The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-12
"SENEX' TELLS OF
DASH|NG SOLDIER
Frederick G. Skinner, Maryland
er, Frenchnan and a Virglnian
MI in One.
HuMoRs OF THE WAR-TlMEs
The Simple Story Of the Life O
a Brave Southern
Fighter.

Fighter.
Colonel Frederick Gustavus Skinner
was born in Baltimore Md, about the
scar 1914. His father was the editor
OF one of the first. If not the first,
agricultural newspapers published In
the United States. 1t was called the
Flow, Anvil and Loom. In 1874 when
General Lafayette came othis coun-
try as the guest Of the nation, Colonel
SINNERS father was the postmaster
of Baltimore. An uncle of Colonel
SINNERS, Jack Stewart, was one of
the three men to whom Congress
voted gold medals for gailantrN at
the storming of Stony Point, and be-
tween whom and General Lafayette.
then boy of only twenty-one years
Of age, very close friendship took
place. To express his friendship for
Jack Stewart, no offered to take Fred
(then boy of ten) TO France with
him, and to educate him. The offer
was accepted. and Colonel Fred, as his
comrades always affectionately called
him. was an inmate Of General Lafay-
cites family for ten years. Imagine
the result-a Mnrylander by birth. n
Frenchman by education. and Vir-
sinian by adoption-he was one of
the most unique characters l over
knew.
first met Colonel skinner at Gull
PEPPER Courthouse in May, 1861. He,
with his wife snd daughter. was board
ing at Rixc's Hotel, on Main Street. He
held his commission as major in the
Confederate regular army. Next to
his Wife and daughter, lie thought
more of his horse. which he called
Old Fox, and next n long, straight
{ French chasseurs cavalry sabre. which
he had brought with him from France
end he was a splendid sworosisan.
After seeing me go through my
duties as adiutan. at dress parade out
in Jameson's field, he sought m intro
duction. and said: IT knew YOU to be
a born soldier MS soon as saw YOU on
parade" OF course, this ticlled my
vanity to the utmost, and the colonel
md I were friends as long as he lived,
We We're soon moved to Manassas,
and Major Skinner was assigned to
duty with the First Virginia Regi-
ment.
When Prince Polignac inspected tho
First. as is always the case, tho in
spector invited the field officers to
accompany him as he rides around the
line. Whilst passing in rear Of the
troops PURGE Polignac remarked IN
French TO Major Skinner: Major. ]
see that some OF your men have their
shirttails out behind" The major in
Ftantly replied in French. Prince. TINT
don't amount to anything, as the
enemy will never see TINT side OF
them" At tho reorganization OF tho
army in 1862. Col. Lewis 3. Williams
Formerly OF the Seventh Virginia, was
elected colonel and Major Skinner
Neutenant-Golonel OF the First vir-
ginin My friend, Captain John N. G,
stockton, was made adlutant, and
nom him I received tho following nc
count OF Colonel SINNERS conduct ut
The Second Battle Of Manassas. Col.
Williams was unable to take command
on account OF wounds and Colonel
Tred hah MS opportunity to dis
ttnguish himself There was an a,,rao
nent amongst the field officers not to
go into action mounted, on account az
the scarcity Of horses, so Colonel
Fred sent his orderly around to tho
other field officers. saying he was no,
leeNng very well that :lay. ana II
they did not object, hn would 40 into
hctlon on Old Fox. Sitting In front
OF MS command on his horse an ordo,
was received by courier for him r.
charge certain battery that was nm,
moving our line Very much and u,
whecled Old Fox around. faced hi
regiment drew his sabre by motion
one two, three. as If on parade. an,
gave the command: Thirst Virginia
1olio" me- and wheeling his horse
put spurs to him. and at full spcc
e.arsea INTO the battery, killed tw