Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-03
GEN. atARTIs or EENsESsEE.
His Experience in the War
Pushing q Claim for Arkan-
saw Land.

yesterday from ArkansaW and is stop
ping at the Planters. The General,
whose career is well known to many
here, though this is his first visit to
ST. Louis, is a man of large build,
frank and outspoken, and carries in
his conversation the unmistakable
lines of an honest man, a man Of push
and nerve, who wants to see the coun-
try brought back TO the standard Of
the fathers. He said he was opposed
to any newspaper notoriety. 1t would
'look like blowing his own horn.
But history is history, and that shows
that the General was born on the 18th
day Of June, 1872, on the same day
that the formal declaration Of war
was made against Great Britain by
Congress, which was proclaimed by
President Madison on the following
day. In allusion to this circumstance
the General said that, although too
young to take part in that war, he had
been on the warpath at a later period.
He volunteered for the Mexican
war, but his company disbanded be,
fore reaching the seat Of war, but in
the war of the rebellion he was the
Colonel OF the Twenty third Tennes-
see regiment, which was brigaded
under General Cleburne.
THE CALL OF THE MILITIA
of Tennessee being determined upon,
Governor Harris rendered him the ap-
pointment of Major General OF a divis-
ion comprising eighteen regiments,
and he, being then on duty as an off.
Ger in the Confederate service, was in
doubt as to what would be the line of
his duty should he resign his rank in
the regular service and accept posi-
ton in the militia OF still higher rank.
He consulted General Cleburne, as
surfing him that he was undecided as
to what he should do; that duty in
stead of promotion was his ruling mo-
tive; that the cause was everything,
the man nothing, and he would abide
the advice of his superior officer.
General Cleburne answered that,
while unwilling to forego his services,
he was undecided what advice to give
and referred him to General Hardee.
He went to General Hardee, who was
unwilling to decide the matter, and
referred him to General Albert Sidney
Johnston. The latter said this was
not a time for delay or hesitation. He
would decide at once, and that was
that he General MARTINI should re-
sign his rank in the Confederate army
and accept the Office of Major. General
of militia, rendered by Governor Har-
ris, and that no time was to be lost.
He accordingly rendered his resigna-
ton, but it happened ABOUT that time
that the demand for troops elected
great enthusiasm in his part of the
State, and he found that tue militia
who we're to Gil out his division had
entered the army as volunteers, in
stead of waiting to be drafted. The
upshot was, that instead of organizing
his division, General Martin fastened
to his regiment and Joined the boys"
again. He was in time to take part in
the battles ofsShiloh and Pittsburg
Landing.
1.-THE brigade Of General Cleburne,
composed of two regiments, his own
aud General Martins, attacked the
Federals, commanded by General B.
M. Prentiss, who was at the extreme
front. The Oonfederates advanced to
the brink Of ravine, Prentiss' brigade
occupying the opposite side of the
ravine, when the most furious artillery
duel took place which occurred during
the war. The limbs on the trees
were cut down by the cannonade, and
were
VERY DESTRUCTIVE TO THE MEN.
General Martin was wounded in
this part Of the battle in seven places.
A limb fell on him, doubling him up
on his horse. His wounds we're severe
and his sufferings extreme. The
slope of the rayine was very deep, but
the Confederates made the descent
into the chasm, the banks being over
100 feet high, when Prentiss, holding
his position on the crest of the ridge,
delivered a plunging FIRE from his bat
teries on their heads. which was very
destructive and murderous. General
Martin here stated that General Prem.
tiss held his position with logged
bravery, standing as firm as rock
until subsequently being surrounded
by superior force he had TO surrsn.
der. General Martin said that great
injustice had been done to General
Prentiss by people in the North who
did not understand the situation
General Prentiss, he said, was among
the brayest men he ever commended
against on the Federal side, and thi!
he desired to say because be was
witness Of his bravery, generalship anC
good conduct on that occasion. IL,
desired to see justice done, even to al
enemy, though he had never seen Gen
eral Prentiss since that bloody fight
In the subsequent struggle of tn,
Conlederacy General Martin'led sew
ersl brigades into action and flleC
various commands.
General Martin has just returned
from lizard comfy, Arkansaw, wher,
he is the owner of a large tract of lane
purchased by him some forty year
ago, and on which are rich mines o
manganese ores But from neglect o
his agent at Memphis, who failed t
keep him posted, the lands we're sol,
by the Sheriff of Ozark county unde
a tax sale, and it is represented tina
the Sheriff bid in the lands himself
1t was further given out that Genera
Martin, who was resident
IN THE MOUNTAINOUS DISTRICTS
of Tennessee, was dead. This repor
coming to his ears, Il went down,
, said the General, with twinkle Of tn
eye, ITO attend my own funeral an
administer on the estate" The Gen
, eral has commenced suit for the re
covery OF his lands, and he expects I