The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-10-11

concealed him from view. This con-
tinued until word could be passed
along the line stopping it. This, Of
course, served to attract the attention
OF all to him as he approached the
gully in which the enemy we're, and
IN full view of friend and foe, accom-
plished the capture and made them
file out without arms and move on to
our lines, There was great epthu-
slasm and excitement on our side.
Men ell along the line of the division
mounted the works with ordinations
of admiration and inquiry: "Who is
hep etc. The enemy did not seem
to understand it at first, and took no
part until they saw the prisoners Ill
ing into our works, when they opened
battery On the sccne, which con-
tributed to the general excitement,
but was especially effective in hurry
ing the movement of the prisoners
into our works. The number Of off
GERS and men captured was about 600,
with three stands of colors and
swords by the armful This is the
substance of report made to me on
my return to the brigade few days
after The incident occurred. And on
which based and forwarded recon-
mendation for his promotion. Major
General Fields. who witnessed the
close of this stirring soene, not only
endorsed. but warmly urged it on the
ground of "benefit to the SERVICE"
In his entire division, adding what he
himself saw Of the remarkable feat.
But our army was being worn away
and reduced in numbers daily. There
were no vacancies, all of our posi-
tions were held by officers of courage
aud experience, and our condition was
not favorable to giving rank for any
feat OF Valor, not even for one so con-
spicuous and extraordinary as this.
The Recommendation for promotion
was for this reason. perhaps, shelv-
ed.
This, though che lost wonderful,
was by no means '-e first of Capt.
Lyle's feats Of danger. They, to-
gether with his personal disrega I'd
for danger, had made him in tho bri-
gade a reputation for general reckless
ness, but his reoklessness was entire
ly personal-no officer was more care
fui Tor his men, in looking to their
comfort or shielding them from un-
necessary risk. So far as they were
concerned he exercised real prudencs,
but it was the prudence of which only
brave man is capable. He was high
ly endowed with what are called
battle Instincts" and relying i'm.
plicitiy on his intuitions OF tbs con.
ditions Of the enemy, acted on them
whenever he had authority to do 80.
Hence his successes id appsre utly
rash and reckless enterprises.
His intelligent:oou and peculiar
adaptability to fighting attracted my
attention aud Influenced my1seleotion
of him for service on the staff. I
will only add that in that service he
more than filed the measure Of my ex-
pectations. ., = i. ...;, .|:].!:r..<
l have Intentionally made this plain
and simple statement, avoiding etfo rt
at establishment, or even expression
of my opinion and admiration, but it
is necessary to just appreciation Of
this. browning feat of e career Of
heroism to call attention to the time
and place and circumstances of it's
achievement. Our army hAd been
forced behind it's works around Rioh-
mond and Petersburg, and it's opera.
tions for months confined to their DE-.
fence, which taxed to the utmost its
courage and fortitude. With con-
slant diminishing, resources we were
reduced to !: . eteady, dogged defence. /
TO the common eye there wss literally i
no field for enterprise of valor and
skill for our army, or any position of
it, or any individual in it, and had
not been for months vhsn this start. |
ling snd astounding f,s, was perform.
ed in tho open light Of dny, in tho |
open field and in full view Of opposing
lines I put ehis staten sns in wris-
ing, though ss an act of.jastioe tits
too tardy 70 be Of benefit 70 my: old, ]
vorthy and estimabls comrade, but ] /
shall give myself the satisfaction of !
sending iit 90 his daughter, that ahe |
aad oil who come after may Snow of |
what stat they; are made. Ard III !
may be that - may furnish material
Tor ! sikiiifaass hhsafa: t.os q ss:la =:.k ..us
metal lof EhertisIu q page Of; our his.