The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-02-11
HI" BLEDS0E DEAD.
One OF the Famous Conieder-
ate Fighters Passes
Away.
END CONES VERY SUDDENLY.
Bledsoe's Battery Feared forts Fight
ing Qualities.

80
From the Kansas cip Times. February sth.
Two years ago, for 1t lacks just ten
days OF being that length Of time, =
tall, slender man stood in front OF the
receiving yAnlt 10 Forest Hin cemetery.
As the black casket which held the
mortal remains Of his friend and fellow
soldier was lifted from the hearse the
old man, whose shoulders we've bent
with the weight of many years, raised
his hat and the chill wind which swept
across the barren fields RULED the thin
gray hair. With uncovered and bowed
head he stood there while the heavy
iron doors were closed softly, and then
as the bugle sounded ''taps' and told
the silent watchers that there was left
to the world nothing but the memory
Of the gallant fighter, Gen. 10 Shelby,
tears dimmed the eyes Of the man who
had ridden beside him in so many
battles.
Today .'taps" will sound Tor Colonel
Hiram NJ. Bledsoe, one Of the last
Of the dAshing soldiers and picturesque
characters who made the history Of
the c~oufederacy read like the pages Of
4 thrilling romance.
Colonel Bledsoe died OF pneumonia
al his home in Pleasant Hill, Mo-, at
O'Clock on Monday morning, and st /
O'Clock this afternoon the simple funeral
Of this simple man will be held in the
Christian church Of that place.
''Ri" Bledsoe was one Of the most
familiar figures in the state Of Missouri
bot bis fame was not by any means
confined 10 this state, as his name and
his face we're well known east Of the
Mississippi river in those sections where
Bledsoc's battery made itself feared
during the struggle between the north
aud the south.
There were many ether men who
told more Of what they did when they
we're fighting under the stars and bars,
but those who are acquainted with the
circumstances fully realize that when
it was time for fighting and not for
talking "Hl" BledsOe was the first man
to appear and the last one to leave.
WAS NOT A rABADE SOLDIER.
On parade, eyen in the days Of the
civil struggle. he was the most awk-
ward Of figures, but when IL was q
question Of shooting rather than sslut-
log, of fighting rather than drilling, Of
taking advantage Of circumstances and
conditions rather than Of following Q
set manual, it wss CHI Bledsoe who
showed his ability and proved his
courage
of late years those who have seen
this unique character have seen only .
lank, loose-iointed man, whose very
height would have made him = person
s~gp-aiHest gFotesqsss szsn-n-his
clothes, which did rot seem to follow
my fashion or belong to any age, had
not done 20. There vas nothing In
tue deliberate motion, the ungAinly
form, the slow speech to indicate the
soldier. For all the world could see
be might have been . mar who had
followed the pillow for all his days
instead Of one who had stood behind
"Old Sacramento q Of the mosl
famous In American history, 8
piece Of artillery which be himself hat
Selped to capture when he followed
Colonel DoniPhan in the battle Of
Sacramento during the Mexican war.
more than half a century ago.
Until within the last few years "Hf'
Bledsoe was . prominent figure at thu
reunions Of The confederate veterans
but be wearied Of the attentions Whicl
were shown him, and the notice b,
attracted, and he had GENE TO livI
more quietly, and rarely attended any
gatherings. Wherever be went he wa
sure to find 81 abundance Of those who
wished to listen to what he would say
OF the experiences Of war times, but b,
had gradually Withdrawn from any
thing like q position Of prominence
aud was living quietly on his farm neal
Pleasant Hill when death came TO bin
so unexpectedly.
BORN IN OLD KENTUCKY.