Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-02-03
MisGfllanenMs.
BATTERY REED.

dramatic incidents OF the late war--called
late because, let it be hoped, all of its
issues are dead-occurred ut Fourche
Dam, a few miles below this city. Gen.
Price and his army occupied this city.
Gen. Steele was advancing. The whole
country was in terrible state of ex-
element A battle was expected. Every
one 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 encmy's
camp, lay down by fire, and on leaf
torn from an old account book, wrote
dispatch to senior officer, beginning,
The ball opens tomorrow, and giving
a statement as to the number OF men in
the enelny's ranks, showing that his force
was inferior to Price army. The officer
wrote respectfully forwarded" on the
paper, and dispatched man to Little
Rock with instructions to deliver the
communication to Gen Price.
The General could not be found He
was playing cards at u private 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 were compelled to re-
treat. Failing back to Fourche Dam, it
was determined that final resistance
should be made. Gen. Newton, who
had been sent back to form the men as
they arrived, was executing that order
when Gen. Marmaduke, who had been
arrested for killing Gen. Walker, and
who had just been released, dashed up
and exclaimed
1--WE must make 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 en-
emy charged, but was repuscd. Jeffries
was ordered to take his Missouri brigade,
cross the creek, and feel of the enemy.
He crossed, and not only felt of the en-
envy, but, following the promptings of
an impulsive nature, charged the section
of battery supported by cavalry. The
cavalry, from the suddenness of the at
tack, was thrown into confusion and re-
treated, leaving the guns unsupported.
The captain of the battery, young man
from Chicago. stood by one of the guns,
with revolver in each hand, firing rap
idly. He was completely surrounded,
but refused to surrender. Tho Confed.
crates, 10 admiration OF his bravery,
stopped firing, and cheered him. lie was
repeatedly told to surrender, and as often
refused. lie continued to fire, and had
wounded several men.
This thing is gcttin' tirosome, cap'n,"
yelled lank Missourian, IAN il you
don't behave yourself an quit your sky
larkin', you'll git hurt"
The brave fellow, with djsdainful
gesture, replied:
II told the people of Chicago that
would never surrender this battery, and
by all the demons in hell, III keep my
word y and he levelcd his pistol at the
Mssourian But the lank man was too
quick for him, and, throwing up his pis-
tol, he fired. Captain Reed fell across
his gun, shot through the heart.
Brave man." said the boys, as they
laid him on tho ground preparatory to
removing the gun. Brave man. tits
a 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 different bat
ties, but no one ever washed off the
blood. Once, when an officer asked one
Of the men why he did not wash his gun,
the soldier related the circumstances Of
Reeds death.
'Let the blood remain. II is mark
Of respect TO the memory Of brave
man"
just before the close of the war Gap
tain Reed" the name applied 10 the
gun--was dismounted by cannon ball.
After the battle, the soldiers tcnderly
buried the heavy iron The rains Of
heaven nor the hands Of man had not
washed of tho blood. little Rock Gu
zette.
Tho man who saws that woman has