The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-01-13
BILLY RIGGS CASE,
BY BRUCE PARKER.
copyright 1909 by American Press Assoc
ciation.I

Dul luS lAC Civ ~ WA ohS VI thC Lldhy
things that interested me was the fact
that after hard days march, when
we men were lying about on the
ground resting, the drummer boys
would choose 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
for the "blunder" that won the battle
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 a fire 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.
Billy Riggs was standing with the
drum corps looking up the side of the
mountain. Suddenly he made jump
and, landing on rock in front of him,
began to climb. In a few moments he
was sheltered behind a precipitous
bank. There he began to drum like
mad. What he did it for didn't know,
but l 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
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, seeing our 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 uo the hill. and
soon after gaining the top the ridge
was won.
SO it was that what appeared to be
foolhardy movement led to victory
and is recorded in history as 1.-The sol
diers' battle" The soldier that led
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 it.
In time was given a commission
in the regular army and ten years
later as a major of infantry was as
signed to command of ii three company
| post west of the Missouri river. The
day | arrived at my post as | ap-
| preached riding across Il plain | heard
sound of drums and flies playing the
''Rogues' March," | knew that some
| culprit was being drummed out of
camp and put spurs to my horse to see
| the ceremony. Entering the gate.
saw the garrison drawn up in line
before which a drum corps was lead
ing man With ii feather behind each
ear. There was something in his walk
that was familiar to me. | rode to a
| position where he would pass close to
me. and when he went by l was sure
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 this cried angrily..
Our commander began the SER
geant in command, but cut him short
/ II am commander here" | said
sharply. And, dismounting, took Billy
in my arms. pulling The feathers from
behind his ears at the same time
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
Icross the parade to discover who
Nas 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. ''Whc
are you anyway" and What do yor
mean by embracing Il man under pun
ishment! | explained to him that
was the new commandant. that haC
known Private Riggs III the civil wal
as brave boy and that l preferred
to investigate the case before it wen
any further.