Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1907-08-14
AMEMORYOF THE WAR
IEB s1uaRrs LAST FIGHT.
The Wounded Generals Heroic BRAY
cry la the Face OF Desth--custer's
Brilliant Charge a. Seen by Con-
fsderate cavalryman.


cry la the Face OF Desth-custer's
Brilliant Charge AZ Seen by Con-
fsderate cavalryman.
"The most brilliant charge / ever
witnessed was made by Custer at the
battle OF Yellow Tavern" said an old
Confederate cavalryman. "It was
near the beginning or what historians
now call the Wilderness campaign.
II was with Jeb Stuart. General
Fitz Lees division. wickham's bril-
gade and Phil Sheridan's troops were
hanging on US like a pack OF hungry
wolves. nipping as at every turn
Eve left Hanover Junction about 1
O'Clock one night and reached Yellow
Tavern before 10 O'Clock the next
morning. We hadn't more than halted
at the Tavern when up comes Sheridan
and tries 10 drive US out. IL was a
pretty tough struggle. a hand 10 hand
light, and we fell back from the Tav-
ern. but held our position OH the tele-
graph road leading TO Richmond
was with the battery on the extreme
left wing. and 1T was about O'Clock
In the afternoon when orders came for
ginians, TO dismount.
1T did seem good. can tell you,
after so many hours Ia TIE saddle. TO
stretch out on the ground and take
smoke-tbat is all who had anything
to smoke. There was just one pipeful
among that whole battery. and the
boy who owned 1t passed IL down the
line, and each man took his turn puff-
ing ut IT. When IL was gone we all
began TO speculate on what devIitry
Sheridan would be up 10 next and
how Jeb Stuart would head him or.
IL wasn't long before some fellow
wished for drink OF water.
You know how II Is. When one man
wishes for water the whole company
begins TO swear they are dying OF
thirst. Jack Saunders and took a
bunch af canteens and started over the
hin to a spring that he had seen that
morning. was on my hands and knees
over the spring when / heard Saun-
ders' grunt OF surprise
There, only a few hundred yards
away, was considerable body OF cav
airy. Sure that II was our right wing.
/ wondered TO see them mounted and
I'm ranks. Just then the voice of an Of
fcer rang out:
Cavalry, Attention! Draw saberr
"The entire line moved forward Mt
quick walk. and as the officer wheeled
his horse i saw his face NV God. IL
was CUSTER The situation came TO
saunders and me like a flash. We
threw down the canteens and started.
back TO the battery on a dead run
Trotv Clusters voice rang out
again. Then he shouted. Charger
with Wild cheers, his cavalry dash
ed forward in sweeping gallop. at
lacking our entire left wing ut the
same time. We saw our battery taken.
our line broken and our men running
like sheep. Saunders and had but one
thought-to join our fleeing company.
As we reached the telegraph road
above the din CT the battle heard Jeb
Stuarts voice. There he was. making
stand with a handful OF men around
him.
1T seemed but moment before Gus
ter's troops were coming back as fast
as they had gone forward. They had
met the First Nirginians. We greeted
them with the rebel yell and the last
charge I'm our weapons. Jeb Stuart
cheered us on-ah. how he cheered us!
l gave them my last shot and was fol
lowing with my weapon dubbed when
/ saw man who had been dismounted
and was running out turn as he pass
ed our rally and fire his pistol.
"Jeb Stuart swayed In his saddle. IL
was only for n moment: then his voice.
rang out, cheering his struggling
troops. The enemy rallied just across
the road and fired n volley into the
little band gathered around Jeb Stuart
his horse sprang forward. with
scream OF agony. and sank down on its
knees. AS we lifted the general off
the young officer who was helping me
exclaimed:
My God, general. you are wounded!
Your clothes are soaked with blood!
You must leave the field. sir"
No General Stuart answered: L
viii not leave until victory Is assured.
Get me smother horse.
"When I returned with the horse
he was seated with his back against
tree, and when he tried TO get up,
weakened by loss OF blood. he sank
back again.
$50" he commanded us. L am done
for. Fitz Lee needs every man.
order you 10 CO.
1--WE cannot obey that order gen
eral,' the young officer told him, and
rll never forget the look that came
over his face when he faced the gen.
eral We must carry YOU To place
OF safety. however the battle goes
1T must not so against u.s. Stuart
replied. and the thought seemed to put
fresh vigor In his body You must
Nut me ON my horse and keep me there.
Ny men must not know that I am
wounded
"We lifted him on his horse, and,
mounting our own. we held him in his
saddle. When the tide OF the battle
turned, supported between us, he made
last effort 10 rally his fleeing troops
+ AGO back, men, he cried Go back,
men! Go back and do your dutyr
eve felt him sway In his saddle. The
young officer turned our horses heads
TO the rear. and we carried our falnting
general from the field, still holding him
upright IN the saddle. That was Jeb
Stuast's last battle and Clusters most
brilliant charge. "---washington Post.
The CHILD MIND.