Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/173

 Generals in the Saddle. 167

A CHARGE.

Some other reinforcements coming up, a vigorous charge was made, pressing the Federals back. In this charge Bee fell mortally wounded, leading the Fourth Alabama. Bartow fell, not far from the same time and within a stone's throw of the same spot, leading his Georgians. All the world knows how the Federals shortly there- after were seized with a panic and fled incontinently from the field.

THE ERROR COMPLAINED OF.

It is not true that General Bee said " rally behind the Virginians," or behind anybody else. It is not true that he was rallying his men at all, for they were not retiring. The glory of the Stonewall Bri- gade does not need to be enhanced by any depreciation of the equal firmness and heroism of other men on that historic field. Let it never be forgotten that the Fourth Alabama lost more men on that day than any other regiment but one in the Confederate army, and every field from there to Appomattox was moistened with the blood of her heroes. But several of them still survive to corroborate, to the letter, the statement I have given you above.

Very respectfully,

WILLIAM M. ROBINS, Former Major Fourth Alabama. State sville, N. C, July 24, 1991.

[From the Rider and Driver, October, 1891.]

GENERALS IN THE SADDLE.

Famous Men in the Federal and Confederate Armies Who Were Good Horsemen Their Characteristics and Peculiarities in Camp and on the Field Some Imposing Figures on Horseback Grant was a Hard Rider, and Sheridan was a Centaur.

All the Federal and Confederate Generals who won fame during the civil war were good horsemen. Most of them learned the art of equitation under competent teachers at West Point, but even those who rose to military command from civil life sat in the saddle with more or less grace and dignity. General Grant was from boyhood