The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1904-09-23
Gen. Gordon's Fears,

], Gen. Gordon's Fears.
"As for my SELF says Gen. Gordon,
Il was never In a battle without real
izing that every moment might be my
last, but never had presentiment
of certain death at given time or in
a particular battle. 81
There did come to me on one occa-
sion feeling that was akin to pre-
sentiment. 1t was, however, the re-
suit Of no supposed perception of Ger.
tain coming fate, but an unbidden,
unwelcome calculation Of chances sug-
gested by the peculiar circumstances
in which found myself at the time.
ut was at Winchester, in the valley
Of. Virginia. My command was lying
almost in the shadow of a frowning
fortress in front, in which Gen. Mil
roy of the union army was strongly
intrenched with forces which we had
been fighting during the afternoon. In
the dim twilight, with the glimmer Of
his bayonets and brass howitzers still
discernible, I received an order to
storm the fortress at daylight the next
morning.
ITO say that l was astounded at
the order would feebly express the
sensation which it's reading produced;
for on either side of the fort was an
open country, miles in width, through
which confederate troops could easily
pass around and to the rear of the
fort, cutting off Gen. Milroy from the
base Of his supplies, and thus forcing
him to retire and meet us in the open
field. There was nothing for me to
do, however, but to obey the order.
: "As in the night | planned the as
sault and thought OF the dreadful
slaughter that awaited my men, there
came to me, as have stated, a cal
culation as to chances which result
ed In the conclusion that I had not
one chance in thousand to live
through it. The weary hours of the
night had nearly passed, and by the
dim light of my bivouac fire l wrote,
with pencil, what supposed was my
last letter to Mrs. Gordon, who, as
usual, was near me. | summoned my
quartermaster, whose duties did not
call him into the fight, and gave him
the letter, with directions to deliver
1t to Mrs. Gordon after l was dead.
Mounting my horse, my men now
ready, l spoke to them briefly and
encouraged them to go with me into
the fort. Before the dawn we were
moving and soon ascending the long
slope. At every moment ! expected
the storm of shell and ball that would
end many life, my own among
them, but on we swept and into the
tort, to find not a soldier there! 1t
had been evacuated during the night"
Sentinel.
Enlisted at 16.
Col. J. D. Walker, three times elect
ID national commander of the union
,x-prisoners of war, was born in AL
egheny City, Pa, So years ago.
At the age of 16 he enlisted in the
amous Knap's battery for three years
# during the war, and from that date
4 enlistment participated in all the
marches and battles of that celebrat-
d organization until mustered out in
Pa, June IA, 1865.
He was at the battle Of Antietam,
harding rebel prisoners OF war, and
1so with Shackelford's cavalry in
heir pursuit Of Morgan through In
lana and Ohio and was in at his
apture.
Col. Walker was with Gen. Sherman
4 the Atlanta campaign, his march
3 the sea and through the Carolinas.
Ie was taken prisoner near Black
,ater. N. c., by Gen. Hampton's cav
lry and confined in the confederate
rison at Raleigh, N. G., Danville, and
ibby. va. He has been a member
Z the d. A. r. since 1867, a past
resident Of Post 88, Department OF
past president OF the
county Grand Army asso-
iation. three times commander OF the
allegheny county association OF union
x-nrisoners of war. He was for
hree terms chairman Of the execu-
i've committee Of the union ex-pris-
ners OF war, and was elected national
ommander at Cleveland, 1901, and
reelected at Washing
~ d. c., in 1902. and also unani-
I usly elected again at San Fran
isco, Cal, 1903.
ia il OF Scotch-Irish extraction.
nd of direct descent from the fight
- preacher Of the Walls of Derry"
Grants Marvellous Memory.
can. Grants retentive memory was
,,rnIv marvellous, more especially to
Noe most closely associated with him
rom day to day. In the midst of
'hsorbing thought, and with appar-
'ntlv unobservant manner, his quick
~ and eye seemed to hear and no.
~ everything, and two weeks or
..o,ths later the slightest details had
i, sscsbed his attention or memory.
r,,sa mower was Enthusiastically demon