The New York herald., 1878-12-16
GENERAL RENO'S DEATH.
STATEMENT OF AN EYE-wITNEss-'T AM SHOT
DY MY OWN MEN: TT Is HARD"

STATEMENT OF AN EYE-wITNEss-'T AM SHOT
DY MY OWN MEN: 1T rs HARD"
NEWPORT. r. l.. Dec. II. 1875
In view Of the many statements which have been
made Of late regard to the death of General Reno
at the battle of South Mountain Mr.. Edward NJ. Nel
formerly Of New York, but of this city, who
was Brevet Colonel and Assistant Adiutant General
on the staff of General Reno. desires through the
HERALD to present the lamentablc accident In its
true light. Colonel Neill is gentleman well known
to the summer residents of Newport and is great
favorite among all classes. He states that about
hour and half before sunset the day Of
the accident General Reno proceeded to tho front,
and after riding along his line he frst visited
the Kanawha division commanded by Major General
Cox He then returned along the line until he
reached General Sturgis command its vicinity.
Firing commenced our right soon afterward.
Colonel Neill and Lieutenant Hutton. OF his stan.
were with him. He gave orders to "break ranks"
and almost Immediately he was shot, new regiment,
sandwichcd between two old regiments. having hred
before the word was given. its members being very
enthusiastic and the men feeling that they were
called upon to return the eneniy's fire before they
them. The General turned to Colonel Neill
soon as tho green regiment had fired. and said, II
shot by my men: IL is hard" He had
sufficient strength to dismonnt from his horse withoue
assistance. but he was unable to unhook his sword
belt. Colonel Neill volunteered to do IL for him.
which offer accepted. The wounded soldier then
requested Colonel Ne 10 send for litter, which the
latter did and he laid upon It. He then asked
for his brother Lieutenant Reno. Lieutenant Hutton
was requested to 90 in search OF him. In the mean
time the dying soldier took a lockct from his neck
and requested Colonel Ncill TO send II to his wife. Tho
latter wrapped it in piece of newspaper. having
been shattered by the bullet and handed IL to the
Generals brother who arrived at about the time that
the locket was handed TO Colonel Neill.
81 SAW FIRE
While lying on the litter Colonel Neill, although
being positive in his mind that the bullet had
been fired by one OF men, desired to further
satisfy himself of the correctness of hts theory, and
he said to him. General can scarcely believe that
you shot by of our men," He answered.
promptly. Il know was: saw them hre."
Colonel Neill inquired Of Dr. cutter the surgeon if
General Reno mortally wounded, and IL so how
long he would live. His reply that he
tally wounded and that he might live one hour and
possibly twenty four hours. He Colonel Neil pro-
cecdcd at once upon receiving this sad 10 have
him taken back IT, the headquarters, mt Mddletown.
which had been left on the morning Of the same day.
n distance of nearly three miles II was proposed,
owing 20 the long distance to take him To hospital
near by but Colonel Ncill insisted upon removing
him To Middlctown, and just mt this time General
Sturgis rode up aud said that II necessary he would
detail his whole command to take him 20 his head
quarters. just as Colonel Ncill taking his place
NJ the head of the detail TO escort the General back to
Mddetown the latter's brother arrived and said he
was dead. and asked him tNcilD to give him hand
kcrchief to place over his face. just before he
wounded he had been conversng with Colonel r. b.
Potter lhrother of Mr.. Clarkson N. Potter Of New
York;. General Hartrauft and General Sturgis and in
Colonel Nclls opinion General Sturgis the last
gentleman with whom the deceased conversed before
DIRECTION OF THE BALL.
After the body stripped Colonel Ncill inquired
of both of the surgeons present which side the ball
had entered and they replied that II the right
side. which went 70 prove that ne hsd been shot ~
proceeded from the left and which should set at rest
all reports to the contrary The shot came from the
green regiment; but the Colonel does not for
moment desire 10 give the impression that II
done intentionally. The General lived thrceq quarters
of an hour after he was shot.