Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-02-26
MiscElLANE GUS.
THE BONNIE BLUE FLAG.
4 RemiMiscenee Of tie Var


correspondent of the Louisville Co"ricr>
Journal, writing under date of usrrodsburg,
KY, January 20, gives the following inter-
esting incident of the late war:
A remarkable illustration Of the influence
wrought by music was related by Gen. j. =.
Nuckols, who, in a conversation with your
reporter, told of an incident that happened
on the ''bloody field of Shiloh" General
Nuckols was gallant aud distinguished Off
Ger of the Southern army, and now carries
more lead in his body as reminder of the
bloody struggle than any other Confederate
hero we know of.
Among the soldiers of the Fourth Ken
tuckey Infantry, c. s. A >, was ono Hector
Owcus Burton, a tall, brawny, blue eyed,
brave felIow-a Titan in strength, enthusi-
astc in his devotion to the South, and yet,
with all his reckless courage, he was joyous
as a school boy, and loved music and fun
next to fighting. 1t was on the plains Of
Shiloh, the evening of the last day Of the
battle, and tho Kentucky brigade, which
had suffered feuTtully, was covering the rc-
treat of the Confederate army. Major Mon.
roo had been killed. Captain Monroe had
been mortaIy wounded, Captain John Adar
badly shot, and the command of the rcgi>
mcnt had fallen upon General Nuckols, who
was himself severely wounded and faint from
loss of blood. The regiment, tired, worn out
and fcsr!ully depleted, retreating sulleniy
and slowly, as wounded bear not satisfied
with bis recent rcncen;re, was halted to
cieve and repe threatened charge of the
enemy, and the men were lying lstessly about
on the ground. Suddenly yOlley of shOt
and shell from Yankee battery was poured
into their midst. with the design of throwing
the men into disorder preparatory to charging
upon them with infantry. As the shells,
"lIke angels Of death spread their wings oD
the blast" Burton, who was standing up in
front, facing the enemy, was seen to fall, te
ing wounded in the head By the splinter of
an exploding missile. All hearts for the
moment stood still. for the regiment eaw him
fall covered with blood, and with bated
breath and banchcd cheeks, they witnessed
him writhe and struggle in what they sup
posed was bis death agony. On came the
Federal infantry in uniform rank of unbrok-
ed blue. with cleaning bayouets fixed in
front Suddenly Burton staggered to his
feet. steadied himself, looked with dszed eyes
and added sight at the approaching enemy,
rousing himself with q dsuntless aud almost
superiuman effort, dashed the blood from his
face, seized his gun, tossei his cap high in
the air. and, with voice like war trumpet,
broke out in the chorus of the Kentuckian's
battle song, "Hurrah hurrah for the bon
ME blue fag, that bears a single star" Tho
men sprang into column as steady as if on
dress parade. Tie chorus rang along the
line. The Yankees hcsitated. "Stendy,
men, aim low. Ready aim-ire!" roared
out the command from Nuckols. The ene-
my halted their lines were broken
"Charge bsyonets :" again came quick and
clear from the gallant Nuckols. The enemy's
front no longer faced the boys in gray. This
the last charge made upon our army at
Shiloh" ;" says General NuckoIs, .fsDd it was
repulsed by the song of Hec. Burton" he
modestly adds. Captain Burton now lives in
one of the Southern States. He is lineal
descendant of Simon Kentou. and was one
Of the bravest soldiers in the Southern Con-
federncy. General Nuckols, as is well
known, is now the very eficien. Quartermas-
ter General of Kentuckey, aud will doubtless
bc quite surprised to see this incident in
print, as he was totally unaware, at the time
narrated it, that he was conyersiDg with
scribbler.