The Robesonian., 1908-09-03


rection as fast as they could load.
All order had been lost by our
people, but all were galloping as
fast as they could directly at the
enemy.I kept my squad together
with some little difficulty and in
creased the pace as Col. Lees
positive order had been to keep
just 200 yards in the rear. Be-
fore we got very near the red
blotch disappeared over the hill,
followed by all our people, and
Col. Lee, on his splendid bay
horse Dixie, with heavy black
ostrich plume in a broad-brim
slouch hat, was we'll to the front.
Going at speed, we topped the
hill and before | could draw rein
we were right in among all our
people and as they were in great
confusion withmuch desultory fir
ing it was impossible for me to
tell what was going on. | did
remember my orders to keep 200
yards behind and wheeled my
men about and started to the
rear. l had scarcely gone the
the length of my horse when from
the swamp on my right heard
some loud commandgiven, but not
thinking it could be meant for
me continued on my way.
Immediately it was repeat
ed and this time I under
stood l was the party addressed
and that the order was to halt
and turn back, but I glanced
over my shoulder and saw the
speaker was a small man, on
foot and covered with mud and
unknown to me, so l told him to
mind his own business, that
knew mine" This seemed to
aggravate this small man almost
to frenzy and l never did hear
such peremptory orders given in
so loud a voice and accompanied
by some very bad language.
Something about the speaker
caused me to look again more
carefully and to my horror I saw
it was Col. Lee. Dixie" hao
been killed under him whilst
going at speed and he had taker
header in the mud and it was
small wonder | had not recog.
nized him. ] Immediately gal
loped up to him and explained
that | thought was obeying or.
ders and was told that "circum
stances alter cases." to dash
down tc the swamp, dismoun
! ! and capture some half dozel
! men who had taken refuge there
/ and put an end to this fight a
once!
This was done promptly an,
effectually. We had severa
uninjured prisoners, two badl
wounded and two dead. On ou
. side we had one man killed an,
, Col. Lees splendid horse. w
mounted our prisoners benin
. some of our cavalry men, Col
! Lee took one of the mems horses
T. a cart was procured from a neal
) by farmer to carry our dea
u comrade and we returned with
+ out farther adventure. under
r stood that in speaking of the ma
y ter to some brother officers tn
+ next day Col. Lee said "the on
u officer he had with him worth
n damn was that little Marylan
} lieutenant"
l considered this glory enoug
II for one occasion.
It At this time John J. Mosby-
l. afterwards the famous guerril
s. chief was adjutant of our reg
u ment. There could not hay
u been a greater contrast betwee
'e two men than there was b
y tween Lee andMosby. Lee was tt
precise and punctilious soldie
e e with a great regard for all tt
2I etiquette Of the profession
y Mosby was absolutely careless
ot all this and seemed to take
le pride in violating every rule tn
a it was safe to do. For instanc
I he used a civilians saddleand b
N : die and his uniform was trimm
III with red instead of buff. 1t is sa
+ that when he was promoted fro
private to adjutant and went
v Richmond to equip himself
y found a ready-made uniform Fl
le a lieutenant of artillery that f
lG ted him and being cheap
bought it. When at dress para
~ he paced down the line or
1e small sorrel horse, with t
n. citizens equipments and his
oC tillery uniform, it was gall a.
e. wormwood to our lieutena
Il colonel, but our colonel-Wm.
all Jones was a great friend
M M Mosby's and, it was though
as d rather enjoyed Colonel Le'
ny chagrin.
"a On one occasion Col. Jor
was absent and Col. Lee was
ne command and waiting in frC
les of his tent for his horse. Mos
10 sauntered up and with a dra
1er more pronounced than usual sa
sly Colonel, the horn has blow
zen zen for dress parade. If a Il
ral could have killed him Mos
pl4 would never have moved fir
ook M the spot. After a moment !
lgn g said, "By God, sir, if | e
3e1 3 again hear you call that bug
teo te horn, I will put you un
Ine arrest!"
aeo Hunters Lodge.
I'M *This manuscript was writ
ove ten years ago.