The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-05-12
GEN. MARTIN w. GARY.
IIomcIy "Reminiscences of His Army Life.

1sOTciy Oh Ills Army Lille.
An Edgefeld soldier writes to the
Edgcfield advertiser Of the late General
Martin w. Gary:
II never knew Gary to shed tears cx-
like child. His Brigade (Which had
been the advance guard of tho Army for
two or three days previously laid down on
their arms for Il few hours rest, on the
night OF the Sth, after fighting in dark
ness. doubt and uncertainty till past
midnight, and awoke to find the enemy
almost surrounding us, and at very close
quarters. Gary ut once commenced en-
attack. After fighting short while, u
Federal staff officer rode up from our
rear and begged Gen. Gary to dcsist, as
Lee had agreed to surrender. Gary, in
very emphatic language, ordered him
away or he would have bullet hole put
through him-that he was not the proper
person from whom he should receive such
intelligence. Soon after, one Of General
G0rdon's staff officers confirmed the sad
fact. Gen. Gary, with tears in his eyes,
turned to one Of his couriers, and said :
"Go and find Rosser for me-" but before
the courier's return, he, with few men,
had cut hts way through the lines and
was on his way to Joe Johnson-the only
|organizcd army left us. Faithful to the
last This little incident is not inappro.
pirate just now. One or two others may
not come amiss.
In the winter of '6l we were cncamped
OH Occoquan Day. The weather was
intensely cold, and good many of the
men needed warmer clothing. by tho
care and forethought of Capt. Gary, and
the kindness Of the good ladies of Beach
Island, one hundred warm red flannel
shirts were distributed to the men. The
next morning the whole company came
out uniformed in the Red Shirt--the
first organized company | had ever seen
in that uniform. How intimately asso.
ciated with the Red Shirt will his mem.
ory now be! Gary was always thought
full for the comfort of his men.
On the 30th Of August 'G2 tho first
day Of the Second Mannssas) the Hamp.
ton Legion--Col. Gary commanding.
supported one Of the Regiments of Ev.
ans Brigade. and went into tho action
short distance in their rear. Night com-
ing on. we lost sight of tho Regiment
which We supported, but nevertheless
marched on, thinking they had out.
stripped rs. We soon found ourselves
face to face with Pennsylvania Regi-
ment, only few steps intervening. A
pause, constcrnation and uncertainty in
the ranks of both regiments the dark.
ness no doabt magnifying and multiply
ing the enemy to each. Tho Pennsylva.
mia Colonel orders surrender; then the
clarion notes of Gary rang out eve
are South Cnrolin,ans, and did not como
here TO surrender. Charge 'em, boys"
That voice and those words settled the
fate of that regiment. Major afterwards
General, one Of the most gallant officers
in the army Logan killed the Colonel
by pistol shot, and we made prisoners
Of such of the scattered trooSs as we
could find. Our own loss was nearly
nominal. Such was Gary's auickness Mt
critical times.
At Sharpsburg, Captain II. w. Tomp
kins (nnciher most gallant officer) was
killed. The officer commanding the
company after his death requested per.
mission Of Col. Gary to have his body
carried to the rear. We had just been
relieved by fresh troops. He replied:
&c. es, take poor Bob back to tho woods
and bury him; we can scarcely do more
than care for our dead and wounded
now" We had lost two-thirds of the
men whom we carried into the action.
He felt sadly the loss of his men.
Tho only battle-whero any large num-
Der of troops were engaged-in which he
acted as COMMUNICATIVE chief, was few
miles below Richmond. forget the name
of the place. Hero hi ...irly defeated
the celebrated Gen. Kautz, capturing ar
tillery, provisions, baggage, and adding
fresh laurels 70 his brow rs an indepen-
dent commander. For this victory he
was much complimented by the officials
and the press. could 30 ON and multi
ply incidents, but consideration for your
space forbids.