Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-06-23

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the exception. Therefore, while dis
claiming any purpose of making UNI
just comparisons, | venture to chron-
ice the acts of private soldier be-
longing to my regiment Second North
Carolina state troopsl, with which
am familiar;
Young Barnes, of Wilson county, at
the first call by the governor of his
state for volunteers, though hardly Is
years Of age promptly enlisted for the
war. lie was singularly handsome
youth, tall erect, with rudy cheeks,
brown hair, hazel eyes, and fair as u
woman. His grave manner, earnest
ness Of purpose and soldierly bearing
early attracted attention. country
youth, he had been denied the bene-
fits Of any education, save that of the
most elementary character. This de-
/ feet stood as bar to promotion, not
withstanding his recognized gallantry
and the severe wounds which he re-
ceiyed in the very front of the com
mand.
The most dangerous post in the army
during q battle is that of color or flag
/ bearer The flag, in drill or battle, is
used for purposes OF alignment a well
as signal of victory or defeat Its
loss may not only throw the troops
into confusion, but in any event is ac-
companied with a sense of humilia-
ton Hence the heaviest fire is con
eentrated upon the part of the line
where it is seen and the most deadly
struggles take place for its retention
| and its possession.
/ The authorities at Richmond. rccog-
MIXING the Importance of the position
and the danger that accompanied it,
made it subject Of emulation by
creating tine office OF ensign, with the
rank Of lieutenant, and directed that
the bravest and most approved sol
( diers should BE- secured To fiji the
| Office BY common consent. Private
Barnes was accorded the high dis
tinction by his commanding officers rs
being worthy OF this promotion. He
was already veteran in the service,
as his sears and wounds attested,
though still a mere youth
| The battle OF Chaucellorsville was
1 fought ON beautiful Sabbath On the
I preceding day there were many
troops holly engaged yet the decisive
battle was On that beautiful Sunday
in May
Ny command was to the right Of
the Charlottesville house. At the
early dawn we were moving into
action, and after driving the enemy
from several breastworlls in our front,
| had broken their lines though they
I still held positions on our TANKS. thus
/ exposing us not only to direct, but
/ likewise to a severe inflade fire from
the right. In this bloody angle the
struggle became so desperate, before
the enemy was dislodged, that left
upon the field half of my men. while
| not tree the size Of mans arm but
had one or more marks Of the deadly
conflict in which we engaged, for rot
only bullets, but grape and shrapncl
had been employed.
1t was here the subject of this
sketch gave up his young life under
the most heroic circumstances. From
the commencement Of the binding
| fire the eyes Of his command had
rested upon him. Boldly. dcfiantly.
proudly he pressed on. with the cross
Of 81. Andrews tour battle hagl way
ing above us, until all Of the color
guards were killed or disabled by
wounds, yet he yielded not his pur-
pose 10 carry in triumph at the cost
of his life this guerion 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 a sense Of duty.
C,Iust before victory perchcd upon
the silkcn folds he loved so well. ana
while pressing to the front, he fell
mortally 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 il in 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 prop
crtr to defend, save his rights as a
man. His soul was as noble and grand
as that of a Bayard, or a Nelson. or
other heroes, whose deeds Of fame are
emblazoned on the pages Of history
General w r. Cox.
Essential Quality in a soldier.
One day a group Of staff-officcrs
were discussing in Sheridan 5 presence
the qualities most essential for q sol.
dier. Some thought personal bravery.
others moral courage, strong love Of |
country, while one insisted rather Oh.
trusively that obedience -unrcason.
ing obedience was everything.
Give me the man who always obcys
orders, he declared, then appealing !
to Sheridan. this officnr astJ,,d. 49,. |