Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-03-25
LCopmINted /

Told by Gen james =. LOngstroet.
It is a delicate, difficult aud apparent
ly invidious task for man who has
served through three years in active and
prolonged military life to particularize
what he regards as the "bravest." In
such an extended service and expert
ence, covering years Of my life, nu-
merous instances OF marked daring
and valor were witnessed as perform
ed by the blue aad the gray, all
showing that the Americans, North
and South, are the most martial ma
tion on the face of the globe; and It is
hoped that ia the fast ana furious race
for wealth we will not allow the era OF
selfshness TO overshanow the epoch Of
heroism. Rscitals Of such bravest
deeds are perhaps usually confined TO
active battles, where, by the touch Of
elbows aud the sense Of comradeship,
and amid the inspiration Of horse artil-
lery and the rattle Of mus6etrY, and
the cheers Of comrades, soldiers are
deeply moved to do and dare for couu-
try; but too little attention has been
bestowed upon the lone sentry watch
iDg over s sleeping army. He is con-
scious of the fact thai he may, st any
moment, be shot "by a riGeman hid To
the thicket, 80 and that his loved ones al
home will never know how nor where
H.. 81 80
sense Of loneliness, the picket az his
post performed deeds as brave as any
ever seen Oh the battlefield, witnessed
only by the God of Hosts. Soldiers
make generals, not generals make SOL
Oiers.
''Tis nothing private or two now and
then,
Win not count in the news of the battle;
Not an officer lost-only one of che men,
Moaning out, all alone, the death
rattle.n
During the Mexican war, at the battle
of Resaca de Ia Ralma, as General Tay-
lor's artillery was actively 40 work and
his infantry winding their way through
the water to assault the Mexican lines,
Captain Charles Nav stood with his
squadron on the road as near the enemy
as cavalry adjustments would warrant.
AS the proper moment came for May 90
reach the enemy's 5attery aud cur in-
fantry leaped from the water against
the euemy's infautry, General Taylor
ordered: charge, Captain MAY" Ran
dolph Ridgey, who commanded Ring
Colds splendid battery called: Hold
on, Charlie Ill. I draw their fire." He
provoked and drew upon himself the fire
that would have been hurled into his
cavalry comrades. May quickly made
the dash and captured che battery be-
fore 10 could reload, taking as prisoner,
with others, General La Vega.
~ The battle OF NOluO Del Rey,
II euteuant Morris of my regiment was
severely wounded In those days we
seldom bad stretchers or parties for re-
moving the wounded from the field, and
on TINS occasion we didn't even have q
blanket AS Morris was anxious TO be
conveyed out of the severe fire a stall
wart, Jolly lrishman was asked If he
could take the disabled officer on his
back. He said probably he could, and
we lifted Morris 20 his stout shoulders
The officers arms were still
strong enough 20 grasp teuaciOuslv
around tbs private's neck. just behind
us the ground divided 90 O little ravine
that furnished shelter from the MeXi-
cans calling fire. Upon starting the
soldier moved by backward steps, fac
ing the enemy, and putting his body be-
tween the Mexican bullets and Morris,
ADD thus backed 90 get under cover az
the ravine. Morris patiently ordered
the soldier to turn about and hasten of
faster. "Snure," said the gallant pri-
vate. "the lftinent wouldn't have me
put him betwaeeu me and the bullets.
OIicers, who study and appreciate
the obligations II conservation % tL8
service i'm time OF war, know that the
emergency may come when they viii be
called upon 70 sacrifice themselves and
their commands, 20 order thereby Co
save the other part of the army, ana
these are tue occasions that s0re.y try
mems souls. On the march OF the Con
federate army from Richmond aud
Petersburg 20 ApOOmattoX Court House,
ip AUru, 1865, LieuteGaut-General
Dwell nnd aforementioned Il. III.
Anderson. realizing the necessity of
holding the line at Sailors Creek, 90
save fha army trains, put respective
commands in position for that purpose
and utilized every moment t1 nurriedly
throw up some slight embellishments.
Onr rear guard command came uD aud
marched on by. leaving Ewell and An
derson without any artillery. They
fnUV their one and only
chance was the FederalS might charge
precipitateiy without waiting the play
III the batteries, and in this contest
thew felt they could hold their ground.
oTp vain is the net spread in sight OF
bird % The pursuing Eedera.s were too
wilv aud wary, flushed as they were 10
foliowing foe that vainIy aud reluc-
tanflv retreated. The Union batteries
coming M. the infantry soon halted,
while the heavy guns felt Of our posi-
rion and soon disclosed or exposed our
men without any artillery. Without
coming directly under our infantry,
their batteries, so skllfully handled as
thew always were, put the CouiederateS
10 disorder, when a valiant charge was
superbly made, capturing nearly all Of
General Ewel's men, the major portion
Of General AndersOns and the trains,
bnt the unsel6sh, gallant conduct of
FwelPs and AnderSOn's men, who be-
forehand thoroughly understood the
consequences, saved for the time the
balance OF Lees army.
JAMES LONGSrREET.
Told BY Colonel W. =. WoHord.
Before writing my story, have read
over with care an the "Bravest Deeds"