The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-01
THREE NOBLE ALABANLANS GONE They Folowed Each Other in Quick Succession.

He found. however, the defeated army of Bakers Creek by no means demor- alized, for though the works were man. such stubborn fighters he had to fall back to his entrenchments leaving the ground in our front blue with the dead bodies of his brave soldiers. The ene- my gained in the assault possession of the fort on the bank of the railroad. The 46th had retired for rest and as lighting began 1t was rushed forward for support. The fort had been taken. Pettus volunteered to retake it. Some uf the 46th and some of Waul's Legion. of Texans, rushed into the fort, and by Q hand to hand struggle 1t was recap tured, with about 100 prisoners and has been reported in some of the war | records that none of the Alabamians would follow Pettus. and that it was the men of the Legion who did the did. go with Pettus to the desperate undertaking, and more would have done so. but there were not many of as they were passing along the line
 companies were sent or went into the entrenchments as places were seen to 50 hurried and impera tive to go to the rescue that the men. divested of | accoutrements and prepared for a days rest could not all be ready at tue same instant, and they were resting upon the
 qsS This " secured @ e, to Pettus promotion gs to was Permitted to observe during the war l .unhesitatingly pronounce him the best. Brave without recklessness: firm in discipline but fatherly in care; knowing of officers and men personally, he knew who to trust for an enterprise: he looked himself after his ordnance. quartermasters, and commissaries to see that they were not negligent. It was no wonder he was loved and trust ed by officers and men. As an illustra- tion of his personal attention to the disastrous battle of Missionary Ridge will indicate Pettus's command was about the last to leave the ridge on tho fatal night of the 24th of November. given him to leave when the others were withdrawn. I remember well how moved about his formed lines waiting. and waiting for orders. Convinced that something was wrong as to orders, and conscious that his position already enemy was closing in on each exposed flank. and the only road for retreat momentariiy liable to be cut he at last ton. It sos reached about l a. m. on the morning of the Roth of Novemha<
 Two days and one night. and thus ts. without sleep or rest and fighting through the 23rd cn Lookout Mountain, and 24th on the Ridge. Upon halting and stacking arms, nearly all dropped upon the ground by the arms for soma much needed rest. Not so with Gen. Pettus. He took his commissary off, eers and searched until rations wcrc found. and when day began to dawn ne was, there with his commissarias filling the haversacks of his men with much needed food. His men had food on the way to Dalton, while most of the. poor Confederates had to make their way in hunger Is it any wonder men loved and were ready to follow such leader any whereo Is it> any wonder should love him as loved few other mer when the subject of hts un'- form kindness in the army. and no lens SO since peace spread her soft sweet wings over our beloved South? Is 1t any wonder that personal bereavc- ment enters into my soul Res, noble chieftain. rest from the toll tili thc reville of the coming morning shall assemble us all into the presence of the Great Chieftain of our salvation.
 George E. Brewer.