The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-13

the flank and rear being executed at the
same time. that the baggage and camp
equipage fell into the hands of the Union
troops Among other things that thus be
came the spoils of war We're a number OF
extra horses. including Old Colonel. The
legion fell back until a strong position was
reached when it halted and prepared for
act on the defensive just beyond Meadow
Bridge. Sentinels were posted. and every
thing made ready for the expected attack.
Suddenly, the noise of hoofbeats rapidly
approaching aroused one of the sentries,
and he cooked his carbine and made ready
TO fire on what he supposed was a scout
from the Union forces. Imagine his sur
PRISE when over the rise appeared Old
Colonel coming along at a dead run,
spreading his crooked legs from side to
side so as to preserve his equilibrium. He
carried halter arouid his neck, and it
was evident that he had been carelessly
tied up, or that some camp follower had
allowed him to go unmatched, and the old
fellow had taken the first opportunity of
escaping and rejoining his comrades.
When the sentry reported to the corporal
of the guard what had occurred, Colonel
was led into the camp in triumph and amid
the enthusiastic cheers of the men. From
that day forward he was among the IA
vored ones of Cobbs legion. Finally, the
command was ordered to join Gen. Joseph
E. Johnston at Dalton Ga, and Colonel
went with the legion. All through that
terrible campaign from Dalton TO Atlanta
and Jonesboro. and back again to Benton
vile. N. c., where Johnston's army sur
rendered, Colonel was a faithful follower
of the fortunes of the Confederacy.
Along toward the last days he was IN
more frequent requisition by his masters
as forage became scarce and the horses
they rode frequently succumbed to hunger
and fatigue, and on every such occasion
the unfortunate rider fell back on Old
Colonel After the close of the war Colonel
was brought back to bis old home, and for
several years he was used as a dray horse
in the city of Atlanta.
But even after he had been reduced to
such mental drudgery he preserved much
OF the spirit of the old campaigner. The
sound of bugle would cause the veteran
to prick up his ears and prance around.
and il was somewhat difficult TO keep him
under control until the excitement wore
off But first one and then the other of his
soldier masters passed into the great be
yond and Old Colonel became the prop
erty of John Dempsey, prosperous farmer
of Oak Grove, and a brotheT-in-law of the
Greers. He had grown so old and stiff in
the joints by that time that he was unfit
for active work. so in memory of his long
and faithful services, both in war and
peace, Dempsey turned him into a pasture
and permitted him to pass his remaining
days in ease. A stall was set apart for
him, and he was given plenty to eat, plen-
ty of warm straw for bedding, and allowed
to roam at will between the barn and the
pasture.
To visitors he was pointed out as vet
eran of the war, and one of the survivors
of Cobb's legion, and he was long an OBJ
ject of interest to those who cherished the
memories of the war and the daring deeds
of those reckless riders. He lost his teeth
so that he had to be fed on soft food, but
still his master would not agree that he
should be shot. He had determined TO keep
the old veteran as long as he lived, and he
carried out his determination.
Finally, a few days ago. Old Colonel was
found stretched out in his stall cold In
death, and when the fact was reported to
his master, the latter declared that Old
Colonel should have a military funeral
So he had a grave prepared in a corner OF
the pasture large enough to contain the
remains of the old hero. The body was
sewed up in a covering of cotton baggiug
and hauled to the grave, followed by an
escort of veterans of the confederacy liv-
ing in the neighborhood, with arms re-
versed, and all the usual marks of respect
paid the dead in military funerals. When
the sod had been heaped above the vel
low mound a final salute was fire above
the grave, and Old Colonel was left to re-
pose In an honored grave, after a life OF
fidelity and fortitude such as any horse
might be proud, if horses were supposed
to take pride in such things.