The morning news., 1899-11-29
WAS A FAITHFUL COURIER.
Gen. sorrePs Tribute to Capt. James
w, Anderson

Mr.. w. A. Wiley, Of Madison, who re-
ma!ned over after the veterans reunion
last week, win carry with him on his re-
turn trip letter addressed to himself by
Gen. G. NJ. Sorrel, but which he intends
presenting to the mutual friend of both.
Capt. James w. Anderson, of the Cow
ington Star.
1t was Capt. Anderson's presence in the
city at the reunion and his meeting with
Gen. SorreL. which recalled to the latter
his "reminiscences of the days when the
Confederacy was so stressed for men that
all the able-bcdied couriers were ordered
back to their commands, which were pub
lished in Saturdays Morning News. Capt.
Anderson was one of Gen. Sorrel's cour-
ieIs at the time the order was issued and
returned to his command with the others.
The letter, which explains Itself, is as
follows:
Savannah, Ga, Nov. q, 1S99.-My Dear
Wiley: 1t has been a great delight to
have had so many of our fine old Con-
federateS with US during the past week.
IL was gratifying TO see them in such
large numbers and so well and hearty.
The visit made to me by the survivors of
the Third Georgia, that old standby of my
brigade, was deeply appreciated, and it
was able to salute their batlle-torn colors
and shake hands with each man.
One of the men that l was very glad to
meet mot however, Of our brigade) was
j. W. Andersen, of Covinglon, Ca, and /
have something to say 20 you about him.
You may, perhaps, have seen little
sketch that l gave to the Morning News
about the courier service and how we had
10 economic men, If you have not had
1t think you will be interested in getting
that clipping. 1t went to show how hard
set we were in finding enough men TO meet
with The overpowering numbers against
us. Now Anderson was one of the very men
that spoke of He was one of my cour-
iers at Longstreet's headquarters when
1 was chief of staff, detailed for the pur-
pose, and there was no better man on the
detail. He was intelligent, and so faithful
that no matter where he was sent ii was
infalibly certain that the message or order
would reach its destination II HE was in
him. When in obedience to Gen. Lees or
ders he had to give up his horse and to
return to his regimental colors. without
a murmur he took to his gun and fought
on foot just like the other brave fellows
Like many of us, Anderson has been doing
his work since the war ended, with ups
and downs, but he stands to-day, as he
did then, a true and sturdy Georgian,
never failing in the severest and most per-
ilous duties.
/ am glad to have the opportunity to
say this TO you about Anderson, because
you know him well, and he is also known,
l believe, to most of the Third Georgia
men. With best wishes, dear Wiley, 1
am, yours always sincerely,
G. NJ. Sorrel.
To w. A. Wiley, Madison, Ga.
Knowing that Capt. Anderson was we'll
known throughout Georgia and that he
was especially popular with the news
paper men of the state. being probably
the oldest member of the Georgia Press
Association, Mr.. Wiley solicited and OBJ
tanned Gen. Sorrel's permission to have
the letter published in order that this tri-
butte to a worthy Georgian might become
generally known to the latter's many
friends.