The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-03-23
From the A6beriNe Medium.
PEN PICTURES OF THE PRESS.
FRANCIS w. DAWSON.
HIS BIRTH AND EDUCATION.

S1Xth year OF MS age. lie was educateC
at various schools in London, and was 6
remarkably studious and intelligent lad
made rapid progress in his studies and
maintained high stand in his classes
He exhibited great fondness for literature
in his early youth, and after completing
his studies devoted considerable attention
to literary work, none of which, however
ever saw the light with the exception o.
four or five comedies, which were played
on the London boards with encouraging
success. That he made the slightest
headway in this department of literary
labor, surrounded as he was by the most
eminent talent, and under the ban of the
severest critics is the highest compliment
that could be paid to his merit and ability
as a writer.
For several years prior to 1860 young
Dawson paid particular attention to the
industrial and social condition of the
United States, and became deeply inter
ested in the causes which led to the dis
ruption of the Union and the secession
movement of the Southern States. He
was in London when the news was re-
ceived of the fall of Fort Sumter, and i'm
mediately resolved to take passage for
America by the first opportunity, and to
serve on the Confederate side
"FoR THE WAR"
He felt convinced that the Constitution
had been violated; that, the South was
fighting for liberty and self-government,
as the Barons fought at Runnymede, and
that it was his privilege and duty to take
sides with her in the fight.
No opportunity offered until the Con-
federate steamship Nashville, in which
Mason and Slidell were to have sailed,
reached Southampton, England. Armed
with letters young Dawson approached
its commander, Captain Pegram, and
made known his wishes and Intentions.
He was so youthful that the Captain re-
fused to aid him, and so dismissed the
matter. But Dawson was deeply in ear
nest, and, taking advantage of the Cap
tain's absence in London a few days be-
fore the Nashville sailed, assumed the
garb of sailor and was enlisted bya the
first lieutenant of the vessel. During the
homeward voyage of the Nashville Daw-
sons admirable conduct secured the ap-
plause of all the officers and men aboard
the vessel, and Immediately after run
ming the blockade at Beaufort, N. c., he
was appointed Masters Mate in the Con-
federate States Navy upon the recon-
mendation of Captain Pegram. This
asin the early part of 1S6&the begin
ming of active hostilities, and from that
time until the summer of 1865 .
THE BRAVE YOUNG BR1ToN
did his whole duty manfully, earnestly
and without complaining.
After reaching the Confederacy Daw-
son was ordered to duty at Norfolk, Vir-
ginia, where he served for short time.
He was then ordered to New Orleans,
but on approaching the city discovered
that his ship had gone down, and that
the city had been captured by the enemy.
sPoILING FOR A FIGHT.
He was ordered to duty on the James
River, but everything was so dull and
monotonous, and he became so anxious to
engage in battle, that he resigned his
commission in the Navy and took service
as q private with the Purcell Battery,
Fields Brigade, Hills Division, Army Of
Northern Virginia, in June, 1862. This
was at the time of McClellan's memora-
BILE march on Richmond, and Dawson
was very soon gratifed with fight In
the bloody engagement of Mechanics
vile on June %, 1862, he was badly
wounded, but remained fighting his gun
until he was completely exhausted by
loss of blood, and was carried from the
field. In this engagement
HIS CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY -.
attracted the attention of his devoted
comrades, and called forth the admiration
of his captain, who recommended his
promotion to lieutenancy, which recon-
mendation was Immediately carried out
by the Secretary of War. Dawson could
not be idle, and, although suffering
severely from his wound; he applied for
a position on the Ordnance Corps, passed
a thorough and brilliant examination,
and in August, 1862, was commissioned
first lieutenant of artillery and ordered to
duty with Longstreet's Corps, as assistant
ordnance officer Of which corps he served
until the fall of 1864.
IN vINCULIs.
After the battle of South Mountain, in
1862, just before Sharpsburg, Lieutenant
Dawson. was captured by che Federal
cavalry which escaped from Harpcr's
Ferry, was taken to Fort Delaware and
there confined for some time, and suffered
all the comforts which ex-Speaker Blaine
would have the world believe were given
to the rebel prisoners. Rev. w. P. Du-
Bose, once pastor of Trinity church in
Abbeville, now rector of the University
of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee, was
Dawson's chum at Delaware. 1t may be
imagined that two such generous souls
would contribute great deal to each
others comfort in their, at that time, I'M
happy condition. Mr.. Dawson was ex-
changed just in time to take part in the
battle of Fredericksburg, in December,
1862. He was with Longstreet through
Gettysburg and his East Tennessee cam.
paign, and by his side when wounded and
Jenkins was killed at the Wilderness
In the winter of 1S63-'64 he passed an
examination for promotion, and received
his commission as captain of artillery IL
May, 1864. After his promotion he was
relieved of his command at his own re.
quest and appointed Ordnance officer ot
f'itz Lees Division--General Lees
nephew, him of Bunker Hill. In this
capacity Captain Dawson served through
the Valley Campaign and to Five Forks
on March 81, 1865, where he was wound.
ed in the shoulder.
In all of his service to the Confederacy
Captain Dawson distinguished himself by
his bravery and his devotion to duty
however arduous and severe. In the
camp and on the tented field he was
genial and companionable, and in the
line he was always at his post. He had
no property interests at stake; he was
not lighting for his own country, his ma
tive land; he was doing his duty as
liberty-loving English citizen, fighting
for cause he conceived to be just, anc
for which he was ready to sacrifice hi