The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-10-29
BILLY RIGGS CLSE,
BY BRUCE PARKER.
copyright, 1909, by American Press Asso-
citation 1

BY BRUCE PARKER.
copyright, 1909 by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
During the civil war one of the many
things that interested me was the fact
that after hard days march. when
we men We're lying about on the
ground resting, the drummer boys
would choose a convenient place and
play ball. One of these boys of our
regiment turned out to be a young
hero. He was known as Billy, and
his other name was Riggs. He was
fourteen years old and small for his
age.
No one has ever been able to account
of Missionary Ridge. happened to
see that blunder at the time it was
made. Billy Riggs was the blunderer.
Our regiment was one of the line at
the base of the ridge and in one of
the most exposed positions. We were
suffering under fire that we could
not return with any hope of hurting
up the side Of mountain at an enemy
we couldn't see.
Billy Riggs was standing with the
drum corps looking up the side of the
mountain. Suddenly he made a jump
and, landing on Il rock in front of him,
began to climb. In few moments he
was sheltered behind precipitous
bank. There he began to drum like
mad. What he did it for didn't know,
but supposed it was to let the men
know that if they would come up there
they would be under cover At any
rate, several men followed Billy, and
a number followed the several. and it
wasn't two minutes before the regi-
ment, or the bulk of it, was climbing
to Billy's position.
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 rafting his sheepskin to let his
comrades know that there was plenty
of room beside him. The most daring
as well as the most chivalrous left
their cover to make room for others
and followed Billy.
By this time the regiments on our
right and left. seeingiour game, conclud-
ed to practice it in their own behalf
In other words, three-quarters of
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
the army was halfway up the hill, and
soon after gaining the top the ridge
was won.
So it was that what appeared to be
a foolhardy movement led to victory
and is recorded in history as 1.-The sol
diers' BATTLE" The soldier that led
that army was drummer boy, and
his name was Billy Riggs.
After the fight we men talked the
matter over and agreed that it was a
sort of genius in Billy, Of which he
was entirely unconscious, that had
gained an important victory. In other
words. he saw that safety was in an
advance. But the officers either didn't
see his act or declined to attach much
Importance to 1t.
In time was given commission
in the regular army and ten years
later as major Of infantry was as
signed to command of three company
post west of the Missouri river. The
day arrived Mt my post as I up
| y1r0 nj lat o,.c
sound Of drums and flies playing the
'Rogues' March," l knew that some
culprit was being drummed out OF
camp and put spurs to my horse to SET
the ceremony. Entering the gate.
saw the garrison drawn up in lint
before which drum corps was lead
ing man with a feather behind eacl
ear. There was something in his wall
that was familiar to me. I rode to :
position where he would pass close t,
me, and when he went by was sur,
| had known him. Hating the squad
| asked his name:
Private William Riggs"
Billy looked up at me and recognized
me. There was curious expression
on MS race. OF injured innocence, NOR
4. LITIGATION and pleasure at seeing one O
his old comrades under such distress
ing circumstances.
stop thisv' l cried angrily.
Our commander" began the ser
geant in command, but I cut him short
Il am commander here,'' l sait
sharply. And. dismounting, l took Bill.
In my arms. pulling the feathers iron
behind his ears at the same time.
i By this time the officer temperate,
in command Of the post lieutenan
out Of West Point several years afte
4 the war had ceased. came prancin
across the parade to discover VIII
was interfering with the execution Q
4 his orders. Seeing gold leaf on m
shoulder. he came on hesitatingly, looh