St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-18

through the building, and l leaped to my
feet.
General I said: 81 don't enjoy this; if
you will kindly finish the interview I will get
back to my camp. 1t is not SO trying on the
nerves there
Without changing muscle, the General
blew out a cloud of smoke, and said, as
matter of course:
'sOh, that's nothing, Colonel: if shell is
destined TO hit you to-day it will find you in
camp as well as here
replied that, all the same, preferred its
finding me in camp. We soon finished our
business, but not till two more shells had
gone screechng few feet away then hur-
ried back to camp, leaving the imperturbable
officer still piac.dly smoking.
LAWRENCE @. BANNoN.
TOLD 81 GENERAL W. II. Cox.
To single out one from among the vast
number with whom I was associated, and
who, like Marshal Ney, could be Justly
styled. the bravest of the brave, might be in
vidiou5 if not unjust. Then among the sur
vivors Of those who SO freely offered up their
young lives as holocaust upon their countrys
altar, these hallowed memories are now their
prouGest heritage, and are cherished with
even Eastern devotion.
Among the volunteer soldiers OF either army
of our country, Of one origin and with COM
mon aspirations, bravery was the rule and
cowardice the exception.
Therefore, while discia;ming any purpose
OF making unjust comparisons venture to
chronicle the accs Of q private soldier belong
ing TO my regiment, (2nd North Carolina State
troops,) with which 1 am familiar.
Young Barnes. OF Wilson County, at the
aro oolI b1,f of
unteers though hardly eighteen years of age,
promptly enlisted for the war He was a
singularly handsome youth, TALL erect, with
ruddy cheeks. brown hair, hazel eyes, and
fair as woman. His grave manner, earnest
ness OF purpose, and soldieriy bearing early
attracted attention. 4 country youth. he had
been denied the benefits Of any education
save that of the most elementary character.
This defect stood as O bar to promotion not
withstanding his recognized gallantry and the
severe wounds which he received in the very
front Of his command.
The most dangerous post in any army dur
ing o battle is that of color or fag-bearer.
The flag, in drill or in battle, is used for pur-
poses OF alignment as well as Q signal of
victory or defeat Its loss may not only
throw the troops into confusion, but in any
event is accompanied with q sense of humilia-
ton; hence the heaviest fire is concentrated
upon the part of the line where it is seen and
the most deadly struggles take place for it's
retention and its possession.
The authorities at Richmond, recognizing
the Importance Of the position, and danger
that accompanied it, made it a subject of
emulation by creating the Office of ensign,
with the rank of lieutenant, and directed that
the bravest and most approved soldiers
should be selected to fill the office. By COM
mon consent Private Barnes was accorded
the high distinction by his commanding Off
GERS as worthy of this promotion. He was
already veteran in service, as his scars and
wounds attested, though still mere youth
The battle of Charlottesville was fought on
q beautiful Sabbath. On the preceding day
there were many troops hotly engaged, yet
the decisive battle was on that beautiful Sun
ay in May.
Ny command was to the right of the Chan
celiorsville House. At the early dawn we
were moving into action and after driving
the enemy from seveal breastworks in our
front, had broken their lines though they
still held position on our TANKS, thus expos
ing US not only to direct, but likewise to a
severe infilade fire from the right. In this
bloody angle the struggle became so desper-
ate, before the enemy was dislodged, that
left upon the field half of my men, while not
tree the size of a mans arm but had one or
more marks of the deadly conflict in which
we engaged, for not only bullets, but grape
and shrapnel had been employed.
TWAS here the subject of this sketch gave
up his young life under the most heroic cir
cumstances. From the commencement of the
binding fire the eyes of his command had rest
ed upon him. Boldly, defantly, proudly he
pressed on with the cross of st. Andrews four
battle fag,) waving above US, until all of tho
color guard were either killed or disabled bv
wounds, yet he yielded not his purpose to
carry in triumph al the cost of his life this
guerdon of victory. He knew that the flag
must float in the eyes OF his comrades, and
deliberately, fearlessly and heroically he gave
up his life to sense of duty.
just before victory perched upon the silken
folds he loved so well and while pressing to
the front, he fell MORALLY wounded. The fear
that his colors might fall into the hands of the
foe, nerved his dying hands and while his life
was flowing fast, he tore it from the staff,
thrust itin his bosom, crimsoned with the life
blood that was gushing from the wound,
turned over on his face and heroically fell
asleep upon his flag. - - -
= All this was done by a private, of humble
position in life, with no property to defend,
save his rights as q man. His was soul as
noble and grand as that of Bayard or a
Nelson, or other heroes, whose deeds of fame
are emblazoned on the pages of history. VI
,tA'al n rs "a e ~ i. I ". Z. Cox,