends, to have testimony of his gallant foe of the Seventh Georgia regiment to his gallantry as a soldier. His officers all speak of him as one that could be trusted under the most trying circumstances. I have often heard him tell of the capture of his regiment, and that 'there was no getting out of it.'" Capt. Bell, whose feelings were deeply aroused by this unexpected reminder of the thrilling episode of Fair Oaks, replied from Atlanta, Gal, August 30, 1884, to Mr. Cheek as follows: 'The bravery of John Fallen is indelibly stamped on my memory. I met him once and spoke to him only to learn his name, but the flight of years can never efface the gallantry he displayed at his capture. He says 'there was no getting out of it,' which was true; but that made no difference; he was game all the same. I never doubted but that John Fallen would come to the front, for he was made of the right kind of stuff. To the Western soldiers credit belongs for the hardest and best fighting of the war. . . . It is with pleasure that I learn that his name is to be perpetuated by having a G. A. R. post named for him. Please tell the members of that post of a Confederate soldier's admiration for the bravery of their honored namesake." Application was made for a furlough for Sergt. James L. Bell, Company K, Seventh Georgia Regiment, dated at Fair Oaks, Va., November 30, 1864, in the following language: "This is to ask leave of absence for thirty days on behalf of Sergt. James L. Bell, Company K, Seventh Georgia Regiment, to visit his home in Atlanta, Gal, because of his having advanced four hundred yards in front of his command, capturing the colors of the Nineteenth Wisconsin regiment, and causing the surrender of many officers and men. For this and other cts of gallantry I respectfully ask that this application be granted. "THOMAS WILSON, Lieut. Commanding Co. K. This application was indorsed as follows: "J. F. Kiser, Major Commanding Seventh Georgia Regiment; G. T. Anderson, Brigadier General; C. W. Fields, Major General Commanding Division; Respectfully approved and forwarded for special gallantry-James B. Longstreet, General Commanding Corps." "Respectfully approved and returned." "ROBERT E. LEE" Confederate Veteran, Vol. VII, No. 2 Nashville, Tenn., February, 1899. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HARDSHIPS OF A MORGAN RAIDER N. B. Stanfield I was born in Marion County, Ky., in 1847, and joined the Confederate army, Overton's Company, Forrest's First Kentucky Cavalry in 1861. In June, 1863, I was at home on furlough, just before Morgan's command went through. We lived about five miles from Brandenburg, and on the 7th of July I went in town with a brother. I was sitting in the office at the hotel about ten o'clock, when some one shouted: " Here come the boys! " They were coming down Main street, on the riverside, so as to surround the town and capture any Federals who might be in the place. The latter must have learned their intentions, for they all skipped. Going to the door of the hotel, I saw the boys coming. It was Taylor's Company, including several of the Meade County boys. Capt. Sam. Taylor stayed at our home part of the time while raising his company. He asked me to go to the wharf and hail the first passing boat, and I readily assented. We all went down to the wharf boat, however, the boys concealing themselves on either side of the door and behind trees on the river bank. The first boat coming along was the John T. McCombs. I got where I could be seen; and hailed her. I had on a white linen suit and waved a white flag. She landed by the wharf boat and our boys jumped aboard and took possession. The passengers all got off laughing. In a short time we could see the Alice Dean, a Yankee boat, coming up the river. Our boys pulled off down the river toward Mockport, and, save myself, not a soul could be seen. I hailed her and she stopped. We got the Alice Dean by steering up beside her, some of the boys jumping on board. Very little resistance was made. There were several Yankees on board, going home on furlough, and we paroled them. About six o'clock that evening the advance came, and that night we began crossing the river. By ten o'clock on the 8th we were in Indiana We turned the John T. McCombs loose and set the Alice Dean on fire. She sunk near Mockport, one and one-half miles below. We moved on to Corydon and took the place, capturing one good piece of artillery and four hundred or five hundred prisoners The next place we struck was Salem, on the Albany and Indianapolis Railroad. We captured the town and about Five hundred home guards. We moved on and came to Seymour, a small place where the O. & M. Railroad crosses the J., M. & I. We tore up the tracks and got all the information we could by wire. That was on the 10th. On the 12th we went near Cincinnati, on the Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railroad. We cut tbe wire and sent a message to Burnside for reinforcements, our object being to find out how strong his forces were. He replied that he did not have men to spare. The next day at ten o'clock we were seventy-five miles from Cincinnati. We were blockaded and bushwhacked from the start, for the Yankees in all parts were after us. They cut down trees across the roads and did everything they could to stop and to capture us. It is estimated that there were at least one hundred thousand men after us. We would have made the trip to Richmond if the river had not risen. Adam Johnson and seven hundred men got over safely, but portions of the command were captured at different places. I fell into the hands of the enemy at Chesi, O., on July 20. Most of the men, however, were captured at Bufflnton's Island. We were taken on boats to Cincinnati; then in box cars to Camp Morton, where we were kept until September 13. Some of us were then conveyed to Camp Douglass, some to Johnson's Island, and others to Camp Chase. It was very hard for us. Our food consisted of onehalf pint of bean soup, one-half pound of beef, one pone of bread or a pint of meal. This scanty ration was to last for a day. We had very little fire-one stove to one hundred and eighty men-and the weather was very cold. They finally raised the barracks four feet from the ground. They would march us out in the coldest weather, keep us out for half a day, and occasionally shoot into us for tunneling several were killed in this way. Again, they would make us stand stiff-kneed, with our hands on the ground, as long as we could endure it. Lights were not allowed. They put those of us who had tried to escape to ourselves, and built a plank fence between the two camps, so that we could not see across. They had a horse made of Joists, with legs twelve feet high, which they called "Morgan's horse." Thev would make us sit on this for a long time in the cold. When our people sent us anything to eat, they kept it until it was not fit to eat. They cut our clothing to pieces, hunting for money. Our men died from diseases, including smallpox, and from cold and starvation. In 1864 there were about fifteen thousand prisoners in Camp Douglass, and about three thousand died during the nineteen months I was there. I was in the hospital four months with a crippled leg. This hospital was in their camp, and had only four guards, while there were none around their camp. Upon recovering, I was made nurse in the hospital, and, with McDervett, the ward master, and Bob Vanderer, of the First Missouri, planned escape. We decided to make a hole in the door of the closet under the stairway, and crawl to the steps in front of the building, then tunnel under the fence, a distance of about fifteen feet. We kept the hole in the closet door covered with clothing for the laundry. After preparations were complete, we waited until a dark, rainy night. After getting out, we separated. I went twenty miles that night. Next day I overtook a wagon and asked the driver to let me ride. I talked animatedly about farming to keep him from talking about the war. At ten o'clock next night I was in Michigan City, and boarded the train for New Albany, Ind. I got off about six miles out from the city and made my way to Leavenworth. After crossing the Ohio, I was recaptured near Owensboro, Ky., and was taken back to Camp Douglas. I was paroled March 15, 1865, and waited in Chicago for money from home. The war was a severe hardship for Southern people from beginning to end, but theirs was the grandest fight ever made. There is no true Southern soldier whose heart does not beat with pride in his record. Confederate Veteran, Vol. VII, No. 2 Nashville, Tenn., February, 1899. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL FORREST'S ORDER TO COL. BAXTER SMITH Capt. Frank Battle, Nashville, Tenn. I write of an incident that occurred during the battle that Forrest had with the Federals at Murfreesboro in 1862. I was at home on sick leave just after the battle of Fishing Creek. My health improving, I joined the Texas Rangers and Morgan's men, who were scouting the country near Nashville and trying to ascertain when Gen. Buell would advance his forces. About fifteen of us young men banded together and made our ways out from Nolensville, Triune, and Sparta, and met Gen. Forrest in McMinnville as he was coming down on Murfreesboro with about twelve hundred men. I persuaded the boys to join the battalion of Col. Baxter Smith, then a Major. We soon realized that we had a leader who knew his business. About five miles from Murfreesboro we were halted and ordered to " dismount, fix saddles, and tighten girts." This we did, remounted, and galloped into Murfreesboro just about daylight. The Texas Rangers engaged the Ninth Michigan. Quite a number of Federals collected at the courthouse, and Col. Morrison, of the Second Georgia, undertook to dislodge them. Gen. Forrest in the meantime hastily collected six companies, Col. Baxter Smith's four companies being of the command. Gen. Forrest, placing himself at the head of these six companies, moved out about two miles from town to attack the Third Minnesota, about twelve hundred strong. Think of it- three hundred and fifty cavalry charge twelve hundred infantry! The charge was disastrous to us. Our men fell back, and Gen. Forrest raged. The writer's horse was shot in the head, and the blood spurted so freely that he got off, expecting his horse to drop; but realizing his danger, he remounted and rode out safely. Gen. Forrest re-formed his men, rode out in front, and, in a clear, distinct voice, said: "Col. Smith, lead the charge." I shall never forget the impression made on my mind at that moment. Col. Smith had taken Trim. Brown and myself on his staff for the fight, and we had to follow him. Col. Smith tied his bridle reins, and, with sword in one hand and pistol in the other, started out in a gallop, and led his command right on into the midst of the enemy; and it was a hand-to-hand fight for about one hour, until the enemy retreated, leaving all their tents and baggage. Gen. Forrest captured the entire Federal force, consisting of about twenty-five hundred or three thousand men, a large quantity of army stores, mules, and wagons. We carried them to McMinnville; paroled the men and sent the officers back South. Gen. Forrest gave the men their band, and they serenaded us with the good old songs of "Dixie," "Bonnie Blue Flag," "The Girl I Left Behind Me," and other Southern airs. How our hearts filled with joy and pride when we thought of the victory we had won! Armed with shotguns and any other that we could get, and without artillery, while the enemy had the latest improved Enfield and Springfield rifles and a splendid battery of artillery. The battery that was captured that day was taken and used by Gen. Forrest during the remainder of the war, and was known far and near as the famous Morton Battery, being a regular terror to the enemy. It was commanded by Capt. John W. Morton, of Nashville, Forrest's Chief of Artillery. God bless the old gray-haired confederates who have had such hard times in this world of disappointments; and when the great Master sounds the last trumpet, may they all be found with "palms of victory" in their hands, "praising God, from whom all blessings flow."
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