The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-19

The author of It Is Judge George Savage,
of Baltimore, formerly of Richmond
WHO contribuLe1 it IN the columns OF the
Columbia IS. CD State:
desire 10 pay a well deserved tribute
to tire memory OF the late Major Wade
Hampton t;ibbcs. whose death on the
18th instant at Columbia has been an
rollnced.
He was born In Columbia. April g.,
1887. His parents were DR. Robert WI
son Gibbes and Caroline Elizabeth GuiS.
nHrd who was daughter OF John Gabriel
Gnignard He entered West Point In
1855. and was graduated in 1850. While
at home on furlougl,. awaiting orders
to go TO the frontier in Texas, his State
seeded, and on the same day his reslg-
nation was forwarded to the United
States War Department.
Ills first military services for the Con-
fcderacy were in the operations against
Fort Sumter. and he took prominent
and active part In It's reduction. He was
subsequently with the great General
Robert f. Lee during his first campaign
In West Virginia, but prolonged ~ health
detained him for some time from active
field duty.
A VIRGINIA. BATTALION.
In June, 1864. he was assigned to the
command Of the. Thirteenth battalion
of Virginia Artillery, which was com
posed OF the Otoy Battery manned after
It's first captain, George CASTOR Otey,
organized in 1862 in Richmond. Va. and
when under Major Gibbes was COM
manded by Captain David Norman
Walker; the Rii,gsold Battery. organized'
In Pittsylvania county, Va. and com
mnnded BY Captain Dickinson. and the
Lynchb,irg Battery. organized In Lynch
burg. Va. and commanded by Lie,,ten.
ant Powell, In the absence on sick leave
Of Captain Richardson. its commanding
officer. Major Gibl,.i. tss,imod command
(succeedng Colonel : Floyd King, Of
Gcirgia, a brave oflicerl, soon after tho
battalion reached the front at Peters
burg, Va.
About the middle Of June 1854. his
battalion took position on the front lines
at Petersburg. Tho Lynchburg ArtIl-
1ery held the lines nearest to the point
known afterwards, and now. as the
Crater; the Otey Battery was located IN
the right OF the Lynchburg Artillery:
and the RInggold Battery went into po-
sition on the right of the otey Battery.
The three nbove-named batteries re-
NAMED In those exposed positions for
about five months were under constant
fire and sustained many casualties.
! was detailed to serve asa courier
for Major Gibbes soon after no took
command. was then nineteen years
OF age. but looked younger. although
had served in tho otey Battery since
September, 1863.
now write Of my beloved and well
remembered commander with n distinct
recollection of him and of the events
which impressed him indelbly and most
favorably' on my mind. I was with him
constantly from the time no courteously
welcomed me as his courier until VIC sep
aratcd on the battlefield at the Lynch
burg battery on July 30, 1864. as ! will
now relate Your space forbids details,
but permit me TO give n sketch.
IN FRONT OF PETERSBURG.
When on tho morning OF July 20, 1854,
the mine which had been placed by Union
troops under tho Confederate works was
fired and exploded, Major Glbbcs and
were asleep i'll n cottage house some
distance in rear ofsthc Ringgold battery.
We hurried to the front and soon Major
Gibbes took immediate command OF the
Lynchbmrg artillery. The heavy concen-
trntcd fire from tho Union lines (supplc-
mented by many sharpshooters); the ter
iific explosion of the mine Immediately
AT our left and tile fear of another ex-
ploson. which seemed Imminent. had
thrown officers and men OF the Lynch
burg battery into some confusion and
inactivity.
must here give the highest praise TO
heroic Gun Corporal Hall, of the Lynch
burg artillery. who was from Washing
ton county Va. and only twenty-five
years old. lie was the representation
OF heroism on the battlefield. lie COM
manded the left gun OF the battery. and
located at an angle Of the earthworks
IT swept the front OF our line and dealt
death to the left flank OF the charging
and masscd Union troops. That gun
Was the most important and the most de-
structive IN the Confederate lines. Cor
poral Hall worked II with conspicuous
bravery, rapldty and accuracy. Soon
after Major Gbbes took charge Corpo
raj Hall was mortally wounded by n
sharpshootcr, who shot him as he sighted
bis gun, From first to last he was truly
heroic IN bearing. words and action.
NrORTARS TURNED ON TIE CRATER,
Now Let me return 10 Major Gibhcs.
He quickly took In tho situation. which
was indeed critical, and IN sharp tones
ordered me to go ms quickly MS 7 could
"a he mortar battery, located about
quarter Of n milo IN rear of tho Otey
battery, and commanded by Lieutenant
John r., Langhorne. OF tho otey battery,
and to direct him to fie into the fort
opposite that hole, (now known as
the Craten; into the lines between the
fort and that hole" and. II possible,
into 1t. and TO keen firing until he ey-
hnustcd his ammunition or received or
ders to cease firing, lie told me to
then return TO HIM as he would have
more use for mo-" The earth was
then being swept by musketry shells
and shsrpshooters, and the Confederate
| lines were under orders, keeping quIet
| and awaiting an attack along the whole
line, II WINS time of Intense suspense.
] obeyed with nlHcrity the order 70 direct
Lieutenant Lanshorne TO open his NOR
| tars,
fully realized the danger involved,
but resolved to do my duty. I'm
doubtedly ! left the cover OF tho heavy
| earthworks with much msglylng, I
ran towards Lieutenant Langhorne az
fast as ! possibly could. for my l!fe was
ut stake, When about half way bullet
or small ball Went into the bottom Of
my right foot, pierced the sole of the
heavy English miners shoe ! wore. en-
tered my right foot, necessltating sub
scquently the ampuation of the whole OF
the middle toe, passed through my foot
and the upper Of my shoe and sped on,
/ / suffered intensely, bat managed to
hobble to Lieutenant Langhorne, sup
nv iflrr ypN lnft