The National tribune., 1891-05-14
FIGHTING THEM OVER
Khat0ur Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their 0ld Campaigns
IN TIE VALLEY.
CInrrr of the I'D \. y. IN. % Wnrneshoro.

OlN ltIHth OF hNl ihtt VIII ''fAl v w Ai''N ~
viou-ly met as enemies ln one OF tho hottest
contested battles that occurred during our civil
war hui who are NOW warm friends each rec0g-
niZiug and admiTlHg ln the other that peerless
courage aud nobility OF spirit that character
izcs the true soldier
Que was Mai Gen Wharton, Of tho Confed-
crate army, who, as second in command under
Gen. Early, had been present ut the battle OF
Wuyuesboro and witnessed the celebrated
charge of the slh n. y. Cav. led by Colonel
(theu Major lI. y. Iompson, which carried COM
fusion aud dlsmHy into the hearts of Earlys
veterans. and won the battle the last OF a Sc
ries of victories that droye Early from the fer
tile Shenandoah Valley, thus emitting of Lees
principal source of supplies, and forcing that
General 20 surrender much earlier than he
would otherwise have done.
Col. ComTsOu is now farmer in klamath
County, Ore A kind, genial aud h0splta-
bic Old gentleman, with apparently no greater
interest ia life than Improving his livestock
and raising good crops and the last person a
casual acquaintance would suspect of having
been the brave and dashiHg soldier previous
events have proved him.
Wharton, while ionmcying through this dis
trlt ne representative of the Land Depart
ment accidentally called at the Coionel's resi-
dencc Nlthuut knowing who his host was and
the recognition OF each other, which took place
during the evening, was productive al one Of
the Pmudcsi and most pathetic scenes i have
ever witnessed. Tears fairly stood n the eyes
Of both as they grspod hands in token Of that
warm friendship aud admiration that only the
brave can feel for the brave and j deeply re-
gret that some one thoroughly competent OF
p0rtrayng the scene on paper was NOT present.
The "reminiscences of other days recalled by
them, the fire and spirit that inspired them,
and gave eOquence 10 their conversation,
would have excited the imagination Of Byron,
ourfaI lnyy mr. ANY nj flt1 GRAND popfg as few
subjects could have done.
Wharton was proiuse in his praise Of Comp
son bravery, aud, TO quote his own words said :
" ] tell You, Colonel, / would rather he the hero
of that grand charge than possessor Of untold
wealth" COmpsun. on the other hand, with
true generosity of spirit, credited his soldiers
with LIONS share ln the daring exploit, men
tioning several by name, particularly his gall
liant Color-hearer, Sergt kehoe; but from
other parties, vino participated in the gallant
event have learned the following particulars:
The entire force OF Gen Early was as they
deemed. securely intrcnchcd behind earth
works on small eminonce fronting a wood
about thrce-quarters OF mile distant. In this
wood Custer stationed Mai. COmVsOu with 45O
men, iHstructng him to charge the enemy s
center when he should receive the signal, three
blasts on bugle, and he Custer would a. the
same instant attack their left flank When
issuing the orders Custer believed, as did Comp
son, that the enemy's limo did not extend over
AQuartcT OF a mile on each side Of their center
but afterwards they discovered they were over
three times that lcngth but il was then too late
10 rectity his error
The wood Ia which Compton was stationed
was nearly q mile from the enemy, which
could only be reached by narrow road that
was protected by several guns mounted on the
eminencc spoken of aud numerous bodies Of
infantry behind earthworks, and it was neces-
sary 20 ride the entire distance in the face OF
their deadly discharges.
The st r. y Cav at that time possessed a
splendid set OF c0i0rs. which had been presented
70 them by the ladies ef Rochester, aud were
kept carefully wrapped In oil-skin, aud only
unfurlod on rare occasions. Before receiving
the signal TO charge, Compson ordered those
coiors 10 be uniuIled, aud addressing bis little
baud said Boys, our orders arc to charge the
enemy in front and j intend doing ID under
thai Tag woven by our wives, sweeihearts and
sisters. We shall lose ii OF bring some Of the
eneuys back il there is one mau among you
whose heart fails him at this moment, let him
fall 0ut al once. No coward shall disgrace that
hag by marching under IT,"
A ringing cheer from bis little band was their
only answer and a moment later three blasts
90 the hugic told then Custer had reached the
enemys flank, and il was time to move for
ward.
by fOuw-Marcl. Head Of column TO the
right called out the commander, aud In that
order hey issued from the wood
Fully 20 guns opened on them from different
points with shot aud shell, but. as Wharton
said, The enemy never supposed the littie hand
tul Of heroes intended 20 charge, but thought
ID WAS merely ruse 10 distract attention from
other quarters
That mistake probably saved the entire band
FROM destruction, as had the enemy OWNED
their intention, and fired canister I'D place
OF round shot and shell, they would have
swept the entire road. Leaving the wood on
q tr0t, they soon increased their pace 20 gal.
lop. thcH al he bugic's summons 10 charge fol-
lowed their leader Ia furious rush 20 the hill
fronting them, on which was mounted six
pieces 81 artillery.
Dashing wildly through a cros5fre that as
sailed them from DarihW works on both sides thcy
reached ihe brow OF the bin just as the enemy
having discovered their intention, was loading
with canister. The FIRST charge had actually
been Tammed home, aud the gunner was on
the point 81 firing, when Mai. Compson arrived
or the spot aud icllod him with a blow ol
hls saber One moment later and the carnage
among the gallant 9Th would have been fearful
o., crowded ID the narrow road, the canister
would have swept them down ike grain before
the EcL c.
Before sounding tie order 10 charge, Comp
aoD saw Gen. Custer galloping toward them
hnd dipping Als Tag ar "a siguHl for them % 70
turn bot as Nelson put the glass % bis blind
eye when looking for the Animals signal Il
retreat, tompsOn misi0Ok Casters for an order
O. press 0n, aud press Oh be did, sweeping righI
Through DE enemy lines, throwing them int,
Gnch confusion aud disorder that victory fOl
our side WAS insured, The defeat Of EARLY
force WIS 50 complete that they could neyc
BE- mustered again.
The eti on tiiat day captured 10 stands o
colon llG pieces 81 artillery, $50 wagons, 90,
horse. nine portable FORCES $50 prisoners
Will arms and other material that would talk
considerable space 10 mention.
Al tHc close 0i The battlc sheridan aud Custe
rode up 10 tomps0n, and Custor-the brave
generous old soldier Too mHgual.imous to CLAIM
share lu iauIsls to which hc was not fully en-
htcd, on detHCl boz anyway from the Justly
esrnea fame 81 another Addressing Sheridan
SAID.
General, ] claim no merit for having wul
this Latae. There is the gallant soldier q
whom ils honor fairly belongs"
Sheridan also thanked G0mpson Ga the warm
esi terms And promoted bim 10 the rank O
Colonel on tho spot
JIG was also placed IN charge Of the part,
detailed i0 convey dispatches together wItI
Gle captured Bags % Washington. where hi
promotion was confirmed by Lincoln.
lbs reception Ht Washington aud variou
other Union cities through which he passo
was such az should cycr bo accorded 10 cal
liant soldier by loyal Nation. But the braT
fellow WAS Of too modest and retiring dispc
silon 30 take advantage OF the oppOrtutitie
tue enthusiasm Of Gle hour called forth Ate
a. .rUs s.l (. =.