The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-01-24
HENRY L. WYATT.
THE FIRST CONFEDERATE SOL.
DER KILLED.

He Belonged to the First North Caro-
lima Regiment of Infantry-How and
When He Fell-f1e Was Born in
Richmond and Lost His Life at the
Battle of Big Bethel, June 10, 1901.
| Brief Sketches of North Carolina Troops.
The very first life lost in the final
direct struggle over secession was on
the Federal side at Fort Sumter, in an
accidental explosion, after the fort had
surrendered, April 13, 1861. But the
first Confederate to be killed in line
of battle was private, Henry Lawson
Wyatt, soldier in Company A., First
North Carolina Regiment, infantry.
His life was lost in the battle known
as that of Big Bethel" fought June
10, 1861, near Yorktown, Va.
The conflict at Big Bethel was the
first land battle of the war. Though
on minor scale, it was a brilliant
victory for the Southern arms. The
Confederate troops engaged belonged
to the command of General John B.
Magruder, the infantry force being
chiefly the First North Carolina Regi-
ment, under the immediate command
of Colonel D. H. Hill, who was after
wards a Lieutenant General in the
| Confederate service, and who has been
quite universally regarded as the hero
of the battle. The Lieutenant Colonel
of the regiment was c. c. Lee, and
the major was James H. Lane, both OF
whom subsequently rose to the rank
of Brigadier General in the Con-
federacy. The regiment passed into
history as "The Bethel Regiment" of
North Carolina troops.
The Federal troops engaged in the
action were under the immediate COM
mand of Gen. B. F. Butler.
Henry Lawson Wyatt was native
of Virginia, born in Richmond, Feb
ruary 12th, 1S42, son OF Isham and
Lucinda Wyatt, the latter of whom
had but recently died. Henry had
learned the carpenters trade, and was
working in Tarboro, N. c., when the
war broke out-his father having
moved from Virginia to Pitt county,
N. c., in 1886.
Young Wyatt was one of the very
first men to enlist as soldier for the
Southern cause when the Governor of
North Carolina called for volunteers
in April, 1861, after the Lincoln
proclamation declaring war against the
Southern States. He entered the
Edgecombe Guards, under command
of Capt. John l.. Bridgers. Fifty-tour
days after he was mustered into the
service. Henry Wyatt fell in battle,
at the age of 20. He was buried near
the loot of the CORVALLIS monument,
Yorktown, Va.
Young Wyatt lost his life under
circumstances of great gallantry and
heroism. In the beginning of the
battle in which he fell the sharp
shooters of the enemy occupied house
batween the two opposing lines, blue
and gray. A call was made for
volunteers to advance across the inter-
vening distance, through an open field
200 yards wide, and fire the building.
Corporal George w. Williams, privates
Henry Lawson Wyatt, John H. Thorpe,
Thomas Fallon and Robert H.
Bradley responded to the call and
attempted to perform the duty. They
hoI h,,k
into the field when Henry Wyatt fell
with bullet in his brain in volley
fired from the building. The other
four soldiers dropped to the earth and
remained until they could with safety
rejoin their command, went through
! the entire war and are yet living.
Very soon after the cannonading OF
} the house began, Major Winthrop, a
> gallant and noble son Of Connecticut,
endeavored to lead his men into the
action but as he came to the front
waving his sword about his head, the
North Carolinians fired a volley al
. him and he fell dead, his body riddled
with bullets-he, believe, was the
: first victim among the Federal officers
in the war. His native State has long
ago we'll perpetuated his memory.
The State of North Carolina has
at last determ;nded to treasure in
. perpetuity the features and name OF
: the daring and noble Wyatt. Through
the efforts OF J. G. Birdsong, State
? Librarian, photograph of the dead
hero was secured, and at the session oI
the Legislature Of 1891 the Librarian
secured an appropriation TO have life
size l,ainting made from the only
existing picture Of the young man,
, and a handsome oil portrait made
: from it now adorns the walls OF the
t North Carolina State Library. Persons
: who had known the living youth Say
that the artist has, in most striking
8 degree, caught the very spirit of the
: daring, generous soul and fixed it:
expression brilliantly in the dark
9 lus,rous eyes that CLEAN out upon The
!. speaking canvass.
The most remarkable cures of serofula
I on record have been accomplished by
! Hoods Sarsaparilla. This medicine is un
. equalied Tor diseases Of the blood. Take
, only Hoods.
q Hoods pills are hand made, and perfect
in proportion and appearance. &c.
:. If a star came down to earth, i
+ wouldn't be there day until some
8 body would say it was only a tallov
= candle.
z A man advocating cause with {
dark lurro>e fears even the shadow
d ,h4, m5yh, develop from new ligh
!, upon the >ul jet.