Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-12
LIEUT.. GEN. P. r. CLEBURNE.
"reminiscences of the Battle Of Frank.
lin.
Western Cslt

"Reminiscences OF the Battle of Frank.
lin.
Western Celt.
Alb, well we remember some Of those
SPLENDID Irish regiments, numbering a
thousand and upwards-after the battle
was fought and won, could not muster
enough TO form a captains company.
Among those who fell there is none we
more earnestly regret than General Pat
rick Romayne Cleburne. Ireland re-
members him, one of her nobleSt Sons,
a gentleman of the truest type, chival-
r0us spirit, whose prayer during life was
10 die in the cause of his native country.
He was born in COye, county Of Cork. He
was induced TO make America his home,
and happened to be a resident of Helena,
Ark, at the commencement Of that disas-
trOus civil strife. He naturally cast his
fortunes with those of his State, and be-
came one of the most successful organizers
Of the Southern armies. lie quickly rose
10 an important command, and won the
most complete victory of the war at Rich
mond, KY, for which he received the
thanks Of the Confederate Congress. In
December, 1862, he was promoted 10 the
rank of Major General, and fought at Muir
freeSboro. He defeated ROsecrans at
Chickamanga, and again received the
thanks of Congress; he continued to do
service for the cause he espOused; his name
became terror to those who immediatly
opposed him. In the winter of 1864 be
assumed the command of the forces of
Gens. Hood and Hardee, with the rank Of
Lieutenant General. During Cleburne's
operations in Tennessee, and almost in
view of Franklin Hill he happened TO pass
through little graveyard, followed by his
staff; OncOming to a green little knoll in this
village Of the dead he paused; the members
of his staff Immediately formed around
him. Believing some new movement
was to be executed, or important dis
patches to be sent, they continued TO
watch with breathless anxiety the giant
like figure of their chief. After a painful
silence, the General, whose countenance
wore a sad smile, slowly raised his eyes
and turning to his faithful subalterns
said: "Ah! gentlemen, it is well worth
dying for, if a man could be buried in
such a lovely spot as that" Shortly
after, Cleburne gave battle to the North
ern troops at Franklin Hill, where he
fell at the head of his brave soldiers, fight
ing his last fight for the dying Confedera-
cy, on the 30th of November, 1864. A few
members of his staff. who escaped the
carnage Of that fatal day, remembered the
touching episode of the graveyard, and re-
turned with the remains of their noble
leader, and temporarily, but afiectionately,
laid him TO rest in that green little knoll,
which he, but day or two previous, made
memorable. L. MoLoSY.
ST. Louis, Nov. 80, 1874.
Memphis Ledger.
In addition to the above interesting re-
minisceuce ii might be added that just be-
fore that fatal charge on the breast-works az
Franklin. General Cleburne delivered a
short, incisive speech to his division, in
which be used the words: 81 am not now
fighting for liberty, but for vengeance"
He said that the "cause" was lost, and he
like knight of old, expected to be killed,
and wished to die rather than survive the
ultimate result. Some years afterthe death of
General Cleburne his remains were con-
veyed to Helena, Ark, via Memphis, and
the people Of Memphis turned out en- masse
as an escort for the remains of the hero,
and conveyed them from the Charleston
depot TO the boat. So long as the pages of
history can be unfolded, and so long as the
people of the South can transmit to posteri-
" the annals of the glorious struggle for
liberty, so long will the name Of Patrick
ROrnayne Cleburne be beloved and revered.