The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-10-06

and had not Deen 1Ol lHolltAs "AeA
this startling and astounding feat was
performed in the open light OF day,
in the open field and in full view of
opposing lines. I put this statement
in writing, though as an act OF JUS
tice il is too tardy to be OF benefit to
nv old. worthy and estlmable COM
rade, but I shall give myself the sat-
isfaction of sending it to his daughter
that she and all who come after may
know of what stuff they are made.
And it may be that it may turnsh ma
reria1 for a skillful hand to guild with
true metal of heroism page OF Our
history.
John Bratton.
Il etter from Brig. Gen. Jno. Bratton
to daughter of Capt. J. B. Lyles.)
White Oak, S. c., March 29, 1890.
Dear Miss Fanny: You must not
measure my appreciation of your IN
terest;ng letter by my want otprompt-
ness in acknowledging it. The delay
arose from my desire for leisure 10
enioy the writing of such a letter.
Nv time has been occupied with mat
ters Of distressing and worrying na-
ture.
You will perceive that the state
ment enclosed is dated the 10Th inst.
It was barely started when l was IN
terrupted and did not resume 1t Until
today. Fearing indefinite procrastlrla-
lion and trusting that it would be
pleasing in the sight Of God, l nave
made Sunday job of it.
I cannot tell how gratifying is such
letter from the daughter OF my val
ued old comrade, who has been away
50 far and so long that I did not know
that he had a daughter. 1t not only
gave me great pleasure OF itself by
it's spirit and tone, but a pleasant
task to perform, which has been de-
layed solely by my wish for the lei
sure to do it as we'll as | can and to
fullv enjoy the doing of it. Your dear
father is little mixed in the facts. l
was wounded almost week after the
Battery Harrison affair and got back
few days after the Williamsburg
road incident, while it was fresh, and
nv statement is the summary Of re-
ports from various sources, from Gen.
Fields down to the privates who wit
messed it. He was on the eve OF leav-
ing for home, having secured :eave
of absence to get married. The only
trophy that was delivered to me was
little cavalry carbine. This he
brought to me the evening before he
left and informed me that he had not
turned it over to the government, as
was our rule with captured property,
told me why he had not done so.
When about half way through with
the capture a Federal officer, some
distance up the line, was Indignantly
rating his men for surrendering to
one man and urging them to kill or
capture him. 1t was the crisis of the
undertaking (for he was in their pow
er if they could only be brought to
realize it) and must be met prompt
1y. Throwing down his trophies and
picking up the carbine which had been
lost in the retreat Of cavalry, he ad-
vanced promptly and directly on the
officer, presenting the carbine and
threatening to blow his brains out if
he did not surrender. He yielded;
the capture was completed. without
further trouble. Fortunately the car
bine was not loaded, but neither your
father nor the Yankee knew it. He
slung the carbine on his shoulder and
held i till | came.
His duties precluded the idea of mis-
using it in the public service. He had
no excuse for appropriating it, and
brought it to me with the above state
ment. I received it and having no
wedding present for his bride, told
L ~F of1
responsibility for it, but concluded to