The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
Breathed nj High Bridge.

Editor of The Times:
sir-In your issue OF the 18th inst,
appears a letter from Mr.. j. McGll, Oh
Pulaski. and also one written him by
Gen. Rosser describing the part taken
in the battle of High Bridge by Nal
Breathed.
have no desire to get into con-
troversy about the war which ended
with me at the surrender Of Gen. Lee
at AppomattOx thirty-two years ago
What ] wrote was in the interest Oh
true history. No one ! presume would
doubt the bravery or daring Of Major
Breathed, both OK which were MADE
manifest upon many battlefields. l chal-
lenred the correctness Of the report OF
the part acted by Major Breathed at
the battle Of High Bridge on April lth,
not 9Th. as stated by Gen. Rosser and
II seems Mr. McGn introduces Gen.
Rosser's letters 10 prove the correctness
of said repOrt If so he was
very unfortunate In introducing
said witness. II Gen. Rosser's
proves anything he proves conclusively
the iucorrectness of said report IN every
particular except that part in which II
was stated Major Breathed was attacked
bp Federal officers and had hand 10
hand fight. in the first place II located
the High Bridge above Farmvile, Whlch
is Incorrect as IL is below Farmville. IL
further says Major Breathed was IN
command OF several troops OF cavalry
and Gen. Rosser ordered the Major 10
charge, that the Major repeated the
order to charge and dashed ahead on
a magnificent bay. At the same moment
two Union officers mounted, spurred out
from the enemys lines, etc. Pell-mell
G.
federate Major single and alone, who
pointing his sabre put its steel through
the breast Of one of his assailants.
Breathed fell from his horse upon his
back and in a moment the Union officer
would have had the advantage when a
sergeant from the Majors command
dashed up and shot tho Union officer
dead. Major Breathed sprang up and
with one boot off andthe other on mount
ed the Union officers horse and led the
charging column against the enemy,
routed them and took many prisonersetc.
Gen. Rosser says I'm his letter publish
ed April 3D. mentioned above i iode
rapidly to them meaning the men on
FOOT and on my way came upon three
mounted men fighting. There was no
one near them and the fog ana smoke
so obscured them that 1 could not make
out at first what It meant. l rode direct
" towards them and when near enough
TO recognize them saw that two Federal
officers were trying 10 XIII or capture
Major Breathed- Before could get 10
them Breathed fell or seemed TO be push
ed from his horse, but as soon as ne
touched the ground two quick shots from
his pistol brought both OF his assailahts
lifeless 10 the ground one Of them fan
&C.. h
his face and body dripping with blood
from the many sabre thrusts and cuts
which he had received, and drawing on
his boot which had been in some way
pulled off In the tussie, he mounted ms
horse without the least concern and
dashed again into the thickest OF me
fight. etc. Breathed had followed me
and hearing the firing was trying 10
join me by some means when ne was
set upon by two captains and sergeant
who ordered him TO surrender, but IN
stead he shot the sergeant and the two
captains closed on him with their sabres
and crowded him so closely he could
not use his pistol except TO parry until
thrown to the ground
The Confederate Museum report says
as your readers will observe that Major
Breathed was ordered by Gen. Rosser
10 CudlNts etc. Ten h''"'A says eAAoe
Major Breathed hearing the firing was
trying to get to him when he was set
upon by Union officers. This. think,
very probable as he was going in that
direction.
The Confederate Museum report says
Major Breathed pierced one OF his assall-
ants with his sabre and shot the other,
pulled Off his boot in his fall and left IT..
Gen. Rosser says he fell from his horse
and then shot both captains dead. drew
on his boot, etc. Now l repeat what l
said in my letter OF March 18th. Major
Breathed had no command made no
charge pulled off his boot and left IT..
and in the engagement l saw tand par
ticipated in) but one man was hurt ana
he a Federal officer who had MS arm
broken by one OF three men who went
to Major Breatheds assistance. Gen.
Rosser may have been there but l did
not see him.
In my former letter said Col. Boston
was colonel Of the 9Th Va. cavalry. II
should have been the Fifth.
c. E. HOOD.