Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-05-09
A Daring Ride.

The most conspicuous act OF reckless
courage ever saw displayed on any
battlefield during our great civil war
occurred at the second battle of Man.
assas on the 30th of August. 1862. 1t
was performed by a 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 by circumstances.
Just as Hoods men charged down
the hill near the Henry House upon
the first Federal line, and it become
evident he would capture the battery
stationed there, Federal artillery
man 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 Confederates for half
a 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 / never have known, but the
first | saw of him he was coming up
our front in sweeping gallon from
the cloud of smoke and Hoods men
were firing at him. AS soon as he es-
capped from that volley he came in
front of our brigade and under range
of our muskets on the left and as he
swept on up the line file fire was
opened upon. Our line was approach
ing rapidly at a double.quick and
the lane between us and the ditch
was getting narrower each second, but
the artilleryman seemed determined
to save his gun from capture and he
flew along his course at tremendous
rate of speed. He had four large
gray or white horses to the cannon
and they came up the valley in
splendid style. The man sat erect
and kept his team well in hand, while
his whip 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 out
from under the horses feet and from
the wheels of the cannon as they
came laundering along.
Three regiments of our brigade had
already fire at him as he 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 Let the man alone and
shoot at the horses (! You are firing
too highw At this saw noted marks
man in Company + drop upon one
knee and sight along the barrel of his
musket and fire, but on came the man
and the gallop of his team was un-
broken. Ramming in another cart
ridge the marksman was ready again
in minute and just as the cannonier
swept across his front within 100 yards,
he kneelcd down and taking deliber-
ate aim Mt the foremost horse fred
again, but on went the team unharm-
ed as before. Thus he passed along
the whole front of our regiment and
then along another on our right and
escape around the head of the ditch
and across the field and up the hill
beyond. As far off as we could see
him his team was still going in gal
lop, but when out of range on the hill
beyond the ditch he turned in his sad
die, and taking off his hat, waved it
around his head several times and
some of the Confederates cheered him.
At least 500 men fired at that Yam
kee gunner, and l have often wonder
ed if he escaped death in the subse-
quent battles of the war and lives to
tell of the fearful gauntlet he ran
along the front Of whole brigade of
Confcdreatcs firing at him.-Capt. ii.
T. Owen in Philadelphia Times.