Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-02-18
Confederate Color.
BEARER CARRIES STArDARD OF
CHRIST.

Hartwcll, Cain . recent issue Of
The Constitution William Turner, Of
Rutledgs, Ga, gives a. account Of how
the flag Of Orr's Rides, McGewan's
brigade, was concealed from the
enemy when the color bearer, Mo-
Bryde. was captured at the battle Of
Spottsylvanis court house.
The report states that Mcbride, died
In prison. This is mietaks, as he 10
still living and was recently pastsr Of
the Presby tsrisn church Of this place.
He Is the Rev. John 4. McRryde.
| At the fearful battle of SpottsylvaniA
soart house, ON May IL, McBryde held
the flag Of his company over the COM
conrand in the bloody angle, though
IL posed to the most terrific musketry
fire, for eighteen hours. He stood at the
point Of the horseshoe bend, ~ 1t 10
sometimes called, without protection
and uninjured while large tree just
four feet behind him and twenty-three
inches in diameter, was cut down. The
trunk Of that tree is now in the ma
tional museum at Warrington. 1t was
riadIed by muketry fire for there was
no cannon at this point.
In speaking Of the occurancs, Glen
eral r. r. Hemphlll, editor Of the Alb
beviIs, s. q. Medium, lately sergeant
major Of Orr's Rifles, said.
"Almost Immediately the order was
given to move forward, but amid the
thunder Of 90 many guns, no human
voice could be heard and the gallsnt
regiment could only follow its leader.
den. MCGOWAN gave the order to
Col. MED. Miller, and was shot down.
Gel Miller gave the order to the editor
OF the Medium and was shot down, We
gave 1t 70 McBryds and with him
mounted the sarthworks along with
Calvin Galloway one:ofthe color guard.
The nag Suffered out in the breeze.
We ktosd awhile upon the sarthws rks,
tine gallant regiment caught sight Of
The battlsfiag aross to man and with
a sheer that rang out high shove the
tumult OF the conflict, double quicked
into the midst Of the struggle going on
over the last Of the captured breast
works.
Then snsued the fiercest hand to
hand fight Of the war. Fer hours Nc
Bryds with unfaltering courage held
our banner over his undauntsd COM
RAIDS until In one of the most desperate
charges Of tho day, the yankees mount
ed eur line Of breastworks. Unable to
withetand the terrific fire which vel
coined them, they were forced to re-
tire. As they did SO, a stalwaTt yankee
seized McBryde by the collar, lifted
hlm and his flag out of our works and
carried him off. McBryds kicked and
struggled to free himself, but he was
no match for his eapter and we saw
nothing Of hia again until he was re-
leased from prison and exchanged.
During his struggle with his ca ptor
finding that he could not escape, Nc
Bryde tore the flag from its staff, con-
cealsd it in his bosom and brought 1t
back with him from prison. McBryde
WAS boy Of tender years and under
velopsd physique, but no Drawer or
truer soldier ever trod the consecrated
soil Of Virginia"
After the battle MsBryde and his
fellow prIAonsrs were searched and
again while in Fort Delaware the men
were taken out on the open grounds
and gone through carefully. When
ever one Of the searching parties fsl.
lump in prisoners coat, iii would he
cut open and examined. The coats OF
the men on McBryde's right and left
were ripped. One of the officers plac-
ed his hand on McBryde's shoulder
and it rested there on the battlefiag he.
had seorstsd; but with an unblieving
glance at the youthful color bearer, he
passed on. Had the flag been discover
ed, McBryde would have been shot for
his patriotic deceit.
On the 9th of May General Lee is re-
ported to have done the young sol
der the signal honor to ride up and
enquire from what state he was, at the
same time raising his hat. When the
color bearer replied, the general re.
marked: "You have done homer to your
state and II all will do as well, the VIC
tory is ours.n
The subject of this sketch is the high
~ esteemed pastor of the Presbyterian
church at Falling Waters and Hedges
vile; who came here from Virginia
about year ago. He is quiet and un-
assuming gentleman, just such as we
would pick out for such deeds of valor.
He is much respected and even bslov-
ed by the people when he serves.