The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-11-13
WONDERFUL COURAGE OF a
PRIVATE WHO LOST HIS LIFE.
strangfcliew, Lees Famous scout-with
Eight Men. Physical Wrecks, He
Caused a Stampede OF grants Army
Nerve When Bullets Are Flyiag.

men nave not the same IDEALS. Some
say that Pickett was the bravest man,
yet l have been told that Pickett was
roaring drunk the day of his famous
charge. Others mention privates, who,
being in%conspicuous in the public eye,
are too often overlooked. In four years
of heroic conflict there were so many
brave men that he who decides posi-
lively who was bravest is a magician.
No man could SO decide but Mr.. Dana.
An exhibition of courage as rare as
was ever known was given by a pri-
waite. AT the first fire he dropped his
gun and ran like a hound to the rear,
not pausing until he reached the
camp followers, about a mile behind.
Here he fell upon the ground shaking
with fear. Suddenly he sprang up and
asked for a gun.
That's right, kill yourself!' sneered
a wounded soldier. "You are too big a
coward to live"
You're mistaken, my friend,' said
the other. "I'm panic struck, that's
all. Wait tili you hear from me
again."
With that lie started off on a run.
Through the ranks he dashed. Men
were dropping on all sides. A muir
derous fire was moving them down by
companies. Here I am again, beys!"
he shouted, when he reached his own
company. Come ont He passed the
ranks and stood in the open ground,
loading and firing, calm and immov-
able as the tall pine in the background.
His cheerful Come On boys!' was in
spring. The enemy made him a tar
get, and presently a mimic ball passed
through his neck. When they carried
him back to the rear a little later he
begged to be taken near the soldier
who had told him to kill himself, and
pointing him out to the surgeon, said:
Doctor, be sure to tell my friend over
there that I'm no coward Then,
with a look Of serene satisfaction on
his face, he died.
What has become of Stringfellow,
Lees famous scout? He is preaching
the gospel according to the episcopal
dispensation somewhere in the south,
but whether in Virginia or Texas I
know not. A few days before the sur
render Stringfellow found Lee in tears.
The game was up and Lees helpless,
hopeless situation had greatly de-
pressed him. He said that he did not
have men to intercept some of Grants
forces which we're coming up the road
and were then almost in sight.
I'll stop them, general" said the
courier. "Give me some horses. There
are eight or nine wounded rebs lying
over there in the woods. I'll take emf
along and stop the Yanks."
Lee smiled. Stringfellow took his
silence for, consent and fastened to
throw his eight or nine physical wrecks
against Grant.
Boys, gallop up, fire your pistols,
make a - of a noise, cut the traces
on their horses and send the teams
flying through the ranks was the or
der, and it was carried out to the let
ter. The physical wrecks made as
much noise as a whole army of able
bodied soldiers, cut the few traces and
started a stampede. A Yankee captain
sailing down the road was ordered by
Stringfellow to surrender. He threw I'D
his hands then, looking up and down
the road and seeing no other rebs in
sight, he asked: "To whom am 1 sur
rendering?"
T me-" cried Stringfellow.
"See you in - first!" was the re-
ply. Drawing a pistol he began firing
point blank at the courier, who re-
turned the compliment. Both pistols
were emptied. Then the two dis
mounted and went at it hand to hand.
Stringfellow threw his antagonist and
fell on top Of him with his right arm
free. The captains left played a tat
too on his cheek and the issue was in
doubt, when one Of Stringfellow's
came to his rescue. AS he
raised his foot to kick the captain in
the face Stringfellow caught him by
the ankle.
Stand back!! he hundred. "You
have spoiled our game. If I could
have captured him myself I would
take him in, but he has given me too
good a fight to surrender to two Of US.
you are a brave man. You
had better get on your horse and ride
like thunder, for the woods are alive
with rebs."
Tie captain went off like a shot, |
without saying SC much as thank