The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1892-11-11

c4PTIIcnCGe ndO 1du q ROOA OpPOIbuAA-
ty to study, not only the art of war and
the questions connected with the con-
troversy between the two sections, but
also to study the geography of the
country and the conditions of the peo-
pie. He had proven to be close OBJ
server of men and things. and he gave
me a great deal of information not
found in the newspapers. He had a
diary in which he had jotted down the
result of his observations. He had
already filed two or three books, and
it was a wonder to me how he found
time to do SO much writing. He said
it was a source of pleasure, and If he
lived long might be of some service.
There are great many newspaper
made men in the country. Men whose
fame depends not SO much upon what
they do as upon their ability to get the
eye of the newspaper press and have
their performances heralded to the
world. This was especially SO in the
army. The successful general was
oftentlmes the one who kept on the
right side of the newspaper CORE spond-
euts. Some men were written up, and
others of equal merit were written
down, and other brave, conscientious
and capable commanders were left
without notice.
According to Dan Wright's observa-
tion the real heroes of the war were
not always the men who received credit
for military achievements.
Our conversation was long and pleas
ant. He told me not only of the war,
l,1rk ole nf al
and of acquaintance that he had
formed. Among other things he ex-
hibited to me the photograph of a beau
tiful girl. Her home was Winchester,
Va, and she belonged to good family.
/ don't know what chance had brought
them together, but it was very evident
from his conversation that an attach
ment had grown up between them.
bantcred him little on going down
south to capture the rebels and then
being captured himself.
The time had come for him to go back
to his regiment, and the train was
nearly due upon which he was to take
his departure. AS he turned to go he
said: ''Good-by, Mr.. H, / want to
thank you for the kind things you have
/ shall never see you again"
Struck by this remark, as well as his
impressive manner, I replied: ''Cheer
up, Dan. No doubt we shall meet
often again. When the war is over,
you will come back here to live, and
perhaps you will bring that pretty
Winchester girl with you. Good-by
and good luck to you. Don't have any
evil presentiments now, but go away
with light heart Write me when
you can. shall always want to hear
from YOU"
He gave me his hand and slowly an
swered: Mr.. H, shall never re-
turn. think the contest now gong on
will result in final victory to the union
cause. The government will be saved;
but / shall not live to see it. do not
hesitate to go. 1t is in the line of duty,
and brave man ought never to fear
death. / shall probably die in battle;
but, whether in battle or sewhere, my
death is sure to come before the warts
over. Good-by."
He went away. Feeling a deep in
teresC in the young man. and believing
he was entitled to a better position
than that of private, / interested my
self with the authorities. and in a short
time il was arranged that ne was to be
appointed a lieutenant in one of the
companies of the One Hundred and
Fourth regiment, then forming, with
headquarters at Camp Massillon. His
credentials were duly made out and
forwarded to the colonel of the Seventh
regiment, then in the field, with in
structions to send Wright to join the
new regiment in Ohio. The papers
reached the regiment the day before
the battle of Cedar Mountain. Wright
was sent for, informed by the COM
manding officer that his commission
had been received, and he could go i'm
mediatelv to Ohio.
Dan replied: "I am glad to receive
this appointment, and / will try to fill
the place acceptably, but / hope, sir.
you will permit me to remain here
few days. We are probably on the eve
of an engagement, and / shall be bet
ter satisfied to stay with the boys till
the fight is over. II wouldn't be manly
to go away now"
The request was granted. The next
day occurred one of the bloody battles
of the war. In the heat of the con-
test the Seventh regiment was hotly
engaged and suffered from a tremen-
dous fire of the enemy.
Dan Wright was wounded by a shot
in the face. Capt Reed said to him:
You are badly hurt; better go to the
rear"
Dan answered: "It Is not so bad, cap
tain. / can still use nv musket."
He stayed IN his place and continued
to load and fire as though he had never
received a scratch. In short time,
however, another ball struck him in
the shoulder and his gun fell from his
hands.