The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-03-28
THE WEST POINT BOYS.
ANOTHER INTERESTING PAPER
WRITTEN BIZ GEN. =. M. b. YOUNG.
Cobb and Men-Early Days in Camp-Some
Comedies of War-General Young Tells
More of the Boys of 81.
Far The Constitution.

Fey The Constitution.
- . former article | have told of the sus-
fe-ise ut West Point as the secession
movement was taking final shape
The officers of the United States army,
from the southern states, were resigning
us their states withdrew from the union,
and as each was relieved from command, he
repaired to his state and rendered his servi-
ces 10 the governor of his state. Almost
ali the southern men in the regular army
withdrew. There We're, however, some ex-
ceptions. Among the most notable were
General Thomas, of Virginia and General
Robert Williams, of Virginia. These We're
ahe most distinguished. There were Il few
Others of less note. There were four Lees
from Virginia, in the United States army
in 1861; Genera. r. Il. Lee, his two sons,
q. w. G. and w. Ill. +. Lee and his
nephew, titzhugh Lee. All became dis
tinguiShed on the southern side. General
Robert h. Lee became the commanding gen
eral of all the confederate armies w. Ii.
Is. became major general of cavalry also
F1tzhugh became Il major general of caval
~, and Curtis, major general on the staff
of the president of the confederacy. OF
these generals, Curtis and titzhugh Lee
are still living in Virginia. One is the pres
ident of Washington and Lee university
and the other recently retired from the gov
ernorship of Virginia.
the news of the battle of Manassas and the
victory of the confederates; every one was
anxious 10 get To Virginia. it being appa-
rent that the old mother state must be the
battle ground. L obtained leave Of absence
for fifteen days and Went Immediately to
Rchmond-the seat of government had
been removed from Montgomery 10 Rich
mond. The city was full of soldiers: the
greatest activity prevailed i'll every depart
IneGt; troops were arriving from all the
southern states: corps, divisions, brigades
and batteries. We're being organized for the
autumn campaign. Richmond and its envi-
rons formed one grand camp. The &d accent
nelds were Csyered with canvas. The hoSpit-
als were full of the wounded from the bat
ties of Manassas and Bull Run. There SEEM
ed to be Il grand gush of patriotism through
out the south, and troops were being ten
dered to the government by the tens of
thousands from all the states of the confed-
eracy. Arms Were scarce, munitions of
all kinds were III demand. troops were be-
ing rushed to the field. While the army
of the union was reorsaniZing and pTepar-
ing for another advance. Mcclellan took
command of the Army Of the Potomac in
the field. and the vigor of his discipline was
Immediately felt by every soldier in his
command. This army was soon in SPLEEN
did condition. Early in the autumn he
began TO abandon the lines around Wash
iDgton and transferred his operations to
the peninsula. | met Colonel e. r. Il.
Cobb at the Spottswood hotel in Rich
mond. His legion was just arriving from
Georgia and going into camp at or near the
reservoir about one mile from the city.
He had infantry, cavalry and artillery, and
finer body OF men was never mustered
into service. These companies were made
up of tho very best material in the state
OF Georgia.
Cobb and His Mon.
Thomas r. r. Cobb was one Of the most
perfect characters ! ever met. lie was at
that time at the very head of the profession
of law in the state. He rgdiy moral,
deyout Christian and one of the ablest
men in the south. He supposed every man
who had volunteered his service to fight,
as pure in his patriotism and in his
motives as he himself was. He once said
10 mo that he had determined that there
should not be Il card player or profdne
sWearer III his command and I responded:
where are you going to get thcm, colo
nel!' 90" said he, Il have got them; I
have the most moral set of men in C;eoi-
ga. You will see when they all get here"
The companies of his legion We're arriving
and they We're fine lot of men, officers
and privateS, but they did not quite fill
the bill as to profanity and other things:
still, there was not in the army better
command, morally and physically. There
was great work TO be done to get this com
mand drilled, disciplined and prepared
for active service in the field. l think one
of the cavalry companies had fifteen wagon
loads of baggage. There We're sixty men
in this company and they also had forty
two colOred servants. This was Il sample
Their idea of was certainly amusing.
When they had to send home most Of
the servants and turn in for storage all
of this baggage. there was 4 howl of dis
content that arose III that camp that threat
cned to become mutinv. The negro ser
wants were as angry and disappointed as
their masters, for they expected to have u
big time in the war, and really the negro
servants did enjoy the war They
cooked. groomed horses, served their
masters sang and danced. as they had no
fighting to 10. | never heard of one who
deserted his master. / accepted the posi-
ton of adjutant 70 Colonel Cobb and went
10 work to aid him in the organization OF
his command. In siX weeks the legion WAS
ordered 10 Join the command Of Major
General NagrUder, near Yorktown. M. We
marched to Yorktown and took position on
Warwick rIyIr. The Infantry of C0bb's
legion was put i'll the brigade oi General
Howell Cobb, brother of the colonel. Nc
Clellan was marching Up the peninsula and
b. gan forming his line along Warwick river.
Johnston was moving down from Fairfax
and forming in front of Mcclellan. Skir-
mishcs occurred daily between the out
posts of the armies In one Of these the
Gallant Captain Jones Barrow was wound
ed, leaving General Howell Cobb without an
adjutant general. / was transferred from
1ny command temporarily to General Cobb's
staff as adiutaut general.
1i,e Comedies of War.
| never met face 10 face in shock of bat
tie. amy OF my former comrades, but we
were often opposed to each other in bat
tie | several times recognized with my
glass General Custer. He was always in
full uniform and always Wore long hair.
There had existed lctween Custer ard my
self, warm Friendship. which / am happy
to say the war l4e!,r interrupted i'll either
of US. We bad been roonnnates for time
at school add always friends We
met several TINES after the war, and
renewed our warm friendship There was a
pleasant incident that occurred during one of
the cavalry fights just after The Gettys-
burg campaign. II happened at Huckland
mills. Ten or fifteen miles north Of Warren
ton. We had been marching nearly all
night in the direction of Nagrentol. My
brigade Was marching il rear next 10 the
enemy. II was little after dawn and the
enemy had attacked us il the rear. | drove
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