The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-07-09
CONFEDERATE DARING
Southern Exploits During the
Civil War That Rivaled
Those Of Lieutenant
Hobson.

Sison, the other day. to a reporter of the
ATLANTA Constitution but the news
papers devoted comparatively little space
to their gallant deeds.
In those days tremendous results came
with such a rapid rush that people We're
dazed, and they were startled I'M shock
ed SO often that they almost lost hat
nervous faculty which quickly receives
sions of the moment.
Il never knew a Confederate commander
to call for volunteers for a dangerous and
desperate enterprise without as many
tenders of service as was needed. No
matter whether it was secret work in the
enemy's lines, torpedo business or an ex-
petition which was certain to result in
death. the ~grayjackets We're always
ready.
The capture of a Federal Brigadier at
Fairfax Court House. in Virginia. always
struck me as a brilliant piece of brave
work. ] forget the Generals name. He
had a room at the hotel in the town. while
his oldiers camped in the suburbs and
guarded the place.
Four Confederates slipped into the town
one night. riding good horses and leading
an extra steed. They knew all about the
situation and were familiar with every
nook and corner of the hotel. 1t was very
dark and quiet, just before day when
they entered the Generals room and
reused him from his slumbers, at the
same time ordering him to dress. The
Federal wanted to ask a few questions.
but the strangers had their pistols out,
and they threatened to shoot him.
the surprised officer got into his
uniform, and almost before he knew it
his captors conducted hin through a dark
hail.. down the stairway. and hurriedly
helped him into a saddle.
st was very dark, but soldiers could be
heard moving about. and the General be-
gan to hold back and show an unwilling
ness to proceed. The Confederates thrust
their pistols in his face and swore that
they would kill him on the spot if he
gave them any trouble.
THE Federal guards near the hotel be-
gan TO suspect something was wrong, and
they moved in the direction of the little
party. The Jig was almost UP, when the
Confederates blazed away, firing several
shots. and then dashed off in the confu-
ion and general hurly-burly. taking their
captive with them. They made their es-
cape, and at daylight rode into their
camp with one of the finest. latest and
most mortified looking prisoners ever seen
in that region.
ttNow, that exhibition required judg-
ment. nerve and cool courage. When
those fellows entered Fairfax they seemed
to be riding to certain death.
"John C. Braine. of the Confederate
navy, was the hero of a remarkable ex-
plot. With a few trusty men he entered
New York, and for several days they
loafed about in citizens clothes and
watched for an opportunity to help their
cause.
"A magnificent Fall River teamer on
the Sound attracted their attention, and
they laid their plans. They went on board
as passengers, and at a given signal over
powered the captain and crew and took
possession of the vessel. Braine had
only a few followers, but they succeeded
in carrying off their prize, and they ac-
tually ran the blockade of Charleston ard
took the steamer safely into port. 1t
sounds like a Jules Verne story. but it is
true. There were thousands of men in
that wei VIII III just SuCH ItChiSSs
things. Some escaped and others were
killed, but, like Hobson, they dashed into
the jaws of death as calmly and smiling
ly as though they were going to a pic
ME.
Major Tom Williams some time ago told
me the story of one of Colonel Glib
Wright's adventures in South Carolina in
the closing months of the war.
1t seems that General Fitzpatrick, the
Federal cavalry commander. had captured
a number of Confederates. and Wright
was anxious to rescue them. He called
for volunteers to go with him into the
enemy's camp at night and picked out the
men he needed from those who respond
ed.
The Federal troopers were &snoozing
quietly in their camp, and on both SIDES
oners dozed by a fire near the centre.
Just how they got there would be hard
to explain, but shortly after midnight Glib
Wright, at the head of a few men, rode
at a gentle pace into the camp.
The drowsy Federals took them for a
party of their own men returning from a
Everything was working smoothly until
one of the prisoners caught a glimpse CT
the newcomers. The fellow lost his head
and ruined the whole business. He leaped
to his feet and looked into the faces of the
advancing Confederates.
"Hooray, boys he shouted, in his delir-
lQQSs LII A1t L There LII [ OlQ
Glib Wright and his crowd. burned If the
whole Confederate Army amt right be-
hind hint"
The prisoners all rushed forward with
the regular rebel yell. and the sleeping
Federals suddenly became very wida-
awake. From every side they showered
bullets on the visitors, and Wright and
his men had almost a miraculous delivar-
ance. Several men were killed and
wounded. but the leader and the majority
of the party managed to get away.
Glib Wright is known to thousands of
G~eorgians, not only as a soldier. but as a
lawyer and a Superior Court Judge. His
old comrades tell many anecdotes Illus
trating his daredevil courage
1t is fair that an example of exceptional
daring on the other side hould be men
toned here.
One of the bravest ventures of the war
was the expedition of James Andrews and
his twenty-four picked men into Georgia
in 1852 These men took a passenger train
at Big Shanty, on the State road, and
started off with it, intending to burn the
railroad bridges and dash through hat
tanooga. joining General Mitchell at
Huntsville.
Charles w. A. Fuller gave chase. and
with the assistance of Engineer Cain and
Anthony Murphy the raiders were run
down and finally capture near Ringgold.
The subsequent trials and adventures
of Andrews and his party would fill an
that Andrews was hanged out on Peach
tree, about opposite No. 422. Seven of
the Others suffered death on the ga1lows.
The rest escaped or were exchanged.
To this day old citizens distinctly re-
the apnearanee of these man aS