The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-06-17

ginia, on the afternoon Of Thursday,
April 6, 1865. They were spoken Of
Capt. Martin, brave Confederate
soldier who had just brcathcd his last,
having been killed at the head Of the
squad Of men composing the remnant
Of splendid company that had gone
into that fierce struggle early in the
day, threc-fourths Of them having
been either wounded, killed or cap
tured and now the last Of them cap.
tured.
The circumstances Of the death Of
this brave man remind the writer most
forcibly of the incident in "Les Mi >
cradles, occurring during the battle
of Waterloo, in which Victor Hugo
immortalizes French artilleryman,
Cambronne, and mere handful of
soldiers vic would not, could not,
surrender. Under the exalted idea
shat "Frenchman can die but not
surrender" they fought on when the
entire French army but themselves had
had been moved down or swept away
by the overwhelming charge of the
English and German armies. One of
the English officers, seeing the hope
less condition of these heroic soldiers,
and anxious to save them if possible,
called out, Brave Frenohman sur
render or we will fire on you" The
fearless Cambronne uttered one word,
"Mepdi," and with it hurled back de-
aaucv without dread, urged on the
seht'ng aad awaiting without fear the
o.ltalu death that was coming in the
next volley Of shot and shell. The
command was given and mound of
men, burial Of glory, was given to
tho brave artilleryman and his hand
ful Of followers and not one was left
alive to tell Of their great honor and
soldier-like glory.
All day long on this immortal 9Th
Of April, Capt. Martin and his men
had bcen engaged in doing battle.
This writer belonged to Custis Lee 8
division, Ewells corps, and in that
Aerce fight which resulted so disas-
trously to to the entire corps, so that
but handful escaped. Gems. Custis
Zee, Ewell, and indeed, nearly all the
officers and men were captured, wound
cd or killed. Amid the confusion a
small body Of men, among them Capt.
Martin, small number-10 or 10
Of his company and the writer made
charge at weak point in the enemy's
line and got away as we thought. But
we were mistaken. There was no way
OK escspe. We could not get away.
The federal troops were everywhere.
The Fifth, Sixth and Ninth army corps
and Sheridan's cavalry were all around
as, We made our way through tho
woods and across fields and had travel
cd a. considerable distance, several
miles, hardly knowing where we were
going. But to us anywhore-to es-
eape-rather than surrender. Late in
she afternoon we came into the main
road at the forks rof roads, a place
known as Deatonsville, the home Of
tho late lamented Judge F. R. Farras,
distinguished jurist and we'll known
Seoturer on war topics such as "John-
ny Reb." Here we rested a while
and got some water to drink. Then
there appeared coming over the field
nearly brigade Of feders. troops.
The writer and few others moved
away little from the center Of at
traction, although it seemed impossi-
bic to escape. We saw Capt. Martin
call his men into line in the middle of
the road. His men were not facing
the brigade but he was. We heard
ahofederal general call in loud tones,
brave Confederstes. surrender or we
will fire on you.'' Capt. Martin drew
bis sword and said: "Boys, you hear
what the Yankee general says. He
Calls upon US to surrender. You may
do so if you wish, but as for me, God
knows 1 never, I never can, I never
viii surrender" By this time COM
Dany Of federal troops was standing
ready to fire. They heard this bugle
blast Of defiance and before the gener-
al GOULD stop them tho whole platoon
bad opened fire upon our men. Capt.
Martin waved his sword high in the
air, staggered and fell, pierced by 20
or more bullets. The general ordered
his men to cease firing and galloced
Harvard to where Capt. Martin lay up
on the ground near an old blacksmith
shop. Quickly he. sprang from his
horse, kpelt down by the side Of the
hzave, but now dead man and hastily
. &