Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-07-10


canal. This line across to Swift Creek
and Fort Clifton on the Appomattox
was held by Pickett's division after the
retaking Of Bermuda Hundred, which
capture so pleased General Lee that
he sent Pickett a complimentary ac-
acknowledgement Of his services.
1t was the summer of 1864. General
Pickett and l were riding along the
line, locking over at the Federal gun
boats and monitors not more than COO
yards from our headquarters, when
suddenly I saw a puff Of smoke drift
Ing, scattering. becoming a mere shad-
ow as it f1oated higher and was lost
against the blue sky.
"Look-look, General" l said. "Isn't
that beautiful"
dangerously beautiful. It's from a
she'll The enemy are firing over there.
Come, dear; whip up your horse, and
let me get you out Of this as quick as
I can"
"No, indeed" l said. I'm not a
bit afraid, and If I were, General, do
you think I would let Pickett's me
see me rum
OSNr N>NS biSooO. " "S IL
danger, useless danger, and that is not
bravery" he said.
The Generals soldiers did not seem
to agree with him, and Corse's brigade
when we passed sent up cheer after
cheer as 1 rod slowly along. Just
then Captain Smith came across the
field to greet us.
f\Vho iS f1na na,@ca of tho fripo
Captain" asked the General.
1.-THE Federals are testing some guns,
I think, for the entertainment Of Wis
itors. They are not firing at us. l
learn that Mrs. Grant and some friends
have come down from Washington this
morning. They are over there to the
right Of that oak. Mrs. Grant, you
see," he said, handing me the field
glasses, sis standing between those two
short, stout men. The one at the left
with a cigar in his mouth is Grant
The shorter, stouter one on the right
is Ingalls,, Grants Quartermaster Gen.
eral, who, they say, is one Of the brain
lest men in the army"
eyes, that's old Rufus" said the Gen.
eral. See him laugh, the old rascal
But come; let's ride on"
NO." said Captain Smith, at isn't
safe here. I would take Mrs. Pickett
, clump Of trees"
unfortunately, Captain. Mrs. Pick
EFT outranks me. She will not go, anG
l can't issue a military order, as il
the case of an insubordinate."
Permit me-, please, Mrs. Pickett, tc
add my entreaties to the Generals. II
really isn't safe here.'
Let me get down n try our guns
too, please, and then I'll co." 1 said.
SHOT for the world" replied the Gen
eral- "The enemy are not shooting a
us. Mrs. Grant is a ~kind-hearted WON
an, and would not even shoot this way
If she thought: it interrupted our morn
ing ride. Besides, she is very cross
eyed, and doesn't know directions
The Captain saluted the General
lifted his cap to me-, suggestively point
ing to the beautiful grove on our left
and rode away. I vas watching his
graceful Workmanship. which the
Southerner has by Inheritance through
a long line Of ancestors. and, becom
ing ashamed Of my d~isobedience, wa.
about to turn into the grove, when {
INC ball swept across the field, ant
then I saw CaDtHia Smiths horse dasl
madly N. bearing lis headless body
AS I looked It swAycd from side t.
side, and fell a hundred yards in ad
ance Of the handsome head. My hear
stood still. 1t stands still ever nov
as I family try to record the dreat
sight. One of the ailnless balls, alas
had found q mark. The memory O
General Grant. as l saw him that da,
across the waters on the slope, quietly
peacefully smoking, always comes t,
me associated with the fearful sigh
that followed it.
On July II, 1864, when General Pick
EFT was riding into Richmond to wei
come his first baby boy. the loving
loyal men of his division built bonfire
all along their line in honor Of TIL
event. The Army of the Potomac
knowing that there had been no battle
were curious and anxious, accreditin;
the demonstration to the only plauSibl
reason, foreign acknowledgment of gu
independence. General Grant sent on
scouts to ~recOnnOiter, Il when h
learned the cause of the celebration h
turned to ingalls, and asked:
Haven't we got ONE kindling WOO,
over here on our side of the line? VIII
don't we strike q light for the youn
Pickett?"
The light was struck by Grants OF
der, and bonfires burned along the FED
eral line as we'll to welcome Genera
Pickett's heir.
The next day this letter. marlSe
"Unofficial," came through the lines an
was m~ysteriously delivered at Pick
ett's headquarters:
July IS, lS64.-To George E. PICK
EFT: We are sending our congratuls
lions to you. the young mother and tn
young recruit. Grant, ingalls,, Suck
ley"
This unofficial and the following off
cial letter from General Lees heat
quarters are still sacredly preserved
and the Ink end the sentiment el
pressed are alike unfaded:
Headquarters Army of Norther
Virginia. = Dear General AcceI
through me the congratulations of til