The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-20

thick at me; but no one of our party was killed
Our regiment has been in the advance for two
weeks, and Gen. Davidson thinks there IS none
like it. We have lost many BILLED and wounded,
and l have seen brave boys die, whose last
words were worthy of the greatest heroes OF
the world"
Feb. IA. 1864 Ritter joined the Sd Ark. Cav.
and was mustered in as First Lieutenant Of Co.
/. This was regiment being formed of Arkan-
sas refugees. a rough and brave set of men who
had done much harm to the rebels, at the same
time protecting their families and avoiding be-
ing forced into the rebel service. After six
drills these rough men drilled so splendidly as
to call forth the highest praise from Gen.
Steele.
From Mai. T. S. Clarkson and First Lieut. G..
N. Greene were gathered some facts not pre-
viousiy received concerning Lieut.. Ritters last
conflict with the enemy.
On the morning of the 18th of May. 1864,
when the regiment was encamped at Lewis.
burg Ark, Lieut. Ritter with about so of his
men, rode toward Cypress Creek. about eight
miles south of I.ewisburg. They arrived at
the rough log bridge about IL o'clock. On the
other side WAS an open space. and beyond were
numerous cypress trees. As the men were ad-
vancing they were suddenly fired upon by 81
portion of Shelby's cavalry (wbo were 1000 or
1000 strong in that vicinity, who hid behind
the trees. Not knowing that the enemy were
fighting. He received wonnd in the leg
early in the engagement, but gave no attention
TO it. The men were finally compelled to re-
treat across the bridge, leaving Lieut. Ritter,
with his bleeding wound, in the hands of the
enemy. he was stripped of his uniform, which
was donned by rebel officer, who afterwards
was shot within an inch of tho place where
Lieut.. Ritter was shot,
Mai. L. S. Clarllson, then in command OF the
regiment, with Lieut.. Greene and large force,
returned the same afternoon. drove tho rebels
from the place, and recovered the body of Lieut..
Ritter. His wound received no surgical treat
ment, and consequently caused his death two
or three hours after he was shot. A lady who
lived at house few rods away gave him water
and was with him in his last moments. She
said that he passed away one falling asleep.
The abstract return was as follows: First
Lieut.. VIM. II. Ritter fell while leading his
mon into action eight mics south of this place
Uewisburg), May IA, 1864, and was buried
here"
Col. A. II. Ryan, now Of East Orange, N. J
visited the grave June =, 1861, and in writing
to Lieut.. Rtter's mother said 81 visited his
grave this morning and plucked from a shrub
nearby this little mcmento of the resting place
of one who has proved himself man and a SOL
der; of one who fell while nobly doing his
duty in sustaining that flag which no loved so
we'll; of one Of whom, during his connection
with MS regiment, L cannot recall a single ACT
or word but what was truly upright and manly.
He was a true man and soldier" Col. Ryan,
Dec. 10, 1864, in writing to Lieut. Ritter's
brother, stated: ''On the LIST of the present
month we lost Capt. Marion Gates of our regi-
ment. He was a warm friend of your brother.
He fell in a skirmish with the enemy but a
short distance from the spot where your
brother breathed his last. They now lie side by
side in the cemetery at Lewisburg. Your
brothers grave is in good state of preserva-
ton and well cared for"
His remains were afterward removed to the
Little Rock National Cemetery, also the
mains of Capt. Marion Gates. In the roll of
honor of soldiers buried in 1871 at Little Rock,
% names of men are given who served in the
Sd Ark. Cav. There are about 5000 buried
there, several hundred of whom are unknown.
At Fort Smith National Cemetery there were
buried 10 of the Sd Ark. Cav, and possibly
others unknown.
In letter from D. B. Russell. Quartermaster
of the regiment, dated Oct. 3, 1892, is the fol-
lowing: AT one time we established G. A.R.
Post here (Morrillton, Ark.l and called il Ritter
Post, but as they had but few members here it
went down. l mention this to show the kind
feeling his old soldier friends had for him."
From the additional information lately re-
ceved from Mai. Clarkson and Lieut.. Greene
it is hoped that the sash, and possibly the
sword which were left at the camp in Lewis
burg Lieut.. Ritter at the time was armed only
with revolvers) may be recovered. Any infor-
nation concerning them, or his military career.
will be gladly welcomed by his surviving
brothers. care OF The NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
Washington, ID. CD. A. r., Treasury Depart
ment, Washington, ID. c.