The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-31
"sToNewALL's" coURlHRt
Wounded Sixty.Seven Times end
Decorated by the Car.

Nal Lamar Fontaire. who arrived II
New Haven recently. Is probably
one of the most interesting veterans OF
the Confederacy. He Is the only rep.
resentative of Camp Sam Cammack, OF
Koohoma county. Miss, and during his
stay i'm this city will be the guest oi
Capt, John Milledge, on Trinity avenue
| Maj. Fontaine has been a soldier near
iy all, his life. and the story OF his ad-
ventures In all parts OF the world
sounds like fiction.
He served I'm the Russian army dur
| ing the Crimean war. and at the siege
OF Sebastopol 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 Balaklavs. Maj.
Fontaine was sixteen miles away. but
could hear. the guns and see the smoke
OF that famous battle.
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 the civil war,
and enlisted as private i'm the 10th
Mississippi Rifles, but was later trans
ferred to Company X, 18th Mississippi
regiment. While member of this regi-
ment. In August. 1861. he wrote the WE'LL
known poem "All Quiet Along the Po-
tomac," which has since been widely
copied all over the World.
He began his war work with the Con-
federate army as scout and courier for
Gen. StonewaIl Jackson. He served in
the same capacity with Gems. Stuart
and Johnson, and briefly with Gen. Lee.
He took part in 27 pitched battles, 81
a d,sAA Ind 1txrtA
ual skirmishes In which blood was shed
Although he was but private in the
ranks. he was at one time intrusted
with O arte-blanche order on the treas
ury Of the Confederate states. He was
known in all branches of the Confed-
crate service as the best marksman
with rifle or revolver in either army
He was wounded 81 times and 13 times
his lungs were pierced. Five times In
the course OF the war heNwas reported
as dead. On two occasions he was able
with the aid OF mirrors. to look into
apertures In his flesh and watch the
beating of his own heart
Maj. Fontaine has kept a complete
diary for nearly 40 years. and this. in
itself. Is an unusually interesting work.
comprising a number OF volumes and
containing much valuable information.
He also has many documents signed by
prominent officers OF the Confederate
army bearing testimony to his remark
able craftsmanship.
Yes" said Maj. Fontaine one night
1T would seem as though I had spent
the most of my life on the battlefield.
My life has been rather eventful IN n
way. and / think that have had a few
experiences.
These documents I have saved all
through the war, and while they may
be interesting and valuable I care for
them only for the sake OF my children.
IL will be something to leave them
when / am gone. and have managed
TO preserve them in good condition for
the last 20 years"
Nal Fontaine is a man of dis
tinguished appearance. and wears a
uniform. which was made es-
pecfally for him to be worn at the re-
union OF veterans. He is a civil engi- |
neer by profession, and is engaged in |
business with his two sons at Lyon. |
Miss.-New Haven Register.