Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-09-18

AT II reunion Ill IlclillOhb, ooLAS SAS
asked an old Confederate cavalryman
what was his most thrilling memory OF
the War Of the Rebellion The New
York Sun records his reply.
1T was near the beginning OF what
historians now call the Wilderness
campaign he began. Il was with Jeb
Stuart, General Fitz Lees division,
Wickham's brigade. and h Sheri-
dams troops We're hanging on us like
a pack Of hungry wolves, nipping US at
every turn.
I'VE had beer marching and fighting
pretty steadily for more than two
weeks, with little rest. We left Han
over Junction about | o'clock one night
and reached Yellow Tavern before 10
o'clock the next morning. We hadn't
more than halted at The tavern when
up came Sheridan to drive us out.
1T was D tough struggle, a hahd-to-
hand fight, and we fell back from the
tavern, but held our position on the
telegraph road leading to Richmond.
l was with the battery on the extreme
left wing, and it was about . o'clock
in the afternoon when orders came for
the whole division, excepting the First
Virginia, to dismount, but hold our
positions.
1T seemed good, after so many hours
in the saddle, to stretch out on the
ground and take a smoke. There was
just one pipeful among hat whole bat
terry, and the boy who owned it passed
it down the line, and each man took
his turn pulling at it.
ut wasn't long before some fellow
wished for Il drink Of water. You
know how it is, when one man wishes
for water, the whole company begins
to die of thirst SO Jack Saunders and
l took a bunch of canteens and started
over the hill to a spring he had see1
that morning during our scrimmage
with the Yanks.
Il was on my hands and knees over
the spring when 1 heard Saunders
grunt Of surprise. He was staring
through the trees.
There, only a few hundred yards
away, was a considerable body of cav
airy. Making sure hat it was our
right wing, 1 wondered to see them
mounted and In ranks. Just then the
voice OF an officer rang out:
"'Cavalry! Attention! Draw sa-
befv
"The entire line moved forward at
a quick walk, and as the officer wheel
ed his horse, l saw his face. 1t was
Custer!
THE situation came to Saunders and
me like a fash. We threw down the
canteehs and started back to the bat
terry on a dead run.
""Trotv Clusters voice rang out
again. The next instant he shouted,
'Charge!'
with wild cheers, his cavalry dash
ed forward in a sweeping gallop, at
lacking our entire left wing at the
same time. We saw our battery taken,
our line broken, and our men running
like sheep.
Saunders and I had but one
thought, to join our fleeing company.
AS we reached the telegraph road,
above the din Of battle 1 heard Jeb
Stuart's voice. There he was, making
a stand with a handful of men around
him. Thank God, I had sense enough
left to join them!
at seemed but a moment before Gus
ter's troops were coming back as fast
as they had gone forward. They had
met the First Virginia. We greeted
them with the rebel yell and our last
round.
"Jeb Stuart cheered us on, ah, how
he cheered us! 1 gave them my last
shot, and was following with my
weapon dubbed, when 1 saw a man,
who had been dlsmounted and was
running out, turn as he passed our
rally and fire his pistol.
1.-THE enemy rallied Just across the
road, and frod a volley into the little
band gathered around Jeh Stuart. His
horse sprang forward with a scream
Of agony, and sank down on its knees.
AS we lifted the general off, the young
officer who was helping me exclaimed
General, you r wounded! Your
clothes are soaked with blood! You
must leave the field, sir!'
mo- General Stuart answered, i
will not leave until victory is assured.
Get me another horse
when l returned with the horse, he
was seated with his back against a
tree, and when he tried to get I'D,
weakened by loss of blood. he sank
back again.
SEQ! he commanded us. I am
done for. Fitz Lee needs every man,
I order you to go
1--WE cannot obey that order, gen.
eral,' the young officer told him, and
I'll never forget the look that came
over his face when he faced the gen,
era. we must carry you to a place
Of safety however the battle goes
1T must net go against u.s. Stuart
replied, and the thought seemed to put
fresh vigor in his body. You must put
me on my horse and keep me there.
My men must not know hat 1 am
wounded
"We, lifted him on hts horse, and
mounting our own, we held him in his
saddle. When the tide of battle turn.
ed, supported between us, he made a
last effort to rally his fleeing troops.
go back, men, he cried. Go back
men! Go back aid do your duty!'
"We felt him sway in the saddle
The young officer turned our horses
heads to the rear, and we carried oul