The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-05-11
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 Manas-
sas, on the 30th of August, 1862. Tt
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 read
lily recall the incident when reminded
of the circumstances. just as Hood s
men marched down the hill near the
Henry House upon the first Federal line.
and it became evident he would capture
the battery stationed there, Federal
artilleryman determined to save one of
the cannon, if possible, and to do so he
| had to take it up to the side of the
ditch in front of the Confederatcs for
half mile. The ditch was four feet
wide and as many deep, and could not
be crossed with the cannon How lie
got his horses hitched or whether they
had really ever been taken from the
piece | have never known, but the first
L saw of him he was coming up our
front in q sweeping gallop from the
cloud of smoke and Hood men were
firing at him. AS soon as he escaped
from that volley he came in front of our
brigade and under range of our mus
kets on the left and as he swept on up
the line a file fire was opened upon him.
Our line was approaching the ditch rap
idly at double-quick and the lane be-
tween us and the ditch was getting
narrower each second, but the artillery
man 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 val
ley in splendid style. The man sat
erect and kept his team well in hand,
while his whip seemed to play upon the
ianks 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 fired 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 hCrses! You are firing too highr'
AT this | saw q noted marksman in
Company drop upon one knee and
sight along the barrel of his musket and
fire, but on came the man and the gal
IOp OF his team was unbToken. Ram
ming in another cartridge the marks
man was ready again in a minute and
just as the cannonier swept across his
front within one hundred yards, he
kneeled down and taking deliberate
aim at the foremost horse fired again,
but on went the team unharmed as be-
fore. Thus nc 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 the hill beyond. AS far
off as we could see him his team was
still going in gallop, but when out of
range on the hin beyond the ditch he
turned in his saddle, 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 Yankee
gunner, and l have often wondered if
he escaped death in the subsequent bat
ties of the war and lives to tell of the
fearful gauntlet he ran along the front
of whole brigade of Confcderates fir
ing at him. Capt. II. 7. Queen t's Phil
adelplid Times.