The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-06-14

From the Tnpelo Journal
The following letter, addressed t.
Governor Stone, and his note t
Col. Blair appended, explain them
selves. We publish the letter il
order that the survivors of that gal
liant regiment Of Lees gallant army
the Second Mississippi-may
know that their undaunted courage
as displayed on twenty battle fields
ELECTED even the admiration OF
their foes. The facts in regard to
the surrender of the remnant of the
Second in that railroad cut, as will
be recalled to the memories of the
survivors, are as follows: The gal
liant Lieutenant-Co Colonel Dave Hum
phries, who was killed on the last
day of the fight, had peen placed
in command of large detail, guard
ing an immense wagon train. The
chivalrous Col. J. NJ. Stone had
been disabled by a shell early in
| the action on the first day. This
left Major, afterwards Lieutenant
Colonel Blair, in command of the
regiment The fight was stubborn
in the extreme. The brave men of
the Second Mississippi had over
come the first line of the enemy,
but not until the enemy had left
line of its dead where it fought; the
Second then came in contact with
the troops mentioned in Col. Dawes
letter. The railroad cut was deep
and long, and right in front of the
Confederate line of battle. When
the gallant regiment, with other
confederates, got into the railroad
cut, the charge alluded to in the let
ter was executed, and the Federal
lines drawn around and in the rear
of our troops. Under these circum-
stances the surrender was made.
The letter proves Col. Dawes a
chivalric officer and high toned gen
tleman. He will find the gallant
Major to whom he alludes-his foe
in 1S63-his friend in 1S76-and as
willing as he to say in regard to a
true Union, ESto PerPetua.
MARIETTA, ONO, June 1, 1876.
To Hon. i. IL. Stone:
DEAR SIR: | have a suspicion
that you were Colonel of the Sec
ond Mississippi Confederate Volun-
teers. If | am III error am sure
can give no offence, for that noble
body of soldiers could have been
led by none other than brave
man. At the battle of July 1st.
near Gettysburg, | commanded the
9th Wisconsin Volunteers. We
charged upon the Second Missis-
sippi, posted in a railroad cut. In
that charge forty of our men were
killed and one hundred and sixty
wounded. You see ! have reason
to remember and respect the Sec
ond Mississippi At the railroad
cut l received from Major Blair the
surrender Of seven officers and two
hundred and twenty-seven men.
As the record shows, each of these
men had shot his man before they
yielded. They have no cause to
blush or we to exult. But that
bloody struggle is to us a common
memory, and it would give me
great pleasure to know where |
might find some Of the men who
stood against US, that we might
compare notes and recollections.
Now if you could tell me where
could communicate with Major
Blair, or any other officer, l would |
be greatly obliged.
We fought the Second Missis
sippi in the corn field in front of the |
Dunkard Church at Antietam.
There they drove US, aud We barely |
saved by hand a battery of six
twelvepound howitzers, planted in
front of some hay stacks. You will
remember this place we'll, if v3u !
are Colonel Stone CT that Regiment, |
Very respectfully,
(Signed) r. r. DAWES.
DEAR COLONEL: The foregoing is
a copy of letter l have just re-
cieved Thinking it might recall
tc you some interesting events,
make and send you copy. | have
answered the Colonel that he can
communicate with you at Tupelo.
Your friend,
r M STONE