The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
to major and given command OF the
battalion recommended McGraw for the
captnincy OF tho Purcell Battery.

to major and given command or the
| battalion. recommended McGraw for the
| cnptnincy OF the Purcell Battery.
"At Malvern Hill when only n private
!, Joe had two toes shot clean Off. but In
| forty-eight hours was back with the guns
! At Fredericksburg / saw his piece posted
| on the heights west of the town doing
! effective service In staying the advance
of the Federal infantry. Suddenly n shell
from tic opposing lines struek II easson
near by. The caisson exploded with ter
rliic force. killing or manning every man
at Joes gun except himself and two 9TH
ers. lie was thumbing vent at the time,
ana as his two surviving comrades shrank
back and started to flee from the scene OF
carnage, cool as II on dress parade Joe
shouted, What! you aren't going to de-
scrt me. are your Inspired by his words
and courageous bearing, they collected
their wits ana returned to their duty.
Volunteer gunners were secured from the
infantry ranks near by and Joe's piece
did notable service throughout the re-
inainder of that bloody December day.
AT Spotsylvania, on the 18th of May
1864, when We repulsed Hancocks second
attack, / saw Joe sitting upon his horse
Just in tho rear of the Purcell Battery.
his sword in his right hand and his
bride reins tightly clenched In his left.
calmly exposing himself and holding his
men to their work by the example of
his own indomitable bravery. 1t was
a hot fight. There seemed to be no end
to the yelling masses of Federal lnfan-
try that were hurled against our thin
gray lines. AS Joe sat there cooly di-
recting tho fire of his guns, solid shot
from Federal battery away off on our
right struck HE bride hand, crushed
that poor left arm, and rolled 1T up to
the very shoulder. Even after receiving
that terrible blow. shook which might
have killed an ordinary man, with that
wonderful vitality which he always pos
sessed. he raised his sword In his right
hand and. waving it above his head,
shouted. Give 1t to 'em, boys! I'm not
much htirtl'--and pitched from his sad
die In a dead faint. We procured |
stretcher and carried him to the rear.
After the Union attack had been repulsed
I sought him and found him lying with
closed eyes. patiently awaiting his turn
at the amputating table. Wishing In |
some way to express my sympathy, /
said. joe old boy, I'm awfully sorry
FOR you. I hope you are not mtiolr hurt
He opened his eyes calmly, and, looking
lp into my face, replied, I'm afraid this
VII keep me from the guns thirty days,
Cap'n. They laid him on the table and
MS wound. WGll, BuTUeOH, |
what's your verd!ct?' asked Joe. With
saddened countenance. the surgeon looked
1T tho shattered member. and replied.
I'm afraid we shall have to take 1t out
It the shoulder Joint What are you
waiting for?' asked the sufferer. For
he chloroform. Tie steward has gone
fter IT. Never mind the chloroform.'
laid Joe. I'll not take a sniff of 1t. Go
head with your work Reluctantly the
surgeon did so With closed eyes and
ight-shut lips. rejecting the blessed I'M
which tie anaesthetic might
ring, McGraw yielded to the savage
mercy of the surgeons knife, and when T,
he painful ordeal was over and the !
lap sewed down. he asked for pipe I
I tobacco and something to eat. II
ever expected to see him with the guns &
gain. q
Midsummer found Pegram's Battalion in
amp near Petersburg. For a month or
lore, in company with Mahone's infantry I
vision. we had been chasing up and
own the Weldon Railroad, trying to
eep open this most important line of
between Lees army ana =
e South. It was a sultry night lin !.
lry August. The major and l had
st laid down on our blankets to rest. y
lddenly we heard In the distance the Z
lex or horses hoofS-pit-a-pat, plt-a-pat, I,
coming nearer. What 9
lot can be out riding at this hour of i
lie night? remarked Pegrarl. We half q
,ised ourselves from the ground and !
stoned The hoof-beats drew nearer I'M Y
| finally the form OF well-known man @
18th empty sleeve pinned across chest 4
omed up through the semi-darkness. t.
citing the reins fall on the neck Of his
1rse and salutlng, he said. Major Pc Y
ram. report for duty 1t was Joe Nc e
raw. G
He remained with the battery all n
rough that fall and the trying winter u
at followed, participated in the stirring =
,ents of tho spring of 1865. and was q
laly paroled with the ragged remnant =
Lees devoted troops at Apo
attox Courthouse Failing to meet n
,rdal reception on his return to his :,
itive section, he wont to Brooklyn, N. y
:. engaged In business, was moderately =,
'osperous. married charming woman. y
I'd became happily settled in life. An !,