Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-09-07
LITTLE BUT BRAVE.
Noble Example of Courage in the Act
Of u Frenchman in the
Union Army.

unteers in 1861 there was little man
named Gabriel Meter engaged in bust
ness at Cromwell, Ky. He closed up his
shop and entered the union army as a
captain in the Twenty-sixth Kentucky,
where he so distinguished himself as to
attract the attention of the governor,
| who commissioned him colonel and au-
thorized him to recruit regiment to
be called the Thirty-eighth Kentucky
mounted infantry. He first established
his camp at Hartford, but soon after
wards removed to Greensboro, KY,
where the writer joined the command.
That he was as brave as Marshal
Ney" himself went without saying, and
the general opinion was that he was as
reckless too. soon became convinced,
however, that that was mistaken no.
ton. From personal experience and OBJ
servation formed for myself the opin-
ion that both his acts and words proved
that he was possessed of good judg-
ment and sound discretion, as well as
unquestioned courage. Meter was at
this time about 26 years of age, rather
below the medium size, but well formed,
with fair complexion, of neat appear
ance, faultless in apparel, and as polite
as the proverbial "French dancing mas
ter" Had his life been spared he would
have achieved honor and distinction for
himself, and glory for his adopted coun-
try.
Though he was strict disciplinarian:
and wanted his men to look and act as
soldiers, he treated them with great
kindness, and was ever solicitous both
for their welfare and their comfort.
In his disposition, gentleness and firm
ness were mingled together in about
equal proportions.
Our camp was at the old fair grounds,
but short distance from the western
suburbs of the town. At this time we
had about 500 names on the rolls of all
the different embryo companies; but
as the chief business in hand was that
of recruiting, both officers and privates
were allowed to go wherever there was
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 oS September 10, 1862, while
dense fog covered the earth, we re-
ceived information that confederate
cavalry, numbering about 800 men, had
made forced march by travelling all
night, and now occupied the town.
Our morning meal was indefinitely
nOcfnnna6 Qn6 cf haran tn
make hasty preparations for our first
fight. While our colonel was busily en-
gagged in getting his men into proper
position he received further informa-
ton that a portion OF the enemy was
concealed in the woods west of our po-
sition, ready to pounce upon the camp
and take possession as soon as he
town, as they confidently expected him
to do.
So he decided to reconnoiter in that
direction first. He started with his en-
tire command, except our company,
composed of about 25 men and small
squad handling siN-pound brass gun,
which he left there to watch the enc
my in town and protect the camp.
By this time the fog had cleared
away. Moving a short distance down
the lane leading from the fair grounds
to the river, he halted his men and re-
turned to give our captain his final in
structions. While thus engaged his at
tention was called to an officer coming
from the direction of the town bearing
a flag Of truce, who had been halted by
our pickets. He motioned to him to