The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-02-07
IN MEMORY OF CLARENCE GOODWIN
Company 3, Ninth Virginia Cavalry.

He was Just entering his sixteenth
year when the State seeded. | remem-
ber he got together a lot OF old men and
boys at Bethel church, Caroline county,
climbed large oak, which il still stand
ing in front Of the church, and nailed at
the top, amid the the shouts OF the
crowd below, the Confederate flag. He
then Joined an infantry company from
Bowling Green, commanded by Captain
Parrish. After several long marches he
found that injuries he had received in his
foot rendered il impossible for him to
perform infantry service. So ! went with
him TO see Gen. r. +. Lee in order, If pos
sible, TO get transfer TO the cavalry.
The general told him that under the mill
tary rules he could not grant his request,
but could give him discharge from the
service. Clarence then said, well, gen
eral, will go back in the infantry and
crawl before will go out OF service ~
He had a relative in the Confederate
Congress, 80 he got furlough and went
to Richmond. With his relatives intu-
ence he succeeded in getting q transfer to
Captain Swans cavalry, who after
wards, for deeds of daring on many "a
bloody battlefield, was promoted to
colonel OF the Ninth Cavalry. So Clar-
renee bought a splendid black mare and
named it Hattie, after his sweetheart.
He rode over to see her before leaving
for the front, as he said, to get his horse
christened. Both he and his sweetheart
seemed very much attached To each
other. He, stately in bis beaiing she
queenly in her appearance. As soon rs
he could fix uD his servant and another
horse he started of to Join the Ninth
Cavalry, which was then, think. at
Orange G. r., contemplating raid IN
the enemy's country. | think 1t was IN
September, 1868. they crossed over into
Pennsylvania and portions OF Maryland,
captured a good many horses some
beeves and q considerable number OF
wagons. etc, returning with slilht loss
Some eight or ten days after their return
the enemy crossed over into Virglnlaand
took up position at BARRIERS cross
roads, in Fauquier county. Clarence
had been sent of on q scouting expedi-
tion around the enemy's lines. | think
he was gone about two days. Some of
the bows thought he had been captured
Just as Colonel Swan was making prep
arations to attack the enemy at the
crossroads Clarence rode up aud the
colonel said to him, I'VE are going into
a little brush this morning with the
Yankees, but | want you to go in camp
and rest up" His reply was, Colonel,
did not come in the army to stay in
camp." drew his sword and said, |
want TO dye this in the blood OF the
enemy today So he answered roll coll
in the front ranks and charged tight
down into the very Jaws OF death into
the very mouth OF hell aud was shot
through the lungs Although his life
blood was ebbing away, one OF his com
rades, John Mason. OF Fredericksburg.
saw him trying to cross swords with
burly Yankee, but was so weak from loss
OF blood that he could scarcely retain his
seat in the saddle. Mason rode mp and
sent a bullet crashing through the Yan-
kes's brains He then helped Clarence
dismount to die might say here that
his noble horse followed him to his last
resting place, and there stayed with him
until a stray ball ended her life. She