The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-02-03

! HINT yOI GulS plOHlse, duu lulo SSu'
tleman has no right to your sword
but he is my superior officer and ]
cannot protect you. I then handed
my sword to the officer, after obtain.
ing his name and charging Lanham to
remember it. He was Lieut.. R. -,
of the 18th Illinois cavalry.
Our cortege then proceeded to the
point indicated as headquarters.
There was but little to be seen sug-
gesting the Importance of the locality.
The distinguished cavalry leader was
nowhere to be seen ; there was no
tent spread, not even tent fly and no
staff. A single young officer, sitting
on the trail Of one of the guns Of a
light battery, received a communica-
tion from Corpl. Lanham, and imme-
diately stepped forward with smile,
half of pleasure and half of sympathy,
and addressed me with that courtesy
which always characterizes the true
gentleman. He introduced himself as
Lieut.. Woodruff, and invited US to
dismount. ''This is headquarters the
General will soon be here. In the
meantime I will take pleasure in en-
tertaining you.
Our youthful host, scarcely more
than two and twenty, did the honors
in manner that made US for the time
forget many of our troubles. In the
saddle, on the march or in battle for
two days and night, without refresh
ment of any sort for many hours, the
memory of young Woodruff 8 hospi-
tality fingers yet with me as pleas
ing episode in those eventful days of
the "fallen flag"
Let me digress here to record an
incident worthy of mention. The
next morning, when Woodruff was
preparing for the field, I took occa-
sion to express to him my grateful
sense of his courtesy and kindness,
and taking off my spurs, a splendid
pair, which had worn since the first
Manassas, I begged him to accept
them in memory of our meeting.
Warmly thanking me he pressed my
hand in kind adieu, mounted his horse
and rode away with his battery. Ten
years after I received small package
by express, and with note creditable
to the writer and humanity. With
this note came my spurs as bright and
untarnished as ever to the eye, but
infinitely more valuable for the rich
sentiments expressed by the writer,
that lends them lustre more bright,
more precious than gold. I need not
say that they are treasured in my
household.
To return to my narrative. Very
soon after my arrival at headquarters
my friends, Gems. Hutton, Corse and
Barton, brigadiers of Pickett's divis-
ion, were brought in as prisoners,
from whom I heard the fate of Ander-
sons command, and also Col. Frank
Huger, of the artillery, who with his
entire battalion, guns, horses and
caissons, had also been captured. 1t
appears that when Gen. Anderson had
halted to resist Clusters impetuous
dashes upon our line of march Ma
hone had moved on, leaving an inter-
val of more than a mile. Huger,
wholly unaware that this interval ex
listed, moved on and was gobbled up
by the willy Custer, who completed
his days work by occupying the road
and holding it against Anderson's ad-
vance.
When the sun had gone down and
the shadows Of evening settled peace
fully upon the scene, lately so marred
by the strife of contending armies,
cavalcade rode briskly forward to the
spot where we rested. A spare, 1.-THE
and sinewy figure, about the medium
height, bright, dark blue eyes, ever
restless, forid complexion, brown,
wavy curls, high cheek bones, an ac-
outline nose, firm set teeth, jaunty,
close-ftting cavalry jacket, large top
boots. handsomely ornamented Span
ish spurs, golden aiguilletts, service
able sabre, quick, nervous, energetic
movement and an air of hauteur tell
ing of the habit of command, announc
ed the redoubtable Custer, whose
name had become as familiar to his
foes as to his friends. He was met
by Lieut.. Woodruff, who introduced
us. "Why, General" said Custer,
taking my hand with kindly smile
somewhat tinged with humor, II am
glad to see you here. I feel as if ]
ought to know you" eyes," said !,
General, we have met very often,
but not under circumstances favorable
to cultivating an acquaintance" This
little passage of pleasantly made US
quite at home Immediately, and very
soon the conversation became free,
general and kindly around the camp
fire. With a soldiers hospitality we
were made to feel welcome by our
host, Notwithstanding our misfortunes,
enjoying not little the camp luxu-
ries of coffee, sugar, condensed milk,
hard tack, broiled ham, etc., etc.,
spread before us upon tent fly con.
verted into table cloth, around
which we all sat upon the ground,
Custer and his rebel guests.
After supper we smoked and talked
over many subjects Of interests to all
of US, dwelling, however, almost wholly
upon the past. The future to us was
not inviting and our host, with true
delicacy of feeling, avoided the sub
ject. We slept beneath the stars,
Custer sharing his blankets with me.
Very soon he was asleep and l lay
watching the glittering hosts of heaven
as they moved in their wonted spheres,
calmly, peacefully, majestically in the
sky, seemingly unmindful and uncar-
ing of human misery. We lay in the
midst of Clusters squadrons thou
sands of men and horses lay around us
in easy call, but as the last notes of
the bugle sounded 'Tattoo" and
"Taps' silence reigned supreme, un
broken save by the snorting or stamp
ing of a horse, or the coughing of
some wakeful soldier.
That night, as I lay watching the
cold insenate stars, l buried all my
dreams of Southern independence.
The God of battles had deserted our
banners. l bowed my soul in sub
mission and tried to say, "Thy will be
done. From henceforth be mine the
task, as far as | may, to staunch my
country's bleeding wounds"
Nature at last asserted herself and
I slept. When | awoke the sun shone