The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-10-29
BILLY RIGGS CASE,
ev BRUCE PARKER.


we men were lying about on the
ground resting. the drummer boys
would choose convenient place and
play bail. One of these boys of our
regiment turned out to be n 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
for the 'blunder" that won the battle
Of Missionary Ridge. l happened to
see that blunder Mt the time it was
made. Billy Riggs was the bluuderer.
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
any one. for we We're obliged to shoot
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 jump
and, landing on a 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 1t for didn't know.
but I 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
a number followed the several. and it
wasn't two minutes before the regi-
ment, or the bulk Of 1t, was climbing
to Billys 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 we'll 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. seeing our game, conclud-
ed to practice it in their own behalf.
In other words, three-quarters of a
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 1t 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 toit
In time l was given a 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 l arrived at my post as ap.
preached riding across plain 1 heard
sound of drums and flies playing the
"Rogues' March" l knew that some
culprit was being drummed out of
camp and pat spurs to my horse to see
| the ceremony. Entering the gate, ]
saw the garrison drawn up in line
before which drum corps was lead
ing man with feather behind each
ear. There was something In his walk
| that was familiar to me. I rode to q
position where he would pass close tc
me, and when he went by was sure
I 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 his face. of injured innocence, NOR.
LITIGATION and pleasure at seeing one OF
his old comrades under such distress.
ing circumstances.
stop thisT cried angrily.
"Our commander began the ser.
geant in command, but cut him short
am commander here" I said
sharply. And. dismounting. / took Billy
In my arms. pulling the feathers from
behind his ears at the same time.
4 BY this time the officer temporarily
in command Of the post, lieutenant
out OF West Point several years after
the war had ceased. came prancing
across the parade to discover who
was interfering with the execution Of
his orders. Seeing gold leaf on my
shoulder. he came on hesitatingly, look
Ing up at me as much as TO say, "Whr
are you anyway" and what do you
mean by embracing man under pun
ishmentY l explained to him that ]
was the new commandant, that had
known Private Riggs In the civil wa,
as brave boy and that preferred
4 to investigate the case before It went
any further.
VI The investigation proved that Billy
had been FESTIVE under the command
Of a man who was his inferior in al
except theoretic military subjects. ar
antagonism had sprung up between
them and Billy had got the worst Of
1t. us all rebellious soldiers are bound
to do In the end. Under my command
Private Riggs became the best soldier
at the post, rose to be first sergeant Of
his company. and eventually succeed
a ed In getting him a commission. HI
ssught Indians under me. and, though
q be was brave and cool, he admitted
l that he missed the inspiration Of tht
drum. which cannot be used In savage