The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-09-23
billy M!Gy CIV
BY sRueE PARKER. ,
copyright. 1903, by American Press Assoc
ciaMen. Fsf

During the civil war one. Of the many
things that interested me was the fact
that after a. hard days march. when,
we linen we've lying about oa.e the
kgpunsA resting, tAs d.M .sner .fxs
would choose, seny enislit place a1a.
play bah. one .af these bsys Of !spr.
regiment turned out to be a yelsE
here. He was known az Billy. and
his other name was niggs. . He WAS
fourteen years old and smaA for HIS
age. g!aG#'A4 &NM 10 !f
/ 10 enc has ever been able to account
for the ''bluhaer,' that won the battle
of Missionary Ridge. happened to
see that blunder at the time it was
made. Billy Riggs was the blunderer.
Otr regiment was one OF the line at
the base Of the ridge and in one ct
the most exposed positions. We were
suffering under IRE that we could
not return with any hope Of hurting
any one, for we were obliged to SHOOT
up the side of . mountain at an enemy
We couldn't see. s'sI. q ri
Billy Riggs was standing with the
drum corps locking up the side of the
mountain. Suddenly he MADEIRA junp
and, landing on rock In front ;ef him.
began to climb. In a few moments he
was sheltered behinda al precipitous
bank. There he began 10 drum like
mad. What he did It for didn't know.
but supposed 1t was to let the men
know that IL they would come up there
they would be under cover. AT any
rate, several men followed Billy, and
q number followed the several. and It
wasn't two minutes before the regi-
ment, or the bulk Of 1t, was climbing
to Billy's position. l....a
But Billy wasn't there Realizing
that there wasn't room for 600 men
| where he stood and seeing a similar
position higher up, he went there and
stood nattiing his sheepAkin to let his
comrades know that there was plenty
Of room beside him. The most daring
as we'll as the most chivalrous lett
their cover to make room for others
and followed Billy - ~.
BY this time the regiments on QUE
right and left. seeing our game, conciud-
ed to practice It In their own behalf.
In other words, three-quarters Of 4
brigade were climbing the steep. Other
regiments followed, and regimental
commanders. thinking that an advance
had been ordered, took their COM
mands where they saw others going.
Before the general in chief could send
orders to stop the advance most OF
tho army was halfway u2 the bill, and
soon after gaining the top the ridge
was won.
SO It was that what appeared to be
foolhardy movement led TO victory
and IL recorded In history az ''the sol
diers' battle. )" The soldier that led
that army was drummer boy, and
his name was Billy Riggs.
After the 6ght, we men talked the
matter over and agreed that 1t was q
sort Of genius In Billy, Of which hs
was entirely unconscious, that had
gained an important. victory. lii other
words, be saw that safety was In an
advance. But the officers either, didn't
see his act or declined to attach much
Importance to It. ...1. ,,,
In time l was Eivea 4 commission
IN the regular army and ten years
later as q major Of infantry was a.
signed to command Of three comIany
post west OF the Missouri river The
day ! arrived ct my post a. I ap-
preached riding arress : plain l heard
Z sound OF drums and nfes playing the
'''Rogues' March" I knew that some
culprit was being drummed out Of
camp and put spurs to my horse to see
the ceremony. Entering the gate. l
saw. the garrison drawn up IN line
before which drum corps was lead
ing man with feather behind each
ear. There was something in bis walk
that was familiar to me. l rode to q
position where he would pass close to
me, and when he went by was sure
I had known him. Halting the squad,
I asked his name: g.. ~
| private William Riggs
Billy looked up IT me ana recognized
me. There was "a curious expression
on his face. Of Injured innocence, NOR
| hdcation and pleasure At seeing One OF
his old comrades under such distress
ting circumstances.
"'StOp thisr' cried angrily.
Our commander began the ser
ssant in command but cut him short
II am commander here" said
sharply. And. d.snaounting. took Billy
in my arms. pulling the feathers from
behind his cars ut the same time.
By this time the Officer Temporarily