The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-13
BELKNAP's BRAVERY.
How He Didn't Jerk Rebel Captain
Over a Breastwork BY the Hair of
His Head--"The Truth of
History"
To the Editor OF the Courier Journal.

To the Editor OF the Courier journal.
Douglasyille Cass County, Tex, Mar.
q. '76-When Gen. w. W. Belknap was
appointed secretary Of war, an article
found its way into the columns of your
paper TO this effect That at the battle of
Atlanta, on the 22nd of July. 1864, the
portion of the federal lines held by the
regiment commanded by Gen. then
Colono) Belknap, fortified by strong
breastworks, was attacked-charged-by
aconfederate regiment the 45th Alabama,
commanded by Col. Lampley, and that
Belknap leaped the breastworks against
which the Alabama regiment had charged
seized Colonel Lampley by the collar and
dragged him, prisoner, over the breast
works, into the federal lines. The New
York Graphic, of the 10th of March, says
that Col. Lampley was pulled over by the
hair OF the head. So much of the above
statement as represents the 45th Alabama
as charging the position OF the federal
lines or breast work held by the federal
troops under Belknap, at the time and
place mentioned, is true; the remainder of
the statement is basely and slanderously
false, and can be proved by several
members of the 45th Alabama regiment
then aud there present, whose veracity is
unquestioned. 1t is believed here, too,
that there are numbers Of federal troops
belonging to the Iowa regiment command
ed by Col. Belknap who love the truth
and will concur In the above denial. This
denial would have been furnished you
promptly upon the appearance of the
article in question, but we feared in so
doing we might offend the fallen secretary,
and he had too much power and resources
at his command then for two or three
subjugated rebels to dare to take issue with
him, especially as there was at that time in
the city of Jefferson, near US, stock ade
in which hundreds of our citizens were i'm
prisoned by order of petty tyrant named
Buell..
But the facts are these. The 45th Ala
bama charged the federal breastworks, and
forty-seven of their numbers had. fallen be.
fore the murderous fire they were facing.
The federal lines, though made twice the
usual strength as to numbers, were thrown
into confusion by the impetuous charge OF
the Alabamians, the great body of them
Perry, lieuts, Belang and Fally, privates
HuddlesOn carrying the colors, Phillips,
Key, and perhaps one or two others, went
Guiding Col Lampley, the color bearer,
charge. The federals seeing no copfeder-
ate force beyond the three or four mention
ed occupying their now almost deserted
works, were recalled by their officers
Every confederate mentioned aboyG
was wounded either in the
advance or in getting over the works.
L I ,l, 81 ,A,
and Private Phillips through the thigh,
and they could not get away, and but FOL
the prompt interference of Col. Lamplcy,
Phillips would have shot Belknap dead
there, for he his qua raised to do so as
Belknap was returning with his command
He (Belknap) should ever feel the livelies
gratitude to Col. Lampey, for it was
through him his life was saved that day
Col Lampley surrendered, and nobody
colared him nor thought of doing so. Il
would have been more degrading to Col
Belknap TO have offered such an indignity
to heroic soldier, lying wounded as hC
was than the selling of all the post trader
ships in the United States.
Col. Lampley was carried To hosplta
in rear Of the federal lines. There he re
manned till he had so far recovered from
his wound as to attempt an escape. Ill
was recaptured after having gone abou
twenty miles, was made to double-quick t
the place from whence he started, whicl
caused hemorrhage of the lungs and al
most immediate death
The above facts can be substantiated by
any surviving member of the 45th Alabam
regiment, and in every particular by Capt
NJ. p. Perry, Douglasville, Tex. VIII
went to the breastwOrks with Col. LAM
ley, and who is gentleman whose veracit
has never been questioned where he
known.
The testimony of Private Phillips ca
also be obtained in confederation of tn
above. Lieut.. Col. A5ercrombie, 9
Tukegee, Ala, was present in the charge
and, 1t desired, they also can testify to tn
above. The latter lost an arm there.
The insertion of the above truth of his
tory in your columns is solicited that justic
may be done to fallen defender of tn
Lost Cause"
j. A. III. CRANBERRY,
Private 46th Alabama Regiment.