Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-05-19
BOYS IN THE WAR.
A Captain Of fifteen Years and IA Colonel
Of Seventeen.

A Captain OF Fifteen Years aud II Colonel
Of Seventeen.
"NIv own experience" said medical
man who was Il surgeon during the war,
would prove that a great many com
batants of rank were mere boys.
Early in May, 1864, | then being an
assistant surgeon in the confederate
service. | was stationed at Towards
Grove hospital. near Richmond. Shortly
after went there it became an Ala
bama hospital, and it was then that
came across one of the many notable
cnscs Ia which ! can refer. While on
NV rounds one morning | noticed
among the new eases a srrawny, salluw,
thin checked fellow. lie was an insig-
nilicant-loolSing youngstcr, and ! was
not much surprised when, in response
toa question was making up the hos
pital rceord-he said he was fifteen
wear, of age. When | asked him what
his command was he said, THE 18th
Alabama" and then gave his rank as
captain. lie was such a poor, pury
little fellow that ! thought Alabama
regiments must be badly on for officers.
| don't know but | was somewhat pre-
judicod against him because OF his UNI
prcposscssing youth. although he had
commenced TO fight when but eleven
years old. lie was decidedly sick boy
not woundcd-yet had very poor
opinion Of him. Suddenly he spoke mp
| and said: Doctor, want you TO get
me ont Of here as quick as you can
"'Wc always do that replied,
eyes said lac, tut soldiers don't
always want to get ont OF hospital. ]
went out at the first call and this is the
| first time | have been separated from
my command
SIN day or two he began 10 mend
more rapidly than ! expected him 10
and on the fourth day lac commenced
20 bother me by insisting that he was
1T for duty. lie said ne felt fully able
T. get up and he pleaded hard with me
b. report him for duty. told him that
II | reported hun he would at once be
sent back, while / would be ccnsurcd.
IIy that time had changed my opinion
Of him. but had 20 speak sOmcw hat
roughly 10 him for two days 30 prevent
him tormcntinP me. On the seventh
day he again commenced 90 plead, and
| | az luNl NplN hllh Allhh ~ ~ 'tifA''''
as rapidly in the next twcnty-fouI
hours rs he had previously would re-
mort him. lie held me 30 my promise
and was reported as fit forduty While
he was in line with others who were
about 10 be discharged the hospita
mail came, and in it was Il bis
letter addressed TO him. He opened I
and in a moment cried out: Take thi
back; don't want It, II was "a thirt!
DAYS furlough which his falhcr-an In
Auential man-had procured for hin
from Judge Campbell, assistant secrc
tary Of war. Burroughs were very de
sirable things just then, but that DO,
captain positively refused his and RI
, turned at once 10 his command. Som
time afterward ! told Col W. c. Gate
of the youngster. The colonel, who
| now In congress, commanded the II
, tocnth Alabama, and when ] mentlone
the little fellows name he said; WI.
/ he is one OF the best officers | have. II
g has been with the regiment In twent.
a five pitched battles and eighty ski
b nishes, and stands right up 10 fire. Il
has his men under better control
2 field and camp than any Of the 9TH
captains; doesn't display his authori'
p. as 30 many Of the less effective do, az
- Is altogether a most desirable officer
4. "Oh, could tell you about lots
a boys who proved themselves worthy Il
---,-.e "a snan-n anpfinnod Dis suT0sn