The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1904-09-22

Wheeler, as understood them, that
Governor Vance and aide were there
without transportation, for they were
"footback ""Tell General Wheeler,
hell I! He is ten miles away and
the Yanks quarter of a mile, and fix
ing to charge u.s." Weinvited them to
get up behind us aud we would carry
them out, but this they declined, aud
as the Yanks came on we broke for the
next hill and formed another line of
defense and looked back. We saw the
Yanks ride up to our friends and take
of their high hats and put them on. l
tried to shoot it off of one of them.
They came on again and away we went,
as our command was rather small to
fight regiment. 1t was not long I'M
til we met the Eighth Texas, coming
back to see what all the fighting was
about. They got after the Yanks that
had been running us SO hard and gave
them race back, / have found out
since that the gentlemen with the high
hats were not Governor Vance, but
Judge A. w. Graham's father and
a friend, of Oxford, N, C. So this is
the history of the capture of Walsh, by
one of the last Confederate soldiers
that left Raleigh. l have heard it said
that we were robbing and stealing. We
bothered nobody and stole nothing. l
will now give you picture OF Raj
eigh, as have it my eye, under those
trying circumstances race for life.
| never was in Raleigh before nor
since, and powerful short time then.
Respectfully,
w. A. DICKINSON.
Co. l, End Tenn. Cav, Ashby's Brig
ade, Wheeler's Cavalry.
Accompanying this letter is a sketch
of Raleigh, showing Walsh's, or Watt 5
position when captured and the route
taken by pursued and pursuers. A
portion Of Private Dickinson's story
is corroborated by Mr.. Stronach.
He was encamped near Raleigh at
the time of Walsh's capture. "a day
or two previous to this incident, says
Mr.. Stronach, ~ noticed a number of
the boys with new uniforms, and l as
certained that these clothes were stor-
cd in the quartermaster's building near
the Capitol. l would have secured a
uniform myself, but was on duty and
could not get away"
The grove Mr.. Dickinson speaks of
is st. Mary's school yard, and the stop
of the high hill" was undoubtedly the
spot where the fair grounds are now
located. The meeting with the two
gentleman with nigh silk hats is also
corroborated by Judge A. W. Graham.
The latter says the two gentlemen
mentioned were Governor Graham (his
father and Governor Swain, who were
returning from mission to Geneaal
Sherman upon which Governor Vance
had sent them. Judge Graham states
that he has heard his father relate the
incident that Dickinson men tions
many times.
So it would seem that Mr.. Dlckin-
sons story has ring of truth to it. II
does not agree with historical &C.
counts, and it is pity to disturb his.
tory after historians have been to some
trouble to compile it, but Dickinson
was present on that occasion, and who
has any better right to relate the Incl
dent.
Mr.. Dickinson expects to visit Raj
eigh du ring the fair next October ant
10 over the ground that was the scene
of one of the most exciting experiences
of his life.
, [Capt. Dickinson would like to hav'
any of his comrades who were will
him on the above mentioned occasion
write their version of the episode ant
send it to him in this city.-ED.]
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