The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-06-25

"PPo"Ao"So IL "AoSou W cuteT upon
the duties of United States district
judge. Twenty years had elapsed
since my last visit to the beautiful
Central City. This was about the 18th
ofNovember, 1864, and I came riding
bareback on very diminutive mule,
not larger than Sancho Panza dap
ple.' came as member of that
command, famous in its way as Crom.
wells Ironsidcs-I mean Wheeler 8
cavalry. My father was that year
pastor Of Mulberry Street Methodist
Church in Macon, but our home had
been broken up about the time of
the Stoncman raid, and at the some
what unmanagcablc age Of u l had
been directed by parental authority to
repair to the plantation in Monroe
County of my uncle, the late Judge
Alex. NJ. Spcer, and to remain there
until further orders
But the detonations Of artillery
from the direction Of Atlanta, which
reached our ears even at that distance
and the spectacle Of the roads alive
with the marching columns, the bag
gage trains and all the impediments of
the Confederate army, overcame, in a
yet Uniformed nature, the duty Of
obedience, and one day, unconscious
ly adopting the maxim Of Napoleon,
marched towards the sound of the
firing.
It was not many miles before an
athletic looking soldier, riding beau
tiful chestnut oolored mare and lead
the small mule above mentioned,
caught up with me, and noting,
am sure, my forlorn condition, hailed
me with the salutation:
"Bud. do you want to ride?"
have no recollection of time
when did not want to ride, aud ac-
cepting his invitation 1 twisted the
rope halter through the mules mouth
for bride and throwing my worn
little overcoat across his back for
saddle, was soon trotting along by
my well mounted friend, who at once
proceeded to regale me with moving
incidents by field and flood" His
name was Jerry Spaulding, and short
time ago I had it from Senator Lind
say, Of Kentucky, that he was still
alive. Long may he wave, for never
was there soul more gallant, and no
deadlier aim than his ever glanced
through the sights OF an Enfield rife.
He is o teamster now in the heart
Of the Blue Grass.
soon told Jerry that my purpose
was to assume the profession of arms,
and that / was solicitous to join q
oraok command, some corps whose re.
putation was like that Of the Imperial
Guard in the armies of France. Jerry
had shis corps site ready made. He
promptly assured mo that the flower of
the Confederate army was Company
K, Fifth Kentucky regiment, Lewis
brigade Of mounted infantry, and when
Jerry and reached camp that night I
am sure that hope elevated and JOY
frightened my oountenance as was
mustered in as member of the fa-
nous Orphan Brigade"
My transports were little modera.
ted when learned that Jerry made
application for q furlough on che
ground that he had secured recruit.
1t was not long before the detach-
ment of the brigade which had thus
been reinforced was detailed as guard
to wagon train, and in short time
We marched down the Forsyth road
towards Macon. remember just af.
ter we passed what Is now the beauti-
full stock farm of Mr.. r.. H. Plant and
rode up Singers hill, we saw the red
breastworks which crowned it, filed
with the Georgia militia, noticeable
for their white baversacks and clean
brown jeans suits. AS We rode through
the line Jerry, with all the pride of
veteran who came out of the dark
and bloody ground with Breckenridge
and Helm four years before, evoked
muoh profanity from the State troops
by shouting contumeliously, "Lie
down, Melish, Im going to pop
cap and By subsequently assuring a
grave-looking militiamen, who was, I
am satisfied, an ordinary, or at least
a justice Of the peace in his home
county, that we would soon "burn
him up to keep him from falling into
the hands of the enemy" In those
days we were destroying many NUM-
tions Of war with that purpose.
Pursued by the objurgations of the
militia we rode on towards Macon,
passing the Vineyille school. where in