The National tribune., 1899-07-13
\ BRAVE LITTLE FRENCHMAN.
Tie Example Afforded In the Career Of Gabriel Netter
Colonel, 3Sih Ky. Cav.


Colonel, 3Slh Ky. Cav.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: When
the first call was made for volunteers in
1851 there was little man named Gabriel
Meter engaged in business at Cromwell,
Ky. lie closed out his shop and entered the
Union army as n Captain in the 26th KY,
where he so distinguished himself as to
attract the attention OF the Governor, who
co nm:ssiolcd him Colonel and authorized
him To recruit a regiment to be called the
:'S.h Ky. Mounted Infantry. He first es-
ta5IiShcd his camp at Hartford, but soon
Afterwards removed 10 OWenSboro, KY,
where the writer joined the command.
That he was as brave as Marshal Ney"
himself went without saying, and the
genera! opinion was that he was as reckless
too. soon became convinced, however,
that that was n mistaken notion. From
personal experience and observation j
formed for myself the opinion that both his
acts and words proved that he was pos
scSScd Of gool judgment and sound dis
cretion, as well as unqucStioned courage.
Meter was at this time about 26 years of
age, rather below the medium size, but we'll
formed, with fair complexion, of neat ap-
pearance, faultless in apparel, and as
polite as the Droverbial French dancing
master" Had his life been spared he
would have achieved honor and distinction
for himself, and glory for his adopted
country.
Though he was n strict discplinarian,
and wanted his men TO look and act as SOL
ders, he treated them with great kindness,
and was ever SolicitouS both for their well
fare and their comfort. In his disposition,
gentlenesS and firmness were mingled to-
gether in about equal proportions.
Our camp was at the old Fair grounds,
but short distance from the western sub
urbs of the town. At this time we had
about 500 names on the rolls of all of the
different embryo companies; but as the
chief business in hand was that of recruit
ing, both the officers and privates were
allowed to go wherever there was a chance
TO bring in another recruit, so that not more
than half OF the men were in camp at any
one time.
This was the condition of affairs at the
camp when at an early hour on the morning
of Sept. 10, 1862, while a dense fog covered
the earth, we received information that
Confederate cavalry, numbering about 500
men, had made forced march by travelling
all night, and now occupied the town.
Our morning meal was indefinitely post
poned, and we at once began TO make haSty
preparations for our first fight While our
Colonel was busily engaged in getting his
men into proper position he received further
information that portion of the enemy was
concealed in the woods west of our position,
ready to pounce upon the camp and take
possession as soon as he should leave it to
attack the force in town, as they confidently
expected him to do
So he decided to reconnoiter in that di-
rection first. He started with his entire
command, except our company, composed
Of about % men and a small squad hand
ling a six-pound brass gun, which he left
there to watch the enemy in town and pro-
tect the camp.
By this time the fog had cleared away
Moving n short distance down the lane
leading from the Fair grounds to the river
he halted his men and returned to give our
Captain his final instructions. While thus
engaged his attention was called to an
officer coming from the direction of the
town bearing flag of truce, who had been
halted by our pickets. He motioned to him
to advance, and went forward few PAGES to
meet him.
After a short conversation between them
he returned to us, accompanied by the
officer, and addressed us as follows:
Boys, this officer comes with flag OF
truce from Lieut.-Col. Martin, who with 800
'guerrlllas' has possession of the town, and
demands of me an unconditional surrender
Of my command and all the Government
property IN my possession. l want you to
hear my answer"
Then turning to the officer, and with n
wave of the hand pointing toward the
ground he said: Never till the last man of
us is laid low in the dust"
Ineu I'tclDS bONdTI us he inquired.
BOYS, does my answer suit you?
We were all raw recruits, and this was our
first taste OF war ard our first sight of an
armed foe, but such was the confidence
inspired in us by the heroic conduct of our
gallant little commander that we were
ready to follow anywhere that he would
lead; so there was but one thing to do, and
that was to respond with three hearty
cheers.
Though nearly 81 years have passed,
this impressive scene has never faded from
my memory. IL remains there as fresh as
though the occurrence were but yesterday.
Inc confident, fearless manner of our
Colonel, the 1rm voice with which he ad-
dressed the officer, and the soft, sweet tone
which characterized his words in speaking
TO us, still linger as distinctly as when they
were first spoken.
The truce officer himself, seemed TO be
very much affected by the scene, and was
evidently very favorably impressed, as he
replied:
Colonel, have tie greatest respect for
you and your brave mem" And with n
parting salute he turned his horse and rode
back to the town to deliver his message.
The. Colonel, after completing his in
structons to our Captain. rejoined his COM
mand in the lane. moved down to the river,
thence down the river road short distance.
over the fence into cornfield, where he met
the enemy, and in tho skirmish which en-
sued he was instantly killed, and in less
than an hour from tie time the above de-
Scrlbed scene was enacted his lifeleSS body
was brought back to camp on a stretcher.
His remains were taken in charge by his
brother-n-iaw, and inferred at Evansville,
Ind. Twenty years aGterward. on Me
mortal Day, May 30, 1882, few of us were
permitted 10 assemble around his grave in
Oak Hill Cemetery, and with fearful eyes
and sad hearts to place upon the mound
above his last resting place our floral offer
ings as slight testimonial of our affection
for our beloved Colonel. know of no COM
mander who deserved or enjoyed the con-
fidence and love of his men to greater de-
c. b. MITCHELL, Second Lieutenant, Co.
Z, 18th KY. Cav, Owensboro, Ky.
He Thought He Knew.