Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-06-02
A Daring Ride.

The most conspicuous act Of reckless
courage ev saw displayed on any battle
field during our great civil war oecnrred at
the second battle Of Manassas on the 30sh
OF August, 1867 1t was performed By
Federal artilerist in the presence Of both |
armies, ard was witnessed by at least 900
men, many Of whom are still living and can
readily recall the incident when reminded |
Of the circumstances Just as Hooi's men
charged down the hill near the Henry
House upon the first Federal line. aud it
became evident be would capture the bat
terry stationed there, q Federal ar,illeryman
determined to save one OF the cannon, if
possible, and to do so he had to take it up
the side of the ditch in front OF the Conied
crates for half mile The ditch was four
| feet wide and as many deep, and could not
| be crossed with the cannon. How he got
his horses hi;ched or whether they had re-
ally ever been taken from the piece | never
have known but the first | saw of him he
lop from the cloud of smoke and Hood 5
men were tiriug at him. As soon as he es-
capped iom that volley he came in front Of
our brigale ana under range Of our mus kets
on the left and as he swept on up the line g
file fire was opened up on him. Our line
was approaching the ditch at doubloquick
and the lane between ua aud the ditch was
getting narrower each second, but the artil-
dot al
, from capture and he flew along his cours
a a tremendous speed He had -four large
gray or white horses tOthe cannon and they
came up the valley in splendid style. The
hand while his whip seemed to play uI or
] the fl INKS Of the leaders and all four horse,
, appeared 10 leap together in regular time
The ground was very dry and cloud O
!, dust rolled out from under the horses fee
J and from the wheels of the cannon as the.
came laundering along
Three regiments Of our brigade had al
ready fired at him as be rushed along thei
front and as h. approached the left c
another ran down the rear rank shoutn
is to the men, Shoot at the horses! Let tn
u man alone aud shoot at the horses 10
d are firing too high At this saw note
marksman in Company drop upon Oh
knee and sight along the barrel of his mus
ket and fire, but on came the man and th
galop of his team unbroken Ramming
mother cartridge II G n arks n an was read
again in minute and just as the cannonit
n swept across his front within 100 yards, /
S; kneeled down and taking deliberate aim
g, the foremost horse fred again, but on WEI
I'd the team as before Thus he passed alor
he whole front of our reg ment ano the
he along another on our right aud escape
"A around the head of the ditch and across 4
IN field and up the hill beyond. AS far eft
"a we could see him hs team was still going
a gal'op, but when out OF range on the h
!: beyond the ditch he turned in his sadd
and taking off his ha;, waved It around
81, head several times and some of the &c
! tedcrates cheered him
At least 500 men fired at that 1ank
gunaer, and | have often wondered II
5 escaped death in the subsequent battle
ng the war AID Ii es to tell of the fearful gaul
iue et he ran along thief front Of a whole brlga
led Of Confeierates firing at him.-lCapt. It.
ant Oven in Philadelphia Times.