Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-10
REMARKABLE NARRATlvE-OR1GIN OF FALL
OUIpT ALONG THE POTOMAC TONIGHT"

Some time ago, the Richmond correspondent of the
Charleston Mercury, abiding to Bishop Elhots propo
sition fora monument 20 the unknown dead, said the
topicof Unknown Heroes frequently introduced in
Sonverstiou. and mentioned number of these heroes
among them cavalry man from Texas, who, unable to
walk q STEP carries pair Of crutches on horse back
and with them has continued TO perform all the arduous
duties REQUIRED of him The correspondent Of the Mer
curry, we dare saw little dreamed that this unknown
dragon would prove to be not only the most heroic
of all the heroes of the war, but poet OF high order
besides The following letter addressed to the hooie
Register and Advertiser reads ike romance, yet bears
upon its face the evidence of truth, We copy 1t as
lust tribute to gallant soldier and as of far more inter
est than any number of extracts from Yankee papers
This soldier is Lamar Fontaine, private In the
Campbell Rangers" 2d Regiment Virginia caviar
He il the eldest son Of sthe Rev. Edward Fontahe an
Episcopal Minister residing near JacAsonf AIss WHO
ssinp volunteers in theI first battle Manassas, and
Tbois boporabiy mentioned in General Beauregards'
rsport of it. He was born in " ashngton coun!yleh-
as in ls4T while his parents resided there and wss
named after his fathers intimate friend, General Mira.
beau Lamar Previous 10 the.present revolution Lamar.
Fonntsine lived in his native State, was ed
Ieated in Austin and at: the. Military Aeade-.
NV IN Bastrop and learned practically the most
essential duties of soldier asa Texas Rangerapd hunter!
on the frontiers of Western Texas where he was unsnr
passed dexterous rider and sklliq mstk:ran; AS
soon as the war commemorative came 10 Mississippi ana
enlisted as private in the first company Organized for
tbs defence of the State the Mississippi Rifles, Of Jack
son commanded by Capt Robert Smith, the heroic COLI
smith who fell at Mumfordsyie, KY: Under this ex-
ceent officer ne served at Pensacola, rs All infantry
soldier and then as an arterist uetu
10 bis fathers companyin thei Army. Of the Potomac.
Atthe battle OF Manassas he was severely wounded ~
cannon shot, which passed Under hisfeet brusng one
of them so badly that be Wasunhed Tor further duty as
an infantry soldier Nndas that he vas unwilling 70
be discharged his father procured El a. transfer 70
Cant. AleKsader's Company D cd Regiment Virginia
C,alry Under Generals Jackson and Ewe, he distln:
guisbed himself in the battles OF FTQut Royal Cross
Keys and all the actions Of the valley Near HineheS:
ter in company with young gentleman from lamp
bell county, Va private John Moore, he peri9rmef a
feat without parallel In the annals Of war and when,
mention with the highest ommendatiop in Gen. Ewels
official report These two young men, uhassls1ed ana
alone charged piece Of artillery planted on the Win
chester turnpike mAnnetby eight Of the anu
wounded two of their number, drove the rest from the
Jun aud brought il of in triumph TO their commander
Near Strasbufg shell expoded against his horses head
blowingN 10 atoms and breaking Lamars thigh. While
his comrades were carrying BIN from the field another
shell wounded him severely in the hip. SOON after ms
wounds were dressed while lying under tree minnie:
ball penetrated the back Of bis neck passed down. aear
able to find it. Since then his right leg and side have;
remained paalyzed. he recovered sufficiently 70 o0tsln
leave of absence from the hospital in Charottesve lor
several weeks which he spent with his compsnyin per-
forming military duty with his crutches tied TO hS sad
lie I'm this condition be fought seven batues-Iazet
River Bridge WarrentOn Springs de Eappahannocs or
Waterloo Bridge the battles OF the s9th, soto Fnd Slst
of Manassas, and the battle Of Germantown.
While the enemy were shellng WaTeuton Springs,
General R. H. Anderson wished to ascertain what dyl'
ion Of tie army occupied the north bank oil Tue rap
o,baSpoek opyeGte his position. He volunteered to
bring him the necessary Information, swan the Kappa
nlnnock surprised three Of the sney armed plckets,
and brought them the river TO the G6neFe VINO
gave the crutched hero certificate compimentng lie
stiu ana eallantrv At the battle Of Hazel RiyeG
minnie ball broke enc Of hs crutches, and one OF the
enemy horses Without raes against him and broke
the other In the second days fght 81 Manassas ne
mad horse killed under him. and another tbe cav 9iter
at the battle OF Germantown. While pursuing the enemy
cavalry a pistol shot penetrated his ch grated mas em
n and Knocked him from his horse. Since he has been
ronouneed incompetent to perform military duty % ac-
ronpt F hls wounds and while acting as volunteer on
bot,l frlo hs he has captured elk prisoners without
nv assistance and i'lad many Of the enemy In s'i-
frent battles he has had six horses killed Under hm'
and have doubt has killed more ~ 'Ae eHs"'' wan
any soldier in our army.
IL Skill courage and hazardous and useful service
he battle field deserve promotion he has noby earned
it, just before the resignation of the Hon. g. w. Ran
doph he recommended for promotion by Gen. Ewell
but so far his merit has been overlooked, and "un-
known HERO capable of drilling and leading army to
victory Is muated private, while scores Of Gross
road POLITICIANS unscathed by ball sabre and strangers
10 the of battle, are commanding companies aud
regiments
Il will crafty the friends of our unknown heroes to
learn that Lamar Fonaineis the author of the beautiful
lines which have recently been published in all our
papers, commencing GAN quiet along the Potomac to-
nigh copy of which corrected by the author is here
with enclosed: i
,.ALL QUIET ALONG THE POTOMAC TONIGHT
B. Lunar FOata.ae, Company !, Second Regiment
VTrgiaid Cdgiirg. Written Esle picket on tie bank
Of TIE Potomac, 1851.
GAN quiet along the Potomac tonight"
Except here and there a stray PICKET
Is shot as he walks on ihs beat to aud fro
By rideman hid in the thicket,
IT'S nothing private or two now aad then
Will not count in the of the battle;
Not an officer lost only one of the men
Mourning ouI all alone, the death rattle
=" Ali quiet along the Potomac tonight"
Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming,
Aud taeT tents in the rays of the clear autumn moon
Aud the light of their camp fires are cleaning
A tremulous sigh, as sentle night wind
Thro the forest leaves slowly Is creeping,
While the stars Up above, with their guering eyes,
Keep guard DER the army while sleeping.
There's only the sound of the lone senty's tread
As he tramps from the rock to the fountain,
And thinks of the two on the low trundle bed
Far away in the cot on the mountain.
His musket fails slack-his face dark aud grim,
Grows gentle With memories tender,
As he mutters a prayer for the children asleep,
And their mother-G,'msy Heaven defend her."