Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-17
IN MEMORY OF J. NJ. BUR-
ROUGHS.
To the editor Of the Galveston Nears:
GALVESTON. Tex, Dec. 4.

GALVESTON, Tex, Dec. 4.
But the other day, to the music OF the
pipes, singing the glory of the clan and
appealing to its killed children 10
couquer or die, the Gordon Highland
ers rushed through the pass OF death
aud seized the murderous heights OF
DArgal. The world rings with the
story, and men are better for the il
spiration and example of that heroic
deed.
Thirty six years ago, in the depth OF
Virginia winter, seven scouts of the
Texas brigade took refuge for the night
in q decaying and well nigh falling
house in the deserted hamlet Of Colches-
tar, on the north bank OF the Occcquan
river. Exhausted by the exciting
tramp Of the dsy, they flung themselves
upon their coarse army blankets aud,
without suspicion that their presencs
on that perilou5 frontier might be con
municated TO the enemy, saDk intc
profound slumbsr. Five Of the scven
were on the upper, AID TWO on the
ground floo:; the TWO were J. NJ. Bur
his AID TempleraD. Burroughs
,i,-pt with his head 70 tue wall and un
der low window. He was awakened,
as III The ,noonlit D!gat, by the
falling on his upturned face OF glass
1roxen from the window by tie thrust
OF tayores. Rising, he discovered
nat the bayonet was welded bg 8
FEDERAL soldier aud that the house was
eucompsss,d d ly armed aad a:sailing
ioes. Ia some manner the presence
he scou,s, and their number, had been
revealed TO the near by outpost Of the
enemy; and the officer il COM
nand, thinking the capture or
destruction of the seven "reUeis" now
sure, had dispatched 10 Colchester u
detachment, said TO number $50, and
TO be commanded by field officer 10
effect it. Templeman being aroused by
Burroughs, both were in an instant
ready TO deliver determined though
seemingly hopeless battle-one COM
maudipg the door and one the window.
AS their foes approached door and
window, the guardian OF each repeiled
tie intrusion with Kissing bullets that
manned or killed. Enraged by the
deadly resistance, the more resolute as
sailants rtssed with sterner oeternina.
ton to tfe fatal openings but only to
wither and fall under the desperate fire
ii the Imprisoned scouts, who, scsthless
10 that storm OF death, ST emed 10 gather
new strength and more than mortal
courage from the very extremity OF
.heir peril.
Meanwhile, the Eve scouts on the up
DER floor bai joiced the battle, aid
from every crack and window were
driving lead into the blue-coated ranks
below. The five were soon reduced 20
four-the fifth now lying prone ard
struggling in the last mortal agony.
With increasing fury the fight went
on. All about the old house men in
blue lay dead aud dying. The door and
window below were choked by Still or
writhing bodies that would never again
"fall in to the drums beat. Suddenly,
as if mastered by the fear and or awe OF
certain death, the beaten es5ailants
turned and fed from the crazy. totteI-
ing house, now become Gibraltar, not
If defense only, but, as well, OF aggres-
sion and defiance: and, 10, after them
pursued the surviving scouts, oblivioua
of danger in the intoxication OF victory
The defense of the old house at Col
ch ester was chronicled in general or
der read at the head of the troops and
under the folds of the battle flags, and
even through the exact and severe
breyity of official recital shone the
flaming star of its glory. The general
order thrilled the army, With flushing
cheeks and erected crests men lis
tened, while their hearts beat quick
and strong and their eyes grew dim
with tears. They were transfgured-
as if they themselves had received that
baptism of fire.
And the man whose body has but
now been laid to rest in the sands OF
Galveston was the same Jim" Bur
roughs who did so much to win that
almost hopeless fight. After an uDob-
trusive aud quiet life-ihrough every
hour of which he held, with virile COL
yiction, to the faith that inspired the
nroWess of his masterful manhood-he
has passed. in the fullness of years,
from the life of this world.
AS ore listens, in fancy, to the tragic
clsmor of that death struggle at Col
chester, his heart warns with the same
glow that lighted the Gordon High
auders to the ridge of Dargal, TO the
strains of "Cock O. the North" For
brave men are kin the world over. ).
I knew ]. NJ. Burroughs well; aud If
it be permitted to one old soldier to
render such service to another, with
bowed and uncovered head l would
fain lay this leaf of laurel upon his
grave.