The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-22
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, let it be hoped, all its is
sues are dead, occurred at Fourche Dam
few miles below this city. General
Price and his army were occ lpying this
city. General Steele was advancing.
The whole country was in terrible state
of excitement. A battle was expected.
Everyone had confidence in the bravery
and military skill of General Price. His
achievements were heralded, his praises
sung.
One night, before the dawning of the
10th of September, 1868, Confederate
officer, on duty with his men at an out
post, having received direct information
from a man who had been in the enemy S
camp, lay down by a fire, and on leaf
torn from an old account book, wrote a
dispatch to senior officer beginning
1.-The ball opens tomorrow" and giving
a statement as to the number of men in
the enemy's ranks, showing that his
force was inferior to Prices army. The
officer wrote respectfully forwarded
on the paper, and dispatched man to
Little Rock, with instructions to deliver
the communication to General Price.
The general could not be found. He
was playing cards at private.s residence,
and only became aware that the time for
action had come when the booming OF
cannon, Just at daylight, aroused him.
The soldiers down the river fought des-
perately. They we're compelled to re-
treat. Falling back to Fourche Dam, it
was determined that final resistance
i l. hn
had been sent back to form the men as
they arrived, was executing that order
when General Marmaduke, who had
been arrested for killing General
Walker, and who had just been released
dashed up and exclaimed:
I'VE must make a fight here to cover
Prices retreat.
Cover Prices retreat?" replied New
ton, in surprise.
Eyes; for his army is in full retreat. "
Nothing but fight was left. The enemy
charged, but was repulsed. Jeffries was
ordered to take bis Missouri brigade,
cross the creek and feel OF the enemy.
He crossed the creek and not only felt
the enemy but following the promptings
! of an impulsive nature, charged the Sec
ton of battery, supported by cavalry.
The cavalry, from the suddenness of the
attack, was thrown into confusion and
retreated, leaving the guns unsupported.
The captain of the battery, young man
from Chicago, stood by one OF the guns,
with a revolver in each hand, firing rap
| idly. He was completely surrounded,
and refused to surrender. The Confed
crates, in admiration of his bravery
stopped firing and cheered him. He was
repeatedly told to surrender, and as often
refused. He continued to fire and wound
cd several men.
"This thing is getting tiresome ,cap'n,
yelled q lank Missourian, IAN if you
don't behave yourself, and stop skylark
in you'll get hurt.
The brave fellow with disdainful ges
ture, exclaimed:
II told the people Of Chicago that
would never surrender this battery, anC
by all the dem ons in hell I'll keep my
world and he leveled his pistol at the
Missourian. But the lank man Was toe
quick for him, and throwing up his pisto
he fired. Captain Reed fell across hi:
gun, shot through the heart.
Brave man" said the BOYS, as they
laid him on the ground preparatory Il
removing the gun. brave man; 1t is /
pity we had to kill him."
The gun, with its death-mark of life's
blood, was drawn away by the Confed
crates, and used in dozen differen
battles, but no one ever washed of the
blood. Once when an officer asked one
of the men why he did not wash his gun
the soldier related the circumstance O
| Reeds death. LET the blood remain
it is a mark of respect to the memory O
brave man"
Just before the close of the war Cap
tain Reed, the name applied to the gun
was dismounted by cannon ball. Aftel
the battle the soldiers tenderly buried
the heavy iron. The rains of heaven OF
the hands of man had not washed of the
blood.