The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-02
Anmrmu ynteuigertter.
From the AUGUSTA Constitutionakst.
MAI. LAN1ER, THE SOLDIER Of FORTUNE.
BY E. L. WHATLEY.


BY E. L. wHATLEY.
Il is to be regretted that the name and deeds
of so many Of the old. Revolutionary heroes
should have been allowed to sink into obscure
ty. their very existence being unknown to the
''grest majority" who enjoy the fruits OF their
hardships and efforts in the cause OF Ioerty' @
in the days which ''tried mems souls" Inc
names of Washington, Lafayette, Greene, fue-
nam and some others are as imper1shaole as :s
the records of time, and it IS right ). tnat IL
should be so, yet there have lived ana dled men
cd no mean service in the mighty contest
which gave peace and independence to US who
now "sit under our own vines and fig trees"
unmolested by the fear of the oppressor's rod,
and in the full enjoyment of "life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness" Of this number,
the name of Louis Lanier, a major in the Rev
olutionary army, should be held in grateful
remembrance. Born in Virginia, of French
descent, he inherited from his ancestors the
versatility and impulsive energy of that mer-
curial race, while he partook of the chivaric
sentiment of the cavalier. At the conclusion
of the war he moved to Georgia, where, for
twenty.seven years, he represented the coun-
ties of Bullock and Screven in the State Leg
islature; took a prominent part in the burning
at Louisville, then the capital of the State, OF
the papers pertaining to the great Yazoo fra9a,
and continued in the service of the people for
several wears after, until finding the infrmities
of old age creeping upon him, he returned to
his farm on the Ogeechee river, in the county
of Screyen. where, at the advanced age OF
eiehty-three years, he 'shuffled off this mortal
coil" and by his own request was carried over
To his old homestead in Bullock, and laid IN
his family burying ground where his old NOR
tality sleeps, under the strong verdure Of the
oyerhanging pines.
But the chief object of this sketch is to re-
late an incident of the early life Of our hero.
The general under whom he served was
Thomas Butler, also of Virginia. and for aught
know to the contrary, belonging to the high.
toned and gallant family who have figured
largely in public affairs in South Carolina. In
some battle in which Gen. Butler bore prom
inent part-called battle in those days, but
would, perhaps be thought skirmish in COM
parison with the Titanic engagements OF our
alate uupleasantness"-he was unsuccessful IN
the accomplishments of his design. This chafed
and mortified the fiery Frenchman to such
degree that he forgot his duty as soldier and
the stern rules Of the service, and induced him
to speak in disparaging terms OF his superior
officers.
1T is outrageous" he said to those around
him. sto be defeated in this way. Butler IS
not fit to command an army p
"Mind how you talk, Major" replied a
friend, "you'll be arrested and court-mar-
tailed p
81 don't care. If we go on this way, We'll
all be arrested by the British and sent to their
stockades and prison Ships" and he turned of
in supreme disgust. -.
Of course, such fragrant violation Of mill.
tary rule was not long getting to the ears OF
the General What, then, did he do? Have
the offender arrested, tried and degraded? No
such thing. Towards different man he
might have pursued that course But Butler
was az chiyalric as his detractor. He knew
him to be good soldier and gentleman,
though at times blindly impetuous. Yet ne
could not let the ofense pass unnoticed; so he
resigned his commission and sent Lanier q
challenge. It was promptly accepted, and all
the parties met to decide the ISSUE. at the
first fire Lanier was severely wounded, and
fell to the ground. His friends were quickly
beside him.
"Give us another shot," said the wounded
man.
The pistols were loaded, but Lanier could
not rise from the ground.
seProp me up" he said.
He was raised from his knees, the atten-
dants retired, and another FIRE passed between
them without any result, when friends inter-
fered, and effected satisfactory arrangement,
and all left the field.
Wars wasting power is exhausted; inde-
pendence has been acknowledged, and peace
has returned to the distracted land. The
SCARED veterans are taking up the line of
march for their long deserted homes, when
bright eyes and warm hearts will welcome
them back with tears and rejoicing; and
though many hearths have been desolated, and
houses and enclosures have gone to decay, yet
the hope of "a better time coming" moves the
blood with quicker pulsation, and JOY over
spread the land.
But why fingers Lanier around the old
camp fires? Has he no friends at home to be
made clad at his return Surely his help is
needed to put to rights the confusion produced
by the war. He, too, must bear q hand in re-
building the waste places, and erecting on their
ruins new order of things. Very true; all
this he knows and feels, but still he tarries.
But the time for the final breaking up has
come. Officers and men are exchanging fare
wells, and the last tent is about to be struck.
Lanier was standing by the embers of decay
ing fire, when Gen. Butler passed near him.
Now WAS his time.
General Butler, I wish to speak to you a
moment"
Butler turned, and haughtily drawing him
self up, coldly replied:
every well, sir"
"I wish, sir" said Lanier, ''to apologize for
the wrong have done You. Under blind
and inexcusable impulse, committed an
ofense, from the consequences of which your
generosity saved me, and sincerely ask your
forgiveness"
The tears started to the Generals eyes, as in
the frankness of his nature he extended his
hand:
"Not only forgive, Major, but forget. Here
after we are friends"
Neither spoke again, but with emotions too
deep for utterance, and with a parting grasp,
they separated, and each went on his way.