The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-11

ways one Of peculiar interest,"" said Gen.
Alger, but many a man who bore the rep
utation of having a charmed life owed it to
the admiration of his opponents. AS a rule
a soldier will never fire at a man who dig
plays unusual courage. l know this from
experience.
''it was in the fall of 1868 that I was
transferred from the army of the west to
the command of a regiment in the army of
the Potomac. About that time the rebels
moved across the Rapidan, and l was sent
to drive them back. 1t turned out that it
was 4 reconnaissance, but at the time we
believed they were seeking to make a lodg-
ment on the north of the river. We drove
them back to the bank of the stream, but
there they made a savage stand, and re-
endorsements were thrown over to aid them.
Ihelc position, owing to the formation of
the ground. was a very strong one, and ours
greatly exposed. While preparing for the
struggle my command was attracted by a
courier approaching. He WAS on foot and
availed himself of the numerous gulleys
worn by the rains to protect himself from
the enemy's fire. Volley after volley was
fired at him. but he reached me uninjured. He
bore orders for me to report at once to Gen,
Fitzpatrick. In order to reach the latter I
would be compelled to pass over an almost
open plain for fully th~ree-ouarters of a
mile and exposed to the fire of the rebels.
1t flashed upon me that the attempt would
result in certain death, and ! was on the
Point OF refusing to obey when it occurred
to me that | dared not display any indica-
ton Of cowardice in the presencs of my
command. Leaving my horse and com
mapd, which wero stationed behind a small
rise in the ground, | started on foot. The
moment | appeared | was greeted with n
volley. and the dirt flew around, but l was
unhurt. At this the rebels cheered, and in
a moment the shot flew thick about me for
a second time, bat not one touched me.
There was another cheer from the
rebels, but / kept going. 1 was so
badly frightened that | dared not look
even to the right OF to the left. Every
moment / looked for another ~volley, and
felt that | could not escape again. Not an
other shot was fired, and during the fifteen
minutes that elapsed while l was in range
of their guns round after round of cheers
greeted me-, hut not q bullet was sent after
me. rsached Gen. Fitzpatrick in safety, and
from that day to this have sought unsnc-
cessfuily to ascertain the name Of the rebel
officer whose men spared my life"
The worst frightened man / ever saw
said Judge Fitzgerald. with an amused ey-
preston of countenance, was at Pea Ridge,
when We wers attacked by the federal troops.
Fox a body servant ! had q %strapping nepr,
boy, whose duty it was to look after my
he was forever crawling into
some ont of the way place to sleep.
Just as We were eXDecting the ad-
vance the federals opened fire at US at rather
close range. We were on the skirmish
line, and in a moment our men were de-
ployed III battle array. Just as the firing
began to grow heavy | heard a piercing veil
and saw my negro boy flying along between
the lines. Every step would have measured
fifteen feet, aud every time his. foot stack
the ground lie would yell oh, Lord..~o
enough to be heard in both CAMPS. With
III he had my blankets and rations, and
at every jump he would leave a portion of
one or the other in his wake. AS far as
could see him he was going like Il fright
ened deer, and long after he was out of
sight | could hear HIM yell. He had been
sleeping exactly midway | etween the lines
when the battle opened, and 1t is not surpI g.
ing that no WAS scared. Two weeks eiapsf d
before he returned to camp, but he coz q
never be indnced to talk of his Pea Ridge
experience"
Out in Kentucky" chimed in Capt. Sea
mans. II Witnessed n peculiar occurrence
which illustrates tho uncertainty of human
life. We were marching through an open
stretch Of farming country. and at the dis
lance. ar was afterward ascertained by nc
tual measurement, of more than Il mile we
espied n rebel soldier sneaking along he
hind a hedge fence. With us was a detach-
ment OF sharpshooters. and one of them,
just for the fun of the thing, as lie expressed
1t, took a shot at the Johnny. Raising his
rifle to his shoulder, he glanced quickly
along the barrel and fred. There was n
distinct interval of several seconds, and We
saw the rebel len2 into the air and fall TO
the ground. When we reached the spot he
was stone dead, having been shot through
the head.