Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-12-01
GEN EHAL KaNO's DEATH.
He was Accidentally killed by Union
Troops in Firing Parting yOIIey
ut the Enemy Letter from
General -. 10. sturgIs.
Chicago Tribune. I

Chicago Thbune.l
Fort LINCOLN, D. T., November IL
Having noticed IL the papers Of the last few
days various and contradictory statements
concerning the death of Major General Reno,
at the battle Of South mountain, | deem Ii
matter of duty, not only in the interest OF
truth, but because General Reno was a class
mate and warm personal friend OF mine, 10
give to the public q correct and circumstan-
tial account of has death. OF the statements
which have seen thus far, that of General
J. D. Cox Is the nearest correct; but yet he
errs ii saying that General Reno was killed
by a shot from the enemy's skirmlshers. Gen
eTal Reno arrived at my position on the crest
of the mountain between sunset and dark;
the battle had then virtually ceased, although
there was stall some desuitOry Ering, and
had turned Dureli's battery and
section of Captain Cooks Eighth
Massachusetts battery upon the en-
envy moving against Rockers column,
then pushing up the ridge north Of the
Hagerstown road. 1t was whilst directing
this Gre that General Reno arrived, and,
after remaining some fifteen or twenty min
utes, he mounted his horse with the Tap
parenO intention of returning to his own
headquarters. Instead, however, Of de-
scending the hill directly, he crossed the
road and entered a wood occupied by por-
ton of my division Ga Massachusetts regi-
ment, | think, aud, unfortunately, he en-
tered Just in front of the line. At that mo-
ment volley was fred by the enemy from
wood beyond an open space Of four or five
hundred yards which lay between the OPP
posing lines, a kind ofpartiDg volley, for they
fired but once, and had entirely disappeared
| from the field when l arrived shortly after
with a section of artillery. In the meantime
the troops were resting after their hard days
work; but that volley, so sudden and so I'M
expected, brought them to their feet, and
caused good deal of unnecessary and ran
| dom firing; and It was tten that one OF my
! staff (eithsr Captain MIghels or Captain
| Rawolle, | think the former) noticed that
| General Reno was re5ing IN his saddle, and,
! Fastening to his assistance, had bin taken
| from his horse and carried back to the bat
| terry. On seeing me, he said, Sam, m
| dead man" | said something to the effect
that hoped not and that he would soon be
as well as ever; but he seemed to realize the
true character of his wound better
a dead man" He was then taken
toward the hospital, which was near by, but
| ne died before reaching it. A careful examI-
nation of the wound was made by Surgeon
| Cutter, who had belonged to The generals
staff, and also q tbink) by Surgeon A. L.
| Watson, medical director of my division.
The result Of this examination left no doubt
as to the fact that the bullet had entered
from the rear, and, passing through a mlnla-
ture picture of Mrs. Reno which was in bis
watch-fob, had emerged from the front. On
this point l remember distinctly that Surgeon
Cutter (if not Surgeon Watson alsol, was
decided in his opinion that the shot was an
accidental one from our own troops, and de-
livered near at hand. Indeed, General Reno
was himself aware of this melancholy fact,
and referred to 1t IN feeling terms when be-
ing taken from his horse, as the officer be-
fore mentioned reported at the tune. Such,
in short, is the sad story of the death of the
gallant and chivalrous Jesse L. Reno, whose
last words were: 81 can be no longer with
my men; let them know that will still be
with them in spirit" Very respectfully,
| your obedient servant, S. d. sTURGIs,
Colonel Seventh Cavalry, Brevet MajOr-GeneraI.