The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-20
REMARKABLE NARRATIvE.

Some time ago, the Richmond correspondent o
the Charleston Mercury, abiding to Bishol
Eliots proposition for monument to the I'M
known dead, said s'the topic of Unknown Heroe
| was frequently introduced in conversation, ant
mentioned number of these heroes, among then
a cavalry man from Texas, who, unable to walk
step, carries a pair of crutches on horse back
and with them has continued to perform all tn,
| arduous duties required Of him."
| This soldier is Lamar Fontane, private in tb,
Campbell Rangers" Cd Regiment Virgin,
Cavalry He is the eldest son of the Rev. Edw
Fontsine, an Episcopal Minister, residing nea,
Jackson, Miss who commanded the Burt Rifles
/ of the 18th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers, in
the first battle Of Manassas, and who is honorabl,
/: mentioned in General Beauregard's report of it
| He was born in Washington county, Texas, in
| 1S41, while his parents resided there, and was
named after his fathers intimate friend, Genera
Mirabeau Lamar Previous to the present revo
luton Lamar Fontaine lived in his native State
was educated in Austin, and at the Military Acad
envy in Bastrop, and learned practically the most
essential duties of soldier as Texas Ranger
and hunter on the frontiers Of Western Texas
| where he was unsurpassed dexterous rider
! and skillful marksman. AS soon as the war COM
| menced he came to Mississippi and enlisted as a
private in the first company organized for the de.
fence of the State, the Mississippi Rifles ef Jack
son, commanded by Capt. Robert Smith, the
heroic Col Smith who fell at Mumfordsvile, KY
Under this excellent officer he served at Pensa-
cola, infantry soldier, and then as an artil-
lerist until he transferred to his fathers
company in the asmy of the Potomac. At the
battle Of Manassas he was severely wounded by
cannon shot, which passed under his feet,
bruisng one of them badly. He was unwilling
to be discharged, and his father procured him
transfer to Capt. Alexander's Company % I'd
Regiment Virginia Cavalry. Under Generals
Jackson and EwelI he distinguished himself in
the actions of the Valley. Near Winchester, in
company with young gentleman from Campbell
, county, Va, private John Moore, he performed q
feat without parallel in the annals of war, and
which is mentioned with the highest commenda-
ton in Gen. Ewel's official report. These two
young men, unasssted and alone, charged piece
of artillery planted on the Winchester turnpike
manned by eight of the enemy. killed and wound
ed Two of their number, drove the rest from the
gun, and brought it off in triumph to their COM
mander. Near Strasburg shell exploded against
his horses head, blowing it to atoms and breaking
Lamar's thigh. While bis comrades were carry
ing him from the field, another shell wounded
him severely in the hip: Soon after his wounds
were dressed, while lying under tree, a minnie
ball penetrated the back of his neck, passed down
near his spine and lodged where the surgeons
have not been able to find it. Since then his
right leg and side have repained paralyzcd. He
recovered sufficiently to obtain leave of absence
from the hospital in Charlottesville for several
weeks, which he spent with his company in per-
forming military duty with his crutches tied to
has saddle. In this condition he fought seven
battes-Hase River Bridge Warrenton Springs,
the Rappahannock or Waterloo Bridge, the bat
ties of the 18th, Both and 3lst Of Manassas, and
the battle Of Germantown.
While the enemy. were shelling Warrenton
Springs, Gen. r. II. Anderson wished to ascer-
tain what division of the army occupied the north
bank of the Rappahannock opposite bis position.
He voluntected to bring him the necessary in
formation, swan the Rappahannock, surprised
three Of the enemy's armed p,ckets, and brought
them across the river to the General, who gave
the crutched hero a certificate complimenting his
skill and gaantry. At tho battle of Hazel
River, minnie ball broke one of his crutches,
aud one of the enemy's horses, without a rider,
ran against him aud broke the other. In the
second days fight at Manassas, he had a horse
killed under him, and another tha day after at
the battle of Germantown. While pursuing the
enemy's cavalry, pistol shot penetrated his cap,
gfazed his temple, aud knocked him from his
horse. Since he'has been pronounced incompe-
tent to perform military duty on account Of his
wounds, and while acting volunteer hos
pital furloushs, he has captured six prisoners
without any assistance, and killed many of the
enemy In different battles he has had six horses
killed under him, and / have no doubt has killed
more of the enemy than any soldier in army
-M..b'1e Register.
RHfS>Wa ,ot;rs in he Standard ~ th. o th q