The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-08-29

FoRr WARES, May 2sth, 1852.
Col. John M. Liilard--Desr elr s--You request
me to furnish You short biographical sketch Of
Capt. Dixon (inssmuch ss my acquaintance with
him was quite intimately during his service ut Fort
Donsison. tis with pleasure that I accept the
opportunity offered, 70 state few Of the most
prominent facts connected with his career at that
place, and which may perhaps descend with his
name to history. Would that I could record q
tribute worthy of his memory.
He was assigned duty BY the late Gen. A. s.
Johnston ~ the forts on the Tennessee and Cum
bcrland rivers, in tho month Of September, 1851,
and shortly Afterwards made his appearance at
Fort Donsison, at that time Lieutenant IN The
Corps of Engineers. He remained but a few days
and left for headquarters of the Department, to
report the condition Of the defenccs. During this
absence he was promoted to aCaptaincy. He
returned about the middle of October and entered
upon the discharge Of the duties Of his Office
His first object was to make survey Of the river
and adjacent country for miles above and below
Fort Donclson, and determine the most eligible
point for certifying permanently. He reported
better location some 20 or rs miles lower down
the river--just within the Kentucky lino-but as
the season was far advanced, and some work had
been done at Fort Donelson several months be-
fore, it advisable to fortify the spot already
selected. There were then three companies only
at Fort Donelson, and two twirty-two FOUNDER
howtzers mounted behind Indifferent works. He
Immediately set about strengthening the garrison
and extending the Notifications. For this pur-
pose, he proceeded to Columbus to obtain other
and heavier guns. II was about that time the
enemy made his demonstrations against Column
bus appearing simultaneously on both sides Of
the river. Capt Dixon accompanied that portion
Of the forces who crossed the river, and all will
attc.t that he was in the thickest Of the fight and
won for himself, upon the field Of Belmont, an
enviable character for gal'antry and soldierly
bearing. He returned in few dnys, and never
left Fort Donelson, excepting when absent on
professional business at Fort Henry or at Clarks.
Vile. lie used every effort in putting guns In
position, and made most earnest endeavors to pro-
cure reinforcements, it being evident that the
enemy, after being rcpulsed on the Mississippi
would mako his next attack on our lines by wa,
| 1Chhoouoo
this time on till tho day of his death, be was I'M
firing in his enorts-working, when necessary
day and night-to place the Forts in state o
readiness to meet the enemy. He was the trues
type of soldier that have ever seen. Entircl,
regardless of his own personal comforts or inter
ests, he seemed to think and talk Of nothing Blu
the work 'just completed" and that to be "lait
of for morrow" All, both officers and private
soldiers, had great confidence in his opinions ant
Judgment. In case Of an alarm, or when GU
position was threatened by the gunboats of tn
Federals. the soldiers looked, in great measure, t
him for advice, and in some instances, may say
for leader should an attack DO made. Whe
any startling intelligence was brought into camp
Ihave seen the eager throng gather around hir
to hear what Capt Dixon thought of the new
If he told them there was no danger, they return
cd satisfied but on the other hand, If he said tbs
things appeared threatening and wanted a certai
Isgun mounted, or q certain work strengthened
every one was anxious to engage in tho work.
was often remarked at Fort Donelson that
could getimore work out of volunteer troops this
any man wis had ever been there.
|, After the fall of Fort Henry, Capt. Dixon a
peered restless. He admitted TO his intima
!, friends e,ly. OF e1urrs,) that unless Wa We
strongly reinforced we could not maintain o
position against q vigorous attack of the enen
by land and water. On one occasion beard hi
Say that if Fort Donelson fell he would feel Iii
8 exiting himself from his native State and fro
his country, and attempt to find q home in Co
. trail America or some of the South Amerct
a States. This mention to show the extren
s anxiety which he manifested for Gen. Johnston
position, not that he ever doubted of the ultima
. triumph of our arms. When the Federal arm
s appeared before Fort Donelson, Capt. Dixon "
assigned to the command of all tho heavy art
lery, and on Wednesday all HE time was engag
: in drilling tho men and practising them in frin
8 He was killed on the 18th February, about
o'clock. A single gunboat had been firing {
: more than an hour from the lowest extreme
the river stretch, with only an occasional rep
from our heaviest guns, when the Captain order
the entire battery to FIRE upon the boat. The g
at which he was standing had not fred SIM
time, when one of tho checks of tho carriage v
q struck by shot from the enemy, dismounti
,f the gun and throwing bolts and splnters In eve
B. direction. One of tho iron bolt-heads stru
,r Capt Dixon, carrying away the left side of
Is face and head and killing him instantly. AT
% tho success Of the battery on the following d
y in repusing the Federal feet, the artillery co
panies were anxious to call II the "Dixon Batter
!; was afterwards informed by Captain in
4 5oth Regiment that before night, after It '
learned in the Fort that Capt. D. was killed
w sufficient amount was subscribed by the ofac
" and men to erect q monument to his memory
rs Such was the respect and love entertained for
CT by all who knew him.
" In the brief sketch given above, I have omit
}" n great many things which would no doubt b
interest to his friends, yet it was done to ay
going too much into the detail of a soldiers
1t can, indeed, BIO said of Capt. Dixon that
performed his duty to his Government, died at
post, and now fills soldiers grave--alike 81
GUS to himself and honorable to his family. Z
w. is the highest need of soldierly virtue.
O0 Truly, your friend,
he c. W. ROBERTSON
lst -
m Honor to Whom Honor is Due
rs, The Vicxsburg Citizen generously
nd reefs the impression that has preva