The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-17

The old South Is dead. A new South, already almost into years of maturity, has
 taken its place. But the memory of the old South lives. It never shall grow old. Historians have already told the story of the great struggle. and each year, on Memorial Day, our orators recall the scenes of the mighty conflict. Almost
 enough has been done and said in regard to the important events of that war, and, now, to keep green the treasured memory of our Lost Cause" it is best to recte the story of single deeds of valor that must have occurred in almost countless numbers.
 Here is an account of a death struggle
 between Capt. W. H. Lawrence, of Com
 pany K, sth Alabama Cavalry, and Thos.
 F. Dornblaser. Company E, 7th Penn sylvania Cavalry, both brave. chivalrous and exhibiting that spirit of true knight hood which has ever been a characteristic of Americans.
 Captain Lawrence today has sons W
 H. Lawrence of Livingston, and J. C.
 Lawrence of Union Springs. Ala, who are honored citizens of Alabama, and upon their shoulders has fallen their father s | mantle of knighthood and nobility. To my mind, this incident, (and none can | doubt its authenticity, presents an exam pie of coolness and courage and nobility and chivalry that reflects glory upon | North and South alike. It was written after Captain Lawrence's death. In his | diary by his slayer, and then sent to Mrs. | Lawrence. That strange fact alone would | render it precious as a relic of the dark | days of '61-65.
 ! The following is true copy of the orig { inal:
 Written by the side of wm. A. Law | renee, Captain Company K. sth Alabama Cavalry.
 To Mrs. Lawrence, wife of Capt. Vim. II. Lawrence, Tuscaloosa, Ala: You may not understand the meaning of this communication, and 1t is with feelings of regret that the writer informs you that it is intended to convey the earnest request of your husband. Unavoidable circumstances have made 1t
 obligatory upon me to forward this little
 diary to you. and by the request of Cap-
 tain Lawrence, send with 1t a brief narrative of the incidents connected herewith. The rehearsal of them Is un- pleasant to me, and full of sadness to you. and the writer hopes that this Is not the first intelligence that has reached you of the sad affair. To present the narrative to you, I shall first tell you how came fin contact with the subject of this manuscript, When Hoods Army was destroying the railroad between Resaca and Dalton, two brigades of Confederate Cavalry were making a feint at Rome, Ga. They came in sight of the town and presented q very bold front. On the 12th of October 1884, our division. End Cav- airy Division. commenced skirmishing with them. We drove them about two miles and camped for the night. Neat morning. we attacked them again. They opened on us with two pieces of artil- lery. but fired over us, consequently no one was hurt
 Their artillery. two pieces. was all cap- tured, and about 200 prisoners. I went out to the right of the road. into the woods. which was full of rebels trying to escape. A number of them surrendered without firing a shot. Went on to an open field. and was about crossing fence, when I spied a rebel officer a short distance to my right, with pistol In one hand and sabre in the other. trying to make his escape. It was my duty to halt him, which did. I told him to throw down his arms, which he did immediately but when he saw me alone. he seized his weapons again, exciaiming in a firm and audible voice, 'I'H fight you"
 He did not act the part of stealthy coward, but he acted the part of brave
 man; he acted robly; he let me know what I had to do As he reached for his arms, he jumped to 8 tree twenty paces from me, and fired two shots with his pistol Having made up my mind to hold