The Washington times., 1904-09-22
GENERAL |. ESTES
MADE COMMANDER
Chosen to Lead the Medal
of Honor Legion.
A BRILLIANT ARMY RECORD
Promoted for Calamity and Recon-
mended for Honor by General
Sherman-His Daring Exploits.

Il will be the source Of much gratifi-
cation TO the friends OF Gen. LIewellyn
c. Estes. OF Washington. TO learn that
ne has been elected commander Of the
Medal of Honor Legion. his election
took place yesterday at the annual re-
union OF the Legion at Atlantic City.
Other officers elected are. Senior vice
commander. Judge J. Julius Langbien,
OF New York: Junior vice commander
Col James NJ. Schoomakcr, of Jersey
city. and chaplain, James Miller, OF
Philadelphia.
The ncNt reunion will be held in
Washington ia September 1901.
General Estes has "a brilliant war
record. having distinguished himself for
g;ilianirN and skill during the hostili-
tics between the North and South. Only
recently President Roosevelt remarked
10 him that no would mtner have lis
lecord than be head OF the nation His
ability as q soldier may be summed IN
BY thc fact shat he enlisted as pri-
waite. and rose through meritOrious ser
v.cc to tbe rank Of brevei brigadier
general
Enlisted in 1861.
His army career began with his enlist
ment i'm tho First Maine Cavalry in 1861
He was soon advanced 10 the rank of
sergeant and FOR the. next two years
rose steadily. Funtn May. 1853. found him
captnin under General fitzpatrick.
II was al this point in his military
career that General Estes gained the adj
miratiOn and praise Of his superior Off
GERS by an act Of bravery and skill.
While carrying message from General
L -f-afl.
guard were captured by the Confederate
Home Guards. The captives were or
dered confined in Richmond rs prisoners
Of war and were sent TO the Confeder-
ate Capital under q heavy guard
During the night. while on their wy
TO Richmond. Estes made a concerted
attack ON the guard. captured the lieu
tenant in charge. and the twelve men
under him, and marched them 20 the
tederal lines, where they were held as
prisoners OF war. The deed called forth
great commentator. and was referred
10 by the adjutaut general OF the State
OF Maine. in his report. as a feat full
OF romance and worthy Of the best days
Captured a Flag.
General Estes again distinguished
himself during the battle OF Failing Wa
ters July. 1850. when he captured a Con-
Tolerate regimentsl flag singIe-handed
and at the risk Of his life. The flag was
the property Of & regiment drawn I'D in
battle array in front of his own com
mand- Estes was sudden seized with
a desire TO possess IL. and without 4
thought OF danger he made his way TO
the nag bearer, snatched Il from hi~
and carried the prize to his own lines
amid a shower OF bullets. r.--f
It was largely through the efforts
General Estes that the fan Of Atlanta
was FASTENED. On the afternoon Of Au-
gust 80. 1854. his command Of fifty men
encountered a detachment of 800 Con-
federates, and drove them four miles.
thus getting possession of Flint River
Bridge In recognition of this act Gen
O. .. Howard. OF the Army of the Ten
pesee. recommended he be given a
medal OF honor, which was presented in
the course Of time.
To Rescue Prisoners.
one OF his most perilous undertakings
occurred during Sherman's march to the
sea. when ne was ordered by Sherman
TO rescue 800 cavalrymen confined at
Fort Millen. BY a system OF moves
Estes and his scouts succeeded in get
ting within few miles Of millen, only
10 learn that the prisoners had been
removed from the fort the day before
their arrival The exploit was fraught
with danger owing TO the fact that the
enemy Was IN great force in the sur
rounding country. On the expedition
Estes traversed 12O miles with a com
man6 Of lao men. and returned with
cut the loss Of a single life.
Gen. W. T. Sherman, in recommend
ing his promotion TO brigadier general
said: Respectfully forwa rded and ear
nestly recommended. This Young Of
ficer is universally recommended for his
Eallantry."
General Estes is president OF the Cav
airy Association Of Armies of the United
States. vice president Of the Society of
the Army OF the Potomac. and past vice
commander OF the Medal Of Honor Le-
giOn.