Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-06-29
miscellaneous.
A CANNONEER's RIDE.


ate, writes: The most conspicuous act
Of reckless courage | ever saw displayed
on any battlefield during our civil war
occurred at the second battle of Manas.
sas, August 30, 1862. It was performed
by Federal artillerist in the presence
Of both armies, and was witnessed BY
thousand 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
hill near the Henry house upon the first
Federal line, and it became evident that
he would capture the battery stationed
there, Federal artilleryman determined
to save one of the cannons, If possible,
and to do 80 he had TO take il up the
ditch in front of the Confederates 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 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 gallop from the
cloud of smoke, and Hoods men were
firing at him. AS soon us he escaped
from that voley he came in front OF our
brigade and under the range of our
muskets on the left, and as he swept by
a file fire was opened upon him. Our
line was approaching the ditch rapidly
at douple quick, aad the line 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 ata tremen-
dous rate of speed. He had four urge
gray or white horses to the cannon, and
they came up the valley in splendid style.
The man sat erect and kept his team
we'll in hand while his whip seemed to
play upon the TANKS of the leaders, and
all four hores appeared to leap together
in regular time, The ground was very
dry and cloud Of dust rolled out from
the wheels of the cannon rs they came
laundering along
Three regiments Of our brigade had
already fired at him as he rushed along
their front, and ms he approached the
left of another ran down the rear rank
shouting TO the men
"Shoot ut the horses Let the man
alone and shoot at the horses you are
firing too high
AT this I saw noted marksman in
Company + drop on one knee and sight
along the barrel Of his musket and fire !;
but on came the man, and the gallop
OF his team was unbroken Ramming
in another cartridge the marksman was
ready again in minute. just as the can
noneer swept across the front, within a
hundred yards. he knecled down, aud
taking very deliberate aim Mt the fore
most horse fired again but on went the
team unframed as before. Thus he passed
along tho whole front of our regiment
and then along on our right, and escaped
around the head of the ditch and across
the field aud up tho bill beyond AS
far of as wo could see him his team was
still going at gallop put when out Of
range on the hill beyond the ditch he
turned in his saddle and, taking of bis
hat, waved il over his head several times,
and some the Confederatcs shecrcd him.
At least five hundred men fred at that
Yankee gunner, and have often won .
dereJ II he escaped death in the subsc.
qucnt battles Of the war, and lives TO toll
Of tho fearful gauntlet he run along the
front Of whole brigade Of Confedcr-
ates firing at him.