The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-04-05

die but not surrender, so they cut
their way out. All the artillery but
what belonged to Shelby's brigade
was captured. Gen. Shelby's men
crossed over Mime creek and took
position on the bill south of little
skirt of timber. The same flank
game was played on us, and before
we were aware of it we we're sur
rounded. AS soon as we saw the true
situation you could see resolution
depicted on the faces of the men |
do not remember whether we were
ordered to charge or whether 1T was
by common consent Of the men; they
tiptoed in their stirrups and gather'd
up their strength like some mighty
giant, and charged the closing federal
fianks. 1t was feat Of yalor that
will be sung in song and story. The
giant wings of the federal columns
swayed back like they were turning
on hinges to let such heroes pass. The
black plume Of Col. Elliott was seen
in the thickest of the fray, leading
his men to escape OR death One of
the bravest of the brave, Of Co. |,
James Hedges, had his horse killed
under him as he went out. VIM.
Price turned round and told him to
Jump on behind him. He made the
effort but failed. He told Price to
save himself. Hedges faced about,
commenced to fire his pistol, and kept
shooting until they were in twenty
feet of him. When he had spent his
last load he cried, 'Sirs, surrender;
have shot my last load at you. One
OF the federals said 'kill him, but
another federal, as brave as he was
gallant, cried out, i will kill the man
that attempts tokill that young man.
This was told me by a union soldier
who saw it, We were completely
demoralized. did not see but one OF
our company until late that night,
We could look forward for miles and
see our army in full retreat, and tC
look back, it made my heart sick
The victorious army in full pursuit
we could hear cheer after cheer from
the pursuing hosts About one houl
before sundown Col. Jackman charged
them and drove them back one mile
doubling up their front. | stood or
! top Of a hill and watched the brave
men struggling against such odds
! and have often wished that | coult
j have claimed part of the honor thel
} deserved. The next morning befort
j daybreak fire was set to wagon load
D of powder. 1t lit up the heavens 70
| miles around, and the earth seemed
| to tTemble. Nothing of importanc
4 occurred until we reached Newtoni
r on the 2Gth of October. Gen. Prlc
! made his last stand. The men wer
Y all dismounted but Elliott's AM
t Twins men, Elliott's on the lef
t wing and ours on the right; the dis
l mounted men in the center behind
S stone fence The second Colorad
cavalry was attempting to fuslad
j. our men behind the stone fence. Gu
n regiment was ordered TO drive ther
n back. We took Off our coats an
e buckled them to our saddles to pre-
l. pare ourselves for the mighty contest
/ The order was given to charge. W
If leaned forward in our saddles wit
e spur in the horses TANKS, and with
2 cheer we assembled the top Of til
} ridge. We were greeted with raj
It OF canister and grape shot, like
It storm cloud. The brave Colorac
IS brigade began to reel like a drunke
TX man. Just here l will have to sto
ID for Sharps rife ball struck me an
an old gray-headed member Of th
d lodge, who is a lion in combat az
1t has a heart as big as a mule, carrie
to me back to the rear. But the secor
is Colorado was punished and drive
IN back one-half mile.
e. nIn conclusion, let us keep Il
In names Of those who fell i'll the 10
le cause green in our memories n
ne allow the ruthless hand of time
ID sprinkle the dust and ashes Of forge
to fulness ever our hearts. An elapse
~ thirty-two years finds us old, era
of headed men, our footsteps once
w bold and fearless now feeble al
nd realizing that we too must soon pa
IN away But let US live SO that VIII
Cd we have answered the last roll-c'