The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-19
WAR INCIDENT.
Brnve Soldiers and the Dangers of
Battle.

Editor Press and Banner:
Nearly every issue Of your paper records m
W. A. Limbecker. OF Ninety.Six. will no
doubt sadden the heart Of many who knew
him as soldier. During the last days OF Inc
Confederacy he was chief actor In somewhat
thrilling incident that occurred near Colds
boro, n. G.. II Is known 10 some OF us as the
white horse fight" and IL as full OF interest
TO those who engaged In 1t, as Is the white
horse sermon" has to many OF Associate Re
pickets OF the 1st North Carolina cavalry
came In wounded many with sabre cuts
they explained II by saying they we're being
regiment that charged their pickets every
evening led by man riding white morse.
General Hampton relieved the list North Car
olina cavalry with 2nd South Carolina caVal,
ry. We were well warned as TO what we
might expect about p. m. and that the white
horse rider would be in the lead. Sure
enough at the usual hour five or SIX hundred
strong swooped down upon fifteen or twenty
of us, shooting and yelling like flying dem.
ons. Seeing r. J. Lipscomb. Of Verdery, was
absent. the writer was sent after him some
three hundred yards away. When he was
ed his horse, and 10 spite OF all that could be
said or done, attempted 10 reach the post, and
road of retreat, before the enemy, but he was
too late. The regiment shouting and firing at
every jump followed the fleeing Confederate
picket a squad awaited the arrival OF
Squire" Lipscomb TO whom he and the old
gray quietly surrendered.
The picket post was In full view OF the
house on the hill where MIR. Lipscomb had
left me. Knowing that death or capture
awaited him waited TO see the last OF him:
He was fortunate In not getting into the road
defective, and no doubt caused his capture.
He remained a prisoner long after the war
closed. He was the father Of our popular
one of the finest families In Abbeville county.
His widow lives at Verdery. He was good
man. In such races for life fast horses were
consideration. Such q horse was ridden by
John A. Calhoun, OF Abbeville, famlliarly
called "Pat.' But the animal fell during this
exciting race, bursting the girth, thereby
stripping himself. 1t was said, even 10 the bri
die. The rider going over the horses head.
With firm hold on the name and with the
agility OF circus rider was firmly seated
bareback when his horse regained bis feet. II
was said that Pat was the first man TO reach
the regiment and report the advance OF the
enemy.
Bobert A. Haddon, Of Antreville, was In
this race, but was not so fortunately mount
ed. In speaking OF II a few days ago he said
muzzles OF those revolvers and Of trying TO
persuade Blackaby, a fellow soldier, 10 stop
and get bis (Blackabyl hat. nm, u,,ouu
But as such reckless daring was usually
punished. SO IL WAS that evening with the
Federal Irishman, the white horse rider. Al.
ter seeing no BARN had beiallen my friend
and neighbor, squire" LlpScomo, except MS
capture, the writer by circuitous route
gained the road where be found w. A. Linn
becker, Jack Lyon, and, / believe, Fate Tur-
ner facing the white horse rider and three
others. We were now equal as TO numbers.
Limbecker proposed TO stand and give them
battle in whatever way they wished II. AS
we drew up In their front they made another
attempt TO charge us. They came, within
about one hundred yards, halted and began
raising their rifles. We having the advantage
fred first. The rider Of the white horse fell
forward on his horses neck. Seeing he would
fall to the ground one Of bis comrades quick
ly dismounted and laid him on the road Side.
We charged them but they succeeded In taxi
Ing back the riderless horse. DR.. Lin becker
received credit for killing the fearless Federal
who had become such terror To the LIST
North Carolina cavalry. Our regiment came
up about this time, and the chase was turned
In the other direction. The wounded man
died after taking drink Of water, and was
buried where he fell In grave 2x2x6 betWeen
the dirt and railroad. His effects were d.
vided among few ragged Coniederates. The
Confederate who gave him the water received
his pocket book and papers. He lives near
Verdery now.
This was perhaps the last Federal killed by
company o." for in few days the end came,
and the war was over.
Company &c" I'd s. C. c.