The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-17

the former. the balls passed harmless
through the detachment, and over the
mems heads. Not so however with their
gallant supporters Corporal Madison Ty-
Ter, Of the Black Horse. while on the right
OF has company received mortal wound.
Gordon and Tyler weic at once conveyed
70 Fairfax Courthouse. where they soon
expired.
This unhappy accident was due to n
mistake made by the infantry posted
along the line OF the main road, who had
doubtless. been impressed with the ne
ccssity OF exercising the greatest vigi-
lance and had been instructed TO deliver
tAcir fire upon anyone approaching thelr
position. They were. therefore. on the
lookout. and kecniy alive 90 any unusual
sound. In the surrounding gloom they
could sec no one. but upon hearing the
noise OF approaching horsemen. inferred
that they must be enemies. and, there
fore. opened fire. The event produced Il
profound impression upon all concerned.
Two gallant young men had lost their
lives. and the country their services, APP
parenty without cause. although in the
performance OF their duty. 1t was one OF
those lamcntahle Incidents common TO de-
voted but undisciplined troops. In this
particular instance, the latter were Oh
their nrSt offensive movement against
powerful and insolent enemy. The expedi-
ton mad been considered by some
hazardous one at best, but was thought
necessary 10 the safety Of the advanced
guard Of the Confederate army at this
particular time. At this eariT stage OF
the war. the affair. quite naturally. pro-
duced temporary depression amorg the
volunteer camps.
WHY DAY or SORROW.
Death had bcfallen their comrades at
a most unexpected time and I'm most
unusual way. For soldier TO die at
the hands OF an enemy, instead or
through the inadvertence OF friends, was
10 be expected, and could be borne. There
WIS something OF the heroic in this:
but 70 perish in this ingiorioIs way, and
without sufficient cause, seemed most
unhappy infection upon this gallant corr
pany. How differently are the Ike af-
fairs regarded, under different circuU-
stances. 4 year or two later, this same
event would have been as but zephyr
amid the tempest Of war, that by that
time was raging over the lara.
During the occupation Of Fairfax Court
house. the HCwitzcr Company had en-.
| joyed the honor and good fortune or be-
Ing eacamped close to their gallant COM
rades Of the Black Horse troop They
had learned TO appreciate not only the
high soldiery Qualities of that famous
corps but had formed strong personal
attachments with many OF It's individual
members. They therefore eXperienC cd
emotions of special regret at the melan-
cholly ending the late expedition At
an early hour on the following morning
| the company assembled 10 give express
| sion TO heir sCntime hts. and 10 put upon
record. NJ the following words. why the
| day before had become TO them day OF
| sorrow.
AT n meeting Of the First Howitzer
| Company at their camp near Fairfax
| Courthouse, July 3, 1851 the following
| preamble and resolutions we're offered,
| and unanimously adopted: Whereas. on
| the morning Of the Fourth Of July, lS6l,
| Mr. Madison Tyler and Mr.. Samuel Cor
| don members of che FauQuier Black
| Horse troop Of cavalry came TO their
death by a most painful and affecting
| conjunction of circumstances: therefore
BE II resolved by the members OF tht
| HOWitzer Company, Captain JOhn -
| Shields. a portion of whom were present
| at the death of their brcthren-in-arms
| that they have been deeply distressed by
| this unhappy occurrence. and sincerely
| sympathize with the families and sur
| vving comrades OF the deceased. a..
| Resolved That we especially lament III
| circumstances under which these TIVE
young and gallant VirCinians fell am
| that their cordial sympathies are hereby
| expressed for Mr.. Anderson Smith, Wh'
| was wounded on the same occasion.
| Resolved That these resolutions be or
tered uron the records Of the HowitZe
| con pany, and that a copy Of them b.
sent by Captain Shields 10 Captain
PAYNE. Of the Black Horse Troop, Wit
| the REQUEST that ne Will lav thor' hero"
/ his command. and communicate them ais
| to the families OF the deceased.
| TTa,-inCr r,orfO-,,,od tho 1ut-' eni0i0nd ~
the foregoing resolutions. the command
| ant Of the Howitzcr COMPANY. receive
the following replv FROM Cantain PaVn'
Headquarters. Back Horse TrooI
Fairfax Courthouse. July =. lsbl.
Cantain Shields. commanding Richmon
| Bowit2ers:
Dear Sir.-I am instructed by my troo
| IN acknowledge the receipt Of the kind an
affecronate expression Of sympathy upo
the part Of yourself and company, ]
our late bereavement. l am also instruc
ed 10 communicate 70 you, their tormi
expression Of gratitude in the folloWln
Resolved. That the Black Horse Tro'
tender 10 Cant Shields and his galla'
| company Of HOwitzers. from the city
| Richmond Jour comrades in inc Iate p.
pedition) our heartfelt thanks for u
active Kindness they exhibited on IN
field. and their public expressions OF syn
| ratbv in our less since which we nay
lust received, and recognize IN them u
! highest type Of generous ana chNalfp'
soldiers and henceforth ask that me
permit us to be something more tina
Let me add my own thanks n those
| nv from 70 vOur command and 20 Non
self also The kind terms In which y,
| conveyed to US this confidence. Is TN
gratifying. II Is such acts as these M
| adOrn the character OF lle beH"'''''
| and soldier 1850,
am. dear CAPTAIN. respectfully you
friend and obe6ient servant;
WIN. II. PAYNE.
Capt Commanding BLACK Horse.
Dv CVAS II. GORDON. Secretary
The melancholy incident Just narrAi'
suggests "reminiscences in connection wit
The Black Horse Troop and other corr
81 cavalry serving with the sl~0e arm
which will be referred 70 hereafter.
". L. L.
ITO be concluded)