Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-11-13

The life and character of so noble a
man Us General Robert T. Lee is Il theme
that none but our greatest minds should
discuss in public or in private, but with
your permission the writer. who held an
humble position ON the staff Of Brigadier-
General Jos. r. Davis, of Mississippi
nephew of Jefferson Davis, in the army
Of Northern Virginia. will relate two
little incidents which happened at the
Battle OF the Wilderness"
On the eve of the 9th Of MAY General
Lee with General Stuart, rode to the
front, where Stuarts cavalry had encom-
tered the advance of the Federal army.
AS they rode through the infantry, then
awaiting orders passing farmhouse,
three young ladies stood at the gate OF
the residence, holding package which,
from his gallantry, or good looks, or both
they intrustcd to Captain T. F. Thomp-
son (nephew of Jake Thompson and now
Mississippi EDITOR, of General Davis
staff, with 4 request that he deliver the
same to General Lee. 1t contained three
Observation-Disclosures colored merino
oyerShirts, very much worn in the army.
Captain Thompson at once rode forward
to overtake the General, who had hy this
time reached within range of the shots
from Grants skirmishers, and while under
fire rendered the gift rs from the ladies.
General Lee, with his usual sclf-possession
and courteous bearing said to Captain r.
Return my warmest thanks to the ladies,
and be kind enough to deliver the package
to one of my couriers; say that trust
may see and thank them in person.
Early on the morning Of the 9th Grant,
who had massed heavy force in the i'm
mediate front of Davis Mississippi brig
ade, opened fire and began forward
movement on our lines at this point. See
ing we were unable to check their advance,
Colonel Stone (siree Governor of Missis-
sippi), commanding Davis brigade, sent
word to General Ieth, Division Com
mander, that he must be reinforced. which
brought to ouraid division of Iongstrcct's
corps, led in person by that able Lieuten-
ant-tieneral. 1t was at this critical crisis
that General Lee appeared upon the scene.
After the enemy had been repulsed on the
right, and while our Chieftoin was await
ing, in painful anxiety, information from
our left wing, u courier mere youth
came up with u message from Lieutenant
General f. II. Anderson, his small pony
painting like 4 deer that had been pursued
by pack of trained hounds. Delivering
his sealed message to General Lee in per-
son, who, after reading it, noticing. how
tired his pony was said to him: Young
man, you should have some feeling for
your horse diamouut and rest him p at
the same time taking from the small sad
dle-bags attached 10 his own saddle but
tered biscuit, giving half of il from his
own hand, to the young courier's pony.
This act Of consideration for the dumb
beast made a lasting impression upon my
then youthful mind, aud taught rue ever
since 10 treat all animals as if they had
feelings as ourselves. 1t the moment it
occurred to me, hungry as / was, that he
had better have divided his biscuit with
the rider Of the animal, or myself; but |
soon appreciated the motive of his hospi-
tality to the poor beast, and, as before
stated, learned lessen in kindness to AMI
mails shall not soon forget Walter Is.
Barker, in Southern Historical Society
Ai9.rrgiDn