The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-31
A Brave Soldier.

| Bolivar. Texas. December 1S--Recent
associations have called to my mind incl
dents of the days of civil strife that are
deserving of place in the archives of our
Sunny South. but which have been passed
by unrecorded because of the private and
transformations character of the actors
One incident feel in duty bound to re-
cord as a part of the unwrtten history
of the civil war.
In the spring OF 1862 Lieutenant Colonel
r. c. Walthall of the Fifteenth Mississippi
regiment was promoted for his bravery in
the Fishing creek fight to the rank of
colonel. with authority to raise a regiment.
Just at this time Rev. j. NJ. Hampton. an
ltinerant Methodist preacher, raised a
company of volunteers In Calhoun county,
Mississippi. and was elected captain. AT
the organization of the company at Pitts
boro on March Is Colonel Walthall was
present, and the company voted by
large majority to go under his command
vote that was never regretted by the
company. We followed him as colonel, as
brigadier and as major general to the close
of the civil strife. A Drawer man, a truer
man, to his command never wore the
honors of colonel or general than the late
lan.ented Senator E. c. Walthall of Mis-
sissippi. AS an illustration of his true
character: After the war was over when
he would meet with any of his old regi-
ment, he would say to them: "You boys
served me faithfully during the war, and
IN return If any of you ever need the ser.
vices of an attorney. | am yours 10 com
mand without charge" Such character
has true greatness and Mississippi did bu4
her duty in placing him in charge of her
National interests as senator in the Ma
tional assembly.
But this is incidental to the story l wish
to record. Among those composing the
company above referred to was YOUNG
man by the name of Sam Moss. Ten
nessean who had only been in Mississippi
for year or so. Sam was genial, social
companion, always full of drol fun, but
quiet and unobtrusive. No duty was too
hard for him to perform, and no priva-
ton too hard for him to endure without
murmur or complaint. On the battlefield
he was as cool and sef-possessed as he
was on dress parade. The characteristics
here given were fully illustrated in the
battle OF Murfreesboro At one time in
the fight there was confusion In the ranks
on both sides and general ENHANCEMENT
OF troops of different commands Sam
Moss got separated from his company, and
being near Duck river, he went 10 the
river for water, but when he reached the
bank he saw six Federal soldiers down
their guns were lying at his feet He ct
once presented his gun and ordered them
TO march out. SEEING he had the drop on
them, they meekly obeyed. But just AZ
they reached the top of the bank and fell
in line to march before him a Federal
colonel rode up and commenced cursing
them for surrendering to that Odd little
rebel" Sam turned his gun on him and
ordered him TO dismount at once and
fall into line or he would take him down
The colonel soon decided that discretion
was the better part of yalor" and prompt
ly obeyed. So, headed by their colonel
leading his horse, Sam marched them into
the Confederate lines and surrendered
them to Colonel Walthall. For this act OF
bravery he was given a position among
the sharpshooters--a small need of praise
for such daring act. But even that was
more than he asked for or seemed TO ex-
pect From then on only occasional.S did
we have the pleasure OF seeing him. Later
On he asked to be transferred TO Ten
essee regiment, where his brother (who
IL now my neighbor) was serving. He con-
Linued in that command TO the close OF
the war. and was severely wounded In tbs
battle OF Franklin Tenn, shot through |
he body, but he recovered from his wound |
and after the war came to Texas, and WAS |
silled about two years ago by being |
thrown from mule and dragged TO death. |
q rope having fastened around MS waist
He never married. And, true to his origi-
1al characteristics. he never told his |
brother or sister OF his daring exploit on
Duck river
Deploring his horrible death. lay this
humble tribute TO his real worth on his |
grave. The true hero often hides behind
he bulwark OF reticencc from the shafts
a. human adulation. j. NJ. Dunn.
company r. Twenty-fourth Mississippi
Regiment
News from the Front.