Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-26
He sayed his Flag but Gave hts Life.

He SaYed his Flag but Gave hts Life.
Among the many vastly interesting
"reminiscences Of valor and heroism
which were recalled and narrated by
the Confederate soldiers during their
recent reunion here, none were more
thrilling than the story related by Col.
Geo. M. Edgar of how Allen Woodrum
of this county, after being mortally
wounded, endeayored to hide the battle
flag of his battalion beneath his cloth
ing and fell upon it to prevent its cap
ture. Allen Woodrum was a member
of Co. D. Of Edgar's Battalion, and
was its color-bearer. He was born in
Monroe county, in the vicinity of Red
Sulphur Springs, and was as gallant a
soldier as ever marched to battle. On
the morning of the End of June, 1864.
at second Hold Harbor, that portion of
Gen. Lees line held by Edgar's Battal-
ion was desperately charged by the Fed
eral forces. The awful carnage of
those dreadful battles in the Wilderness
which had just preceded were telling
uPoh AimJ ANol bbClh hklhlo,
and while it's lion.hearted veteran SOL
diers were as dauntless and as devoted
as they had ever been, yet their num-
bers had been sadly diminished and
that Thin, grey line" 80 drawn out as
to be at many points scarce stronger
than skirmjsh line. 1t was this at
tenuated condition Of their ranks that
rendered it impossible for Edgar's men
to concenter upon the charging FEEDER
ais fire sufficiently strong to repulse
them before they reached the Confeder-
ate breastworks. AS it was, the line
of blue-coats struck the entertainments
and for an instant there was q fierce
hand-to-hand encounter, then the Fed
eral wave swept over and seemed to en-
gulf the few defenders. A number of
Confederates were here temporarily
taken prisoner, among them Colonel
Edgar, who had received bayonet
wound in the shoulder. But before
this happened he says he saw Allen
Woodrum fighting desperately with the
Yankees on the breastworks above him,
he thrusting at them with the sharp
lance-point Of the staff of his battle
flag. In few moments, and just as
the Federal line surged over the Con-
federate defenses, Allen Woodrum was
pierced by several bullets. but as he
fell he tore from It's staff his dear bat
tle-hag and attempted to thrust it be-
meath his clothing out of sight-then
falling backward in death he lay upon
it interposing his body between it and
it's enemies. In few moments the
counter charge of. the Confederate re-
serves repulsed the Federals, driving
them back with heavy slaughter to
their own lines and re-capturing the
most of the Confederates who had a
few moments before been taken pris-
oners, Col. Edgar among them. Allen
Woodrum was found lying in the en-
trenchments dead, but even in death
still protecting the flag of his country
which was hidden beneath him. Faith.
full was he indeed unto death - a mod
est, big-hearted country boy who lived
and died like hero.
Gen. Gordon was deeply moved by
this incident, and after his departure
last week wrote back to ask for the
name and command of the soldier in
question. 1t may be interesting to re-
call that Allen Woodrum was a brother
Of Mr.. W. G. Woodrum, now residing
not far from Red Sulphur Springs. in
Summers county, who was also good
soldier, serving in Company F, (under
Capt. Morton,) Edgar's Battalion
Monroe Waterman.