The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-07-08
WAR STORIES.
Al, Incident in the Life Of Brave Man.
The Columbia State.

| rear VI lue Otey battery, and com
mandcd by Lieut.. John B. Langh orne
of the Otey battery, and to direct
him to fire into the fort opposite ct hat
hole (now known as the Crater); into
the lines between the fort and "tha at
hole and if possible into it, and to
keep firing until he exhausted his
ammunition or received orders to
cease firing. He told me to the n
return to shim, as he would hav e
more use for me-" The earth was
then being swept by musketry, shells
and sharpshooters, and the Confeder- :
ate lines were, under orders, keeping
quiet and awaiting an attack along the
whole line. It was time OF intens o
suspense. l obeyed with alacrity the
order to direct Lieut.. Langhorne to
open his mortars.
fully realized the danger involved :,
but l resolved to do my duty. I'm
doubtedly left the cover of the heav y
earthworks with much misgiv:ng. I
ran towards. Lieut.. Langhorne as fast
as possibly could, for my life was at
stake. When about half way bullet
or small ball went into the bottom
of my right foot, pierced the sole of
my heavy English miners shoe I
wore, entered my right foot, necessi-
tating subsequently the amputation of
the whole of the middle toe, passed
through my foot and the upper of my
shoe, and sped on. I suffered intense.
ly, but managed to hobble to Lieut..
Langhorne, supported myself by put
ting my left arm around his neck and
80 delivered the order to him. At
once he opened his mortars, and the
work of death proceeded. The mortars
were very destructive. Some Of them
fell into "that hole" was unable
to return to the Otey battery for six
months.
In the meantime tho heroic South
Carolinian was doing his whole duty
by example, commands and actions.
While fearlessly xpoaing himself he
was shot by sharpshooter in his
right shoulder, and he was not only
placed horse de combat, but his life
trembled in the balance. He was
carried very carefully to Mr.. Gamer
on's home in Petersburg, and his
personal friend, DR.. Buist, Of South
Carolina, and DR.. Dulany, Of Mary
land, performed the operation which
saved his life.
NEAR UNTO DEATH.
A piece of bone had been driven
into the main artery; at any time na-
ture might expel it aud he would GER
tainly and speedily bleed to death.
The attending surgeons determined to
perform without delay the most o1;ti-
cal operation Of jerking out tho piece
OF bone, thrusting in small sponge
clamping the wound and holding it
until nature could gradually expel the
sponge anu neal the opening. II was
done successfully but at great and
unavoidable risk to Maj. Gibbes. I.
remember hearing DR.. Dulany tell
him, curing visit be paid him with
me in Feb, 1865, at Chapin's Bluff.
below Richmond on the north side of
the James, where he had an artillery
command, that it was by "a mira
Gle" he was saved, and that the
squirt 81 life-blood was 80 sudden
and copious that if the pierced ar
terry had not been clamped as it was
he would have died in minute and a
half.
Maj. Gibbes served faithfully with
that artillery conn, and at Chapin's
Bluff until surrendered at Appomat-
tox. He was very popular with the
officers and men Of the Thirteenth
battalion Of Virginia artillery, ana mis-
record while serving with it was that
OF an ever courteous, vigilant, ener-
getic, accomplished and brave officer.
He was we'll worthy Of much higher
command. Peace to his ashesl Bless
ed be his n ,mory!
Let me identify myself by modest
ly adding that I was born pS Sa7ape
Station, which is within IL miles Of
Richmond, Va, and that I an law
yer and am now chief Judge of lS,e Or
phans' court Of Baltimore city. Just
now I am in South Carolina on visit
to my widowed sister. Mrs. Suean Fa--
row, reliot Of the late Col. Jas. Far
row, Of Laurens.
Let me add that ! will ever cherish
the memory Of Maj Gibbes swith pride
and Affection. Heoroa Sayaoa