New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-09
For the Sunday Republican
BRAVERY AND INTELLIGENCE
An Incident Of Hays Brigade.


It was q dark and stariess night. Tat.
toos beat had long been heard, and HAYS,
brigade, weary after long days march.
rested beneath the dewy boughs Of gigantic
! oaks in dense forest near the placid Rap
pahannock No sound broke the stiffness
of the night. The troops were lying on ma
lures rude couch, sweetly sleeping and,
perhaps, little dreaming Of the awful dawn
| which soon was to burst upon them. The
tions had been hastily cooked. hunger ap-
pessed and the balance laid carefully
| away. But that which was most essential
| to life had unfortunately been neglected.
| No provision for water bad been made.
| The spring being somewhat distant from
! camp but few had had spirit after the days
| weary tramp to march further. The can
| teens were, in most part, empty. Though
thirsting, the soldiers slept, Cbliyious of
their physical sufferings.
But, ere the morning broke, the distant
sound OF musketry echoed through the
woods. The solemn hush no longer pre-
vailed. The mass of living valor'' woke
from their broken dreams OF horne, tireside,
kindred and friends. The roll of the drum
and the stentOrlan voice of the gallant chief
calling to arms mingled together Aroused
to duty and cropping their way through the
darkness, the troops sailed forth IN battle
array.
On the brow of a hill overlooking the
river near Fredericksburg. in a rife Dit,
were men who had exhausted their ANNA
milton IN the vain attempt to check the adj
vanclng column OF Hooker's finely equip
ped and disciplined army that was crossing
the river, and as morning broke SO mistily
little or no execution had been done. TO
the relief OF these few came the brigade in
double quick time. But no sooner en-.
trenched were they when the firing on the
opposite side OF the river became terrific,
and the constant roaring OF musketry and
artillery became appalling Undismayed,
however, stood this little band of veterans.
pouring volley after volley into the crossing
column. Soon many soldiers fell. Their
agonlzlng cries, as they lay helpless in the
trenches, calling most piteously for water.
caused many teac to steal down the
cheeks OF their comrades in arms. and stont
hearts shook in the performance of their
outy' put, alas water; there is none to
give. Housed as they had been from their
peaceful dreams to meet an assault 40 early
ana SO unexpected, nc time was left them
10 90 aught but buckle on their armor
Doys, exclaimed q lad Of eighteen. the
Color bearer OF one Of the regiments. Il
can ~ stand this-my nature can't bear it.
ater they want and water thew must
III 60 for some.'' ''A~
carefully laying the cOlors which he had
com ~ previously borne on many a field, into
the trenches, he leaped out in search of
water, and was soon, owing to a heavy
mist, out of sight
shortly afterward thes firing ceased for
WINE, ana there came a colffier with or
uofs W iaL BACK to the main line a die
tance OF over 1900 yards to thu rear r.
uouo!Iess became evident to General Lee
6nat hooker had crossed the riy'Ar in sniff
clent force to advance.
ne retreating column had not proceeded
e when 1t met the noble youth carving
,he cahteens filled with water for the suf-
erers who were still living in the far On
Itch. The eye of the soldier bow, who had
,ltentlmes tenderly and lovingly gazed
ipon the war worn and faded rag, saw IL
10Y noatlng in the ranks The troops. in
nelr hurry to obey orders, and owing prob
,,oiy to the heavy mist which surrounded
mem, had forgotten the cOlors.
On spec the color bearer back to the
renches. to save the lives of his wonn6aS
omrades by quenching their thirst "A we'll
8 70 save the honor of his regiment in
eseuing the colors 1"
iiie mission OF mercy was soon accom-
hsned. Inc wounded men drank freely
hanked ana blessed hin. But now TO seize
ae nag and double quick back to his regi-
reh hst was the thought of a moment. Hard
7 ', had ne gone ten PAGES from the ditch
men company Of federal soldiers. az.
ending the bill, hove in sight. The vo;ce
! an officer sternly commander him To
halt and surrender r. LII" "
me morning sun, piercing with a Iur;d
ere tne dense mist, reveals a hundred
nes leveied at his breast! One moment
lore, and his soul is to pass ipro efern;tr
)lors" ""iie Holo inc
~! :u why Is he not fixed upon? Wbv do
: sun see MIN with the cOlors fiying above
y no" beyond the reach of rife halls
nen put moment ago be could bavo
9on riodled with bullets And now saa
enters proudly but breathlessIv. tho
nns, ana receives the gratulations Of b;s
lends IN loud acclaim. vi LIS
= ne answer comes, because n ,.,,o.
+. nas 6een done by the federal ot,icsr in
- anu OF mat company-such an az -.
f r. ~ parailel IN history. When this nnhTe
,,,,h Sd" mat the love Of honor 70 tho
20 .u was 10 MIN far dearer than ne.
le no ole impulse of mapnan,n.,,s NE, IN
ireeiy gave him both. in tha neart,
nn,, sha Bring back your niecaS ot
Gu snoot that brave bow 'es' men
nuch mobility of character. srob
rfina and such q brare mr., soIer
a;r -. n , oy this officer. mns, as tna0
= 60, nsing monument to true ,rs..I 10
"A -. e man Is an Ornament ~ ,
ssa no,esslDg to his country .n2 sIy
ou nnss, perchance, meet his era , st1ulo
"nu feel the proud satisfact;on .ho! LIN
hio ae well as the remembrano NAY sL ms
or . ueou, ls gratefully Cherished III ~ s nis
y In grey. 0"f' o1 the soldier