Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-05-30
1For the Observer.
HENRY f. CAFES,

[For the Observer.
HENRY F. GATES.
Private Co. d., First North Car
DINA Troops, Capt. Ed Scott.
The subject of this sketch was a
poor boy, without education, born
10 the good old county OF Orange 10
the year 1s41. Without wealth,
without Influential! connections, be
yet had the patriotic spirit OF a trne
Soethron, and when bis beloved
State was invaded and a call for
volunteers was made, he quickly re.
sponded and joined tho company
raised by Captain Edward Scott in
Orange county in March, 1862.
which became Company D. OF the
1st Regiment, North Carolina State
Troops. Henry ana his father be
longed TO the same company and
the latter died from a wound re-
ceived in the "Bloody Angle" al
Slottsylvania Court House.
Henry was distinguished for bis
GOODNESS and daring. aud for two
years was a member OF the corps OF
sharpshooters in his brigade.
On one occasion, while the regi-
meut was on picket on the Rhappa
hammock river, guarding the lords
and watching the movements Of the
enemy, the picket lines were very
close, the river alone separating
them, and the sharpshooters of both
armies were constantly oD the look
out. On the northern bank of the
river about 400 yards from U line
and forming one post OF the enemy,
line was a dwelling house, from the
upper story of which a window com
.nanded a fair view OF our line, and
every day a Yankee was stationed
there with a long range improved
Springfield rife, and woe betide the
Iuckiess Confederate, who dared put
his nead above the rife pits, for ht
would either be killed or wounded
by this sharpshooter, who seemed t.
be a splendid shot. Many OF ou1
men were picked off each day. Thu
attention OF Gen. Stuart being called
to the injury inflicted upon our mer
and no artillery being available will
which to she'll this bold Yankee on
Of bis hiding place, he asked if an,
man would volunteer TO dis'odg
him, when Henry F. Gates steppe,
promptly to the front and say
General, l will" The Genera
looked at bis slender figure, for b
was nothing more than a boy, benz
just 20 years old, and said do yo
think you can get him ?" Henry
who was no Sunday school schola
in those days, replied "Sure as -
General, ii my gun don't miss FIRE
So it was arranged that Henr
should undertake the task Of relic,
ing our army of an enemy who ha
} sent several of our best .neu to the
last roll call and wounded other
}, The difficulty Of the task will /
appreciated When it is known tn:
be would have to wade the riv.
and then 60 between 800 and AZ
yards 10 the house, that was part
the e nemy's picket line and mar
other pickets were stationed near b
II nry chose IA hour before d.
r for The time to start, as this partic
lar sharpshooter always began b
firing from the window just befo
sunrise Henry, after a ~conferen'
with Gen. Stuart, asked hin
have troops ready to protect his !
, treat, as he knew the Yankees won
f be aroused by his shot and won
have him in plain view Tor 800 YARD
So early next morning he quiet
lett our lines, and waded tie riv
and crert up cautiously TO within
or rs steps OF the house, so as
have q good view of the windo
from which the sharpshooter alwa
; did his firing. He fortunately lou,
a tree near the house and posl'
himself behind it to escape observ
ton from such Of the pickets
might be moving about, and quiet
waited for the Yankee sharpshoot
10 begin his work. He did n
have long to wait, for just after da
light he beard the window raise
and looking up be saw the sl,ar
shooter leaning out of tie wipdo'
gun in hand, surveying our PICK
lines and trying to see some john
!, ke5. TO brIug down with his uner