Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-05-06
Eonrrinhtsi.


1863, and the great army Of the Cumber-
land was moving throug the dehles oil
the Cumberland mountains, along the
Tennessee, in pursuit OF Bragg's retreat
ing forces. The weather was scorch-
ing hot, the mountain trails were crush
ed into streams Of dust, and the bronzed,
blue-clad men suffered, at times, verV
much from want Of water. l belonged
to the cavalry, and l shall never
forget the shout that went up from
my men when. after having marched
twenty-four hours without water,
we halted on the crest Of hill, from
which we could see, far below, green
folds where the wagons were parked
and the horses grazing, and the blue
smoke pillars that marked the camp
fires OF tho infantry; but more beauti-
full 10 our eyes than all, was the broad
majestic Tennessee, sweeping westward
about the hills. We rode down and
were greeted with cheer by our COM
rades in the valley. Here we made
camp for the night, our plan being to
ford the Tennessee on the morrow and
press down through Wills valley in the
direction of the Chickamauga, river
soon 20 be made immortal by the des-
perate battle to be fought upon its
banks.
The cavalry brigade went into camp
near the Fighting Fifteenth" lnfan-
try, and here for the first time | saw
NEEDY" Watts, the diminutive drum
mer boy, who had become the idol OF
the bronzed soldiers. He was bright
bow of fourteen, dressed in a rusty blue
uniform, and small for his years, looked
wholly unfit for the hardships Of such
campaign. But he was as cheerful and
bright as II he considered this desper-
ate work the merest play. L learned
from the men OF the Fifteenth that
Neddy's mother died when he was
little child. His father, the coior-ser-
geant of the regiment, was killed at
Stone river eight months before this.
How the boy CHANGED to drift down
from Cincinnati to the army was not
clearly explained, but certain 1t is that
as soon as he appeared in the camp OF
the Fighting Fifteenth, and announced
himself as the son OF Sergeant Watts,
he was at once adopted and made the
drummer OF the color campany.
at deybreak the next morning the
infantry began to ford the river. IL was
I'D to the waist OF the tallest man. AS
our bugle sounded, Boots and Sad
dies" bethought me OF the boy. L
was mounted on powerful horse and,
being but youth myself, and compare
lively light, 1 determined to give the
lad lift. Being com missoned officer,
had the llicense to do this. The ad-
vance of the Fifteenth was already In
the river when l rode up TO the boy,
who had his drum on his back, while a
tall, bearded giant was preparing TO
carry him over on his shoulders. Neddy
was delighted at my proposition, and
when my purpose was understood oy
the soldiers, hundred strong hands
were ready to lift him into the saddle
behind me.
At this point the Tennessee IS fully q
half mile wide, so that l had a good
chance to talk to Neddy as we went
over. Ifound him sweet and innocent,
as II he had never known the want OF q
generous fathers protection or a loving
mothers care. When l set him down
on the opposite bank he drew himself
up like a soldier, and, with military
salute, said, 81 thank you very much
for the ride, captain, and l hope To see
you again" II hope to meet you. TOO,
Neddy," l replied; good bye. and God
bless you" and so we parted.
When saw Neddy Watts again 1t
was under the most trying Circumstances
and on the awful field OF Chickamauga.
1t was Sunday, the Goth of September,
and on the previous day the right and
left wing OF our army had been unex-
pectedly set upon by the enemy and
routed. Only the centre remained in
tact under the command OF that gallant
soldier, General Thomas, and on its
stability and valor depended the fate
OF the army OF the Cumberland. Along
with General Thomas was remnant
Of the Fighting Fifteenth. When the
battle began six hundred OF that gallant
regiment responded TO the roll call: now
there were only hundred and ninety
seven left, and among them was Neddy
Watts. the drummer boy.
The cavalry brigade TO which l was
attached was dismounted and sent to
the front TO aid the infantry
in holding the hill OF Chickamauga, As
we lay upon the ground waiting for
the emmy glanced along the line, and
near the colors | saw the dimlnutlve
form and the rusty drum OF the boy l
mad helped across the Tennessee.
The enemp were about three hundred
wards away, land terrific fire was pour
ing across this space from both sides.
The Intervening ground was covered
with the dead and wounded OF both
armies, many OF whom were piteously
crying for water to appease their burn
ing thirst
When a man becomes helpless and
suffering In battle we forget the color
of his uniform, and, uncaring whether
be be friend or foe. the humanity
which is common to all men urges US
10 help him. From where we lay we
could distinctly hear gray-bearded
confederate officer, who sat with his
back to tree, and whose legs were
shattered by cannon shot, crying
piteously for water. Btiore bis pur-
pose could be OWNED, or hand raised
to stay him. Neddy Watts. who had q
canteen like the other soldiers, could
be seen creeping forward on his hands
and knees, the drum at his back maxi
ing him particularly conspicuous. We
understood his purpose, and after be
had refused the appeal 10 come back
re sent up cheer 10 encourage him.
Solid shot and shell and musket bull
lets by thousands crashed and shrleked
and whistled across the space; but
Neddy Watts paid no heed 10 them.
His purpose was TO save and not TO de-
stroy. He resched.the wounded foeman.
an we could see him hold his canteen