Life — April 1, 1886 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Settee & Starr (PRESENT STYLE) [he mort marked improvement in writing trom the use of ++ Graspwell’s Compendiom " that has come to our attention this month is by Geaeral Gabriel G. Starr.) OUR WAR PAPERS. FOLLOWING the lead of that popular magazine, the Thirty-five Century, pub- lished in New York, London and the Undis- covered Country (where they read * The Bos- tonians”), this paper adds to the valuable historical contributions regarding the” Civil War the following lucid account of the im- portant engagement at Wild Goose Creek. In order to give the reader a correct and perfectly impartial idea of this famous mili- tary operation, papers are presented from General Starr, of the United States Army, and General Barr, of the opposing forces. Profiting by the experience of the Hanky Jeems repository, and desiring to save time, we add to the foregoing contributions an extract from our next issue, giving editorial notes which amply explain the seeming inaccuracies and disagreements in the writ- ings of the before mentioned distinguished gentlemen, and clearly demonstrate to our readers thé fact that history defeats itself. On the night of March 10, 1859, my com- mand consisted of the ’Sty-fiifth Infantry under Col. Bogus Butter; the 'Steen Hundred and Twoth, under Col. Thomas Small Beer; the Limburger Lancers, Major Schweitzer- kase ; and the Salten Battery, commanded by Captain Thug. In all one hundred officers, twenty men, four boys, three nurses and one porter, The artillery was not particularly strong, consisting only of one Roman candle - LIFE: and seven church canons—only ser- viceable on Sundays. My cavalry was also weak ; having been busily and arduously engaged the previous day in hauling a barrel of spiritus JSrumenté into camp, it had sus- tained serious damage to its right front foreleg and suffered the. loss of its caudal appendage by twisting, from which it will be at once seen that it consisted of 1 mule. Opposed to this insignificant and illy equipped force and only sepa- rated from it by the slight barrier of Goose Creek, lay sleeping the entire Confederate force under General Barr (for whom, personally, I bad, and still have the highest respect, considering him the bravest as well as the most able general of the op- posing forces). This army, the very flower of the enemy, consisted of not less than 128,coo men, well equipped, perfectly drilled and ably commanded. Having received a peremptory order from my commander-in- chief, the Mayor of Goose Centre, not to attack the enemy for fear of injuring the growing wheat in the adjacent field, I felt that now was the opportune moment inwhich to fall upon my opponent, while wrapt in slumber—cut away the ropes of his tents and having him thus at a disadvantage, completely overpower him. The map herewith printed shows the posi: tion of the forces upon this memorable occa. “1 oRDEI Upon calling my officers together for coun- cil I found that without exception they all op- posed an attack at this time, stating quietly but firmly that they preferred s'mother time. Judging, therefore, that the time was ripe for action, I ordered the Limburger Lancers, who occupied the extreme left of the line, to ford the stream and fall upon the enemy’s flank; if the same refused to turn they were to conclude that they did not have the proper key to the Confederate. ‘THE ONLY CORRECT MAP OF THR BATTLE OP WILD GOOSE creex. position and immediately turn themselves and avoid unnecessary altercation. This manceuvre was executed with amazing rapidity, and before the enemy was aware of our movement his entire camp was in the greatest disorder and confusion. The tent ropes being quickly cut, the poles and canvas fell upon the sleeping forces, and Consequently they were unable to extricate themselves in time to form a line, Leading the centre of attack in person, with drawn and buttered sword, I pene- trated the opposing camp and reached the headquarters of General Barr in time to catch a glimpse of him making for the woods, attired in gray cap and a pair of calvary spurs. Recognizing him at once by the size of his foot (we having been classmates at East Point) I at once gave chase, but owing to his superior facilities for locomotion was unable to overtake him. ‘The entire force of the enemy was routed at this engagement, and next to myself I always thought that to Providence was due this great victory, which, if it did not break the back- bone of the rebellion, certainly fractured a rib. As Providence did not place any claim before the Government for services rendered, I under- took to collect for both of us; a proceeding comicbooks.com