The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-02
MY RECOLLECTIONS OF
CAPTAIN CHARLES BRUCE

direction OF the Yankees. We soon encoun-
tered a forest OF huckleberry bushes and every
Other kind OF underbrush- Making our Nay
as best We could We soon came upon bride
path running parallel with our line OF battle
Here We were commanded 10 halt. stack arms,
parade rest. To orr great surprise column
o. Yankees lying fiat on the ground some
twenty feet In our front. At this moment
they fired a deadly yoiley into our ranks.
Our men. not having their guns. were thrown
into great confusion. which came near being
a panic but Captain Bruce. with pistol in
hand rushed 20 the rescue. emptying every
chamber of his pistol into the adv ancing
Yankees at the same time calling on his men
TO rally around him. which they soon did. and
In a few moments blue breeches were rushing
back from whence they came in great con-
fusion with the Fourteenth Virginia Regi-
that the regiment had plenty OF brave and
daring officers and besides Bruce,
who did their duty in this particular os'tls:
but ] saw more of Bruce. because he was my
captain. and I had better opportunity OF
seeing him. recall Just here GOode killed
wilkins; Henry Palmer Drew Easley and
were others. but l can't recall them ;ust now
Late in the afternoon we marched 10 a
amp on the York River Railroad 70 await Tor
new events. We had to walt only thirty days
when the booming cannon and clouds OF
smoke told US that another great battle was
being fought az Gaines's Mil. just 20 our left.
the beginning OF che seven Days fight. Me
Clelien soon began his retreat. we following.
engaging him every day until NE reached Mai
vern nm. where he made his last stand under
cover OF his gu1boats. but Ne were ordered
forward to attack him This was one Of the
most desperate battles OF the war Bruces
company was ordered forward 20 drive in the
Yankee skir rnish line. The artillery FIRE from
the enemy during this charge was Just terrible.
saw him Just eyeryw here. cheering and lead
ing his men. Starting with genty-six men.
we were soon left with only twelve. fourteen
lying on the battlefield either killed Or wound
ed In reaching the graveyard on top OF the
hill Bruce fell mortaliy wounded. both fee;
being shot OF at HIS ankles. besides other ces-
perate wounds. As soon a. discovered this
| Immediately went &c Colonel. Hodges and
got permission 70 take him from the field.
and with the aid OF Lieutenant sternberger
and Joe Turner. we soon had him AZ the 1eid
hospital. where the doctor told him he bad
but a few hours 70 live He then dictated
telegram TO his father. at South Boston. with
. vocie as cool and clear as II nothing had hap
pened. That night he passed away Next
10 orniDg I took his body TO Richmond. whore
me; Mr.. James &. Bruce. hts father 1 ac-
comp MED his body South Boston. where
IL was turned over 20 his friends On turning
from his casket tn re-erter the train. l felt
that my best freind had gone. and that Halifax
County had lost one OF her Dobiest and brsyest
sons. One OF my greatest aspirations Is to
some day visit his tomb and place some flowers
over the grave OF this noble young msn-this
gallant soldier. this brave commander Hall
fax sent no greater son TO the front than he
r. T. EDWARDS