Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-05-16
A CANNoSEER's EXPLOIT The most con

ACASSoSEER' EXPLOIT The most con
spicious ACT OF reckless courage l ever saw
displayed on any battlefield during our
great civil war(writes a CORES pondent of
the Philadelphia Tines occurred at the
second battle of Manassas Angus. 30. 1862.
I: was performed by Federal artillerist in
the presence of both armies and was
witnessed by at least 1000 men, many OF
whom are still living and can readily
recall the incident when reminded, Of the
circumstances. Just as Hoods men
charged down the first Federal line. and
it became evident he would capture the
battery stationed there. a Federal artillery.
man determined TO save one OF the canuous
if possible. and to DO so be had to take
it up the side of the ditch in front OF
the Confederates for Il 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 hitched or
whether they had really ever been taken
from the piece have never known.
for the first saw Of him be was coming
up our front in sweeping gallop from the
cloud OF smoke, and Hoods men
we're firing at him. As soon as he came
in trout OF our brigade and under range
of our muskets on the left and as be
swept up the line file fire was opened
upon him. Our line was approaching the
ditch rapidly at double quick. and the
lane between US and the dtca was getting
narrower each second, but the artillery
man seemed determined TO save his gun
from capture, md he few along his course
at tremendous rate of speed. He had
four large gray or white horses 10 the
c tnnon, and they came up he valley in
splendid style. The man sat erect and
Kept his team we'll in hand. while his
whlp seemed to play upon the tanks of
The leaders, and all four horses appeared
TO leap together in regular Time. The
ground was very dry, and cloud of dust
rolled cut from under the horses' feet
and from the wheels of the cannon as they
came laundering along.
Three regiments OF our brigade had
already fired at him as be rushed along
their front, and as he approached the left
of another | ran down the rear rank
shouting to the men: Shoot at the horses
You are firing to high?' At his l saw a
noted marksman in Company + drop
one knee and sight along the barrel of his
musket and fire, hut on came the man
and the gailop OF hls team was unoroken
Ramming in another cartridge he marks
man was ready again 10 minute. and
just as the cannoneer swept across his
front within hundred yards be kneeled
down, and taking deliberate aim at the
foremost horse, fired again, but on went
the team unhai med as before.
Thus he passed along the whole front
of our regiment and then along another
on our right, and escaped around the
head of the ditch and across the field and
up he hill beyond. AS far off rs we
could see him bis team WAS still going in
gsllop. but when out of range on the
hill beyond the ditch be turned in his
saddle, and, taking IF his hat, waved ii
anound his head several times, and some
of the Confederates cheered him.
At least five hundred men fired at that
Yankee gunner. and UtIen wondered il
be escaped death in the subsequent battles
of the war and lives 10 tell OF the fearful
gauntlet be ran along the front OF whole
brigade of the Confederate. firing at him.