The Opelousas courier., 1900-03-17
Gordon, Of Georgia.
THE CHEvALIER BAYARD OF LEES
ARMY.

1I1E - 4 ~ DSE ~
ARMY.
Atlanta Constitution.
No soldier in American arms ever
made a record that surpassed in audaci-
ty and success the one worked out by
Gordon. Recognized from the first as
the very devil in a fight, thence always
selected when possible to lead foIlorn
hopes. He never launched his troops
against a point that he did not carry.
His military career started in this city.
He reached Atlanta in 1860 at the head
of q company known as the "RaccOon
Roughs." A flag was presented him by
the ladies and received in a little
speech that went into the classics Of the
day. Elected major of the regiment in
which his companions were placed, he
was made colonel upon its r~eorganiza-
ton. This regiment Sixth Alabama)
he made famous in short order. AT
Seven Pines, its first serious engage.
ment, 296 men, out of 600 were killed
and wounded. Every horse ridden into
the charge was killed, and every mount
ed officer save Gordon slain. A bullet
went through his pistol butt, his eau
teen and his coat, and it was here that
his soldiers said ."The bullet was never
moulded that could kill Gordon"
At Sharpsburg Gen. Gordon Chen Il
~colonel) furnished the sublimest spec
tacle of endurance and courage that
| think is furnished by the annals. Be-
fore the battle Lee rode down the lines
and expressed doubt as to Gordon's
being able to hold his position, and
conveyed to him an idea Of the impOr-
so that his men could hear him, said
StCI ON E,nn NV man nra latappninpH that
they will stay hereW
Then the battle opened. Line after
line was thrown upon Gordon's front.
But from the dauntless front they We're
thrown Jack as often as they marched
against it. The slaughter was terrific.
The ground was literally blue with the
corpses of the enemy, while only six men
of the right wing OF the regiment were
left. But the line never wavered. The
men had come to "stay," aud dead or
alive they were determined to "stay."
Gordon was wounded early 10 the
fight. A minnie ball passed through the
calf Of his leg, tearing the flesh in a
most fearful tanner. The flow of
blood was iDcessant, but he had no
time to stauncil the wound. In about
half an hour another ball plunged
through the same leg about a foot above
where the other had gone. The loss of
blood from these two wounds weakened
him, but he still kept his feet and gave
his orders calm and clear to his men who
were lying on their faces. An hour later
he was. shot again, the ball tearing
through his left arm, making = hidious
wouad aud cutting Il small artery.
This disabled his arm, and helped drain
his weakened system. but still, baggaTd
and bloody, he staggered up and down
the line encouraging his men. A
fourth ball entered bis shoulder, knock
ing him from his feet. His men who
saw his crimsoned uniform aud pale
face go down thought their heroic lead
er was killed. With sublime courage,
though he had hardly strength to stand,
waved his sword over his head and
called to his men to remain firm. Some
one ran to him hastily and said it was
rumored up the line that he was dan
gerousIy wounded and that the men
were wavering. "Tell them | ana not
hurt he said. And so, through those
dreadful hours of slaughter with four
unstaucled wounds, drawing blood
from his body, he stood determined to
die with his men, and in defense of the
part that Lee had confided to his trust.
Was knightiier courage aver shown on
field or embalmed in letters? Was
knightlier heroism ever displayed Ali,
great heart Of gold! All, splendid gen.
tleman All, lustrous and shining
soul! On that day didst thou win inn
mortal glory, even though all else of
thy life were blotted out!
At length a fifth ball struck Gordon
full in the face, aud entering his cheek
knocked him senseless. He fell. and
fnr sona tip,a his nrastrafe hndy pas
wrapped in the smoke of battle.