The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-08-05
RED |AK COMMISSION;
HOW AND WHY GIVEN.

Editor Of The ,TImes-Dspatch: @ @
Sir,-Nly attention has been called to
an article III the Confederate Column Of
your paper OF the first Of July. signed
It. G. Warlng, In which the writer seems
to have misunderstood the object and
meaning OF the so-callcd fred Ink COM
missions which were given under spe-
cial net Of the Confederate Congress.
passed. according to my recollection. In
the winter OF 1884. About that time I
knew that such mn act was passed to
the effect that commissions would be
given n4lred Ink for distinguished valor
and skill,
#l 1t was many years after tho war be-
fore heard of u single person who had
been SO honored and Until now have
only heard of two parsons who had been
SO fortunate as to procure such commits
slons-namely, Major Bnrham. who re-
celved Il commission In red Ink. ana
Private w. A.. Jameson, who received
u like commission as lieutenant, have
seen Mr.. tJamiesons commission. and In
Z II nro the words written in red Ink. For
distinguished Yalor and skill, No other
part OF the commission WINS written with
red Ink, IT wns signed BY John G.
Breckinrldge, Secretary OF War. 1t can
be seen II the Confederate Museum at
Richmond. 34
Tho object in giving these commissions
was not as q reward for yalor alone. for
that was common. but for some distn-.
guahed act OF skill In connection with 1t.
No amount OF courage simply In the line
OF duty could procure such commission.
1t was the nrt shown in taking an i'd
vantage OF the enemy attended With q
show OF yalor, both Ynlor and Skill being
necessary. 8s& Il Ne 43r65t M II
Perhaps. i can best Illustrate tho mean
Ing OF the law by q tabled account OF
Bonaparto and tho young soldier: The
General was about to nssail tho enemy.
whcnn soldier suggested TO him n weak
point In the opposing line. How do you
know lit" was asked. m
Bonaparte concentrated his. attack Just
there, ana the enemy WAS broken and
destroyed. When tho General went for
ward, he saw the young soldier lying
dead upon the field or bnttle. "rhero
lies" said he the remains OF ono who,
but for that Inflated bullet, would have
become marshal of I'rance!" s5
TO have discovered a weak point In
the cncny's line, and to have nssaIled
II with determined courage, would have
rendered one 1T to hold q rcd ink COM
mission, i8 {53,
And again to illustrate; Early In our
| Confederate war ] snw regiment ttal
had never been In ection placed under
| IRE, The men wore terribly excited. and
the most OF them broke for the rear. a
| private soldier stood almost alone as q
mark for the enemy, In an angry tone
Of voice. that could be heard above the
din OF battle, he yoc1ferated; where IN
/ the h--il are YOU going What did YOU
| come here f0r?'' j. I'll
!, The soldiers heard him. There waH
sense In his words. ana his bearing wal
such as to restore, pride and confidence
and the men. who had been terrified BY
tho novelty OF the Mtuation, returned t
| their senses and reformed the regimen,
to discharge their duty,
That man was not only brave, but
he met the demands Of the occasion
There was 'yalor and skill" In his nc,
tons, and he was. for that battle. wcrtl
a regiment Of men; for, but ror his