Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-02-10
THE BATTLE-FIELDS.
OLD SOLDIERS TALK OVER
ARMY EXPERIENCES.
The Blue and the Gray Review Incl
dents of the Late War, and in a
Graphic and Interesting Manner
Tell of Camp, March and Battle.

Not long before the close of the
Civil War, when General Lee had his
headquarters near Petersburg,
young man was sent to him with
message from his son, Gen. William
H. f. Lee, whose cavalry command
was then stationed at G., about forty
miles distant. The message was YER
bal one, to the effect that the son
would join the father with his entire
cavalry the next morning by o'clock
at Rowanta Greek, a point below Pet
ersburg on the Weldon railroad. The
young man, now long past middle life,
tells the story himself.
was little more than a boy. the
youngest and last appointed on the
staff of our gallant commander; and
in addition to the novelty of ii. there
were two other reasons which made
the nights ride the most exciting ex-
perience | had ever known-General
Lee was my idol and | had never
seen him
| had to ride fast, and when at last
| left my dripping horse at General
Lees tent door and was ushered into
HIS presence, l was almost overcome
with fatigue and heat, though too ex-
cited to realize it. General Lee sat
at table, over some midnight work.
He stopped writing for a moment and
rose to receive me, While | saluted,
more than realizing my boyhood's
ideal in the commanding presence in
which | stood Mt last Almost faint,
as | said, / forgot myself and my err
rand and seemed TO see the object OF
my admiration through Il sort OF mist,
like dim picture looking out of
dark canvas Suddenly | became con
seious that General Lee was asking
me my GRAND.
II have been sent by your son, Gen
eral William II. +. Lee" l began, me
chanically to tell you that he will
meet you with his cavalry tomorrow
morning by 8 O'Clock at" and then
| stopped
At what point will he meet me?"
asked General Lee.
1t was a simple question. but the
cold sweat started out on my hands
and face as he asked it and things
grew DINNER than ever.
II have forgotten, general" / said.
as soon as l could get my voice, 1t
seemed TO come from hollow under
my feet somewhere.
General Lee looked at me in sur
prise; then, as If to relieve my cmbar-
rassment, he took a turn across the
tent Cant you think?" he said, as
| remained silent. I tried to go over
the places in the country round.
could not think Of one. The general
stood still again before me, trying to
think himself
WAS it Ream's Station" he asked.
No, general, 1t wasn't that" l said,
beginning to take little courage.
"Or Hatchers rum
mo, general
"Was it Stony CreekY
mo, sir" | was as blank as ever.
maybe 1t was Rowanta Creek" he
ventured again, after a pause. l drew
a long breath, the mist faded from my
eyes
"Yes, general" said at was Ro-
wanta Creek" and waited TO be dis
missed with the unlimited contempt |
deserved.
when did you leave g 2" was the
next question.
AT II O'Clock" | replied. it was
then half past 3.
You must be tired. Orderly" he
called. The orderly appeared at the
tent door Take this courier and see
that he has some supper and a place
to sleep" | saluted. and went out
with the orderly. ! had the best meal
had eaten in many a day, and drop
ped asleep as soon as my head touched
the sheltered grass which served rs
my bed in the tent assigned me.
When | woke there was no tent over
me. The sun was shining In my face.
| The field was clear. Not a yestige of
the encampment but its refuse was
left. On one of the forked props which
had upheld the tent hung my knap-
Iiiffl
with food. Tied to tree near by was
my horse, saddled and bridled and
showing a very dainty appetite for
grass. seized some Of the contents
Of my knapsack, and eating as / rode.
galloped on toward Rowanta Creek.
1t is needless to say that in the
struggle which followed during the
next few days over the Weldon rail
road / fought as | had never fought
before, for the man before whom /
had stood as fool and, buf for his
own thoughtfulness. the possible cause
of the failure of battle. but who
deemed it worth while to notice only
that was tired and hungry and took
pains to see that / and my horse had
food and rest.