The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-03-01

hoSo oihoSiS duo pIlVdteS, anu T.
them we appeal for authentic fact
and anecdotes. Important ofIicia
reports of our officers of rank are no
likely to be lost to history. 1t i
incidents and facts not embodied ir
these reports, but inshrined in th,
hearts of our people, particularly in
cidentsf and facts connected with the
courage, skill, endurance, devotion
and patfiotism of the private soldiers
and subaltern officers, which should
now be. rescued from oblivion and
admistedso the record. We should
all contribute our mite. For IN
stance, our recently lamented CON-
rade, j. eW. McKown, could have
written quite volume on his own
personal experience as private SOL
dier and scout. In the latter, he
was always reliable and accurate.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF GEN. GARY
a soldier and patriot. He never
waited in idleness for the movements
of the waters-for something to turn
up-but was always richly prepared
for every offer. Hc had no dormant
powers-his were all awake, highly
disciplined and ready for action. He
was strictly gentleman, but pos
sessed one bad trait, if no more, that
was profanity. If there be any.~l
ent in sweasiuS, he possessed 1t, es-
pecially wfen under excitement. He
was of an extremely nervous temper.
ament, consequently not so much to be
blamed as others of different consti-
tuition. On one occasion, upon the
banks of the historic Chickahominy
River, when hurriedly preparing to
meet an unexpected attack Of the
enemy at that point, the General was
giving orders to one of his staff con-
cerning the disposition of the artil-
lery. This was under heavy and
accurate fire from the enemy's sharp
shooters, the balls coming in close
proximity to our heads. The staff
officer was seen to dip his head.
Gen.. G. exclaimed with much en-
phasis: Damn you, sir, be still
while receiving orders" About this
time ball pierced the brim of the
Generals hat, and of course he
lodged his head. The staff officer
retalia,ed exclaiming: General,
you be still while giving orders"
On another occasion the enemy
landed near Malvern Hill, concen-
trated in and around some buildings
situated upon prominent hill. We
galloped up as near as was safe for
our horses from the fire of the gun
boats, halted in a ravine, dismounted,
deployed skirmishers, these were in
command of Capt. Tucker and 1t.
0. G. Rogers! The hill we had to
ascend was steep and over grown
with clover and dewberry vines,
which retarded our progress very
much, besides the we'll directed fire
of the enemy added to the difficulty,
or at least this was my experience.
Gen. G. becoming very much excit-
ed at our slow progress, fastened to
the line, he give Capt. T. and Lit. R.
"Hail Columbia" with many oaths,
delivered with great emphasis. After
dispensing the enemy we fell back to
the brigade, Gen. G.. and his staff
were seated beneath the shade of a
tree, Capt. Z. was seen to approach,
with troubled expression on his
face, he saluted the General which
the General politely returned at the
same time saying:
Gen.-"Capt. what can 1 do for
you?"
Capt. TT wish to know why
you cursed me awhile ago, on the
line?"
Gen.-"Did I hurt your feeiing?"
Capt. T-"Yes, you did,"
Gen.-"I beg your pardon, |
meant no harm, it is a bad habit !
have contracted, wish / could quit
it,"
The General seeing that this did
not satisfy the Captain, bowed his
head for moment, at last he ex-
claimed, "Well Captain, the next
time curse you you just curse me
back, and / will take no offence"
Capt. TT thank you General,
I don't swear.
Gen. Citizen. / don't know
what in the h you will do"
In due time the chasm was bridged