The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-05
MILITARY HoNoRs FOR 4 UARHoRsE.
Confederate Camp Mt Oak Grave Attends
the Fnnernl of Colonel.


ATLANTA. Ga. Feb. 3.-Colonel. a veteran war
horse OF the Confederacy. was buried with mil
itary honors a few days ago at Oak Grove. ten
miles from here. When Cobb's Legion was
organized Company G was made up Of young
men from this and adjoining counties. and
among them were the two Greer boys. Walter
and Will. They took along a colt which they
named Colonel, which was about as ugly q
specimen Of horseaesh as you would see in a
weeks travel. He was tall. raw-boned, long
headed and knock-kneed. He was of that pc
culiar sallow color that is neither bay nor sor-
rel. the hair was meagre on his name and tail.
and he was as clumsy as he was ugly. Colonel
was only used in cases Of emergency as a cav
airy horse. but he had the merit Of touehness.
and his fortitude and fidelity were demon
strated on many a long, hard march and in
many a hot fight.
The legion was at first commanded by Col.
Thomas r. r. Cobb. an eminent jurist-soldier
and one OF the most gallant Of GeorRians. until
his fall. when other officers in turn led the deci-
mated ranks through the arduous cam paigns
OF northern Virginia. At Seven Pines. Bunker
Hill. Sharpsburg. Banks's Mills. and many other
bloody battles Colonel was in the charge.
On one occasion the Union forces stole a
march on the Legion at Meadow Bridge. and
they only escaped capture by instant and rapid
flight. leaving their baggage and camp equi-
page in the hands of the Federal troopers.
Among the spoils OF war thus acquired was
Colonel. He had been seized by a Federal
trooper and led back to the rear. The Legion
retreated until q stronger position was reached
beyond the long bridge. where they made a
stand. In the gathering twilight sentries were
posted SO as to command the bridge. and the
troopers dismounted and remained on the
alert for the Federals. whom they ex-
pected momentarily TO f,ollow up their
a a6on9 dark G The e senf4ies t Were o aEdTsed Just b1
the, %clatter, of hoofs approaching the bridge.
and then the thunder OF a galloping steed on
scouts from the Federal cavalry. and made
ready to give them a warm reception, All
ing along the, bridge at the tor, OF his speed.
1t was old Colonel with a new Federal, halter
| and had followed his comrades as fast as his
clumsy heels could carry him; He was vel;
ever afterward he was held in the highest
esteem by every man in the Legion.
After long service in the Virginia army,
Gen. Joseph +. JoRnston. who was va posted at
Dalton. confronting Gen. shermanIs victorious
campaign. from Dalton to Kennesaw Mountain.
Atlanta and Jonesboro, Colonel followed the
a 1GTrVneSw when hem the thts'S confeder at s" Sn GdeifeHht o5oodd
turned backward and began their retreat to-
ward North Carolina Colonel was still one Of
the most faithful of campaigners. The roads
scarce on that long retreat to Bentonville.
where JOhnston'S army finally surrendered.
but Colonel never finched or faltered, During
the latter. days he was more frequently brought
into requisition than during the earlier aud
more dashing days Of the great conflict. His
staying qualities commended him to his two
masters. and when their faded steeds gave
out first one and then the other would mount
march he always kept step with his comrades.
At the close of hostilIties he was brought
back to this city and hitched to a dray. 1t Is
told OF him that Tor many years. while hauling
heavy loads along tho muddy streets. he would
prick up his oars at the sound OF a bugle. and
such occasions. He began to grow old and
feeble. however. and when the Greer boys died
Colonel fell into the hands of their brother-in-
law. J. L. Dempsey of Oak Grove. Dir. Demp-
sey was IA well-to-do farmer and he turned the
veteran yarhorse into a pasture and gave him
service both, in war and peace, Mr.. Dempsey
had intended TO bring him to the city during
the peace jubilee. but tho old horse had
grown too feeble to stand the. journey.
and the project was abandoned; A few
He was one Of the last surviving horses of the
Confederacy. and must have been close to 40
years of age. That he possessed extraordinary
vitality Is evidenced by the fact that he sur
vived so long after the toils OF his long cam
dray horse after his days OF camp and field
were over.
A large grave was dug under tho shade OF n
great oak. in the pasture where Colonel had
spent his last days. The members OF the Con-
federate veterans camp al Oak Grove marched
ing salute, This Is one of the few instances
where such military honors were paid TO a
horse, but every one present thought that the
tribute TO Colonel was we'll bestowed.