The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-09
COL. WILLIS,
OF GEORGIA.
Brave Soldier Whose Service
Was Appreciated by the Great
Stonewall Jackson.
REACHED :41F e: HIS AMBITION 10
Then Died as Bravely and as
Wor;hily as lie Had
Lived.

~. - ~
Judge James 3. Can't, Of the Supreme
Court OF Missouri, has written a letter
70 Major Robert Stiles, Of this city, which,
though not Intended for publication, tells
so beautifully the interesting story OF a
Confederate soldier, it ought to go to
record In this column.
After thanking Major Stiles for having
written the book "Four Years Uddcr
Iarse Robert Judge Can't continues:
The purpose OF this letter, however. is
more particularly to thank you f9r your
beautiful and eloquent tribute TO Colonel
Edward Willis, the colonel of our regi-
ment for whom had the warmest af-
lection and whose memory Is cherished
by every member Of the Twelfth Georgia.
Regiment.
I was particularly gratif1ed at read
ing your account OF your first meeting
with him at Colonel Cabells headquar-
tiers. AS you state. Colonel Willis was
the first adiutant OF the Twelfth Geor-
gia. He served IN that capacity until
General Jackson took the old Edward
johnson brigade under his command ut
MCDOWELL. From that time on he serv-
+ ed on General Jackson's staff as captain
: and assistant adjutant general, until Just
+ prior to the battle Of Fredericksburg OH
the 18th Of December, g.. On the morn
ing that Jackson 5 corps broke camp
near Winchester, va, to join General
n Lee at Fredericksburg, as our regiment
Z had begun the march General Jackson;
and his staff, with the exception OF Colo
mel Willis, passed 4us OH tho road, and
something like a half or three.quarters
Of all hour later Colonel Willis rode by
on his way to Stanton, as 1t after
wards turned out. for the purpose Of go-
Ing to Richmond, Va. to get his cons
mission as major Of our regiment Not
Il living soul in the regiment knew that
this was his mission at that time. but
he had so cndeared himself to tho OIL
GERS and mon Of the regiment In his early
service with lis as adjutant that when
: he rode opposite the regiment there was
spontaneous cheer given him by the,
whole command. We little knew tlien
that he would soon return to lis and as
sumo command of tho regiment.
5l Months later, when our regiment WAS
cncamped in Augusta county, near NS'eS-
er's Cave. II was my duty as orderly
sergeant Of my company, to make u re-
port to him i'll his headquarters one
night. !.
After making, .nly report was retiring
from his tent when he requested ms to
sit down and talk with him. I pleaded
i that he was busy. but he restrained me,
and, coming out of tho tent. We sat
down on an old log Immediately in front
of the door. and l do not now recollect
a more delightful conversation that has
ever occurred TO me. Fle 80 won my con-
tidcnCe that ! remarked to him that there
was ono occasion nj his life that he
must now recolect with peculiar gratitl-
cation, and he engulred what that was
j and said: 'You,iremember tho morning
that We broke camp at Bunker Hill oh
our way 10 Fredericksburg" and he
said Yes said: You will renlem-
/. her as you gallopcd by on your little
. bay mare the whole regiment gave you a
spontaneous and hearty cheer ! sad:
''At that time not an officer or member
&pf the regiment knew that You were to
b, appointed major OF the regiment aud
return 10 US, and it must have been
peculiarly pleasing TO YOU to know that
yon had the affection Of 4 regiment that
you We're soon to command He re-
marked: II had remembered It,. ana /
cannot describe the satisfaction that
felt at this exhibition of loyalty and
love OF the regiment
He then recounied 10 me how General
Jackson had sent for him on that morn
ing and enquired OF hin what his de-
sire WAS IN regard To remaining on stan
duly. lie said: II said TO General Jack
son; General, II I remained on staff
duty, Of course / prefer to DO on your
STAFF TO that OF any other officer in io
army. ] greatly prize the honor Of be-
ing member Of your stan. but II you
desire 10 know my preference, ] say
10 you, frankly that ] much prefer 10
seek preferment in the line"
TO his General Jackson responded:
lyon have spoken like true soldier, and