The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-05
RHEUMATISM

lies upon his body to-day. He was first
shot down upon the battlefield of Gaines
Mill below Richmond: next at Fred
cricksburg: third ut charlottesville;
fourth at iteamS Station. He was twice
shot through the arm: once III the leg:
twice in the body and today some of
those balls are his closest COM
nanions. They are sticking closer to
him than n brother; they will never
forsake him: they will not only be with
him through life. but in death. could
relate many brave and heroic deeds done
by him, hut fear If would take MP too
much of your valuable space; so | Will
only refer TO one deed, mention
of which has been made
sometime in the past. At the
battle of the Wilderness. after driy-
ing and pursuing the enemy for some
two miles. they holly contested each foot
with Il strong skirmish line. y short
while before snn-Clown their entire army
formed their lines of battle and faced
that of the Rebels. The grounds were
low and flat with growth of under
brush so thick YOU could only see their
line of battle a short distance. When
we had advanced within about two or
three hundred yards of their line. they
opened fire upon MS with full force and
effect: our comrades were falling around
us thick and fast. We would press them
back for n few yards, but they seemed de-
determined to hold their position and
that the Rebels should not hold theirs.
At this jlncture the command was given
10 charge bayonets. Capt Siler was
commanding the color company Of the
regiment. Just ON the point of advanc-
ing ON the charge. the bearer of our flag
fell. shot dead. The right color guard
took the flag from his dying grasp. Int
did no, more than get it
raised before he met death, falling with
the flagstaff tightly cinched in his
hand. The other color guard quickly
raised the colors 10 the breeze. but had
not carried them more than five steps
before he met the same fate OF his two
comrades. This seemed for q second or
two to cause the regiment to falrcr bat
each stood elbow To elbow in his posi-
tion and almost before you could think
the bravo noble. during and heroic Capt.
Siler. with Il determined look upon his
face rushed through the line of his con-
pany. took hold Of the flagstaff. raised
the colors. rushed with n steady step
some fifteen or twenty steps i'll front OF
the regiment where the missiles OF death
were the thiclsest. He waved The fac
high in the mir three times in the face
of the enemy. calling ont AT the top of
his- voice Follow ne my brave mnn.
follow me-" His courage gave them con-
idcnce. and well did they follow him,
accompanied lay the sound Of
the Rcbcl ycll that never failed
Ia make Il Yankec quake and tromble,
and in most instances caused him to face
about aud charge 1T Il greater speed III
an opposite direction. | am sure Of the
fact this was one Of the times when
the tide was taken at its Hood and we
had 4 mast glorious victory. II was sure
~ the turning point in the tide Of battle
that evening at the Wilderness. They
were driven back and the old Rebs held
the grounds. | would not say but the;e
were many more in the noble Twenty
Second as brave rs was Cart. Siler. but
| do say that he was the only one who
succeeded in carrying its colors success
fully on that occasion. II was after
this when we had struck camp for the
night i'll line of battle. with orr musketS
for our pillows that General Scales
God bless his memory embraced the
Captain and told him lie should be pro-
noted for his brave conduct. | could tell
of many more Of his deeds on this same
line.
He is now and has at all times
and under all circumstances been as
true to the Democratic party as he was
to the Lost Cause. He has never finch
ed or faltered; he has never been side
tracked: he has never scratched a ticket:
he IS q gentleman and n true man in all
the walks of life. He not only led his
men III battle. but led them by his
prayers TO higher and better life
think he was the only captain | ever
knew who had company prayers. And
| would now say to the members of our
present Legislature that Captain Ssiler
is well suited, well qualified worthy Of
any position and honor in your power to
confer, but is more especially fitted for
State Librarian. and | am sure YOU will
make no mistake in giving him this
place. And not only he, but his brother
comrades will feel grateful. What is
TO be done for the old veterans has to
be done quickly. So far as this life
goes they will soon be a thing Of the
! past. But thank God they will not be
| forgotten. So long as time lasts the
hearts of all true North Carolnians will
swell with pride and emotion when they
think of their brave and heroic deeds:
their privations, sulferings and their
struggles in defence of their homes and
iiresides, and loved ones. Well did they
sustain the manhood of their fathers.
their graves will be kept green so long
as our grand old State has the true and
| pure womanhood of to-day and Of the
| past. What Il blessed Thoughts 10 the
! old h@ttleascarred. declining Rebel.
| And in closing l would say he is MS
| true to the Stars and Stripes as he was
! to the Stars and Bars. and il need be.
| would give up his life freely in defence
Of this great and glorious nation OF ours.
w. Z. WOOD.
TENT BOOKS FOR PUBLIC