Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-11
GENE RAJ M'lsWs.
some Incidents Recalled by His Recent
visit Here.
For the DisDstch.l

IfOr the DisD;tcn.l
The recent presence among us of Major
General McIaws at the renterment OF
President Davis was extremely gratifying.
not only to his old friends and comrades
who thus enjoyed the pleasure of again
meeting him. but to ell to whom his heroic
achievements and Invaluable services to
the Confederate cause are known. No
officer III the southern army fought with
more brave and disinterested devotion to
his country than did this gallant Geor-
gian: and il is matter OF regret
that owing to his quiet mode of life since
the ending of that great struggle, he
has been personally less known to US In
Virginia than Gordon, Hampton. aud other
generals OF the more southern States.
whose presence is more frequent among
us. The same may be SAID OF General
Beauregard, who never, that we know OF,
VISITED Richmond after the war; aud we
remembe the disappointment on the oc-
casion OF the unyeillng OF the Lee statue
that both OF these distinguished generals
we're prevented from being present. Yet
their most brilliant battles were fought on
Virginia soil. and Vuginians have right
to be proud of and grateful to them. In
their own respective states tneir names
are as household words, cherished with
pride and devotion, as are those OF Jonn-
ston, Early. and FltZhugh Lee amongst us.
General McLaws was an officer OF the
old United States army. having been edu-
Gated q. West Point. In the first year OF
the war he was appointed to the command
of o. brigade. under General Magruder,
and participated IN all the battles of the
Mcclellan campaign from Williams burg
to Malvern. and afterwards from Irede-
ricksburg and the Second Manassas TO
Sharpsburg and Gettysburg. and IN East
tennessee and West Virginia, up to the
surrender. 1t is O matter of record that
in every engagement IN which they TOOK
part his command was notably conspicu-
Gus for their fine courage and discipline;
AS disciplinariau. indeed, General Nc
Laws exceiied. and owing to this. was not
at first popular with hts raw troops, who
generally designated him by the sarcastic
title Of "AIarso Make-Laws." But aftei
the first engagements 0n the Pen. suia
they became enthusiastically attached to
him. approaching his abilities and his con-
stan. care for their comfort and welfare.
The writer of this recalls many incidents
of mis- strict discipline while IN camp on
the Peninsula, whore he boldly threw out
his plckets to distance of eight miles
from his own camp. and within
five Of that of Newport News. One
OF his orders most rgldly enforced was
that under no circumstances what,
ever should private property be interfered
with. A hungry soldier, however, was
unable to resist the temptation or Hppro'
prlatinc half-starved chicken which he
found wandering about an old corn-neid
for which derelictIon he was sentenced tc
three days in the guard-hOrse: General
Magruder, hearing OF 1t, said: II Is
rather hard on the poor fellow. and the
offence might have been wlnked at" I'M
mediately adding, "McLaws is always
RIGHT, but hang me II can too the duty
mark as he does" A more serious coca
sion was when company OF Louisiana
regiment, being ol a recOunoitreing e8pe
dition, snot number of pigs belonging 20
poor family and took away the same, though
paving literally in Confederate money
This being reported to General McLaws
ne ordered restitution of tho pork. and
sent the offending Louisianlans on another
expedition. accompanied by guard OF ms
own GeOrgIans. to prevent recurrence oi
the offence. The fiery Creole Colonel bit
terly resented this insult" and was bent
upon sending challenge ia General Me-
avs. while his regiment threatened that
should he be arrested therefor they would
revolt. General Magruder interposed
and the matter was settled; though II oc
cesioned considerable excitement IN the
camp.
General McIaws has written most IN
teresting end valuable account OF ms OWL
experience at Gettysburg, which. think
has not been published, except % the Si
vaunah N,cs. In it he pays an enthusi
astlc tribute TO the men who made the
memorable "chargo" on Round Top ano
rendered their gallant leaders name i'm
mortal. He was proud of bis own com
mand and speaks OF their dauntless cou
rage and splendid discipline-a discipline
10 which he himself 50 effectively contrl
buted.
General McLaws is still fne-lookini
man with the grave and dignifled courtes,
characteristic OF him in former times. he
resides in Savannah, Ga. .. A. W.