The age-herald., 1902-03-16
With Some Rem> iniscent Views
The Roysto11 Brothers

iu1SCCAN NlSWS Q only partially engaged. and suffered com paratively little loss. It was in this bat tle that Meyers Irish brigade was prac- tically annihilated under Mary.s Heights. From this point to Hamlltons Crossing the enemy hercely assaulted the confederate lines. but were driven back across the river with terrible slaughter. It was here that Pelham, that young and beloved Alabamian. by the skillful use of his artillery attracted the attention Of General Lee who in his official report designated the young officer as the gallant Pelham"
 There was now a period of rest in the movement of the army. Burnside was removed from the command of the fed eral army and Fighting Joe Hooker placed at its hand. With these changes 1t was certain that no immediate advance would be attempted by the enemy. The confederates. therefore. went into winter quarters around Fredericksburg and Hamilton Crossing. Wilcox's brigade during the winter occupied a position two or three miles above the city oppo- site Falmouth on the north bank of the river with only the shallow Rappahannock separating the opposing armies. They rested in camp during the winter of 1882 '63. Meantime the pickets of the respcc- tive armies got on terms of amity so far as to run considerable trade in the bay of barter, the boys in gray furn- ishing the boys in blue with tobacco, while the latter supplied the former with many articles not to be had in the con- federacy. These exchanges and the ex- change of papers between the pickets O. the opposing armies was of daily occur renee.
 The coming of May put an end to these limited amenities. Both armies were now in motion. The plans of Hooker were well devised. He passed the great bulk of his army across the river on Lees left near Charlottesville. From this position he was routed and driven back with terrible slaughter to the north side of the Rappanhannock by the indomitab1e Jackson. But 1t is nGw known that Hooker depended more on the success of plan by the blow which he expected Sedg- wick to deal on Lees rear than on his own aggressive movement. Sedgwick had been entrusted with the task of crushing the confederate rear With this view and in order to conceal his real purpose he had engaged Wicox's brigade in skirm- ish, which had been left in charge of the line between Fredericksburg and Fall mouth all the forenoon of Sunday the
 
 he had by a dexterous and vigorous move forced the confederate lines below the city and successfully crossed the river with 900 fresh troops. He was now in the rear of the confederate army, and apparently at this moment 1t was only a question of a few hours when all of the advance quartermaster, commissary and supply trains of the confederates would be at his mercy Wilcox's brigade
  and his coveted prey. But this brigade of veterans had never failed to accom- plish all that could reasonably be ex- pected of it. On this occasion it sur passed the expectations of the most hopeful. It was being hard pressed by Sedgwicl1 and his 5000 federals. The brigade stubbornly retreated until it reached Salem Church, on the plank road to be engaged, three miles from Fred ericksnurg. It was now late in the after noon, a serene, typical May day, the weather fair and balmy. the buds burst ing. but the groves not yet in foliage. Here the brigade took Its stand, formed in line of battle at right angles across the road and awaited the coming of the federal forces. They had not to await long. The federals marched forward seemingly conscious of their vastly su- perior numbers, with confident air and tread. The brigade reserved their fire until the enemy was but a few paces in their front. A destructive fire was now delivered which caused a confusive recoil in his ranks. His lines however were soon reformed, when he again returned to the contest. But so determined and effective was the resstence offered by this single brigade that the federals were held in bay until McLaw's brigade and other confederates came to its support when the federals were routed and es- capped under cover of night to the north side of the Rappahannock. And thus through the Spartan Valor of Wilcox brigade was Lees rear saved from the skillfully planned blow aimed at its de- struction. The importance of the battle of Salem Church has never been fully understood, nor its results duly appreci- ated by the general public.
 The loss of Wilcoxs brigade in this historic conflict was heavy. Among those seriously wounded was Colonel Royston. whose left arm was shattered between che shoulder and elbow. The limb was saved, but he was retired from field ser vice. After remaining at home in Mar ion until recovered from his wound he was placed on post duty at Selma, where he remained till the capture of that city by the federals.
 Colonel Royston died Many years ago and in his death there passed away a
  marked by generous and noble impulses; widely known and respected by the pub I lie men of Alaoama. Robert Temple Royston, the younger brother, was not without experience in 1 camp life and adventure before enlisting | In the confederate army Choosing medi- | cine as his profession, he took his de- | gree and began practice. While yet in | his early manhood, inspired by the charm ing accounts of tropical America and love of exciting adventure, he repaired to Nicaragua and became a follower of hhbuster.
 Walker that he was fated to play the | role of the ''grey-eyed man of destiny" 1 who according to an old prophecy, was | to redeem the states of Central America | from the factions and throcs of revolu- tion. and to deliver tho people from the oppression of a long established priest craft. With this professed fanatical in- spiration he undertook the subjecton of Nicaragua. Dr. Royston was the sur geon of Walkers first army of invasion. The filibustering force led by the grey eyed man. was successful in capturing | the important town of Rivas. but in turn | the invaders were met by overwhelming | and besieged in the town re- | gently captured. The little band of fill | busters were soon reduced to great dis tress. Provisions gave out and the gar rison was forced to exist on mule flesh or any other edible substance within their limit ed reach. Finally the little army was permitted to leave the country, when for l time all filibustering ceased, Dr. RoYS-