Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-03-18
THRnLINe STORY OF raE wAR.
A Daring Young Confederate Whom q
Companion Would Like to Meet.

| Frank A. Burr, (Who died over In Phil
adelphia few days ago. in an inter
view published in the Cincinnati
Enquirer Next to the Ssth Ohio
Infantry, my regiment, the 2lst
Ohio Infantry, was the largest in the
army Of the Cumberland that day-it
was the Goth day of September, 1868,
and the scene was Chcikamauga. We
had 541 men and Is commissioned
officers as l very well rememb Der, for l
acted as adjutant (besides commanding
two cOmpanies) for several weeks after
the battle. But on the morning Of Sep
TENDER 21st we could muster on the
slopes of Missionary Ridge, near Ross
vile, only 270 men, counting those we
knew were in hospital, and FIVE COM
missioned officers.
The reason why we were able to hold
the hill against Longstreet's brigades
| for we were detached from our division
early in the day and fought, all alone,
without the sight of man who ranked
our Lieutenant Colonel who commanded
US, till late in the afternoon was be-
cause seven of our companies were
armed with Colts revolving rihes-each
could be loaded in all its five chambers
as quickly as an Enfeld-while the
other three companies were made up of
men quite expert with their always re-
liable Enfelds.
The result was that when Longstreet's
men had received our first voley they
always rushed forward with great sue
cesson of speed and confidence think
| ing they WoGld be on TO US before we
could reload. But they would scarcely
| pass ten PAGES before they would catch
another volley and while they were
| turning this over in their minds we would
let them have a third This was felt
to be quite a peculiar circumstance, re-
curing elaboration, better conducted
| perhaps back in the rear and out Of
range-for it generally happened that
with the third volley the JOhnRies had
come TO dead halt and were beginning
to take the back track, which they no
! longer hesitated about when they got
the fourth and by the time we sent
them the fifth our balls few after flying
foes.
AS we had peculiar ammunition it
happened-it had to happen, being one
of those things that always do happen
that along about noon somebody or
dered the wagon in which our cart
ridges were hauled to the rear We
found, however, that if we kept the
bayOnet on the gun to prevent the
splitting of the muzZle, we could use
the Enfield cartridge. even IL the ball
was a little bit larger than those for
the Colts rifle.
And as fast as men using the revolvers
were disabled or killed some would swap
his Enfield for the better piece, so that
at last nearly every man in our line was
equal to five, so far at least as mis- shoot
ing was concerned. Under the circum-
stances il was not remarkable that late
in the afternoon we ran out Of ammuni-
ton. / don't know how any body found
it or who it was that gave the order,
but about that time two regiments
came up the hill from the rear TO re-
lieve us. We were sent down, just far
enough to be out of range, and lying
down to rest began to reckon up the
sad havoc in our ranks. We had not
been at it very long, however, till word
came for US to gather up those Of our
men who still had ammunition and take
them up TO the front to fight IL out. l
had three or four in my company and
went with them.
We had not been there long before
we became aware OF the old, familiar
spectacle the long line of Confederates
coming up the hill TO the charge. Just
as they got to the right place, in good
range of our rifles, all at once man
was seen to spring out OF their ranks
and to come leaping up the hill towards
us-swinging his hat as he came.
When he got near enough we coud hear
himshouting "ceaSe firing" while the
brigade followed him with steady step,
the men carrying their pieces at right
shoulder Shift.
At last the messenger reached our
lines and was taken to the commanding
ofticer-who he was / never learned
definitely. Here he explained his err
rand. He said that the Johnnies COM
ing up the hill wanted to surrender and
asked us to cease firing in order that
thew might do so. The Colonel question
ed him sharply, but at last, satisfied that
he was telling the truth, gave the order
and instantly everything became still
save for the distant firing, which By
this time had become very irregular off
on our left, and the noise made by our
marching Johnnies as they waded
through the thick uDderbrush. l re-
member that the sound was like that of
the wind playing through a field Of ripe
wheat.
Meantime the messenger came or
was brought, l don't know which, near
to where Lieutenant Lamb, Of my
regiment and 1 were. with our men.
He was tall young fellow, clad in "but-
ternut" aud slim and 1.-the as a hound
quick and courteous in his movements
and gestures, handsome aud Of good
presence. be lay down at the foot Of
a tree, having it, observed, between
him and his advancing comrades. His
quick eyes darted about constantly,
taking in everything that was happen
ing and they gloWed with an evident
ENJOYMENT OF the situation.
And still the Johnnies came steadily
on with their pieces a. right shoulder
shift and some one made the remark
! that il they wanted TO surrender they
ought TO lay down their arms. Lamb
! observed that, the thing was a trick,
/ that the Johnnles didn't intend to sur
render, and turning to bis meE ordered
them to follow him back TO the regi-
ment. / observed the young Johnnie
as his piercing gaze rested for moment
on LAMB with, 1 thought, CLEAN Of
amusemeutin his eyes, which forthwith
travelled swiftly ahead to see what effect
Lambs move had upon the rest. But,
except that gathered my men together
and followed Lamb, everybody stood
with his moth open, stupidity gazing at
the oncoming Conieds. At last, just as
we reached our regiment, some one sang
nnt. l.If rnn want To snrrendar. Law