The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-07-31
GEN. JOHN. B. GORDON.
THE BEST LOVED OF ALL SURVI-
WING GENERALS.

VlNG GENEhAlS.
The Raccoon Roughs Give Him. an Ora
tion-Something About His Career.
From the St Louis Globe Democrat
Governor John B. Gorden, of Geor-
gia, was the central figure of the re-
cent convention and of the reunion at
Chattanooga, Tenn. Of all the living
ex- Confederates to-day he is easily the
first general officer in the affections of
the first rank and file. He was the
Logan of the South-the great vol
unteer general in the service of the
Confederacy- The Southern States
were full of West Pointers when the
war came on. Military education was
esteemed more highly prerequisite
for promotion in the Confederate service
than in the Union Army. Jefferson
Davis had graduated at West Point
and served in the regular army, aud
had been Secretary of War. He had
the usual West Point prejudice
against the volunteer officer But Cor
don, going at the head of the company.
rose by hard fighting and merit as
commander to the rank of lieutenant
general.
There was pathetic scene in the
convention just as the adjournment
was declared after the opening season.
A body of men came crowding up the
main isle and pushing their way to
the edge Of the platoon. They had a
wild look about them, from their
SLOUGH hats down to their heavy boots.
Every man of them wore on his coat
white bage with "R. r. in big black
letters.
"Gin' rul! Gin, rull" they called as
they got up to the platform, holding
out their hands.
Gordon came forward and began to
shake hands with them. Fearful grips
they gave him. People stood around
and smiled sympathetically. Little
was said by either Gordon or the
mountaineers.
"Gin' rul! Gin rul!" one would be
called out.
Il know you, Jim,'' Gordon said,
and then the hands would meet in a
wrenching clasp.
And while some were shanking
hands others were patting Gordon's
knees, rubbing their hands down the
pantaloon legs and looking up into his
face with most expressive grins. For
ten minutes the Raccoon Roughs and
and their old commander held reun-
ion in which few words were exchang-
ed, some tears were shed and good
JooI ,,f ,>,ntop,;n mo o,nof;or ,,oo mon,
ifested. Suddenly one Of the widest
in the lot looking around said: ''Come
on boys, let's go down to Mack's. And
away the supremely happy party
tramped.
Gordon was the son of a Baptist
minister. When the war broke out
he.was young man and was trying
to develop coal mine in northwest
corner of Georgia, in the heart of the
region which has since become famous
by the sudden development of its min
eral resources. Up there in the noun
tains Gordon recruited company of
natives. When the young captain and
his followers struck civilization there
was a laugh. Every man in the COM
mand wore cap made of raccoon
skin, and the tail hanging down be
hind. The Raccoon Roughs was the
name given to the company, and it
was accepted cheerfully by the captain
and his men. The Roughs reached
Virginia in the time to participate in
the opening of the war. Four year,
latter, when Lee made his final often
sive demonstration south of Appomat.
tox, Gordon's division charged breast
works and took them. Then came the
flag of truce and surrender. The
young captain with the 'coonskin
cap won the right to wear three stars
on his coat collar.
Gordon is a fine looking man. The
deep scar just below the left eye adds
to the strength of his face rather
than disGgures. Nature gave
him a better Setting up" than hi
could have acquired at West Point
and he 'Looks every inch soldier
The scar is one of fine "reminiscences of
Antietam which he carries. In that
battle he was in the front line encour.
aging his men when minnie ball
| ploughed through the calf of his right
| leg. Without stopping even to band
age, he kept on. Aball went through
little higher, and two red stream!
trickled down. Then he was shot
through the left arm, and few mo
ments afteward furrow was turned il
his shoulder.
/ Fire on and fire fast, boys, I'm no
going to leave you," he said, as he saw
his men looking anxiously at his drip
| ping wounds. Then the fifth bal
struck him squarely in the face, crash
ing through the cheek bone. Genera
Gordon was carried off the field fo
dead. He was SO far gone that h'
did not know what was occurring fol
days afterward. He came to conscious
ness in Winchester, and got bacl
to the army after months of nursing
The United Confederate Veteran.
chose- Gordon to be the general of th'
organization for the ensuing year
And then the Raccoon .-Roughs pre-
sented him with a coon skin for lnck
His reply to them was:
II had rather live and die with
| q place in your hearts than be com
mander of all the world. My only
hope IS that when die It may be writ
ten on my tomb: Here lies thu
body Of Confederate soldie
who did his duty"
81 D-.-.-S T, -....I