The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-30
MAN. WHO CHECKED
GENERAL LEE
When the Latter Would
Have Headed a Charge.
An incident OF The evidences" Whose
Central Figure Lives, Loved
and H0nOred, Down i'm
Sampson.
BY JOHN A. PARKER.

To the Editor:-I have read with
dee interest of the one man and al
one time of whom it may be said
overtted, perhapr a disaster that
would have changed the tactics of the
whole Confederate army in Virginia,
Little did / think then that / would
ever have the pleasure. for indeed
il was pleasure of seeing and Strik-
ing hands with such q worthy hero.
We all remember we'll the battle of
the Wilderness as related by our faith
erS and told b. the historian. The
Union soldiers had gained a position
and We're entrenching themselves.
The nickel lines were then firing. The
day was in the evening. To leave the
Union army there over night would be
disastrous to Lee and his forces. He
had been fi"hting all day with but
little success. Yet he could not stay
where he was. So, filled with anx-
ety for the enemies position and love
for his cause he said I'll lead this
charge
The general spurred on to front and
gave the command "Prepare for ac-
ton" saying. "I'll lead this charge
The words 10 sooner fell from his
lips than man, private though
he was. leaped from his place in ranks
and seizing the bride of Lees horse
said. You will not" The soldiers.
realizing the extreme dap~nr of such
actions united in a loud protest
the generals movements, and refused
10 follow if he should lead the charge.
but promised to gain the position if
he would retire.
The General became very indignant
at such conduct hv his soldiers and
after several shap orders for the SOL
der to release his bride rein drew his
sword and was in the act of striking.
the rebellious private no still refused
10 free Lees horse. Just at this in
slant Colonel Manning. of the 3rd
Arkansas regiment. came on the scene
and it was THROUGH his efforts that Lee
was finally persuaded to retire TO the
rear.
1t is needless to here that the
boys made the charge and gained the
position of the enemy.
In Clinton, SAM count. North
Carolina, lives the true hero of the
Wilderness in the person of James
Thomas Gregory
r. j. Gregory was born in Samp-
son county. y. seventy-two wears
ago. In 1859 he emiorated r. Ar
kansas. but as soon as the South ST.
coded he volunteered his services 20
the Confederacv and was enlisted In
company f of the 3rd Arkansas regi-
ment. The regiment was soon ordered
to Virginia. In the fail of 1862 this
regiment was added to a Texas bril-
gade commanded By General Hoke.
Few men in the South carry with
them more wounds or such severe
wounds as does the subject of this
article. He was wounded three times
during the war all of which was con-
Sidered very dangerous if not fatal.
He was first wounded at Sharpsburg,
Md. Sept. II 1862. His skull was
fractured in charge and no hopes
were entertained If his recovery. But
he soon recovered and took his place
i'm ranks again. In July 1863. he FLIED
his place in the famous charge UP
Gettysburg heights with General Long
street the result of which was
the loss of one of the bones in his
right forearm. The third and most
severe of all wounds he received waa
the loss of his left ler in the charge
at the Wilderness on the afternoon
in which he held Gen. Lees horse.
For thirty days after this battle Mr..
Gregory lay on the field. not being
strong enough to be borne away OF
stretcners, but did finally recover and
again went back TO his command
carving with his a wooden leg.
Mr.. Gregory is lively cheer1ul
citizen. interesting and entertaining.
He is a tailor by trade and makes his
living in this way and supports his
family from the same source.
A few months the people or
Clinton presented him with purse
containing $500 as an evidence of their
appreciation ana esteem for him as
a citizen soldier. and hero.
Chanel Hill N G