The National tribune., 1911-02-16
The Killing Of Lien. Areiss.

Editor National Tribunes In the in
terest of truthful history I wish to
submit what 1 believe ito, be a true
statement of the killing efsI.ieu.. Meigs,
of Gen. Sheridan's sstaffsqin October,
1854, near HarrisonburGHVa
1 WAS with Gen. Early's army at the
time, heard the matter discussed, and
saw in the papers then and in recent
years what purported to. be the CORE
spondence between, Gems. Sheridan and
Early in regard to it. a.
Sheridan complained to Early. alleg-
ing that Lieut. Meigs had been MUIR
dered by one of Mosbv's men after he
(Lieut. Meigs) had Surrendered Gen.
Early called Col. Ino. S. Mosby's atten-
ton to it and requested him to inves-
the facts in the case. The following
is Col. Mosby's reply, substantially, as
recollect 1t:
your request to investigate the killing
of Lieut.. Meigs. of Gen. Sheridan's
staff, have the honor to report as fol-
lows: 1t was not a member of my COM
mand who killed Lieut.. Meigs: but it
was Bob Martin, of the Black Horse
(4th Va.) Cav, Wickham's Brigade,
from Fauquier Co, Va. Martin, with
two comrades, was on a scout on that
very rainy. evening, on one of the
many country roads leading our OF
ftarriSoHDurS, TOT IL rnlSnt nave been
on the back road.) to learn what the
enemy was doing, by" orders of his
commanding officer They had on
either dark-colored overcoats or oil
cloths over their shoulders. 1t was
very muddy, consequently Martin and
his men were riding in single file. with
Martin in the lead, and at the time
and two men. They We're riding in a
narrow lane: the latter party in single
file also. Lieut.. Meigs, leading in a
lope, attempted to pass by Martin and
his companions, not knowing 10 which
side they belonged: and just as Lieut..
Meigs came alongside, Martin present
ed his pistol and demanded Meigs's
surrender. He said all right and
reached under his long overcoat cape,
as if to unbuckle his pistol and hand it
over Martin. in the meantime, was
holding his pistol close to the Leuten-
ants head; and instead of Meigs hand
ing over his pistol he worked under
his cape SO as to get it turned on Mar
tin. who. when he heard the hammer
click. pulled his own trigger. killing
Lieut.. Meigs instantly. At the same
time Meigs had fired. and his pistol
bah went clear thru Bob Martins body
The other two comrades of Lieut.
Meigs had by this time surrendered to
the two Confederates, who promptly
LUX cHbrSe OF tnelr cOmrade, Martin,
and required the two Federal cavalry
men to ride one on each side of Bob
Martin and hold him on his horse for
II miles to a safe place. where they
left him. as they thought, MORALLY
wounded" s.s'a''I
Martin recovered. however, and lived
an honored life in Fauquier County
until, think, about 1905. I remember
we'll seeing an account of his death
and career as Confederate soldier
Col John s. Mosby is still living, yet
he may not recall it; but being a resi-
dent of the Valley myself, and inter-
ested in the outcome of Cen Sheridan's
threat to burn all of the buildings with
in five miles of where Meigs was killed,
noted the circumstance, $50 that nv
recollection Is no day dream, nor is it
dimmed by the lapse of years.-R D.
Funkhouser, Captain, Co. D, 49th Va,
Actg Lieutenant-CoTohel, warrenton, Va.