The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-10
WAR "REMINISCENCES
OF A LOUISIANIAN
M II. II. BAKER,
of New Drlcaus,

we thought the most beautiful banner
in the world-the Stars and Bars OF
tho Confcfdcracy. l was but n school
boy when Florida. my native State,
seceded form the Union. ! had been
reared almost like n girl BY my kind,
loving and indulgent mother. who,
though strict with her seven children,
two girls and five boys, was self
sacrificing and watchful Of everything
affccnn gthcir welfare: therefore 1t
was n great shock when her five boys
enlisted la the army. [ was retiring
and even shrinking in my disposition.
suppose because ] had not been
thrown with many people. Pensacola
was provincial village, and there
were but few Americana in the town
at that time, hut when the bugle
called us TO the front forgot II all,
and boy as ! Was, ! stood side b.
side with bearded men.
/ could not describe the high pitch
OF enthusiasm manifested by all snd
the Intense patriotism OF our people
at that time. The boys and girls dsck-
cd Themselves with ribbons and cock
AIDES to show their chrneatncss and
sympathy In the movement 10 protect
our homes against Invasion. There was
Hhirl of excitement IN the air, and
like nm c!cctvic current Il hud per-
meated every class OF sccicty. Tho
their sc~!ng machines to assist In
making sandbaBs 10 uso IN construct
ing breaetworkH for Our soldiers, aud
preparing beRslages for the wounded
and ]. like many othcr boyE, assisted
thCm IN this work was Just rounding
my siNlcuntl year. but I WAS tall,
measuring siN feet ono and half
inches. and as ] had been II constant
attendant AT n gymnasium ut home
] was strong, active and muscular. i
was already n member OF 81 local MILL
;ary company, known as the Pensacola
Guards. Most OF the boys of this fancy
organization, like myself. were from
an academy In Pensacola. The captain
was % veteran of tho Mexican War.
Cptain bright. and our orderly ser
geant was my brother. Jamc. Nice.
Haitcr. As soon rs war clouds conf
mcrccd TO gather. warning us that
real fighting was about TO begin, We
started to drlll in earnest. SO as to
be ready for any contingency. We had
not long to remain Idle. for that gal
liant officer. Colonel Tcnnent Lomax
of Alabama. Was already eli route TO
Pensacola with small battalion and
with orders to hasten to Forts Bar
rancas and McCrea ard capture them.
These forts were situated nine miles
from the city, on the mainland, at
tho mouth OF Pensacola Bay. We at
once offered our services to Colonel
i.o.nax, and our company was made
part OF his command,
wc los, no time in starting OF this
expedition, and trudging laporiously
through the deep sands for which that
part OF the state is noted, arrived
ut the cncrny's gate, Fort Barrancas,
the same evening. This was in tho
carly part OF January. 1861. halt
was made and our little battalion Was
lined up. facing tho massive wall which
surrounds tse fort. Colonel Lomn:.
who sat his horse superbly, wheeled
In his saddle and with animation ad-
dressed MS
"Boys.r he said, "if they surrender
without a nSht. ict like gentlemen, but
If you have TO tight. fght like hell.
lie then rode up TO the pondcrous iron
gates and. like knight or oia'
clankcd his sabre in the face OF the
guard and demanded tho forts sur
render. The corporal in charge called
the sergeant of tho guard, and he, In
turf called the officer Of the day. Al
tor communicating with Colonel Stem
rnsr. the Union officer IN command.
Colonel Lonax and staff were admitted
TO arrange terms OF the surrender. In
a few minutes the graceful folds OF
the stars and stripes were seen 10
,remble for an instant and then, ike
from the majestic staff which stood
proudly i'm the centre Of the campus.
Tbe sentfncls. too, who were pacing
their beats high UP on tho wall, whtch
cncircles the fort, grounded thclr
arms and tho gates were thrown open
and Colonel Lomax's battalion marcn-
cd In to take charge, arrange their
quarters and guard their prisoners.
Colonel I.omax afterwards command
~. ~ 1 IoI
was a man of superb physique, ana
his men idolizcd him. He was not only
one OF the most prominent and pic
turcsaue figures in the lato drama,
hut he was also one of the bravest
and most daring officers of the Con-
fcderatc service. lie was killed lead
Ing his regiment into the first fight
at Seven Pines.
While in the barracks ] had quite
an unexpected experience with q ruff
fnn who had Joined our company just
before leaving tho city. IIo was an
Alabamian by the name OF Bidell. HIS
father kept hotel In Pensacola, but
The family were from Greenvllle, Ala.
MY brother had put Bldell In the
yunrdhouse for getting drunk and
violating somo rules Of discipline, and
when he got out he was OH the war
path. went down to the messroom
the morning after his release and /
found him there AZ soon as he saw
me ho commenced the most frishtful
TRADE against my brother. addressing
his remarka to tho cook and telllhs
that necessary adjunct to our mess
what he was going to do to my broth
or when no saw him. approached
him and cautioned him that u would
not allow any one to abuse my BROTH
err" He scornfully eyed me, and
with the most contemptuous sneer
said, We'll. Mr.. Kid I will just show
YOU what will do to you." and with
+ that he drew big Colts revolver;
from it's holster, saying. II Will 5uat
teach you q lesson, my boy" The only
weapon about my person was. q long
j.bladod knife, which / always carried
an my belt, ] quickly y SraSped {sthe
5hjIi Sof tho Xii Q. Ut efore he Gould,
tflf 81 III OF De tbs