The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-02-22
A CONFEDERATE HERO DIES
The Life Record Of a Missouri Fighter.

In the little cemetery near Pleasant
Hill, Mo-, is a new-dug grave. A
giant sleeps there-a giant in stature,
courage, intellect, manliness-Captain
Hiram Miller Bledsoe. Kentucky
never bore braver son, the South had
no more gallant defender and Mis-
souri, no truer or better citizen. Some
day monument will be erected in his
honor, and upon it fitting epitaph
would be "He was a man.
When the last tattoo was sounded
Monday it's sad notes set vibrating the
heart-strings Of Confederate veterans
the country over, whether they fought
with Lee, Jackson, Shelby or Price.
In the hearts of all who espoused the
South he was shrined hero. Among
those who bore the heat and burden
of the fray and stood beside him in
the blare and blast of battle he was
more-a demigod.
Back in the COS Bledsoe's Battery
made men tremble. Behind it we're
fighters, who knew not fear, and in
command-the lion-hearted giant, who
is sleeping now, but who then was
force that shattered and scattered the
Federal forces on many a bloody bat
tle6eld.
At Wilson's Creek, at Dry Wood, at
Chickamauga and other places, where
the fight waged fercest, Bledsoe's
Battery was in the thickest Of the
fray. He seemed to embody that SEN
timent in Aytoun's poem:
"strike! And when the battles over,
If you look in vain for me,
Where the dead are lying thickest,
Search for him who was Dundee"
Had death come to him il the heat CT
conflict his body would have been found
where the slain were most numerous.
In every skirmish and encounter he
had some narrow escapes from destruc-
tion. He was wounded six times, but
on recovery never hinched, and was
as eager and anxious as ever for the
conflict.
Captain Bledsoe received his bap-
tism of blood in the Mexican War.
EIe was one of Doniphan's most dar-
ing men. When the expedition re-
turned from the land of the Montezu-
mas six cannon, captured from Santa
Anna at the Battle of Sacramento,
we're brought back and stationed on
the Capitol grounds. Bledsoe had
been instrumental in the seizure of
the trophies, and when the Civil War
came the ordnance was taken by Clai-
borne Jackson on the march South,
and became part Of Bledsoe's s Bat
terry.
One of the cannons was nine
FOUNDER, which Bledsoe christened
"Old Sacramento. Silver had enter
ed largely into its composition, and
when discharged it gave clear ring,
which distinguished it from the other
pieces. Price, men could tell at a
distance when Bledsoe' Battery was
in action, because of the clear, loud
voice of cold Sacramento. In the
ears of it's commander the loud, bell
like intonation was sweetest music.
Often, just prior to battle, Bled-
soc would be seen sitting with his
head resting between his hands and
his elbows on his knees. When the
noise Of opening battle rcsounded he
would apparently sink into reverie,
and then, suddenly jumping from his
place, exclaim
Come, boys, let Sacramento sing
Then soon it's voice would be sing
ing terrible song Of destruction. 1t
was terrific music in Bledsocs ears
a dirge in those of the enemy.
The Confcderatcs knew when Capt.
Bledsoe was in action by the tone Of
his favorite cannon, but the Federals
recognized him because of his unerr
ing aim. Most batteries were prone
to shoot high, over the heads Of the
enemy not so with Blcdsoe.
One day Major Henry Newman, at
present chief clerk of the lower house
of the Missouri Legislature, was with
in the Federal lines prisoner when
the Confederates opened fire on the
enemy. The shells were striking
home. Suddenly one of the MON
soldiers exclaimed
"Thcre' S that ID Bledsoe again =
GLOW can yon tell?' asked Newman.
"Why, he always fires low and hits.
There was nothing of austcrity in
Capt. Bledsoes S dealings with his men.
They were Tom, Dick and Harry to
| him md bo ,v,c cimnlv Hi IN them.