The Savannah morning news., 1904-07-21
ANNIVERSARY OF MANASSAS
Scenes and Incidents of the First Battle of
Bull Run

tall. soldierly looking fellow, in his
shirt sleeves, l think, who was wound
ed in the arm. But he and a little red
headed, short-legged fellow made their
escape. After the war I met up with
them-they were John H. Estill and
John J. Griffin.
Now. this preface is simply intended
to bring me to a much more important
and interesting subject. Despite his
terrible wounds. Col Qater GEM
Gardner lived, like myself. however, an
invalid and sufferer-until about two
years ago. We had a reunion at Rome.
Ga, many years ago, that was very
tender and fraternal. When I told
Gems. Tyler and Keyes that l did not
think Col. Gardner could survive. they
both shed tears, and yet he outlived
them a score of years. As to Col Es-
till. then a private. l think. in the
Oglethorpe Light Infantry, the sur
geons proposed to amputate his arm
above the elbow as the only means of
saving his life. but his persistent re-
fusal to submit 10 the operation is why
he is to-day walking about in good
health and great business activity,
with two apparently sound arms.
There were many such cases In the
armies of the Civil War. but in some
of them protests and appeals failed to
save an arm or leg. and so the poor
sufferer went forth from the hospital,
needlessly, perhaps, MANNED for life.
The gallant Eighth Georgia had four
! commanders, Col. Barlow killed at
Bull Run: Col. Gardner. wounded; Col.
Lucius NJ. Lamar wounded. and Col
Towers Col. Lamar. in the battles
around Richmond, was severely
wounded and captured On being taken
to a Union army hospital at Savage
Station. the surgeons prepared TO
amputate his leg, but he protested. Be
ing a prisoner. however. his protest
would have been unavailing but for
nv old and distinguished friend, Ex-
Gov. Frederick Robbie. OF Gorham, Me-
then a paymaster in the army. Hav-
ing been a physician and surgeon.
Paymaster ROBBIE was visiting the
hospitals and helping the surgeons.
Col. Lamar appealed 20 him. and hsv
ing been a teacher in Townsville, Ga.
long before the war. Gov. Robbie pre-
vented the amputation. and also gave
Col. Lamar a blanket at his request
Writing to me in 1883. Col. Lamar
said: II cannot describe TO YOU my
sensations at this critical period Of my
life" OF Gov. r. he wrote: II was
very grateful-tears bore witness 20
my feelings. love him like broth
err
Now. let US look on another picture.
more sad and gloomy. Marshall T.
Polk. nephew of President James X.
Polk. graduated al West Point in 1882,
but resigned from the army. where ne
had been aide 70 Gen. Twiggs and
Gen. Harvey, in 1856. He became, like
Col. Lamar, a dashing colonel IN the
Confederate army and was also terri
bly, wounded and a prisoner OF war
This was at the battle Of Perryville'
and he was taken TO the Union hospi-
tai at Evansville. Ind. The surgeons
were preparing 10 amputate his leg,
and like Col. Lamar he violently pro-
tested, but in vain Then he drew
revolver and threatened to kill the
surgeons. but was overpowered ana
the leg amputated above the knee
Joint Marsh" Polk. like Lamar. was
a sort Of dashing. hish-strung cava-
lier. and the loss Of his leg embiuered
his whole after life. Had there been
klnd-hearted, strong-mlnded Or. Robe
present IN that hospital, the leg might
have been saved and gallant soldier
made happy for life.
one day IN June. 1861. "a squad from