The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-11-13


There arrived IN our little city Sun
day morning, Gath ult., one Of Bouisi-
ana's notable sons, Colonel Eugene
Wagaman, now agent of the general
land Office, and if be serves with the
same fidelity lie did the Lost Cause,
1.-THE Government will not regret its
appointment, and have no doubt it
will receive that intelligent application
to his duties that has always been
characteristic OF him.
Col. Wagaman has made record.
Some of Calcasieu's boys served under
him during the war. Jos. G. LeBleu
carried his regimental colors on the
plateau of Malvern Hill. ]. Ben Kirk
man was MANNED for life while his
colors was going forward to victory at
Charlottesville. 1t was upon Vir-
ginia's bloody fields that the writer
knew him and upon the battle field of
Winchester that be loved and admired
him for his cool bravery and staying
qualities.
General Sheridan caught the forces
of General Early separated, and by
rapid concentration threw his whole
forces upon Ramseur's division, and
it was beaten, pleading and broken,
when that Of Rhodes arrived and took
up the guage of battle to be in turn
overpowered and beaten, when our
division (Gordon's) came upon the
field from double quick march of
eleven miles. No time was to be lost,
the line of battle was quickly formed
and ordered forward. Three lines of
blue, like three walls, met our gaze, as
we went; ON they came nearing each
other, there was moments hesita-
ton in the ranks of the advancing foe
that told the practiced eye of the vet
eran they were going to run. Then 1t
was that the clarion voice of Wagaman
rang out, amid the din of battle fire,
and the first line was rolled upon the
second, and with one wild shout the
Second Louisiana Brigade sprang to
the work, and the first and second line
was rolled upon the third, and the
whole sent flying from the field in one
wild, disordered, broken, heterogeneous
mass. BIT in the flush of victory the
Louisianans advanced too far, and
we're not supported, and it became
more difficult to retreat than to adj
vance. Almost surrounded, we had to
fight to the right, left and rear; sullen-
" retiring, contrasting every inch of
ground, we reached the heights just
back of Winchester when a new dan
ger threatened us. Custer had dis
persed Imboden's troops, and was pre-
pairing to charge us in flank, and the
supreme moment had arrived. But
Col. Wagaman was there with his
right arm hanging limp at his side,
with a minnie ball through the wrist,
and he was equal to the occasion. He
changed front not a moment too soon.
On came Custer and his magnificent
cavalry with the same impetuosity that
he and his squadrons always rode to
battle; but the Louisiana Brigade was
there TO receive him, and protect the
rear of Early's army. Clusters charge
was repulsed, and Early escaped up the
valley.
In the seige of Petersburg, Fort
Steadman gave the Confederates great
annoyance, and it was determined to
attempt its capture. AT that council
of war that noble Georgian, General
Evans, paid the Louisianans high
compliment. Said he, addressing Col.
Waganlan, "0n account of the bravery
of your men Won will have the post Of
honor--tie head of the column. You
will attack with nnloaded muskets."
How well they sneeeeded let CaIca-
sieu's gallant aud lamenicd dead, Capt
Isaac Ryan. testify, who died in pos
session Of the fort, with It's guns under
the folds of his victorious colurs.
Col. Wagaman led the last charge
of the Army Of Northern Virginia.
AT Appomatlox the enemy stood across
the path of Lees retreat Gen. Gordon
was ordered TO open the way Again
Wagaman, with his handful Of ragged
Lonisianans, as the forlorn hope, was
sent forward to the last death grappIe
Of that illustriOns army. Striking the
enemy, he went forward into action,
and had won possession of their guns
when Lee surrendered, and the star Of
the Confederacy sank forever.
II, G, GILL,