Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-23
Standing by His Gun.

Eighteen years ago, says the Little
Rock (Ark.) Gazette, one OF the most
dramatic incidents Of The late war,
called late because. l,t it be hoped. all
its issues are dead occurred at Fourche
Dam, a few miles below this city. Gen =
eral Price and his army were occupying
this city. General Steele was adyanc-
ing. The whole country was in ter
rible stale OF excitement. A battle was
expected. Everyone had confidence in
the bravery aud military skill OF Gen"
eral Price. His achievements were her
aided, his praises sung.
Que night, bcior the dawning Of the
10Th of September, 1863, Confederate
officer. on duty with his men at an out
post, haying received dirsct information
| from man who had been in the enemy's
camp, lay down BY fire, and on ieaf
torn from an old account book, WHO -
dispatch TO seuior officer beginning
The ball opens Tomorrow and giving
statement as TO the number OF men IN
the epem,'s ranks, showing that bis
force was inferior to Prlce's army. The
officer wrote respectfully forwarded
on the paper, and dispatched man 10
| Little RocL. with instructions 10 delv-
er tie muncalion 10 General
Price.
The general could not be found. He
was PLAYING cards at private residence,
and only became aware that the time
for action had come when the booming
of cannon, just at day light, aroused him.
The soldiers down the nyer fought
desperately. They were compelled tc
retreat. Falling back to Fouiche Dam,
it was determined that final resistance
should be made. General Newton, who
had been sent back 10 form tie men as
they arrived, was executing that order
when General Marmaduke, who had
been arrested for killing General Walk
er, and who had just been released,
dashed up and exclaimed !:
we must make fight here 10 cOyel
Prices retreat
Cover Prices retreat q replied New
ton, in surprise.
Yes for his army is ia lull retreat.
Nothing but fight was left. The ene'
nv charged, but was repulsed. Jeffrie'
was ordered to take his Missouri Bri'
| gadr. Cross the creek and feel oftht
enemy. He crossed, aud not only fell
of the enemy, but following the prompt
ings of an lmpulsive nature, charged
the section Of a battery, supported bJ
cavalry. The cavalry, from the sud
deuness Of the attack, was thrown into
cQnfuo;...5 and retrcated, leaving th'
oe-,,,,,a-, >, . :, - ported. The captain OF th'
kI NPIIN.sY yos.s usau f.om C,'iUusU
| STOOD by one OF the guns, with a revol-
yer in each hand, firing rapidly. He wal
completely surrounded, but refused t(
surrender. The Confederates, in admi
ration Of lis bravery, stopped firing ant
cheered HIM. He was repeatedly tolt
10 surrender, and as often refused. HI
coetinued to fire, and had wounded
several men.
This thing is gettih' tiresome, cap'n,
yelled lank Missouriau. an if yOl
cont behave yourself an and quit YOU
sky larkin' you'll get hur..'
The brave fellow, with a disdaiblu
gesture, acclaimed
Il told the people Of Chicago that
would never surrender this battery, auC
| by all the demons IN hell III keep my
word and he leveled his pistol at tht
Missourlpp. But the lank man was too
quick ior him, and throwing up hi'
pistol he fired. Captain Reed tell across
his gun, shot through the heart.
Brave man. SAID The boys, rs they
laid him on the ground preparatory TO
reiu owing the gun. Brave man it il
n pity We had to kill him.
TIE gun, with its dcath-mark Of liie'i
blood, was drawn away by the Conted
crates, and used in dozen ditteren
battles, but no one ever washed oif th'
blood. Once when an officer asked on'
OF the men Why he did not wash hi
gup, the soldier related the clrcnm
stances of Reeds cath. Let the bloo'
remain it is a mark of respect to tn
memory of a brave man.
Just before tie close ot the war Cap
tain Reed, the uame applied 10 the gun
was dismounted by cannon ball: Atte
the battle the soldi,rs tenderly burie'
the heavy iron. The rains OF heaven o
The hands sl man had not washed oi
| hlnal