Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-20
"REMINISCENCES or THE WAR.
Death Of n. Hall Flournoy at Fred
erfcktown. Mo. Oct. FL. 1861.

w unttic ioi inc couthi anu "oo'J IVY
did their duty. Their valor was unques-
toned numerous battle-fields and their
decimated ranks gave proof Of their de-
votion to the cause Of their country.
Their blood was shed freely-their lives
offered up willingly : their graves
are scattered over several States-many
Of them without any mark to tell the
passer by that there lies the remains Of
gallant spirit. But though their resting
place is unmarked, and no monument
raised to tell Of their heroic and glorious
deeds, their memory is still cherished by
their relatives, friends and comrades,
who have niche in their hearts where q
monument is erected that no tyrant
can desecrate, nor despot forbid History
will do justice TO their deeds in q general
point of view, but the heroism Of many
an untitled brave will never be known in
this world, save in isolated cases where
some comrade produces tribute to their
memory in the columns of newspaper
Among the many who fell into line at
the first tap Of the drum in this city was
r. Hall Flonrnoy, AS noble youth, az
GALLANT spirit, and as brave soldier,
as ever shouldered musket or died for
his country. Previous to the war he was
attached to the Harris Zouave Cadets,
but when the old and glorious l54th reg
iment was organized, he Joined it with
the Bluff City Grays, commanded by
Capt. James Edmondson. He was with
the regiment until some time in Septem-
Der, 1861, when it was stationed at
Columbus, Ky On the other side of the
river was the command Of General JEFF.
Thompson brigade of the Missouri
| State Guards who we're skirmishing
with the enemy daily. Chatting at the
inactivity of his regiment, and wishing
to distinguish himself, he obtained a
transfer to Gen. Thompson's command,
and was assigned as drill-master, with
the rank Of Captain, to the second bat
TALON of infantry-a position which he
was eminen,ly qualified to fill. A short
| time after be went with an expedition to
surprise camp of the enemy near Birds
Point, and greatly distinguished himself,
leading the charge, and being the first
man in the enemy camp. His bravery
gained him the love and confidence Of
the officers and meu of the battalion, aad
ever after he was general favorite.
The command moved to New Madrid
Dispatches were received from Gen.
Price announcing That the enemy were
concentrating OIL hun, and calling for a
diversion in his favor. Ge Thompson
determined to make a Ia toward ST.
Louis, and picked thrice hundred men
Infantry, cavalry and artillery--to
accompany him. Captain Flournoy
was one Of them. The force moved with
great celebrity, srst threatening Birds
Point, then Cape Girardeau, while the
cavalry pushed forward to within thirty
five miles of St Louis, burning the i'm
portant bridges on the Iron Mountain
railroad, capturing q company of the
33d Illinois, and Home Guards by the
hundred. The diversion in favor of Gen.
Price was successful St. Louis became
alarmed, and about twenty-five thousand
men were sent in various directions to
look after JEFF Thompson, who concen-
trated his co., md at Fredericktown
on the 10Th Ca ,jctober The next day
courier was captured with dispatches
that led to a move southwark After
proceeding ten miles, council of war
was held, and it was determined to return
and give the enemy battle. On the
morning of the 2lst line Of battle was
formed near Fredericktown, the pickets
attacked, and the engagement COM
menced.
Young Flournoy was almost wild with
enthusiasm at the prospect of measuring
swords with the enemy, and showed an
ability and knowledge Of the rules Of war
in giving instructions 10 the men that
was astonishing in one so young The
enemy were before him-seven thousand
we'll drilled and well armed men against
the thirteen hundred badly drilled and
lily equipped boys by his side-but he
cared not for numbers, for he seemed to
think that if all felt as be did, victory
would be certain. The second battalion
were supporting two pieces of artillery
which were having duel with the
enemy cannon Orders came for the
infantry to lie down to avoid the FIRE
FlourRoy and one or two officers were
walking around, observing the move
ment, and wishing for the order. to ad.
vance. Several grape shot fell near
them, when Flournoy and Capt Nevis
advanced to where they fell As Nevis
stopped to pick up the grape, six
pound shot carried away one side Of his
face and passed through the breast of
Flournoy. He neither spoke nor moved
after falling, but lay there beautiful in
death, with the pleasant smile on his lips
that distinguished him in life. He looked
so natural that one might have
thought him sleeping, but for the blood
on the ground and some crimson dyed
letters that had been driven from his