The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1866-07-18
A Hero of Four Wars.


Some of the details, says the Memphis
Argus, Of one Of the most remarkable ca
reers that perhaps ever was experienced
have come into our possession, and we give
the account to our readers as we received
| it, only promising that we have not the
remotest grounds for supposing the story
exaggerated. The man is now employed
on farm two or three miles from this
city, and has good character for veracity.
About the year 1928, one Of the strong
est and most daring of sbandsof Rang
ers who guarded the frontiers of Texas
was commanded by North Carolinian
named Worth, and among all it's members
none possessed more hardihood or person
al strength than the hero of this sketch.
He was Kentuckian, was a splendid ri
der, dead shot, could hold his own with
any Of his comrades in either drinking or
fighting, and was looked upon asa danger
Gus man to tamper with.
Of uncommon amiable temper, hoWey-
er, he gave no cause of offence to any,
and had the good will Of all. In all the
wild fights with the Camanches and the
eGreasers" in which his command engag-
ed, he took an active part; and when the
war for Texan independence commenced
he was one Of the first to offer his arm to
his adopted land Suffice it to say that he
served under General Houston through
the memorable struggle with great credit,
though as private.
The declaration Of war between the
United States and Mexico, in 1916, found
him again ready; and enisting as Ran
GER under Jack Hays, he followed the
Lone Star again to triumph, receiving, as
he had in previous campaigns, several
honorable scars.
For several years after the cessation of
hostilities he lived quietly on his rancho
but, firing Of such tame course Of exis-
tence, he joined regiment of regular
cavalry and proceeded to Florida, where
he served in the Seminole war until the
capture of Billy Bowlegs and the conclu-
sion Of peace, when he was dischargedand
returned home, where he remained until
the State of Arkansas passed her ordi-
nance Of secession, when he Immediately
Joined regiment Of infantry from that
State in the Confederate service and went
to Virginia.
At the battle Of Sharpsburg, in Mary
land, he received seven wounds, and faint
ed from the pain and loss Of blood At
the time that General Lee ordered re-
treat to the Virginia side, the men had
gathered up their dead and were making
rude preparations to inter them. Our hero
by this means escaped being buried, shd
his comrades were startled, a few days af-
ter, by the report that he had been sent
over the river and forwarded to the hos
pital. at sStaunton.
HerecoYered, and soon after rejoined
his Regiment, proceeded with,it I'd n G5eor-
'.giS where he was engaged in the bloody
battle Of Chickamauga. Here he was
shot through the head (the ball entering
at the right cheek-bone and passing out
behind the left ear) and was again left for
dead. He was carried to Nashville, and
contrary to all expectations, he again got
well, made his escape from captivity, and
returned to Virginia, where ne served I'M
til the surrender Of General Lees army,
when he took his foot in his hand and
walked to Arkansas, and thence home.
This brave old mantle hero of four
wars and fifty battles, and the recipient of
twenty seven wounds-at the hands of Ca
manches, Mexicans, Seminoles and FEEDER
als-landed at our city two or three weeks
ago, and was garroted and robbed in less
than half an hour after leaving the boat.
He is now working at hard labor, to make
money to take him to his native Ken
lucky, whose loved sod his foot has not
pressed for thirty-six years. He says that
when his visit to his relatives is concluded,
provided the Fenians have any chance Of
success, he will give them lift.