Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-10-08
@tiaiual :gaptrs.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
CAPT. EDWARD O'CONNER.
THE HORTH CAROLINA SCOUT

Amongst the men whom the war developed,
whose deeds of matchless daring outrival the he
roes of the olden time, and yet who only achieved
local renown, perhaps none was more remarkable
than Captain Edward 0'Conner, one Of the most
accomplished and daring scouts in the Confederate
service, and yet totally unheard of beyond his I'M
mediate field Of action. -,
In person, Captain O'Conner was superb-tal,
1.-THE and muscular with almost gigantic strength,
and as active as wild cat A superb horseman,
swordsman and pistol shot, and q matchless hand
tomanage boat; he could swim ike duck, walk
like highland deer-stalker, and endure, unainch-
ingly, the extremes Of privation and fatigue BY
birth, O'Conner was gentleman and an lrlshman,
and possessed all the noble traits Of his race
frank, generous and warm m-hearted-staunch in his
friendships, and unforgiving to his foes. He was
highly intelligent and cultivated, and singularly
handsome, with fine, clear cut features brilliant
complexion, heavy black beard and moustache,
milk white teeth, and profusion Of curling dark
hair. BUTT was chiefly in his eyes thatthe charm
Of his appearance lay. Perfect in size and shape,
and with their marvellous brilliancy shaded by long
Elken hshes, there was in their expression name
less charm, that won you to him in an instant.
Their exact tint never could determine, nor did
ever hear any three people agree about it. Their
color varied with every change Of light that fell on
them. Now a sparkling black, then the richest
brown, or anon, veiled, dusky violet, 50 exqpi-
sitely tender in depth and expression, 80 soft and
dreamy, that you would doubt whether these were
the eyes in which you had seen the fire of battle
90 liz, l0uv
and sweet; and during my long and intimate ac-
quaintance with him, I never heard him utter a
low or coarse JEST and never but once heard an oath
upon his lips.
Don't fancy, gentle reader, that | am manufac-
turing hero "to order" I paint the man exact
" as knew him, and hundreds Of men can testify
to the truth of my picture. He always served in
Eastern Carolina, and every inch Of the swamps
and coast was as familiar to him as the Light OF
day. Watchfal and tireless as sleuth hound, he
was ever on the trail Of the enemy, going in and
out of their lines as freely as he did into our own.
During 1864 and IS, my command was station
ed at Kinston, N. c., and as frequently served as
a scout, was thrown a great deal with D Conner,
and was distinguished by him with peculiar kind
ness and regard Often have gone with him into
Newberne and remember walking down one OF
the streets one evening, just before Hoke made bis
march down there-that came so near being tri-
umph-and selecting certain corner jewery'store
as one I meant to ''prowl' when we took the city.
There was very beautiful young lady in the
city-a staunch Confederate and friend Of O'Con-
ner's General Terry, the Yankee Commandant,
admired this lady greatly and she patrioticay &C
cepted bis attentions and betrayed his condolences.
Whenever there was ball in Newberne, OCon-
ner always got wind of it and attended, generally
monopolizing the lady, Miss s-, to the 'sgrind-
ing torments" of the jealous General On one
occasion, hen o. Conner had not absented himself
one moment from the side of his fair friend, Gen.
eral T. came up to him and abruptly demanded
his name and regiment OConner, who was play.
ing the part of Yankee captain, cooDy gave the
required information. General Terry, who evi.
dently suspected something, desired to see his pa.
pers. OConner eyed him for an instant, and said
very drily: THAT is strange demand, General
but if you will accompany me to the door, where
T left my over-coat, I think l can silence you
doubts" The strangely blind General went Wltf
him. There were only few soldiers standing by
O'Conner slipped his hand into his pocket, ane
saying, 81 hope this will convince you, General !!
he brought down the heavy barrel of Navy re
yolyer, with stunning force across the head Of thf