Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-07-17
Frsh'ire Washington Union.
MAJOR General John E. Wool.
ST. LoUIs, June 23, 1857.

. II
,-.. 81. LouIs. June 23. 1857.
notice with great pleasure the pres
entAtion Of swOrd Of the richest quality
20 General Wool for his efficient service
on the bloodieSt battlefield Of American
.Arms-Buena Vista, a.. .s.
General Wool deserved this need OF
distinction from his country at an earlier
day-When . major in command Of the
99Ih regiment Of infantry at the battle OF
Plaisb0rg, September. 1919. s..t.=
He vas one of the best disciplinarians
IN the army. and on all oceas ions promp.
to duty himself. and requiring all under
his command to come up 10 his own
standard. On this account some consid-
cred him harsh and severe, but this dis,
ciPIine wAsaIhs glory Of the regiment.
On the morning Of the 9Th Of Septem
Der. 1914. when Gov. Provost was
marching upon Platts6urg with an army
Of IL. 500 nlsn. RaOsIy The iuviacible
troops of Lord Wellington. Major Wool.
With 800 men Of his regiment, al O'Clock
~ the muroing, marched out the Beck
nautown road, eight miles distant. Al
suuLise orders we're given TO file Oft to an
adjacent field for refreshments: at the
FSe~%NS " OOl IOOS Ou III hO-
Ha1ce To recOnnoitre the advancing en-
emy. Very soon he returned rapidly,
waving his sword for us to form and take
position 10 the road. We Immediately
ieil into column. and half way TO the road
We received the first fire OF the enemy.
Pursuant to orders, we formed in the
road, and adopted the mode of street
firing. the first company firing and falling
IN Che raar'.to load. and in turn 10 tiie
again. In this way. gradually fnlling
back in good order as the enemy pressed
upon Us. we disputed every foot Of
ground. Major Wool's horse was soon
shot. and gwen to his sergeunt major.
BodsfOrd. WHO was badly wounded. to
ride into town." where Bodsiord died OF
his wound. ':.1
When We, had gradually fallen back to
within two miles Of Plattsburgh. Captain
Leonard came up to our support with
Two pieces Of light artillery. as also did
battalion of Iiflemen; these latter took po-
sition near the road by stone fence.
Here we made a stand; formed in solid
column. until our foes came within pistol
shot. We then fired. and opened to the
right and left. when the artillery fired
WEN CACObS aL LILO 6dul6 bIlAlG AH6
rilemep sent in their deadly messengers.
Here the enemy was thrown into momen'
tary confusion, but instantly recovered.
pressed on. and came within an ace OF
taking Captain Lsonard's guns.
-'eGol..A Wellington led Hpon US battal~
ion Of cavalry with great fury. Fifty
men Of our company IeveIled their mus,
keIs At his head. aud he fell to the
ground mortally wounded, when his com>
mand fell back.
After this bloody conflict, where our
foes suffered dreadfully. we soon fell
back in good order to the south side Of
she SSsraHac.S taking off the plank Of the
bridge in the face of the enemy. and there
mGklng final stand. compelling the as
sail4uts to take shelter behind the hou.
Ses. The bravery displayed by MAJOR
Wool aud his men. and the admirable reg
ulaTiIy in their movements. taught the
British Army lesson which helped much
to our glorious victory. alter an unequal
contest Of 6Ee days and nights. ..-
The ssversst@ forlorn hope that ever
tested the courage Of q soldier was per-
foFmsd'by twenty men of the 29th. and
ten men of another regiment. in going
t'SGrTtGG with hay and tar. and firing the
dry pine underbrush in the very face Of
the British batteries.
One Of our sloops-of-var used BY Me-
Donough on tho lake at this battle. nine.
teen days previously. the trees of which
1t,NaE built were waving green in the for
essa!. aal.a7 4 is -, ...
.aIIiG, ,hg1dsr. for commanding officer
10 BE- cool and frm in battle than it is for
his mon Ahershe; fEst' onset the men
become exeited and Eager to revenge
their falling comrades. and think but lit
tie Of their own danger. The greatest
trial Of . soldier is in marching up to the
foe before actually engaging. He feels
like he had an egg in his throat. and is
not relieved until'thessffectof powder and
lead is seen. u&
The bloody l2elh. e as it was called.
Is now. about eEtinct-nearly all the men
and officers having gone down to the
grave. Major. now Major General Wool.
and this HriTer, SO far as is known. are
the only survivors Of this gallant regiment
of infantry. K.
D- The philosopher. Or. Darwin. says
Savs that the raaSnra ~hv hosop, 80 a hoo,,