The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-01-05
iDBAPH Of Capt w M aoURLEY;
- nCoi A. 18th Tenn. Cavalry. Lr'

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For BssE'at 7ansi'es Usion Flssj .5sda.1eY mi
Mac EDlToRs-Permit me (nOY that We are
done with the clamors Of war and retu rned 10
the peaceful iayochtiops. Of lifeO through the
columns oEyourPape to pay the last tribute
Of respect toonF lamented friend and broth
er officer, capb W. NJ. GoURLEY, who fell in
hand to hand conflict with the enemy jast
one year ego,sto day. theil6th of December,
at the town Of Marion Va It will DO time
and plncsl0ng 70 be remembered, by us who
throughathe Providence of God, escaped with
our lives through that momentous affair. -
Daylight which had been SO auxiously look
ed for during the preceding night, was slow.
ly making its appearance in the oriental
horizonj though lin consequence of the
heavy fog,) thick darkness had covered the
land, when we come to the enemys 5 outpost
near the above mentioned place all Of whom
were Captured. This of course made our in
gresa to the town more easy. A portion of
the Tennessee Brigade was orderedto charge
the enemy's reserve, which we did under the
most destructive Gre, from their lines, which
bad previously been formed for the purpose
Of defending their artillery. As our charge
was made with drawn sabres, we fred not
gun, but pushed forward In solid column, Of
ficers cheering their men and men cheering
each other, Although II was yet dark, there
could be no mistake about the direction we
were coming; SO that the cause of our hirac.
ulou5 escape is only known to the God of bat
ties. Hand 70 hand we met them II was
now with but little accuracy we could dis
tinguish friend from foe, the blazing of fire.
arms In the hands Of the enemy, the clash
ing Of steel in the hands Of our own men, as
we'll as the uncertainty ofdealing those death
blows by random, made the whole a most
hideous affair. II WAS at this moment that
the hero of this subject made bold dash,
With upliited sword, into their very midst
He was seen by the blaze OF their guns to
reel in bis saddle, aud making it seemed,
super human e1ertions, to recover his posi-
tion. Bat alas once more he reeled, and
his body fell a lifelc,s corpse in the streets
Of Marion. Thus fell the brayest OF the
brayen g "a =. a A q n Y y u
Capt. Gourlsy having served tour in the
war between the United States and Mexico,
was perhaps from this cansc the more easily
aroused, and the more ready to respond to
"bis couutry's cali" when our political hor-
zon began to darken when traitors seemed
to be growing popular and treason respscta-
Ble when those illustrious Statement. who
once occupied conspicuous positions in our
front ranks. and who still urge their claims
on account of their superior G6iiits', hadEbe-
gan to succomb 10 q the pressure Of circum-
stances" It was at this dark moment that
Capt. Gourley, like thousands Of other brave
men, espoused the cause in which he lost his
life, entering the ranks as a private SOidisr,
from which position he VAS promoted for
msritOriOns conduct, to'a GaPtalney in the 18th
Tennessee cavalry, in Which capacity he Of
fcinted with "equal pleasure TO himself and
honor to the cause, until the Ah-NisO Dis
poscr Of human events, saw 6t TO end his
earthly career, and although we are unable
to roll back the billowy tide Of time, or uu-
fold th- mouldtring clay and saso upon that
face which once bespoke such manliness--
although we can never more on earth com-
minele our voices With the" heroic dead, yet
suck sacrifices will undoubtedly be eremember-
ed in all time to come yes, their names will
be stamped upon the minds and In the breasts
of all who love their cause their history,
like inscriptions upon pillars Of marble, viii
stand during the impending ages Of time =
Capt GOurley possessed all those character
lstlcs ola true ,oldier-yes be was both "braTe
and generous, May the " God of battles
protect his bereaved wife and orphan chill
drea, and should their eyes ever rest upon
this article they will undoubtedly perceive
that they have at least one true friend,
i.. ...f,... .4 G. W. DoUGHtY,
IL. Lats Major l3h Tenn. CdvaIry.
Grav's Hill. Tenn, Dec. l6, 1865.