The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-01-08
AMERICAN D'ARTAcNAN DEAD
Career of Major George A. Armes,
Beginning IN Civil War and Con-
Campaigns, Pictur-
esque and True


esque figure. But few heroes of ic-
ton have had more thrilling careers.
Because of his penehant for pictur-
esque quarrels, his reckless bravery
and seeming disregard of conse-
quences, the Major has for years
been known among his brother
officers as the Modern D'Artagnan.'
Major Armes was born in 1914 at
Anadale, Fairfax county, Virginia.
Even in his school days he was lead
er and a fighter. He was Is when
Virginia seeded in 1860 and, an
nouncing his intention of remaining
loyal to the Union he at once started
for Washington. Through his ac-
quaintance with Southerners he
learned of projected raid upon the
national capital and fastened ito
Secretary Seward with the informa-
ton. All available troops were hur-
ried to Chain Bridge and Long Bridge
and the wharves and the designs of
the raiders were frustrated. Secre-
tary Seward made the lad his mes
senger as a reward.
Young Armes acted as a guide to
Federal troops when they first cross
ed the Potomac into Virginia. He
was twice wounded before the first
battle of Bull Run was fought and
received a third bullet in that en-
o.oo.o,ooo+ II tho er-;v,or - Qe0 ho
enlisted in the Sixteenth Virginia
Volunteers and it was not long be-
fore Col. Close recommended him for
a commission. When he went to
Washington for his examination,
President Lincoln singled him out at
a public reception for especial con-
graduation.
Served on Hancock's Staff
The next year found Lieut.. Armes
serving on Gen. Hancock's staff. Dur
ing an engagement he was detailed
to carry message from Hancock to
Burnside. He took straight course
which led him in front of the lines
and into view of both armies. His
horse was shot and the animal fell,
pinning Armes to the ground. Extri-
eating himself and managing to cap
ture loose horse on the battlefield
he rode to Burnside in safety and
aided in a readjustment of the Union
forces. His gallantry won him a Cap
taincy in the Second New York Artil-
lery.
At Hatcher's Run, Captain Armes,
after two attacks had been repulsed
with heavy losses, volunteered to lead
a third attempt to cross the thirty
foot stream. Grasping a log, he
started swimming, calling upon his
men to follow. AS he gained the
further bank a bayonet was damned
into his face. It entered his mouth
and the point came out his throat.
Capt. Armes dropped, but the enemy
breastworks were taken.
The night of the victory, December
IA, 1864, an order was issued by Gen.
Miles, complimenting Capt. Armes,
and so at the age of 20 he was made
a brevet major. He recovered from
his wound and was with his regiment
when it led the charge into Peters
burg. He also served through all the
operations until Lees surrender at
Appomattox. With the coming of
peace Armes was commissioned a
Second Lieutenant in the Regular
cavalry and assigned to duty in the
West.
Distinguished Indian Fighter
1t was not long before Capt. Armes
was again mentioned in orders, this
time for accomplishing perhaps the
greatest cavalry feat eyer hitherto
recorded" With a detachment of
troopers he had swooped down upon a
band of hostile Indians who had been
numbering whites and running off
their cattle on the North Platte Ri
yer. The Indians were taken by sur
prise and most of them boIted. Their
tents were burned and every head of
stolen stock was recovered.
In January, 1857, word reached
Fort Sedgwick, where Armes was
stationed, that thirty wood choppers
were beleaguered by the Indians and
in fair way to be starved, frozen or
massacred if help did not come.
Armes and his detachment of forty
troopers rescued the men and when
Gen. Grant heard of the exploit, he
ordered Armes commissioned a Cap
tain.
He was then assigned to the Tenth
Cavalry, stationed at Fort Hays, on
the Kansas frontier. He was %
years old and the youngest cavalry
Captain ever in the Regular Army.
In his next Indian fight a bullet
crashed through his hip.
In 1869 Armes caused the arrest
of two Majors in his command, ac-
cusing them of selling army mules
for their own profit The prisoners
had influential friends and Armes
suffered for his firmness. Almost
since that time he had been in bitter