Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-12-01
HOW GEN. sEDGWICK DIED.
The True Story Of His Killing Told in Print
for the First Time.
sravely Facing a Rebel sharpshooter Bull
lat Pierced His Brain.

The Ninth corps, under Burnside,
lay on the left of the Sixthcorps under
the brave General John Sedgwick. His
sterling worth was combined with an
almost feminine modesty, and he never
posed for public applause; but his
achievement at Salem Church, above
Fredericksburg, when he fought Lees
victorious troops for five hours with
a single. corps and then safely Trans
ferred his men across the river under
the fire OF rebel guns, was not sur
passed in the four years. But, alas
his cool bravery only served him once,
as 81 martyr.
His corps was ordered TO I'ove from
the right to the left, toward North
Ann River, passing the Ninth corps to
the rear OF it. The writer was with
others commanding the picket line.
Located Immediately in our front,
in the arms OF a large oak that rose
above the second growth of timber
that was skirted with our pickets, who
were in skirmish lines, was sharp
shooter who had played deadly havoc
on the lines OF both the Sixth and
Ninth corps, dealing death to every
officer especially who came within
range. L had been Obliged all day to
avoid his aim by hugging close to the
line timber just back of our line. Gen
eral Sedgwick had been examining his
route of march which must be made
in the night, when he came through
the woods where | was. Seeing him
approach an open space he was warned
OF the danger. He smilingly replied:
Captain, have you been out here so
long that your knees are weak? Can
we not dislodge the reb with shell?
Let me see."
Riding out to where the view was
clear he halted mis- horse, lifted the
field glass to his eyes and sat thus per-
maps II hall a minute, when his sight
went out forever. One of the sharp
shooters mime balls shrieked across
the open and pierced his slorehead. His
death was instantaneous.
During the day an Indian named
Siiverheels, belonging to the artillery.
was shot on the skirmish line. His
tent mate, named Rattlesnake, was
much bereft at theloss. He was close
by when General Sedgwick fell Hewas
a great lover OF Sedgwick, who had
made him several presents for danger
Gus service.
Coming to where | was Rattlesnake
said: Too mush,! Too mush, dat
He die, or me die" pointing to the
sharpshooter.
Covering himself with pine boughs he
ventured cautiously into the open
field, stood still like a bush when the
reb was firing OH the Ninth corps,
moving swiftly when his gun smoke
spouted tward the Sixth. Almost
breathlessly gladly saw him enter the
woods. a few minutes only and the
crack of the rifle in the tree ceased for
ever, and Sedgwick and Silverheels
were revenged. One lone stifled rifle
shot down low in the woods was all
that came to our ears. Rattlesnake
reappeared, proud, erect, feerless, and
hastened to me.
HIS hands were red in spots, so was
his bosom. was afraid he had been
woudded himself. He only said slow
ly, and in bad English
major, he no want scalp" alluding
to the commander OF our battalion.
/ said, "Ah, mol that too muchy
like Injun."
lie said, 'No more shooty Sedg-
wick"
He had a Spencer rifle and 100
rounds OF new cartridges.
He told with many gesticulations
how he had crept within few feet OF
the tree, took deadly aim, and then
said, Drop dat shooter" The rebel
dropped his gun and his cartridges.
Then he jumped to the ground and
offered to 20 anywhere.
Rattlesnake examined him to see
that he had no other weapons, and
then said, $50, CO." The sharpshoot.
er was not long in obeying: After he
had gone little way, the Indian cried
| out:
"Hello, reb; haiti"
The reb stopped and turned wher
Rattlesnake said, "Sedgwick, and the
sharpshooter's deadly work wa'
ended.
| always had my suspicion as to how
that blood came on his shirt bosom
but do not know. One thing is Ger
tain, Rattlesnake did not 90 to tn
hospital for any wound to be dressed