The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1901-10-26
REMrNIsCENoEs.


ventful century, Lieut.-Col. Frank A. |
montgomery, First Mississippi Caval-
y, Armstrong; brigade. offers. as one
Il the many good reasons for the
looks existence, the sad fact that so
title true history has been written Of |
he war between the States. and what
las been written of our side has dealt |
Ilmost wholly with the great leaders
md their work. He does not wish to
from these great men one
ota of the fame they earned, for he
believes that THE great men who COM
handed our armies, with few excep-
ions, deserve the honors they won;
,ut 1t Is the unknown and forgotten
Who won their honors for them" And
t is Of the unknown" to fame and
forgotten" by history of whose gal
ant lives and glorious deaths Col.
montgomery knew that he writes so
sntertainingly In his book. He regrets
that SO few of the men who made
sacred "the gray" have written their
experience as a contribution to his
tory.
1t has often been urged in this col
umn that the men who fought this
good fight" and who recalled Incl
dents Of special interest should write
them and give them publicity through
the various county papers, and in this
way their children and their children's
would learn of deeds of valor
that would cause them to rejoice in
their fathers name and fame as sol
diers. In thes tories told around the
veterans camp fires now there Is
enough of tragedy to wiring the heart
Of the strong New South, as well as
of dear old Dixie; there is also at
times much of laughter mingled with
the tears, and the listeners heart beats
high and his blood runs quick at
deeds of heroism of which the world
hears naught. The history Of that
four years war and Of the men and
women who made possible and glori-
Gus the unequal struggle should not be
allowed to die. Save SO much as is pre-
served between the lids of "the enc
mics and a few histories dealing
largely with special events and
phases of the war and the careers OF
certain of the leaders, there is all too
little for our children to read and
learn from. In speaking of this, Col.
Montgomery says: There were men
in the ranks who could, If they would,
have told interesting stories, and even
yet there are many who can do 1t II
they will, and hope others may yet
do it. But whatever is done must be
done soon, for few more years and
there will be none left to tell, espe-
cially what Mississippi and MISSISSIPPI
plans did in that great war. and thus
aid the historian who Is to come in
writing the history Of the war and
of the State"
The name of every man who fought
meath the Union flag is preserved to
history and their dead lie. in beautiful
cemeteries which the people delight to
keep in perfect order. We are glad
that this is so, for we would not wish
1t to be otherwise. But 1t cuts to the
quick to remember that SO many of
our bravest sleep where they fell. IN
land bought only with their blood,
and where kindly nature weaves the
only garlands that on Decoration
day" mark these lonely unknown"
bits of sacred ground. With Col
Montgomery we, too, believe that JUS
tice may yet be done to many of these
brave men, but If 1t were done "'twere
we'll 'twere done quickly"
Dr.. Riley's recent publication con
corning Mississippi's lost villages
recalls to our Oldest inhabitants many
incidents touching some of the towns
that live now only in their memories
Col. Montgomery refers to one OF the
Oldest and most interesting sections
of the State, neighborhood enriched
by these memories, as follows: Il was
born in Jefferson county within 9
mile of Selsertown. The
place is twelve miles from Natchez
and a tavern was kept there for a lone
time, perhaps is still, though the rail-
road which now runs near 1t, from
Jackson to Natchez, has nearly de
stroved the usefulness of the highway
upon which it was situated. This wa'
the road cut in the earliest history Of
the territory of Mississippi from
Nashville, Tenn, to Natchez, alont
which Gen. Jackson rode when b
sought and found his bride at thu
nome of his friend, Col. Thomas NJ
Greene. on the banks of Coles Creek
and along which he marched his vic
torious troops when returning from
the battle of New Orleans. 1t wa
then the great thoroughfare for al
travel north from, Natchez, and mos
Of that south to Natchez, for few caret
70 risk the dangers of river travel II
those days. At intervals of about sil
miles along this road. in the early set
tIement Of the territory, little Villages
had been located. as l ermember, be
tween Natchez and Port Gibson; first
washington, once the capital OF tn
safe: then SeIsertown, UniOntown
creenyille, Raccoon Box and on
other. the name OF which have toE
gotten cred Lick. belieye), and thei
Port Gibson. All Of these villages ar
gone. save only their names. and thes
sorgotten save by q few old men Tx
myself, and except that washington
still remains. preserved. perhaps. p