The National tribune., 1903-07-23
HOW FAYETTEVILLE WAS CAPTURED.
A Masquerading Artilleryman Tells the True
Story.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: My object
in writing this story is to correct history.
Gen. Sherman, in his Memoirs, says Fay
etteville, n. c.. was captured by kilpat-
rick's Cavalry. Gen. Sherman, usually ac-
curate, mistook about 40 mounted masque-
raiders for cavalrymen. His mistake was
natural. The citizens said their town was
captured by cavalry. Doubtless they mis-
took me, mounted artilleryman carrying
saber and a revolver, for a cavalry of
ficer. Likewise. they thought the other
fellows, mounted upon nOndescript horses
and mules, were regular cavalrymen. They
were not. l dislike to correct Gen. Sher-
man, but l must tell the truth. Substan-
TALLY, the facts are as follows:
The advance of the Twentieth Corps en-
camped for the night, March TO- on the
main road leading from Cheraw to Fay
etteville, about 10 miles from the latter
place.
On the following morning 1 mounted a
charger, tanked all guards and moved to-
ward Fayetteville l had not been long i'll
advance of the army, when l was rein
forced by fOraging and adventuresOme in
fantrymen and artillerymen, mounted upon
mules and horses, and variOusy armed.
By ones and twOs our little column was
augmented until eventually the cavalcade
consisted of about 40 ''Yanks," looking for
the spois of war. When we emerged from
the forest, and had an unObstructed view
of the front, we saw long line of in
fantry skirmishers, Confederates, reach
ing far north. From their barricade of
rails they were occasionally exchanging
shots, at long range, with similar line of
the Fourteenth Corps. On rising ground
4 half mile to the northeast was line of
earthworks. and battery. supported by
infantry, in position. Behind that we
could see the arsenal, in the western sub
urbs of Fayetteville. 1t not being any part
of our policy to offer battle We endeav-
ored to avoid general engagement by
keeping under cover and moving eastward.
However. the enemy discovered our pres
ence and noted our strategics. Then
there was confusion in the battery. The
limbeIs were whirled up to the guns, and,
being an artilleryman, l knew that meant
retreat. Although l was not in command,
ber, and shouted: Come on, boysi They
are going to evacuate the town. Some
of the gay foraging cavaliers followed,
but others faltered. When l reached the
arsenal l saw troops crossing the bridge
over Cape Fear River. The street at the
south end of the arsenal. running straight
to the riv~r, was thronged with Confeder-
ates going toward the bridge. Being al
most alone, l was content to hold the ar
senal, suffering the enemy to proceed with
the evacuation in peace. l invaded house
on near corner and found the family
man, wife and three children, in bed
room on the second floor. Declining to
enter into social conversation with me-
they extended no hospitality. When |
turned to descend the stairway, suggested
that they would better come down, as they
were likely to have company. When /
reached the street the bridge was burning,
the battery covering the read being the
last to cross Members of the foraging
cavalcade had scattered, attending to
I CTR oil
alone. A well-dressed, distinguished-look-
ing citizen approached me and announced
that his name was Arch Mclean, the
Mayor of the city. Thereupon ensued the
following dialogue:
''Sir, please accept the surrender of this
MIR. Mayor, this is the first city 1 ever
captured, and l am so confused chat l
scarcely know what to do with it,
well, sir, the city is yours. Please pro-
tect it by placing guards"
"Mr. Mayor, you do me too great honor.
| am simply a forager. My comrades are
the same. They belong to different regi-
ments. We have no organization. Were 1
to ask one of the foragers to stand guard,
he would tell me to go to -; or, lie
would lgr9,,fanely exclaim: Stand guard
ticed that the distinguished Mayor looked
solemn-hke, his face being 'sick'lied DER
with pale cast of thought" To clear his
mind of any misapprehension. l informed
him that the Fourteenth Corps would
reach town within an hour or two. and
that he then would have ample opEortu-
nifty to surrender the city.
Before l had ceased talking to the
Majcr, the bridge fell. Passing down the
street, l came to Main street. running
north and south. There 1 found the dead
body. still warm, of Union soldier. The
clothing had been removed-all except
shirt, drawers and socks. l examined the
body. but discovered no wounds.
Calling at 4 house occupied by two la
dies, I was pleasantly received The
younger lady exhibited a pair of shoes for
which she had paid $25 in Confederate
money.
Having been about two hours in the
town. l concluded to return to my COM