The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-05
ny UArT.AIN JAMES DINI<rNs.


Far oaks, General Lee WIS appoint.
Cd 10 command the army which subse-
qhently bccum. famous AS Il great ma
chine, called tho Army of Northern
virginia. whose achievement, was the
subject OF history and the object of tho
worlds greatest admiration
The men of that army soon found
that a master nand had hold Of the
throttle. and tho division officers also
knew th9y hn1 captain able 10 lead
them.
within a very short time after Gen.
eral Lee had assumed command the
military atmosphere changed IT be-
came generally known that Richmond
would be defended and there would be
no more running away General Leo
was the an,ithesis of General Johnston
General Johnston w1s Il hIsh-ciass
FABIAN, man Of great personal cour-
age. but painfully tlmid in risking a
battle I, wns most fortunate for tho
army that circumstances had removed
him from command.
During hs career lie made hut ono
attack, tina, at seven Pines. when soy
cral thousand good men were sacrificed
without gaining the slightest results.
~ distinguished citizen OF Virginia
whose family is connected by marriage
Win NENH'Ibi JOUNHtpn UId hlSn re-
gard and appreciation for his private
and social qualities. but said of him:
'iIad the earth. like MARS. been de
void OF rivers, General Johnston could
nave had tho opportunity he 50 sreat-
~ sought 10 retire 10 tho ut,crm ost
part without bringing ON fight"
During the three weeks Intervening
bcforc the seen Days battle much
work was accomplished In making sol
diers OF the men. and on every he nd
there wsb evidence OF confidence
GrHI,hs Mississippi brigade occu.
pied position on Mrs Prices farm.
bordering on the ChickshomIny River.
The camp was In a ravine about 2Ct
yards back from the blum. which over.
looked the flats. The First Company
OF Rlchmond Ilnwitzers was attached
20 the brigade and had position on
The blum, and aiH.ost daily engaged IN
q duel with the enemy on the opposite
shore.
During our stay there company
from Madison county, Miss. known as
Wards Battery. reached Richmond and
several members came to visit us
Among them was my cousin. Claude
IT, Dinkins, who had two brothers In
the company belonged to Claude
bad not been under fire, and was anx-
tous to look over tho Federal position.
lie was. however. urged not to expose
ei!mseif on the biur but disrcgardcd
The advice. lie had been standing
there but a short time when the Yam
KEGS threw two shells at him He
stood his ground FOR time, then an
other and stu another shell whizzcd
near him,
Having seen all he went for. he
started back TO join us in the ravlne.
and Just before reaching cover shell
struck the ground almost %. his feet.
exploited and throwing MP quantity
OF Garth almost buried him alive. I
can never forget his face as he bound
ed down the hill covered with dirt.
his inQuisltlvoness fully satisfied.
Claude. made q good soldier and
served through the war He died
many years ago.
But Claude was not the only hero OF
tho BLUM. Ny father had sent with
me two of his favorte negro men
Uncle Freeman and Mat. Uncle Free
man was the elder, and no. only ruled
over Ma but myself as well. At that
time. even, we were not getting much
40 eat, and Uncle Freeman went TO
Richmond and worked gardens and did
other jobs for money 10 buy something
extra for the mess.
He heard that Wards battery was
rampcd near by, and went there to
see Mars Claude. who told him about
tho incident above related. Soon af-
forwards he left Richmond with Jug
OF molasses and bag OF bread and
sausaS" As he neared the camp about
sunset he decided to take a peep at the
Yankees who threw shells at Claude.
He was also cautioned to keep away
from tho hlnT tnnt IN m 10
had hardly halted when shell struck
the bluff in front Of him, sending the
Dirt In all directions. and that WAS the
last we heard of Uncle Freeman for
several days. He dropped his bag and
jug and broke for Richmond, and the
boys OF the Richmond Howitzers had
supper at our expense.
Uncle Freeman bossgd our entire
mess He treated Mat as an inferior,
and assumed an Importance which Mat
recognized. but when Mat heard of
Uncle Freeman's bold adventure and
his hight. he almost doubted Uncle
Freeman's greatness.
Uncle Freeman and Mat were filth
full TO the last and were my friends
as well as my servants. and | drop a
willing tear to their memory
a few days before the attack began
on the enemy's right flank Mt Me-
chancisvillc, General Lee sen. for y.
II. Hill, Longstfeet and a. II. I'm to
meet at his headquarters on the Me-
chanicsvillo Road. ID. II. IIlll was the
first to arrive. and recognized Genera!
Jackson. who stated that he had rid
den nftytwo miles since o'clock
that morning by taking relays of
horses. Before leaving his corps at
Fredericks Hall station, he had Cen
eral Whiting sign pass and an i'm
pressment order SO that he might Oh
tain ne5assary mounts and not be
known on Tho road. He wore no in
sigma OF rank and was accompanied
by one courier. soon Generals Long
street and a. +. Hill rode up and the
Tour were told by General Lee that he
had determined to attack the Federal
right wing. and had selected their COM
mands to execute the movement
In the meantime General Les had