The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-08-29

rap1Oly 10 Gn0 IFOuI anu sOoA UN"P
peared.
On the 18th of May, General Early
who was in command of A. z. Hills
| corps) Generals Wilcox and Lane and
a number of staff officers were stand
ing talking in the field near the brick
kiln and not far from the right of the
corps of sharp shooters. The enemy
| espied them through the opening l
rom of the salient and honOred them
with a short but rapid artillery salute.
The group was scattered, but no one
was struck. Nicholson, however, who
was on the right of his line, was badly
wounded and was borne from the field.
Major Thomas J. WOoten, Of the
Eighteenth Regiment, was then ordered
to take charge of the corps, and he
continued in command until b sur
render at Appomattox Court House
Young, cool, brave, but modest as a
girl. WOOten was worthy TO zee
two such dashing, fearless n Ell
cient commanders as Knox q NlchOi-
son. He soon won the confidence and
affection of those brave sharp-shooters.
This corps rendered splendid service
from Sbottsylvania to Petersburg. 1t
began it's brilliant career around Peters
burg by surprising and capturing the
enemy's videttes and reserves at the
Davis House without losing a man. In
recognition of its gallantry on this oc-
casiOn, the following complimentary
letters. addressed to WoOten, were en-
bodied in a general order and read on
parade to all of the regiments IN the
brigade:
HEADQUARTERS LANES BRIGADE,
September 9, 1854.
| GENERAL ORDERS
No. 81.
The following commune atoms are
published to the brigade, not only as
an act due the distinguished merit OF
| their gallant recipient, hut with the
hope that it may encourage officers
and men to emulate this noble eX-
| ample:
Headquarters THIRD ARMY Corps,
September Z, 1864
GENERAL: [ have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt of the report of
Major T. j. Wooten, commanding the
skirmishers of Lanes Brigade, contain
ing an account of his surprise of the
enemy's videttes at the Davis louise
and attendant captured. The lieuten-
ant general commanding desires that
you will congratulate Major Wooten
| for his handsome success and to assure
him that he highly appreciates the &C
tivity, ability and gallantry which he
has displayed in his present responsible
position.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
TSigned7 w. N. SFARKE, A. A. G.
HEADQU RTERs W1LCOX's
LIGHT DIVISION,
September z, 1864
MAJOR: The major general com
handing desires me to express his
qualification in transmitting the en-
closed letter from Major Starke, A. G.
g., Third Army Corps, conveying the
congratulations of Lieutenant General
Hill to you upon your handsome cap.
ture of the enemy's videttes at the
Davis house and also to acknowledge
his own appreciation, not only Of this
affair, but of the valuable services rem
dered by you and the gallant officers
and men under your command during
the arduous campaign of the last four
months.
am, major. very respectfully,
Signed Jos. A. ENGLEHARD.
A. A. e..
HEADQUARTERS LANES BRIGADE,
September 9, 1864.
MAJ. 7. J. WooTEN, COMMANDER SHARP
MAJOR: The brigadier general com
handing feels a proud pleasure in
transmitting to you the congratula-
tory notes Of Lieutenant General Hill
and Major General Wilcox. And while
he added to these well earned compli-
ments his own hearty congratul6tion
upon the brilliant accomplishment of
your well conceived purpose, he re-
jOices that you have furnished him this
fitting opportunity formally to thank
you and your gallant command for the
steady performance of every duty
whether of dangerous enterprise or
laborious watching-which has distin-
guished your action since the campaign
began.
With great respect your obedient
servant,
[SignedI E. J. HALE. Jr., A. A. G.
By command of Brigadier General J.
II. Lane.
[Signed] E J. HALE, Jr., A A G..
After this, in his frequent surprises
of the enemy's skirmisnes or pickets,
Wooten adopted a tactics of bis own
which was known in the brigade as
"Wooten's Seine Hauling" With the
whole or a part of his command. he
would move by the flank, in double
ranks, toward the enemy's line, taking
advantage of all natural features; and
sometimes the command would crawl
until within easy running distance.
Then they would quietly rush forward.
WOOten would halt on the line OF pits.
and when the rear of his command
reached him he would order both ranks
to face outward and wheel. Wheeling
on Wooten vs. the pivot, they would
return at a run in single rank, empty
every pit before them and never fire a
gun.
The major was v as happy as
when engaged in his 'Esnino boi,Ii1n -