The Nevada Democrat., 1862-09-18
NUMBER 667.
A War InOldent-An Unnamed Hero.

n NH AhSlueht-An unnamed Hero.
During the seven days lighting on
McClellan's retreat TO James river, when
the army had reached Glendale, a stand
was made by Gen. Sumuer's division. which
we're to cover the retreat of the retiring
force. After some hours desperate lighting,
1t was found that they were encountering
the whole force of StOnewall Jackson, who
with far superior numbers was attacking
them again aud again. The divisions held
their ground maniully, but were every
moment weakening in number, and il be.
came serious question with their officers
how long they should have strength to with.
stand these repeated onsels. In this crisis.
Gen. Sumner directed bis Adjutanl. General
Maj. Lawrence Kip, TO send orders TO Gen.
Franklin for reinfOrcements Tearing
leaf from his order book, Maj. Kip hastily
wrote a'note directing Gen. Franklin TO
send with all speed two brigades to sustain
them. Calling a cavalry soldier, whom he
was using for his orderly, he committed the
despatch TO him, instructing him TO strike
across the country TO White Oak Swamp.
which was Gen. Frankln's position. The
Orderly gall0ped off into the smoke of the
battle aud was no more seen. The note
never reached Gen. Franklin. and of course
no reiniOrcements came.
Still Summers divisions struggled on in
the fight. They felt that the safety of the
retiring army depended on their maintain,
ing their position, and no power of the
enemy, even with his overwhelming mum.
bers, could drive them foot back. One
officer after another fell, yet his place was
instantly filed, and after each attack the
ranks closed up the fearful gaps which the
fire OF the enemy had made. Sedgwick and
Richardson were there, and high above the
roar of the battle came the wild cheer of
Meagher's Irish brigade. Their gallant old
leader, Gen. Sumner, conspicuous by his
white hair, rode with his staff. up and down
the lines, where the FIRE was the hottest
cheering on bis men and inspiring new
courage into the staggering ranks. Yet
often the officers turned their anxious looks
to the North, in the vatn hope of seeing the
bayOnels Of Franklin's brigedes Al last
night closed about them, and the enemy
gradually slackened their attacks. Their
column held its ground yet with sadly di.
minished numbers But their object had
been gained. The rest of the army had
reached the desired position. and during the
night Summers divisions moved off in the
direction Of James river, leaving the ground
covered with the bodies Of their late com.
rades. OF the Orderly, nothing was heard
and he was supposed TO have been killed.
Some weeks afterwards, large body Of
exchanged prisoners came down from Rich.
mond, and one of them, repairing to head.
quarters, reported himself at once TO Major
Kip. lie proved 10 be the missing Orderly.
His story was. that scarcely had he left our
divisions, before he found himself entanRled
In The enemy's lines. lie rode round, en-
deavOriug TO free himself, but everywhere
encountered some advancing regiment. Al
length, vOlley from company killed his
horse and brought him down., though un-
wounded. Finding escape impossible, he
thrust the dispatch into his mouth and
chewed Il up until II was illegible. Sus-
pectng him TO be a bearer OF dispatches be
was searched, and nothing being found on
him, he was taken at once before Stonewall
Jackson. Here he was severely questioned
as to the position OF Summers divisions,
their numbers, end their power Of enduring
lhS ohN"ShH thohiuB Ou tuSus Tue luiOIUh"
tiOn given by the Orderly was such as en-
tirely TO mislead Jackson.
The safety of these divisions 10 fact, de.
pended then entirely on bis hrmness aud
fidelity. Had Major Kips despatch been
found upon him. or had bis replies given
Jackson any suspicion of the true condition
of Summers force, bis whole strength would
have been hurled upon it 10 way which
must ultimately have swept II from the field
Fortunately, the Orderly was true, and
with the close Of day jackson discontinued
bis attacks. II is matter for regret that The
name Of this private soldier was not known
to the authority from which the above in-
formation was derived; bot there is no
doubt that bic gallaDtry has been remem-
bered in the right quarter to secure the re-
ward which every true soldier strives to
merit.