Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 25.djvu/154

 150 Southern Historical Society Papers.

and at the supreme moment of his supposed victory, in the most celebrated cavalry battle of the war. On their arrival in Augusta, without rest, they rushed to Green's Cut, to meet Kilpatrick's raid, who was then threatening Waynesboro, where Wheeler met and defeated him.

DEFENCE OF SAVANNAH.

Two hundred and fifty of Young's men were there mounted, and under Captain Eve were marched hastily to Pocotaligo, and from Pocotoligo to Tullifini, Coosawhatchie, Salkehatchie, Izard's Farm, Argyle Island. The crack of the rifles of Young's men for the remainder of his division had been hurried forward (being unable to mount them) by rail, under the command of " that hard old fighter," the gallant Major Puckett, was heard in nearly all of " the bloody and obstinate fighting along the rice dams," during the seige of Sa- vannah. A complimentary order from Lieutenant-General Hardee " but for the gallant conduct of General Young's command, I could not have held Savannah so long" was read by Adjutant-General Church before us at Heyward's Farm, soon after the evacuation. He was without a peer as a cavalry officer from Georgia, and was one of Stuart's as well as Hampton's, most trusted lieutenants. That the choice should have fallen upon him, demonstrates what the War Department, General Lee, aye, President Davis, thought of him. Hampton, Butler, Rosser, Young think of that immortal quartette! Of their commanding presence, as they rode at the head of your columns, of the imperishable glory they gained and that you helped make. Is it not a glorious legacy to bequeath your children ? Does any one think this fulsome praise ? Then let him or them search the records of the War of the Rebellon, and see what P. M. B. Young is accredited with during that war. We know the half has never been told, or ever will be.

AFTER THE WAR.

It would take volumes to write all we know of him outside of what history records. His political standing during the gloomy days of reconstruction as a Congressman, as United States minister at for- eign courts, as a diplomat is green in the minds of the present gen- eration. A social favorite, he has been as much petted by the women as spoiled by the men, for there was a strong personal magnetism that was hard to resist about his chivalric presence and courtly bear- ing. To you, descendants of Confederate soldiers, do I cite his