New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-14
A FAMOUS CONFEDERATE SCOUT
WOUNDED SIXTY SEVEN TIMES AND DECORATE,
BY THE CAR.

WOUNDED SIXTY SEVEN TIMES AND DECORATE
BY THE CAR.
From The Atlanta Constitution.
Major Lamar Fontaine, who arrived In In
city yesterday morning. is probably one OF Ii
most interesting veterans OF the Confederacy.
He is the only representative OF Camp San
Cammack Of Koohoma County Mississippi and
during his stay in the city will be the guest Of
Captain John Milledge. on Trnity-ave.
Major Fontaine has been a solder nearly a
his life and the story Of his adventures In n
parts OF the world sounds like fiction.
He served in the Russian Army during the
Crmean War and at the siege OF Sebastopd
was decorated by Car Nicholas with the
iron cross OF honor for daring bravery during
the battle AT the time Of the memorable charge
OF the Light Brigade at Balakiava. Major FOp-
tame was sixteen miles away. but could hea,
the guns and the smoke or that famous bat
tie
After leaving the Russian Army he travelled
about the world in company with an uncle, but
was living in the South at the opening OF tx
Civil War. and enlisted as a private In the lob
Mississippi Rifles. but was later transferred to
Company X. 18th Mississippi Regiment. While
q member OF this regiment. in August. 1861, be
| wrote the wel-known poem All Quiet Along
the Potomac" which has been widely copied al
over the world.
He began his war work with the Confederate
Army as scout and courier for General Stone
wall Jackson. He served in the same capacity
with Generals Stuart and Johnson and briefy
with General Lee. He took part in tweniy-seyen
pitched battles, fifty skirmishes and oyg
q hundred individual skirmlshes in which blood
was shed.
Although he was hut a private in the ranks be
was at one time intrustcd with Carte-blanche
order on the Treasury OF the Confederate States
He was known in al, branches OF the Confed-
crate service as the best marksman with rife
or revolver in either army.
He was wounded siXty-seyen times and thi!
teen times his lungs were pierced FIVE times f.
the course OF the war he was reported as dead
On two occasions h. was able. with the aid OF
mirrors. 10 look into apertures III his hesh and
watch the heating Of his own heart
Major Fontaine has kept complete diary fot
nearly forty years. and this in itself Is al u.
usually interesting work, comprising numbaf
OF volumes and containing much valuable IL.
formation. He also has many documents signesI
by prominent officers Of the Confederate ARM |
bearing testimony TO his remarkable marksma, I
ship. ii
Yes" said Major Fontaine last night III
would seem as though had spent the most al
my life on the battlefield NJ life has kt;
rather eventful in way. and think tnG
have had a few interesting experiences.
These documents are ones that have save
all through the war and while they may o.
tercsting and valuable. | care for them only 10
the sake Of my children II Will be something
leave them when am gone. and | have maa
aged to preserve them in good CONDITION LOT @
last thirty years"
Major FOntaine is a man Of distinguished ~
pearance and wears complete uniform wnki
was made especially FOR him 10 be worn al Id
reunion Of veterans.
He ls civil engineer by profession. and Is d
gagged in business with his two sons at LyoA
Miss.