The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-22
CAPTURE OF GEN. RHETT.
The One Rebel Who Looked Like he Could Whip
Three Yankees

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Among the
Confederate prisoners taken in the skirmishes
near Averysboro, N. O., in March, 1865, was
Gen. Alfred Rhett, who commanded brigade
which had garrisOned Charleston. Before the
war Rhett had been one Of the editors Of the
Charleston Mercury, a strong Secession paper
He was captured by Gen. Kilpatrick's Cavalry
and was sent by that officer TO Gen. Sherman,
who, with Gen. SlOcum, had been previously
stationed at Charleston, and had been ac-
quainted with him. 1t would seem as though
every soldier Of the Army Of Georgia walked up
to see him. He was a tall, magnificent looking
man, and if there was zone SOutherner who
could whip three Yankees" Rhett seemed to be
the man. He was deeply mortified at being
captured without a chance to fight and stood
erect and defiant, as mute and mOtiOnless as a
statue. He was handsomely dressed in Con-
federate gray uniform, with pair Of high boots
finely stitched. At the time, it was said that
even Gen. Fitzpatrick badgered him as to his
boast that he would never surrender to a
Yankee.
In recent interesting magazine article Gen.
SlOcum says that one Of bis staff told him that
he saw Gen. Rhett few days later, trudging
along under guard, but the beautiful boots were
missing, a soldier having exchanged coarse
pair of army shoes for them, and that he said
that in all his troubles he had one consolation,
that of knowing that no one of Sherman's men
could get on those boots.
One Of the most useful and worthy soldiers
who served in my company and regiment was
rd.-Sergt Nelson III. Bailey. Our comrades,
scattered from Massachusetts, to California, will
be pleased to learn that he has a pleasant
family and home at GustaVus, o., and is en-
joying a fair degree Of prosperity. Every at
tentiOn he could give his sick and wounded
comrades was eheerfuly given, as sttested by
his commanding officer, whom he found almost
uncared for after the battle Of Pine Mountain,
Ga, June Is, 1864. We had crossed the
Pumpkin Vine Creek. Ga, May 25 1864, when
bridge gave way, leaving Gen. Geary's Di-
vision, with two pieces of artillery, in front Of
the Confederate army. slight barricade of
logs had been thrown together, behind which
our command rested. A strange officer came
up TO our position, looked over the forest in
front, and started for the rear, lodging from
tree to tree. He was mistaken for Mai. Symmes,
a gallant and valued officer of the 9Th Ohio,
who met his death few days later. A blanket
lay on the ground, which Serg't Bailey wanted
and he asked the officer if he would not throw
it to him. 1t was gathered up and given toss,
with the remark that he would have to come
half way" and he passed to the rear. Those of
US who witnessed the incident little thought
that the little Sergeants waiter that day was
the MajOr-GeneTal commanding the army,
William Il. Sherman. Gen. Sherman was then
a stranger TO US, but later, at the close Of the
liams at q review at Louisville KY, he made
US short address. When he lifted his hat q
glance Of the eye told where the mind lay that
could successfully plan the greatest military
campaigns
Another efficient soldier Of these campaigns is
Judge Thaddeus Il. Hoyt, who was pitted
against Judge Ezra b. Taylor in the recent
race for Congress in Gen. Garfeld's old Con-
gressional District. His warm personal friends
will yet hear from him.
In the Summer of 1872 the writer served as
a Juror at Jefferson, o., with James r. Gle2en,
a Lieutenant in the 18th NY. Lieut.. Glezen
stated that he was captured at the battle of
Gettysburg, and that he saw the enemy
were in such strong force in front of Gen. Slo-
Gums command that it seemed to him that he
must go back and report the fact From the
address Of Capt. Joseph A. Moore, Of the 147th
Pa, delivered at Gettysburg Sept. H. 1882
learn that the Confederate force around Culp's
Hill was fully 10000, as against the Twelfth
Corps of less than 5000 men. The figures are
taken from Tregaskfs Souvenir of the Reunion
on the battlefield Of Gettysburg, July I, and
g. 1883. These figures were received from I'M
doubted Con iederate sources, and are not likely
to be oyerdrawn by their side. Gen. Stewards
Brigade, of JOhnson's Division, confronted Col.
Charles Candy's Brigade, Of Gen. Geary's Di-
vision. The loss Of this Confederate brigade
was SO killed, 400 wounded, and 100 captured
or missing; a total of 6S2. Johnsons losses in
his whole division of four brigades of % regi-
ments were, killed, 229; wounded, 1869; to-
tai, I49S. From the same source Gen. Pickett
losti his famous charge, killed, 231 wounded,
LIST; total 1889; showing that Johnson had
100 more killed and wounded than Pickett.
Gen. Hunt had so pieces of artillery in action
against Pickett. SlOeum had but Knapps Bat
terry E, and Battery X, Pa. l.. A. The Union
forces against Piekett's men had open ground,
while at Cups Hill the enemy had the adj
vantage of the woods and uneven ground. The
comparison here drawn will show the desperate
charges and repulses in front Of Gen. Geary's
DivisiOn.-ROLLIN l.. JONES, Captain, 18th
Ohio, Wick, O