The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-05-30
y.

When Gen. Early, on October 8,
1864, during Sheridan's absence, sur
pr1sed at dawn and nearly routed the
Federal army at Cedar Creek, Low
elfs brigade of cavalry had much to
90 In preventing complete disaster.
his vigilance averted complete sur
prise on the right flank of the Union
force, but unlnckIly the weight Of the
Confederate attack fell upon the left
flank, and there It's success was at
trst. complete. Col. Lowell, who with
the reserve brigade had obstinately
blocked the Confederate advance on
the right, was presently ordered to the
left, where the need was far greater.
We arc told that he rode at the head
at his brigade three miles along the
front of the retiring battle, between
the skirmishers and the main line,
and though often under fire rode as
Goolly as If on parade. The sight re-
viyed the courage Of the Nineteenth
Corps, which had fallen back An eye
witness testifes: "They moved past
me, that splendid cavalry; If they
reached the Pike, I felt secure. Lowell
got by me before I could speak, but
/ looked after him for long distance
Exquisitely mounted, the picture of a
soldier, erect, confident, defiant, he
moved at the head Of the finest body
OF cavalry that today scorns the earth
1t treads.'
Sheridan says that when, later In
the afternoon, he arrived from Win
chester, Lowelps cavalry and q part OF
the Sixth Corps were all the troops
he found actually engaged with the
enemy, and his first message was to
Col. Lowell inquiring whether he
could hold his position. Lowell said
that he could, and the. new line was
formed close behind him. 1t was in
subsequent movement that q rife ball
struck Lowell In the chest with great
force, but did not penetrate 1t caused
fa1ntness aid loss Of voice.. SO that he
lay for tine on the ground. covered
by the overcoat of one Of his staff, till
his strength should come back to him.
! resolved to lead when the, line; should
ADVANCE. By the middle of the after.
Rooa vie" vas AelEedr on to hiss horset4
the thirteenth horse in as many weeks
that had been shot under him-and
formed his; brigade for the last Tins
whispering his orders to , his AIDES
Tor his voice was gone, determined
once more to charge and to take the
destructive battery before him. He
drew his sabre and took position, not
as brigade commander in rear of the
line, but az Colonel of his own regi
ment, before it. The bugles gave the
signal and the command formed in
brigade 'front.' rode rapidly toward
the enemy, Almost Immediately Col
Lowell was struck by a bullet and
fell. The brigade swept on toward, the
battery, and although the first charge
| was Tepulsed with loss, it was renew.
ed, and soon the day ended in a great
| and conclusive victory. 1t cost the
life OF Lowell, WHOSE faithfulness, cool
courage and tenacity had done so
| much to avert disaster and rout.
Some details Of Lowell's last hours
given by the staff officers who were
with him. are here reproduced from
Although he had been shot through
from shoulder 20 shoulder and the
| ball had cut the spinal cord on the
| way, leaving the, middle and lower
part Of his body completely paralyzed
| 'he gave no signs Of suffering; his
mind was perfectly clear, and he rest
! ed calm and cheerful, though he knew
| that he had no chance of life. He die
| tated some private messages Of affec-
| ton. Then, from time to time, as his
waning strength would allow, he gave
complete directions about all the de-
| tails of his command" Not the small
| est thing was forgotten no one was
! left in doubt. AS dawn approached 1t
| was evident that the spirit was grad.
| ually freeing itself from its vesture
OF decay. He had finished his days
work. and he lay tranquil, his mind
withdrawn, 1T seemed, into that cham
Der Of still thought wherein was the
seat Of his deepest life. AS the day
| rose into full morning, he ceased to
breathe the air Of earth.
AS we have said, Charles Lowell was
but 20 years old when he died. For q
year he had done to the. full the work
Of q Brigadier GenerakgWhffe he was
fighting his last fight on the field of
Ceuar Creek his commission as Brig
adler In the Volunteer Army was sign
ed at Washington. 1t never reached
him. He had never fought for re-
ward. His present biographer suggests
that, like the Morse hero, he might
we'll say:
where the goos have asked 70: one
gift l have given them twain"