Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-06-04
EXCEPTED FROM vIDALIA.
BY MOSAIC.

a-uis neighbor was simply point at
which court business was transacted.
in those days the court buildings, tav-
ern, a few lawyers offices and some
three or four private residences, COM
prised the makeup Of Vidalia. 1t
was nothing like the mart Of to-day
no mercantile business being transact
ed there whatever. 1t was, neverthe-
less, a lively little place, and during
court days especially, many a high
old time was had by its visitors, and
not few jolly episodes are still ex-
tant of the days long since passed.
Among it's citizens were numbered
distinguished members of the bar,
and for years to come, Stacy, Spar
row, McWhorter, Shaw, Rowley,
Frost, Poindexter, Veazie, and A. G.
Hunter, oflegal lore renowned, with
Tom Edwards, Vernon, Brook White,
James Edwards, and others of like
ilk, will be borne in memory. Its en-
virons were the resort Of those who
sought to settle by the 'code" all diff
ficulties, and the crack of the rifle
and report of the pistol were followed
by the outpouring of the life-blood of
the duelist.
On the outbreak of the war, Vida
liza, small as it was, furnished it's
quota Of gallant men who were ever
to the front, and conspicuous for their
gallantry. Among those who volun-
teered in defense Of what they believ-
ed to be right, was one who was nur-
tured among the hills of New Eng
land, but in early life made the South
his home, locating in this section, fol-
lowing the vocation of training the
minds of the youth in the neighbor-
hood, finally drifting into the prac-
tice oflaw, and journalism. But the
clash of arms came, and by his noted
bravery he rose rapidly, until he won
the wreath and stars Of a Brigadier.
At all times ready for duty, he was
invariably the recipient of the enc
my's favors, as his scars testify.
From the furlough list in time for a
fight, wounded" was scored against
his name on the Adjutant's report.
An incident is told of HIM, and vouch-
ed for, that whilst on the amputating
table having limb Topped off, the
news of an engagement and advance
of the enemy was received, and, con
trary to the wishes and orders of his
surgeons, he left the table to again
chance it for his eountry's cause.
Another episode Of his military Ca
reer can be here taken in, the more
specially as the scene is laid in Vida
fila. At the second battle of Manas-
. sas our Vidalian received an ugly
wound in the neck, and his medical
advisers insisted that to avoid paraly-
sis he should seek warmer climate
as the rigors of Virginia winter
would do for him what the Fedora
, bullets had failed in. He therefore
, left on an unlimited furlough and re.
turned home, bringing with him hi
stable of horses, one of them a thor
oughbred, and as fleet as the wind.
At home, the change Of climate, ant
from camp to real life again, soor
made Richard himself again, and HI
lOnged for the excitement and dan
,, gers Of the tented field. He was sOol
to have his desire gratifed, but no
2 exactly according to the regime o
Lee and jackson.
The Federal gunboat Queen of tn,
!, , West had passed the Vicksburg bat
teries and coasted down, cleaning in
5 formation from negroes. Landing a
: Vidalia, she put off a detachment il
, charge of Lieutenants. Our Vir
ginia soldier being notified Of the enc
my's advent. made bis escape on TIT
2 back of his fayorite steed, to poin
GU Lake ConcOrdia. Here,he waited
but there were no signs of pursuit
and it being cold, damp and disagree
, able, the reckless army like became
, paramount over caution, and deter
mined him to ride back, see what tn
blue-coats were up to, and perhaps
have an opportunity to strike blow