Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-24

"FoIIow NE, Boys, and the Day Is
ouFs.v

Significant is the above sentence, and
at the sound of the once-famillar words
memories sacred in the hearts OF every
true Confederate are unmistakabiy
aroused, for it was war-cry" familiar
to every soldier, both the blue and
Gray"
The tocsin has again been sounded
from the mountains TO the seaside by
our gallant General and Governor,
L" Fitzhugh Lee" and his associate, the
"Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, who in words
Of eloquence have made so plain the
duty OF every citizen Of the Common
wealth that he must recognize the ne
cessity OF rallying to the rescue OF our
grand old State in her extremity.
Reports and responses come in from
every quarter of the most gratifying cha
racter from solid and patriotic men eX-
pressing their sympathy and determina-
ton to rescue the ship from breakers
ahead, and when the month OF May next
rolls round the debt "a thorn in the po-
liticsl body will he practically settled
and we shall once more enjoy peace and
happiness
II connection with the above Fol
low me, boys, and the day is ours" am
reminded OF little incident which will
be long remembered by many of the
survivors of the Second and Third com
panies OF the HowitZer battalion, j"
and which, / think, has never been pub.
lished. IL occurred on the 10th OF June,
1861, at "Bethel. when the battle waxed
hottest. and the Confederate forces were
threatened with ann h'lation.
At that critical period, when the "tide
of battle seemed to be changing in IA
vor of the Federals, Major Winthrop-a
volunteer, and either nephew or grandson
OF the late Governor Winthrop, Of Mas
sachusetts attempted tolesd in a charge
the famous "Billy Wilson Zoueves I"
against our Howitzers, which located IN
temporary and hastily thrown-up breast
works, supported by the First North
Carolina volunteers, under command Of
Colonel afterwards Lieutenant-G eneral)
d. II. Hill. Teaching the foot of
slight hill, they we're checked byaworm
fence, and, tagging for moment under
CALLING fire, Major Winthrop, a
gallant officer OF marked courage,
drew his sword, mounted the
fence, and with determination IN
his eye, exclaimed, within the sound OF
our men, "Follow me, boys, and the day
is ours" A "tar heel Gas we then
called them) raised his rifle and with I'M
erring aim pulled the trigger, when the
ball pierced the middle breast of the
Major, causing instant death, and the
day was ours for panic eDsued and we
were masters OF the situation, the enemy
being thoroughly demorlllzed and re-
treating in confusion TO Hampton, leey-
ing their dead aud wounded on the field.
Just before the charge. however, another
little incident occurred characteristic OF
the man General }. Bankhead Magruder)
connecting with it a prominent citizen
now OF Richmond, then lieutenant IN
the Life Guard. We had been sent on
our right. in command Of line Of skir-
mishers, and fearing ne was about to be
fauked and gobbled up, advanced to a
spot where the General was viewing the
situation, and excitedly he remarked ::
General. we are about being over
powered" TOR wordsto that effect land
/ would like more men" The gallant
old man replied, in his curt way: " How
many men have you lost, sir :? " None
yet, but we expect heavy losses "Then
90 back, sir, aud hold your ground until
hell freezes over" Slightly dismayed.
he went back and held his ground until
the engagement closed and the enemy
were in full retreat.
In conclusion, let Major Winthrop's
language DO ours, and q glorious victory
will in May next be perched upon our
banner With General Lee in command,
aided by the Hon. j. Taylor kllyson. we
must win, and, az / before SAID, the debt
question Jour great buSbear for years.
will be practically settled.
Yours, w. Il. w.