Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1880-06-05
Az EPISODE or SOUTHERN HIS.
rory.
4 story Of Fact.


brought 10 the surface many strange chorac.
lets Some Of these will be remembered
because being intrinsically great they com.
PEELED lasting results; others because, like
pebbles accidentally placed, they turned
the current Of events, but Of others yet,
history will make no mention though they
performed deeds Of daring and devotion
worthy ofall knightly praise, and frightened
With oil the hues Of old romance. OF the
latter class the invaded South furnished
many examples, not one Of which was p0re
striking than that Of the boy hero, lftue
Jimmy Wilson.
The long cherished wish OF the daring
aud gifted Forrest wa Mt last gratfed Pres.
ident Davis had given him an Independent
command II embraced the rich grain
growing prairie lands Of Aabawa aud Miss
issippi, which constituted the granary Of
the Army Of Tennessee, the safeguard of
which was y sacred trust. His means in
men and munitions were literally insignia.
cant, but he entered upon his task with all
the confidence Of predestined success. Ge.
Mus and opportunity here met together and
the brilliant achievements which followed
have enrolled the name Of Forrest with those
Of the renowned.
shortly after his headquarters were estab
lished In North Mississippi an unknown
stripping Of apparently 10 or 10 years join.
ed one Of his companies as recruit. His
conduct in camp was marked for its gentle
ness, propriety, and uniform good nature.
While on duty he was noted for his vigilance,
activity, aud tirelcss energy These quail.
ties soon made him a fayorite with the off.
GERS and men of his company. But after
his first battle, in which he displayed the
| highest courage Of the soldier, Little
| Jimmy" as he was familiarity called, became
the pet OF the entire regiment. Though Sc
yerely wounded, ie refused to quit the field
/ until the enemy were beaten. Some weeks
| after, when he returned from the hospital,
/ he was welcomed back as brave men wei.
come the brave alone. Another fight soon
followed, and Little Jimmy covered himself
all over with glory by Staying Yankee of.
| fcer in single combat, not, however, without
receiving Il desperate wound which well
nigh proved fatal II healed so slowly that
it was months before he could get permits.
sion to report for duty. in the meantime,
it had been determined by the enemy ito
crush that rebel Forrest" and for this purpose
a larger force was put in motion. When
Jimmy got back the opposing columns were
in close proximity and maneuvering or posi-
ton soon began. Forrest determined to at
tack, but the ground was such as to compel
him TO detach regiment to hold certain
position on his right flank whilst he assailed
the enemy with his centre and left. The
regiment thus detached was that to which
Jimmy belonged, was dismounted placed
as infantry by the General in person, and
ordered to "hold the position as long as
there wos a man alive" Forrest moved
of to direct the attack and had barely
put his troops in motion when the
sagacious commander opposed to him
made a sudden onslaught upon the de.
tached regiment with double their number
The firing had already become so heavy that
Forrest rushed back, and just in time to see
his color-bearer fall and his men turning ia
fly. The juncture was indeed critical. Dash.
ing into the midst of his broken column he
cried out: "For shame, men, for shame
Look yonder at that boy; he is the bravest
man OF you III" And sure enough, ther,
was Jimmy Wilson, who had rushed forward
seized the shattered staff, and, waving the
colors over his head, was shouting at the toI
OF his voice the rallying cry. The position
was retaken, held and the enemy beaten
on the entire field. But that heroic boy
who had stood alone by his cOlors had
fallen almost riddled with bullets, anC
was carried senseless from the spot where
he had stood. The Southern papers an
nounoed his death aud recounted his bravery
and his deeds of which the above is a mos
meager outline.
My own health was so broken as to wholly
unfit me for the field, and in January, 1865
, | was ordered to report to Gen. Dick Taylo
at Meridian, Miss, for service as one of the
judges of his departmental military court
Such was the duty was performing wher
: one sweet, balmy evening towards the latte
4 end of the month of March, accepted the in
yitatiOn OF fellow officer to Join him in
walk. The spring had come with all its bcaut
OF foliage, flowers, green grass and low
songs Of birds. 1t was something on such
a day to step out from the grim thoughts o
war and with a congenial friend enjo
once more the unpolluted smiles of nature
. We had strolled into the suburbs of the vi
d lage near to the hospital when he asked m
II had ever heard Of the heroic little boy
10 Jimmy Wilson. replied that had req
the account of his death in the papers. "Bl
that was a mistake" said he, che did NJ
g die, and lives in that cabin yOnder," pOin
-e ing 20 one Of the rude huts so often impr'
: Wished by the soldiers. 81 am delighted
hear it," said !, "and nothing would gi,
" me more pleasure than to testify my respe
by making a call" Upon knockir
re we we're invited in by young lady
IS or20 years Of age. Ny friend turning sal
- "CClonel, let me introduce to yeu little Jill
~ my Wilson," and laughing went away.
could scarcely believe my own senses, al
taking her kindly by the hand she held o
ve 10 He, said; care you indeed the lit
Jimmy Wilson of Forests command
NE.kL l. ,,,..s.N.l-ok1.r Aaanol
ne the lady, she modestly answered, "that W
my Isme sir, whilst was in the army" \
or curiosity aRd sympathetic interest We
keenly awakened, and her invitation to
seated was promptly accepted. We co
lot versed for nearly an hour, and during L