The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-23


proposition for monument to the unknown
dead, said, sthe topic of uLxDown heroes was
Efrequently introduced gip k,convsrsation, and
Ementioned number Of these heroes. among
them a cavalry man from Texas, who, unable
to walk a step carries q pair of crutches on
Eorseback, and with them hss;9 continued to
perform all the arduous duties required ofhim."
Our correspondent, we dare cay, little dreamed
that this unknown dragoon would prove to be
not only the most heroic Of all the heroes Of
the war, but a poet of a high order besides.
The following letter, addressed to the Mobile
Register and Advertiser, reads like "a romance,
yet bears upon its face the evidence Of truth.
We copy it as a just tribute to gallant so-
dier, and as of far more interest thanany num-
Der ofextracts from Yankee papers: = Mercury
This soldier is Lamar Fontaipe, private in
the "Campbell Rangers, (" I'd Regiment Virginia
Cavalry. He is the eldest son of the Rev. Ed
ward Fontaine, an Episcopal Minister, residing
| near Jackson, Miss, who commanded the Burt
| Rifles, of the 18th Regiment Mississippi Volun-
teers in the first battle of Manassas, and who
is honorably mentioned in Gen. Resursgsrd's
| report of it. lie was born in Washington
county, Texas, in 1s4l, while his parents re
sided there; and was named after his fathers
intimate friend, Gen. Mirabeau Lamar Pre-
vious to the present revolution Lamar Fontaine
lived in his native State, was educated in Aus
tin, and at the military Academy in Bastrop.
and learned, practically, the most essential
duties of a soldier as a Texas Ranger and hun
ter on the frontiers of Western Texas, where
he was unsurpassed as dexterious rider and
skillfal marksnan. As soon as the war com.
menced, he came to Mississippi and enlisted as
private in the first company organized for the
defence of the State, the Mississippi Rifles, Of
jackson, commanded by Capt. Robert. Smith,
the heroic Col Smith, who fell at Mumfords-
vile, Ky. Undcr this excellent officer he
served at Pensacola, as an infantry soldier, and
then as an artillcrist until he was transferred
to his fathers company in tho Army Of the
Potomac At tho battle of Manassas he was
severely wounded by cannon: shot, which
passed under his feet. bruising one Of them SO
badly that he was untitled for further duty as
an infantry soldier. Finding that he was un-
willing to be discharged, his father procured
him transfer to Capt Alexander's Company
O, I'd Regiment Virginia Cavalry. Under
Generals Jackson and Ewell he distinguished
himselfin the battles of Front Royal, Cross
Keys, and all the actions Of the Valley. Near
Winchester, in company with a young gentle
man from Campbell county, Va, (privatc John
Moore,) he performed feat without a-parallel
in the annals of war, and which is mentioned
with the highest commendation in General
Ewell's official report. These two young men.
unassisted and alone. charged a piece Of artille-
ry planted on the Winchester Turnpike, man.
ned by eight of the enemy, killed and wounded
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 Lamars thigh. While his CON-
radesowere carrying him from thefisld, another
shell wounded him severely in the hip Soon
after His wounds were dressed, while lying nm
der. a tree, mimic ball penetrated the back Of
his neck, passed down near his spine and lodged
where the snrgeonss have not been able to fnda
II. y Since then his righteg aud side have re-
raainsd paralized. He recovered ssfilcisntlv1
to obtais lesysgof sbsenoe from thssB Hospital ii