The Washington herald., 1914-10-15
CIVIL WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
October 5 1S6-The Body of Col George D. Wells Of
Massachusetts Regiment Was Sent Under Flag of Through
Federal Lines Cedar Creek the Shenandoah Valley by the Con-
federae General Eay-A Tragic Incident at Range

Ene washington Herald-)
I fire that the enemy poured on them from
! the ridge
The Federals expected to advance and
take the enemy's batteries. but they soor
found themselves outfianked and were
Obliged to change direction. The fighting
now became warm. At its height it was
found that the two Federal brigades had
become separated.
Z Evidence was accommodating that the en-.
emy was in stronger force than was sup
posed Col. Wells on horseback was di-
recting the movement OF his brigade
when he was struck by a ball full in his
breast. The colonel slipped from his
horse and sank to the ground, with some
OF his officers about him.
At this juncture an order was received
for the brigade to retire The officers
urged Col Wells to permit them 10 put
| him on his horse and try to take him
from the field. He would not consent
He knew his wound was mortal.
TT is Of no use, gentlemen" he said
Il cannot live. Let me lie here. Take
my money and watch and save your
selves"
Early Honors Col. Wells.
The enemy was now close upon the lit
tie group about the fallen officer. Col.
'NAAS bANtltu 10 leave
the field. All obeyed but one, who chose
to remain beside his dying commander
This was Lieut. William L. Cobb. An
other officer OF the Thirty-fourth, Capt.
Wells Willard, had tarried too long on
the field and was captured. Lieut. Cobb
also fell into the hands Of the enemy
as the regiment swung out Of sight be-
hind a ridge.
The two officers, with some aid, raised
the expiring colonel on a blanket and
bore him toward the hill from which the
enemys batteries were stil playing on
the Federals.
The firing line had swept on past
them and they were now in the rear,
On the hill they met Gen. Early. The
Confederate commander asked the
name Of the officer they bore. When
told that II was Col Wells Of the
Thirty-fourth Massachusetts,, he asked
II II was the same officer who had
command Of an expedition up the val
ley in the preceding winter. Being an
swered in the Affirmative and recoE-
nizing in Col. Wells a man worthy Of
every honor. Gen. Early ordered that
he be put into an ambulance and taken
TO the rear to receive medical atten-
tion.
As the form of Col Wells was being
lifted into the ambulance his spirit
took its flight. The two officers went
as they looked upon his dead face. All
the rigors OF war had not hardened
them enough to withstand this invoI-
untary tribute to their beloved COM
mander.
Next day Gen. Thoburn sent a flag
Of truce TO the Confederates asking If
Col Wells had passed away, that his
body be returned to the command. This
request being granted, the body was
taken in a Confederate ambulance to
the Federal lines and there delivered
to the officers of Col. Wells regiment.
On October 16 It was forwarded to
Winchester, and the next day to Mar
tinsburg on the railroad. forty-three
miles from the army's position on
Cedar Creek. Thence It was sent to
Col Wells home in Boston. under the
charge OF two officers OF the Thirty
Thomas W. Ripley.
Col Wells was thirty-eIght years
old. At tho time Of his death he was
in line for promotion. and afterward a
brigadiers' bearing commission was is-
sued in his name, date Of October IS,
1854. He was a fine example of the
citizen soldier who, without military
education, could make a conspicuous
success in command. He was a Judge
IN Boston ponce court at the begin
ming OF the war. His first military
service was as lieutenant colonel of
the First Massachusetts, Regiment,
with which he fought in the first bat
tie Of Bull Run, and through the Pc
ninsula campaign. The Thirty fourth
Regiment was raised in July. 1862. As
Col. Wells was a native of Greenfield.
In the center OF the district from
which the regiment came, he was
logical choice for its colonel.
tcopnight. Isl4l
Tomorrow - Secretary of War
Stanton Yisits Grant.