The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-20

kNO P9ftI bWOTuS leu DTdNeT BdHQ,
 No braver bled for brighter land,
 No bri"hter land had a cause SC
 zaehery cantey Deas was born in Camden, s. C., October 25, 1919. His father was James s Deas, who repre- sented Mobile County in the Alabama Legislature In 1857 His mother, Mar garet Chesnut, was a sister of Hon James Chesnut, who was at one time United States Senator from South Car olina.
 The Deas family moved to Mobile in 1885. where 1t immediately became a factor, of importance politically and so- cfaiiy Upon merging into manhood, 2. c. Deas engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he was forging successfully to the front rank when came the news Of the massacre of the Alamo Imme- diately the toesin of war sounded: American enthusiasm and patriotism ran high, and our young merchant abandoned the counting house of peace for the rude alarums of war. He served with credit through a campaign in the Mexicad war, and again resum ing his business pursuits. lie met with unqualified success. During this pe- riod he married Miss Helen Lyons. daughter of that distinguished citizen of Alabama. whom all men delighted to honor-Colonel Frank s. Lyon of De- mopolis.
 When Civil War had written it's dread hieroglyph in blood red charac- ters across the Southern sky, zAchery C. Deas in common with those count less others. who gave up wealth, bright professional prospects, wide spread political influence, home and family and friends. offered his ser4 vices to his country and was assigned n A1Yf nya ofo aR E. Johnston. serving in that capacity at the first battle of Manassas.
 In the fall of 1881, with the assis- tance of MajoF R. R. Armistead, he organized the s22nd Alabama Regiment, which he equipped entirely at his own expense, paying $2,s0o in gold for eight hundred Enfield rifles. Of this regiment he was elected colonel and commissioned on the 18th of October, 1881, and ordered to report for duty to General >Wither's. command the district of Alaabma. on the End of De- cember of that year
 General Bragg ordered Colonel Deas to Corinth February 26, 1881. At Shi- loh. Colonel Deas led his regiment with distinguished dash and ~valor, until General Gladden., brigade commander and Wirt Adams, senior colonel, had been borne wounded from the field in the days battle. Then Colonel Deas took command of the brigade. Brave and efficient, he brought to the dis charge of his new duties high enthu- siasm and determination. Cool and un- daunted, skillful in handling his com mand, he was ever in the forefront of peril, having two horses Killed under him on that second days battle. April ', and he was severely wounded.
 In making report of the, battle of Shiloh as brigade commander, Colonel Deas says: "rhe indomitable courage and perseverance of the officers and men of this brigade. the willingness and gallantry with which they marched to the attack when called upon, after having endured almost superhuman fa- tigue in the desperate and long con day, are deserving of the highest encomiums. Where so many acted mo- bly, 1t might appear invidious to par ticularize, but impartiality compels me to record as foremost in the fight, the 1st Louisiana Infantry and the 22nd Alabama. I wish here. to call the att tention of my superiors to such field officers as especially distinguished themselves in my immediate vicinity, for their coolness and gallant bearing under the hottest fire, Lieutenant Col onel John Marrast, Adjutant Morris and Sergeant Mott"
 After the battle of Shiloh, Col, Deas s Regiment, the 22nd Ala, reported 12a
 men for duty. A brilliant but tragiS commentary on the valor and heroism of this devoted Regiment-all fallinG where every soldier would wish to fall in the front rank, doing his whole du' ty. Such was Col. Deas in the battle of Shiloh, and won from his superior officers words of high praise and com mendation in their reports.
 After doing well his part In the grea' and bloody battle of Shiloh, Gen. Deas was soon sufficiently recovered from the serious wound received in that bat tie, to lead his regiment through the Kentucky campaign. under command of Gen Frank Gardner. After taking part in the battle of Murfreesboro, Col Deas was promoted to Brig. Gen. CT Dec. IS. 1862, and took command of the 18th, 22nd. 25th. S7th and 26th Ala Regiments. At the seriously contest ed and desperate battle of Chickamau- ga. Gen. Deas rose to heroic propor- tions. At the head of his brigade. he struck in the flank and routed Sheri- dan's division, killing Gen. Wm. H I.ytle of Ohio. author of the famous lines: "I am Dying Egypt, Dying"
 (Note-Part of this valuable paper appears to be missing. I publish it just as 1t came to my hands.-Asslst Ed,)