The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-11-07
Cal Won Rnrnke Again.

4 Tom mistakes when he says that the Time
questions the existence Of The subject of thi
notice, while, in fact. it answers the inquir,
made as to the reality Of that existence.
/ The Renaissance which we republish from
the Houston (Texas) Journal will, no doubt
interest many Of our readers
A REM1NIsCENcE OF " SEVEN P1EEs" Col
IIERos VoN BoRcKE.-Seeing the article from
the Mobile Times questioning the exis
tence Of such a person as Col. Heros Y on
Borcke, the purported author of very in
teresting series Of I. Memoirs Of the Confede.
rate War for Independence" brings to my
mind the first occasion | ever met with thai
truly noble and gallant soldier. In mentioning
this do 50 in justice to one who left his ma
tive land to assist US in the "hour Of our sorest
need" And most manfuly and heroically
did lie render that assistance
1t was the morning of the 3Ist May, 1869,
had been dispatched by Gen Longsreet,
upon whose staff | was serving temporarily
10 Richmond, for the purpose of procuring
muskcts for new arrival of North Carolina
troops anticipatory to the battle, which was
hourly imminent After getting my En-
fields" | dropped in, for a moment. at the
Spottswood hotel / observed a splendid spe
cimen of the soldier standing behind the-coun-
ter with Mr. Belts. | was particularly struck
with his appearance, on account of the pecu-
Iiartv Of his costume-being all Of the finest
PruSsian leather. He was introduced to me
by my friend, Mr. Prngle. of Charleston
with whom lie had met in London He had
only arrived in the morning, yet he was booted
and spurred for the field.
There had been a very stringent order pro-
muIgatcd by Gen. Joe Johnston. prohibiting
the passage to or from the lines Of any persons
whatsoever without the authority Of corps
commander. Learning his ardent desire to be
present on the field, | invited him 10 accom-
pany me 70 tie headquarters Of Gen Long
street to which he joyfulIy asscntcd, We
were soon in our saddles galloging for the
field and somewhat hurried by the distant
booming Of the guns telling us the action had
opened. In going out ofthc city, on the Will
iamsburg road, we were passed by hurry
ing squadrons Of cavalry under Gen. Fitz
hugh Lee which | noticed first made his eyes
sparkle with delight and caused him involun
tarily to grasp he hiIt OF his trusty sabre.
He couldn't speak word Of English, nor
of French or German, consequently our con
versation dwndled down to one or two pas
sagcs Of well filed flask Of most excellent
brandy from his capacious holsters, he had
accoutrements, brought with him
from Europe. His first expression approach
ing the Anglo Saxon dialect was most en-
platte inyective with the word Yankee at the
end Of il, rs a tremendous shell came scream
ing over US near the then field of battle. He
was apparently very much pleased with his
first view of the battle. II was at the moment
that Gen. D. H. Hill had carried the star fort
near Gen. Cascy's headquarters on the York
River railroad, and our gallant boys were
flushed with success and shouting victory on
every side.
| had the pleasure OF presenting Won Borcke,
Turing the evening, to Generals Longstreet,
Wilcox. Stuart and Fitz Lee several times in
arriving orders to the front, lie accompanied
ne, and | could not but admire his utter scorn i
# danger. During the Who'll. Of that long and
weary night he accompanied our staff, and
zen. Lonystreet, owing TO the unfortunate
wound Of general Johnston, was everywhere.
Early on the morning Of the 1st Of June, we
renewed the battle. During one Of the Gains,
president Davis; escorted by Messrs. Reagan
and Mallory, of the cabinet, general Joe Da-
Wis and Col. Preston Johnson, Of his staff, rode
ND to general Longsireet's "headquarers III
he field" While the president was reclining
upon stand Of captured garrison colors just
sent in by Wilcox and Pryor from The front,
Won Borcke requested me to present him to
The illu>trious ruler of our country.
had the honor of complying with the re-
quest and | well remember the cordial greet
ny he received. The president welcomed
him warmly 10 our shores, and thanked him
in the name of the country for the feeling
which had prompted him TO throw his life in
to the same scale with the people fighting for
the hottest Of causes. The president was in
most excellent humor and during the inter
view | remember his attention WAS attracted
By the splendid sabre worn by the Prussian
He took it in his hand AMI examined it with
evident interest, remarking upon its excellent
temper and fnish and, at the same time, bow
ng in his welI-known graceful manner, TO the
stalwart sabreur, that distinguished warrior
him upon having an arm pow
orfui enough TO WELD SO tremendous weapon.
Won Borcke attached himself 10 Stuart at
once, and was his constant companion and bo-
som friend to the day of bis lamcnted death.
His was one Of the most daring and chivaI-
roUs spirits that fought under the :" southern
cross" His accomplishments, as a practiced
and educated soldier, were often called into
.cquisition by his great chief, whom | often
leard-and also Gen. Ftz Lee-speak Of him
IN terms of the highest praise, for his undauntcd
cbyary and GOODNESS in action.
have read, with the IiyeIiest emotions Of
pleasure his "MemoirS," and though my du
ties called me to other and more distant fields
during greater portion Of the time men
know, from contemporary evidence,
THAT in the main his adventures are truly mar
rated. If there ever was man who APP
preached the "knightly Bayard = in all the
requisites Of character that constituted that
pride Of chivaIry," it was Col. Heros Won
Borcke, chef Of staff to Gen. j. E. B. Stuart.
know that my accomplished and gallant
friend, major Henry St. Paul in whose paper
the interrogatory was promulgated, will do JUS
lice TO the noble and generous Prussian, after
learning these facts. By reference to the
" Journals of the Confederate congress-" he
will see that that august body voted him their
thanks for lis sallantry, patriotism and fidel-
Is to the southern cause. Noother foreigner,