The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-25

the field for several weeks. Early in the spring of 1884, shortly after his re- turn to East Tennessee, he was ordered with his brigade to Richmond, He ar- rived there on the 29th of April. Gen
 eral Butler was then landing his forces at Bermudah Hundreds, and General
 Sheridan was marching down the Val
 ley. The destination of both was the
 capture of the Confederate capital.
 taking of Drury's Bluff. Brigadier
 General Oracle was sent 10
 that point. On the 10th of May after a slight sklrmish in which the Confederates suffered most, Butler re-
 tired-and the Confederates returned to their breast-works, and were quiet till the afternoon of the 11th. Then the brigade was marched out of the Qualifications and was halted till mid- night At that time orders were re- ceived to proceed immediately to Rich mond to protect that city from the raid of Sherman. The troops were at once put in motion and arrived about dawn at the point of attack After resting a short time they advanced and sxir- mishes with the enemy till about 8 o'clock p. m, when sherman having withdrawn his forces, the brigade re- turned to the Qualifications In the meantime General Butler having re- stunned operations had invested Drewry's Bluff. The small army under General for its defence. General Oracle reach ed that place. about noon on May the 14th and May the 18th his brigade formed the first line on the extreme left of the Confederate Army. At dawn 1t made the assault, and drove the enemy from his end, and turned his right flank. General Butler soon fo 1n never halted until he was safely en stoned behind his works at Bermudah Hundreds, under the protection of gun boats The conduct of General Oracle was specially commended by General Robert Ransom in whose divi- sion he then was. On the next day he moved in the direction of Bermudah Hundreds. and pitched his camp in the vicinity of Hewlett House where he remained until the 22nd of May, when the process of bottling up Butler hay ing been completed. he was ordered to Chaffin's Farm. After being stationed there two or three weeks he was sent again to the South-side Of the James and on the 17th of June, assisted in the defense of Petersburg. From the 9th of July until his death he was in the trenches around thaA city. The left wing of his brigade occupied the line opposite Hare's House, and nearly a mile from the Appamattox River; and the right extreme, beyond the Peters burg and Portsmouth Railroad. to the lest @ of fGaa # @aa Sna Gracie's salient It was a very ex- posed point and distant from the ene- my's outpost not more than 100 yards. The proximity of the armies required the utmost vigilance to prevent a car nisade continuous fire of musketry Accompanied by frequent cannonades were discharged upon it daily and nightly for nearly four months So in- cessant and furious were the lombard ments and so great the number of shells thrown upon the place that 1t was known as Gracie's Mortar Hell Tn 1t and around it every regiment of his command was stationed, sometime du- ring the siege, and in the railroad cut. which was the very focus of the Hell, Oracle established his headquarters This fact is mentioned merely to show that there was no danger, or hardship, or suffering, or peril endured or en- by his men in which he was not willing to participate. Later in the year the brigade was moved farther from the river till it's right rested just beyond Grants m'ne or crater. Near this place General Oracle while super the construction of works, was killed on December 7, 1884.
 It is pleasant to remember that this gallant soldier was a convert to the Christian faith. and in 1884 became a member of the Episcopal Church.
 Through his entire career, General Oracle was distinguished by uncommon administrative abilities: by energy in the performance of duty; by a spirit of and vigor in the execution of ais plans; by soldier1y subordination and prompt obedience to orders; by sa- gacity in the management of men, by prudent care and untiring efforts to all eviate their hardships; by justice in the enforcement of discipline; by i'm partiality in the reward of merit; and by a splendid courage on the field of action.
 Notwithstanding his experience. gifts md accomplishments. he seemed to be singularly unambitious. when his friends (among whom were Generals | and Johnson. who said | that "he had no superior of his rank fin he army" were urging his promotion.) | He really appeared to desire no greater | honor from his country than the honor | of serving 1t.
 Strong in virtue. fair in favor
 Gentle in manner, fierce in fight;