The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21
sam Juan Hero
The New South.l

Among all the victories OF American
arms, the bloody battle OF Santiago
viii always sind out conspicuous. This
shortlived war brought before the world
many heroes and was the scene of many
a deed OF grand courage and heroism;
but none did a drawer deed than Lieu
tenant Shipp when he gave up his
young life in cheering on his men 20
victory or death on hat bloody field.
| Lieutenant Shipp was a soldier by in
heritance. His great-grandfather, Gen.
eral Forney. fought through the reyo-
luton; his grandfather. Bartlett Ship.
through the war OF 1872, and his faith
er, Judge Ship, vas captain in the
Confederate war.
William Even Ship was born in
Asheville in 1861. just a few days after
his father left home with the company
of which he was captain. His boy
bod was passed in Lincolnton and af-
forwards he was a cadet in the Char
lotte Military Institute, n in 1873
stood an examination for West Point
and won the appointment over forty
other applicants.
After graduating he was assigned TO
the Tenth cavalry. a regiment famous
LOI It's TEtDIu III uSuLlls the 1nQldIlS.
He was in the famous Geronimo war
in Arizona, a skillful and beloved Of
hcer. His most striking characteristic
was a refined and retiring modesty.
No one ever heard from himself of his
noble deeds Of bravery or heroism.
During this war he did as noble an
act as ever a hero did, yet so modest
was he that only through the official
reports was it known. He n his cap
tain were ambuscaded and fired upon
by MeXicdns, and Captain Crawford
mortally wounded, Lieutenant Shipp
placed him upon a litter and guarded
him 80 miles through the enemy's
country, and when he died carried his
body for fifty miles across his saddle
to prevent its being mutilated by the
Indians.
After the severe training Of the from
tier life he was we'll fitted TO endure
the terrible hardships of the Cuban
war. On the fateful day when he went
to meet his death on the bloody heights
of a Juan. he had as aid on the staff
of the commander Of the brigade beer
carrying orders from one part of the
field to another and had passed in safe
ty though exposed to a most deadly
fire. Finally it became necessary tc
lead the men into the very mouth OF
the fierce fire, and he CALAMITY stood
erect and led them on. His command
AHo oAo ICD1E u was q SCI lOl
the enemy's bullets, and he fell pierced
through the heart; but, with a last eff.
fort, he waved his sabre aloft TO cheer
his men on to victory. Here he was
found, a smile on his face, his sabre
across his breast in which was stillet
forever as brave and gentle a heart a:
man ever had. In his pocket was found
a letter which, during a lull in the rag
ing battle, he had written to his Lowell,
wife who, with their two little sons il
their far-away Carolina home, wa,
praying for his safety.
He was married in 1894 to Miss Mar
garet Busbee, one of the lovliest an
brightest young girls in the state
North Carolina, in losing him, has sus
tanned a heavy blow, and there is n,
honor too great that she can render hi
memory. The whole state feels this
and with one accord and great enthu
siasm a generous sum is being collect
ed to erect a suitable t
him. He has been honored, too, in hav
ing the camp at Admission, Ala, name,
for him.. 1t has been said that II
great war painter, Remington, was s
struck with his noble and soldierl.
figure, that he has many times AXE
him as a model when he wished to por
tray the highest type of a soldier.
A. I. ROBERTSON.