Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-05

THE Times Democrat
The great events Of the "war be-
tween the States have had many
chroniclers, and II is certain they will
not lack many more. The stories Of
First and Second Manassas, For: Donel-
son, Shiloh, the Seven Days Around
Richmond, Sharpsburg or Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, vicks-
burg, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain,
Chickamauga, Peachtree Creek, Frank
lin, the Mine at Petersburg, Spot
sylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor,
and scores Of other important
battles till the final surrender Of the
great armies Of the Confederacy, will
be told and retold until the names OF
the chief leaders will become house
hold words, North and South, and their
fame will 60 down to posterity on the
illuminated pages OF history. A Stephens
and Davis and other skilled ard pol
ished writers having taken, and will
continue to take, care that the causes
which produced the strife are properly
set in order and discussed, it should
be the task Of others to tell
the tale Of the heroism, priya-
tons, sufferings, and patriotism OF
those who bore an humber but not less
meritorious position in the mighty
struggle which for four years shook
this great country to its centre, and
whose results, for good or evil, genera
tons vet unborn will feel. 1t is the
duty OF every one TO record such events
and incidents as came under his
personal notice during the war,
and which illustrate the char
acter of the private soldier who
fought the great battles, who fell on
picket or in the numerous small
skirmishes and fights, which the histo-
rians Of the war ignore entirely, or
which they dismiss with one stroke of
the pen. Nor are the heroism and pa
triotism of the women less worthy OF
note and honorable mention. In both
sections they stood by their colors, and,
true, confident, and brave, never fall
tered or weakened, even when the
sterner sex showed signs Of great de-
moralization.
During the war it was the privilege
and honor of the writer to command
successfully company, battalion OF
six companies, and regiment, and
there came under his observation GER
tain incidents and heroic acts which
will never embellish the pages Of the
histories above mentioned, but which
should be noted in the familiar annals
of a brave people. They have one
merit, which many writers of so-called
histories think Of little worth they are
absolutely true, and happened as they
are recorded.
The following incident was first re-
lated by the writer in a memorial adj
dress delivered in Newbern, n. c.,
many years ago. The name of the
lady has never been divulged for pru-
Dental considerations, but it has been
placed on record that her descendants
may know who she was, and, if worthy
of her. be proud to claim their descent
from so heroic and daring q daughter
Of the South.
The South was full of such heroines,
and it is due to them that their deeds
be published. The writer trusts that
the narration of this fact will cause
more to be written. The
" boys in gray" were not alone in glo-
rious deeds; their mothers, wives, Sis
tiers, daughters, and sweethearts We'd
with them in devotion to the cause, and
their good works should be preserved
and handed down to posterity.
In November, 1862, news was re-
ceived at headquarters, Kingston, n.
c., that two generals Of the Federal
army, one OF them commanding in
North Carolina, would on a certain day
pass from Morehead City to Ncwbern.
1t was desirable, in view Of certain
contemplated movements, to capture
the train and secure the officers. At
10 o'clock p. NJ. / received orders to
proceed at once to Trenton, take de-
tail from Major Nethercutt's COM
mand, and, if possible, capture the
train. At "a. NJ. reached Trenton, to
find Major Nethcrcutt absent on one Of
his usual scouting expeditions. Await
ing his return at daylight / made my
self comfortable, and was about to in
dulge in a mornings nap when the clat-
ter Of the feet of horse at full gallop
caused me to step to the door of The
of which | had taken pos
session for the night, to see what was
in the wind. The sentinel upon duty
bad halted the rider, and was receiving
from him a paper to be delivered
to the officer in COM
mand. TO my astonishment the note
bore no address, and upon being open
ed the blank page of half sheet Of
letter paper met my eye. The rider,
an elderly countryman unknown to me,
was breathing his jaded steed, prepare
tory to return. He could give me no
other information than this : About |
D o'clock A. NJ. he was reused from his
and going to his door found a
ady on horseback, who gave him the
note and told him to take it with all
speed to Trenton and give it to any Con-
ederate officer he should find on duty |
here, as it contained important in
ormation. The rider was known
% be good Confederate and |
his statements were entirely to be re-
led upon. In few moments there
'fter was in the private room Of a
:itizen Of Trenton, and his kind wife
vas warming an iron for my use. APP
lied to the seemingly blank sheet Of
'aper, heat soon enabled me to see
What | desired. General Foster had
to Newbern two days sooner
han anticipated, and was to leave that
cry morning with force, most accu-
ately detailed on the sheet before me,
N an expedition having, in my opin-
on, the railroad bridge at Weldon for
IS objective point. The object of my
xpedition being thus frustrated, / re-
urned immediately at full speed to
kingston and gave the information pro-
ured through the intrepid daring Of
ne of Newbern's daughters to the Off
er in command. Steps were promptly