The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-07-14
THE BRAvEsr OF THE BRAVE.
RecollectiOns OF the Chivalrous Arm
strong, the Eloquent Orator and
Noble Patriot. 5y

Recollections of the Chivalrous Arm
strong, the Eloquent Orator and
Noble Patriot. l
Every one in South Carolina knows
the genial and witty Jimmie Arm
strong, OF Charleston, who has delight
ed more audiences with Confederate
memories and "reminiscences than any
man In the State. A short time ago
he passed through Augusta, and one OF
MS former comrades wrote the follow-
Ing sketch, which tells while he is, liy-
Ing what loving friends aud faithful
| brothers think of him: "a
Of the living heroes of "The Lost
Cause" there is not one more worthy
the name than Capt. James Armstrong.
o! charleston, 5. c., the last commander
OF the Irish Volunteers, known as
Company X, in the first Carolina Regi-
ment OF McGowan's brigade.
The Confederate States had in their
service no Drawer, moro loyal or de-
voted son. Though battered and
orulsed-the result Of his valor-he is
still magnificent specimen of thar
manhood OF which the once great Army
ol Northern Virginia was composed-a
manhood SO splendid as to draw from
the historian Of the Army of the Poto-
mac the tribute, "Who can ever forget
that once looked upon it? That array
OF tattcred uniforms and bright mus
kets; that body Of incompatible in
fantry, the Army of Northern Virginia.
which, receiving terrible blows, did
not iall to give the like; and which
vital in all its parts died only with it's
annihilation.
Under all circumstances CAPTAIN
Armstrong was a model man. The
discipline OF the camp, which bore
heavily upon the untutored soldiers in
the earl y days of the war, was always
softened by the consideration he showed
Tor those under him. a graceful writer.
huent speaker, an interesting con-
versatlonalist, charming personality,
ne was favorite throughout tie regi-
ment with both officers and men. In
contrasting his heroism on the battle
field with the gentlensss of his bearing
towards his fellow men, how appropri,
ate seem the lines OF Bayard Taylor:
The bravest are the tendercst
Inc loving are the daring.
In critical moments, as at the battle
OF Hatcher's Run, the heroicsuualities
OF the man showed at the best. The
terrlfiic collision with the Union troops
had thrown the Confederate line into
disorder. The gallant and lamented
Col. G. w. McCreary, had fallen with
death wound. Captain Armstrong,
with the instjr": Of CNe true c4ldier' :
raised MS cwGrd and pointed it in the
direc"on OF the enemy. The purpose
~-e to attract tho attention Of tho men
and 1T had the effect, for he at once be-
camc the rallying point. Tho quick
eye OF Cant. ID. =. Goggans, of Company
-, regular old war horse who, for
his daring, now carries wooden leg,
detected the movement and placing
himself by the side OF the captain, the
noble remnant of the old First Repi-
ment gathered around them and STAYED
Tor while the advance of the enemy.
The check was for but few hours, for
the Union line of battle presented an
unbroken front from the Appomatox
river to Dinwiddie, and was only await.
ing the outcome of Sheridan's move
ment against Five Forks. Upon the
capture OF that important point gem
eral assault was made, extending from
the river to Hatcher's Run, and the
Army of Northern Virginia shattered
into fragments, commenced its menOr-
able retreat from Petersburg In lust
one week to the day-a lovely Sabbath
morning-in the peaceful village of
Appomattox, its marchings and it's
hghtlngs came to an end and it passed
into history.
1t was near Sutherland's station, on
the South Side railroad, that the
writer remembers as the last time he
saw Captain Armstrong in the army,
and just after he had received the
wound which he has borne with patient
fortltude Tor over thirty years, and
which will cease it's achings only when
''ilfe's iitful fever" shall be over. Tho
Intense suffering this wound sometimes
causes him the added thirty y-ive years
to his age since the days Of the first
camp near Suffolk, Virginia: the cares
incident to the responsibilities of an
eXacting office, and the blight OF do
mestic atlliction-ali these--have not
been sufficient to dim the lustre of his
eye, mar the gcntleness Of his manners
Or dull the eloquencc Of his tongue.
b. +. BROWN,
Sergt. Co. l., lst Regt. S. G. ",
l86l-G5.