The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-15
A SOLDIER LAD OF
 THE SOUTHLAND

He was only a boy, but in his boyish heart glowed the fires of patriotism. and he longed to buckle on his sword. and battle for the Sunny Southland.
 When the Governor of Alabama called for volunteers to guard Fort Morgan, he had barely celebrated his 18th birthday, but he joined the ''Wyatt Guards a company organized at Marion, Ala, and during the three months this company was on duty there he had his first expe- rience of military life.
 After his return, when valuable Govern ment stores at certain point were to be guarded, the lad again offered for duty.
 At home, after a time, there was a brief term at school, then a brief business ex- perience. But the boy wanted to go to the war, and his restless, patriotic spirit caused him to enter-as he imagined-the most useful and active service.F So one bright, beautiful morning, he bade fare well to home and friends, mounted his horse, and in company with a schoolmate, and Captain H. of Western Alabama, went through the country to Wytheville. Va. and there joined Gen. John H. Nor gan's gallant command. From that time until the morning of General Morgan's s death he was in every battle in which the command was engaged.
 In the terrible battle of Chickamauga where 1t is said by Gen. Basil Duke that "Morgan's men fired the first and last shot," he participated.
 During the long rides, the forced march es through the States of Tennessee, Ken lucky, Ohio. Indiana, Virginia and Geor- gia. when. as stated by General Duke they rode from twenty-two to twenty seven miles daily, for a week at a time, the boy uttered no complaint
 After many skirmishes and fights, Gen eral Morgan made his way back to Green vile. a little village of East Tennessee, stopping all night with a Mrs. Williams, and was killed there next morning, Sep tember 4th, 1864.
 The soldier boy was with him, and had just started on an errand as special cour- fer for General Morgan, when he saw body of Northern troops approaching His horse was a splendid animal, fleet of foot, and he could have easily reached him, and in all probability distanced his pursu- CTS, but he ran back to try to warn Gen. eral Morgan, and assist him to escape. Then E% ran out and entered a wash house. In the center of the floor was a tub of clothing, and an old colored wo- man raised this and told him to get into the receptacle for carrying off the water. The soldiers soon followed and examined the room, but failed to raise the tub of clothing, and he was not discovered until 10 o'clock. when an order was given to find him or tear down the house. When capture became imminent, he threw the handsome silver mounted pistol he car ried under the house, and perhaps it Is lying there today, unless it has been dis covered by some child fond of investi- gating out of the way places.
 He was taken prisoner. and with others of his comrades carried to Camp Chase. Although treated with every possible in- dignity. he was permitted to retain the Testament his mother had sent him, af- ter hearing he had been robbed of all his possessions when captured on a pre- vious occasion.
 Shortly after his first capture and while on his way to prison. he succeeded In making his escape. and rejoining his com mand.
 He remained at Camp Chase more than seven months, and suffered much in his prison life.
 One day he learned that some Ken tuckians would be marched out next morning, and receive paroles.
 That night, in the bunk above him comrade died, and he determined to risk falling into line, and answering to his comrades name. It might mean death' but to stay meant death. His plan sue ceeded, however, and he regalned his lib- erty, and was paroled<