National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-10
MEYER KICKED by A MULE.
And the Mules Had Better Let Him Alone
Now.

cincinnati Commercial.l
The combined assault by the rebel Brigaders
upon General Bragg arOuses interest in the
question of how that gentleman will stand fire.
The valiant gentlemen who charged upon him.
seem to have been preparing the way by
general volley of surs from their skirmish line
ofSouthern newspapers to the effect that Bragg
had been soldier to be sure but one of that
numerous class who were "kicked by mule"
They are mistaken in their man. If single
rebel Brigadier in Congress can show a better
record for continued, heroic, devoted service
on the field of actual battle than General Bragg,
he will prove his claim to respect for personal
vaor beyond the possibility of doubt.
Bragg entered the service in June, 1861, as
Captain OF Company L, Sixth Regiment of
Wisconsin Volunteers. In 1869 he had become
Lieutenant Colonel of that Regiment. On the
evening of August 49, 1862, General Stonewall
jackson attacked Kings Division of Mellow
ellis Corps near Gainesville, Va. Owing to the
absence of General Mcdowell, commanding
the field, who at that particular time was, nc.
cording to his owu evidence, lost in the
woods" six regiments and no more were
brought into action to meet this onset of six
rebel brgades. 1t was five to one" with the
boot on the other foot The remarkable fight
made against odds by these six regiments is II
matter of history. jackson, in his official re.
port, says THE enemy fought with desperate
Obstinacy." The rebel General of Division
Talilerro in his report pays splendid tribute
to their valor and admits the inability of the
four brgades he commanded to drive them
from the field. Three thousand men were
placed hOrs de combat within one hour of deadly
musketry firing. The six regiments held
the field. In the command of one of them
Bragg received his baptism Of fire. The in
dignant recollection of that night tempts
depression. The abandonment of Kings regi.
ment to this fearful struggle against over
wheming numbers, while fifteen thousand
troops stood idly by, was htly supplemented
by the withdrawal of the entire division to
Manassas. This withdrawal was by order OF
q midnight council of misnformed Brgaders,
and without the knowledge of General Nc
Dowell because he was lost in the woods"
Here was lost the only opportunity that oc-
CURED during that campaign to bag Jackson"
using the expressive figure OF General Pope
The opportunity was lost, however, not be-
cause Fltz John Porter had dallied, but because
Mcdowell was ''lost in the woods"
But to stray no farther, Bragg gallantly led
his regiment in the succeeding battles of Au.
gust 20 aud 30, 1862, ut Bull Run. He also led
the charge up the National road against the
enemy's center at South Mountain. General
Mcclellan, who was an eye witness Of this
action, made official acknowledgement of his
admiration of it, lie said the troops proved
themselves equal to the best troops In any
army OF the world" 1t Is well known to tho
writer, and all others who followed the BAN
ners up that rugged slope, that it was our
dauntless, fiery little leader, Bragg, who in.
spired the action.
| At Autetam, just in front Of the Dunkard
Church, while encouraging his men on that
bloody field Colonel Bragg was shot. His ann
was torn aud lacerated by slug5 and buck shot
from some Confederate smooth bore.
| While tho campaigns above alluded to were
| IN progress letters were sent from Wisconsin
urging Bragg 10 stand us an independent can.