The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-10


coming from the opposite direction,
ana made up my mind that there was
going to be q fight. l was surprised
however, to see him approaching mo
with an extended hnnd, at the same
time saying, You are all right. pal:
take my word for 1t: il you ever get
into trouble Gull OH me- will stand
by you through thick and thin"
This was my first experience as
soldier, but not my last, as my tat
tered uniform ana bleeding feet would
aticst were 1t not TINT half century
has passed since. Full OF hope, en-
thusiasm and patriotism our command
marched through tho beautiful valleys
and climbed the picturesque hills Of
dear old Virginia, under the banner of
that peerless leader, r. Z. Lee. But
to continue my story
The Pensacola Guards remained at
Fort Barrancss for some time. We
had included Fort McCrea in our cap
ture. but Fork Pickens. where Colonel
A. J. Sicmmcr was allowed to retire
under the terms of his surrender, still
frowntd ominously at uB from across
the channel, a secret movement was
started among the noncommissioncd
ofIlcera and privates of our battalion
to take Fort Fickens. and n picked
squad was selected TO do the trick
and I was chosen to be one of the
ladders and secured the service of II
tug TO land us on tho island near the
fort. But Colonel W..H Chase, the
Confederate commander OF that dig
trict heard OF tho proJo.t In some
unknown way and sont for our officers,
who, by the way. knaw nothing about
1t. and told them that "he would hold
them to strict accountability .f tho
expedition was carried out" remark-
ins. Il Will not he the first officer In
tho Confederate army to shed blood"
Ills prompt action put stop TO the
expedition and Fort Pickcns remained
n Union stronghold TO tho end OF the
war.
We were relieved of our duties at
the forts by a Georgia regiment, and
while ] was standing at the gate of
tho barracks one morning, just before
leaving for homo, watching The Geor-
eia boys mount guard, ono of Our SOL
diers said TO me. The officer of the day
has your name II. H. Baker" I walked
over TO the lieutenant and. introduc-
ing myself asked him II his name was
II II. Baker. He said II was. chen
told him that was also my name, re-
marking that was from Pensacola.
and was named for Mr.. Henry Hyer
the most prominent merchant of that
city, of whom my father had been
very fond. He said he waH from North
named for that same Mr.. Hycr, of
Pensacola We shook hands cordially
and pledged ourselves 10 uphold the
honor of the name and try, IF possible,
TO cover 1t with glory. Poor fellow. no
was killed at Gettysburg, where l also
had been crroneuusly reported among
the dead.
Our command returned to Pensacola
and called meeting of tho company
s-t, l,..t,
ing for the war. The majority, how
ever, voted against the proposition.
at once wired my brother, Marion \.
Baker, who was at that time city
editor of the Picayune, to send in my
application TO the Washington Artil-
lery, which had just enlisted for the
war. He teleGraphed INC to come over
immediately that had been accepted
After arriving in New Orleans Captain
B. +. Eshleman, OF the Fourth Com
pany, 10 which I had been assigned.
detailed me to help drill the most de-
ficient members of the company. After
we had made every preparation to do
part we marched out of New Orleans
TO Virginia on the 27th OF May. 1851,
just Il half century ago.
1t W. I'D be almost Impossible to de-
scribe the high pitch of enthusiasm
of the citizens OF New Orleans at that
time. May 26, Sabbath morning, our
four companies in their gay uniforms,
bearing aloft t:e bnttaiious beautiful
silken flag, present from the ladies
OF tho city, marched TO Lafayette
Square, where we were mustered into
the Confederate service by Lieutenant
Phleffer, c. S. A. Tho sight WAS one
to be long remembered, for tho square
was crowded with the relatives and
friends OF tho young men Of the com
mand. After the muster the battalion
marched to Christ Church, where now
stands the Maison Blanche department
store, on Canal street. The colors of
the battalion were placed against tho
chancel rail. and DR.. Leac0ck, rector
of the sacred edifice. delivered his
sions to the trials and tribulations
which we all might encounter in tho
army.
lie enjoined all to remember that
they were educated To bo gentlemen
and represented the chiva1ry of tho
South, and 1t bohooved them to bring
back their characte as soldiers and
gentlemen unblemlshed. After the dts-
course the colors were held alott be-
fore the altar and the benedictlon
pronounced, Early next morning, May
81, everybody was astlr, and ono could
hear the cry on all sides, Tho wash
ington Artillery is going to tho war"
AS we marched through the streets,
escorted by local commands, every
thoroughfare and balcony was crowded
with relatives and friends of our bat
terry, ladies waving handkerchicfs and
tho great throns Wishing us god
speed.
Many a mother. wife. sister and
sweetheart were bathed in tears ut
tho sight of their beloved ones de-
parting to engage In a conflict which
might mean death to them, yet they
wero proud and glad that they had o
dear one to offer to their country.
Papsing the City Hall, tho Rev. Or.
Palmers made us q. patriotic and Sur
from New orIoan ~ to Virginia we INST
with 3 one titluous Tecep On 3 and
ia ry trai n mel ts